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No. 1, Vou XXXIY.] JULY 1868. [Third SaRiEs,

THE

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1868.

PLATE T.

MR. CLARE SEWELL READ,

ONE OF THE MEMBERS FOR EAST NORFOLK.

The Farmer Member — a title which he
has so honourably earned for himself — is a farmer
born and bred. He is a native, moreover, of the
county which he represents, with Ketteringham as
the place of his birth, and 182G as the year. He
was, too, home-educated at the ordinary commer-
cial schools until the 15th year of his age, when
he went into the study of agriculture under his
father, who was then farming some 1,300 acres
of land. With five years' experience in this way,
Mr. Sewell Read considered himself sufficiently
well grounded to undertake the management of a
large farm in PembrokeshirCj on the Orielton pro-
perty, and held on lease by Colonel, now Sir Hugh
Owen, and Mr. Herbert Kinderley. He con-
tinued here until 1850, when he accepted the
appointment of agent and steward to Lord Mac-
clesfield on the O.Kfordshire estates around Shir-
burn Castle. After four years more thus occupied
Mr. Read returned to Norfolk, and " set up for
himself" at Barton Bendish, where, however, he
only remained for two years. In 1857 he changed
farms with his father, and entered upon the Plum-
stead House occupation, which in turn he gave up
at Michaelmas, 1865, and removed to Honingham
Thorpe, where he holds a farm under Lady Bayning.
Mr. Read, senior, died as a tenant of Sir Hanson
Berney at Barton Bendish.

From his very outset in life, Mr. Sewell Read had
distinguished himself as a young man of much
practical ability and proportionate promise. During
his brief residence in Pembrokeshire he wrote the
prize essay on the farming of South Wales for the

Oi,P Skt.ttis,]

JoirrnaJ of the Royal Agricultural Society ; and,
with his hand once in, he followed this up with
two more prize reports, while at Shirburn, on the
farming of Oxfordshire and of Buckinghamshire.
A year or two after his return, he supplied by special
request to the Royal Jovrnal an ai'ticle on the
recent improvements in Norfolk farming, which
serves as a kind of appendix or continuation of
Bacon's elaborate essay, written some fifteen years
previously. Mr. Sewell Read's career may conse-
quently be followed by these papers, which it is
scarcely necessary to say are amongst the most
valuable contributions to the Society's Jonrnah
But Mr. Read has been before the public in other
ways. So far back as 1848, when only just of age,
he acted as a judge at a meeting of the Pembroke
Farmers' Club, and again at the show of the Car-
marthenshire Agricultural Society in the year fol-
lowing. In his own county he has also been in
office, chiefly, if we remember aright, over the
polled milking stock ; but it is as ajudge of imple-
ments at some of the more severe trials of the
Royal Agricultural Society that Mr. Sewell Read's
authority has been established. No more con-
scientious man ever accepted office, and none ever
worked harder in the performance of his duties.
He was in this way a man after Mr. Fisher Hobbs'
own heart, and often would the steward speak to
the pluck with which the young judge stuck to his
work. Mr. Read first came out at Carlisle in 1854,
and, beyond his labours in the field or the yard, he
was mainly instrumental in preparing the reports.
H e has, indeed, been at times very ready with his pen
B [VoT., LXIV.— No. 1.

THE FAEMER'S MAaAZINE,

through other channels — such as the Mari Lane
Express ami the Norfolk papers; while beyond
his own proper business as a farmer he has had
some considerable experience as a valuer and
land-a<?ent, having previous to his election been
extensively employed in his own county and other
parts of England.

With such a character to go on, no wonder when
at the election in 1865 the farmers of Norfolk re-
solved to have a man of their own to represent
them, they looked naturally enough to Mr. Sewell
Read ; but he was very loath to come forward, and
his nomination was only determined upon at the
very last moment. Nevertheless he was returned,
free of expense, by a majority of a thousand votes
over a brother of the Lord-Lieutenant and a son of
the famous Mr. Coke of Holkham. " The Repeal of
the Malt-tax" and "A Farmer for Farmers" were
the rallying cries of his committee, with whom
party politics did not go for much ; nevertheless,
Mr. Read was supported by the great body of the
Conservatives, backed by a few Independents.
On the hustings he announced himself as a
Liberal-Conservative, explicitly stating his belief
that "mjre extensive and beneficial reforms would
be passed by the Conservatives than would ever be
obtained from a Whig Government," characterizing
the latter, then in office, as " such sleepy Tories in
power, and such thundering Radicals in Opposition."
During the time he has been in Parliament he has
pretty generally followed up this declaration, as he
may be considered a supporter of the Ministry,
although he has never hesitated to declare against
them, either in or out of the House, when he has
thought they have been neglecting the claims of
the agricultural interest, or making a mere stalking-
horse of the farmer to serve their own purposes.

Mr. Sewell Read, in fact — as he himself has
said, on the same showing as the Noble Lord
who sits for Arundel because he happens to
be a Roman Catholic represents two millions —
may be supposed to represent all the tenant-
farmers. And never was such a responsibility
more bravely borne, as never has there been a
greater success. From all quarters and by all sides
alike is Mr. Sewell Read's position " as one hav-
authority" recognised. Mr. Gladstone on one occa-
sion went almost out of his way to speak to the
merits of the honourable member for East Norfolk,
as "one whose modesty was only equalled by the
ability which he displayed, and the knowledge he
manifested of every subject he took in hand."

Mr. Sewell Read's name is not continually to be
found as figuring in the debates, but he never
speaks without commanding attention, and is never
absent when the interests of his large body of
constituents call on him to be present. There is a
simplicity in his manner, a want of anything like
straining after effect, that is of itself effective ; while
his bearing, as free from pretension as from any mock
humility, carries with it all the weight of self-respect
and true dignity. An honourable gentleman, who
possibly like Mr. Read, found himself somC'
what to his surprise in the House of Commons,
complained to his friends, after an experience
of two or three years, that he never had any-
thing to do, and had never been put upon a
Committee. Mr. Read's complaint would, we
fancy, be rather in the other direction, and we
have had some opportunity of seeing how hard he
works. Of course, he is on every committee at
all connected with his own pursuits — the Malt-
Tax, the Foreign Cattle Market, the County Finance,
and so forth ; as he was very early called to act
upon an Election Committee, was one of the most
active of the Cattle-Plague Commissioners, and
has had daily to encounter a correspondence the
extent of which may be imagined now that the
farmers of England are taking to political life with
only one man to represent them. Let us just say
further that beyond his Parliamentary duties and
their " contingences" Mr. Sewell Read is at this
moment the chairman of the Farmers' Club, the
vice-president of the Chamber of Agriculture, a
member of the Council of the Royal Agricultural
Society of England, a member of the Council of
the Smithfield Club, president of the Norfolk
Chamber of Agriculture, chairman of the Norfolk
Cattle Plague Association, with no doubt an &c.
&c. that is accumulating almost as rapidly as the
nails in the famous horse-shoe problem.

It is a delicate topic to touch on, but one so
creditable to all concerned, that we shall venture
to do so —Mr. Sewell Read's committee proposed
not only to pay all the election, but also their
member's Parliamentary expenses. This offer was
respectfully declined, but a considerable sum re-
mains in hand towards defraying the cost of the
coming election. There should be, we trust, no
doubt as to the result of this, as scarcely any thing
more untoward could occur to the cause than that
in the Senate the services of Mr. Sewell Read
should be lost to agriculture.

THE FABMEB'S MAGAZINE.

PLATE II.
ON THE FLAGS.

Perhaps the best joke of all at that Islington
Exhibition happened just when the hubbub was at
its highest— when the bell was tolling, the people
hurrahing or hooting, the horses refusing, and the
Judges and other authorities getting in each other's
way. Just then, two or three distinguished, but
much perplexed foreigners were also discovered
within the magic circle— gentlemen who, it ap-
peared, had been sent over " special" to see for
themselves how such a show should be conducted.
If they can but carry back with them the notion
in its entirety, surely all Paris will go into ecstasies
over the tuneful gongs, the give-and-take jumps,
the " get-ready" telegrams, and the wild rushes of
the riders, Such a scene must have been " made"
for a Frenchman !

And we alas ! have seen Yarm and Middlesboro',
and Guisbro,' and Redcar, where the horse and
the hound show lacked all this mosaic setting, and
yet what delightful days those were! It was a
study, and a quiet study too, to watch men like
Mr. Williamson, Mr. Milbank, Captain Percy Wil-
liams, and Sir John judge hounds, with the crack
huntsmen of England, headed by Tom Sebright
and Tread well, judging the Judges, as they
brought out a couple of promising puppies, or

Ben Morgan 'ticed the old bitch to straighten her-
self before them. And then some one would draw
out his tape, while a friend from the side would
greet him

*•' With line and rule works many a — swell ;
Good morning, sir !"

" Three hours on the flags," says Mr. Vyner,
" may be very agreeably spent by a real sportsman,
but it is a sad bore to one who is not an admirer
of the symmetrical." Our own impression, how-
ever, is that the Yorkshire Hound Shows, under
the conduct of a sportsman like Mr. Parrington,
have tended more than anything else to make men
admirers of the symmetrical ; or, in other words,
to take a real interest in hounds. There will be
the now annual show in the first week in August
at Wetherby ; to be held in association with the
Yorkshire Agricultural Society, but no longer on
the same ground, as it was found that the hounds
were, if anything, rather too attractive a feature,
so that, what with horses and hounds, the imple*
ment makers more especially were left in the eool
shade. For our own part, we have long continued
to urge the adoption of the present arrangement
as the more preferable.

GREEN MANURE.

BY CtJTHBERT W. JOHNSON, F.B.S.

Green maaure was almost the Brst used of fertilizers.
As soon as man began to till the earth he turned into the
soil the plants with which it was tenanted. It was only
when by successive crops he had impoverished the land,
that it became necessary to find some additional means for
restoring its fertility. Some of Dame Nature's hints
would soon lead to the employment of green crops as a
manure. The gradual formation of beds of peat, in the
hollows of even the most barren soils, would naturally
suggest to the early cultivator that certain plants had
the power of deriving almost all their support from the
atmosphere and from water; it would then become a
question as to which of these were the best able to thus
rapidly supply themselves with that requisite nom-ish-
ment.

Now, the earliest of agricultural writers, whose works
have escaped to us, allude to the cultivation, as a green
manure, by the Itahaa farmers, of the lupine. This
pknt grows well even on exhausted soils, *ad, when in

flower, is still ploughed into the soil by the farmers of
Italy as a green fertilizer. For the same purpose the
farmers of some districts of England cultivate the buck-
wheat, a plant which will grow on impoverished soils;
in other districts they plough-in a crop of coleseed,
which, like the lupine and the buckwheat, derives a more
than an ordinary supply of its nourishment from tha
atmosphere. On almost all the sea coasts of our islands
the green sea-weeds are eagerly collected by the farmers,
and employed as a manure ; and in some districts the
leaves of our root crops are as carefully and as beneficially
ploughed into the soil ; we also learn from Liebig that
in Germany the best results have been obtained from
manuring the vineyards with the cuttings of the vine. ^
" The branches are cut from the vine in July or August,
whilst still fresh and moist. If they are then cut into small
pieces and mixed with the earth, they undergo putrefaction
so completely, that, as I have learned by experience, at the
end of four weeks not the smallest trace of them can be

B 2

4

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

found. Some cut them in small pieees and hoe them into
the soil." {Organic Chem. 213.)

Still, we are all aware that green manures have never been
generally or systematically used ; for, as I have on another
occasion remarked, the agriculturist has ever been more
desirous of employing as food for his stock the vegetable
produce of his land, than to bury it in the earth to pro-
mote the future productiveness of the soil. Yet whenever
green succulent substances, such as weeds, river collec-
tions, sea-weed, &c., have been used, the result has almost
always been satisfactory. The putrefaction of the vege-
tables, and the gases in that case emitted, appear to be on
all occasions highly invigorating and nourishing to the
succeeding crop. During this operation the presence of
water is essentially necessary, and is most probably de-
composed. The gases produced vary in different plants
— those which contain gluten emit ammonia; onions,
and a few others, evolve phosphuretted hydrogen ; car-
bonic acid gas and hydrogen gas, with various vegetable
matters, are almost always abundantly formed. All these
gases, when mixed with the soil, must be very nourishing
to the plants growing upon it. The observations of the
farmer assure us that they are so. He tells us that aU
green manures cannot be employed in too fresh a state ;
that the best corn is grown where the richest turf has
preceded it ; and that where there is a good produce of
red clover, there will assuredly follow an excellent crop
of wheat ; he finds, also, when he ploughs in his
crop of buckwheat to enrich his land, that this is most
advantageously done when the plant is coming into flower.
The chemical explanation of these practical observations
is not difficult. " All green succulent plants," said
Davy, "contain saccharine or mucilaginous matter, with
woody fibre, and readily ferment ; they cannot, therefore,
if intended for manure, be used too soon after their death.
When green crops are to be employed for enriching a soil,
they should be ploughed in, if it be possible, when in
flower, or at the time the flower is beginning to appear ;
for it is at that period that they contain the largest quan-
tity of easily-soluble substances, and that their leaves are
most active in forming nutritive matter. Green crops,
pond weeds, the parings of hedges or ditches, or any kind
of fresh vegetable matter, require no preparation to fit
them for manure. The decomposition slowly proceeds
beneath the soil, the soluble matters are gradually dissolved,
and the slight fermentation that goes on, checked by the
want of a free communication of air, tends to render the
woody fibre soluble, without occasioning the rapid dissi-
pation of elastic matter. "When old pastures are broken
up and made arable, not only has the soil been enriched
by the death and slow decay of the plants which have left
soluble matters in the soil, but the roots and leaves of the
gi'asses living at the time, and occupying so large a part
of the surface, afi"ord saccharine, mucilaginous, and ex-
tractive matters, which become immediately the food of
the crop, and the gradual decomposition affords a supply
for successive years" {Agricultural Chemistry, p. 280).

But the question still remains to be more clearly an-
swered, How do certain plants, instead of impoverishing
the soil on which they grow, add, if ploughed into it,
carbonaceous matters? Now, to this point Professor
Voelcker has not long since directed his attention. He
tell us {Jour. lioy. Ag. Soc, vol. xxv., p. 532) that " we
have abundant proof that it is chiefly the carbonic acid of
the atmosphere that supplies the carbon of plants, or, in
other words, the great bulk of all vegetation. It is calcu-
lated, indeed, that at least three-fourths of the dry sub-
stance of plants is derived from the carbonic acid of the
atmosphere. During the day-ti'^- the absorption takes
place continuously ; and no sooner have the leaves ab-
«i>rbed rarbonic acid than they set about the work of de-

stroying its form, assimilating the carbon, manufacturing
it into starch, gum, sugar, and other combinations found
in all vegetable productions, and at the same time throw-
ing off the oxygen, so as to restore the balance."

" And," continues the Professor, in another portion of
his valuable Essay, " the observations I have hitherto
made all tend to show the direct influence which the
atmosphere has in the nutrition of plants ; but there is
another part which it plays in the growth of vegetables,
which, though it may be called the indirect one, is so
great in its effect, that we may say positively that all
soils which are not penetrated by air are unproductive, no
matter how much food they may otherwise contain.
Cases are constantly brought under my notice, of soils,
sent for e.xamination, which are characterised as unpro-
ductive, but turn out to contain an abundance of all the
mineral constituents 'required for the growth of plants,
and require only to be thoroughly penetrated by the air
in order to furnish an unlimited quantity of food. The
atmosphere really exercises a most beneficial effect both
on the inorganic and organic constituents of the soil. I
have alluded to the large quantity of carbonic acid present
in the air which exists in the interstices of the soil, but
this supply cannot be produced unless the air finds its
way into the soil. An excess of organic matter in the
shape of decaying roots or leaves is so injurious, that
where it exists in soils which are not easily penetrated
by air it would be much better for it to be burnt alto-
gether away. At first sight this may appear to involve a
great waste of useful material in clay soils ; but if the
beneficial effect be greater than the sacrifice, it can scarcely
be called a waste ; for although serious doubt has been
entertained respecting the utility of burning, some soils
are with so much difficulty penetrated by air, that burn-
ing is the only way of destroying the oi-ganic matter,
which when present in an imperfectly aerated condition
is rank poison to most cultivated plants. It is certain
that the destruction of sour humus, as it has been called —
though in a chemical point of view all humus is acid —
has been attended with most beneficial effects, and when
recourse cannot be had to proper means of aeriation, this
destruction has been practised with great advantage to
the succeeding crop, even if, as in the case of turnips, it
would be otherwise benefited by the presence of carbona-
ceous matters in the soil. When, however, we can effect
the destruction of organic matters by the atmospheric
oxygen, the practical result, I have no doubt, will be
greater ; for not only does the air, and more especially
the atmospheric oxygen, act upon the organic matters
in producing carbonic acid, but it also has an important
effect upon them in producing nitrates in the soil.

" We see then that it is not only from the atmosphere
by their leaves, but from the soil by their roots that plants
derive their supplies of carbonic acid gas. Some time
since, M. Boussingault made some very careful experi-
ments upon the amount of carbonic acid which occurred
in soils, and he found that whilst the atmosphere that
rested upon the soil only gave four to five in every 10,000
parts, the air in the soil contained, in sandy soil recently
manured, 217 parts of carbonic acid in every 10,000
parts. Shortly after rain, the air from the same soil was
again analyzed, and was found to contain as much as 974
parts of carbonic acid ; evidently showing that the wet-
ting of organic matter, and the rapid decomposition
which through contact with the porous earth had taken
place in organic matter had led to the destruction of the
humus, and the formation of large quantities of carbonic
acid. This threw some light upon the very startlinK
growths sometimes noticed, especially with regard to
root crops. They knew how very rapidly young turnips
started after n good shower of rain, if the land had been

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

well duuged, arising from the rapid production of carbonic
acid in the soil. They looked in vain for this result in
soils which had not been properly cultivated. The quan-
tity of organic nitrogen in the soil is very large.

" ' Some years ago," ' adds the Professor, ' I made an
experiment with the view of ascei'taining how much ni-
trogen was present after the clover crop had been re-
moved ; and I ascertained that, taking an acre as the ex-
perimental area, it was equivalent to rather more than
the amount of nitrogen present in 8 cwt. of Peruvian
guano. It has been found that the clover crop is the
most excellent preparation for the succeeding wheat, and
it is known now as a fact, that after growing a good
crop of clover a very large amount of root is left in
the soil."

The primary question in ploughing-iu a green crop is of
course the profit compared with consuming it by live
stock. This inquiry has been carefuUy considered in three
papers, which are contained in the recently published
number of the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society
(vol. iv., pp. 99, 103, 107, N.S.), by Messrs. Peter Love,
G. Murray, and W. E. Wright. Another use of one
green crop — the white mustard — when ploughed into the
soil, has been described by Mr. Love, viz., its action as a
smothering crop, for the cleansing of foul clay soils.

As regards the comparative profit of green crops used
as a manure, and as food for stock, Mr. Love observes
{ibid, p. 99) :

" Thirty years ago the ploughing-in of green crops was
{ more studied and practised than at the present, the intro-
duction of guano, nitrate of soda, &c., and the extraction
of fertilisers from refuse of every description by the aid of
chemical science having since then done much to meet the
wants of the farm. The high price of meat has also in-
duced the farmer to consume all his green crops by stock.

" I remember that it was pretty generally recognised
among intelligent farmers, that the ploughing-in of 18
tons of turnips per acre, after being crushed by a clod-
^ crusher, gave 12 bushels of barley more than if the said
turnips had been first passed tiu'ough the animal, and the
elements to form mutton and wool extracted ; it is also
pretty certain that a ton of turnips will produce 14 lbs. of
mutton, and about 1 lb. of wool ; but the outlay on sheep,
risk of losses, and cost of attendance, must be taken into
account.

" I have only once tested the difference of carting all
off, feeding on, and ploughing-in turnips ; this was early
in 1 843, when beef and mutton sold by the carcase at
from 4d. to 6d. a-pouud, and roots were superabundant.

"A 12-acre field of light loam subsoil, the Northamp-
ton ironstone, had been manured with about 16 tons of
good fresh farmyard manure per acre, ploughed-iu 10
inches deep duiing the winter, with about 5 inches of
wheat stubble, afterwards thrice cultivated in the spring,
harrowed and rolled, then ridged-up, and two quarters of
bone-dust (well fermented after wetting with urine)
drOled-in per acre under the seed ; the produce was a little
over 18 tons of turnips per acre. The crop on 3 acres
was all carted off the land, that on 7 a acres eaten by
sheep, and that on 1^ acres crushed with a Crosskill's
clodcrusher, then harrowed across the rows, re-crushed
and ploughed-in 6 inches deep. The part eaten off was
ploughed only about 3 inches ; that where the turnips
were drawn 6 inches ; the whole was sown with oats, and
produced as follows : where turnips were drawn, within a
peck, under or over, of 7 quarters ; where eaten, 9
quarters; where ploughed-in, over 11 quarters per acre.
Each piece was carefully kept by itself, and all thrashed
the same week, and sold to the same man, on the same
day, at£l per qr. They were harvested without wet, and
weighed 41 lbs, per bushel.

" If we can accept the residt of this one experiment,
it tends to show that the virtue of the manure left in the
excreta of the sheep is about equal to what is expended on
making mutton and wool besides maintaining the animal's
heat and existence. If we take the two quarters of oats
as a fair equivalent to the 13 bushels of barley before
mentioned, it follows that the entire manm-ial value of 18
tons of turnips ploughed-in is equivalent to 24 bushels of
barley, or 32 of oats ; or if these are valued respectivly
at 32s. and 24s. a quarter, is £4 16s. for £18 tons, or
about 3s. per ton ; or 2s. 6d. per ton for the , excreta left
by fattening sheep.

" Swede turnips, apart from their value as feed, arc
not well suited for ploughing-in as manm-e ; they do not
rot down well, though they be smashed with mallets. The
clodcrusher will not break them, and the tops will strike
root and grow, if any part of the crown of the bulb is
left adhering to them.

" The results obtained," continues Mr. Love, " by
ploughiug-iu turnips in 1842 induced me to try white
mustard in 1843, on a small field of 8 aci-es ; soil a stiff
poor clay, upon blue lias clay subsoil, as foul with twitch
as possible ; it was ploughed about 7 inches deep in the
winter, then scarified with broadshares about 3 inches
deep the last week in March, and after being well har-
rowed, sown with white mustavd-seedby a broadcast seed-
barrow, at the rate of a bushel to 3 acres, covered in by
very light seed-harrows. This crop was just breaking into
bloom the last week in May, and 26 inches high, when it
was ploughed-in about 4 inches deep, and 100 bushels of
lime (after being slaked with salt and water) applied per
acre ; then after one tium of the Norwegian harrow, re-
sown with mustard, care being taken that all ploughed-iu
within the day should be re-sown on the same day it was
ploughed ; all was finished on the last day of May.

" On the 8th of July we began ploughing-in 6 inches
deep this second crop, which was above 46 inches high.
About accomplishing this I had some misgivings at first,
but managed it well by attaching a heavy block of wood,
12 inches wide, 18 inches long, drawn by a chain attached
to the large whippleti'ee, and dragged just under the
plough beam, a few inches in advance of the coulter.
This further served to regulate the depth instead of a
wheel. We had also the usual di"ag weight and chain to
lap the whole under the furrow. About six furrows at
the last must be done with the horses at length, or else
when the land horse returns on the same track as he went,
he ricks and entangles the long stems so together that
they lap round the coulter and choke the plough, causing
much trouble, and making the work rough and untidy : by
putting the horses ' at length' there is no trouble, except
with the last two furrows. Immediately after jdoughing
we gave one turn of the Norwegian harrow, then re-sowed
the mustard as before. The whole field was finished on
the 12th of .July.

" The third crop was j ust breaking into bloom on the 24th
of August, and the length above 5 feet ; this was
ploughed-iu 8 inches deep, with four horses at length,
followed by a two-wheel presser, following only one
plough, thereby giving each furrow a double go. After
one turn of the Norwegian harrow, the laud was left to
settle down for the future wheat crop. As for the couch
grass, except a few blades in the first crop of mustard,
we saw no more of it, except the rotten roots, as we were
ploughing the last crop in. After one turn of the Nor-
wegian harrow in the first week in October, the land was
drilled with two bushels of red wheat per acre, a light
harrow following, then twice rolled with Crosskill's
heaviest crusher : it was crushed again in March. The
produce at harvest was all that any man could desire, and

6

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

perfectly clean. After one 8-incli winter ploughing, and
a shallow scarifying in the following March, it was drilled
with white oats and clover seeds ; the crop of oats was
magnilicent, and in some parts injured the seeds. Thence-
forth this field, which had borne a very bad character,
behaved as well as the best. During the succeading
seven years of my occupation of this farm, if I had to
deal with any piece of very foul strong land, I cleaned it
in this way ; but if it was moderately clean, I consumed
the mustard with store sheep and lambs. Mustard crops
grown after those eaten off will not be so heavy, but with
a very little corn or cake they wUl keep from 16 to 24
»heep per acre, half ewes and half lambs, from the
middle of May to the end of August, or even later. The
ewes (or stores) should follow the lambs in a separate
pen ; a fresh piece should be given every day, and the
piece fed off should be ploughed and sown the same day,
because in dry seasons whenever the land is naked the
moisture is soon dried up; thus there will be a regular
succession, and also the almost certainty of a plant.

" The application of 1 cwt. of nitrate of soda to the
first crop will almost double it, and, of course, much in-
crease the two following crops, as well as their power to
smother the twitch or other weeds. I know several per-
sons who have made attempts at this system, but through
dilatoriness in ploughing and re-sowing have failed to
obtaia a regular plant. I believe the Norwegian harrow
to be indispensable to ^success, because it thoroughly pul-
verises the soil at once, so that lengthened exposure of
the different surfaces is avoided, and much moisture saved
that would be lost by repeated harrowing and rolling. If
in a wet season rains falls and delays the sowing after any
part is ploughed, this delay gives the half-dead twitch
time to revive before the smothering influences of the
next crop can overpower it ; so that in either wet or dry
eeasons the mainspring of the whole system is prompt-
ness and punctuality in performing every part of the
work thoroughly well, with the least possible mauling of
the soil, so as neither to make dust in the one case, nor
mortar 'n the other.

" I need scarcely say that trifolium, tares, trefoil,
Italian ryegrass, or any other forward crop may be grown
as a first crop ; and after this is fed off, two crops of
mustard may still be obtained either to eat off or plough
ia. The difficulty, nay, almost impossibility, of cleaning
strong land in a viret season is well known to all practical
farmers. Now I venture to affirm that the foulest and
poorest possible piece of land (sand, perhaps, excepted) may
be cleaned by growing white mustard, with 1 cut of
nitrate of soda per acre applied to the first crop, and
three crops in succession ploughed-in, as before stated,
let the season be either wet or di-y. The soil will be left
as capable of bearing a crop as if 20 tons of farmyard
manure had been applied to a bare fallow.

" Whether saudy land, the natural parent of couch-
grass, could be cleaned in this way I do not know ; but I
do know that all bog, fen, or peat, light gravel, or loam,
and all clays can. It is almost superfluous to contrast
the expense of this system against that of the bare fal-
low : but the case may be roughly stated as follows :

Cost of an acre of bare-fallow manured witli 20 tons farm-
yard manure.

Winter ploughing £0 13

March... Scarifying and harrowing 0 4

April ... Cross-ploughing .' 0 12

June Summer ditto ] 0 10

Jnly Three scufflings, &c 0 12

August... 20 tons dung and applying ... .50

August... Ploughing.iu dung 0 12

£8 3

An acre producing tliree crops of White Mustard and
ploughed in, &c.

Winter ploughing £0 12

March .., Scarifying, harrowing, and sowing) ,.. 0 5

May Plougliing-in and re-sowing 0 17

July Ditto ditto 0 17

August... Ditto 8 inches deep ... ... ,.. 0 16

August.,, Pressing and Norwegian harrow ... ,., 0 5

1 bushel mustard seed 0 15

1 cwt. nitrate of soda 0 16

Saved by this system

£6 3
... 2 19

£8 2

" When land is partially cleaned m the autumn, it may
be perfectly cleaned and manured by growing three
crops of mustard, to be folded ; an acre will then keep
an average of 20 sheep for 15 weeks, which will give a
result as follows ;

White Mustard. Dr.

Cost of autumn cultivation £1 0

Ditto as above for three crops 6 8

Total cost of cultivation £6 3

CONTKA. Ca.

20 sheep kept 15 weeks at 4d. a week each... £5 0
Value of excreta left 2 10

Gross return

Cost of cultivation

Leaving to meet rent and taxes a balance of £1 7

" I therefore conclude that plants when at their
greatest green bulk are worth about 5s. a ton to plough-
in as manure, and if palatable for stock, they will
make about 14 lbs. of meat, and the excreta left will
be worth, as manure, about 2s. 6d. per ton of food con-
sumed."

I have thus given nearly the whole of Mr. Peter Love's
practical observations : his details of errors to be avoided,
and of advantages to be reaped by the use of green manures
on certain soils, will well repay the I'cader for a careful study.
The agriculturist, I repeat, will note that wc are here
again treading in Nature's footsteps ; it is by feeding on
the carbon diffused in the atmosphere that the little
plants attached to bare rocks or on the most barren soils
support their existence, and hy their death and decay
gradually adding to the soil, the carbon which they derive
from the atmosphere render it capable of supporting far
larger and more valuable crops. Davy long since de-
scribed the gradual formation of a soil in this way.
After tracing the slow decomposition of a granite rock by
the action of the atmosphere, he remarked that as soon
as the smallest layer of earth is thus formed on the surface
of the rock, the seeds of lichens, mosses, and other im-
perfect vegetables, which are constantly floating in the
atmosphere, and which have made it their resting-place,
begin to vegetate : their death, decomposition, and decay
afford a certain quantity of organizable matter, which
mixes with the earthy materials of the iv3ck. In this
improved soil more perfect plants are capable of subsist-
ing ; these in their turn absorb nourishment from water
and the atmosphere, and after perishing contribute other
materials to those already provided. The decomposition
of the rock stiU continues, and at length, by such slow
and gradual processes, a soil is formed in which even
forest trees can fix their roots, and which is sufficiently
fertile to reward the labours of the husbandman.

THE FAEMEE'S MAaAZINE.

THE NOEPOLK AGEICULTUEAL ASSOClATlOl^.
MEETING AT DOWNHAM MARKET.

After a long lapse, the Norfolk Society was first again
in the field at Fakenham with an agricultural show in its
entirety ; and it has this season just celebrated the most
successful exhibition of its order that has yet been held.
The far-west meeting of the West of England Society at
Falmouth was comparatively a failure ; the Berkshire and
Hampshire gathering at Winchester depended mainly
on the sheep for its merits ; while the Islington Horse
Show is too directly identified with the mountebank
business to ever reach the dignity of a national
institution of the kind we contemplate. Not that
the illustration offered us at Downham was by any
means perfect in its way. There were some sections of
the show just as weak as there were others strong.
Amongst the sheep and pigs, for instance, although there
were many individual entries of much excellence, there
was often little or no competition. Lord Walsingham,
for one, has been advised, as he says — and badly advised,
too — not to run for the first heat ; in other words, his
lordship cannot afford to exhibit any of his famous South-
downs at his own county meeting because he intends ex-
< hibiting some of them at the Royal Meeting at Leicester.
Surely, with the numbers they must have to pick from at
Merton, this only proves a sad want of pluck. But let
us go on to suppose, for the sake of argument, that Lord
Sondes, Mr. Brown of Marham, and Mr. Hugh Aylmer
declined to send their sheep to Downham because they
will, as we believe, send some from their fiocks subsequently
to Leicester. What, under the influence of such very
cautious tactics, would become of the Norfolk Show ?
> Lord Sondes exhibited some very good Downs, his cup

shearling being a particularly neat sheep, very true in his
character, as bred from Mr. Webb and Sir William
Throckmorton. But in two classes of rams there was
only one single entry beyond his lordship's own — a
shearling of Mr. John Overman's ; and in the ewes, again,
Mr. Overman and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,
with a badly-done dark-faced pen, alone attempted to dis-
pute the Elmham supremacy. The Down lambs, from
want of roots or moisture, made pretty generally a very
poor front, although Lord Walsingham mustered up
courage enough to send one lot. With the Norfolk long-
wools — or, as they are now called, Cotswolds — the
contest was as usual confined chiefly to Messrs. Brown
and Aylmer, although we are inclined to think that
both may have better sheep kept back. Still Mr.
Brown's ewes, bred from a ram of Mr. Robert Lane's,
are particularly good sorty sheep, and more uniform, in-
deed, than might have been expected. The Markham
tirst-prize old ram has never been out before ; but, to our
thinking, he is a better-framed sheep than the second,
that has won in his time, and was thought by many to be
still the better of the two. In the other breeds, Mr.
Henry Overman had the best of it with his Oxford
Downs ; but, despite the very limited competition, the
real short-wools and long-wools went far to make the
sheep -show.

It would appear that the Messrs. Sexton liad this
season a wonderful " growth" of pigs; and that their
neighbour, Mr. Steam, became cognizant of this very
gratifying fact. But, as the Sextons have sold out early,
and as Mr. Stearn did not entei*, the pig prizes at
Downham were left very much at the mercy of ^Ir.

Crisp and the Duckerings from Lincolnshire. Indeed,
in the majority of the classes, there were no other entries,
although Mr. Crisp varied the entertainment, so faras
was possible, by taking one cup with a little black pig,
and another cup with a little white pig, the Lincolns be-
ing more of course in the ascendant amongst the larger
breeds, although they did send a Berkshire or two from
Butley. But the merits of these pigs were in an inverse
ratio to theii- numbers. Mr. Moon, and Mr. Moon is a
judge, declared they were good enough to win in any
company, as no doubt some of them have been doing al-
ready, and will do again. The Northorpes are probably
on the grand tour, and will in the course of the season
see as much of this sort of thing as Mr. Thurnall, John
Ward, or Mr. Sanday.

Mr. Sanday had scarcely elbow-room enough allowed
him at Downham, and he did not look very happy in soli-
tary confinement ; but he got through his difficulties hand-
somely enough. There were only two reaUy good animals
amongst the sixteen or seventeen all-aged Shorthorn
bulls ; and these he placed first and second. The
Cup bull, as the best of all the bulls. Mr. Lynn's
Prizeman, an own brother to Pamela, begins well
with a good head and neck, and plenty of fine
masculine character. Moreover, he both stands and
moves well, being active enough, although very high in
condition ; he is short of coat, but of tine quality, and
goes on to Leicester with every chance of some further no-
tice. His second. Lady Pigot's Charles le Beau, looks little
the worse for his long journey westward, and is a very
taking animal at most points, but he wants the age to
compete with the other. The best bull at Fakenham last
year, and, as we then said, a very bad one at best, was
quite out of it, although the chief labour must have been
to find a third and a reserve. The Branches Rosolio had
it still more his own way with the yearlings, where he,
nevertheless, had to beat Mr. Martin's Hermit, that beat
him at Wisbeach last summer. Hermit was now put
quite aside, and the second prize awarded to a plain slack-
backed beast of Mr. Kersey Cooper's, whose place did not
say much for the other dozen in the class. Although
fresh from her defeat down in the West, where the Short-
horn clearly flourishes, The Queen of Rosalea quickly
righted herself in Norfolk, being at all points the best of
her breed on the ground. And a sweet cow she is, with
her kind head, round frame, broad back, and fine bone, so
that the comparison with the second as they stood side by
side was very emphatic. There were still plenty of entries
here again, and Mr. Brackenbury took a prize and a
commendation, and Mr. Gamble a commendation, and
so forth. But Mr. Gamble does not get his stock up for
show, and so of course he does not get prizes. Lord
Walsingham' s heifer in-calf was about the pick of the
county, and very good indeed she is in places ; but she is
short, forward, and does not " set herself" to much ad-
vantage. Lady Pigot and Mr. Lynn come in again
amongst the younger heifers, and it is very clear that,
although some Shorthorn herds are being carefuUy
cultivated in Norfolk, these have not yet made any great
way.

The red Polled beasts were nothing of a, show
to that at Fakenham, and for choice we
should have taken Lord Sondes' beautiful little

THE FARMER'S MAGAZLNE.

yearling liuifur, us sometliiiig very perfect alike
lor symmetry aud character ; but she was quite " out-
paced" iu her class, showing really as a yearling against
animals some ten or eleven months older. Lord Sondes,
indeed, had all the call here for quality, although we do
not profess to say how far this goes in judging a polled
milker. The Suffolks were well represented in perhaps
the generally best class iu the catalogue, that of cows in-
calf or ia-milk, where Mr. Walton, the only exhibitor
beyond the confines of Norfolk, won with his old Favo-
rite ; but the competition in the other classes of polled
stock was not great. Mr. Henry Overman still tries the
Ayrshire cross, and with every reason, so far as the prize
list of the other breeds can speak to the worth of this ;
while Mr. Wortley would appear to have taken to feed-
ing Herefords in preference to Devons, and some very
capital steers he has now in preparation. The fat stock,
however, made a strong feature in the show, and what
with Shorthorns, Poll-crosses, and Devons, should be
heard of hereafter in the chronicles of the Sraithiield
Club. One of the best of these beasts, a fat cow exhi-
bited by Mr. Durrant, and of the famous Shorthorn and
Aberdeen " nick", was objected to, after having had the
Cup awarded her for the best of all the fat cows, as
having never had a calf; but we did not hear that she
was disqualified.

The distinction drawn over the breeds of cart-horses is,
like a few other features iu the management of the Nor-
folk Society, somewhat eccentric. For example, the
classes of cart-horses, that is to say cart-horses generally,
are made to include Shires, Suffolks, and so forth, while
the Norfolks have a section to themselves. Whereas at
other shows the Suflblk chesuuts have a separate classifi-
cation, and the bays aud browns encounter, as they are
no doubt occasionally crossed with, each other. We
should not attempt to define a Norfolk cart-horse ; but
from their appearance should imagine that the breed
is not kept very strictly to any one particular kind. The
Cortimittee put on Mr. Thompson, a Suffolk breeder, in
the open classes, and he began courageously enough by re-
versing some previous decisions. Mr. Boby's Conqueror,
the first prize Suffolk stallion at the Koyal Bury Show,
was never noticed at Uownham, although Mr. Crisp's Cap-
tain, the second at Bury, was second again at Downham ;
and everybody seemed to think that Mr. Thompson was
right, and that the Royal was wrong. But Mr. Thomp-
son went a deal further than this, and gave not only the
first prize of the class, but the Cup, as the best of his
three classes of stallions, to Mr. Eist's Harwich Em-
peror, a horse that some time since was disqualified, by a
veterinary surgeon, for side-bones. However, they do
not recognize the ofiice of a veterinary inspector at the
Norfolk shows ; and as the judge did not admit that the
good-looking sou of old Emperor ever had side-bones, of
course he took all tlie prizes and medals and cups that
his appearance otherwise so well warranted. His chief
opponent, indeed, was not a chesnut, but a Shire colt in
the next lot of three-year-olds ; and it must have been a
very near thing between the two ; for Honest Tom has
gone on improving since he won at Bury last year, and,
although still rather a flashy horse, has a plenty of power,
with quick action. He has never been beaten, we believe,
nntil the Cup went against him^liere ; but he had the credit
of beating in turn the Suffolk President, the cup-horse
of last season, when only a two-year-old. The stallions
of this age at Downham were all Suffolks, as was the best
mare, Mr. Walton's Violet, a son of Canterbury Pil-
grim, and herself a Royal second. The cart-foals, either
Norfolks, Suflblks, or Shires, were poor, as the want of
rain must have told against their growth ; but the Nor-
folk cart-mares made up a capital class, with two of Mr.
Edwards', much of a muchness, first and second ; and the

working pairs again were worthy of the couuty. It was
the hardest part of Mr. Sexton's day's work to cull
them ; but he did so very satisfactorily, although they
would have shown far better with more room to
move in.

The same may be said, yet more emphatically, of the
hackney ring, if it can be so called, in which really
clever hacks and ponies swarmed in, one after and one
alongside of the other, until it became a matter of much
astonishment as to how Mr. Parson ever contrived to
see half of them, let alone keeping clear of them. The
entry of pouies between thirteen and fourteen hands was
one of the best we have seen for some time past ; and
although the judge may have got to the two best of
them, thei'e were plenty still to pick from. The two
classes of hacks were as good, and the two chesuuts
in the over-fifteen hands lot, either for style or action
worthy of their places abnost anywhere, as first and
second. In the next division, the fact that Mr. Badham's
famous old grey M.ajor could get no nearer than second,
speaks something as to the excellence of his company ;
whilst amongst other old favourites, Mr. Robert Alymer's
chesnut, at 24 years of age, was the second best brood-
mare, and Mr. E. Eari'er's Little Wonder the best pony
stallion. But the award over the staUious for saddle or
harness, that is where the trotters came into competi-
tion, sent all Norfolk home again in sackcloth and ashes.
There were Trotaways, Eireaways, Phenomena, and
Quicksilvers. There were real show horses, that ran out
as much line as a twenty -pound pike, and that lifted their
legs to a continual chorus of Hie, Hie ! and Ho ! and
Ho ! And the prize alas ! went away from all these to a
handsome " real gentleman," with all the air and car-
riage of a thorough-bred horse, and with action as true
and good as anything, if he did not make so much fuss
over it. Sir Tatton Sykes bred him ; he is by Fandango,
out of Star by Bay Middleton, and Mr. Crisp has quar-
tered him at Butley, to improve the breed of horses " for
saddle and harness."

The best stallion iu his own proper class. Sir Thomas
Beauchamp's Aconite, is still handsomer, for he shows
more blood, and what with his clean wicked head, light
well-arched neck, and good back, is a really beautiful topped
horse ; while, as a rich brown, or black-brown, he would be
sure to take about the country. Neither Mr. Stiggins nor
the Abbot had a chance against him, although the judge
hung terribly over his w ork. The four classes of hunters
were pretty generally indifferent ; but Mr. Gamble's old
horse has earned his character in the field, aud Mr.
Seweil showed a very nice chesnut mare, that went too
short and tender, or she might have stood higlier. The
weight-carryers were an under-bred lot, with one or two
of them got by trotting horses, and the winner fed as
high as a prize ox. He would have looked and gone all
the better for a long sweat or two. The three and four
year olds were but moderate, and we doubt if a dealer
could have done much business in this way.

The implement show is mainly made up by local
manufacturers aud agents, with nothing beyond a few
medals for distribution at the discretion of the judge, to
whose awards the prize list will speak. Prominent
amongst these awards was one for a combined straw-
elevator and stacking machine, exhibited by Amies and
Barford, that would promise to "take" on large farms. The
dinner appears to have gone rather tamely, especially after
the exciting speeches from the chairman and others at
Fakenham. But although Sir William Bagge and Mr.
Seweil Read were on the ground in the morning, they
had to leave at noon, in order to be in time for the debate
over the Foreign Cattle Market Bill, which, provokingly
enough, never came on after all.

THE FAEMER^S MAGAZINJ].'

9

PRIZE LIST.

Judges:

Shorthorn, Cross-hred, and Fat Cattle. — W. Sauday, Holme
Pierrepout, Notts.

Polled Cattle.— W. Horn, Debenliam, Suffolk.

Cart Horses (except Norfolk), — W. Thompson, jun.,Thorpe-
le-Soken, Essex.

Norfolk Cart Horses.— G. M. Sexton, Wherstead, Suffolk.

Thoroughbred and Hunting Horses. — S. J. Welfitt, Tath-
well, Lincoln.

Harness Horses, Hacks, and Ponies.— G. F. Parson, Wal-
didgfield, Suffolk.

Southdown Sheep. — H. Lugar, Ingham, Suffolk.

Long-woolled Sheep. — W. Bartholomew, Waddiugton
Heath, Lincoln.

Pigs. — J. Moon, Plymouth, Devon.

Implements. — T.Chambers, jun., Colkirk, Norfolk.

CATTLE.

Shorthorn bull, £10 and silver medal, and cup value £10,
J. Lynn, Stroxton, Lincoln (Prizeman); second, £8, Lady
Pigot, Branches Park, Suffolk (Cliarles Ic Beau) ; third, £5,
H. Aylmer, West Dereham (General Hopewell) ; commended,
C. Beart, Stow Bridge (Forester).

Yearling sbortnorn bull, £5, Lady Pigot (Rosolio) ; second,
£3, G. Kersey Cooper, Euston (Hogarth the Second) ; highly
commended, H. Aj'lmer (Prince Hopewell) ; commended, Wm.
Goulder, Wimbotsliam (Master Hopewell), J. How, Denver
(Kupert).

Shorthorn cow, in calf or in milk, cup value £10, and £10
and silver medal, Lady Pigot (Queen of Rosalea) ; second, £6,
J. How, Broughtou, Hunts (Jolly Queen) ; third, £4, W. T.
Brackenbury, Shouldham Thorpe (Kosebud)) ; commended,
( J. Gamble, Shouldham (Chance and Fame), W. T. Bracten-
bury (Lady Booth), and G. E. Frere, Eoydou (Tibbie Tudor) .

Shorthorn in-calf heifer, not above three years old, £5 and
silver medal. Lord Walsingham, Merton (Thoughtless) ;
highly commended, G. E. Frere (Sugar Blossom) ; commended,
T. Crisp, Butley, Suffolk (Dahlia).

Shorthorn heifer, in calf or in milk, under three years old,
£6 and silver medal. Lady Pigot (Dame of Rosalea) : second,
£4, J. Lyuu (Aurora) ; highly commended, T. Crisp (Sera-
phine 5th) ; commended, J. Gamble.
^ Yearling shorthorn heifer, £4<, J. How (Lady Anne) ; se-

cond, £2, Lord Walsingham (Daphne) ; highly commended,
H. Aylmer (Phillis 6th).

Norfolk and Suffolk red polled bull, £10 and silver medal,
aud Downham cup value £10, B. Brown, Thursford, Norfolk
(Duke) ; second, £8, Lord Sondes.

Yearling Norfolk and Suffolk red polled bull, £5, Lord
Sondes ; no second award.

Norfolk and Suffolk red polled cow, in calf or in milk, £10
and silver medal, S. Wolton, Newbourn, Suffolk (Favorite) ;
second, £6, J. Hammond, Bale (Butler) ; third, £4-, J. Ham-
mond (Lady Davy) ; highly commended, J. Hammond (Moss
Rose) ; the class commended.

Norfolk and Suffolk red polled heifer, in calf or in milk,
under three years old, £6 and silver medal, W. Oliver, Dock-
ing ; second, £4, B. Brown (Cherry) ; highly coiumeuded.
Lord Sondes ; commended, I/ord Sondes.

Yearling Norfolk and Suffolk red poUed heifer, £4, and cup
value £10, for the best animal in the three classes, B. Brown,
Hadsom ; second, £2, Sir W. Jones, Bart., Cranmer Hall
(Primrose) ; commended, Lord Sondes.

Polled cow or heifer, in calf or in profit, not being Norfolk
and Suffolk red polled, premium of £5 and silver medal, H. H.
Blomfield, Stoke Ferry (Handsome).

Horned cow, not being shorthorn, Devon, or Norfolk and
Suffolk red polled, in calf or in milk, £5 and silver medal, H.
Overman, Weasenham (Doat's Eye) ; second, £3, Captain
Cathng, Needham Hall, Cambridge ; commended, W. Ellis,
Wymondham (liosa).

Heifer, in calf or in milk, not being shorthorn, Devon, or
Norfolk and Suffolk red polled, under three years old, £5 aud
silver medal, H. Overman (Kind) ; second, £3, M. Green,
Roxham ; commended, P. J. Sharman, Seaming (Victoria).

Yearling heifer, not being shorthorn, Devon, or Norfolk aud
Suffolk red poUed, £3, G. M. Nicholson, Ehnham.
Fat steer of any breed, above three years old, £8 and silver

medal, aud cup value £10, R. Wortley, Suffield ; second, £5,
J. B. Aylmer, Fincham ; highly commended, W. Colen^an,
Runhall ; commended, W. Goulder.

Fat steer of any breed, not above three years old, £8 and
silver medal, R. Wortley ; second, £5, J. B. Aylmer; com-
mended, J. How and E.Durrant, Wimbotsham.

Fat cow, above three years old, £5 and silver medal, and
cup value £10, E. Durrant, Wimbotsham.

Fat heifer, not above three years old, £5 aud silver medal,
R. Wortley ; second, £3, J. B. Aylmer ; highly commended,
W. Betts, Fincham, for two.

Extra Stock : Commended, P. J. Sharman, Seaming ; highly
commended, AV. A. T. Amhurst (Bretonne Hereford bull).

CART HORSES.

Stallion, not under four years old, £10 and silver medal, and
cup value £10, 1. Risk, Tattingstone, Suffolk (Harwich Em-
peror) ; second, T. Crisp (Captain).

Three-year-old stallion, £8 and silver medal, W. Welcher,
Upwell, Cambridge (Honest Tom) ; second, £5, W. Wilson,
Baylham, Suffolk (The President.)

Two-years-old stallion, £6 and silver medal, C.Boby, Stultou,
Suffolk ; second, £4, W. Wilson.

Cart mare, cup value £10 and premium of £10 and silver

medal, S. Wolton, jun. (Violet), second, £6, R. Gillett, Hal-

vergate (Sprite), third, £4, J. Warth, Sutton, Ely (Diamond).

Three-years-old cart tilly, £6 aud silver medal, S. Wolton,

jun. (Matchett.)

Cart foal, £5 aud silver medal, S. Wolton, jun. ; second,
£3, S. Delf, Christchurch, UpweU.

Pair of cart horses, whether mare or gelding, best suited
for agricultural purposes in Norfolk, and which have been
so used in the county for twelve months next before the exhi-
bition, cup value £20 and silver medal, H. Overman ; second,
£6, the Executors of the late J. Smith, Crownthorpe ; third,
£4, J. Tingey, EUingham.

Norfolk cart horses, stallions, not under four years old,
£10 and silver medal, H. Overman (The Norfolk Lion) ;
second, £7, T. Wright, North Runcton (The Norfolk
Champion).

Three-years-old stallion, £8 aud silver medal, cup value
£20, J. B. Aylmer ; second, £5, E. Gilbert, BMeld (Duke).

Two-years-old stallion, £6 and silver medal, C. Mainprice,
Ely (No competition).

Mare, cup value £10, premium of £5, and society's premium
of £5 aud silver medal, C.Edwards, Stowe (Bouuce) ; second,
£6, C. Edwards (Pink) ; third, £4, E. Crowe, Denver ; highly
commended, J.B. Aylmer (Beauty), J. E. Groom, Conghara
(Jewel) ; and H. Overman (Brag).
Three-years-old colt. No merit.

Three-years-old filly, £6 and silver medal, W. A. T. Am-
hurst, Didlington ; second, £3, J. Tingey (Brag).

Two-years-old filly, £5 and silver medal, F. Cambridge,
South Runcton ; second, £3, W. Blomfield, Stoke Ferry.

Foal, £5 and silver medal, the Executors of the late J.
Smith ; second, £3, J. Tingey.

Hunters, thoroughbred stallion, cup value £10 and pre-
mium of £10 and silver medal. Sir T. P. Beauchamp, Bart.,
Langley (Aconite) ; second, £6, T. Crisp (Abbot).

Mare or gelding, adapted for hunting, equal to 14
stones, £10 and silver medal, G. S. Hall, Ely (Little John) j
second, £5, J. Gedney, Runcton Holme.

Marc or gelding, adapted for hunting, not equal to carry
14 stones, £10 and silver medal, and the Prince of ^Vales' cup
value £20, J. Gamble (Pliable) ; second, £5, A. Hamond,
Westacre (Tim).

Four-years-old colt or filly, adapted for hunting, cup value
£10 and silver medal, T. Goold, Swaffham (White Stockings) ;
second, £5, W. Goulder.

Three-years-old colt or fillv, adapted for iiunting, cup value
£10 and silver medal, G. S. Hall (Young Sir Roger).

Harness horses, hacks and ponies — stallion for saddle or
harness, cup value £20 and silver medal, T. Crisp (Fandan-
guero) ; second, £10, T. L. Reed, Downham (Trotaway ;
third, £6, R. G. Beart, Raynham (Fireaway).

Best riding nmre or gelding, above 15 hands and not ex-
ceeding 15 hands and 3 inches high, £10 and silver medal
aud the cup value £10, S. Delf, Upwell, Cambs ; second, £5,
E. Durrant, Wimbotsham (Madeline).

Hackney mare or gelding, above 14 and not exceeding 15

16

THE FAEMEB'S MAGAZINE.

hands high, £10 and silver medal, Rev. W. F. Thursby, Bergh
Apton, Dagmar, second, £5, G. D. Badham, Bulmer Tye,
Suffolk (Major) ; highly commended, J. Groom, Ashwicken
(Topsey).

Brood mare, for saddle or harness, £8 and silver medal,
B. Hubbard, Stow ; second, £5, K. B. Aylmer, Westacre.

Entire pony, not under 12, nor above 13^ hands high, cup,
value £5, and silver medal, E. Earrer, Sporle (Little Wonder)

Pony, not under 13 nor above H hands high, £5 and silver
medal, and cup value £5, R. B. Aylmer (Jack) ; second, £3,
E. Larke, Wymoudham (Duchess) ; highly commended, J.
TVarth, Sutton, Ely (Matchless).

Pony, not under 13 nor above 13 hands hands high, £5
and silver medal, J.J.Clarke, Swaffham (King of Hearts) ;
second, £3, H. Bullai-d, East Carleton (Jacob).

Cob, showing the best walking and trotting action under a
rider weighing not less than 15 stones, saddle and bridle in-
eluded (height not less than 13^ hands, nor more than 15
hands), £10, and cup value £10, and silver medal, H. Martin,
Littleport, Isle of Ely.

Extra Stock. — Commended, T. Wright, Kortli Runctou
(pony).

SHEEP.

Shearhng Southdown ram, £8 and silver medal, and cup
value £10, Lord Sondes ; second, £5, Lord Sondes.

Southdown ram of any age, £5 and £3, and silver medal,
Lord Sondes.

Pen of five shearling Southdown ewes, £5 and silver medal,
Lord Sondes ; second, £3, Lord Sondes.

Pen of ten Southdown ewe-lainbs, cup value £10 10s., and
premium of £4; and silver medal, Lord Walsingham ; second,
£3, Lord Sondes.

Pen of ten Southdown wether-lambs, bred by the exhibitor,
£5 and silver medal. Lord Sondes ; second, £3, Lord Sondes.

Shearling long-wooUed ram, £8 and silver medal, H. Ayl-
mer ; second, £6, T. Brown, Marham : third, £3, T. Brown.

Long-woolled ram of any age, £8 and silver medal, and
cup value £10, T. Brown ; second, £5, T. Brown ; third, £3,
H. Aylmer.

Pen of two long-woolled rams, £5 and silver medal, T.
Brown ; second, £8, T. Brown.

Pen of ten ewe or wether-lambs of any| other breed, £5
and silver medal, J. Hammond, Bale ; second, £3, J.
Hammond.

Pen of two ram-lambs, not being loug-wooUed, bred by e.\»
hibitor. £4, and silver medal, J. Hammond.

Pen of three shearling wethers of any breed, £5 and silver
medal, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales; second, £3, J. T. Ashley,
Litcham.

Pen of ten ewes of any age or breed, £5 and silver medal,
T. Brown ; second, £3, T. Brown.

Pen of ten ewes of any age or breed, not being Southdown
or long-woolled, £6 and silver medal, H. Overman ; second,
£4, H. Overman.

Pen of five shearling ewes of any breed, not being South-
down or long-woolled, £5 and silver medal, H. Overman ;
second, £3, H. Overman.

Pen of twenty shearling ewes of any breed, without
restriction as to clipping, £5 and £3, and silver medal, Lord
Sondes.

PIGS.

Boar of large breed, £4 and silver medal, E. E. Duckeriugj
IJorthorpe, Lincoln ; second, £2, B. E. Duckering.

Breeding sow of large breed, £4' and silver medal, R. E.
Duckering ; second, £3, T. Crisp.

Boar of small breed (black), cup value £5, and £4 and
silver medal, T. Crisp.

Breeding sow of small breed (black), £4 and silver medal,
T. Crisp.

Boar of small breed (wliite), cup value £5, and £4 and
silver medal, T. Crisp ; second, £2, R. E. Duckering ; highly
commended, R. E. Duckering and H. Aylmer.

Breeding sow of small breed (white), £4 and silver medal,
T. Crisp ; second, £2, R. E. Duckering.

Three breeding sows of small breed (black), not exceeding
nine months old, £4 and silver medal : no merit.

Three breeding sows of small breed (white), not exceeding
nine mouths old, £4 and silver medal, H. Aylmer.

IMPLEMENTS.

Silver medals to Amies, Barford, and Co., of Peterboroughi
for combined elevator — Hambling and Son, East Derehanii
for self-feeding thrashing-machine — Barnes, Wells, for well-
tube — Le Butt, Bury St. Edmund's, for hand seed-drill —
Hornsby and Son, Grantham, for turnip-cutter.

Highly commended: Corbett's combined blowing, win-
dowing, and screening machine ; Amies and Co.'s iron frame
grinding mill and oilcake mill ; Holmes' combined portable
thrashing-machine; Woods and Go's horse-works; Wilkin-
son's self-regulating horse-hoe.

Commended : Sainty's sheep and cattle permanent or
portable fencing; Woods' chaffcutter; and Hornsby's root
pulper.

THE DINNER
was held on Thursday, when about two hundred attended.
The chair was filled by the President of the Association, Mr.
W. A. Tyssen Amhurst. In the course of the proceedings

Lord W^usiNGHAM expressed the regret with which he had
heard that their Members were not able to be present with
them at that dinner ; because they were all extremely anxious
to come, and nothing but a very important measure which was
in Parliament, and which concerned agriculturists, would have
detained them. There was a bill before the House of Com-
mons, wiiich proposed to establish a market by the side of the
Thames for foreign cattle, and for foreign cattle only ; and it also
proposed to provide that foreign cattle brought over here for
the purpose of being turned into food should be immediately
slaughtered, while if they were intended for store stock — of
which not many would come, because they had very good stock
of their own, and did not want to go to their neighbours, but
supposing any should come for people who wish to have a
particular species, such as Chinese sheep, of which he had
some, or a Roman bull — they would have to undergo certain
quarantine. The Metropolitan Market would then be lelt en-
tirely free, and they would hope to get rid of all restrictions
with respect to animals removed from the Metropolitan Market,
so that their trade would he as free as it was before the in-
coming of that formidable disease, rinderpest ; and they would
not be in fear of any danger of having it re-imported into this
country, for it undoubtedly came from abroad — from the
Continent — and not only rinderpest, but pleuro-pneumonia
and foot and mouth disease, through which they had lost such
an enormous number of their fine, magnificent cattle, such as
they had seen that day at the Show. He beheved the only
way of doing this was the way proposed ; but he might tell
them the bill would meet mXh great opposition, and it was
somewhat doubtful whether it would be carried, and he was,
therefore, sure they would feel, with him, that their members
were doing their duty more tlioroughly by attending the House
to support this bill than by coming to enjoy themselves with
thera, as he was suie they would have enjoyed themselves. If
he (Lord Walsingham) had not been able to show so many
sheep this year as he had upon some former occasions, it was
because the competition was so great ; and he had been ad-
vised he ought to reserve his horses during the first heat, and
so he had allowed his noble friend Lord Sondes to walk over
the course, as he so well could do. They knew he was afraid
of him ; but lie should have pluck enough to meet him at
Leicester, where he should stand a better chance, from not
having worked his horses too hard in the first heat.

Mr. J. S. Welfitt responded to the toast of "The Judges
of Horses," and, in doing so, remarked that he thought it would
be more satisfactory to the public at large, and would take
considerable onus oft' the shoulders of one gentleman, if there
were two judges another year.

Mr. Moojf replied to the toast of " Judge of the Pig class,"
and expressed his belief that if the show had been larger the
pigs that took the prizes would not have been beaten, as they
were of such exceUent character. He difi'ered from Mr. Wel-
fitt's opinion as to two judges, and thought one judge only
was sufficient and best, because where you liad one judge there
was no calling in a third person : the judge was put upon his
metal, and could not shirk. Where they had two or three
judges, one might be told he had done WTong, and he could
easily say that it w as not his fault ; the other judges did it,
and lie was obliged to give way. He was glad Norfolk had
introduced the system of having but one judge, and hoped the
course wonld be universally adopted.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

11

Mr, WxLFiTT agreed with the remarks of Mr. Moon, and
was in favour of all other classes excftpt horses having but one
judge. He said there existed a diiference of opinion with re-
spect to horses which did not exist with regard to other
animals.

Mr. T. Chambers acknowledged " The Judge of Imple-
ments," remarking that the principal novelty in the show-
yard among the implements was " Norton's American tuhe-

well," wlucb, he thouglit, in many cases would be of great
value,

II will be seeu that great difference of opinion exists as
to the plan of single judges, many of the Committee of
the Association being opposed to it, and a number of
gentlemen who were invited to act in this way having
declined to do so.

THE THORNE AGRICU'LTURAL ASSOCIATION,

The sixteenth annual show has just been held, and in every
point has proved more successful than any of its predecessors.

The section which excited the most interest was the horse-
ring during the awarding of the pri2e.s, and iu this, especially
in Yorkshire, most important department of the exhibition,
the number of entries was very large, and the quality ex-
ceedingly good. The entries were no less than 60 in excess
of last year, and included some very fine animals. The classes
which attracted particular attention by their excellence were
the hunters, roadsters, lady's hacks, and drauglit-horses, the
latter calling forth praise from every side. In the class for
two-year-old geldings or fillies for agricultural purposes,
the prize was taken by a capital colt exhibited
by Mr. S. Waterhousc, Doncaster. The whole class
was a very good one, as was also the next one-yearling, hunting
colt or filly. The collection was indeed so excellent that it was
some time before the judges could decide. A beautiful little
chesnut, by Wild Hero, was very much admired, the only fault
being that he was too small. The first prize taken was by
Heber, out of a mare by Era, exhibited by Mr. T. Perkins,
Suaith, aud the second, by Arribas, shown by Mr. R. Bulay,
Hooton Pagnell. The two-year-old hunting geldings or fillies
were also an excellent class, and the prize was taken by
a magnificent one exhibited by Mr. Godfrey, hut which had
nearly been disqualified by being wrongly entered. Tor the
prize in the three-year-old hunting, gliding, or filly class, there
Was a very good competition, and even the judges could not
agree for a long time as to whether 167 or 171, both by
Arribas, should take the first; finally, however, 171,
shown by Mr. W. Gleutworth, obtained the honour. In tlie
competition for the silver cup, given by Messrs. Durham,
Foster, and Shaw, for the best three-year-old gelding or filly
for agricultural purposes, a famous lot of animals appeared ;
Mr. William Tennaut, of Baslovv, being successful in taking
the first prize. The next class consisted of pairs of draught-
horses, and here the quality could not be excelled. A couple
of superb greys, one by John Bull, exhibited by Mr. Brierley,
of Middleton, carried off the cup, aud they were the adraira-
t-on of all who saw them, the judges expressing an opinion
that there could be nothing better. The silver cup for the
best roadster nag or inare was taken by Mr. Winter, Good-
cop ; the cup for the best lady's hackney by Mr. G. Wakefield,
Keadby ; and for the best pony not exceeding 14 hands, by Mrs.
Milvvard, Thurgarton. The extra stock contained one of the
best horses on the ground : this was a gelding exliibited by Mr.
J. Robson, Mal*on, and to it a first prize was awarded. Turn-
ing next to cattle, we may state this was the first show since
the cattle plague, and was a very good one. Some
useful bulls were shown, but it was in the cow class that the
greatest excellence was to be found. Mr. Whittaker exhibited
a very fine pair of heifer calves, which took the first prize, and
in the sheep department he also took the silver cup for the
best pen of long-wooUed Leicester giramers. The ewes were
a very good class, and the show altogether excellent. For
pigs the entries were not numerous, but the quality could not
possibly be better. The competition, however, was confined
to two exhibitors, Mr. John Dyson, of Leeds, and Mr. R. E.
Duckering, of Northorpe, who took all the first and,
with one exception, all the second prizes between them. The
show of dogs was really remarkable, and it is very seldom that
such a collection is brought together. The extra prizes and
the many " commendeds" which the judges bestowed come as
quite a sufficient proof of their general excellence. One class in
particular, the fox-terriers, were specially noticed, and Mr, J,
De^ou, of Doncaster, took the first prize.

PRIZE LIST.

JUDGES.
Horses — J. Robinson, Grove House, Manchester ; T. Stanijier,

Highfield House, Oswaldkirk; T. R. Colton, Eagle liall,

Newark.
Beasts, Sheep, and Pigs — G. Bland, Coleby Hall, Lincoln ;

R, Foxton, Wellburn, Kirbymoorside ; T. Dodds, Mount

Pleasant, Wakefield,

IMPLEMENTS.

The best assortment of farming and other implements
manufactured and exhibited by any one person. — 1st, Vickers,
Snowden, and Morris, Doncaster ; 2nd, B, Sanderson, Thome.

HORSES.

Mare and foal for agricultural purposes, — 1st, W, Tennant
Barlow ; 2nd, M. Askern, Levels.

Mare and foal, hunting.— 1st, H. W, Godfrey, Bank House :
2nd, M. Askern.

Mare and foal, carriage.— 1st, M. Askern ; 2nd, Messrs,
Reynolds, Carlton; highly commended, T. Wakefield Mes-
singham. *

Mare and foal, roadster.— 1st, H, W, Godfrey; 2ud J, Lee
Thome, ' ' *

Yearling colt or filly for agricultural purposes.— 1st F, T,
Turner, Armthorpe ; 2nd, J , Coulman. '

Two years old gelding or filly for agricultural purposes —
1st, S. Waterhouse, High Ellers ; 3nd, T, H, Goulton, Airmyn
Grange,

Yearling colt or filly, hunting.— 1st, 1. Perkins, Snaith ■
2nd, Bulay, Hooton Pagnell ; highly comni«nded, P. Dogliertv'
Airmyn. "

Two -years old gelding or filly, hunting.— 1st, H. W, God-
frey ; 2nd, J. Reader, Holme ; highly commended, J. Kelsey
Garthorpe Grange.

Three years old gelding or filly, hunting.— 1st, W Glent-
worth, Goole ; 2nd, H. Soer, Bawtry ; the class commended

Yearling colt or filly, carriage.— 1st, W. H. Godfrey • 2nd
M. Askern ; commended, H. Cooke, Carlton. ' '

_ Two years old gelding or filly, carriage.— 1st, H, W. God-
frey ; 2nd, S, Waterhouse,

Carriage geldiug or mare of any age.— 1st, T. C. Glazier
Amcotts; 2nd, W B. Houlden, Cantley ; highly commended,
VV. Brockton, Tudworth ; the class commended

mended, M. Durham, Thorne. ^ ^ *"'

Three years old gelding or filly for agricultural purposes, a
silv-er cup value £5.-lst, W. Tennant ; 2nd, G. Wood, Hay-
field ; highly commended, J.Bramley, Barlow; commend^
J. Winder, JNewton. '

Pair of draght horses, of any age or sex, a silver cud valii«-
^'rifi'i- ^^ -^"-/^y' Middleton; 2nd: Messrs, S'wlfe
and Blakeley, Dewsbury ; highly commended, R Mickle
thwaite, Thorne ; commended, E. Coulman.
T ^li'f''^^ c°P^' °^ ^'"y ^g?,or sex.— 1st, W. Tennant ; 2nd
J. Wood, bykehouse; highly commended, J. B. Milman
Levels ; commended, M. Askern. '

Roadster nag, or mare of any age, a silver cup, value M.
-1st, L. Winter Goodcop; 2ud, G. Wakefield, Keadby-
highly commended, R. Barker, Malton ; commended, T. Wak«'
field, Messingham.

12

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Lady's liackucy, of auy ag-c or sex. a silver cup, value £5.
—1st, G. Wakeiield ; 2nd, W. M. Darley, Thorne.

Pouy, uot exceeding 14 hands, silver cup, value £3 3s. —
1st, R." Mihvard, Tliurgarton ; ~ud, W. White, Crowtrees.

Pony not exceeding 12 hands. — 1st, E. Rogers, Rockley ;
2nd, C. Dook, Levels.

Sucking foal by Gavazzi, a special prize. — 1st, G. Gillatt,
Doucaster.

Yearling by Antwerp, a special prize. — 1st, J. H. Dean,
Stainforth.

Sucking foal by Antwerp, a special prize. — 1st, M. Askern.

Extra Stock. — 1st, J. Robson, I^Ialton ; commended, W.
White.

CATTLE.

Bull of auy age. — lat, J. Mann, Sprotbro' ; 2nd, B. J.
IVhittaker, Hesley Hall.

Bull under two years old. — 1st, G. Cattle, Hootou Levet ;
2nd, J. S. Burn, Streettliorpe.

Cow in calf or milk for daily purposes. — 1st, — Dickinson,
Partridge Hill ; 2ud, B. J. Whittaker ; commended, J. Sykes
(Bramwith), J. Elliott (Levels), E. Barker (Pigburn), W.
Brockton, J. P. Watson (Crowle Wharf).

Heifer in calf or milk, under tliree years old. — 1st, B. J.
Wliittaker ; 2nd, W. Brockton ; commended, J. Aldam, Ep-
worth.

Pair of calves, above 13 and under 18 months old. — 1st,
B. J. ■\\Tiittaker ; 2nd, J. Elliott.

Pair of calves, above 6 and under 12 months old. — 1st, J.
Coiilman.

SHEEP.

Loug-woolled or Leicestershire ram of any age. — Ist and
2ud, J. P. Moorhouse, Penistonc ; commended, J. Ingham
(Marr), 11. Poskitt (Uarrington).

Shearling long-wooUed or Leicester ram.— »lst and 2nd, R.
C. 'Workman, Almholme.

Pive long-woolled or Leicester ewes, having suckled lambs
until June 17, 18G8. — 1st, J. Winder ; 2nd, E. Turner; com-
mended, R. C. Workman.

Pive long-woolled or Leicester gimmers, bred by the exlii-
bitor within a distance of 20 miles of Thorue, a silver cup,
value £5. — 1st, B. J. Whittaker ; 2nd, M. Astern.

Pive long-woolled or Leicester wedders. — Ist, L. Baxter,
Hirst Courtney ; 2nd, R. Law.

Pive lambs. — 1st, H. W. Godfrey ; 2ud, R. M. Waterhousc,
Armtliorpe; commended, J. Warriner, Wroot.
PIGS.

Boar of the large breed. — 1st, J. Dyson, Leeds ; 2nd, R. E.
Duckering, ISorthorpe.

Boar of the small breed. — 1st, J. Dyson.

Sow of the large breed. — 1st, J. Dysou ; 2nd, R. E.
Duckering.

Sow of the small breed. — 1st, J. Dyson; 2nd, R. E.
Duckering.

Sow of the middle breed. — 1st, J. Dyson; 2nd, R. E.
Duckering.

Three store pigs. — 1st, R. E. Duckering; 2nd, E. T.
^\'haley.

Open gilt of auy breed, not less than 6 or more than 12
moutlis old. — 1st, R. E. Duckering; 2ud, J. Dyson.

THE NORTH-EAST AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,
MEETING AT BELFAST.

This annual show was held ou Thursday and Priday,
•Tune 18 and 19. All the classes, with the exception of pigs,
were good ; and iu that quarter the decline was in numbers,
and not in quality. The show of Shorthorns aud other
distinct breeds of cattle aud sheep was such as to
do credit to any show iu the United Kingdom for quality
and breeding. There were forty-nine entries of vShort-
horns of all ages. Six Shorthorued bulls, over two
years old, competed in the first section, which
ended in Mr. Ellison Macartney's four -year -old
bull FitiJames being placed first ; he comes from the
uow famous Castlegrove herd. Mr ^laxwell's Chancellor
and Mr. W. Charley's Ulysses were second aud third.
The section for two-year-old bulls was made up of seven
entries. Lord O'Neill's Lord of the ^Nlanor leading the
way. Mr. Mulhollaud's bull Raven, by Kavenspur, was
])Iaced next, but he had a smart tussle with Mr. 5l'Crea's
Northern Ensign, by Northern Chief; while Mr.
^loody's Roger stood highly commended. There were
12 entries in the yearling bull section, the ^larquis
of Downshire's Marquis of Kildare, bred by Sir.
Reynell, taking the lead, aud also the Ulster Challenge
Cup for the best animal iu the short-horn classes.
Mr. Maxwell's Prince Royal stood next ; and the Earl of
Dai-try's Lamp of Florence, from the .Ardlert herd, made
a capital thLi'd. An H. C. was given to Messrs. F. and
W. Smith's Jemmy% a sou of Fitzjames the Secoud. The
male sections finished in the bull calves. The Earl of
Dartry's Royal Butterfly — a beautiful white, only three
months old — bred by himself, led oft', followed by Mr. Elli-
son Macartney's White Rock, also bred by the exhibitor.
The gem section of the show would be the cows of any
age. The three prize ones were grand creatures, but of
such different styles of sweetness and beauty as to render
it most difficult and perplexing to place them, and the
judges found it so; however, it ended in Mr. C. P. Les-

lie's Banshee being put first, his Lily of Warlaby third,
and Mr. Maxwell's Anita second. Banshee, the first prize,
is a grand cow of great substance, Lily of Warlaby is every
inch a shorthorn, and Anita one of the sweetest and loveliest
matrons we have seen. The three-year-old section con-
tained but two, Mr. Mulholland's Elfin Dorrit being
placed first, and Mr. Richardson, of Kircassock, second
for Lady Frances. The two-year-old section contained
three entries, Mr. M'Corkell's Rose of AVarlaby, bred by
himself, and Sir R. Bateson's Red Rose, bred by A. War-
bm-ton, Kill, being first and second respectively, Mr.
George Callwell's Beauty the Sixth making a very
handsome third. Fom* entries composed the sec-
tion for yearlings — the Earl of Caledou's Countess,
placed third at the last Dublin Royal, Mr. Max-
well's Princess Victor, and Mr. Charley's Princess Ade-
laide, being placed first, second, aud third respectively.
The Earl of Dartrey exhibited a very nice heifer-calf, but
there was no competition.

The northerners are great admirers oi Ayrshires as
dairy cattle. Six males and twenty-nine females, of all
ages, were exhibited in the Amateur Class. They were
well and purely bred, and, to all appearance, very suitable
to dairy purposes. The Devons were the best we have
seen for some time iu Ireland, aud numbered five males
and ten females of aU ages ; and they are evidently
favourites with those who possess them. The diminutive,
yet profitable, Kerries numbered three males and three
females ; and Polled and Alderneys numbered but four of
both sexes.

A new class has been opened for thorough-bred horses,
which brought before the public on this the first occa-
sion four very handsome well-bred gentlemen, and on the
next occasion it is expected that this class will be yet better
filled. In this, the Amateur Class, agricultural sires,
mares, and other draught horses useful for general pur-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

poses, were very well represented, numbering in the aggi-e-
gate about 24 entries.

The sheep sho^^^^ were about the best we have seen here ;
Leicesters, Border Leicesters, Lincolns, and Shrop-
shire Downs were in goodly numbers and finely-bred.
Mr. Bland invaded the northern metropolis with
some of his finest specimens, and took some of the first
prizes ; but in Mr. Leslie, of Glasslough, he found a rival
worthy of his mettle, and the latter did not let the former
take all the first prizes. The pigs were excellent, but
not numerous.

There is but time and space to give a general
epitome of the live stock exhibited in the farmers'
(dasses ; there were of Shorthorn cows and heifers
twenty of all ages, and so remarkably good as to call
forth unbounded applause for their beauty, condition,
cleanliness, and their evident productiveness as dairy
stock. In Ayrshires they exhibited about 15, remarkable
for their evident productiveness ; but the finest feature of
all was the splendid array which farmers made of cross-
bred cattle, the beauty of their colours, their grand size,
sabstaatial proportions, and capacious udders riveting

the attention of the visitors to such a degree that we
could scarcely get a peep at them. They numbered about
thirty, and do infinite credit to the spirit and the know-
ledge displayed by the north men in the selection and
crosses which were produced. In sheep they were equally
successful, whether in Leicesters, Border Leicesters, or
Shropshire Downs ; but, like the amateur class, the pigs
they exhibited, though remarkably good and well bred,
were few, eight pens covering the whole of the farmers'
entries. The show of poultry was a very fine one ; and
in butter there were about 23 samples in firkins, crocks,
and samples of six prints of ^Ib. each. Of scutched flax
three samples, and of green fiax six samples, the finest
was that of James Taylor and Sous, who got the first pre-
mium, being much over three feet long, Mr. Borthwick's,
who got the second, being nearly as large, and of very
superior quality. The show of implements and machines
was a good one, but we missed some of the English and
Scotch makers, who used to come and pick up some
loose cash, but not without giving value for it; how-
ever, their places were well filled by their agents, — ■■
Abridged from Irish Farmer's Gaxette.

THE RUST- IN- WHEAT COMMISSION.

To His ExceUmcy Liei'leiianf-Colmel Eardey^ Officer Aduiinistering the Government of South Australia, §'C., ^-c., ^e.

His Excellency Sir Dominick Daly, Knight, late Governor-
in-Chief of South Australia, having appointed us whose names
are hereto appended a Commission to inquire into the disease*
affecting the cereal crops of this province, we have the honour
to report to your Excellency as follows :

I. — Prf.iimixary. — The natural history of the rust-disease
having for years past formed a subject of scientific investiga-
tion, your commissioners did not anticipate being able,
with the limited means and appliances at their command,
to tlirow new light on the physiology of that malady ; but
they have directed their best attention to tlie question whether
the disease which has recently destroyed our cereal crops was
identical with tlie " rust" described by scientific men, or
whether it was some new and modified disease, generated by
peciUiar conditions of soil and climate, affecting the growth of
corn in tbis colony. They have, however, notwithstanding
former researches, inquired anew whether the cause of rust
was to be sought for in the seed sown, in tlie soil itself, or in
atmospheric conditions affecting the growth of the plant ; and,
finally, whether any plan could be devised for mitigating the
severity of the disease. Oa these points much valuable evi-
dence, written and oral, has been collected, and wiU be found
appended to this report. Your commissioners have also directed
their attention to the disease popularly designated " take-all,"
and have recorded the observations of many experienced and
competent witnesses. The method of investigation has been
the following: A schedule of questions (see Appendix), com-
prehending some twenty separate branches of inquiry was
printed, and parcels forwarded to all the corporations and dis-
trict councils of the province for distribution amongst agricul-
turists and other suitable persons in their respective neighbour-
hoods. It was considered better that the various district
councils should themselves select the farmers whose evidence
was required, than that the commissioners should limit their
inquiries to individuals of their own choice. As regards the
schedule of questions itself, it was framed simply as a guide to
those who might wish to avail themselves of it ; each person
addressed being invited to state his own views and opinions in
his own way, altogether regardless of the questions proposed
by the commissioners. Many witnesses have, in accordance
with this invitation, given the result of their experience on
various points of importance, supplementary to their replies to
the schedules. The communications received in answer to the
queries propounded by the commission have been carefully
considered and collated, the most important portions of the
information elicited being here\mto appended, This has un«

avoidably occasioned some delay, but the value of the evidence
thus secured will more than compensate for the loss of time.
In addition to the useful and varied information gathered
through the post from about 700 practical agriculturists,
various witnesses liave personally attended before the com-
mission, and given rica voce evidence, which will also be found
in the appendix. These witnesses include some of the most
experienced and observant wheat-growers in the province, as
also our ablest agricultural chemists and microscopists. Your
commissioners have also had the benefit of a thoughtful and
elaborate paper, prepared Iiy Mr. Charles Todd, on the rain-
fall of last season, compared with that of seasons preceding — a
paper to which they point with more than ordinary satisfaction,
as replete with information valuable to the scientific farmer
and the naturalist. Reference should also be made to a report
kindly and readily furnished by Dr. Mueller, of the -Melbourne
Botanic Gardens, on the subject of the rust in wheat, sum-
marizing the latest researches and discoveries with regard to
that fearful malady, and effectually setting at rest some plausi-
ble but unsupported theories on the subject. The scientific
aspects of the question have also been professionally elucidated
by Drs. Muecke and Schomburgh, and Messrs. Francis,
Cossins, and Ey, of this colony, whose conclusions are also
appended. With these preliminary remarks, your commis-
sioners proceed to submit the result of their investigations.

II. — Red Rust. — As regards the pliysiological character
of red rust, there can be no doubt whatever that it is essen-
tially a vegetable parasite or fungus, attacking the plant ex-
ternally, and brought into active operation by certain atmos-
pheric or climatic conditions, the most effective of which last
j'ear were heat and humidity. In September and October
there was a most unusual amount of moisture combined witli
sultry heat, and frequent heavy dews at nigiit — that blades ot
cereal plants being kept in a continual state of dampness, with
occasional rapid evaporation, causing the pores of the leaf to
be more tlian ordinarily open, and thus facilitating the en-
trance of the infinitely minute spores, or seeds of the rust
fungus, which are more or less always floating in tlie atmos-
phere, or deposited on the soil or surrounding objects, ready
for dissemination by every wind that lilows. An opinion has
been expressed before this commission that the rust on the
wheat blade is simply an exudation from the plant itself, a
spontaneous overflow of sap, and is not the result of parasi-
tical attack. But this theory is altogether without support,
either in the general conditions and circumstances of the rust
as observed by the naked eye on a great variety of plants, or

u

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

in the microscopic appearances of the diseased wheat plant.
For although the most luxuriant growths of wheat have
doubtless suffered most from the rust, thus lending an apparent
support to the theory of sap " exudation," it is an undeniable
fact, that a large number of cereal plants and glasses— the
very reverse of luxuriant — have also suffered from rust, which
must, therefore, be accounted for in some other way than by
the outflow of superabundant juices. The spores of the rust
are proved to be true seeds, possessing a uniform and definite
character according to their variety, retaining their vitality as
other seeds do, and capable of being developed at any time by
the application of heat and moisture. Your commissioners
have examined through the microscope various specimens of
last year's rusted wheat, and find the rust spores identical in
appearance with those noticed and delineated by Mr. Cooke,
and other eminent mycologists, who have written on the sub-
ject. There is, therefore, no doubt whatever, that the rust in
wheat, now so painfully known to South Australian farmers, is
identical with the disease long recognised by the same name in
Europe, briefly described by Dr. Mueller, in his report hereto
annexed. It lias also been shown in evidence, that the red
rust has affected, in addition to wheat and other cereals, flax,
lucerne, wild oats, wild barley grass, reeds, and many other
vegetable productions. It has been noticed that the red rust
appeared in some localities before the humid weather of Sep-
tember and October, and also (in the south-east), after the dry,
hot weather had set in. On this point it may be remarked
that there are two distinct varieties of red rust, designated in
Dr. Mueller's paper, Puccmia (jraminis and Fuccima straminis
— one of which has the power of producing its spores in al-
most any season. Mr. Ey, in his evidence, also refers to the
two kinds of rust, and avows his conviction that both havei
been active agents in the destruction of last season's crop
The rust that appeared earlier is popularly known as the
" long corn" rust, and is believed to have borne a full share
with the Vera rubigo (or true rust) in the desolation of our
last harvest. In the course of this investigation some points
of importance have been established, materially affecting and
modifying opinions hitherto entertained. In ] 865, it was re-
ported by the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, who
took evidence on the subject of red rust, that crops grown
upon land long cultivated were much more liable to the dis-
ease than those grown upon new land, and that crops grown
upon well cultivated and manured land were much less liable.
These opinions, though disavowed l.iy some cultivators, pre-
vailed ve"y generally down to the time wlien your Com-
missioners entered upon their investigation ; but the
experience of last season excited grave doubts on the subject ;
and the result of the evidence now adduced entirely sets aside
this portion of the report of the Agricultural Society. It is
found, as the almost uniform result of last year's operations,
that rust has prevailed upon all kinds of land — upon
lands long cropped, upon fallow lands, upon grazed lands,
upon virgin soil, upon manured lands, upon the plains, and
upon the hills. But more than this, it has been proved that
in nearly every instance the richest lauds have suffered the
most from red rust, and that, in a large number of cases, the
best crops have been reaped from the poorest natural soils,
and from those most exhausted by frequent cropping. It is
an almost universal fact that wherever the wheat grew most
luxuriantly in September and October, there the failure has
been most complete ; whilst those crops that in the early
part of the season were the least promising, as a rule, turned
out by far the best sample and the heaviest yield. This very
remarkable circumstance, attested by hundreds of witnesses,
is thus accounted for : Luxuriance in vegetation, like exces-
sive fat in animals, is not identical with vigour. Plants
forced into abnormal luxuriance are more susceptible of
climatic clianges tlian those which are tough and hardy. The
more juicy and succulent the plant, the more predisposed is it
to the inroads of the rust. The pores of the leaf being
unusually open, the minute spores of parasitical fungi can
more readily enter. Then, again, the more dense and heavy
the crop, the less possible is it for the wind to circulate, anil
the saturated leaves to dry. On the other hand, in a thin,
light crop, the leaf pores being less open to the entrance ot
the rust seed, the disease is not so freely propagated, whilst
the whole crop is far better situated to enjoy the drying in-
fluences of the vrind, which retard the development of the
parasite. The poor crop has thus a twofold advantage over

the thick and luxuriant crop in a season favourable for th«

development of rust. Hence, so far as red rust is concerned,
rich soils, and what is termed " high farming," instead of
shutting out the disease or mitigating its severity, operate in
the contrary direction, always supposing that the climatic
conditions favourable to the development of rust are present.
The modus operandi of the disease is twofold. The rust
spores, obtaining entrance through the open stomata, or
breathing pores of the plant, are very quickly developed, and,
pushing forward rootlets {7nycelia), gradually work their way
along the sap vessels of the leaf — in all probability injuring,
by their multiplication and progress, its internal mechanical
structure. But the chief damage — or, at all events, that
which can with most certainty be traced — is caused by the
absorption of the wheat sap l)y the parasite that has en tired
its channels. The juices that should have gone to nourish
the wheat-ear are intercepted in their progress by the rust
fungus, which starves the grain by living on its proper
nourishment. This is not only deduced from microscopic ob-
servations, but is clearly demonstrated by chemical analysis.
Healthy grains of wheat contain certain definite proportions
of inorganic ash — the ash, in its turn, containing definite pro-
portions of phosphoric acid, potash and soda, and magnesia.
It has been demonstrated that rusted wheat is very deficient
in that ash, having sometimes less than one-third its proper
quantity. On the other hand, the rust spores, gathered from
the rusty wheat, yield, on analysis, an extraordinary quantity
of ash ; and this ash is found to contain a large amount of
the constitueuts present in the ash of healthy wheat,
but wanting in the ash of rusty wheat. Doubtless
further experiments on this point are eminently desirable;
but, as far as chemical analysis has extended, it seems fairly
proved that the wheat perishes through the absorption of its
proper nutriment by the rust fungus, and that the constituent
elements wanting in the shrivelled grain are to be found in
the parasite which has fed upon and destroyed it.

III. — Seed Wheat. — Your Commissioners having come to
the conclusion that the red rust is not originated in the soil,
next directed attention to the several varieties of seed-wlieat,
with a view to determine whether any descriptions were of
more hardy character than others, and better calculated to
repel the attacks of the disease. On this subject the evidence
of tlie numerous witnesses is remarkably coincident. With
but very few exceptions it has been found in all parts of the
colony that the Tuscan and purple straw varieties suffered
least, whilst the more prolific varieties, such as the Goldsmith,
suffered most. The Tuscan however, being a poor, yielding
grain, is not likely to be generally selected for seed ; and the
purple straw, therefore, is the wheat now generally recom-
mended as combining a fair yield and a certain degree of re-
sistance to the red rust. It of course remains for the farmer
to determine whether (to ensure the weightiest crop) he will
sow prolific but tender varieties ; or whether he will purchase
a certain degree of immunity against the rust by being con-
tent with a variety of seed not quite so famed for heavy bear-
ing. It is noticeable that the Victorian Commission of 1866
emphatically recommended care in the selection of seed wheat,
reporting favourably of the red straw and Tuscans, and depri-
eating the golden drop, white prolific, white velvet, and
AVinslow. Attention has been specially directed during this
investigation to the question of the fitness or unfitness of
shrivelled grain, and grain from rusted crops, for seed. There
being in many districts of the colony but little good seed this
year, your Commissioners deemed the point now under con-
sideration to be one of the utmost importance, and they have
much satisfaction in stating that numerous witnesses declare,
as the result of their own personal experience, that shrivelled
and rusty seed will produce healthy and abundant crops. This
fact has, indeed, been known both to scientific observers and
practical farmers for many years, and is specially remarked
upon by the Victoria Committee. In that colony scientific
research and practical testimony were both brought to bear on
the subject ; and, allliough Dr. Mueller and liis colleagues ap-
pear somewhat hesitant to account for the fact, yet they are
most confident in reporting that not only \vill shrivelled and
rusty seed produce good plants, but in many instances have
yielded healthier and heavier crops than those raised from
first-class seed. Nevertheless, as strong objections had been
urged against the use of last season's rusted wheat as seed, the
Commission felt it desirable to bestow special care upon this

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

1J5

branch of their inquiry. They therefore collected all the re-
liable information in their power, and also requested Dr.
Schomburgh, of the Botanic Gardens, to experiment upon
various samples, including some of the worst procurable. The
result of experiments thus made fully supports the evidence of
agricultural witnesses. The very thinnest grain germinated as
readily as the finest ; and, although on first springing up ic
appeared slightly weaker than the other, it grew freely, and in
a few days was as vigorous as that proceeding from a plumper
seed. As however the germ must be nourished from the sub-
stance of the seed until its roots can draw nutriment from the
soil, it is reasonable to suppose that very poor seed would have
a better chance in good than in exhausted soils. Your Com-
missioners therefore consider that their inquiries oa tliis par-
ticular question terminated alike in an undeniable and satis-
factory conclusion. Much valuable information on that subject,
including Dr. Sehomburgh's report, is appended. It having
been thought by some persons that tlie rust may partly be
accounted for by the continued use for many years of the
progeny of the same crop, and that a cliange of seed, brought
from distant localities, would shut out the disease, your Com-
missioners report that this idea is not supported by the evi-
dence. On tlie contrary, crops raised from seed brought from
distant places Imve been affected with rust equally with those
raised from seed grown on the same sections. No doubt,for other
reasons unconnected with rust, change of seed is often desir-
able ; and the evidence of witnesses on this point shows that
new seed should be procured as nearly as possible from a lati-
tude similar to that where it is intended to plant it, and also
from a poorer soil to a richer one, and vice versa, otherwise
time will be lost in the acclimatization of the new arrival.
Fine specimens of South Australian seed-wheat have produced
soft and diseased crops in England, in fields where seed grown
in the same neighbourhood produced healthy and fruitful
plants. The colonial seed had not become acclimatized, and
the plant suffered accordingly. But although the red rust is
shown to be dependent upon atmospheric conditions, and to
commence its ravages upon the stem and leaf of the plant, and
not to ascend from the root, it is nevertheless desirable to
pickle the seed for the purpose not only of kiUing the spores
of black rust or smut, but also in order to destroy spores of
the red rust which may happen to attach to it. On the sub-
ject of the composition of pickles for wheat, a few words will
presently be added.

IV. — Black Rust xnd Smut.— Smut being effectually
destroyed by a proper preparation of the seed, it has not been
thought necessary to iuqaire particularly into a disease within
the knowledge of all practical farmers.* With reference to
black rust, late sowing is recommended as a preventive, unless
the ground should previously be thoroughly saturated. Dry
ploughing, by turning up the land in clods, and leaving open
cavities beneath the surface, which harrowing does not fill up,
is considered by several practical agricultuiists as strongly
favouring the development of black rust. One witness says,
" The remedy I always adopt is, never to work my land unless
it is sufficiently saturated with a certahi depth of rainfall, so
that the soil is sufficiently moist throughout, and then work-
ing the land when it is mellow. I have always found I have
avoided black rust. I was led to conclude that black rust
came from the roughly -broki n state of the soil ; as the har-
rows only penetrate an inch )r two — the black rust always
made its appearance when the roots got down that far— the
bottom being hollow as a honeycomb." Others, in like man-
ner, recommend the thorough working and pulverization of
the land, combined with proper pickling, as a sufficient anti-
dote to tills form of cereal disease.

V. — Taxeail. — This disease, so destructive in many dis-
tricts of South Australia, is not so well understood as rust.
Farmers and chemists are alike at sea — ploughmen and mi-
croscopical observers differ in toio as to its nature and causes.
It is said to result from an exhausted soil, from the presence
of too much salt in the soil, from the deficiency of some con-
stituent element essential to the maturing of cereal crops. It
is declared to be want of drainage, and it is said to be want of
manure. It ia affirmed to be caused by ^ vegetable fungus, and
to be a disease analogous to the potato disease. It is also
sftid to be the result of insect ravages. Scarcely any two wit-
nesses agree on this point, whether farmer or chemist. But
the subject is of far too great moment to be passed over in-
ifferently. In some respects, take»U is more to be dreaded

than red rust. The latter cannot commit wholesale destruc-
tion, unless in connection with a description of weather such
as we rarely have in this colony ; but takeall appears altoge-
ther independently of the weather. And as its ravages are
irrespective of climatic influences, so are its movements inex-
plicable by reference to locality or soil. It is, like last season's
rust, to be found everywhere, and the ricliest soils often suffer
the most. It attacks newly-broken or fallowed land as well as
land frequently cropped. It especially attacks the slopes of hills
— not so often the table land on the top, nor the flats in the
vaUey, as the slopes and sides. All cereals fall before it ; even
native grasses disappear. It works in patches, selecting cer-
tain spots or centres — thence radiating, olten succeeded by
cockspur or Grant's thistle, the takeall in following seasons
reappearing in other spots. Its movements being so little
reducible to rule, experience and observation are at fault in
endeavouring to explain it, and hence conflicting ideas. This
difference perplexes the inquiry, whilst the rapid spread of
the pest, and the fear that it will every year encroach upon
wider tracts of country, render close observation and study a
duty of the utmost importance. The appearance of the
cereal, above ground, as it fades away and perishes
utyler tV.e influence of this insidious invader, needs no descrip-
tion, being but too well known. The root has been examined,
and appearances detected, leading some observers to conclude
that the disease is caused by a vegetable, and others by an
animal parasite. Dr. Muecke has magnified and photographed
fibres of the roots of wheat plants suffering from takeall, ex-
hibiting a number of minute white threads of a woolly ap-
pearance, which he considers to be the mycelia of a fungus
causing the disease. Mr. Ey, who has also examined it mi-
croscopically, says that it is not a fungus, aud that the sup-
posed fungoid may be found attached to all roots, healthy or
unhealthy. He considers that the disease is caused either by
animalcula attacking tlic plant in the first instance, or by the
growth of a sort of a lichen at the bottom of the stalk, which
serves as a nest for animalcula. He says : " What I recog-
nise under the name ' takeall,' is the Vibrio irUici, or eel of
wheat. A plant taken from a diseased spot will be found
black on the stem, from the roots to the first internode ; and
on pressing, a thin film of lichen or moss will come off. In
this will be found a number 'of animalcula coiled up, appa-
rently dead ; hut on being moistened with a drop of water, on
a glass slide under the microscope, will come to life in an
hour, moving about with great rapidity. They arc like eels
of wheat, which, as yet, have only been found in the grain.
I have not yet satisfied myself whether the eel or the lichen is
the primary cause ; but one of the two is takeall. The ani-
malcules might be sown with the seed : it is sometimes tlm
case that one grain of wheat will contain 4,000 to 5,000 eels
of wheat."

The witnesses, however, whilst giving expression to their
opinions, or their conjectures, were all (with the exception of
Dr. Muecke, who strongly adheres to the fungoid organ of take-
all) very careful to avoid any final or positive avowal. It is
scarcely probable that the takeall results from the development
of vibriones sown in the seed wheat, because the disease has
been just as bad in crops from seed pickled in strong dilutions
of sulphuric acid and other mixtures fatal to insect life, as in
crops not pickled at all. The Victorian Committee make no
reference to takeall — the very name in fact being an admission
that the nature and cause of the malady are not as yet found
out. The use of sulphur has been found beneficial, aud land
rendered barren by takeall has been recovered where the ashes
of a bush fence had been scattered ; but it is doubtful whether
the sulphur acted specifically upon the supposed spore or egg
of the takeall, or chemically upon the s,oil, nor is it certain
whether the ashes of the bush fence destroyed the takeall by
acting chemically upon the soU, or whether the change noticed
where the edge was consumed might be attributable to the
heat of the fire. It is exceedingly desirable that this most
vital question should be thoroughly sifted, as there is immi-
nent danger of our wheat lands succumbing section by section
to this mysterious visitor, and the Commision are, therefore,
of opinion that a series of experiments in the application of
diluted sulphuric acid, and also of sulphur in its various com-
binations, both as a pickle for the seed and as a top dressing
for the diseased spots in the land, might be of great use, inas-
much as the only generally available remedies for takeall de-
scribed in the evidence as haying been successfully used are

16

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

diluted sulphuric acid, applied by Mr. Ey as a top dressing,
and sulphur and lime, used by Mr. Martin as a pickle for tho
seed.

VI. — Pickling Seed Wheat. — Although experience
shows that pickling seed wheat is no security against red rust,
it does not follow that it has no effect at all upon that disease.
Apart, however, from this formidable enemy to cereals there
are other foes to be met and vanquished only by a proper
system of pickling the seed, and hence the inquiries made and
evidence taken by the Commission on tlie subject. It is not
necessary to dwell upon a practice so well known and generally
observed ; but it may be remarked that the evidence taken dis-
closes great difference of usage in this particular. Whilst
some farmers only let their wheat remain in pickle for a few
minutes ; others allow it to be in solution for hours. The
chemical witnesses recommend sis or eight hours' steeping :
Dr. Muecke says eight if the weather be wet, and twelve if it
be dry, giving four ounces of bluestone to the bushel. Some
farmers do not soak the wheat at all ; but merely sprinkle it
with the liquid solution, turn the heap over a few times, and
dust it with dry lime. It is doubtful, however, whether the
fungus spores adhering to the grain are effectually destroyed in
this manner, and as the power of wheat to retain its vitality
under certain conditions of pickling can easily be ascertained
by experiments, it would be worth while for agriculturists to
make a set of trials. There is much reason to fear that in
many instances, from the weakness of the solution and the in-
sufficient time allowed for the grain to absorb it, the operation
is nuU and void, so far as regards the destruction of the para-
sitical spores. It has been shown that sulphur, either in form
of flowers, or milk of sulphur, or in that of sulphuric acid,
has been employed with very excellent effect. The sulphuric
acid is used, four ounces, by weight, to each bushel of seed,
diluted witli as much water as the w heat will take up ; the
latter, after a few hours' solution, being dried with slaked
lime. Sulphur and lime also make an excellent combination
most effectual in destroying fungi. The milk, or flowers of
sulphur, in powder, to be mixed with twice its weight of fresh
slacked hot lime, ten gallons of water to each pound of sulphur ;
this forms a sulphuret of lime with which the wheat is to be
well moistened, and afterwards dried with fresh slacked lime.
It is to be hoped that a few practical experiments will be made
during next seed-time, with a view to determine the double
question of the proper strength of ))ickle and the length of
time that the seed should lie in it.

VII. — SirBBi.E BuR>'iNO. — On the subject of stubble
Ijuming, in connection with the rust disease, the evidence is
conflicting. From the prevalence of the rust last season it
follows, however, as a matter of course, that the country is
covered with rust spores to a far greater extent than usual, and
that a large jjroportion of them adhere to the straw and stubble
that lie ou the stubble lands. These spores would necessarily
be destroyed by the burning of the stubble, although enough
would still remain in other places to spread the disease next
year, should we have a return of last season's weather — a con-
tingency, however, which, to judge from the past, is highly
improbable. Still, as we have had rust in several previous
years, although to nothing like so fearful an extent, the Com-
mission recommend the burning of stubble, and the collection
and burning of hedge clipplings and other refuse matter, in
which the seeds of the rust fungus will have found shelter.

VIII. — Exhaustion- of the Soil. — Although not im-
mediately connected with red rust, your commissioners, have
taken evidence with reference to the constituent elements of
the soil in this province, and have to report that this impor-
tant branch of agricultural science has been almost wholly
neglected. Not more than half-a-dozen analyses of the soil
appear to have been as yet made, so that science has so far
lent practically no aid at all in instructing South Austrahan
farmers as to the adaptation of their lands to the growth of
particular crops. It is, in the opinion of this commission,
highly desirable that an agricultural chemist and analyst be
appointed, in order to carry on a regular and continuous
system of experiments upon soils and manures, and also to
conduct microscopical and chemical oliservations bearing on
the subject of the growth and disease of our cereals. The
vast tract of country annually cropped with wheat is lieing
gradually robbed of its phosphates, and other constituents
es'jpntial to the formation of a healthy growth ; and a^ there is

scarcely anything returned in the shape of manure, the grain-
producing power of the soil is every year becoming less, in-
volving a sure diminution of average yield, even though we
may escape the plague of red rust. The appointment of an
official agricultural chemist would not involve any serious ex-
penditure, whUst it would afford to farmers generally the means
of obtaining reliable analyses of their wheat-laads at a nominal
charge, thus guiding them in the choice of crops, and in the
adoption of measures calculated to restore to the soil those
fertilizing elements of which it may stand in need. It cannot
he too constantly borne in mind that soUs are not always to be
correctly judged from appearance, even by the most practised
eye. Land that appears rich, and which, as regards most of
its constituents, may really be so, may, notwithstanding, be
deficient in some one element indispensable to the growth of a
vigorous crop, or of some one element necessary to render the
other constituents of the soil soluble and capable of assimila-
tion by the plants. This knowledge can only be acquired by
chemical experiment. In other countries, and in the sister-
colony, especial attention is devoted to this branch of agricul-
tural science which, though pre-eminently necessary in South
Australia, is neglected with an indifference as reprehensible
as it is nnaccountable. *

IX. — Conclusion. — On the whole, and especially as re-
gards the red rust, your commissioners, though, necessarily un-
able to discover a specific remedy for a disease, the germs of
which are universally diffused and brought into active vitality
by atmospheric causes, have much pleasure in submitting to
your Excellency the large amount of valuable information
elicited by this inquiry. If a positive cure is not discovered,
several very serious mistakes are corrected ; mistakes which
would be costly in their operation and disappointing in their
results. It is shown that the extraordinary ravages of red rust
last season were not caused, as many asserted, by exhaustion of
the soil ; and that, therefore, expensive manurings — however
beneficial in other respects — are useless as a preventive of rust.
It is shown tlmt there are some wheats hardier than others ;
the farmer tlius having, in some small degree, the means witliin
his own power of diminishing the extreme destructiveness of
the disease by avoiding those varieties that are most easily
overcome by it. It is also shown that as red rust is not pro-
pagated, like smut, from diseased seed, shrivelled grain, of
little value for milling purposes, will produce both healthy and
abundant crops, under ordinary favourable circumstances of
soil and climate, It is shown that agricultural chemistry has
scarcely made a start as yet in this colony, although of so much
importance to a praper system of cultivation. And finallj',
your commissioners hope that the attention which has been so
widely directed in all parts of the provinces, not only to the
sad visitation which has befallen it, but to the general condi-
tion and prospects of agriculture, will have the effect of lead-
ing to closer habits of observation, and to more careful ex-
periments on the part of farmers themselves ; and on the part
of the Legislature and Government, to a corresponding appre-
ciation of the claims and requirements of an interest which,
without exaggeration, may be represented as the cardinal in-
dustry of the province, and the chief foundation of its pros-
perity.

Committee-room, Parliament House, April 9th, 1S08.

John H. Barrow, Chairman.
Thos. Hogarth.
Wm. Everaed.
Jno. Carr.
W. Cayenagh.

[The Appendix referred to in this Report has not yet been
published.]

CURE FOR RED-WATER.— Boil 6 lbs. of nettles in a
gallon of water until it is reduced to half a gallon. To three
pints of this juice add one pint of salt, and give it to the
animal when she is attacked. If given in the early stage, one
dose is sufficient ; if the attack has been in the animal for
some time, a second dose will effect a cure. [The person who
gave us the recipe milks 60 cows, and he never had a fatal
ase silire be was told this remedy, — Er.j

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

17

THE OONDITION OF THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURER.

Mr. Bailey Denton read a paper on this subject at the
meeting of the Societj' of Arts, in which he said : At tlie
next general election that class of the community known as
the agricultural labourer will be the only operative class
which will be excluded from voting. Though, in the
practical view I take of the matter, I fail to discover any rea-
son why operatives living in boroughs should be admitted to
the franchise, while operatives living in the country should be
excluded, I cannot help recognising in the uneducated, depend-
ent, and scattered condition of the latter the real reason why
the country has tacitly allowed — as if by common consent — a
distinction to be made between the wage-paid labourer of the
factory and the wage-paid labourer of the farm. This dis-
tinction cannot have arisen because the premises occupied
by the one are more valuable than those occupied by the other,
for it would be difficult to say which labourer's dwelling- — the
rural or the urban — costs more money to provide, and it has
often been shown in this room tliat the actual money-rent paid
by the farm-labourer is no criterion of the value of the premises
he occupies ; nor can it be because the wages of the one are
much greater than those of the other, for when the earnings
of each are carefully dissected it will be seen that there does
not exist that great difference between the two which there is
generally supposed to be. It can, in fact, only arise from those
causes which limit his mental abilities, and prevent his in-
creasing the value of his labour, while they depress his status
in the social scale — causes whicli it is the duty of the country
to investigate and remedy. But before I go into these causes
and remedies, I will do my best to remove tlie misapprehen-
sions that prevail as to the value of the farm-labourer's occu-
pation and the amount of wages his services command. Tliere
is much in the one that affects the otlier, and no effort to im-
prove either can be successful unless we carefully comprehend
the circumstances of both. The average rent of farm-labourers'
cottages at the present moment may be fairly stated to be rather
under than over Is. 6d. per week, whicii is less than £4 a-year.
This rent is quite as much as the majority of old existing
cottages are worth, for most of them have but one bed-room,
and are wanting in those accommodations which arc essen-
tial to decency and comfort. Such dwellings have been, and
may still be, built for about £50 each, if constructed of plaster
and thatch, without regard to substantiality, and £i' a-year —
being 8 per cent. — may be considered a full return, if such
dwellings are admissible at all. But if we have reference
1 o those cottages which, under the influence of sanitary
reform and sound estate economy, are taking the place of those
miserable hovels — which all well-thinking people condemn —
we shall find that their average cost is £100 each, or £320 the
pair, exclusive of the site on which they stand. This site,
which would cost £15 more, would make the fee simple value
of the whole £175. Wc'all know that every speculator, em-
ploying capital in house building, looks for something like 7
per cent, if he is to replace the capital and make 5 per ceut.
net after paying insuraiice and doing repairs. If, therefore, a
farm labourer paid for his occupation the reut in money which
a speculator would demand, the payment, instead of Is. 6d. or
2s., which he still continues to pay for a good cottage as he did
for a bad one, would be £12 5s., which closely approximates
the rateable value fixed as the qualification of a county voter,
while it exceeds that of the lodger in boroughs. But it is not
in money wholly that the farm labourer pays for the improved
cottage, if it forms part of the farm op wiiicli he works, or is
so connected vvitii it that the farmer has command of the ser-
vices of the cottager. A fiirmer having good cottages at his
disposal can select the best workmen as his daily labourers.
Moreover, he can keep them, which is not the case with the
occupiers of the miserable hovels that generally exist ; and as
newly-built cottages are now usually placed so as to reduce to
a minimum the distance the labourer has to walk, whereby
time and sinew are saved, the advantages to the employer are,
in the aggregate, equal to the difference between the return
due to the condemned hovel and that due to the improved
feottage ; and thus, iu point of fact, the farm labourer receives

in a better home an equivalent to increased wages. Having
had some considerable experience iu nearly every county in
England, I desire to state shortly the conviction at wliich I
have arrived — that, measured by the real value of the services
rendered bv the agricultural labourers in different parts of
Eugland, the prices peculiar to different districts are as high as
the return to be gained from those services will sanction. It
appears to me to be a fallacy to suppose that tiie labourers of
one district are as good workmen as the labourers of another,
and that for the services of each, when applied to the same
object, the same money should be paid. Still, it can only be
on such grounds that the proposal lately enunciated for the
formation of unions, even though " established on principles
strictly defensive," among agricultural workmen, can be sup-
portad. Considering that combinations of workmen are inju-
rious in proportion as ignorance prevails, and that the want
of education is the special characteristic of the agricultural
labourer, I can anticipate only the worst results from unions
among tliem, and am quite at a loss to comprehend how any
national benefit can arise by encouraging them. If the la-
bourer of Dorsetshire or Devonshire was as able a workman as
the labourer of Northumberland or Lincolnshire, a common
standard of daily wages could be adopted ; but the truth is
that there is as much diirerenceiuthe value of ordinary labour
in different districts in England as there is in the character of
labour in different countries abroad, and it is only con-
sistent with economy that this difference should govern
the price paid. In making this remark, however, I do
not lose sight of the fact tliat the price of labour must be
regulated in some degree by the cost of maintaining labourers
and their families in their own districts, so as to perpetuate
the race upon which the produce of the land depends. With
respect to the wages of the farm - labourer it has been
my duty for the last seventeen years to inquire into the stand-
ing wages of every locality in which drainage works have been
executed. In addition to these inquiries, I have recently made
others, and have obtained such reliable information, that I be-
lieve I am perfectly justified instating that the present average
weekly wages of the farm-labourer, excluding extra allowances
at hay-time and harvest, and all payments lor piece-work and
over-time, as well as the value of various perquisites in the
shape of beer, milk, fuel, &c., are as follows : —

s. d.

North-Easleru district 14 0

North- Western district 14 0

Mid-Eastern district ... ... ... ... 13 0

Mid- Western district 11 0

Midland district (exclusive of Middlesex) ... 10 9

South-Easteru district 12 0

Mid-Southern and South-Westeru districts ... 10 0

These figures include shepherds and horse-keepers, but do
not include the wages of bailift's, where they exist, nor of
other special employes, nor the earnings of labourers' wives
and children. They include, however, l)ecr and cider when
they form a regular daily allowance iu lieu of money, but not
otherwise. The mean weekly day-labour wages of able-bodied
men throughout the whole of England may he taken at
12s. 6d. To this must be added the additional gains by occa-
sional piece-work,* extra payments at hay-time and harvest,
when double the ordinary wages is frequently given, inde-

* The advantages gained by the adoption of piece-work in
the place of day-labour are stated by one of our leading
farmers, Mr. Charles Howard, of Biddenham, to be — 1. The
work is done more expeditiously, at the proper time and with
less supervision on the part of the employer ; 2. It is less ex -
pensive tiian day-work, and payment is made for only the work
done ; 3. The labourer, finding his wage is regulated bv the
quantity and quality of the work performed, is more industrious,
aud exercises more skill iu what he does ; and 4. By placing
higher wages within reach, tlie teniptatiou to leave farm-work
or other occupations is lessened.

18

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

Bendently of the increased allowauce of beer or cider. In the
aeeresate, the actual income derived from these employments
is equal to from Is. 6d. to 3s. a week, according to the custom
of different districts. Where piece-work can whoUy take tlie
place of day-labour, a labourer may earn 25 per cent, more
than by the day. The total value of the beer and cider sup-
pUed to each labourer as his allowance, at hay-time and harvest,
when employed in driUing and machine-threshing, and when
engaged in piece-work, if spread over the whole year, would
amount to from Is. to 2s. a week, according to locality. With
these additions to his direct money-wages, the farm-labourer
gains from 15s. to 16s. per week, taking the mean of England.
But, besides this aggregate, he gets other advantages, wluch
are unknowTi to the industrial-labourer living in a town. The
rents of the dwellings of town-operatives vary from ^s. to 6s,
a week, some having very good dwellings for these rents,
while others are obliged to pay as much for lodgings only.
Comparing these figures with the Is. 6d. or 2s. paid by the
agricultural-labourer for cottages equally as good or better
than the dwellings of the town-operative, the difference must
be regarded as a gain to the former. The town-operative
seldom, if ever, has the advantage of a garden wherein he may
grow potatoes and vegetables. His outlay for these essential
articles of food is often great, particularly if he has many
children to provide for. In fact, the ordinary payment for
potatoes and vegetables by a mechanic, with a wife and
three children, living in town, is stated to be 2s. 6d.
a week. An agricultural - labourer, if he is fortunate
enough to have— what he ought invariably to have— a
rood of garden-ground as part of his occupation, which
he may cultivate after he has done his wage-paid work, will
grow upon it vegetables sufficient to yield him a return, after
payment of rent and for seed, of at least £4 a year, which is
rather more than Is. 6d. per week. I am assuming in this es-
timate that he has time and strength suificient to do all the
labour that is required to cultivate it, and that he is careful in
storing the refuse of his dwelling, i.e., the ashes, sewage, and
waste, so that he may avoid any payment for either labour or
manure. Thus it will be seen that from his house and garden
the agricultural labourer gains advantages equal to at least -is.
a week, which, if added to his money returns, will raise his
wages from 15s. or 16s. to 19s. or 20s. a-week, independent of
what his wife and children may make, and this frequently adds
25 per cent, to his income. I have said nothing about the
gains of gleaning, which have been estimated at £1 Is. lOd. yto
£2 ; nor about the favourable difference in the cost of bread,
meat, and milk in the country compared with what it is in
towns ; nor of the benefit an agricultural labourer is said to
derive from the keeping of a pig, as I am doubtful myself
whether anything is fairly gained by it ; neither have I esti-
mated the great advantage of pure country air in securing the
health and strength of the labourer and his family, though aU
these have a money value wliich should be considered. I may
liere state that for several years past I have adopted the weekly
wage of 20s. as the basis of payment to the able-bodied
labourers employed by the General Land Drainage Company
when away from their homes during the draining season, at
which time the number has frequently exceeded 1,500. The
system adopted when going into fresh districts is to make the
earnings of a few good practised hands, of medium capability,
who foUow the company's foremen wherever they go, the data
for paying all other hands. The weekly work of a good gang
of drainers will, if divided, give to each hand as much as from
30 to 40 rods of digging, and the price per rod will be fixed
by the foreman at such an amount as to apportion to the
stendard men 16s. to 22s. a-week, according to the length of
the day, after paying for the repair of tools. While these
figures are the wages of standard workmen, the local labourers,
at the commeucement of the work, wiU seldom earn more than
from 10s. to 12s. Of course this is to be expected, and the
statement is only apposite to the present inquiry, when it is
said that, whenever a turn-out or a strike takes place it is in-
variably found to have its origin in the local men, and there
are many kindly-disposed persons who take their part, though
the result invariably shows, Lf they will only persevere, they
can, after a time, make as good wages as the older standard
hands. With this knowledge it will be understood with what
dismay I look upon the proposal of unions "which can only
maintain inferior work, done at an extravagant cost, and dis-
content at the same time. The weekly earnings of different

labourers, which fairly represent the class known as industrial
operatives, may be stated to be as follows : — .

Carpenters and joiners from 18s. Od. to 28s. Od.

Sawyers „ 21s. Od. to 26s. Od.

Bricklayers average 31s. 6d.

„ labourers ,> 19s. od.

Brickmakers from 24s. Od. to 30s. Od.

Masons average 30s. Od.

„ labourers » |^^* )? ^

Gardeners (exclusive of head gardeners) „ lbs. Ocl.

Smiths...... from 26s. Od. to 28s. Od.

Painters average 28s. Od.

Boot-makers.".".*.'.'.".'." from 21s. Od. to 26s. Od.

Tallow workers (labourers) average ISs. Od.

Coal miners from 17s. Od. to 27s. Od.

Quarry men (slate) „ 18s. Od. to 23s. Od.

Qarters >• 17s. to las. Ud.

Eailway labourers (maintenance) „ 15s. Od. to 20s. Od.

Butchers' men „ 16s. Od. to 18s. Od.

Police-constables average 20s. Od.

Bakers' men from 21s. Od. to 26s. 6d.

Cotton workers „^''^'^Se l»s- 6d.

Sak workers from 1/s. to 24s.

The difference between these figures, which, it will be seen, do
not cover the highest grade of trade operatives, and the wages
of the agricultural labourer, is too great to exist between the
two main branches of the wage-paid classes without making
efforts to reduce it. It accounts for the fact that the popula-
tion of our leading agricultural counties is decreasing, while
that of other counties in which manufacturing towns exist is
increasing with more than ordinary rapidity. It accounts, too
for the deplorable truth, that while the iudustnal labourers ot
our towns are known to save money to provide for incapacity
and old age, the utmost the agricultural labourer manages to
do is by means of provident societies, if he is lucky enough to
belong to one which is well managed, to provide for illness
during his working age. In the breast of the former there
exists a hope of accumulating money, and ultimately becoming
a master, while the final prospect of the latter is, I regret to
say it, nothing but pauperism and the union. Sad as this
picture is, it is a satisfaction to know that the rate of agricul-
tural wages throughout the country has increased within these
last 35 years quite as much as 20 per cent., while the pnces
of those provisions and supplies which constitute the ordinary
food and necessaries of life have, on the whole, decreased in
the aggregate about ten per cent. The price of meat and
cheese has increased within the last few years at an extraor-
dinary rate. This is partly to be accounted for by the preva-
lence of diseases amongst cattle ; and it is a curious fact that
just 50 years ago the price of the best meat was the same as
at this moment, though if we only go back half that time— 25
years— it was about 40 per cent, cheaper. Inferior meat has
not been liable to such changes, though there has been a rise
of 2d. per pound. Bread, though high in price at this mo-
ment, remains at much the same cost as it was before the
repeal of the corn-laws. Beer, though nominally cheaper, is
so much worse in quality that we cannot regard it as actually
reduced in cost. Tea, coffee, sugar and groceries generally
are 50 per cent, less than they were 50 years ago. Clothes
and shoes are equally cheaper. The cost of fuel, on the whole,
is less than it was 35 years ago. Though I hope I have shown
that the position of the agricultural labourer is not so bad as
many represent it to be, no one can say that it is quite satis-
factory ; but with the profits of farming as low and uncertain
as tliey are, it will be acknowledged that the only way to
justify an increase of labourers' wages will be by render-
ing the value of the labour given greater than it now is.
Active hands, directed by superior intelligence, already obtain
wages above the mean of 16s. ; and as there is greater scope
in agriculture for the exercise of judgment than perhaps in any
other trade or pursuit, in which physical labour forms so great
an element, owing to the diversity of its objects and the ca-
sualties which may affect them, there is no reason to doubt but
that with an increase of knowledge on those points which
alone can enhance the value of labour, the earnings of the
whole class may be increased. This directly brings us to the
subject of education and its influence on the agricultural la-
bourer by bringing his mind to bear on his physical duties.
The state of education among agricultural labourers was ti-uly

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

19

indicated by the Royal Commissioners appointed in 1861, to
inquire into the state of public education in England, when
they said that in the British army, which I believe is cliiefly
made up out of the agricultural class, " out of 10,000 soldiers
examined in 1856, more than one-fourth could not write, and
more than one-iifth could not read, while in the British Foreign
Legion, raised in 1855, four-fifths of the Italians and 97 per
cent, of the Germans could both read and write." Those,
however, who are brought often into contact with the English
farm labourer, as I happen to be, require no statistics to prove
the almost total absence of education that exists among them.
We can only wonder that with a nation so advanced in civiliza-
tion as our own, such a condition of mind should be allowed
to lower one particular class without a general eiFort on tlie
part of all other classes to improve it. But the want of educa-
tion is not to be wholly attributed to national apathy and in-
diifereuce. It is due to various causes special to rural life,
but perhaps the most powerful of all is the belief that existed
largely at one time, and still lingers with some few farmers,
that education disqualifies a labourer for manual work in the
field. This belief had its origin in the little education possessed
by the majority of farmers in times past, though at the present
time there is no class more quickly awakening from indiffer-
ence to the benefits of knowledge than the farmers. Moreover,
they are not as a class to be blamed wlioUy for past indiffer-
ence, for there were many landowners who themselves pre-
ferred men as tenants on their estates who were not possessed
of those attainments which qualified them to appreciate educa-
tion in their labourers. Not many years back it was a com-
mon thing to exhibit less care for the comfort of the labourer
than for the comfort of cattle ; better buUdings, indeed, were
provided for the cows than for the labourers. But this state of
things is happily gone by. I will not here dilate on the man-
ner in which the children of the labourer should be taught at
school, nor enter upon tlie arguments for and against compul-
sory education. I am content to express my conviction that
primary education at school — consisting of reading, writing,
and arithmetic — is essential as the basis of improved practical
knowledge, even though it be Called forth in the duties of a
labourer, and that, as public attention has at last been aroused
to the object, the good sense of the country will rightly de-
termine how it shall be attained. To confine our efforts,
however, to elementary school learning would, I contend, fail
in the object we all desire — which is, to see the farm labourer
earning more money by labour of greater value to his employer.
To do this, technical — that is, practical — education must be
associated with prim.ary school teaching. Technical educa-
tion, I believe, has been more than once explained in this room
to mean practical tuition in those operations which men are
called on to perform in the business of life. It is, however, a
term that has been exclusively used in connexion with
the arts and sciences, and those businesses in which
mechanical and chemical science have been mixed up.
In agriculture I believe the term has never been
used ; but perhaps in no calling is technical education —
if by that term we properly express practical education —
more required. I will endeavour to make tliis understood.
There is not a farmer in the country who, be he engaged in
sheep farming or in dairying, in tillage, or in mixed farming,
does not know the superior value of a labourer well acquainted
with special duties. Take, for instance, a shepherd. The
wage of a good shepherd is 16s. a-week, besides perquisites ;
and I venture to say that, at this moment, there is hardly any
other description of agricultural service in which there are
fewer capable men. A good shepherd is one of the most dif-
ficult men to obtain, and the loss to individual farmers, and to
the country generally, from the want of them is very great.
Again : Good horse-keepers are abnost as difficult to obtain
as good shepherds. From my own experience I can say that
tlie difference between a good horse-keeper and a bad one is
not to be measured by the simple difference between scanty
and liberal wages. Any one accustomed to horses knows im-
mediately, by the appearance or the touch of their skin,
whether the man in charge of them knows his business ; and
he will confirm my opinion that any difference in wages will
be more than counterbalanced by the saving in the corn which
horses will consume, and the service obtained from them when
well attended to, compared with that when they have been in-
differently treated. The same remark will apply to the tending
of neat stock, Speaking again from my owu experieuce, I

have found that cattle under the charge of a man who
thoroughly understands them will fatten quicker, and in every
respect do much better with less food, than under a man who,
from attempting indiscriminately all the duties of the farm, is
master of none. In the minor matter of poultry,! have known
many pounds lost by the want of proper treatment of them ;
and many a labourer's wife with a small plot of ground, who
has brought intelligence to bear, has raised more poultry in a
year than has been produced from a farm of several hundred
acres. If this be admitted to be the case with live stock, it
wLU be unnecessary for me to point out the advantages of em-
ploying men in the use of implements who have taken pains
to understand them. The loss sustained by farmers from the
careless treatment of costly implements is great. Few
labourers know how to adjust them if they get out of order,
aud one who thoroughly understands the steam-engine so as to
take charge of it when ploughing land or thrashing corn is
indeed a prodigy in his parish. And why should we dread the
purchase and use of steam-engines on our farms, on the ground
that we have not a labourer who could take care of them,
when tuition in youth would supply the omission ? It is true
that my friend, Mr. Howard, of Bedford, now and then under-
takes to tutor a farm-labourer in the management of the
engine, if he is previously assured of his intelligence. This
circumstance, while it shows how an individual difficulty may
be overcome, must go some way to prove that technical educa-
tion is to be attained iu the lowest grade of agriculturists, as
in the more refined artizan class. It would be tedious to pass
through all the branches of a farmer's business, to show how
technical knowledge in the labourer would apply. There is
hardly an operation in tillage that would not be done better, if
the operator had early understood it. Take the simple opera-
tions of ploughing, drilHng, and sowing : is not a good work-
man worth Is. or 2s. more per week than a bad one? The
same observation applies to hedging, ditching, draining, and
thatching, in which there is no comparison between an expert
man and an unpractised one. I have myself sent miles for a
good thatcher or hedger. How, then, are these practices to
be taught in youth P I will do my best to explain. The only
reasonable ground for keeping the children of an agricul-
tural labourer from school, is the circumstance that,
having hungry stomachs to fiU, and active bodies
to clothe, they must earn sometliing to pay for
the food they eat, and the clothes they wear ; aud so weighty
is this excuse with some men of high position and character,
that tkey are led to doubt the policy of compelling attendance,
even for the limited number of hours yearly which it is pro-
posed the cliildren should be at school. Still, so essential is
primary knowledge, that we may with certainty assume that
this objection, weighty though it be, will give way to general
opinion ; and what I would suggest would be, that those chil-
dren who attend school for the limited time determined upon,
should, when earning their food and clothes by labour, be
placed in a situation to obtain fundamental technical — or, if it
be better, to call it practical — knowledge on the farm ; not by
placing them indiscriminately one day to do one thing and the
next another, merely to meet the convenience of the moment,
but by putting them for a sufficient time under the shepherd,
or the horse-keeper, or the stock-keeeper, or the dairyman, or
the engineer, or the hedger and ditcher, or the thatcher, that
they may learn, as far as such labourers can teach them, the
duties of their future calling. The only difference between
the present system and that which I would suggest would be,
that a youth employed on a farm should be so systematically
engaged that he should early learn, by a species of apprentice-
ship, all that can be practically taught upon it, and that the
shepherd, the dairyman, or the engine-man, as the case may
be, with wliom he should be placed, should receive a bonus for
teaching him all he knows. In order to be assured that these
teachers deserve their bonus, the youths should, at certain pe-
riods, undergo examination, and, where it be practicable, be
made to compete with other youths for prizes. All that would
be required in the way of national, district, or outside aid,
would be the provision of qualified examiners, and the means
of paying the teachers their fees and the youths their prizes.
Already we have tliroughout the country, in the autumn,
matches in ploughing, ditching, and draining, and the interest
that the labouring men take in the competitions may be taken
as some proof that, under proper control, competitive trials
may be e,Ktended to tarming youths engaged in various agri-

o 2

20

THE PAEMER'S MAGAZINE,

cultural duties. Tlic payineuts to the labourers for teacliiugi
aud the youths for learning, would each act favourably in
maiutainiug superior services on the farm, and thus the farmer
himself would naturally become interested, and would give his
support to the system. Youths would gain at one and the
same time primary education at school aud practical informa-
tion on tlie farm, and the two descriptions of knowledge would
tell with increasing advantage upon each other, and would
finally effect what is really wanted — au improvement in the
quality of the labourer's work, so that he may command in-
creased wages for that work from his employer. At present
the beer-shop is a great bar to the improved condition of the
agricultural labourer. The influence of drink on an unedu-
cated mind cannot be better sjiowu than by the fact that beer
or cider will go much farther than its equivalent in money in
inducing men to exert themselves, although the money could
be taken home by the labourer for the benefit of the wife and
children as well as liimself, while the beer or cider, if drunk, is
dissipated in selfish indulgence. The quality of the beer and
cider sold in the lowest-waged districts is the worst. The beer
is seldom if ever genuine, aud its effects are not to be mea-
sured by its immediate action on the system. It tells equally
upon the physical energies of the man as upon the moral
powers of his mind. Tlie quantity of beer drunk in the
hay aud harvest time would surprise many of my hearers,
though in the ordinary disbursements of a labourer — as
ascertained by Mr. I'urdy, of the Poor Law Commission —
only one instance appears on record in which au ex-
penditure in beer has been entered. I presume that case
was the only one in which the wife had partaken of it as a
necessary item of food. It is nevertheless true, that during
harvest every able-bodied male labourer drinks beer wliich costs
from Sd. to Is. a-day, taking the average of harvests in the
eastern corn-growing counties. 1 sliould bo sorry to condemn
beer as an article of food when properly made with good malt
aud hops, but that article is seldom to be met with. The
liquid sold as beer in rural districts satisfies tiiirst at the time,
and provokes it as soon as drunk, and it takes more vital
strength out of the man than it ever supplies. I cannot
speak too strongly against tlic prevailing excessive use of bad
beer and cider. It is the bane of the farm labourer. In
those counties in the West of England where cider is used in-
stead of beer, the impoverished condition of the agricultural
labourer is even worse than where beer prevails. Ilis inferior-
ity in work is mainly to be attributed to the bad character of
the cider, and the excessive use made of it. There is some
proof of the injurious influence of excessive drinkiug, in tlie
fact that^^ in all the worst-paid districts — where labour com-
mands the lowest wages, and where those wages are all that
the labour is worth — the publican and beer-seller bear a far
larger proportion to the number of agricultural labourers than
is the case in those districts where the wages are higher and
where the labour is more valuable. Wc often hear mentioned
the low rate of wages in the county of Dorset, and compari-
sons are made witli the wages ruling iu other counties. AVhen
we turn to the statistics giving the occupation of the people in
the population returns of the last census, we find that whereas
in Lincolnshire, wliicli I select as tlic best cultivated county in
England, the number of agricultural labourers is 5~,871, and
the number of people living by the sale of beer is 1,317 ; in
Dorsetshire the number of agricultural labourers is 19,434,
and the number of persons selling beer and cider is 582, show-
ing a proportion in the former case of one beer-seUer to 40
agricultural labourers, aud in the latter one beer-seller to 33
labourers. The proportion in Liucolushire is much too high ;
but what is to be said of Dorsetshire, where the labourers
earning only two-thirds of tlie wages of Lincolnshire, support
a larger proportion of beer and cider sellers ? The figures
given, moreover, do not fully represent the real state of things
asregardstlie extent to which the beer and cider is drunk in
Dorsetshire, as in that county a great deal of cider is given in
lieu of money wages, whereas iu Lincolnshire no such regular
practice prevails either with respect to beer or cider. But I
can illustrate this important part of the question by stating
a case, within my experience, which can hardly fail to exhibit
the fact that low wages and inferior work are associated with a
preponderating use of beer or cider. In the year 1853 I had
the control of some extensive drainage works in Dorsetshire,
and at that time the agricultural money-wages of the district
ranged from 7s. to 9s. a-week. Impressed that such pay was

inconsistent with suitable labour, I imported into the work
some north-country labourers from Norlhuniberlund, practised
in draining, to afford an example for such local men as chose
to enter the trenches aud dig by the piece. I guaranteed to
the northern men a minimum of 18s. a-week, although 1
could command the services of as many Dorsetshire labourers
as I desired to employ at half that price. The result showed
that I was right in bringing high-priced competent men
amongst low-priced inferior ones, for as soon as the Dorset-
shire men knew what the north-country men were getting,
and saw the character of the work executed by them, they
applied all their energies in imitation. At first they drank
more beer, thinking that by such means they could do more
work. They soon saw their error, aud it was both amusing
and instructive at the same time to see how struck they were
when they found that the northern men had for their dinners,
good meat and bread, while they were living on bread, tobacco
and miserable beer or eider. It was by very slow degrees
that the Dorsetshire men realized the truth that butchers'
meat was more strengthening than bad beer. Eventually, by
the example att'orded theiu, the " technical education"
giveu them by the Northumberland men, and by the effect of
improved food, the despised Dorsetshire men were enabled to
earn as much as their teachers, and it was not long before I
actually removed them into the north of England, to compete
wilh Yorkshireraen in the work they had learned ; and the
first place at which they were engaged was Swine, in Holder-
ness, where there did not exist a publichouse or a beershop in
the village ! If this experience of mine fails to convey what
I mean, I can perhaps show that inferior work, low wages, and
excess of drink, are attended by a greater amount of pau-
perism than belongs to districts where better labour, higher
wages, and less beer prevail, by quoting from Mr. Purdy the
result of figures he has given in his paper published iu the
Journal of the Staiistical Society, which shows that whereas,
in an example district in Dorset and Wilts, where the weekly
wages were 9s. Gd., the rate of relief to the poor was 8s. 2d.
per head on the population, in a similar district in Cumber-
land and Norlhumbfrlaud, where the weekly wages were 14s.
Cd., the rate of relief was only 5s. 5d. Thus far I have spoken
of those means of improving the condition of the agricultural
labourer which will depend on himself and the force of educa-
cation gained at school and on tiie farm. There are other
means, however, by which the higher and middle classes in
rural parishes may render material aid while the seeds of edu-
cation are taking effect. I have said may render aid, because
all Englishmen resist compulsion : but I feel those words are
hardly strong enough when applied to some objects. I would
rather say, will be induced to render aid by the influence of
public opinion. I refer to four principal objects ; first, to a
more general substitution of good cottages for bad ones — cot-
tages which will secure health and comfort iu the ordinary
living department, and provide separate bedrooms for the
parents and children of different sexes, so as to secure com-
fort and decency, which have hitherto beeu incompatible with
the dwelling of the farm labourer ; second, the provision of a
proper means for the drainage of villages and cottages, and
the utilisation of the lefuse which may be discharged from
them. This is a matter upon which little has yet been doue.
We have drained large towns, and discharged their sewage into
the rivers, a practice which the couutry has determined shall
not be continued. At present we have not entered upon a
mode of dealing with the sewage of villages and small commu-
nities ; and whether it will be by the introduction of the dry-
earth system (Mr. Mode's), or by any other process of utili-
sation, yet remains to be determined. The dry-earth system
commends itself to the minds of many as the most suitable for
villages, because each resident may preserve the refuse of his
own cottage for the benefit of his garden without injuriously
affecting his neighbour ; aud this being a very desirable ob-
ject, the problem has to be solved how, by combined action,
all the residents of a village may be brought into one common
system of proceeding. As the wage-paid labourer cannot of
himself do this, it would appear positively necessary that the
owners of village property should take the initiative. Third,
the supply of pure wiiolesome water in quantity sufficient to
secure cleanliness and comfort to villages aud cottages.
T have already addressed the Society upon tliis im-
portant object, aud will abstain from repetition. The supply
to large towns is an easy matter, compared to the provision

THl] FARMER'S MAGAZlNfi.

21

of villages autl small commuuities. But witli our whole
water supply undergoiug change from causes we cannot
contra], and our village cottagers called upon to pay as much
as a penny per pail for water, the subject must soon receive
attention. Aud, fourth, the provision of ground for the re-
creation of those children which it is by common consent de-
termined should be educated. I will now address myself to
those objects in wliich the upper and middle classes of our
rural parishes may voluntarily assist the lower class. Fore-
most amongst thein are benefit societies. Of all things whicli
the labouring man most dreads is his condition in his last days.
By subscription to local societies (if well managed) a labourer
may, under the present state of things, contrive to obtain the
means of support if sickness overtakes him, but a provision
for old age is an object which very few agricultural labourers
secure. If the earnest interest of the upper classes in a parish
could be manifested by taking a part in the management of
benefit societies, very great good would attend them, and it
would no longer be said that out of the 33,000 friendly so-
cieties which exist in England and Wales there are not 30 sol-
vent. By importing into the mode of mauageraeut the agency
of the post-office as a means of securing safety of deposit and
of insuring allowances in sickness and old age, as has been
proposed Ijy the llev. J. Y. Stratton, in some interesting
articles written by him in All the Year Round anJ in The
Cunihill Magazine, the extension of such societies would fol-
low. It was with a view to gain this advantage that the Kent
Friendly Society memorialized the Tostmastcr-general last
year, and I believe with good effect. All persons who have
given their attention to the matter concur in objecting to the
meetings ot friendly societies at public-houses ; and if the
liigher classes would really take an interest in them, the prac-
tice would be discontinued. " Sometimes," says Mr. Tidd
Pratt, " the club is sold with the good-will of the house."
Beer-house clubs are indeed a great abomination. Some few
existing societies are excellent precedents for tlie establishment
of others. The Essex Provident Society has enrolled between
nine and ten thousand members, and has a capital of between
£70,000 and £80,000 ; and the Hampshire Friendly Society
has upwards of 3,000 members and a capital of £35,000. Tlie
Hitehin Friendly Institution, established in 1S28, is, perhaps,
based on as good a foundation as any in tlie country, as every
member who insures against sickness is also compelled to in-
sure for a pension in old age, au object declared by Mr. Haw-
kins, its founder and great supporter, to be of " vital import-
ance if the wage-paid classes are to be taught the advantage
of respectability in providing for themselves when past work
without application to the parish." The next object whieii
the higher classes can help the lower is in establishing and
maintaining garden allotments under a provident system of
management, by which a labourer, having allotted to him a
rod of land, may pay, during his active life, a rent more tiian
sufficient to satisfy the landowner, but which it is quite wortli
his while to pay, to secure the profit which the gardening of a
rood of land will give. In the majority of cases a landowner
who would not let a single rood of land to the labourer would
let a plot of many acres to the parish authorities, and would
be quite satisfied in receiving say £2 an acre, tithe free, wliich
is equal to 3d. a pole or 10s. a rood. If the labourer paid Gd.
a pole, or £1 a rood, tithe and rate free, he would be paying
double the acreage rent that would satisfy the landowner, and
if the surplus was invested through the same agency as that
of the " Post-office Benefit Societies," it would accumulate so
as to provide the rent of the land after a certain nnmlier of
years, whereby ilie labourer in his latter days would hold the
land rent free. Thus he would insure one means of support.
But such an advantage can only be gained by the combina-
tion of the more wealthy parishioners, who together might
become security to the landowner for the principal rent.
Again, village hospitals and infirmaries, enabling the labouriug
class who have lived a worthy life to gain proper medical ad-
vice and nursing at home, are working well where properly
managed, and are fit objects for benevolent co-operation. But
besides these, there is still another, in which the upper classes
may do much good. We have recently heard much of co-
operative societies for reducing the cost of provisions, and pre-
venting extortion on the part of London tradesmen. Without
entering upon the question of whether such societies are de-
sirable or beneficial for those they were originally intended to
assist, it is quite certain that a modification of them may, with

great advantage, be carried out in villages for the supply of
food and clothing to the labouring population in rural dis-
tricts. At present there has been very little experience in
co-operative stores in villages. There is no doubt, however,
that the small wages of tlie agricultural labourer are much
reduced by tribute to the local tradesmen ; and with so little
to spend as the labourer has, it is indeed desirable that that
little should purchase as much as it can be made to do. One
condition would be paramount, and that would be, that ready
money should be the only means of purchase ; but as this
requirement would produce provident and careful habits it
could not eventually militate against success. Associated with
co-operative stores there niiglit be established a common
kitchen and bakery, at which food might be cooked with
economy, and a better knowledge of cooking among labourers'
wives acquired. Several efforts of this character are now being
made in various parts of the country, but I am not in posses-
sion of sufficient information to speak of the results. I trust
I may be allowed to close ray remarks with an acknowledgment
of the assistance 1 have received from numerous corre-
spondents ; among them I may mention Mr. Lawson, of North-
umberland ; Mr. Briggs, of Yorkshire ; Mr. Skelton, of Lin-
colnshire ; Mr. George Jackson, of Cheshire ; Mr. Charles
Howard, of Beds ; Mr. Squarey, of Wilts ; Mr. Morris and
Jlr. Castree, of Gloucestershire ; the Rev. Prebendary Bre-
reton ; Mr. Sturge, of Bristol ; Mr. Fowler, of Bucks ; Mr.
Mechi ; the Rev. J. Y. Stratton ; Mr. Charles Whitehead, of
Keut ; Jlr. Whitting, of Cambridgeshire ; Mr. Hagger, of
Liverpool ; and Mr. James Webb, of Worcestershire.

5Ir. FrtEDEiiiCK Wood must say, at the risk of being con-
sidered a Malthusian, that one of the greatest causes of the
miserable condition of the agricultural labourers had not been
noticed, viz., their early marriages. It was generally the prac-
tice of farmers, if they had occasion to dismiss any hands, to
select those for dismissal who were unmarried ; and this, and
the miserable condition of bachelor farm labourers, drove them
to marry much earlier than tliey otherwise would. He was afraid
there would be no real improvement in the condition of agri-
cultural labourers until they were taught to look with more
forethought upon so important a step as that of marriage.

The Rev. J. Y. Stratton could say that beerhouse-clubs
were a great abomination. He had also stated that while the
manufacturing operative had the hope of bettering his condi-
tion, and even of becoming, in course of time, an employer,
the agricultural labourer had no such hope or object ; and if
he joined a benefit society, it was not one which would render
him assistance in old age. The agricultural labourers of Eng-
land looked upon the poor-rate as a kind of rent-charge, in
lieu of that rood of land which Mr. Denton very properly
wished to see them employed upon ; and this was, no doubt,
one reason for the early aud imprudent marriages which had
just been alluded to. He believed that, on the average, farm
labourers married at the same age as members of the peerage ;
whereas it would be found that, as a rule, professional men
found they must wait ten years longer before they could es-
tablish themselves. He did not wish to find fault with the
poor-law, but he believed that in the next session of Parliament
a commission would be appointed to inquire into the whole
subject. The usual form of benefit societies in rural districts
was what was termed a shariug-out club, which came to an
end and was re-constituted every year, a contrivance by which
the burdensome and aged members were got rid of and became
ultimately dependent on the poor-rate. It was easily capable
of proof that, on many of these sharing-out clubs, men spent
more money than would support them in old age, and in greater
comfort than was afforded them under the poor-law. it was
estimated that, even in the present unsatisfactory condition of
the vast majority of friendly societies, two millions a year
were saved to the poor-rates by their agency ; and this was
enough to show what might be expected if au improved system
could be introduced. Knowing pretty well the difficulties in
the way, a farm labourers' society, in which he held office, one
of the oldest and best friemUy societies in England, some time
ago memorialised the President of the Poor Law Board, point-
ing out the difficulties which were experienced in carrying out
that law, and a memorial was also sent to the Postmaster-
general, asking for some system of Post-oflice friendly societies.
This proposal was worthy the attention of all those who were
endeavouring to ameliorate the condition of the working
classes. In conclusion, he would refer those interested in the

%^

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

matter to a pamphlet which he had published,* entitled
"Frieudly Societies v. Beerhouse Clubs," which coutaiued
many important facts.

Mr. C. S. Reap, M.P., wished Mr. Denton's paper had been
read at the meeting recently held at Willis' rooms. He
attended that meeting, and from statements made there it might
almost be inferred that the English farm labourer was the
most down-trodden being under the sun. One of the principal
things there advocated was the establishment of trades' unions,
which had been so thoroughly denounced in the paper tliat he
need not trouble the meeting further about that question, ex-
cept to say that, in his opinion, much of the effect of unions
was already attained by the general employment of agri-
cultural labourers by the day; tlie main object of
unions was to do the least amount of work and receive
the largest amount of pay, and that was really the eifect of
employing labourers, as was almost exclusively the case, by the
day. Anotlier scheme put forward was that of co-operation.
Now co-operation between the employer of labour upon a farm
and the employed, was visionary and impracticable ; but there
was one species of co-operation which would no doubt be
successful, and that was the introduction of piece work, by
which the greatest amount of work was done in the shortest
time, and in the best manner. By this system a farm labourer
could easily earn 25 per cent, more than on day work ; it was
usual in Norfolk to pay £6 a month in harvest time, but in
putting out his harvest work by the acre, he (Mr. Read) found
that his men could earn £7 or £8 a month. There was another
matter which deserved special remark, viz., that although
labourers in some districts only got nine shillings a week, and
in others eighteen shillings, it was quite possible tliat
the last-mentioned earned his money, and that the former
was over-paid for the work he did. It should also be
remembered that when men were spoken of as receiving
Ss. or 9s. a week in the west of England, they often had per-
quisites which were worth 5s. a week more. There was no
doubt that the old poor laws engendered and encouraged pau-
perism ; and he feared tliat the present law, as it was too fre-
quently administered, would have the same effect, though in a
more limited degree. He believed tliat since the passing of
the Union Chargeability Bill, granting of out-door relief had
not been watched with the same careful scrutiny as heretofore,
individual ratepayers not having the same interest to look
sharply after it ; he thought the practice of giving out-door
relief was increasing, and ought to be most jealously watched.
The people of this country ought to be taught not to look to
the operaJon of the poor law for their support in old age ;
and to this end the upper and middle classes ought to do all
in their power to encourage good sound friendly societies.
Beerhouse clubs were really a curse to the labouring man,
instead of a benefit, and generally failed just at the moment
when they were most required. On the other hand, they
must not go to such a rigid extreme as to disgust the labourers ;
for to men who had but few holidays, a harmless frolic once a
year, on club day, was very wholesome, and tended much to
increase the popularity of the club. There was another fact
mentioned in the paper which he considered of some import-
ance, that twenty-iive years ago meat was 40 per cent,
cheaper than at present ; it was just about tliat time when
they began to import foreign cattle, and the result, therefore,
appeared to be that they had introduced foreign diseases, that
farmers had lost a vast amount of cattle, and that the public
had to pay much more for their meat. Mr. Denton seemed
to think it ratJier strange that agricultural labourers were not
admitted to the franchise ; but they must remember that while
the borough qualification had been reduced only from £10 to
about £4, that for counties liad been reduced from £50 to £12 ;
and if the present bill was spoken of as a leap in the dark, he
considered that one which would give the franchise to the
agricultural labourer would be taking a jump into the bottom-
less pit.

Mr. James Howakd said the gentleman who had spoken
of the evils of over-population could hardly have had much
experience in rural districts, or, at any rate, he could not have
had to harvest some 500 acres of corn. The truth was, that
we were beginning to feel the evils of under-population. There
were so many excellent points in the paper that he was very
reluctant to take exception to anything, but he certainly

*Ri(lgway, Piccadilly.

thought that rather too bright a picture of the condition of the
rural population had been painted. There were yet sadly too
many villages and districts neglected by those whose duty it
was to care for them ; and the noble example set by the Duke
of Bedford and others in covering their estates with excellent
cottages and schools had not been followed to anything like
the extent it ought to have been. There was no doubt that
the condition of the agricultural labourer had much improved
during the last twenty-five years, and this he attributed, in a
great measure, to the improved system of agriculture, under
which there was much more demand for manual labour than in
the primitive system which it had superseded. The intro-
duction of Swede turnips, and a regular system of root culture,
had added millions to the national wealth, by enabling the
farmer both to grow more corn and also to feed more stock ;
and this had improved the condition of the labourer, not only
by finding employment for a large number during the summer,
but also by providing them with something to do in the win-
ter, when otherwise they would have been idle. The greater
facilities for traveUiug, our large public works, railways, and
land drainage had also had something to do with this state of
things, and the introduction of machinery upon fanas had had
a great influence — having broken down that dead level which
so long existed in the rate of agricultural wages. When a man
was employed to swing a flail which only cost a shilling, 2s. or 3s.
a-week difference in wages was a great consideration ; but when
the same man had to attend to a thrashing machine which cost
£400, a difference of a few shillings to a steady, skilful, and
trustworthy man was a mere bagatelle. So with the steam-
plough . Men were now paid more for sitting on a steam-plongh
and directing its movements tlian they formerly were for break-
ing up tlie stubborn soil with great labour. The condition of
the English labourer contrasted very favourably with that of the
French peasant, who, as he had found from frequent observa-
tions last yeai, \\as generally, on large farms, in the receipt of
about Is. 7d. a day, for which he had to work from four o'clock
in the morning until eight o'clock at night, and until noon on
the Sunday, whilst he slept in the same hovel with the bullocks.
Under such circumstances it was not very surprising to
find that most of the men were unmarried, and their whole
condition was about as comfortless as could be well conceived.
Notwithstanding what had been said by the hon. member for
East Norfolk on the effect of the Union Chargeability Bill, he
believed it would have a material influence for good on the
future of the labouring population. Under the former state of
things, landlords had a direct inducement to pull down cot-
tages instead of .building them ; but under the present system
all that was changed ; and this was very important, for one
of the main tilings which ought to attract the attention of the
landed interest was how to increase not only the number but
the quality of the habitations of the poor. Under the present
Act the labourer was freed from the serf-like necessity which
bound him to his own parish, and he was able to travel over
the union in search of employment ; and he (Mr. Howard)
hoped the day would soon come when this limit would be yet
further extended.

IMr. C. S. Read asked leave to explain that he did not ob-
ject to the principle of the Union Chargeability BiU, but only
to the mode in which relief was too often administered
under it.

Mr. J. K. Fowler (Aylesbury) said, beginning with the
question of labourers' dwellings, he believed that was one of
the most difficult things that had to be considered. They had
heard what was the cost of a decent house ; and he need
hardly say that it was impossible for an agricultural labourer
to pay, as rent, interest even on £140. He had had, through
his landlord, to build one or two cottages, and he found they
cost from £130 to £140 each — for they ought all to have
three bedrooms — and this represented a greater rent than the
men could pay ; but he believed the tenant-farmers woidd
willingly co-operate with the landlords in this matter, and
take upon themselves the rental of any reasonable number of
cottages, to be included in the rent of the farm and buildings,
which they would let to their men at a moderate rent, and
also give them garden-ground to cidtivate. He gave each of
his labourers half-a-rood of the best land on the farm, as near
as possible to the farmyard, and told them to take whatever
manure they wanted ; and once a year, when " harvest-home"
came round, they had a little exhibition of the garden produce.
All this had a most excellent effect in keeping them from

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

23

the beerliouse, and in encouraging liabits of independence
and industry amongst them. The question of wages was one
that would settle itself, especially where a man was no longer
tied to his own particular parish, but allowed to go to an ad-
joining one, where he thought he could find a better master
or higher wages. With regard to what Mr. Denton very ap-
propriately named " practical education," that was a point
which could not be too much insisted on. Being very
anxious that a good ploughman in his employ should be
taught even further excellence, he got his friend Mr. James
Howard to have him taught ; and the result was that at
the nest county ploughing match he won the first prize,
and a great deal of attention was excited amongst the
other men to see how he set his plough and went to work.
He believed that the agricultural labourer, if properly
educated, might be made as good a skilled labourer as any man
in the manufacturing districts. He (Mr. Fowler) was now
using the steam plough, and every man engaged in attending
to the machinery, including the one who drove the engine,
was, a few years ago, an ordinary agricultural labourer. Mr.
Denton had spoken of bakeries for the benefit of the men, but
he did not well see why they should not have public breweries
as well, so as to avoid the bad beer so much complained of,
only it would be quite necessary that the presenf oppressive
malt-tax should be removed. The supply of water to tlie
dwellings of the poor was of even greater consequence than
that of beer, and should never be overlooked in the erection of
cottages.

Mr. C. Wren Hoskyns regarded the whole question very
much from a point of view which had not been touched upou,
and which he could not pass by in absolute silence, namely —
the position which, in regard to the constitution of the whole
order of English society, the agricultural labourer held in the
body corporate. They had a body of laws relating to landed
property, which were peculiar to England, which they had at-
tempted to enforce upon the colonies and to establish in India
and America, but which had broken down in each of these
instances, and which existed in no other country in the world
with the exception of portions of Austria and Russia ; he re-
ferred to the laws which tended to the aggregation of land into
large and stiU larger territories — he could not call them
estates — of from 5,000 to 10,000 acres, and which it was mo-
rally impossible could be farmed by the proprietor. It had,
therefore, to be let out in portions to tenant farmers. If these
tenancies existed for the term of human Ufe, or even for
twenty-one years, or any such term as would give something
liiie a feeling of proprietorship, it would matter little who the
owner of the soil might be in reality ; but at present the effect
was to make all the efforts of the farmer point to those dis-
coveries which suited his circumstances, and would enable liim
to make the most out of the land in the shortest time. He
admitted that this system was very satisfactory to farmers and
proprietors ; but there was one individual who would raise his
voice against it if he had the power, and that was the one
whose condition they were discussing — the agricultural la-
bourer, whose position was such that he did not come in con-
tact with the owner of the cottage which he inhabited, or of
the land which he tilled. The tenant who employed him held
his lands under such conditions as compelled him to make the
most out of it in a short time, and with the least expenditure
of labour ; and, under these circumstances, he did not stand on
equal footing with the man who came in contact with tlie
actual owner of the soil ; and, in fact, those men who were em-
ployed about the gardens of the proprietor, were always in a
better position, had better wages and dwellings than those
who worked for the tenant farmer. The latter was not able
really to influence the conditiori of the labourer ; the cottage
in which he lived did not belong to him ; the farmer might
leave the farm and the labourer stay, or the labourer might
leave while the farmer stayed ; there was no life-long relation
between them of that kind wliich rendered the man's condi-
tion an improving one, because of his labour becoming more
appreciated. He thought, however, their condition was capa-
ble of great amelioration, and no doubt machinery operated in
agriculture the same as in trade, though the conditions were
not exactly alike, because in the one case there was the power
of almost unlimited production, while in agriculture the
production though not so limited as some might sup-
pose had a definite limit. He should most gladly see any
system established which would improve the condition of the

agricultural labourer, but he thought more good would be done
by commencing at the other end of the chain of causes, and
endeavour to obtain some alteration of that system which
was tending to larger and larger aggregation of estates. One
point in the paper and discussion he had noticed with much
pleasure, the importance of technical or practical education.
He had himself seen the work of a farm done altogether in-
efficiently, sim ply because every one was trying to do every-
thing, and because the system seemed to be a miscellaneous
one by putting any man to any employment. If there were
more subdivision of labour on farms he was certain good
results would follow, and one of the main advantages of
technical education would be that each man would be able
to do at least one thing well, instead of a great many things
indifferently.

Mr. S. Sidney said Canon Girdlestone had proposed one of
the few things which would really do the labourer good ; when
he found that in one parish or district the wages were very
low indeed, he recommended the men to go elsewhere, and
that was just what caused the great superiority of mechanics
to farm-labourers ; they were much better educated, not so
much in the way of reading and writing, but in knowledge of
the world, and how best to provide for themselves, and im-
prove their condition. The agricultural labourer must not be
limited to the mere bounds of his parish, as was now too often
the case. The fathers of his (Mr. Sidney's) friends the farmers
were anything but alive to the advantages of education ; they
did not like a labourer who had an idea beyond his own parish

Sir Geo. Jenkhnson had not heard the paper, but Mr.
Hoskyns had admitted that large owners were the best em-
ployers of labour. He understood him to say that in the
neighbourhood of large owners the labourers were well paid
and cared for, and lived in good cottages, but that the reverse
was the case wliere tenant-farmers were occupiers ; and what
was the inference, but that where there was most capital there
would be the best remuneration for labour ? He did not be-
lieve education would enable a man to till the ground better
than his fellow who had had no education. An exemplifica-
tion of this was to be found in the case of railway navvies.
There were no men in the world who had so much physical
ability to do an enormous amount of work ; they laboured
from Monday morning until Saturday afternoon, and, as a
general rule, were drunk from Saturday afternoon to Monday
morning. They received enormous wages, and consumed an
enormous amount of beef and beer, and did far more work
than any agricultural labourer ; but what enabled them to do
so was not education, but the amount of food which they con-
sumed. In tlie same way, education would not enable the
agricultural labourer to do more work. He was, however, not
the less an advocate for education, which it was the duty of the
upper classes to give to those below them, but he did not like the
question put upon a false issue. He had lately seen in
the papers the detailed case of a man with a large family of
ten children, the eldest of whom earned 3s. 6d. a-week ; and
when the man was asked about sending the lad to school, he re-
plied that it was not the question of the penny for the schoohng,
but of the 3s, 6d. which he earned, and which made just the
difference between living and starving. That was the great
difficulty which had to be met with in reference to education,
and which, he thought, it was impossible to get over.

Mr. J. Bennett had a farm in Sussex, on which he employed
some seventy men, but he found it a growing difficulty to pro-
vide habitations for them, and some had to walk four miles to
their work. He could not get a bit of land on the roadside on
which to put up any cottages, and he did not know how to
remedy the evil, which was a very grave one. Mr. Hoskyns
had alluded to the land laws, but he thought the game laws
had also something to do with the question. The great land-
owner attached much more importance to the game than to
the condition of the labourer, and would not have a cottage in
this place or that, lest the game should be interfered with. As
to the state of education, he (Mr. Bennett) had offered a slul-
ling to each of his men who could write their names, but not
ten of the seventy could do so, and the question was, how this
ignorance was to be overcome. In some places the parson
would assist them, and in others he would not, or could not,
and then the case was hopeless. Some of the clergy were
afraid of the men becoming too independent, and thinking for
themselves ; and the squires thought education would make
them saucy, and that if they learned anything beyond the

24

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

limits of tlieir own parish tliey would draw comparison!), and
that wlien improvement once began they would improve them-
selves off the land altogether, and go where they believed they
would be better off.

Mr. W. Hawes (the cliairman) said it appeared to him that
Mr. Read was not sufiiciently informed about trades' unions
when he spoke of the system of day work having the same
effect, which was enabling the men to do the least work and
luive the highest pay. The object of trades' unions was to
bring men together to agree to a uniform rate of pay, whicli
they thought most conducive to the welfare of all ; and he
could not agree tliat the effect of trades' unions was such as
Mr. Head had stated it to be. Then tlie same gentleman went
on to trace the effect of legislation in introducing foreign
cattle, and drew the inference that that had been the cause of
the increase in the price of meat, stating the price of meat so
many years back ; but lie forgot that there was an intervening
period when meat was quite as high as at present, long before
the operation of Sir Robert Peel's Act — certainly long before
the introduction of contagious diseases by foreign cattle. The
fact was, that if tlie importation of foreign cattle had been
injurious, they must not forget tliat long before the disease |
was introduced hundreds of thousands of foreign cattle had been I
imported, of which the country liad had the benefit. i

Mr. C. J. Read said he had not alluded to the cattle-plague |
but to pleuro-pneunioniaand other diseasesof a similar character. '

The Chairman said that if the state of the case was as ;
bad as Mr. Bennett seemed to think, it appeared al- \
most hopeless ; but if the labouring classes did, as he be- j
lieved they would, gradually improve, there would be •
an increase of produce from the land, and the whole class !
would rise considerably in the social scale. No one seemed i
to liave noticed that which he (the Chairman) principally j
relied on — the appropriation of a certain number of hours to '

general education, and a certain number to practical instruc-
tion in farming pursuits, so that in a few years they would be
in a position to earn the highest rate of wages in their calliag.
Then there was tlie question of the improvement of their
dwellings, which had been taken up by this society again and
again, plans having been prepared, and every possible scheme
suggested for reducing the cost, but they could not bring it
within £130 : tliey could build a liovel for a great deal less,
but not a cottage fit for a labouring man to live in. If tliey
had improved dwellings, and the other things which had been
mentioned, gardens and friendly societies, and co-operative
stores which might do a great deal in enabling them to supply
themselves on the lowest terms, tliey would soon be in a much
better position ; and above all, if they could induce these men,
not by legislation, but by showing them the benefit of it, to
abstain from the beershop, their greatest enemy would be
conquered. They must not go away with the idea that the
navvy was such a deplorable creature as the hon. baronet had
painted him : they were not, as a rule (and he knew a great
deal more of them than of agricultural labourers), drunken or
unintelligent men — they were one of the most intelligent class
of workmen in the country. Take a navvy abroad, and he was
the most valuable man you could get. Place him in circum-
stances of great difficulty, requiring coolness, intrepidity, and
perseverance, and the oehaviour of these men was most remark-
able. The great works of the country could not have been
accomplished but for the energy and discipline which existed
amongst them. Most of them had attended national schools,
and had a certain amount of real education ; and it was this
combined with their practical knowledge, wliich made them
such valuable workmen. There were drunken navvies, no
doubt ; and in this, as in other cases, people were apt to judge
a class by a few.
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Dcntou.

THE MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE.

On every farm on whicli a profitable course of alternate
linsbaudry is being successfully carried out, the connection be-
tween corn and cattle is inseparable. Corn may for a succes-
sion of yr>ars be low in value, yet it must be grown to provide
food and litter for the animals of the farm, so that there may
be no break or interruption in the supply of manure. The
foundation of modern fanning where success is aimed at is
manure, unsparingly and ungrudgingly applied ; but little can
be accomplished without it, and no process or system of culti-
vation, however elaborate, has been discovered, or is likely ever
to be, which would do away with the necessity for its use.
The most fruitful source of manure within reach of the far-
mer is the stock of cattle kept on the farm, the quantity made
during the season being mure or less, according to the num-
ber of animals kept, and both quantity and quality varying to
a much greater extent than is generally sujiposed, according as
the food supplied to the stock is nutritious or otherwise. The
dung of poorly-fed auimalsis hardly worth the trouble of carting
out, being but of little other use than serving to keep certain
soils open, enabling the air to circulate, and so act beneficially by
its ameliorating and disintegrating influence. The dung of well-
fed animals, containing as it does all the elements of nutri-
tion, not only alters the texture of tlie soil, but enriches it,
the effects of a dressing of pure dung from highly-fed ani-
mals being immediate, and also to some extent permanent.
Taking advantage of this principle in the character of farm-
yard manure, we find that tlie leading agriculturists of the pre-
sent day base their success on liberal feeding, expending large
amounts on the purchase of concentrated food, besides sup-
plying abundance of that which is home-grown. The extra
profit obtained on the stock fed with these substances would
scBrcely ever repay the feeder, did he trust to that alone ; and
he therefore looks to the extra value of tlie manure to recoup
him for his outlay. A farmer without liaving the slightest
knowledge of chemical analysis can, in the laboratory which
nature has provided, easily experiment for himself, and ascer-
tain without the slightest risk ot failure the exact difference
ot value between a load of manure made by animals in good

condition and liberally fed, and the same quantity from animals
in poor condition and living on food of poor quality, even al-
though they may be getting as miicli of it as they will con-
sume. In this instance one trial is sufiicient, as it will be
speedily proved that a single load of well-rotted pure mi/cf;
such as we have described, will give better results in the field
than three when the beasts have been poorly fed. The differ-
ence is especially noticeable with crops of quick growth, such
as Italian ryegrass, tares, ice. : the crop is heavier far ; and,
again, what is of almost equal importance, the crop is
forced forward with such rapidity by the superior excellence
of tlie manure, that a fortnight at least is gained at a penod
of the year when a supply of succulent fodder is often-
times urgently wanted. Manure, therefore, being con-
stantly in demand for the purpose of keeping up the
fertility of the soil, and cattle being the principal
source of production for this valuable and indispensable con-
stituent in agricultural economy, there ensues that connection
between corn and cattle husbandry, which, under ordinary cir-
cumstances, renders them inseparable. We thus find that
cattle, whether they pay or not, must be kept by the arable
farmer who desires to be successful in his business ; and he is
the most prosperous who, keeping a stock of cattle, makes that
stock profitable — not only in a secondary or subsidiary sense
by the assistance they render him in raising paying corn crops,
but also makes a sejjarate, independent, and clearly-ascertained
profit on every animal of which that stock is composed. We
have at least one very high agricultural authority holding the
opinion that this cannot be done, and that the farmer must
look to his corn alone for all the profit he may legitimately
expect from his live stock ; we have, however, an equally high
autliority holding quite the contrary opinion, and we ourselves,
judging from our own experience, look upon all farming as a
very miserable affair, where no profit is derived from the cattle
kept except that obtained through the manure which they
supply and the increased quantity of corn the farmer can by
its assistance be enabled to grow. It is our opinion (and one
which we feci assured is shared by most practical men) that

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

25

the British farmer has not the slightest reason to dread that
the home-productioa of meat will ever be over-doue, or that
it can ever exceed the demand except for exceedingly limited
periods. Bad trade, for instance, by lessening the amount of
money circulating in the country, has frequently the effect of
reducing the price of meat by a decreased demand, and the
value of live cattle is consequently somewhat affected thereby.
Corn, keeping at high rates for a season, also to a perceptible
extent limits the consumption of meat, and has while it lasts a
correspondingly depreciating tendency. Either of these in-
fluences however arc seldom so powerful or so long-sustained
as to affect the average of a whole year to any appreciable
extent, the intervals during which meat remains low being
usually so short as to enable the stock-holder so to manage his
liome-arraugements as to secure at least a good average, if not
tlie very higiiest quotations for tlie year. Judging from what
has taken place during the past year with reference to the in-
troduction of fresh meat from foreign countries, it is uot im-
probable but that we may very shortly have considerable
importations of that article in a condition that will enable it
to enter pretty freely into consumption in Great Britain. The
principal sources of supply — Australia and South America —
are however so distant from this country as to almost preclude
the possibility of its being sold at such a price and in sucli
quantity as to effect in any very sensible degree the interests
of the British agriculturist. However well the preserving
process may be accomplished, it can scarcely be expected to be
equal to meat that has been fed and slaughtered at home ; and
in all likelihood it will tend more to increase the consumption
of meat amongst that portion of the population witli whom it
is at present but little used, rather than to displace it on the
tables of tliose who at present are the largest consumers. It is a
matter of extreme difliculty to obtain for imported meat a perma-
nent position in the markets of this country; the slightest differ-
ence in colour, texture, taste, or (wliat is perhaps most important
of all) smell, to the home-article which it represents, and which
it is expected to some extent to supplant, forming an almost
insuperable barrier to its successful reception by the Britisli
public. Tastes must be acquired and prejudice overcome before
it will be generally accepted, and this too after scientific men
have been engaged in laborious investigation, it may be as in
the present instance for many years, in solving a mode by
which the meat can be preserved aud transmitted. Science,
truly, can aud has surmounted many difficulties and vexatious
perplexities, but is comparatively powerless in creating new
tastes or subduing prejudice, a notable example in proof of
this being afforded by the recent attempt to introduce
the use of horse-llesh into England as a means of in-
creasing the meat supply, and thereby lowering the price
of beef. The publication of Mr. Frank Bucklaud's
letter has apparently given a complete quietus to the or-
ganization which had this for its object, no more having been
seen or heard of it — at least in the columns of the public
journals. Yet here science did its utmost, the most skilful
men in their profession having been procured to prepare tlie
banquet (so called) ; but all the modes of preparation with
which these artists were acquainted, combined with the most
piquant and appetizing seasonings, could not overcome the pre-
judices of the guests, or prevent their subjecting each delicate
morsel to an olfactory test before submitting it to the
scrutiny of the palate. When intelligent and cultivated men
could make such a poor dinner on this meat, and it, too, so
well disguised, it is hard to suppose that it would be accepted
by the class its promoters expected it to benefit, who, as a class,
arc above all men notoriously difficult to please, and whose
prejudices in regard to new or untried articles of food are much
more deeply rooted, and probably more ditticult to overcome
than even the higher classes. One could easily imagine the
howl of derision w itii which any gentleman would be met who
proposed to his servants to dine off" a roast loin of colt or filly
which he had slaughtered for home-cousumption, having for
some reason or another found the animal unfit for any other use-
ful purpose ; or again, did he inform them that having fattened-
up a superannuated carriage-horse, for the purpose of being
utilized on the table of the servants' hall, it would require
but little stretch of imagination to suppose that they one aud
all gave him warning on the spot, and that he was politely
requested to provide himself with a full retinue of new ser-
vants on that day month. Anyone who knows anything of
the difliculty experienced in getting servants to eat beef or

mutton which has been killed on account of injuries from
kicks or otlier accident received in the field, aud which they
have in some way or other got an inkling of, can form a very
fair conception of how any new aud particularly economic
article of food would be received, whether that was home-
raised horseflesh, Australian mutton, or beef from the South
American prairies. Well-paid tradesmen in towns and large
cities, and well-to-do country people, are all equally particular
about the quality of their meat, few being willing to take any-
thing but prime joints, when the state of their exchequer per-
mits of its being doue, preferring rather to go without when
they cannot do so. Taking everything connected with the
habits of the people into account that bears upon the consump-
tion of meat, and consequent demand for cattle, there appears
to be but little danger for many years to come, if ever, of any
farmer rearing cattle which will not reimburse him for the
trouble and expense he lias been at in bringing them to the
selling point, both in the fertility imparted to his fields by the
manure he has made by tlieir means, and by a separate profit
upon each animal, after charging it with tlie full value of the
food consumed. To ensure success, it is essentially necessary
that everything connected with the management of the stock
should be done in the best possible manner, every minutiae
being observed which has the slightest tendency to conduce to
their welfare and progress, and so facilitate the end in view.
The object of the present paper is to review a few of the lead-
ing points necessary to be attended to in the management of
cattle on an arable farm, where the cultivation of corn and
the breeding, rearing, and feeding of cattle are simultaneously
carried out.

Spring is a period of the farmer's year, during which his at-
tention must be devoted more particularly to the care of his
live stock. At that time the bulk of his breeding animals are
dropping their young. The comfort and health of the mothers
and the welfare of the little creatures newly-ushered into the
world must therefore be looked after with more than ordinary
assiduity. When he has had the forethought to take the
trouble, and go to the expense of procuring good sires, the
extra labour involved, instead of being felt as a burden, be-
comes a source of real pleasure, the owner feeling satisfied
that under ordinarily fortuitous circumstances his prospects of
remuneration are all he could possibly wish for. In cattle
breeding, the selection of the male should be gone about with
no spirit of parsimony, but rather with an excess of generosity
and thorough determination to secure a first-class animal what-
ever the cost. The influence of the male on the character and
value of the future produce is now so well known and gener-
ally understood and acknowledged as to make it really sur-
prising that a cross-bred brute should be used by any one at
the present day who has such a number of animals in liis herd
as to warrant the keeping of a valuable bull. Whatever the
breed, there is no better investment of capital by an agricul-
turist than that expended iu the purchase of a sire of good
descent, the profits being not only large, but continuous, the
influence of one really good animal extending for years. At-
though it is desirable in a milking stock to have the bull de-
scended from a line of cattle famed for their milk-producing
properties, that feature in the character of a herd being also
transmitted, it is not nearly so important as when the object ol
the breeder is purely the production of beef. That the produce
of a cross-bred buU often turn-out excellent milkers, is a fact
easily proved, as many o\^•ners of dairy-stock take very little
trouble about the selection of a sire, paying but slight attention
to his breeding, providing he is moderately straight aud level
along and over the back, of a good colour, healthy-looking, and
cheap. On account of this indillerenee and seeming negligence
on th« part of stock-holders, the animals, in numerous cases,
are so altered in form, colour, and general configuration, that
it is impossible to recognise the breed from which they origin-
ally sprung. Notwithstanding this peculiarity, the milking
property is seldom injured to a perceptible extent, many of the
cows composing sucli a herd being extraordinary milkers. It
is, however, very different when tlie herd is maintained for the
purpose of raising stock to be fattened for the butcher, as the
use of any other than a liighly bred bull becomes then simply
a picking of one's own pocket. It must be admitted that use-
ful beasts for the stall are often to be met with, neither the
sire nor dam of which was pure bred ; but, all other things
being equal, the superiority of those animals, the sire even of
which has been pure bred, is so marked as scarcely to admit of

26

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

comparison. Without a particle of extra care, pure breeding
couduces to ccouoniy of food, to laying on flesh quickly, and
to early maturity. The advantages derived from these dis-
tinguishing characteristics are numerous and valuable, but all
tending to one pleasing result, viz., the increase of the farmer's
capital. A half-bred heifer, the sire of which was pure, can
be easily finished for the butcher at the age of two years,
bringing as much money then as one of three years, which
had the disadvantage of being cross-bred by both sire and
dam. Here there is all the expense attendant on the main-
tenance of a large animal for an entire year saved — in itself an
immense thing, quite sufficient to enrich the farmer who takes
advantage of it, and to impoverish liim who neglects it, par-
ticularly now-a-days, when excessive competition for land, and
dear labour cut down the farmer's profits to the lowest possible
point.

Britain possesses several local breeds of cattle for meat-
producing purposes, a few of the more noticeable being the
Hereford, Devon, Polled Angus, and West Highland, all good,
some of them indeed of rare merit, as the Hereford and Angus,
but mostly confined to the districts from which they derive
their name, and difficult to be got pure in any other part of
the country, unless with a fancier of the breed. The Short-
horn, which would seem by general acceptation to have been
received as the breed, of cattle most suitable for the im-
provement of existing breeds is now to be met with
in great perfection in every part of the kingdom.
By whatever name a cow may be designated — whether
Ayrshire, Kerry, Highlander, or cross-breed — or however
shabby and insignificant she may appear, if crossed by a pure-
bred shorthorn her produce will partake so much of the cha-
racter of the sire as to make it, with fair treatment, both use-
ful and profitable. Even to the very fastnesses of the High-
lander himself has the shorthorn penetrated ; and excellent
butchers' cattle, the produce of a Highland cow and shorthorn
bull are yearly fed in the western islands of Scotland, and sent
round by steamer to Glasgow. The distilleries on these islands
afford a good supply of food in the shape of grains, there styled
draft, on which the cattle thrive well, and require but little out-
lay for oi cake, turnips and grains being able to finish a heavy
beast with but little assistance from the more expensive article.
No particular difficulty need be experienced in getting a use-
ful sire of shorthorn blood, pure stocks being now so equally
distributed over the whole kingdom. The expense, also, is not
by any means great, when the value of the breed is taken into
consideration, the days of extravagant prices being numbered,
unless for stocks of very high character. During the past few
years many herds of shorthorns have been founded, and
managed on more sensible principles than was originally the
case. Formerly it seemed to be supposed by every possessor
of a herd of shorthorns that as the breed was capable of car-
rying an almost unlimited amount of flesh, it therefore became
absolutely necessary so to pamper each animal that it might
become a specimen of what the breed would attain to, and the
enormous load of meat it could be made to carry. This was
frequently done to such an extent as to reach the stage of
actual cruelty, the poor beast's very existence being a burden ;
and thus money was not only spent uselessly, but the animals,
both male and female, were often so injured by excessive obe-
sity as to be unfit for anything but slaughter. Now, however,
the breed having got into the hands of men who cannot
afford to measure the treatment they give their cattle
by any other standard than that of pounds, shillings, and pence,
pure-blooded specimens can be had, which have been ra-
tionally treated, thus combining two important advantages,
their coustitutions not having been impaired by over-feeding,
they are eminently suitable for reproductive purposes ; and
the cost is gieatly less. A young bull of either Booth or
Bates blood, and a good one too, can now be got for thirty
guineas, which, having been used to the ordinary food of the
farm, is in no danger of falling away when removed to other
quarters, but, on the contrary, having a tendency to improve,
especially if his new owner is disposed to be kind to him,
which is extremely likely to be the case. Thirty guineas is a
large sum for a man of limited means to give for one animal,
whatever its merits, or however much benefit he may look for-
ward to by the use of that animal ; yet for the small farmer,
whose stock consists of but ten or fifteen cows, the possession
of a pedigree bull is so essential to his interests, that the
getting of one is worthy of a strong effort on his part. Two

neighbours who are on friendly terms can serve each other
very materially, by joining in the purchase of a bull, thus di-
viding the risk, lessening the amount to be expended by each
party to half, and thereby probably bringing it within reach
of both, and doing the business required to as much purpose
as if both had got a bull. In a partnership of this sort, an
animal cast by a wealthier neighbour may often be procured,
giving them the advantage of having one of whose merits
they have had previous opportunity of forming an opinion — a
point of no inconsiderable value. Such a bull, being come to
his full growth, and consequently weighty, wLU in general
bring his first cost when sold to the butcher ; so that, by a
little management, the services of a pure-blooded bull can be
had at no further expense than that incurred by feeding liiin
during the short period he is required on the farm. Surely
the importance of this matter ought to be sufficient induce-
ment for a farmer to take a little extra trouble in looking
about for a really useful beast, instead of contenting himself
with a mongrel, whose produce at twelve months old vn]l be
worth not more than two-thirds of what they would have been
had a pedigree-bull been used, the treatment being in both cases
exactly the same. One of the most useful bulls we have known
was repurchased, when four years old, by his breeder for £25,
from a party to whom he was sold when a calf for one hun-
dred pounds. The breeder having seen his produce knew his
value, and got him just at butchers' price, and the animal was
subsequently so valuable that he would not part with him for
three hundred. Tliis was, of course, an exceptional case : the
breeder being an excellent judge profited by his knowledge,
and prized highly what another discarded. An ordinary far-
mer could not make such a lucky hit very easily, but following
tliis example, and acting upon the same rule, would be largely
benefited by introducing blood into his stock at comparatively
little outlay, the high price of which under any other condi-
tions would keep it beyond his reach. Having gone to con-
siderable trouble and outlay in introducing good blood, it is
highly necessary and well worth while for any one who has
done so, to pay an increased amount of attention to his cows
during the period of gestation, so that, apart from circum-
stances over which he has no control, they may get a fair
chance of bringing into the world a fuUy matured and healthy
calf.

It is intensely galling to lose the well-earned fruits of skill,
capital, and labour through the carelessness or inconsideration
of those in charge of the animals ; but there are certain dis-
turbing influences quite out of the province of the attendant,
and which every owner of stock should do his utmost to guard
against, or if they exist to remove them, as far as lies in his
power. Uneven passages to and from the fields or to driuking-
ponds are injurious to cows heavy in calf, and should be kept
as even and smooth as the nature of the surface will permit.
Narrow doors from the stalls are also higlUy prejudicial to the
cow and her future offspring, as in spite of the utmost care cattle
wiU crush each other when going out and in, so much so as in
many instances to inflict extensive local injury by the excessive
straining. Where a large or even moderately-sized stock is
kept the utmost facility for entrance and egress ought to be
allowed, the doors or rather gates being wide enough to admit
an ordinary cart, and placed at convenient distances. Strict
attention to ventilation and good drainage will also be given
by the careful and considerate ovraer of a breeding stock, and
if a constant circulation of pure air is kept I'p, one of the most
fruitful causes of abortion is neutralised, viz., foul air. Some
attention is required to be given to the feeding while turnips
form a large portion of the diet, as a cow vrill readOy shp her
calf after feeding heartily on cold roots, if the stomach has
been comparatively empty. Giving the hay or straw with
which she is supplied in addition, the first thing in the morn-
ing, counteracts this tendency in a great measure. No trouble
ought to be considered too great which has for its object the
prevention of cows prematurely slipping their calves, as when
it begins in a herd it seldom leaves it without inflicting ex-
tensive injury and consequent loss.

The cow having produced a fuU-timed, healthy calf, the
leading idea of its owner in connection with the young animal
should be to keep it so, and this is in general attained without
much trouble, save by providing it with airy and comfortable
quarters and a plentiful supply of nutritious food. To ensure
from the very commencement of its existence a healthy organ-
ization, it is a good plan, when it can be managed, to permit

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

27

tlie calf to suck its mother for the first few days — tliat is, until
the milk has assumed its natural colour and become fit for use.
Although excellent in theory, this is especially difficult to carry
out in practice ; the instinctive feelings of both dam and off-
spring having been aroused, it is some time before they can be
got to forget each other, and unpleasant consequences are apt
to ensue when the separatiou has been eifected. The calf
having for these few days been accustomed to drink with its
head elevated, it is hard to make it understand that the opera-
tion can be quite as comfortably performed with the head
down, and it displays considerable obstinacy on this point. A
little hunger soon brings it round, and leads to the required
alteration in the habits and instincts of the little creature ; and
it is much better to give time, and leave it to the teachings of
hunger, than compel it to keep its head down by main force.
In the case of the cow more is to be apprehended than a little
annoyance, there being positive danger of present loss andperma-
nent injury when she has taken kindly to her calf, and resists
the separation. In constant expectation that she will be per-
mitted to rejoin it, she retains the milk, in spite of repeated
and long-continued efl'orts to withdraw it by hand ; aud when
thus retained severe inflammation is immediately set up, and
the poor animal is in imminent danger of losing a quarter, or,
in extreme cases, a half of the udder. The moment it is noticed
that the cow is holding her milk, the calf should be allowed to
suck, so as to relieve the pressure and prevent inflammation.
The udder being thus softened, the milking may with great
propriety be finished by the dairy-maid. This may be con-
tinued for a few days, until it is known, by the softness of the
bag and the uninterrupted flow of the milk, that the
danger is past. Should the calf not be re-admitted,
or even delayed so long that the svvelling has be-
come intensely painful, the opportunity for relief in this
manner is lost, and the udder must be softened by fomentation
with hot water aud the application of soothing and repellant
ointments, involving a considerable sacrifice of both time and
trouble. The probability of symptomatic fever of this kind
occurring from partial or total suspension of the mUky secre-
tions renders a system excellent in theory, highly objectionable
in practice, and in consequence the calf is, in most cases, re-
moved to his own crib immediately after having been licked
dry by the mother, the connection between them never again
bemg renewed. This, of course, particularly refers to stocks
where profit is looked to from the dairy, as well as from rear-
ing, as in districts where the latter is the principal object the
calf is left with its mother until reared. The calf now being
dropped, it may reasonably be thought that it must be a very
poor one indeed, if not worth rearing, providing the sire has
been well selected and the dam ordinarily good. Yet even
under the most favourable conditions with regard to the
parents, there will now and again be calves dropped not worth
the trouble and expense of rearing, particularly in the case of
male calves, whether intended to be kept entire for breeding
purposes or for feeding for the butchers as bullocks. It is well,
therefore, that a little judgment should be exercised, and each
calf subjected to a rigid scrutiny before any expense is in-
curred, as an ill-thriven animal is not only a loss, but a positive
eyesore while it remains on any farm. It is much better to
send an excessively narrow-backed, flat-ribbed, or drooping-
rumped calf at once to the butcher, aud get a few shillings for
it, than keep it on and risk the loss of pounds by feeding it for
several years, consuming food which might otherwise be profit-
ably employed in feeding an animal which would by its supe-
rior conformation have a fair prospect of leaving something
for its keep. A delicate-constitutioned cow may often be worth
holding over for her superior milking qualities ; but unless of a
rare breed, when it may be worth while to run a little risk,
her offspring are seldom worth the trouble of rearing. While
milk is plentifully supplied to it, such a calf will often look as
well as its comrades, and have all the appearance of thrifti-
ness ; but if it inherits its mother's delicacy, which it almost
invariably does, it begins to fall away from the time that it is
turned out to shift for itself. If it survives the winter it is
mostly a gaunt-looking object, with not tlie slightest appear-
ance of ultimately becoming either valuable or profitable.
AVell-bred cows and those which have been long milked, how-
ever bred, frequently drop their calves very small, in some
eases remarkably so. When well-formed, healthy, and full-
time this is not particularly objectionable, as lilieral treatment
soou pushes them on, a few weeks being sufficient to bring

them to the standard of those of the same age, which were an
average size when dropped. It is very necessary when a con-
siderable number of calves are being reared together to con-
fine them in separate cribs so as to prevent their sucking each
other, a habit as disgusting to the on-looker as injurious to
the poor animals themselves. Where not convenient to have
a crib for each calf, a little coUar could be provided and slipped
over the head of each one as soon as fed, the fastening being
just as far distant as will prevent contact. The confinement
when the warm weather has arrived, and their owner is de-
sirous of putting them out during the day, need be only tem-
porary, as the intense desire which they evince for sucking is
shown most strongly for half-an-hour or so after being
fed. When this habit is not prevented there is almost
a certainty of a few deaths occurring each season
from the hairs thus taken into the stomach collecting into
an indigestible mass, the poor tilings dying in frightful agony.
The indestructible nature of the materials forming this ball
renders a cure next to impossible'; prevention is therefore all
the more necessary to be attended to, and there is no better
preventive than the modes of temporary separation we have
now described. Although nature indicates that milk warm
and unmixed as it comes from ,the cow is the natural and
proper food for the calf, yet for certain reasons of economy
and convenience large numbers are annually reared and get
scarcely more of their mother's milk than is absolutely neces-
sary to clear out the stomach, and give them a healthy start.
When the farmer is so situated as to have a good market for
his milk, and a remunerative price for it, lie is tempted to sell
the greater portion ; and if at the same time he is desirous
of rearing a good many calves, he finds his ingenuity taxed to
procure suit&ble substitutes for their natural food which he
has otherwise disposed of. Oatmeal, linseed and Indian meals
are excellent aids, boiled and mixed with a little milk, aud
when given plentifully, good, useful, hardy, and healthy cattle
can be raised with comparatively little trouble. Infusions of
hay and gelatinous mosses are sometimes used in rearing
calves ; but they do not contain sufficient nourishment, are
too sloppy, and the calves grow up deficient in bone, pot-
bellied, and generally unthrifty. In butter dairies the pure
skim-milk without any mixture whatever is the food of the
calves, and when given in sufficient quantity answers the pur-
pose admirably, strong healthy beasts of good bone being thus
raised. They seem to relish the milk better, and thrive faster
when the milk is supplied to them after having become
coagulated, than when given merely sour, but not thick.
Notwithstanding the efficiency of these substitutes for the
genuine article, and the amount of success attending their use,
the animals cannot be brought to the same perfection or to
such early maturity at full prices, as is the case when the
milk is used fresh from the cow. So true is this, that it may
be fairly conceded that when the breed is valuable, and early
maturity for the butchers a leading object, the full amount of
profit obtainable from the stock cannot be reached when the
calves are not wholly reared on new milk. A familiar
example of its forcing powers is to be met with at every agri-
cultural show, where shorthorns occupy a prominent position,
the class of yearlings being so well-grown and their shapes
so fully developed as to present all the appearance of
mature cattle, while their condition is such that they are
fit for the shambles. We have seldom so fully realised the
striking effects of pure milk fresh from the cow in feeding
calves, and the ultimate advantage to the stock thus reared,
in elegance of contour, aptitude for feeding, and general hardi-
ness of constitution, as we did in one particular instance, when
on a visit to Scotland in the autumn of 1865. In the districts
we visited, comprisingportions of four counties — viz., Stirling,
Lanark, Renfrew, and Dumbarton — the dairy takes a leading
position on most farms ; and, stimulated by the constant de-
mand for its produce, the farmers are unremitting in their
efforts to keep up the supply of milk with regularity through-
out the year. The Ayrshire breed is very generally diffused
over these counties, no other being valued for the dairy ; and,
accustomed as we have always been to Shorthorns and Short-
horn crosses, the calves we there saw looked singularly dimi-
nutive. On hearing the good qualities of the breed from
which they were descended described l)y their owners, and a
high value set upon the little creatures themselves, we found
considerable difficulty in appreciating their qualities and value
— in fact, could not do so until taken to the byre at milking-

28

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

time, and shown by ocular and uumistakaljle domonstratiou
that a little cow, with udder so near the ground that there
was barely room for tlie milking-jiail, could give such an over-
flowing quantity of milk as to render her valuable for that
quality alone, iudependeut of all other considerations. Al-
though the size of the Ayrshire ))reed, whatever the age, sex,
or coudition, seemed to us remarkably small, still it was not
so in every instance, as on one farm in Dumbaitonsliire, which
we visited, we were particularly struck with the large size and
general sappiness of all the cattle on it, in comparison with
those of other districts which we had previously passed
through. Seeing that lliey were all of the pure Ayrshire
type, we asked the tenant why there was such a difference ?
lie replied that it was solely the result of liberal treatment
during the first four months of their existence, as he made a
point of looking after his calves himself, and gave them new-
milk, without the slightest adulteration or admixture, for tiie
above-mentioned period. New milk there brings, on tho
average of the year, teupence the imperial gallon ; and when
it pays in the end to give it to calves, when such a price can
be had, surely it would doubly repay those to do so, wiio,
living iu remote districts, can perhaps only make a little more
than half that price for their milk. We have seldom enjoyed
a day with more intense enthusiasm than that spent on this
farm, in the society of its occupier, and still look back upon it
as a green spot in what was altogether a most pleasant and
gratifying trip. Situated iu the midst of a beaulifuUy-culti-
vated district on the northern shore of the Erith of Clyde,
with much to instruct the mind in au agricultural point of
view, there was also much to delight tlie eye as it roamed over
the horizon. Underneath flowed the classic Clyde, bearing on
its placid bosom a numerous fleet of ships of all sizes, from
tlie princely merchantman down to the crowded river-steamer
and tlie Highland wherry. Quite in view was the ancient
Castle of Dumbarton, cekbrated iu old historic records as the
scene of brave deeds, and mayhap cruel ones also. Through
the populous and busy Vale of Leven, the little river im-
mortalized by Smollett can be seen threading its silvery course
on to where it mingles with the Clyde. Northwards the lofty
Ben Lomond is plainly seen bounding the view, rearing his
even-then snow-capped head in undisputed possession of a vast
but solitary territory. The calves however reared are at the
age of four months able to find a subsistence for themselves
when turned out on the pastures, and to enable them to con-
tinue progressing in growth and healthy condition require
good grass and a plentiful supply of water. Abundance of
food should be the motto of every stock-holder, and that
during every season of the year ; and on no account should he
permit an interval of scarcity to occur when changed from ths
milk to other feeding, or at the close of the season when the
pastures begin to fail. The mistake of leaving all animals too
long on the grass before removing them to their winter
quarters is too frequently made, an<l is the cause of great loss
both of money and lime, it being a considerable period before
they regain their previous condition. The mistake is mostly
made from the desire to economize the winter store of food by
not beginning on it too early — an excellent motive, but no
cause for any dread of tiie early exhaustion of the winter store
should ever exist, at least under ordinary circumstances.
Either a sufficient supply of winter food should be grown or
the stock reduced at the beginning of winter to such a number

as there is a reasonable prospect ot being able to feed, as one
well-nourished animal will leave more profit for the winter's
keep than three which have been pinched, it being quite
promblematical whether Ihey will leave eveu any profit at all.
With regard to shelter and accommodation during winter, the
straw-yard is undoubtedly the best mode of keeping them in
lieallh, as the sheds that surround it afford ample protection
from inclement weather, and, being loose and having con-
siderable space to walk about, sufficient exercise is taken to
preserve young stock in a growing state. Keeping cattle in
warm houses at night, and turning them out daring the day on
llie pastures through all the months of winter, is a practice
one would think quite inconsistent with the teachings of
reason and common-sense, and certainly quite incompatible
witii successful and profitable management. It is a system
however which is very much acted on, and, notwithstanding
improved modes of management becoming better known,
seems, whatever the reason, by no means to be on the decline.
Every farm-yard should be provided with a large straw-court,
shedded, and constantly supplied with water ; the expense
of putting it up is well repaid by the increased amount of
manure made, the improvement on the pastures wlien not
poached and eaten too bare, and lastly the increased value of
the animals, without the sliglitest extra expenditure for food.
Wlien cattls are being tied-up for fattening, the arrangement
should admit of their having plenty of room ; they look better
when not too crowded, they can lie in any position, and are
therefore more comfortable and can be better managed in every
way. It is equally important that dairy-cows should have
plenty of room, as it enables the milking to be performed
without danger or inconvenience, and obviates all danger of
injury from the cows treading on each other when turning
quickly round — a mishap which is just as likely as not to occur
on a pap or portion of the udder as on any less sensitive part.
Proper shelter, so that they are protected from the chilling
rains and cutting blasts of winter, a regular supply of pure
water, good and sufficient litter, and an abundance of whole-
some food, not only keep the cattle in a continual state of
progression, but ward off all those diseases which arc the
result of chills or sudden changes from scarcity of food to
great plenty. Losses from these causes are excessively
grievous, and can seldom be prevented by medicine, as the
poor animals are usually so far gone when first noticed that
before any evacuant within reach of the farmer has time to
act on the peculiarly complicated system of stomachs possessed
by the ruminants the vital spark has fled. Selling the most
valuable animals each year fur the sake of the slightly-increased
amount of receipts, is a prolific source of injury, and keeps
many a herd of cattle at a point almost below mediocrity, that
would under happier auspices be a credit to its owner and
much more profitable. We do not, of course, allude to wealthy
stock-owners, who never sell from necessity ; but to those who,
living solely on the profits of their farms, are compelled by the
inexorable force of circumstances to act in the way that will
realize most money for the time being, without being in a
position to consult their own wishes in the matter. If at all
possible, a few of the choice young heifers should be held
over each year as breeders, so that there may be no danger of
retrogression iu tho character and quality of the stock.

J. S.

THE OLD PLANS OF IRRIGATION.

At one time the irrigation or watering of land was more
common than it is at the present day ; and on hiUy lands
having a command of water the practice was more general than
in comparatively level champaign districts. The rule was al-
most universal that where there was a command of water
and means for apphcation it was applied on tlio land. To-
wards the middle and close of the last century, when farms
began to he regularly cropped under the alternate system of
husbandry, as it is sometimes technically termed, the practice
was greatly curtailed, and in many instances wliolly given up.
It was applied not only to land permanently lying in grass,

but also to arable lands wlicnin grass. In those simple times
arable lands were cropped on the out-field and in-field system,
and it was to the out-field tliat the water was applied. The
in-field lauds were kept under a continuous course of cropping,
and to them all the manure made on the farm was applied. The
out-field lauds were cropped so long asthey would yield anything
that would pay tiie harvesting ; and wlien they would yield corn
no longer, the grasses having got the mastery, it was then
allowed to lie in grass ; and it was when tlius laid out that tlie
water was applied to restore the worn-out soil to renewed fer-
tility. Not long before the father of the writer entered upon

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

29

farming (1806), about half the lauds under the plough were
out-field, aud thus cropped. Aud whea serving his appren-
ticeship the writer himself assisted iu tilling up some of the
water- courses, so as to bring the laud they occupied under the
plough.

Such being the old practice, it forms a prominent topic in
works on agriculture, published at the time. It is noticed iu
most of the country reports to the Board of Agriculture; aud in
his surveys and work on " Landed Property," Marshall gives a
detailed account of it.

In the latter work, Marshall gives illustrated directions for
watering land, on the following four plan s, viz. : —

" 1. Covering low Hat lands with stagnant or slowly-moving
water.

" 2. liaising flat lands into ridges, aud overflowing them
with running water.

" 3. Spreading running water over naturally uneven sur-
faces, and

" 4. Watering .sloping grounds that liave been raised into
ridges by cultivation."

(1). Tu the first of these plans a dam or sluice was placed in
the river, so as to raise the water s'.iilicieutly high to flood the
meadow lands adjoining. Iu such cases tlie nature of the de-
tails depended much upon the inclinatiou and character of the
laud. Thus, the lands immediately adjoining rivers are often
higher than those more remote, so that by an underground
pipe or conduit, the latter would be more easily watered than
tiie former. Floodgates were i)laced upon these underground
pipes, so that they could be opened and shut at pleasure as the
work or state of the grass required. Again, underground
drains were ofteu required to draw olf the water, so as to pre-
vent too great a depth when stagnant, and to dry the ground
when the water was turned ofl" the main altogether. In other
examples, the application of the water aud its removal from
the land was iu each case efl'ected by open water-courses. But
the more common plan was partly by underground aud partly
by surface conveyance of water to and from the land.

But, besides watercourses for conveying the water to the
land, the land itself generally required less or more levelling
before the water could be spread over it, according to tliis
plan ; and to efl'ect an even distribution, it was often neces-
sary to plot out the ground into a series of levels, or rather
gentle inclinations, iu size according to the undulations of the
surface, not unlike layiug out ground for rice-beds. In many
cases this subdivision of the land was surrounded with no
little difliculty ; for, unless tlie levels were mostly formed by
the hand of Nature, tlie equal distribution of the water on
the lands was more easily etl'ected by the second method of
application noticed by Marshall — viz., ridges.

(2). The soil dug out of the feeders aud drains was not uu-
frequently found siitticient to form comparatively level land
into ridges ; so that this plan of spreading the water was less
expensive than is perhaps generally imagined. Thus, when tiie
land was previously underaration.itwasgatheredupbytheplough
into ridges of from 30 to GO feet in breadth. Au open cut
was then dug down the middle or crown, for the feeder, and
which, from its being nearly level, was not unlike a canal
when overflowing its banks. The open fnrrow between was
formed into a drain, and the ridges levelled, or rather carried
into the proper slope by levelling machines, and harrowing
and finishing olf hy manual labour. Wlien in grass the grassy
sod dug out of tiie middle of the ridges was placed upon tlie
edge, so as to raise the surface several inches higher than be-
fore in the middle of the ridge. The grassy sod from the
drain was placed beside this, and the loose earth dug out from
both spread over the surface so as to give it the proper in-
clination. In many cases this was all that was required to pre-
pare the land for the water ; for, owing to its being compara-
tively level, the feeder when full overflowed like a canal, spread-
ing the water equally over the sides of the ridges, and as the
sides of the ridges were lowest at the edge of the drain, there
would be a gently-continued imperceptible flow from the feeder
to the drain. Tlirough hollows a foot and even two feet be-
low the natural level, the water in the feeders was sometimes
carried by small embankments, sometimes in aqueducts over the
drains, where such were carried down these hoUows to the end
or side ditches, and so on. But raised aqueducts and embank-

ments were avoided as much as possible, under-ground pipes
being preferred for conveying the water from the level on one
side of a hollow to the same level on the opposite side, such
being out ot the way of the feet of cattle, &c.

In examples of this kind the cardinal rule was to avoid
stagnant water anywhere on the side of the ridges. The nearer
to equality of inclination and uniformity of flow from the
feeders downwards to the drain the better, as this produced an
equal fertilising efi'ect upon the land. But an equal inclination
could not always be made ; indeed, it was but seldom made ;
heuce the other maxim of an equal quantity of water to an
equal area of land or length of ridge in equal times.

(3). The third method, viz., spreading running w;iter equally
over the surface of a meadow without ridges, had the same
object in view as the second, the surface of the meadow being
undulated or uneven. The general practice of carrying out
this plan involved a considerable amount of underground
work in the conveyance of water to the higher levels, where it
was thrown upon the meadow, and allowed to spread around
over the greatest possible area of land by gravitation. To
efl'ect this, and avoid rapid currents, small wooden troughs
lying on the surface were used. Aud to avoid expense this
gave rise to the finishiug of one part of a field at a time, the
wooden troughs being then removed to another part. In
this way an old man or boy went over a larger area of ground
in a given time than those unacquainted with the practice
were apt to calculate. Another plan of distributing the water
over uulevel surfacts was by crooked feeders, winding round
about the grounds on levels, subsidiary feeders branching olf
from these, on what was termed, iu some places, the " fish-
bone system." This plan as illustrated iu agricultural books
is generally too formal, the meandering of the feeders having
too great a sameness of curvature to each other. Whereas, in
the meadow, although the branches have a close fish-bone
similarity, the diversity in the direction of the principal feeders
was greater than is represented in the old works just referred
to.

(4). The fourth system noticed by Marshall, of watering
sloping ground that had been raised into ridges by cultivation,
was perhaps the more commou. In ploughing, the land was
gathered up into broad, high-crowned ridges, and carefully
kept in this form. The ridges thus formed and kept were
often very crooked, the surface of tlie ground imperatively
demanding it; and they were not always of uniform breadth,
being narrow in some parts aud broad in others. When in
grass and about to be watered, a plough-furrow was opened
down the crown of each ridge, into which the water was then
thrown from the main water-course at the headlands. The sod
turned out by the plough was cut into short lengths, and used
for making dams and directing the water over the sides of the
ridges, aud the surplus from one dam to the next below, until
the whole was utilized. The greater the inclinatiou of the
land the greater the number of dams required and the less the
distance between them, the object of the dams being not only
to turn a portion of the water over the ridge, but also to prevent
the remainder from forming a rapid current, and thus washing
away the soil. When tlie ridges were of considerable lengtii and
breadth, it required a corresponding volume of water to be
turned dowu each ridge, and no little skill was requisite to
spread it equally over the whole, from the upper to the lower
end. With a plentiful supply of water a number of ridges could
be watered together ; but when the supply was limited, only
two or three, and sometimes not more than one ridge at a
time. The ridges ontlie farm already referred to, first occupied
by the writer's father (180G), were about half-a-chaiu in
width aud from ten to twelve chains in length, so that each
ridge contained upwards of half-anacre ; and to this day the
water-courses and form of the broad crooked ridges may be
traced on the outfield lands thus watered.

The water-courses in some porous gravelly and sandy soils
had to be puddled in the bottom and sides with clay, or witli a
mixture of clay aud peat, to prevent the water sinking and
flowing oft' through the subsoil. In the course of time such
soils filled up with vegetable matter, and sometimes with clay
aud silt, purposely mixed in the water, thus filling them up and
changing their texture from gravel and sand to loams.

X, Y. Z.

30

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE NEW FARM.

"Painless dentistry," did you say the advertisement
was ? Why, theu, uow, that's just exactly what I wanted
last Chi-istmas, and expect to want about Midsummer-
day. Now, is there no one of the many existent good-
natured fellows who will not , as poor inimitable Wright
used to say, " come for to go for to send for to fetch
for to bring for to carry" one of these said clever artists
to sustain me under the operation of " draw" to which I
shall shortly be subjected. I should be so thankful if it
could be done. How thankful I cannot say.

Having touched upon the subject, let me go further
and counsel, I trust without offence, enthusiastic youth.
I am spirited thereto by a recent encounter, from which I
have emerged I consider not only scathless, but triumph-
ant, with an unconscionable tradesman who had the audacity
to try upon me a trick which I can attribute only to what
they must have judged a juvenile guilelessness of coun-
tenance.

Don't you, my lad, if you go into a swell London shop
(whether to fit out your bridal, or in any such bashful
mood), on giving an order, content yourself with simply
entering in your pocket-book the price stated by the airy
and self-satisfied individual who shall accompany you
through' the show-rooms, giving the prices so fluently
after rapid calculation with pen from behind his sapient
ear. Get the particulars written out of each article that
you order, the price it shall be for cash upon delivery,
and the time of its certain delivery. To that document
get your fashionable attendant's signature appended,
" Catchem and Co., per Oily Wideawake," or else the
chances are that upon receipt of the goods you will re-
ceive also an exceedingly spiced invoice, far hotter than
you intended, and which shall curtail you of some reason-
able comforts for months to come ; while if you go open-
mouthed CO your solicitor, and mean to blow them up
bodily, you will find that there is no locus standi. They
will shield themselves under the simple reply, " We gave
only a proximate estimate." So you, my dear, will be
beautifully done. Expeiio crede !

I am more urgent upon this point, as there is a noble
trustfulness about the mind of youth, which is most
admirable and highly romautie, but simply doesn't pay.
Por many a year how have not we old fellows been prone
to half-apologize if we had dared to ask whether " dis-
count were allowed ;" " if such be the cash price ;"
" whether it were of the material," and so on. And it is
with something of an angry rebound of feeling that one
triumphantly demands now from the most self-possessed
shopman " the best material for the lowest figure ; and
be quick, please, for I'm in a hurry."

No more of the diffidence with which we took our orders
as to breakfast, &c., from the college scout, and allowed
his intervention with the awful University tradesmen.
No more of that : " no, no. not for Joe — not for Joseph,
oh ! dear, no !" Eh ! the smiling of the counter-skipper
now, and the bowing, and the desire to serve, and the
hope that you'll recommend us, sir," which, to the vain
mind, are of value equal to a redoubled discount.

Smart's the word. Knock the wind out of them first
blow — apologizing, of course, for the contretemps ; but
the effects produced, and the courteous apology, effectually
salves.

Water-wolves — water-wolves are we not all ? preying
upon each other, rather than "jolly dogs," as one fain
Maiglit wish, m^ as we were wQut onee to believe, ovet

devil'd kidneys and a damper, " in the days that we were
young, a long time ago."

D'ye see that, youug friend ; for if ye don't, and have
to wait for the spectacles of personal experience, why,
then, more's the pity, and our Cassandra self hath sung
in vain.

But to return homewards. I was constrained just now
to steep my hands, feverish from rowing, in a basin of
water half-boiling. I had been musing of Shorthorns,
and the sweet, darling heifer-calves that have beeu
dropping upon our pastures of late, when, drop ! down
came a huge spider from his swing, which I had not no-
ticed above me. Poor thing ! how he was doubled up at
once ! Didn't like hot water at all. Must have been
married. It was so like what one is obliged so often to
do oneself, under influence of the conjugal (tin) kettle.

There hath been a multitude of the spider-tribe about
the house lately. They are said to follow in the wake of
the black beetles, a huge horde of which has overrun us
again lately. The beetle must aft'ord rich feeding ; for
these spiders are a monstrous sort. We have found that
strewing the leaves of the elder-tree upon the kitchen-
floor causes somehow a diminution of the beetle class.
Whether they find the vegetable poisonous or not, I don't
know. A confectioner counselled the recipe.

We are plagued by another insect invasion. The
evening air hisses with the flight of myriad cockchafers.
Herein, however, oui" old friends the rooks (to whom we
have been staunch, under the remonstrance of prejudiced
agricultural neighbours) have done us an exceeding
service. I could not imagine, yesterday morning, what-
ever was the matter with the birds. They were in and
out among the apple-trees and beeches, clumsily alight-
ing, and staggering along the weak twigs, managing to
maintain their equilibrium only by a half-flutter, with their
wings up, and swaying after the example of Blondin's
pole.

" Them be after the blight, them be," remarked fat
Melon, the gardener, as he came up to my window,
triumphantly exhibiting a grand Gloire de Dijon rose :
" Beaut he a beauty, sir ?"

" Call him the ' Second of May,' Melon, if you want a
name for it."

" Why, sir ?"

" Why, because it reminds me of some one whom I
saw on that day with his shirt-collar petals all turned
down, and a yellowish tinge about the gills."

Poor Melon, who likes a dauce about the May-pole,
and a suck at the cider-cask afterwards, hereupon retired
in consternation.

" Them be after the blight, sir." And, sure enough,
they were in good earnest. I at once had the craws of
sundry rooklings (of which a tart was being made for the
kitchen) cut open, and found therein a thick debris of
the comminuted, half-digested pest, a few of their shiny
brown armour-plates being yet uusmashed, which I exhi-
bited in exaggerated stature, by help of the microscope,
to our horrified cook.

Bless her heart ! she is a good, clean, simple-minded
thing. But the mention of her name reminds me. She
of late has heard a ghost ! In the stillness of the night,
a knocking at the door ! Too frightened to move, she
has simply ducked under the blankets, instead of ad-
vancing, as we consider she should have done, interro-
gating, "Who's dat knocking at the door?" (Aside:

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

31

"Dat you, Sambo?" to be omitted.) Well, of com-se,
this is no joke in a country-house. The place soon got
the reputation of being haunted ; and then there's no
getting servants at all. Well, it so happened that, one
night, ourself had got deeply interested in a hideous
novel — one of the " Fine Young English Gentleman"
sort, that are as keenly rapid in their attractiveness
(" sensation effect," it is termed) as a red-herring drag,
but which no one ever looks at a second time, for the
pleasure of restudying a pet passage of eloquent and
truthful worth (as one does with the Waverley lot), and
which are only so much "rot,*' to use an expressive
vulgar term, when the literary merits of England come
to be registered — when, about the witching hour of
midnight, we heard a mysterious " Tap, tap ! rap ! tap,
tap !" It made our blood run cold, we confess ; but we
were brave enough to explore, and we found — what, I
wonder? Well, I'd have told you, friend.

Heresy and insubordination in the camp ! " You must
indeed tell us when the calf is going to be killed, poor
dear little thing. It is so tame and so pretty," with an
air of coy indignation our eldest born little girl remon-
strated, sitting up in her cot, as I went to give her the
regular good-night kiss. " Such a sweet," coaxingly
added another little puss, also leaning out from behind
her curtain with a remonstrativeness of pouted lip that
was pretty to behold. " I declare I won't touch veal for
ever so long," said her sister in chorus. This was all in
reference to a fawn-tinted gazelle-eyed Alderney calf that
was unfortunately born of the masculine gender, and had
consequently to make way for cream and butter. As if
they hadn't quite enough of pets already ! enough for-
sooth to ruin any farmer. There's the old faithful canter-
on-three-legs Breadalbane terrier, with thi'ee fat long-
tailed puppies in her wake, as slow-paced as herself.
There are no end of bantams, although ultimately I had
to send all the poultry from the stable premises to the
bailiff's wife at the farm, as the poor hens prone to incu-
bation had been frequently left to their fruitless sitting
without ever an egg under them, until it was difficult to
say which were the barest, their hapless bosom or the
board that served them in lieu of nest. Talk of the dis-
comfort and attaching agonies of a seat in Parliament ;
they are for not a moment to be compared to the occa-
sional sufferings of a brooding fowl in a chUd's hen-
house ! Then on the list of pets come cats and kittens
in hopeless measure. Woe betide either them or the
young pheasants ere long ! A curious incident happened
to this special nursery puss last week. She had had left
to her one prettily-marked bantling out of the lot born
and duly consigned to a watery grave, and of this she was
especially proud. Well, one day it was missing, and the
poor mother was miserable. The children declared that
she had forgotten where she had deposited it. This
seemed an extraordinary theory, considering the might of
instinct. Anyhow she followed them everywhere in their
search about the rooms of the house, the out-buildings,
and even through the shrubberies and woodland walks,
all to no pm-pose, mewing piteously the while — whether a
note of lamentation, or gratitude, or entreaty, it is impos-
sible to say. At last they appropriated a kitten from a
cat at the farm, which with much ceremony they delivered
to the nm'sery puss. She at once took to it, whUe the
robbery or transference was treated with the utmost in-
difference by the bucolic puss, who trotted about or
watched in the stable and cowsheds for her prey just as
unconcernedly as if she felt that all had been done for
the best, and that her offspring had been fortunate in its
promotion to an upper cii'cle.

Well, one morning, about light, some days after the
kitten's disappearance, I was awoke by a sad cry, as if of
an animal iu pain, which seenied at gne time quite near,

at another quite far off. It occurred to me that It might
be that old Melon had managed to ensnare a rabbit, of
whose inroads he has been complaining lately, and that it
was from this unhappy animal that the wailing proceeded.
I looked out of the window, but failed to detect the vic-
tim's whereabouts. Then the agonized cry di'ew nearer,
until at last it was beside my pillow. I sprang up, and in
a closet behind a chest there was the wretched missing
kitten, crawling and shrieking as if mad with pain. It
must have been there for some days the housemaid de-
clares, and that without making the least sound of any
sort. How to account for the circumstance is beyond
me, unless possibly it had been in a trance. Anyhow, so
it occurred. The nursery puss was delighted to receive
her own again from the children, with sundry scoldings to
boot, whUe the farm cat took ungraciously the return of
her infant, which our fry decided it was only just to re-
store.

Rooklings, tom-tits, sparrows, and such like, they
have had in quantities, and destroyed by excess of kind-
ness, too, feeding them by force ever so often iu the day.
Lastly, they have some blackfaced mountain ewe-lambs
within a wired enclosure. This last sort doesn't pay on
my side. It's all very well for the young ladies to have a
snowy pet, with broad blue ribbon around its neck, nib-
bling parsley out of their hands, and bleating gratefully
at their approach. But when these said lambs grow to be
big sheep, and in their turn have lambs too, then it comes
to be no joke, for me at least, the fond feeder of the lot
ovine and human, for it just happens that their pet lambs
of the year before last have this year lambs of their own,
which are now worth, the chicks hear from the bailiff,
some fifteen shillings a-piece. For this sum they have
deliberately sued me. Now if this goes on it must ulti-
mately be a serious affair. " What about their keep, my
pet ?" I appeal in vain. " Oh ! you know, papa, they
can't eat much," &c., &c. But the subject depresses.

To change the subject : In the river bed below the
farm, there is lodged a huge boulder, some five yards
square, which when under water is, as the Irishman said,
a sign to the traveller that he must not attempt that ford.
It is a splendid balcony this hot weather, whereon one
can lie wandering in dream-land, soothed, too, as Mfeeenas,
by the murmur of the flowing stream.

The other day we saw a splash from the shore ; so get-
ting into the boat, we ascended the rock upon the upper
side, and creeping quietly to the edge, on looking over we
saw beneath us a glorious salmon of about ten pounds
weight, resting on his oars, upon the look out for spoil.
Dash ! flop ! and having secured the prey, with a quick,
brief, curve in the flashing water, he was returning to his
post when his quick eye marked us, and with a glance of
light through the wave he was gone !

What a blessed gift is Sabbath repose ! For the
fashionable idler it is an idea difficult to realize ; rather,
in fact, ennuye, tired, tiresome, he wanders fi-om club to
club, acquaintance to acquaintance, to the stables, to
dinner, to early bed. The right welcome bright enjoy-
ment it really is, fully to appreciate, take a mastership iu
a school for six months. Teach boys from half-])ast six
a.m. to ten p.m., with rare intervals, when the small deer
have their play, and are really more troublesome than
while under lesson drill, owing to the scrapes they will
get into, their noise, their puguaciousness, their dirt-pie
delight. Eh ! what it was then, to sleep the extra two
sweet hom-s unstartled by that di'eadful bell ! But why
particularly I dilate upon Sabbath repose here is that one
enjoys it so thoroughly of a summer evening at one par-
ticular corner of the sloping lawn, just where it joins on
to a wild piece of the hill. All nature seems to appreciate
the difference in the day. The whole air is so still and
war», and tie tints upon the western sky are sg deligious.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

32

The swallows skim fearlessly aud frequent in the upper-
cloud region. A bright brown hawk slips idly aci^ss.
\bundant turtle-doves croon amidst the elm-trees, ihe
wild pigeons are cooing through the wood. The mcessant
rooks are so busy on their tree-tops. An occasional
pheasant steps eallautly out from the covert shelter, occa-
sionally escorting a timid hen who has been up to feed
and seems fearful of returning alone ; while a brace ot
partridges advance, pecking up to the very v'ei;ge of our
feet where we lie unseen, young and old holding our
very breath, lest we should disturb the elements ot our

^%Ve"hTve had a good deal of trouble with the sbortlioriis
of late " Well ! and what is it has happened to your tasci- i
Dating stock ?" some may ask. Why, in the first place the
grand cavaUer the monarch Butterfly having managed by
dint of his great weight and his being tied up to establish
a housemaid's knee, it was judged expedient to remove um
into a loose box. As it happened, fortunately, tne place
selected was the bay of a disused barn, where he was
strongly walled in on every side, excepting the door, wluc i
he makes to creak aud shake every time he touches it with
neck or flank. Precautions had been taken in the fitting
of it that he should not be able to introduce his horn
anvwhere. As his temper is not of the best, and his eye-
balls glare out exactly like those of his grandsire the
Towneley Frederic, I judged it expedient to attach a cord
to the ring in his nose, to run over a small wheel on the
beam above, being weighted at the end, so as to allow ot
his advancing and retiring at pleasure to aud trom his

manger. This was a large stone trough laid upon a bed
of masonry. The very moment he found himself at
liberty he worked his horns beneath the trough, and threw
it high in air with inconceivable strength and savage
temper. Down it came again, aud right upon the cord,
pinning his nose to the ground ; whereupon he blared and
roared so fearfully that his attendant, in a fright, managed
to cut him loose aud get out again in time to avoid his
resentment. Here, then, was a pretty kettle of iish !
l^r the time, he went positively mad. It was frightlnl
to behold his fury as he wreaked it upon everything within
reach. Portunately there was little besides his bedding
and his victuals attainable. He had to be watched con-
tinuously, for fear he might manage to overthrow the
door ; but in a day or two he grew calmer, as he got
more used to his lodgings ; and, stealing his opportunity,
the herd-boy, haviug left the door so far open as to allow
of his hasty retreat in case of need, managed to pounce
upon the animal's tail, to which he clung vigorously,
until the beast, having exhausted himself in the vain
endeavour to get free, took a look round of curious in-
spection ; whereupon the lad hooked him cleverly with
his rod, and the bovine brute was at man's mercy again,
lie became mild enough on being tied, and I trust now
will not have to be done for with a bullet, as I once was
afraid. What other events in the herd have occurred I
must leave until next time.

I forgot to mention that the ghost turned out to be,
1 as vou may have guessed, simply a death-watch beetle.
I ' "^ Vigil.

AGRICULTURE OF FRANCE.

A couple of years ago there went up such a cry from the |
French agriculturists that tlie Govermueut felt it incumbent
to appoint commissions of enquiry. The country was divided
into thirty zones, aud each zone was subjected to the exaiiii-
uation of a diiferent commission. The enquiry has terminated,
and an immense mass of evidence has been sent to tlie Minister
of Agriculture. Several volumes have already been pubhslied,
aud tlie information furnished by these printed reports is quite
sufficient to show the causes of suifering. These are want ot
labour want of capital, want of commumcation, want ol
instruction, aud the taxes levied on the transfer of property.
To this list may be added the sub-division of land ; but most ot
the comraissious, though they point out evils attendant ou this
system consider it favourable to production. The second
question put by the Minister of Agriculture ruus thus :—
During the last thirty years what influence has been exercised
on the conditions of production by the division of property .-'
The commission for the department of tlie Mauche says the
result has beeu to augment production, but in reply to other
questions the same commission points out that the small pro-
prietors have not sufficient capital to improve their farms ;
that the excessive division of property is an obstacle to the
employment of machinery, aud again that the principal ob-
jection to the division of property is that it renders dramage
impossible. The Calvados commission also replies to question
two that the division of property has augmented production,
hut'deploresthe want of capital. In Eure, sub-division has
been found prejudicial to production, and the commission con-
demns the practice of dividing the land amongst the heirs on
tlie death of the liead of the family. M. Geuteur, jiresident oi
the 11th zone, gives much valuable information in his report,
lie says that since 1789 the division of land has constantly
progressed, aud that, eonfmcd within reasonable limits, this
system presents two advantages— 1st. It is useful as regards
the development ot production ; 2nd, in eucouraging the
labouring classes to buy property it " moralises" tliem, in-
terests them iu the maintenance of social order, inspires them
with conservative sentiments, and keeps them from the temp-
tations and seductions of the town, On the contrary, when

exaggerated it gives rise to serious inconvenience, and the
Legislature should prevent it being carried to escess. Accord-
iug to the Code Napoleon, the fatlier, when dividmg his goods^
amongst his children, is obliged to give each an equal share ot
all the objects composing his furtune. The opimon ot the
agricultural world is that this law produces an excessive divi-
sion of lauded property, and that it would be better lor the
father to share his goods amongst his children according to
their tastes and professions. Another commission repoi;ts that
" the extreme division of property is one of the principal
causes which prevents the use of agricuhural machines.
And again, when alluding to drainage, "the parcelling out ot
the land prevents the farmers carrying away the water. iUe
Commissioners admit that the system of division should end
somewhere, but it would be a terrible blow to the ideas ot
1789 to re-establish the laws of primogeniture even as regards
land, and no one would be bold enough to propose siicli a
measure. M. Geuteur does go so far as to recommend that
the head of the family should be allowed to give his land to
one child and his funded property to another ; but any bill
introduced into the Corps LegisLitif tending to such a con-
summation would be vigorously opposed. ^ ., ,

Another cause of agricultural sullering is the want ot labour
felt all through the country ; this is attributed to the army,
tlic devclopnumt given to various industrial undertakings, and
the immense public works being carried on iu Pans and other
large towns. Everywhere statistics show that the rural popu-
lation is on the decrease, aud that the deaths exceed the births ;
the peasant prefers the town because the labour is generally
lio-hter, more continuous, and better paid ; in lact, one can
easily imagine the attraction for a Breton, who gets at most
half a franc a day, of ten times that amount to be earned m
Paris under Prefect Ilaussman. That deaths should nearly
everywhere iu the country exceed births does not alone depend
unoii emigration. If we turn to another report, we find that
immorality has much to do with the matter, and that there is
a general hankering after luxury :—.,,, ,

''The good old niauners are disappearing day by day, and
rustic simplicity is no Joug-er in vogue ; luxury aud the love of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

pleasure have invaded tlie most remote parislies. The numljer
ot natural children increases, tlic number of legitimate ones
diminishes Ihe peasant of to-day is determined not to have
chUdrcu. io counteract this teiidcncy it is demanded that the
Crovernmcnt should encourage large families by relieving them
trom taxation. I am obliged to state that religion is on the
wane The priests are worthy of all respect, but they have
lost their influence, and, to believe the testimony oi' manv
persons, this state of things lias been produced in consequence
ot the clergy preaching dogma rather than morality, and not
adhering to those principles upon which modern society
reposes. •'

Want of capital is another malady which afflicts agriculture,
ilie lever of speculation has spread through the whole country
am the money wliich used to be laid out in the improvement
ot hand IS now invested in railway shares and loans, or sciuan-
dered on the Bourse. On the other hand, the farmer who
desires to get money can only do so by paying an exorbitant

30

interest for very few proprietors can fulfil the conditions upon
which alone the Credit I'oncier and Cn'dit Agricole will make
advances. The country people also complain of the lar"e
amount of stamp duty which they liave to pay, and wlierc
there are so many forced sales, and wliere so many persons are
lelt land which tliey cannot keep, this species of taxation is
especially onerous.

IVliat most of tlie commissioners demand is that the eon-
scnpts not belonging to tlie active army sliall only be called
out for drill when there is no agricultural work to do • tliat
there shall be fewer fairs and market days, where much time
IS wasted ; that the stamp duties sliall be lowered • that tlie
farmer shall be afforded facilities for getting monev • that
agricultural instruction shall be given ; that some means' shall
be adopted to prevent the constant emigration to large towns
and some modification introduced into tlie present law affect-
ing the right of disposing of property by ^^■\\\.^P„ll Malt
vrazette.

THE EXHAUSTION OF THE SOIL, AND THE RENEWAL OF ITS FERTILITY.

The following paper was read by Mr. J. J. Mechi at a
meeting of the Midland Counties Farmers' Club, at Birming-
ham, on Thursday last, June 4. Twenty-one years ago^I

lT%°'' p^f */%"'^* ^T'^""^ »^'*"' y°^^^ iiear neighbourt tl.e
late Sir Robert Peel, who was himself, even then, a great
agricultural improver, and deeply impressed with the necessity
for amending our agricultural ways. My speech on that occa-
sion IS recorded in my book. I well remember tlie celebrated
* i am worth bull being led out for our inspection, and I have
no doubt that he has left reminiscences profitable to the neigh-
bourhood. By your invitation to me to come here to-day I
take It for granted that, as agriculturists, you are dissatisfied
with things as they are, and arc resolved upon further pro-
gress. I have great faith in your determination in this re-
spect, for I cannot forget the very recent beginning of your
now great Birmmgliam Show, and how rapid and successful
has been its development. This, alone, convinces me that
there must be_ among you some bright agricultural spirits I
remember diuiug at its inaugural meeting and subscribing to
Its funds. But while your busy Birmingham hive can supply
Britain and the world abundantly with its wares, you fail to meet
tlie food retiuiremeuts of your neiglibourhood. Why is it that
we cannot produce our own food in sufficient quantity P I
have proved by my own farm, and by my uncontradicted state-
ments, that we can more than do this, by the investment of
greater intelligence and capital. But to do this we must add
science to art. and learn to believe in science as our profitable
helpmate. That has been for 28 years the opinion of the Jloyal
Agricultural Society of England, for as I opened its annual
volume I saw on the title-page " Practice with Science," and I
accepted the motto in its full significance, because I saw on its
council your talented countyman— the author of " Talpa"—
and others whom I knew could fully appreciate the meaning
of that motto. But is tliat title recognised and acted upon by
the bu k ot British agriculturists ? I feel humiliated in bein-
obliged to say, decidedly not. What does Baron Liebig say oi
this in the prefiice to his last great work, " The Natural Laws
of Husbandry, published in 1863 ? " In the sixteen years
which have intervened between this work and the sixth edition
ot ray Chemistry applied to Agriculture and Physiolo<'y ' I
have had sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with all
the obstacles which are opposed to the introduction of scien-
tific teachmg into the domain of practical agriculture. Amon-
the chief of these may be reckoned the complete separation
which has always existed between science and practice." What
do I often read in the British farmers' own papers, and what
do Itoo frequently hear from farmers themselves » "None
ot your theory and book-farming for me: lam a practical
man ' But I am happy to be able to admit that the last
twenty years Iwve made some considerable inroad upon this
teeliug, and that there is growing, especially among the risiii--
and better-educated generation, a gradual but still toS
limited tendency to believe that science may hereafter be found

production of food for the people. Let rae say for myself that

I am a book farmer; that for more than a quarter of a cen-
tury 1 have practised by the light of science ; that I have
read and studied the communications of eminent chemists and
agriculturists who have thought it no disgrace to put into
print their discoveries and experience. What benefits have
not such men conferred ! Long after they shall have passed
away their knowledge will remain to enlighten and advantage
their tellow-creatures. I am a firm believer in the theories
and principles of that great man Baron Liebig. But can we
wonder that the agricultural mind has been so cramped and
narrowed, when we reflect that it was only the other day in
the history of our nation, when we had no roads, or such bad
ones as to be hardly available, so that the agriculturist was,
as It were, locked up in his own parish, without educational
resources or means of intercommunication, and, therefore as
a natural consequence, largely impressed with the self-
sulhcicnoy of isolation ? But the schoolmaster is abroad now •
thesteam-kettle has set everytliiug boiling, and we are pre-
paring to advance at steam pace. The mind and body are
equally, and, consequently, in rapid movement, and, if I could
come again in 1968, with some of my kind, hospitable and
charitable farming friends, and then " take stock" of British
agriculture, how greatly should we not be astonished, and
hardly believe that we were in the good Old England of the
present century ! We are all slaves to circumstances, and if I
find fault, it IS rather with British agriculture than with the
British farmer and landowner. Begging pardon for this intro-
ductory digression I proceed to the subject of my paper
i here 13 a natural tendency in man to exhaust the soil of its
very small percentage of food for plants. This desire is too
obvious to be denied, and it has caused the stringent restric-
tions in leases forbidding the sale of hay, straw, roots and
green crops. Man has to be protected against himself, for he
IS his own greatest enemy, when he proceeds upon a system
ot exhaustion without restoration, thus producing minimum
instead of maximum crops. This spirit of spoliation arises
trom a want of knowledge and a mistaken belief, or hope that
there is in the soil an inexhaustible store of plant food In
our colonics and in the United States of America (whose Go
vernment has still 1,500,000,000 of acres of uncropped land to
dispose of, without any restrictions as to cropping) the first
settler fiuds a soil stored with an ample supply of plant food
which he believes will last for ever, so he goes on cropping'
and selling everything off his land, making little or no manure
whicli IS either thrown into a river or left unused, and when
a gradual but certain exhaustion of the plaiit-food in the soil
iias proved to him that his crops are no longer remunera-
tive he seeks a new home in the unexhausted and un-
settled tar-west, taking his chance of the fever or ao'ue
generated by rich but uiidraiiied and uncultivated swamps'
or auds reeking with deroinposiug vegetable matter!
Lrood farmers in Britain can hardly realize the tact that the
extensive and once-fertile original settlements of America have
been so exhausted by SO years of constant cropping without
nvAmn tliat %wm districts will not grow wheat at all, while

34

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

extensive tracts produce only from 8 to 12 bushels per acre,
and often less. (See recent American statistics ; also Baron
Liebi-, " Modern Agriculture," p. 220.) The soil is like a
school pudding, with a few plums in it, widely and very un-
eciually scattered. Baron Liebig says at p. 143 of his Modern
Affriculture" : "Chemical analysis has, with its rigorous
methods, proved that of thousands of fields there is scarcely
one which contains more than 1 per cent, of the ash con-
stituents of plants (clover, for instance) m a state suitable to
the wants of plants." Many fields contain only one-fourth to
one-half per cent., some even less; Liebig points out t lat it
this plaut-food (phosphate of lime, potash, and ammonia being ,
the principal elements) were intimately intermixed and con-
densed on each granule of the soil, we should get many and
better crops from our present store; but the plant-food
is usually not in this desirable condition, and therefore the
chemist's analysis of our soil gives us no accurate knowledge of
the quantity of plaut-food in it in an available condition, ihe
very finely comminuted condition of Peruvian guano causes it
to be very quickly used by the fibres of plants, especially
when applied with water or washed into the soil liy rains.
This teaches us the value of an intimate admixture and com-
minution of the soil. Lieliig says : " A field is not exhausted
for corn, clover, tobacco, or turnips so long as it yields re-
munerative crops without needing the replacement of those
mineral constituents which liave been carried away. It is ex-
hausted from the time that the hand of man is needed to restore
the failing conditions of its fertility. In this sense, most of
our cultivated fields are exhausted. The soil will be termed
exhausted, in the agricultural sense, wheu the crops cease to
lie reraimerative— that is, do not cover the expense of rent,
labour, interest of money, &c." (See Liebig, " Modern Agri-
culture.") I wish you would read the Barons lucid and
original explanations of many things that now puzzle and per-
plex the British farmer; for instance, why you can grow
barley where you could not grow peas or clover ; why bones,
superphosphate of lime, nitrate of soda, or salt are very ad-
vautageous in some cases and useless in others. He, as it
were.'takcs you down into the soil and shows to you the plant-
food,' in what condition it is, and how the rootlets feed on it.
I come now to consider the means of giving or renewing fertility.
Natural or artificial drainage is one of the most important
bases of fertility. No one would expect a plant to rhrive in a
flower-pot if tlicre was not a hole at the bottom for the escape
of surplus water. So it is with the soil. The fact appears so
cleai and indisputable tliat one would suppose it to be now
generally admitted. Perhaps the want of means may prevent
much draining, but I know that in my county there are a great
iiiauy farmers, not deficient in capital, who do not even now
believe in drainage on their strong loams (non-calcareous tile
earths). Twenty-odd years ago I proved that they were mis-
taken. We must offer our tribute of thanks in this matter of
draining to the late Mr. Smith of Deanston,Mr. Josiah Parkes,
and Mr. Bailey Denton. Foremost and earliest in spring
draining was the late Mr. Elkington, of your county, who re-
ceived £500 from Parliament in acknowledgment of the ser-
vices he had rendered. I drained all my laud 24 years ago,
making it, as it ought to be, the first step in improvement.
Every drain is perfect now. Probably if all the land requir-
ing draining were to be drained, the cost would amount to
from £40,000,000 to £100,000,000. Our best authorities
agree that it would return 15 per cent, to pay for the G per
cent, principal and interest of the operation, and it can be
done now on security without outlay. Tliere is so much iron
in some parts of your county that unless the pipes be small,
and the flow consequently rapid, the drains get filled with it.
I remember that prevented the success of Mr. Smith, of Dean-
ston, draining for Ihe late Sir Robert Peel. He used the old
flat sole, with a tile upon it. In consequence, the flow was
wide, thin, and slow, and the ochrey iron matter had time to
settle and accumulate. The 1-incli pipes put in by Mr.
Josiah Parkes caused a much more rapid flow, so that the
ochrey matter was carried out into the open ditcbcs. By very
deep draining 1 have converted a small bog into a sound, dry,
profitable soil. I am sorry to see it recorded in the Society's
Journal and elsewhere that on some estates it has been found
necessary after drainage for the landowner to appoint regular
inspectors of the ditches and mouths of outlets of the drains,
which would, but for this, be choked up, owing to the neglect
of the tenants. This ought to form a stringent clause in the

lease, but I rarely hear of its being inserted. I heard that
when parts of Cheshire were drained, and the rushes dis-
appeared, the farmers complained that drainage had spoiled
their cheese by doing away with the rushes. The fact is, the
milk was so much improved by the new grasses that sprung up
that it was too fat, and the cheese would not travel sate y,
but broke into pieces. Some knowing hand remedied this, by
skimming a little of the fat or cream off before making the
cheese. In Suffolk they make butter first, and then cheese
from the skimmed milk. This is called " Suffolk bang.
There is no fear of its not travelling safely ; for it has been
suggested that they should be used for paving stables, it is
sofd at about 3id. per lb., and is eaten sometimes with the
fat of salt pork, to " get it down." I could enlarge very mucli
on the advantages arising from drainage, such as greater and
earlier crops, of better quahty and easier ploughmg and in-
creased temperature of soil and subsoil ; but most of you
know all about it. I would not farm undrained heavy land it
ofiered to me free of rent. How important is tillage ! Atter
drainage, and before manure, the most important.^ Baron
Liebig writes (at p. 108 of his "Modern Agriculture ) : As
Se smallest portions of (plant) food cannot of themse ves
leave the spot in which they are held firmly fixed by the soil
we can understand what immense influence must be exerted
on its fertility by its careful mechanical division and thorough
l^iternifxtm-ef This is the greatest of aU the difficulties which
the agriculturist has to overcome." This indicates the im-
portance of first-class implements in perfect condition instead
of the imperfect, old-fashioned, aud half-worn ones which we
too frequently see. Tillage acts in various ways, as heauti-
fuUy explained by Liehig. If we could see the half per cent
of avaUable plant-food in the soil, we should find it widely
scattered, unequally apportioned, and iusufticiently diffused—
more in one place, less in another ; and as water cannot
transpose it from one place to another, this must be done
principally by cultivation. One cannot sufficiently appreciate
the advantage of keeping the surface of our hard or stiff soils
open and friable, thus permitting the operation of those na-
tural laws so lucidly explained by Liebig ("Modern Agricul-
ture" p 49). After the crop is removed, the soil is iisualiy
tied' together by root-fibres. It becomes of the highest im-
portance that they should be well shaken out by cultivation,
and thus easily decomposed by atmospheric action. J. have
found by practice the advantage of cross-ploughing my clover-
leas before they are ploughed again for wheat. It makes a
considerable difierence in the crop, aud gets rid of slug and
wireworm. I know many who do this, although the general
opinion has been for only once ploughing ; but it is erroneous
at all events on such soil as mine. Try an acre or two ; and
vou will soon arrive at a conclusion. Comparative trials on a
moderate scale are very advantageous: they remove many
preiudices, and increase our profits. I always cross-plough alter
beaus. The good efleets of tillage are well iUustrated in a con-
servatory where plants or slinibs are pot-bound ortub-bound,and
one wishes to avoid repotting. The pot or tub is generally
found to be filled with one solid mass or network ot roots so
tiKhtly packed that water cannot enter among them. In that
case I soften the surface with water, divide the surface^ mass
of roots by cutting them to pieces, fork the surface to the
depth of 2 to G inches— in fact fallow as deeply as I can, get-
tiuK gradually deeper and deeper. The sickly plant soon re-
vives, and makes new shoots in spite of losing one-fourth or
more of its roots, many of which have, no doubt been Jong
since useless. While fallowing I continue watering from
time to time with Peruvian guano and water Oiot too strong,
about one-tenth of an ounce to the gallon). The result is a
vio-orously growing plant, where once it was pale, sickly, m
fact almost dying. I have many such instances in my conser-
vatory of the success of such fallowing, both with flowers and
large camellias, &e. Before leaving tillage, let us recognise
those two great tillage lights-Jethro TuU and the lamented
Rev. Samuel Smith, of Lois Weedon. Let us congratulate
ourselves on the application ot mighty and untiring steam to
the cultivation of the soil. It may, however, ^^e well to re-
member tiiat, unlike the horses it has superseded it makes no
anure. Chemical analysis has shown that the few inches of
top or cultivated soil contain most of the money in our agn-
c°dtn al purse, each inch from the top containmg less plan
food han the one above it. This is because the surface soil
has the power of arresting and fixing a large quantity of plant

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

35

food, especially ammonia (some of which it gets from the
atmosphere), phosphate of lime and potash. The first inch
(which, by-the-by, is 100 tons per acre of earth) gets the best
chance of appropriation, and then come the next and lower
ones, and as plants multiply their side fibres near tlie surface,
we may comprehend why surface manuring is often found so
beneficial — at least I liave so found it. Now, as the first few
inches of top sail would take much more plant food tlmn we
ever give it, we can readily imagine that the poor subsoil
comes badly off; in fact, we see by its appearance that al-
though so close to tlie top soil it is cold, dense, pale, aud unal-
tered, and altogether diftereut from the friable and manured
surface soil. Can we wonder, then, that the plants look well
while in their early growth — rejoice in the good tilings of the
top soil P But when their main or tap root at the later stage
of its growth descends into the cold empty subsoil, ought we
to be surprised at the leaves looking bilious and queer ? —
" going to Halstead Fair" is the saying in Essex, be-
cause the fair takes place early in May ; and they also
say sarcastically that such plants forget to return. By
following the first plough \vilh another (without the
breast) drawn by four strong horses, we break up the sub-
soil, and intermix it with the upper soil ; by which means
it participates, with the surface soil, in the manure applied.
It does not answer to bury the top soil and overlay it witli the
under soil. With certain soils, like mine, it would injui-e the
crops for years. The improper physical condition of soil im-
pedes the working of plant roots and fibres. Tlie dense, un-
moved, unmanured, aud unaeratcd condition of the subsoil
acts injuriously on those plants, such as clovers, turnips, and
other deep-rooted plants, which depend upon the subsoil for
their summer food. Hence the " going oft'" of our corn crops
iu May aud June, just when they require the largest amount
of food ; hence the dying of clover in the spring, Its roots
get starved when they reach the empty, unmanured, unaiied,
aud unwholesome subsoil. Clovers don't fail in the rich sub-
soils of gardens. Whenever I have thrown back the top soil
and worked manure into tlie subsoil, I have been amply com-
pensated. Tlie field feels it for years. Both top and under
soil should, if possible, be manured, for the roots of most of
our crops descend several feet in drained soil. I know the
case of a parsnip descending 13 feet 6 inches in a loose soil.
It is because the subsoil has so little plant food iu it that our
deep-rooted crops can only be taken at long intervals. Wo
cannot, to any great extent, manure the subsoil through the top
soil ; therefore they ought to be intermixed. Before I leave the
question of tillage, permit me to say that I do not agree with
those who condemn Essex lieavy-land farmers for frequently
disturbing their land by cultivation. I am convinced practi-
cally, and especially by the scientific reasons given by Liebig,
that the frequent separation and intermixing of the granules of
the soil during suitable weather is beneficial, chemically and
physically — assuming, of course, that the laud is drained,
naturaUy or artificially. Keeping the crops free of weeds is,
I know practically, one of the best and cheapest methods of
enlarging our crops. The last saving a farmer should resort
to is that of hand or horse-hoeing. The neglect in this matter
is painfully obvious, aud robs the country of millions annually.
Don't tell me of sowing thick to smotlier the weeds. Every
half-crown paid for lioeing does, I know, bring back 7s. 6d.
The cultivation is worth the money, irrespective of weeds. I
always horse-hoe my wheats, beans, and peas once or twice
with Garrett's horse-hoe (at about Is. per acre), aud hand-hoe
twice or even three times, at a cost of about Ts. 6d. to 10s.
for the haud-hoeiug. Women afterwards hand-pick any
weeds that have escaped the hoes. We know by
the leaves of our flowers when there is anything
wrong below ; so it is with our field crops, and
as I came here by rail certain bilious-looking crops
indicated an uncomfortable state of their roots, owing
to want of drainage or food in the subsoil, or in con-
sequence of weedy competition. If selling off the crops
from the farm causes exhaustion, bringing them (or their ele-
ments) back again is the true and obvious way of restoring
fertility. The difficulty of doing this by town sewage is by no
means great, as I know by twenty years of practical experi-
ence, but I calculate that it will still be many years before
landlords and tenants estimate its tnie value, and anxiously
put forward their claims for those precious streams of the life-
blood of the nation that would enrich their fields and increase

their gains. Our foreign importation of eatables and drink-
ables is over £70,000,000 sterling : much of this, as well as of
our own produce, goes down the sewers. If all were applied
to our soil it would greatly increase its fertility. Those who
desire to know the effect of town sewage on every crop should
read Mr. John C. Morton's recently published report of his
experience at the Lodge Farm, Barking, with 300,000 tons of
London sewage (published iu a 2s. pamphlet, by Warne and
Co., Bedford Row, London). If these facts do not open the
eyes of landlords aud tenants to the advantage of using aud
paying for town sewage, my opinion of the English character
must be a wrong one. It is a disgrace to our intelligence that
the use of sewage should be forced upon us mainly by sanitary
rather tliau agricultural considerations. I mUgt congratulate
your county that the town of Leamington should have
assembled a Sewage Congress, due, mainly, to the indefatigable
and praiseworthy exertions of one individual. I am glad to
find that Birmingham is at length taking steps to utilise its
sewage. This is also being done by many lunatic asylums,
unions, prisons, reformatories, and public charities. It does
seem like a national absurdity to pay millions for birds' dung
from Peru, and yet waste our own at home. But let us deal
with the time and circumstances present. Let us admit that
we waste our sewage, and that wo are not yet sufiiciently
educated (agriculturally) to comprehend the physical and
chemical conditions of our soil and its requirements. Let us
confess that we don't believe enough iu the agricultural chemist.
I am now going to tell you of what I call a golden maxim for fer-
tilizing our exLiausted soils. Let your live stock cousume, in pro-
portion to each acre of your land, a large quantity of cattle food
that was not produced on your own farm. Make , as it were,
a fiirmyard or foldyard of your land, taking care that every
particle of the manure, solid or liquid, shall go on to or into
the soil. It is of little use to raise food on one sid o of the
farm to be consumed on tlie other. That adds no mineral
element to the soil ; it is like " robbing Peter to pay Paul," or
taking money out of the right-hand pocket to put iu the left-
hand one— the stock of money is not increased. All our most
successful farmers use plenty of cake, that was not produced
on their own farms, but is the produ ce of foreign countries. Im-
port cattle food instead of man's food. I know some first-
rate fanners who invariably consume £3 worth of cake per
acre per annum over the whole farm. Such people have
always plenty of corn to sell. These remarks apply equally
to grass lands. Take foul and exhausted grass land, fold it
closely with fattening sheep (not store animals), consuming
plenty of cake, beans, malt combs, bran, roots, aud hay, and
its poverty will suddenly disappear. Half the kingdom is iu
grass land, and most of it is robbed and starved. That is a
great arithmetical mistake — I mean subtraction instead of ad-
dition. I give this golden maxim as a practical farmer of 25
years ; but if it is disbelieved or doubted, try an acre on each
field. On this acre consume £6 worth of produce (cake pre-
ferred) tliat did not grow on your farm, and then keep an ac-
count of its produce for the next four years, and it will eflect
a most satisfactory change, both in your mind and pocket.
Remember that, when by draining and high farming you have
destroyed the sour worthless grasses, you must re-sow with
good grasses aud clovers adapted to the altered and improved
condition of your soil. We are far too sparing as to sowing new
grass seeds Jind clovers on our pastures from time to time.
Having for 20 years used from £600 to £1,500 worth of pur-
chased food, as well as each year some guano, &c., I am
enabled to give you a practical opinion in favour of pur-
chased food ; and we have also in its favour Liebig, Way,
Voelcker, and Lawes, so that we must give a decided verdict
against artificial manures. Except on the score of want of ■
capital, or for its portability, it is decidedly disadvantageous
as compared with the sheep-fold or under-covcr-madc
manure, all of the animals of course being highly fed on a
variety of rich food. With poor lean-stock-made manure,
guano and artificials show to greater advantage, aud they are
always useful as auxiliaries when we are short of the best
cattle manure, which we rarely have in sulGcient quantity.
In certain exceptional cases, such as Cheshire — where the one
element wanting was bone earth, bones — or superphosphate of
lime, have been found of immense advantage. Artificial
manures, and even guano, are deficient in some of the neces-
sary plant food ; therefore it has been found, on some light
lands particularly, that the land gets tired of guano, and that it

» 2

36

THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE.

has had an exhaustiug effect. Guiiiio is certamly nearly oO
per cent, too dear iu comparison with the best slied-mamire,
and its price regulates that of other artiftcials. The building
up of a plant is like the building up of a house— we must first
know what materials are re(|uire(l, and then take care that
they are all provided in a suitable condition and proper propor-
tion. The want of any one of them would render all the rest
useless, although they were present in superabundance. Given,
in the case of house-lniilding, slates, bricks, lime, sand, boards,
nails, and labour ; still they would all be useless by the
omission of water, or any one of the other materials.
This is the great plant-lesson enforced and explained by that
great philosopher Baron Liebig, whose works will, in l'J68,be
found in the library of every intelligent farmer. A ton of
Peruvian guano costs £13 ; and taking this as a standard, Mr.
Lawes has given in the following table the value of the manure
produced from the consumption of a ton of various kinds of
food. This raav be said to settle the cjuestion against arti-
ftcials ; but theii farmers must treat their manure as they do
their guano — keep it free from rain-water. No farmer would
think of scattering his guano over his farm-yard and allow the
rains to wash much of it away ; but it is equally wrong so to
treat his home-made guano. He sliould always leave half-
an-acre unmanured, or try artificial manures on a small space,
so as to form a correct comparative opinion as to their value.
This is too seldom done. We ought also more frequently to
submit our cake and artificials to the agricultural chemist,
whose large experieuce would, for a very moderate considera-
tion, spare an immense amount of victimizing. Tliis is one
very obvious way in which science will benefit agriculture.
Mr. Lawes' Table, showiii// the estimated value of the manure
obtained from the consumption of one ton of dij/'erent articles
of food, each supj'osed to he of <jood quality of its kind : —

Estimated money
,' value of manure

Present market'

Description of food. p^iee (about).

from 1 ton of
each kind of food.

Decorticated cotton-seed

cake

Not decorticated

Rapccakc

Linseedcake

Malt-dust

Bran

Lentils

Linseed

Tares

Beans

Peas

Locust beans

Oats

Wheat

Indian corn .,

Malt

Barley

Clover hay ...
IQiMeadow hay.
SOlOat straw....
21
22
33
24
25
26
27
28
29

£ s.

11 10

7 0

£ s. d.
6 10 0

Wheat straw

Barley straw

l^otatoes

Mangolds

Swedish turnips
Common turnips

Carrots

Fresh cut meadow grass
Ditto Italian rye- grass

3 17

0

3 13

0

3 13

C

11 0

0

3 13

6

11 0

0

3 2

6

1 2

6

9 10

0

1 14

6

17 10

0

1 13

0

9 0

0

1 11

(5

1 11

6

11 0

0

1 9

6

4 10

0

2 5

0

3 5

0

1 10

0

0 13

6

2 0

0

0 13

6

1 10

0

0 10

0

6 0

0

0 7

0

1 0

0

0 5

0

1 0

0

0 4

3

0 13

0

1 0 4

0

1 10

0

1 0 4

0

So here we get £53 Ifis. worth of giiano for nothing,
diet for the plaintiff.
Take linseed cake, 8 tons, at £11 ... ... £88

Feeding out, &c.... ... ... ... ... 2

1 ton of meat

Value of manure at £4 13s. per ton
Loss on feeding ...

Value of manure

Take 8 tons of beans, at £10 per ton
Grinding and feeding out

1 ton of meat

Ver-

0 17 0

One ton of meat (best quality) sells for 7id. per lb,, or 5s.
per stone of 81bs. — say that it takes Slbs. of corn or cake to
make lib. of meat.

1 ton of meat ^70 0 0

8 tons of rape-cake, at £6 10s...
Cost of carting, breaking, feedini

out, 6s. per ton

Value of manure

£52 0 0
2 8 0

54 8

0

£15 13
39 4

0
0

£90

8

0

70

0

0

£20

8

0

£36

16

0

20

8

0

£10

8

0

£80

0

0

4

0

0

£84

0

0

70

0

0

£14 0 0

Value

of

manure

from

8

tons

of

beans,

at

n

13s

Od. ...

£39

8

U

Less

...

14

0

0

Value of manure ... ... ... ... £15 8 0

All these calculations are founded on the estimate that it
takes Slbs. of cake or beans to make lib. nett of meat. Some
people say 71bs. will do it. Lawes says Slbs. to lib. live
weight. My live-stock account of last year (which you have
no doubt seen) show that my animals consumed —
Of purchased cake and linseed ... ... ... £238 0 0

Corn (principally beans and some oats) ... 236 0 0

Malt combs 17 0 0

Bran 42 0 0

Condimental food 35 0 0

£558 0 0

£53 16 0

Also the produce of 25^ acres of grass and green and root
crops. After charging to the stock all the purchased food,
the cost of producing the green and root crops, and all ex-
penses of attendance (horse aud manual labour), the balance
or charge against the stock, or rather for the manure, was
only £158 4s. 9d. In 1865 and i860 the balance was still
more favourable, because meat was dearer aud feeding-stuffs
cheaper than in 1807. The manure from the purchased food
alone is worth (according to Mr. Lawes' table) about £340,
besides the value of all the manure arising from tlie consump-
tion of 25i acres of home-grown green and root crops, aud a
large quantity of straw used as food aud as beddiug. Alto-
gether, we can fairly take the manuri.al value of the whole as
£340, against a loss of £158 4s. 9d. in feeding. I know also
from experience that the ftirm manure greatly exceeds in effect
the artificial manures. But you must not expect such fiivour-
able results as I get, unless you adopt my plan of economising
food by comminution and variety, by giving it warm in winter,
by undcr-cover feeding of cattle, aud folding of sheep iu sum-
mer ; and, not least, keeping the manure under cover, and
doing all the laborious portion by steam power, which I have
now used for over 20 years. My cattle never get more than
half-a-bushel (301bs.) of roots daily, pulped and mixed with
much straw cliaff, IClbs. of beanmeal aud cake, lib. each of
bran and malt combs, ^Ib. of crushed linseed, and lib. of con-
dimental food. Roots and grecu food sliould only be used
as salad with richer and drier food. They are expensive to
grow, and the cost of them in handling and feeding out is
great. A ton of cake worth £10 will only cost half as much
to prepare aud give to the stock as a ton of bulky aud watery
roots, worth 10s. to 13s. When given in the usual large
quantities, they are rather physic than food, taxing unduly the
urinary organs, and keeping the bowels too relaxed, for they
contain 88 to 90 per cent, of water— but we are not here to-
day to discuss the feeding question. Cheese-making and milk-
selling are sad exhausters of the plaut-food in the soil, unless
the cows are largely supplied witli supplementary food ; and
the system of raising and selling half-starved lean stock starves
the laud, the landlord, and the farmer, except on very rich soils.
As a rule, I say, tell me liow much fat meat you make per acre,
and I will tell you how much corn you grow, for corn is de-
pendent on fat-meat manure. Lime is a good servant, but a

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

37

bad master ; lime (like earth burning) tends to render avail-
able the plant-food in the soil which was before unavailable,
owing to its improper physical or chemical condition. Lime
adds httle manure to the soil ; it only cooks or prepares what
tliere is in the soil, and gets it ready for the plant.
The continuous use of lime, or rather its excessive use,
without ample manuring, has in too many instances im-
poverished the land, the tenant, and the landlord. It appears
to me that one of the most important uses of chalk and lime
is to neutralise or destroy the vegetable acids in the soil. In
Essex, on our stiff non-calcareous clays, we all know that
where a wood or fence has been removed from our heavy soil,
no satisfactory crop can be got until the land is chalked, but I
never heard any explanation of this except that the earth was
sweetened. No doubt the land was sour, or rather the vege-
table excretions — roots — were acid. Land that grows sorrel
will no longer grow it after chalking. To test the action of
chalk, I scraped some into powder, and placed in a wineglass
as much as would one-fourth fill it. On pouring on to it
some vinegar a violent ebullition took place, boiling over the
mouth of the glass. No such effect could be again produced
with the same chalk and vinegar. Botli alkali and acid were
neutralised. The farmers say it is of no use chalking a
second time— at least for 14 years. This appears to explain
why it is so. I have often been found fault with for not
chalking or liming suiTiciently, but I do not find the need of it,
because the quantity of ammonia produced by my stock feed-
ing under cover, eflFected, as shown by the crop, the same pur-
pose as the chalk. Convinced of this, I asked the opinion of
an eminent chemist, and he stated that ammonia was an alkali
five times more powerful than chalk. Possibly it may be that
the excess of ammonia in Peruvian guano acts favourably in
cold sour soils, by neutralising or ^destroying ^acidity rather
than as food for plants. I presume that the ammonia which
results from the folding of sheep fed on rich nitrogenous food,
such as cake, beans, &c., which enrich poor heavy land pas-
tures, neutralise the acids produced from the immense network
of dead grass fibres in the soil. Baron Liebig says that irri-
gating grass-lands produces the same effects as careful plough-
ing. It is easy then to understand the favourable clfects of
town sewage on grass lands, especially Italian rye-grass, for
such sewage superabouuds in ammonia, which is considerably
in excess of proportion to the other ingredients of plant food
contained in the sewage. I consider salt a very important in-
gredient. Although scarcely a manure in itself (except for
saline plants, such as mangel wurzel) it confers many benefits
by dissolving and distr.buting the phosphates that are
already in the soil. It attracts and retains moisture
in light soils, and on such soils is of very great value as a top-
dressing, by preventing the ravasjes of wireworin. I always
sow six imperial bushels per acre on my light land wheat and
barley before the wireworin acts — that is, before the plant ap-
pears above ground. I know some persons who use as much
as 5 cwt. per acre. I sow about 1^ cwt. per acre on heavy
land (drained), mixed with gnano for wheat and oats. The
ashes of mangel wurzel contain much salt. An excess of salt
renders the land barren for a time. Our stiff, plastic, non-
calcareous clay, almost free from vegetable matter, becomes,
when burned, real brickdust, and yet it is a most valuable fer-
tilizer. Twenty years ago I burned an immense quantity, with
great advantage. Science teaches us the why and the where-
fore. Here it tells us that the hitherto unavailable elements
of plant food locked up in our stiff clays become liberated by
the action of fire, and rendered available for the feeding of our
crops. But there is another and most important advantage.
The physical condition of the soil is entirely changed by burn-
ing. The bird-lime, or putty-like soil, previously almost im-
pervious to air or water, becomes loose and friable, permitting
the free circulation of plant roots, and making the land work
so much easier, and leave the plough breast readily. There is
no safer investment on stiff clays than burning the nasty stick-
ing, dense, unmanured subsoil ; where coal is dear it must be
dried by the atmosphere before burning, and is of course sum-
mer work. One old stump of a pollard will start and burn
140 cubic yards. The most notable and successful instance
of earth-burning on a large scale is that of Mr. Randall, near
Evesham. He has continued burning, winter and summer,
for 20 years. Coal-dust is there very cheap, and one ton will
burn twenty tons of earth. You have no doubt observed the
immense mounds of earth burned for ballast or road basis for

railways, or where new streets are being made. Burned clay
or brickdust is a capital manure for roots, owing to the alka-
lies in the soil being liberated by burning, especially so after
being used as a bed for animals. It is a first-rate dry bed for
sheep ; a barrowful daily to about twenty sheep. It must be
kept dry under cover or thatch ready for use. This is Mr.
Randall's practice. When we have learned, as farmers, the
value of straw for feeding purposes, we shall burn more earth
and use more sparred floors. I have my eye on many thou-
sand miles of great wide banks, miscalled fences, filled with
worthless pollards and straggling bushes, uutrimmed and un-
cared for. I would burn the lot, and then they would become
a source of considerable fertility to the soil. Now they are
robbers and impoverishers, and a breeding place for weeds and
vermin ; in fact, a regular nuisance. We can't afford to grow
wood on cornfields now. Land is too dear for that, and coals
too cheap. We must go for our wood to the uou-reuted
forests of Canada.

The suggestions I have made necessarily lead us to consider
perhaps one of the most useful lessons a farmer can learn
— namely, " What is the most profitable amount of
capital to invest per acre ?" for on this depends much of his
success. In a poor arable farm hke mine, requiring much
manure, I find £16 not enough, and I should prefer from £20
to £25. This, I know, is very much above the usual amount
estimated in the general opinion, which is £10 per acre.
Taking the whole country I do not believe it is so much as £5
per acre. In my balance-sheet you will have seen how this
£16 was apportioned, the most important point being live
stock £6 per acre. Is that too much on an arable farm ? No.
I wish it could be £10 per acre, as it ought to be, for the
manure is in exact proportion to the live stock. In this re-
spect no better confirmation of the soundness of the proposi-
tion, and no better example can be followed, than that of the
agricultural labourer, with his one pig and his 20 rods of
ground. That animal when fat is worth on an average £i
(say 8 score pounds of meat at 6d. per lb.), so that the capital
invested in fat live stock is £32 per acre ! ! ! and as the manure
exactly follows the meat made, he makes probably twenty times
as much manure as the average of farmers. This is a great
lesson. Can we wonder that the cottage-garden is productive ?
I often hear labourers say, " If I don't fat a pig my garden
becomes unproductive ?" But then, how are we to get the
capital P Well, credit is capital, and profitable capital too
(although it belongs to somebody else), iu industrious, careful,
capable hands. Here the labourer, again, gives evidence. He
buys his lean pig for £1. The miller trusts him with the three
sacks of barley-meal that fattens the pig ; and here, at once, is
the £33 per acre capital in live stock. When he kiUs his pig
he sells it, pays the miller, and has got the manure for his
garden. Honest, industrious, capable farmers, having a lease,
or an uncliauging landlord, can go to the miller quite as well
as the cottager does, and will find the rich cattle-dealer accom-
modating "for a consideration," to which he is fairly entitled.
The banker obliges the cattle dealer, and uses a portion of his
customers' deposits for that purpose. Have not many of our
self-made men in the City of London and in your busy empo-
rium (Birmingham) begun with no other capital than industry,
honesty, and abihty? Upon that sound foundation other
people's capital has found a safe and profitable resting-place ;
so it is, or should be, in agriculture. Depend upon it, when
agriculture is improved and so carried out as to become more
profitable and less uncertain, capital will be readily found.
But there must be " a will " and then there will be
found " a way." I am bound in truth to say that it
is the want of will and belief rather than the want of
means that retards agricultural progress. The belief
in money - making rather than the desire for cheap
locomotion opened our purses, and emptied them too, to the
extent of £500,000,000, in making railways. I have spun
" a very tough yarn ;" but if on taking it to pieces you can
find a few useful threads, my object will have been accom-
plished, and 1 shall be much gratified. But as words without
deeds do not carry their weight, let me invite a deputation
from your Club to come and inspect my crops in July, just
before harvest. You will then be able to judge practically of
the results of my system. You wiU see seventy-three acres of
wheat, which, judging from their present appearance, may
compete with any crops grown on the richest land in the king-
dom, although Tiptree Heath land is naturally notoriously

38

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

iioor. You will probably i.rououuoc them to be amply thick,
although ouly sowu with 1 bushel of seed per acre, and (al-
though this is no part of our subject) you will conclude that
au iraraousc waste of seed occurs iu this country which might
be avoided by a better style of farming. Even the peck of
wheat per acre may surprise you. You will also decide
whether the money spent in procuring the absence of weeds is
remunerative. You have had before you ray balance-sheets
(truthful copies of my accounts) , and have therefore the means
of judging by an inspection of the farm whether this year, be
the price what it may, the crops are likely to prove remunera-
tive. Believe me when I say that my sole object in making
these remarks, and giving you this invitation is, as it always
has been and ever will be, a sincere desire to increase and
cheapen the food, aud enlarge the sphere for employment of
the British people, and concurrently to improve the farmers
and landlords' profit, and the general well-being and well-
doing of our common country. This, in my opinion, is, in a

national point of view, the most important of our duties. Tlie
stomach cannot wait. The food question acts for good or for
evil on all other interests, which are therefore more or less
subservient to and dependent upon its cpiantity and price-
revolutionary and rebellious principles find little room in well-
filled stomachs ; but hunger breeds discontent and fosters
crime. The margin for agricultural improvement is, in this
country, immense. I have often stated, and that statement
has never been contradicted, that with skill and capital our
home-food supply (meat and bread) might be more than
doubled. Tiptree Earm is a proof of this, because its average
quality is much below that of the kingdom, while its produce
is mucli more than double that of the country at large. I am
no participator iu a fear of foreign competition. Let us, there-
fore, be dissatisfied with things as they are ; let us apply our
will (capital wiU speedily follow) to the better and cheaper
feeding of Mr, John Bull.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.

Monthly Council, Wednesday, June .8, 1868. —
Present : The Duke of Riclimoml, K.G., president, in tlie
cliair; Lord Bridport, Lord Kestcveu, Lord Tredegar,
Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P. ; Sir A. K. Mac-
donald, Bart. ; Sir W. Miles, Bart. ; Sir 11. Vaue, Bart. ;
Sir Watkiii W. Wynn, Bart., M.P. ; Mr. Amos, Mr.
Baldwin, Mr. Baruett, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Cantrcll, Colonel
Challoner, Mr. Davies, Mr. Dent, M.P. ; Mr. Druce,
Mr. Edmunds, Mr. Braudreth Gibbs, Mr. Hassall, Mr.
Holland, M.P. ; Mr. Ilornsby, Mr. Hoskyns, Colonel
Kiagscotc, M.P.; Mr. Milward, Mr. Pain, Mr. Randcll,
Mr. Ransome, Mr. Sanday, Mr. Shuttlewortb, Mr. N. C.
Stone, Mr. Torr, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Webb, Mr. Wells,
Major Wilson, Mr. Jacob Wilson, and Dr. Voelcker.

The following new members were elected : —
Anderson, Charles G., Countesthorpe, Leicester
Arabin, W. St. Jiilien, Englefield Green, Surrey
Badcock, Rev. Thomas, Eleckney, Market Ilarborough
Berridge, Thomas, Sutton, Lutterworth
lierry, William, 95, High-street, Leicester
Bluckc, Rev. William Strong, Willougliby, Lutterworth

Bowden, W., juu.. Prospect House, Cirencester

Brierley, Harry, Church Lawford, Rugby

Brook, Charles, Enderby Hall, Leicester

Burley, Wm. Robinson, Leicester

Burncy, George, Millwall, London, E.

Calliu, Richard Edgar, Leicester

Chamberlain, Henry B., Ivy House, Dcsford, Leicester

Chapman, William, Apethorpe, Peterborough

Clarke, John Sanders, Seatliiig Hall, Lutterworth

Cooper, Alfred Allen, Leicester

Crawford, Miss, Hill House, Earnsficld, Southwell

Daiu, M. J., Leicester

Davies, Benjamin, Huyton, Chorley

Dnft', Ale.Kander M., 37, Gallowtrce Gate, Leicester

Eckersloy, James, Burnt House, Chorley, Lancasliire

Ellis, James, Glcnficld, Leicester

Emberliu, lloratio Edwin, Oadby, Leicester

rictchcr, George, The Eriars, Leicester

Pletclicr, Win. Aiutou, Shipton Olliffc, Cheltenham

Foster, John, Copsou Lodge, Hinckley

Eowke, Eredcrick Thomas, Lowesby Hall, Leicester

Eowler, flobert, Leeds

Eoxton, George Prebend Terrace, Leicester

Eurness, Rev. John Monteith, Oakfield, Rugby

Gee, John, Welford, Rugby

German, William, Measham Lodge, Atherstone

Gerrard, John, Adlington, Chorley

Godfrey, William, Borough Fields, Walton, Burton-on-Trent

Goodaerc, R. J., 23, Lower Hastings-street, Leicester

Green, William, Leicester

Grimstou, Captain R. V. Sylvester, Leicester

Hack, Matthew, Leicester

Harcourt, Edward Wm., Stanton Uarcourt, Witney

Hardwick, Richard, Bowdon, Altrinchara

Harrison, Thomas, 3, The Crescent, Leicester

Hartopp, Sir John, Bart., Eour Oaks Hall, Sutton Coldlield

Hassall, Thomas, Rcarsby Rectory, Leicester

Hawkes, Thomas, Tiverton

Higginson, John, Humbcrstone Road, Leicester

Hill, Abraham, St. George's, Leicester

Hodges, Erank, May field, Leicester

Hodges, George Henry, Stonygate, Leicester

Hodges, John Edward, Stonygate, Leicester

Hodges, Thomas William, Mayfield, Leicester

Hollingworth, John, Market-street, Leicester

Hood, the Hon. A. W. A. Nelson, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor

Hoskyns, Rev. Henry James, Blaby Rectory, Leicester

Howard, E. M., Great Witchingham, Norwich

Howland, A. R., Ludesdon House, Thame

Hubbersty, Wm. Philip, Wirksworth

Luiocent, Arthur, Kibworth, Beauchamp, Leicester

Johnson, Wm. Henry, Old Hall, Braunstone, Leicester

Jones, John, Maes-y-pandy, Machynlleth, Merionethshire

Maymau, B., 50, Drury Building, Water-street, Liverpool

Miles, William, Leicester

Odames, Samuel, Leicester

Overton, Robert, jun., Leicester

Ouston, H. A., Bushloe House, Great Wigtou, Leicester

I'arrish, Richard, The Uplands, Bridgnorth

Pairott, John, jun., Norfolk Earm, Staines

Pearson, Wm., North Kilworth, Rugby

Pochin, R. G., Braunstone House, Leicester

Potterton, Wm. U., Bougliton Grange, Northampton

Preston, James, Leicester

Pugh, Wm. C, Stratford Villa, Woburu Road, Croydon

Ratcliif, Thomas, Nortou-juxta-Twyeross, Slieepy, Atherstone

Sarson, John, Leicester

Saunders, Ciiarles R., Nunwick Hall, Penrith

Shipman, Robert M., Bredbnry, Stockport

Stone, Joseph C, Rowley Fields, Leicester

Stone, Samuel, Glcnficld House, Leicester

Tate, Wm. James, St. Margaret's, Dunham Massey, Altrineham

Thorpe, William, Shcuton, Nuneaton

Tyrwhitt, Sir Hy., Bart., Ashwell Thorpe Hall, Wymondham
AVhitakcr, B. I., Hesley Hall, Tiekhill, Rotherham

Willett, Geo. W., West House, Portland Place, Brighton
Wood, Charles Henton, Thurlaston, Hinckley
Wood, Rev. W. Paul, Saddington Rectory, Market Harboro'.
Worswick, R. W., Normanton Hall, Hinckley

Finances. — Major-Gencrnl Lord Bridport presented
the report of the committee, from which it apjieared that
the Secretary's receipts during the past month, amounting
to €1,135 Is. 6d., had been examined by the committee,
and by Messrs. Quiltcr, BaU, and Co., the Society's

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

accouutiiuts, and were found correct. Tlic balance iu the
hands of the bankers on May 31 was £3,508 2s. 4d.
The committee had heard with regret of the death of
Inspector Bradstock, of the Metropolitan Police, who for
many years rendered good service to the Society at their
annual Shows, and desire to record their expression of
sorrow, and suggest that the Secretary be empowered by
the Council to convey their sincere sympathy to his
widow. This report was adopted.

Journal. — Mr. Thompson, chairman, reported that in
consequence of the lamented death of their late Editor,
it has been necessary to make temporary provision for
carrying on the Joiirml work, and, subject to the ap-
proval of the Council, the committee have made arrange-
ments with Mr. Goodwin to bring out the next Number.
The committee recommended that a list of members be
printed iu the next Number. The arrangements con-
nected with filling up the vacaut post of Editor having
been the subject of much discussion at two successive
meetings of the committee, at which considerable variety
of opinion was expressed, it was finally resolved that the
question should be referred to the Council for their consi-
deration and decision. This report was adopted. Mr.
Kandell having moved that in future the Secretary of the
lloyal Agricultural Society of England be also Editor of
the Journal, was seconded by Lord Bridport, and sup-
ported by Mr. Milward, Colonel Kingscote, M.P., Mr.
Bowly, Mr. Holland, M.P., Mr. Jacob WCson, and Mr.
Torr ; and opposed by Colonel Challoner, ]\Ir. Tkom]ison,
and Mr. Dent, M.P. The wording of the motion having
been altered to "That after the 1st Jcinuary, 1SG9, the
offices of Editor and Secretary shall be held by tlie same
gentleman," it was supported by Lord Bridport, and, after
a long discussion, carried by 22 Ayes to 5 Noes.

On the motion of Sir W. Miles, a committee, consisting
of the President, Earl Cathcart, Lord Bridport, Mr. Dent
M.P., Mr. Edmunds, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Wren
Hoskyns, iMr. Randell, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. We Ms
was appointed, to consider how the decision is to be carried
out.

CiiEMrcAi,. — Sir John Johnstone stated that Dr.
Voelcker reported that he has in preparation a paper on
the special causes of the beneficial effect of Clover as a
preparatory crop for Wheat, embodying some of the
laboratory results of an investigation into the chemistry
of the Clover plant. There is also standing over from the
last Journal a paper, already in type, on the composition
and nutritive value of Trifolium striatum, a new kind of
Clover, especially adapted for poor sandy soils. The
committee beg to call the attention of farmers to the fact
that the number of adulterated guanos this season in the
market is unusually large ; and in some cases, where it
has been sold by auction, the sample proved to be not
worth one-fourth of the price paid for it. The com-
mittee cannot help expressing their regret that the trade
in spurious manures should receive encouragement by the
system of purchasing manures (an article so liable to adul-
teration) by auction sales.

Leicester Meeting.— Mr. Thompson, chairman,
reported the recommendation of the committee, that Mr.
Elphiek be engaged as Assistant-Steward, on the usual
terms; that shedding and hurdles, as per entries, be
ordered from the contractor; that 10,000 stock cata-
logues and 5,000 implement catalogues be printed ; that
the charity and union workhouse schools shall be admitted
free to the show-yard on the last day of the show, subject
to such regulations as the local committee think desirable.
Manchester Meetimj, 1869.— That it is desirable that
some member of Council should superintend and direct
the preparation of the land for the trial of implements,
and make arrangements for the supply of forage to the
show- yard. The committee recommend that Mr. Davies

39

be requested to undertake this duty, and authorized to
make all the necessary arrangements, and a statement of
the prebable ([uantities required to be sent to him by the
Secretary. This report was adopted.

Implements.— Mr. Thompson reported the following
list of prizes, to be offered for competition in 1869 :
^ Machlues ami Implements for the Harvesting of Crops-
Sect. I. For the class of mowing machines — for two-horse
machines, £50 ; for one-horse machines, £30.

Sect. II. Por the class of hay-making machines, £30,
Sect. III. Por the class of hay collectors, £15.
Sect. IV. Heaping machines : 1. Por the class of reaping
machines with self-delivery, iu sheaf, clear of the horse track,
£60 ; 2. For the class of reaping machines with self-delivery,
in swathe, clear of the horse track, £G0 ; 3. For the class of
reaping machines without self-delivery, £30 ; 4-. Por combined
reaping |aud grass-mowing machines, £30 ;■ 5. Oue-horse
reapers, £30.

Sect. V. For the class of horse-rakes, £30.
Sect. VI. Waggons : The class of— 1, Pair-horse waggons.
£30; 2. Other waggons, £30.

Sect. Vn. Carts: The class of— 1. Single-horse carts, £30 ;
2. Two-horse carts, £20 ; 3. Harvest carts, £15 ; 4. Market
carts on springs, £10 ; 5. Liquid manure carts, £10,

MisceUaueous awards to agricultural articles and essential
improvements therein (10 Silver Medals).
This repft't was adopted.

Education.— Mr. Holland, M.P., stated that the
committee recommended that the thanks of the Council
be given to each of the Examiners for the service ren-
dered, and that each of the nine gentlemen who are not
members of Council be presented with the sum "of £5.
Of the; £200 allotted to education, £119 143. 6d. has
been expended as follows, viz., 9 Examiners, at £5 each,
£45 ; awarded iu prizes, £60 ; expended in printing and
advertisements, £14 14s. 6d. : £119 14s. 6d. This re-
port was adopted.

Siiow-YABD Contract.- Mr. Randell, chairman, pre-
sented the following report from the surveyor : —

" The Sliow-yard works at Leicester are progressing very
satisfactorily, and are fast approacliing completion. The main
entrances, and the whole of the Society's portable buildini's
are ready for use. The outer fences and gates are also com-
pleted; two-thirds of tlic cattle sheds, horse-boxes, and
stables are also erected. Seed and model sheds complete, and
the whole of the implement sheds, including those erected by
the Society for exhibitors in machinery in motion yard, are in
a forward state ; 7,000 feet of the former, and the whole of
the latter, are already completed. The fodder and nurse-cow
sheds are also completed. The Local Committee arc making
great efforts to make everything complote, the levelling already
done in the show-yard is far more tliau [asked for, and the
roads and approaches, both from railway-siding to receiving
yard, and to the entrances for carriages and foot people, when
completed (and is already iu a forward state), will be every-
thing that can be desired. The railway siding is iu a for-
ward state, but the dock and platform accommodation is in-
sufficient ; tins I have pointed out to the local engineer, and
orders have been sent him from Derby to increase it."

It is recommended that the Royal Horticultural Society be
asked to join in the expense of erecting a shed over tuim-
stiles in the fence between the Show-yard and their
grounds ; one of the Society's turnstiles, and one belong-
ing to the Horticultural Society, being placed in such
fence. The surveyor having certified that the contractor
is now entitled to the sum of £2,000, tlie committee re-
commend the payment of that sum. The committee re-
commend that the surveyor go to Manchester, and pre-
pare a preliminary plan of the Show-yard, previous to the
next Council meeting. This report was adopted.

Mr. ToRK having called attention to the subject of re-
freshments in the Show-yard, it was referred to the Man-
chester Committee.

J UDGES. — A committee, consistieg of Lord Bridport,
Sir Archibald Macdonald, Bart., Colonel Kingscote, M.P,,

40

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Mr. Deut, M.r., Mr. Amos, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Davics, jNIr. \
Driice, 3Ir. Braudreth Gibbs, Mr. Kaadell, :Mr. Milward,
Mr. Sanday, Mr. Torr, Mr. Webb, Mr. Wells, Major
Wilson, aud Mr. Jacob AVihon, were appoiutcd to recom-
mend judges of stock, implements, wool, batter, and
clieese ; whose report would be presented at a Special
Council ou the 16th inst.

A suggestion to the Council made at the general
meeting by Mr. Lewis Fytche — " i\Ir. Miles' paper on
Horse-Shoeing contained in Vol. XVIII. of the Journal
being out of print, that 1,000 copies of the same be
printed for the use of Members" — was referred to the
Journal Committee ; aud that by Sir George Jenkinson,
Bart. — " That the Council will, at any future show after

the present year, olfer a few prizes for village farriers or
blacksmiths to compete for, in making, fitting, and
uaUing-ou shoes on horses, both for hunters and
for those used for agricultural purposes ; certain
conditions to be specified, and inspection to be made
of the work done by a properly qualified veterinary
surgeon, by whom the principles to be followed and
the faults to be avoided shall be pointed out to the
various competitors, and the prizes for this class shall be
awarded by a committee of, say, three gentlemen, specially
appointed for that purpose, assisted, perhaps, by the vete-
rinary surgeon above mentioned -. this has been tried in
Gloucestei-shire, and with very great benefit"— was referred
' to the Manchester committee.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

The eighth annual dinner of this institution took place on
Wednesday evcniug, June 3, at the rreeraasons' Tavern, imder
the presidency of Viscount Enfield, M.P. About 100 gentle-
men sat down.

It appears that there are on tlie books of the institution 20
male pensioners, at £26 per annum ; eight married pensioners,
at £-iO per annum ; Si widow pensioners, at £20 per annum ;
four unmarried orplian pensioners — the orphans, however, being
women of the respective ages of GO, G7, 63, and 80 ; and four
widow pensioners, at £1(5 per annum. In addition to these
the society has in the course of its brief career aided 23 male
pensioners, seven widow pensioners, and three unmarried
orphan pensioners, all deceased. The operations of the society
involve an expenditure of about £5,000 a year, and, although
it has £20,000 of funded property, it stiU requires, to meet
present demands, an income of about £5,000 from subscrip-
tions and donations. This sum is obtained from hundreds of I
supporters all over the country, who are however unequally
distributed, as some agricultural districts do not contribute so
liberally as others, owing possibly to the fact that the claims |
of the institution have not been equally advocated in aU. j

After proposing in suitable terms " The Health of Her |
Majesty," j

The CiiAiRjr\N gave " The Prince and Princess of Wales, j
and the other Members of the Royal Family." In doing so i
he spoke of the interest which the present race of English
sovereigns has always manifested in regard to agriculture ;
observing that George HI. received the appellation of " The
Farmers' Friend," while the present heir to the throne had
combined with a love of country pursuits a great fondness for
field sports. The noble lord also congratulated the assembly
that the Princess of AVales — the good and sweet princess who
had endeared herself to the whole nation — had again delighted
the public by appearing among them after her protracted
iUness.

The next toast was " The Army, Navy, MUitia, and Volun-
teers," in proposing which the CirAiRMA2f adverted to the
Abyssinian Expedition, and the success which had crowned
it, as affording fresh evidence that the array of Great Britain
was equal to any emergency that might arise.

Lieut.-Col. Sir Charles Russell, M.P., in responding for
the army, also alluded to the Abyssinian Expedition, and re-
marked that one great advantage connected with it was the
salutary impression which it had made on the Eastern mind.
He also observed that that was the last time he shoidd appear
on such an occasion as a representative of the army, as he had
already placed his commission in the hands of her Majesty.

The Rev. Mr. M'Call, as a Volunteer chaplain, returned
thanks for the Volunteers, and congratulated the company ou
the improved position of the nation relatively to other nations
in consequence of the organization and efficient condition of
that branch of the military service.

The C)IAIRJIAN tlien rose and said, in bringing under their
consideration the toast of the evening, which was "Prosperity
1o the Royal Agricultural Beuevolent Institution," it was his
wish to detain them as short a time as possible. Still there
were circumstances connected with their gathering there on

that occasion which he should be sorry to omit noticing,
because he was anxious that, through the medium of the
public press, the advantages which the institution had con-
ferred, was conferring, and was likely to confer, upon the
agricultural interest throughout England, should be well known
(Hear, hear). With their permission then he would glance
for a few minutes at its past history ; he would nest consider
its present position ; and then he would trust to their
generosity, to their sympathy, and to their recommendations of
its claims among their friends and neighbours, for its future
success (cheers). He believed he was correct in saying that
the institution owed its origin, some eight years ago, principally
if not entirely to the exertions of a gentleman who was now
seated on his left hand, his friend Mr. Mechi (Hear, hear).
FeeUng deeply impressed with the fact that in this eoimtry, a
country so peculiarly devoted to agricultural pursuits, every
guild, and every profession, excepting the agricultural interest,
had some benevolent or charitable institution connected with
it, Mr. Mechi directed his exertions to provide a remedy for
this state of things ; success attended his exertions, and the
institution was now in the eighth year of its existence (Hear).
He need scarcely remind them that its principal object was to
provide pensions for bona fide farmers, their widows, and un-
married orphan daughters, aud to educate their orphan
children ; and he thought he could not do better than present
in as concise a form as possible its annual budget for their con-
sideration. There were at that moment then G8 pensioners of
the Society, consisting of 20 males, who received £26 per
annum each, S married couples receiving £40 per annum each,
32 widows with £20 a-year each, and 4 unmarried orphan
daughters and 4 widows who received £10 a-year each.
Having looked into the balance-sheet he found that on the
18th of February last there was an excess of income over ex-
penditure of £760, whilst the funded property of the institu-
tion consisted of £12,000 in Consols and £8,000 in the Three
per Cents. Reduced, in the whole £20,000, which was a very
good nest egg (loud cheers) . An analysis of the sixbscriptions
from the ditl'erent counties, however, was somewhat a source
of dissatisfaction ; and his friend Mr. Meclu having attended
to this subject in a letter which he had written to the public
prints, he (Lord Enfield) might perhaps be allowed to refer to
it here. It should be remembered that the institution made no
distinction whatever between counties, and that all who re-
ceived the proper number of votes were elected and got their
pensions irrespective of the counties they might come from.
But he found that there were some counties which did not
respond to the appeals of the institution so generously as they
ought in proportion to their acreage. There was, for ex-
ample, the great county of Devon, with 1,054,400 acres; it
contained only 45 subscribers. Yorkshire, again, with
3,735,000 acres, h.ad only 48 subscribers ; whilst Hampshire,
with its 970,470 acres, had 041 (cheers.) Essex, with 921,120
acres, had 045 subscribers, and the county with wliich he was
more immediately coniieded, Middlesex, witji 180,480 acres,
he was glad to see mustered 4GS subscribers (cheers.) Lanca-
shire, with its 1,130,240 acres, on the other hand, furnished
only 13 subscribers; Lincolnshire, with an acreage of

THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE.

41

1,071,0 W, only 6 i subscribers;; wliilst Northumberlaud and
Cumberland together liad only 8 subscribers, though their
united acreage amounted to 2,173,100. He spoke in no cavil-
ling spirit ; but he really tliought that as all the counties en-
joyed the same advantages, without distinction, they ought to
send a number of subscribers that was in fair proportion to
their acreage (Hear, hear.) Now, with regard to farming
generally, he was quite sure that in that society, where there
were some of the most distinguished agriculturists from all
parts ol England, it would be bad taste in him to say anything
on the practical part of the subject. If lie did so he knew he
should only betray his own ignorance ; he should, therefore,
only tread upon what he believed to be safe grouud (laughter.)
He looked upon farming in two points of view ; first, as an
amusement, and, second, as a profession or occupation. As
an amusement, it was tl\e most healthy, the most moral, and
the most English tiiat any gentleman could indulge in (Hear,
liear.) But as a profession or occupation, he was quite sure
there was none that was embarked in more seriously, and oft-
times with greater misgivings (Hear, hear.) In "every pro-
fession they knew well titat, without the blessing of Provi-
dence, it was lost labour to rise early, late take rest, and eat
the bread of carefulness ; but when they considered that the
agricultural interest was more than any other dependent upon
that blessing for success, that at the proper time the early and
the late showers, the dry winds, and the vivifying and warm
sunshine were required, he was sure that the farming class
must feel above all that they were dependent upon Providence,
and that this institution, more than any other, gave them the
nreans of laying by store for bad times (cheers.) On looking
through the list of those who were pensioners of the Society,
he found that nearly all the causes by which those persons had
become pensioners on its bounty were loss of crops, bad times,
heavy rains, mildew, blight, cattle plague, and other events
over which human beings had no control whatever, and which
were solely at the disposition of Providence (Hear, hear.)
One source of gratification to him in the Society's report was
to find thit so little was spent in bricks and mortar. On read-
ing tlic account of the last annual dinner he observed that
mention was made of the fact that with the exception of occu-
pying two rooms at Clmring Cross, the Society have nothing
to do with bricks and mortar (Hear, hear.) Consequently they
were not called upon to add a wing to a building one year, and
another wiug another year ; and it must be a source of comfort
to those who were dependent upon their bounty to know that
they had not to leave their native homes, their healthy villages,
or their breezy downs, to take up their abode and be stewed in
buildings in tlie heart of a great and stifling city, where they
might be said to a certain extent to be deprived of their liberty
(cheers). The good which the institution did was done at
home. The pensioners received their pensions at home, and
had not to leave the places with which they had been identified
all their lifetime from earliest childhood (Hear, hear). lie re-
membered having been personally canvassed some years ago to
give his support to the Society, by their excellent secretary Mr.
Shaw, who then made a suggestion to him which he would re-
commend to his brother members. It was that, whenever they
attended any agricultural gathering in their respective counties,
they should always seek an opportunity of saying a few good
words in behalf of tlie institution (Hear, hear). The good
which it did only required to be known, and he was sure there
would be hearty helj) and cordial response from the length and
breadth of the land in aid of its object (Hear, hear) . It might be
asked in whose behalf he made this application ; his answer
was, on behalf of the farmers of England. And now, he was
going to do what was, perliaps, a rash and a dangerous thing.
He was going to draw their picture, but it was a mere outline
sketch, and he must leave his hearers to fill in the details.
First, tlie farmer was a typical Englishman, attached to his
country, and a supporter from his birth of the Queen and
Church (loud cheers). In the next place, he was a strong
politician, but at the same time he was a generous opponent, and
respected cons-istency in himself and others (cheers). He was
also a hospitable man. He was a true sportsman. He never
grudged his landlord a good day's shooting, but he deprecated
from the bottom of his heart, as he (Lord Enfield) did, the per-
nicious and mischievous system of over-preserving, which was
tiie rniu of 'many a farm (Hear, hear)'. Lastly, he was a
warm admirer of the three noblest works of creation — a
Jiandsome woman, a clever horse, and a well-shaped hound

(loud cheers and laughter). This, he admitted, was only a
fancy sketch rather rudely drawn, but it was one which a little
observation had told him was not au untrue one ; and in con-
clusion, re-echoing the old sentiment of " speed the plough,"
he would olTer three wishes. One was, that the good under-
standing which he hoped now more than ever existed between
landlord and tenant — between those who tilled the soil and
those who served under them — mightjlong contiuue to exist ;
that the iarmers of England would, as they had hitherto done,
take every opportunity of doing good to themselves and their
neighbours, by making use of all those advantages which
modern experience in machinery and chemistry would suggest
to them ; and that by the blesssng of Providence the expecta-
tions which at the present moment we might feirly entertain
of a bountiful and full crop might be more than realised this
year (loud cheers). He thanked them respectfully for the at-
tention with\vhich they had listened to him in proposing the
toast, and with all sincerity and earnestness he called upon
them to join him in drinking continued prosperity to the Royal
Agricultural Benevolent Institution of England (The toast was
received with three times three, and loud cheering).

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir C. Russell, M.P., proposed " The
Chairman;" and after the toast had been drunk with cordi-
ality the noble lord briefly returned thanks.

Mr. Mechi had been entrusted with the duty of proposing
as the next toast, " Prosperity to the Three Great Agricultural
Societies of the United Kingdom." In doing so, however, he
need not enlarge upon the great benefits which these institu-
tions had conferred upon British agriculture ; but he was
happy to say that in connection with the toast he was to add
the name of one of the best farmers in England, under one of
the best daudlords in England : he alluded to his friend Mr.
John Hudson, of Castleacre (cheers). If the whole country
were farmed, taking arable and pasture, in the same way as
that portion of the county of Norfolk which was the property
of the late Mr. Coke, and the present Lord Leicester, and
which was held by Mr. Hudson, we should not hear so much
as we now did about the necessity of foreign importation
(Hear, hear). They had been drinking his (Mr. Mechi's)
child's health that evening, and he could not pass over the
suljject without saying a few words in regard to the bantling.
At present it was a mere infant ; but if he could come agafn
a hundred years hence, which he should certainly not do,
he believed he shonld be astonished at the proportions it would'
have attained. He had good grounds for saying so ; for we
had GO million acres of land, beside 17 million of mountain
and waste : and if every farmer only subscribed a penny an acre
they would have an income of £350,000 a-year, or if he sub-
scribed but a farthing an acre they would have an income of
more than £60,000 a-year. So that he was encouraged to
hope that his bantling would by-and-byc grow into a good-
sized man. (Cheers.)

Mr. J. Hudson, of Castleacre, in responding, said, the
people ot this country could not afford to have half crops ;
they wanted cheap food— cheap bread and cheap meat — and'
it was only through landowners [giving great encouragement to
tenants, and the exertions of the tenants themselves, that that
national want could be met. Happily agriculturists were
marching on in the right direction, and the rate of march was
accelerated by the accession of steam. A few years ago r.o
one scarcely believed in the applicability of steam to the culti-
vation of the soil ; but he had lived to see the day when steam
was so applied, and he had no hesitation in declaring that he
had himself used it with advantage. Cultivation had of late
made great strides, and farmers must put their shoulders to
the wheel, and they will double the produce of the land.

The Rev. G. C. Berkeley proposed " The Executive
Council," which toast was acknowledged by Mr. John Collins.

Among the remaining toasts were " The Secretary" (Mr,"
Cliarles Shaw), " The Stewards," and finally " The ladies."

The subscriptions announced in the course of the evenin"
included 25 guineas from her Majesty, and 10 guineas from
the Prince of Wales, the aggregate being about £I.,000.

The musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr.
G. I'erren, who was ably assisted by Jliss Mabel Brent and
jMiss Palmer, Mr. T. Lawler, and Mr. L. Hatton, the last-
named gentleman presiding at the piano-forte.

Previous to the dinner, a special meeting of the Council
of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution was held at

42

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the Freemasou's Tavern. Present, Messrs. C. S. Cautrcll
fcliairman), J. Collins, H. Corbet, A. Garrett, J. Howard, J.
Hudson, A. H. Jolinson, J. J. Mcchi, J. Naish, T. Scott, G.
Shackell, and W. Vivian. . , , .1 • i

The Ijusiness of the meeting was confined to the considera-
tion of tlie necessary steps to be taken in filling up the secre-
taryship, about to become vacant from the resignation of Mr.
CliRrlcs Slitiw.

It was resolved that Mr. Shaw's tenure of oUice close at
jMichaelmas.

It was resolved ou a division, by 0 to 5, that an advertise-

nserted

ment inviting applications tt)V the appointment be noi i
in 27ie Times and the agricultural journals.

It was resolved that the appointment be filled up at a
meeting of the Council, to be called for the first Monday in

Mr. Charles Shaw, jun., a candidate for the oflicc, had an
interview with the Council.

It was proposed also to call on Mr. J. N. Lee, who, liow-
ever, did not appear to be in attendance.

The Council sat for nearly two hours, and the discussion
was at times very animated.

THE BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY.

MEETING AT FALMOUTH.

Cornwall— of which Falmouth is oue of the principal
towns — is in poj>iclar estimation one of the last counties
of England with which agricultural associations are or
could be counected. The very aspect of the country in-
deed is supposed to give rise to associations anything but
Arcadian. Bare and rugged hills ; bleak moors ; a coast
singularly wild, abrupt, aud grand in its outline, fringed
here and there with wood, the appearance of which
indicates the hard struggle they have to main-
tain against ungeuial air and biting frosts — all tell of a
country the characteristics of which, in an agricultural
aspect, are the very antipodes of the rich rolling lauds,
the fine soil, aud wooded glades of more favoured
counties of Mcrrie England. The very population, too,
iu their garb and manner tell of a mode or modes of life
very different from that met with iu purely agricultural
districts. Nor is the cause of this supposed difference
difficult to be met with. Everywhere around are the
marks of mining operations, which afford subsistence to
the main part of the population. Such may be said to
be the popular or Guide I3ook — not published, it is need-
less to say, in the couuty — view of this, in many respects,
remarkable part of her iSlajcsty's dominions. Much, if
not indeed the whole of it, does indeed apply to one part
of Cornwall, but that is comparatively a limited part.
Certainly it docs not apply to the part which is passed
through from Plymouth to Falmouth, nor in the country
immediately around the latter town. Of the whole ride
extending between those two towns it may indeed be
said that in point of rural and picturesque beauty some
of the districts of England celebrated in this way will
have a difficulty to eomjiete with it ; iu some respects it
cannot be excelled. The lateral valleys, for example,
which open up on both sides of the railway, are very
uumeroua and very beautiful, spanned by viaducts of
great height and length, aud rich in wooded valleys and
bosky dells. Little arable land comparatively is seen
from the railway, the land being chielly under pasture,
and, as may be gathered from what has been above stated,
there is much wood, which gives a rich aud charniing ap-
pearance to the country. And truly ample time is given
to the traveller to observe the scenery through which he
passes; for, although now and then the train— at least
the one we travelled with was possessed of this peculiarity
— passed pretty rapidly on, it made up for the rapidity of
its flight at such times by the staid slowness at others,
and by the patient placidity with which it waited at
stations, which, fortunately for the impatient traveller,
were generally at points of considerable beauty. We were
supposed in the official mind to be travelling " express ;"
but the thought was forced upon the mind of him who
was accustomed to more pushing modes of progress. If
that was the express, what could possibly be the slow

train? that forced one back to the good old coachmg
days, when " slow but sm-e " was the motto.

From what we have stated it will have beeu surmised,
what is indeed the fact, that the agricidtm'c of Cornwall is
peculiar. There is, or at least was, in the old system,
little pasture land, using this term in its highest signifi-
cance ; yet, under the iullucncc of good husbandry, the soil
bears a sward of a peculiarly firm texture. Under the old
system, cereals were taken off the land in succession, and
the exhausting effects of such a system may be easily
conceived. But with the introduction of the alternate
and green-cropping system of cidtivation, a great mi-
proveinent has taken place.

The situation of the show-yard is very beautiful, in a
field sloping gently down, and almost to the edge of the
bay. The upper part is high enough to give a splendid
view ou either side. And the weather of this, the first
day, was all that coidd be desired to give the utmost
degree of artistic effect to the whole scene. A fine clear
sky, with rolling clouds in it, sufficient to give that play
of light aud shade on hiU-top and valley-side so dear to
the lover of Nature, and so prolific of artistic effect._ The
sea, like a lake in its calm beauty, lay shimmering in the
sun, speckled with whitened sail of stately ship or tmy

boat. ■ 1 ii.

The entries of stock were small, eompai-cd with the
mcctino; of the Society at Triuro, in 1861. The show,
however, was on the whole a good one ; and although
numcricallv weak, the cattle, sheep, aud pigs will contrast
favourably'with any of the Society's previous exhibitions.
There we're 7'J entries of cattle, as compared with 134 in
1861 ; sheep 141, as against 234 at Truro ; horses 36, com-
pared with 89 ; and pigs 36, against 42. The cattle con-
sisted of Devons49, Shorthorns 24, Herefords 6; of sheep
— Leicesters 48, Cotswolds 16, South Downs 13, other
Downs 40, Somerset and Dorset horned sheep 23.
Horses for agricultural purposes numbered 8, hunters 17,
hacks 4, and ponies 7. There was, as usual, a varied
display of articles of taste and utility iu the budding de-
voted to art manufactures.

The Devons were remarkably good, comprising ^4
bulls aud 25 females. In class 1st, bidls not exceeding
4 years old, there were eight entries ; the competition
being between Mr. Turner's Albert Victor, Mr. j\Iasou s,
a local exhibitor, bred by Mr. Davy, of Flitton ; Mr.
Bullcr's, Mr. Walter Farthing's, and Mr. Clarke's, bred
by Mr. Farthing. The judges had no difficulty in giving
Mr. Turner the first prize, and they awarded the second
to Mr. Mason, highly-commended Mr. Buller's, and com-
mended Messrs. Farthing's and Clarke's. In class 2nd—
bulls not exceeding 2 years old— there were sixteen en-
tries. The competition was very spirited, aud altogether
this was an unusuaUy good class. The judges selected

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

43

six, viz, Mr. Walter Farthing's Duke of Gothelncy, Mr.
Farthing's Master Arthur, Mrs. Trcinaiuc's Lord Aylmcr,
Mr. Beckle'a Perfection, Mr. Buller's, and Mr. Wm.
Smith's ; and, after a long consultation, they awarded the
first prize to Master Ai'thur, a very thick good yearling,
well got up ; but the public thought the second-prize
animaJ, Mr. Buller's, was more matured, and had better
points, and that the first-prize one would not train so
well. We believe the judges were not unanimous in this
decision. Mrs. Tremaine's and Mr. W. Smith's entries were
highly-commended, and Mr. Bickle's and Mr. Farthing's
commended. Class 3 contained nine entries, and
among them were some good cows. The first prize was
deservedly awarded to Mr. John A, Smith, of Bradford
Peveril, who also had another highly-commended; the
second prize going to Mr. Walter Farthing, Jlr. Tre-
maine's Rose 2nd being highly-commended. Class 4 —
heifers not exceeding 3 years old — brought together a very
beautiful lot, and which gave the judges some trouble.
The first prize was eventually awarded to INIr. Buller,
of Downs, for a remarkably good heifer, which, we
hear, is intended for the Royal at Leicester ; Mr. Tm-ner
winning the second with q very beautiful heifer, and
Mr. Walter Farthing and Mr. Hambro receiving higli-
commendations. Class 5 — heifers not exceeding 2 years
— contained six entries. This was not so good a class as
the previous one. Mr. Turner's Duchess 6th won the first
prize, Mr. Buller's the second, and Mr. Walter Farthing's
was highly-commeuded. Lord Falmouth was an ex-
hibitor in each of the Devon classes, but was not success-
ful ; as his lordship's best animals were kept back for
Leicester, where, we hear, he will be in force.

The Shorthorns formed a very good section of the
Show. Among the exhibitors were Lady Figot and Mr.
Stratton ; but the prizes usually carried off by these far-
famed piize-takers were on this occasion retained in
Cornwall. Messrs. Hosken and Son's cows and heifers were
much admired and extolled, and it is very questionable if
so good a lot has ever before been exhibited from one herd
at any of the Society's meetings. In class 6 — bulls not ex-
ceeding four years old — there were only three entries.
The competition was, however, severe between Lady
Pigot's and Mr. Stratton's, opinion being divided as to
the best animal. The first prize, however, was awarded
to her ladyship's Charles le Beau, and the second to Mr.
Stratton's Lamp of Lothian ; Mr. Hosken and Sou's
Prince Frederick 2nd, bred by themselves, receiving a
commendation. Had not the age been limited to four
years there would have been more entries in this class,
and we very much doubt the policy of the restriction.
When the prize-list first appeared we were informed that
this, and there being no class for yearling bulls, caused
much dissatisfaction. We would also suggest the So-
ciety's offering a third prize in some of the classes.
In class 7 — bulls under two years — there were nine com-
petitors. The judges selected five, viz., Lady Pigot's
Rosolio, Lord Radnor's Orkney, Mr. Pollard's Lord
Lyon, Mr. W. Trethewy's Duke of Cornwall, and Mr.
Stratton's James 2nd, giving the first prize to Mr. Pol-
lard's Lord Lyon, eight months old, a very thick and
good red calf, with capital quality, got by Rectifier (22,687),
grandsirc 7th Duke of York (17,754) ; the second to Lady
Pigot, and a high commendation to the Earl of Radnor.
Although Mr. Pollard's calf was much admired, it was
thought by many that Lady Pigot's should have been
placed before him. In class 8. — for the best cow — there
were five competitors. Messrs. Hosken and Son exhibited
three splendid animals, bred by themselves, and which
would be no discredit to the Royal, and but for one or
two of them being down-calving at that time, they
would have put in an appearance at Leicester. Lady
Pigot sent her Queen of Rosalia; but she was

beaten by Messrs. lloskeu and Sou's Rosebud, their
other two cows, Countess and Carnation, being highly
commended, and Rosalia taking second honours. In class 9
— heifers not exceeding three years old — there were but
three entries. The competition, however, was exceed-
ingly strong between Messrs. Hosken and Son's two
heifers. Butterfly and Ruby, bred by themselves, and Lady
Pigot's Dame of Rosalia. The ;^Iessrs. Hosken were,
however, again eminently successful, winning both prizes,
her ladyship being awarded a high commendation, at which
her herdsman was indignant, and with very bad taste
declined the proffered honour. The public opinion went
with the judges. In class 10 — heifers not exceeding two
years — again there were only three entries, but the com-
petition was very keen. The judges, however, preferred
Lord Radnor's Darmstadt, and awarded the " blue rib-
bon" to his lordship ; the " yellow" to Messrs, Hosken
and Sou's Keepsake, and a high commendation to Mr,
Stratton's Bude Light. Messrs. Hosken and Sons re-
ceived continued congratulations from their neighbours
and friends on their well-merited success.

The Herefords do not flourish much in Cornwall,
and there were only six entries in five classes, and not one
of these bred in that county. It should, however, be
stated that Mr. Olver, an upholder of this breed, and who
has on numerous occasions been a successful exhibitor,
lost several of his cattle with the plague. In Class 11 —
aged bulls — there were only two entries ; Mr. Duckham's
Reginald easily winning the first prize, and Mr. Rawle
Paramore being second. In Class 12 — bulls not exceeding
two years old — Mr. Paramore's was the only entry, and
he was awarded the first prize. In Classes 13, 14, 15, Mr.
James, of Dorset, was the only exhibitor, and to his cows
and heifers were awarded the first prizes.

The show of Leicester sheep was very good, and iu
Class 16 — yearling rams — the competition was very keen
and spirited, the Cornishmen contending most success-
fully. Corner, of Somerset, exhibited four ; Messrs.
Norris, of Devon, three ; Kingdon Radmore, two ;
G. Turner, two ; Gould, four ; G. Radmore, four ; and
Trcmaine, of Cornwall, four ; Rosewarne, two ; and
Clarke, one. The first prize was awarded to Mr.
Tremaine, and the second to Mr. Rosewarne ; but several
good judges preferred the second to the first prize sheep.
Messrs. Corner, Turner, and Gould had each a commend-
ation. In Class 17, for aged rams, the competition was
not so great, there being only fourteen entries and eleven
exhibited. Mr. Gould deservedly carried oflf the honours,
and won the first and second prizes ; Mr. Turner receiv-
ing a commendation. The other exhibitors were Messrs.
Kingdon Radmore and G. Radmore, Devon, and Messrs.
Tremaine and Williams, of Cornwall. In Class 18, for
yearling ewes, there were five eutries, and the competition
very close. Mr. Inner won the first prize, Mr. Tremain
second, and Mr. Conier a high-commendation. The other
exhibitors were Messrs. Norris and Gould.

The CoTswoLDs, though not numerous, were well re-
presented. In Class 19, for yearling rams, there were
only eight entries. The competitors were Messrs. Gillet,
who showed three ; Beale Brown, three ; and J. K.
Tombs, two; the latter winning the second, and Mr.
Gillet the first prize. In Class 20, rams of any other age,
there were still less ; but the class was a good one ; the
only entries being Messrs. Gillet, two; J. K. Tombs, two;
and Beale Brown, one. The fii-st prize was awarded
to Mr, Gillet, for a remarkably large and good
sheep, while Mr. GiUet had another commended ; the
second prize went to Mr. Beale Brown ; and one from
Mr. Tombs was commended. In Class 21, for yearling
ewes, there were but three entries, and only one of them
put in an appearance— Mr, J. K. Tombs's— and these were
awarded the first prize.

44

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

In SoUTHDOwxs, class 22, for the best yearling ram,
there were eight entries, but only live exhibited: Mr.
Neville Greville, M.P., winning both prizes, whilst Sir
Wm. Throckmorton's two sheep were not commeuded.
Ta class 23, for rams of any other age, the first prize was
awarded to Mr. Greville, M.P., and the second to Sir
Wm. Throckmorton ; there were four entries, but two
only were shown. In class 24, yearling ewes. Lord
Radnor and Sir William Throckmorton, were the
only competitors, and the judges awarded the first prize
to the latter for a very beautiful and even lot ; his Lord-
ship winning second honours. These classes were much
admired ; but the public thought the Hampshire, Shrop-
shire, and Oxford Downs likely to yield a better profit
to the farmer.

With the Hajipshire Downs there was not much
competition : Class 25, yearling ram, eight entries, and
live exhibited : the first and second prizes were awarded
to j\[r. Rawlence, the other exhibitors being Messrs.
Moore and Coles. Class 26, old rams, four entries, and
two exhibited : Mr. llawlence obtaining the first and Jlr.
Coles the second. Mr. Moore entered two sheep, but
they were not sent. Class 27 : Mr. llawlence made two
entries in this class, but only one lot was sent : the judges
awarded him the first prize, and for the second there was
not any competitor.

Amongst the Othek Downs, class 28, for best yearling
ram. Lord Falmouth exhibited four Shropshires, and
Mr. Davy two ; Mr. Wallis two Oxford Downs, and ilr.
J. K. Tombs two. The first and second prizes were
awarded to Mr. Tombs, who also won the second prize
for the yearling Cotswold. Class 29, rams of any other
age : Lord lalmouth exhibited eight Shropshires, and
Mr. Wood one ; Mr. Wallis two Oxford Downs, to which
the first and second prizes were awarded, with eleven entries
in this class. Class 30, yearling ewes, four entries and
three competitors : The first prize was awarded to INIr.
Wood's pen of Shropshires, and the second to Mr. Wallis'
Oxfords, the other competitor being Mr. Davey, whose
pen of Shropshires were reared on land recently reclaimed
from waste in Cornwall. The Shropshire and Oxford
Downs have increased very much of late years, and stand
high in the estimation of the public ; why are they not
entitled to separate classes and special prizes, as well as
the Hampshire Down, Somerset, and Dorset Horn ?

In the Somerset and Dorset IIokx, yearling rams,
class 31, Mr. Mayo won the first and second prizes, the
only other competitors being Messrs. James and Danger.
Class 32, rams of any other age, three entries, viz., Mr.
Mayo one, and Mr. Danger two, the former winning the
first, and the latter the second prize. Class 33 : There
was more competition in this class, there being five en-
tries and the same number exhibited ; Mr. Mayo again
Avinning first, and.Mr. Danger second : the other exhibitor
was Mr. James, of Bland ford.

With ExMooR and other horned mountain there was
very little competition. In Class 34, rams of any age,
there were only 4 entries and 3 competitors — Mr. Maun-
der winning 1st and 2nd prizes, the other competitor
being iMr. Quartley. In Class 35, for pens of 5 ewes, 3
entries, the first prize was awarded to Mr. Maunder, the
2nd to Mr. Quartley.

In Dartmoor and other moor, in Class 86, rams of any
age, Mr. Drew, of Tavistock, was the only exhibitor, and
he was awarded the 1st and 2nd prizes for two Dartmoor
rams. In Class 37, pens of 5 ewes, only one entry by Mr.
Drew, who was awarded the 1st prize for 5 Dartmoor ewes.

The pigs, although not numerous, were exceedingly
good, the Messrs. Elmhurst, Duckcring and Sons exhibit-
ing in all the classes and taking most of the prizes. In
the large breed, class 49, boars not exceeding two years
old, only two entries, Messrs. Duckering and Sous

winning 1st and 2nd prizes. CIa?s 50, boars not exceeding
one year old, 5 entries, 3 competitors : iMessrs. Duckering
and Son won the 1st prize, and Mr. Widdicomb, Berk-
shire, the 2ud ; the other competitor was Mr. King
Tombs. Class 51, breeding sows in farrow or with litters :
There were ten entries, Messrs. Duckerine and Son won the
1st and 2nd prizes, and Mr. King Tombs was commended.
Class 52, pen of 2 breeding sows not exceeding nine
months old, only three entries : Messrs. Duckering and
Sons 1st prize, Mr. Williams, M^P., 2nd, and Mr. King
Tombs commended.

In Pigs, of the small breed, Class 53, best boar,
above one year and not exceeding two years old, four
entries and four competitors, the first prize was awarded
to Messrs. Duckering and Sons ; the second to IMr. Coles;
the other competitors being Lord Radnor and Mr.
Davcy. In Class 54, boars not exceeding one year old,
two entries only : First prize, Messrs. Duckering and
Sons ; the second, Mr. Davey. In Class 55, best breed-
ing sow, five entries and five competitors, and an ex-
ceedingly good Class, the first prize being awarded to
Mr. Collier, of Devon ; second to IMessrs. Duckering and
Sons, whilst their other sow was highly-commended ; and
Mr. Davey and IMr. Coles each receive a commendation.
Class 56, for the best pen ol two breeding sows, five
entries and live competitors : this was also a very good
class; Mr. Cornish, of Devon, winning the first prize;
Messrs. Duckering and Sons the second; whilst Lord
Radnor is highly-commended, and Mr. Davcy com-
mended.

The Horse department of the show was by no means
good. The Society olfers no prizes for thorough-bred
stallions, and the horse division of the prize-list has in
this and other respects been sadh' pared down ; moreover
the Society's charges operate ag'ainst a good entry. The
Royal Cornwall Agricultural Society had a much better
show of horses last year at Launceston than the Bath and
West of England could command on this occasion.
There were four classes for horses and mares for agricul-
tural purposes, with eight prizes, and yet there were only
nine entries, and two of these were disqualified by the
judges. The first prize for stallions in Class 38 was
awarded to Mr. Laity, of Camborne, Cornwall — a very
useful chesuut bred by himself; and the second to Mr.
Biydges Williams for a chesnut Suffolk stallion. In
Class 39, for the best stalliou foaled in 1866, there were
only two entries, and the judges deemed one not worthy
of a prize : the first was awarded to a splendid two-year-
old, bred by and the property of Mr. Hitchcock, of
Heytcsbury, Wilts. In Class 40, for best mare and foal,
the judges disqualified both animals for being entered in
wrong class, as more adapted for general purposes. In
Class 41, for the best filly foaled in 1866, no entry.
In the four classes for Hunters there was nothing parti-
cularly worthy of note, except Mr. Battams's chesnut
gelding The Don, and his brown gelding Slapton, these
winning the first prizes in their classes. In Class 43,
best mare or gelding foaled before 1st January, 1864, two
entries, Mr. Battams first prize, and Mr. James, St.
Mawes, second. In Class 43, best mare or gelding foaled
in 1864, four entries, first and second prize Mr. Battams.
In Class 44, best mare or gelding foaled in 1865, four
entries : first prize to Mr. Michelmore ; second, IMr.
Carne. In Class 45, best colt or filly foaled in 1867,
seven entries : this was a pretty good class ; Lord
Falmouth receiving first prize, aud a high-commendation
for another ; the second to Mr. Laity. In Class 46, for
Hacks, best mare or gelding not more than six years old,
nor exceeding fifteen hands high, four entries : Mr.
Battams winning the first prize, and Mr. Williams, of
Pananuworthal, Cornwall, the second. In Class 47,
for Ponies, the best mare or gelding, not exceeding

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

fourteen bauds liigh, two entries, one only shown : the
first prize awarded to Mr. Smith, of Bradford I'everill,
Dorset. Class 48, the best inare or gekliug, not exceed-
ing thirteen bands high, live entries and live competitors :
Tliis was a very good class, and excited great interest,
the animals being justly much admired, particularly Mr.
Gay's white Exmoor, Gem, to which the lirst prize was
awarded; Mr. Collier receiving second, Mr. Michehnore
highly-commended, and Mr. Arthur Willyams commended.
There is no question bnt that the prize-list for horses re-
quires some radical revision.

The PouLTiiY Snow was very good.

Judges : Cattle, Mr. 11. Warren, Blandford ; Mi-. J.
Weppell, Exeter ; Mr. Savidge, Sarsdeu, Chipping Nor-
ton. Long-wooUed sheep and large pigs : Mr. Sauday,
Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham; Mr. J. Partridge, sen.,
llilldown Bow, North Devon. Short-woolled sheep and
small pigs ; Mr. J. Pord, llushton, Blandford ; j\Ir. P.
Budd, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke. Horses : Mr. II.
Tburnall, Royston ; Air. H. Terrell, South Brent, Ivy-
bridge, Devon. Poultry : Mr. E. Hewitt, Birmingham.

In point of excellence of articles exhibited, we
believe the show to be nearly up to the average;
and certainly the display of implements and machines is
of much greater extent and practical value than we
anticipated would have been the case in view of the ex-
treme distance which exhibitors from the making districts
have to bring their exhibits. The number of exhibitors
is nearly one hundred ; the number of entries, thirteen
hundred and thirty-one ; exceeding by some four hundred
the entries for the Truro show held in ISGl. The num-
ber of sheds is fifteen, including one 300 feet iu length,
for the exhibition of machinery in motion ; the whole
run of shedding extending^ to two thousand seven hundred
and ninety feet.

In going over the stands we shall take them in the order
as they present themselves on entering the yai'd, or rather
on turning fi'om the offices. And the first which attracts
our notice is the collection of seeds and farm produce of
Messrs. Sutton and Sous, of Reading, Berks. The prac-
tical and suggestive value of this collection may be gathered
from the statement that it is comprised in a shed one hun-
dred feet in length, and that it embraces upwards of one
hundred-and-fifty varieties of grasses, about one-half of
which are growing, at least have been brought directly down
from the experimental beds at Heading, and from being
carefully rooted in soil are fresh and vigorous. Tlie col-
lection of seeds is also very valuable, presenting samples
of upwards of one thousand varieties. The centre case
is part of that very complete one which was exhibited in
Paris at the Great Exhibition of last year, and for which
was obtained the first prize. We may also take special
note of the remarkably fine specimens ot mangolds, in
fine condition, thoroughly sound. There were Sutton's
long red, the large intermediate yellow-globe, and red
globe. The garden seeds w^ere well represented. We
have above alluded to the specimens of grasses, natural
and artificial, exhibited in their growing state ; and as
these were all or nearly all at their flowering stage, they
presented the most practically useful examples which
could be obtained. We are glad to see the ^lessrs. Sut-
ton paying attention to the proper development of this
branch of rural economy ; for it is one in connection
with which there is a wide field for useful operation. The
improvement of old and the laying down of new pastures
and meadows, is one of the most important branches of
agricultural economy, and although much has been done
of late in this direction, it is not too much to say that
more remains to be done.

The next collection of seeds and farm produce is
that of Carter and Sous, High Holborn, London. Here
is exhibited a yery extensivt! collection of farui; garden,

and flower seeds ; 300 samples of corn seed, also of corn
in the ear ; and samples of the permanent grasses, for
which Messrs. Carter received the prize at the Paris Ex-
hibition of last year.

Next to the Messrs. Carters' stand was that of Mrs.
Mary Lyne Poutey, of Plymouth, who exhibited a pretty
large collection of farm and garden seeds, specimens of
grasses for pastures and meadows, and of roots — as
Pisher Ilobbs' orange globe mangold, a root of smallish
size, but of good shape and quality.

Passing to tlie centre of the field, in whicli the imple-
ment sheds are placed, and taking them in their order as
we proceed towards the sea, we find first the stand of
Messrs. Samnelson, of Banbury, the principal feature of
which is the number of mowers and reapers exhibited.
Amongst these we noticed the reaping machine with self-
raking and side-delivery. This machine presents the
same features which characterised it at the shows of last
year, at which it was exhibited, although several improve-
ments iu detail have been introduced. The self-raking
movement is very ingenious, being effected by the end of
the arm of the raker moving over an eccentric path, the
course of which is so arranged as to give the necessary
movement to the rake as it sweeps across the delivery
platform — which is curved in outline, so as to deliver the
swathe at the side — first bringing down the rake from its
highest point to gather in the corn to the knives, to
sweep more or less horizontally across the platform, and
then to rise up clear of the corn after delivery. In the
one-horse reaping machine, the delivery is manual, and at
the back, being effected by a moveable platform, or rather
open rake table, hinged at one side to the machine, and
capable of being lilted up by a lever and pedal movement,
acted upon by the foot of the attendant who sits upon
the machine. The corn is brought up to the knives by a
hand-rake. In adapting this machine for cutting clover
and seeds, a swathing apparatus is added. By a simple
arrangement of lever the cutter-bar and platform are
lifted up in turning the machine ; and the height to
which the cutter-bar is raised from the ground is adjusted
by a screw and chain. In the grass-mowing machine
there are some points of excellence wortty the attention
of the purchaser. Of these we would direct his attention
to the simple form of clutcli by which the cutters are
thrown in and out of gear ; and the very effective and
ingenious spring movement, worked by the foot of the
attendant who rides along with _the machine, by which
tlie cutter-bar is adjusted so as to meet the inequalities of
the ground over which the machine passes in its working.

The stand next come to is that of Bentall, of Iley-
bridge, Essex, in which is exhibited a small but
good collection of the specialities for which Mr. Bentall
is so well known, as his chaff-cutters, oilcake-breakers,
turnip-cutters, and root-pulpers. This latter class of
machinery is constructed upon such correct principles
that we do not wonder of its having maintained its high
reputation during a now considerable course of years.
We believe we were the first in the columns of the present
Journal to give a detailed description of the movements
of this machine, and the position it has since taken and
maintained have justified the high opinion we then formed
of and expressed about it.

One of the most extensive, if not the most exten-
sive, collection of machines exhibited by makers from
a distance, is that on the stand of Picksley and
Sims, of Leigh, Manchester, and which comprises
examples in various sizes of his chaff-cutters, oilcake-
breakers, root-cutters, and pulpers, with lawn-mowers,
and horse-rakes. The horse-rake is made with a
straight shaft, through from side to side; and the lifting
movement is simple, and easily worked. A novelty is
I exhibited iu the form of a new reaping machiucj the

46

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

pincipal feature of which is the construction of the knife ;
the finger-bar has the fingers screwed on at the receiving
intervals, and steel blocks are fitted in behind these. The
whole of the upper surface presented by these blocks and
the end of the fingers is perfectly flat, with sharp edges
at the sides of the fingers; and being made of cast-steel
of the finest quality, the lower surface of the cutters or
knives work against it, and thus tend to keep the cutting
edges continuaUy sharp. The form of the fingers also
prevents choking,

lu the next stand, Brenton, of Polbathic, St. Ger-
mains, Cornwall, exhibited his patent cylinder reaping
machine. This has a side delivery, the platform being
curved ; but it is terminated by an obliquely cut end,
against which a roller or cylinder revolves ; this is conical,
the smallest end being nearest the working gear, the
longest at the furthest end of the delivery platform. The
patentee claims for this arrangement a strengthening of
the machine, and a regular sheaf delivery of the corn.
The travelling or bearing wheel are of considerable
diameter, and the gearing is simple in character. A reap-
ing machine is also exhibited with back delivery, the rake
platform being worked by the foot of the attendant.

The stand next arrived at in our ramble through the
sheds is that of Messrs. Howard, of Bedford, who have a
very large collection of their well-known implements and
machines. Amongst these. we particidarly noticed their
mowing and reaping machines, in both of which very con-
siderable improvements have been effected since their last
public appearance at Smithfield Show in Christmas of 18G7.
The same remark applies also to their boiler, which, we are
glad to know, is rapidly assuming a high position in this
important department of steam ajjpliances. Wo are, how-
ever, not by any means surprised at this, for from the
very first practical examination we made of it, and the
results of which we gave in a special report upon it in the
pages of this Journal, we saw in it so many features of
excellence that vv^c had no hesitation in claiming for it a
high position amongst modern and recent inventions. We
look upon this as forming the most important improve-
ment of recent times in boiler-construction ; and it is just
because we have for so long been impressed with the high
importance of this department that we so strongly express
ourselves in relation to it. A few remarks as to the
improvements recently made by the Messrs. Howard
will not be out of place hero, and first as to the reap-
ing machine. The first peculiai-ity which strikes one on
examining this machine is the two driving-wheels with
which it is provided. We believe this to be a sound me-
chanical arrangement, inasmuch as it not only ensures
thorough general steadiness of action, but it tends to keep
the knives in full action in nearly all positions iu which
the machine is placed. It also gets rid of the necessity
for having a side draught, the draught-pole being placed
in the best position to secure a direct, and a consequent
lightness of draught; and, further, the balance of the
whole is so perfect as to keep all \Ycight which might
otherwise arise from oppressing the horses. This arrange-
ment also permits of a form of framework which is well
calculated to secure several advantages. The cutter-bar
is winged or jointed to the side of it, and it thus can
readily accommodate itself to the inequalities of the ground,
and the whole of the framework can be very readily freed
from the platform and rake in passing through gates, or
on being stored up in the implement shed. The points
connected with the cutter-bar now come under notice.
This is placed behind the driving-wheels, which position
enables it to pass easily over obstructions, and the bar is
provided with a raised projection upon which the knife
works to and fro ; this raised part allows the dirt aiul soil
to fall freely away from the cutting parts. The fingers
have a clear space between them, which is advantageous

in low cutting. The driving-gear for the cutter-bar
is well arranged ; the crank is brought down
low, to admit of its workuig in almost a direct line with
the cutter-bar, and a combination of bevel with spur
gear is used to drive the cutter, the first slow motion be-
ing taken off the main driving wheel by means of bevel
wheels, the second rapid motion being taken off by spur-
wheel gear, the employment of which by the way affords
facilities for quickly changing the speed of the knife, this
being done by simply altering the spur wheel. The self-
acting gathering rake is drawn by special apparatus, thus
being" independent of the driving gear for the cutters.
The gathering arms revolve iu an inner cam, which has
its curves very abrupt, changing from a very low to a
very high line. The blades are brought down as low as
the points of the rakes, and bring iu the corn to the ac-
tion of the knives. Having performed this, the gatherers
rise very suddenly, so as to be kept perfectly clear of the
grain, and the rake is next brought into action, and
sweeps the grain off the platform in sheaf, the size of
which can easily bo regulated by altering the gearing of
the gathering apparatus. The mowing machine is very
similar as respects its driving gear to the reaper just
described ; of course, a higher speed of knife or cutter-bar
is provided for. The fingers arc raised or lowered accord-
ing to the nature of the ground by means of a lever,
another being provided by which the cutter-bar can be
raised in passing over mole-hills or other obstructions.
Tlie cutter-bar is put in and out of action by a lever
worked by the foot of the workman. A description of
the boiler has already appeai-ed in om' columns.

The next stand is occupied by Messrs. Kearsley, of
Ripon, Yorkshire, who exhibit their mowers and reapers.
They exhibit a novelty, recen^Jy patented, in a new
mode of attaching the end of the connecting-rod
which works the cutter bar to the crank wheel, and the
object of which is to prevent, by ony extra pressure which
may come upon the cutter bar, the jamming up the knife
eye or crank-pin. This is effected by a very ingenious and
simple modification of the ball joint. The crank-pin,
which is hollow, passes through tho centre and is fixed to
the ball joint, the spherical or partly-spherioal sur-
face of which plays iu a corresponding hollow or cup
turned iu the face of the wheel to which the crank-pin is
connected; and the whole are secured together by a
washer, bolt, and nut. Any undue pressure which tends
to throw tho connecting-rod out of the direct line is got
rid of by the crank-pin giving and taking, the ball joint
moving in its cup or socket ^admitting of a lateral play
more or less, according to the pressure brought upon the
connecting-rod. The crank is made hollow, and a
diagonal slot, cut in it admits of the oil, with which the
hollow of the pin is filled from time to time, being passed
to the moveable joint, which is thus kept well lubricated.
A supply of oil can be conveyed by the hollow crank-pin
equal to several hours' working — five or six.

L. L. Larksworthy and Co,, Lowesmoor Iron Works,
Worcester, exhibit various orticles, as ploughs and har-
rows; and Messrs. Garton and King, of Exeter, their
cooking stoves and seats. Tho same firm have also stalls,
and a loose box fitted up with their improved fittings, in
connection with which there are exhibited a good many
stable appliances.

Going up the field we come to the stand of Colt-
hurst, Symous, and Co., of the Patent Tile Works,
Bridgewater, who exhibit a goodly collection of tiles, pave-
ments, and amongst the former specimens of Beadon's
patent Gothic tile, an excellent and cheap contrivance for
forming eaves gutters, and to which we have on other occa-
sions specially referred. Passing the Arts Department,
and following the course of the field, we take the row of
sheds next the sea, and work our way back again to the

THE FARMEE'g MAGAZINE.

47

entrance, at which point we began onv labours. In this
arrangement of our work, the stand we first come to is
that of Parkhani, Northgate Street Iron Works, Bath,
who exhibits a good collection t)f hnrdles and gates. And,
by the way, referring to gates, we may remark that in
many cases a remarkable overlooking of the principles
upon which they should be constructed is to be found in
many gates exhibited at our shows. The subject is one
of importance, and will bear investigation in a special
paper, which we purpose shortly devoting to it.

The stands next in order contain exhibits, the ma-
jority of which, not being specially connected with agri-
culture— at least not requiring much special description
— may be noted in one paragraph. The exhibits are
Beach's (Dudley, Worcestershire) cattle-food ; Hepburn's
(Long-lane, Southwark, London) leather belting; Glid-
don's (Willeton, Taunton) prize ranges, wlio also exhibits
a screw-driver water-tap, showing considerable ingenuity
in the means by which leakage is prevented, this being
effected by a double screw and Hat washer-valve ; G.
Dodge's (Loudon) vidcauizcd India-rubber driving bands,
tubing, and waterproof sheeting ; Cook (Redruth, Corn-
wall), dog-carts ; the Bovcy-Tracey (Newton Abbott)
Pottery Company, fire-brick and tiles ; Bullay (Station-
road, Plymouth), miniature brougham ; Terrill (Redruth,
Cornwall), cooking range ; T. Pethick (Tamertou PoUiott,
Plymouth), farm carts ; Hardon (Albert Works, Strange-
ways, Manchester), royal patent feeding cake ; Richard
Craggs Silvester (16, St. James's-walk, Clerkenwell,
London), American inventions, &c., a kuife sharpener, a^
nose-ring for cattle, and a weigkiug-scale ; Baker (Comp-
ton, Newbury, Berkshire), licjuid manure carts, and
pump ; Day, Sou, and Hewitt (22, Dorset-street,
Baker-street, London), medicine-chests, gaseous fluid,
&e. Bradford — the ubiquitous Bradford — of Cathedral
Steps, Manchester, turns up here, as at every show,
with his washing-machines, which, as Josh Billings would
say, " arc, iu course, poorly agyerkateryil mashins," which
have fantastic designations as "Vowel" machines; why
so-called we cannot say. But he has here something
specially agricultural, and which deserves more than a
passing notice : it is a churn, which, as usual with this
indefatigable inventor, he designates fantastically, and it
therefore figures as the " C.C.C." churn. Whether there
is a hidden or occult pun in this, wo know not ; but the
sound, at all events, conveys a hint to look at it. And
really it is worthy of being looked at, as it possesses con-
siderable claims to being what seems all the rage at
present, an aerating or atmospheric churn. The principal
feature lies iu the form of the dasher, or rather plough,
for the milk is acted upon by the reeiprocatory motion,
like the old-fashioned plunge-churn, which is square or
rectangular in form. Its extremities or side-wings, as
we may call them, are simply hollow boxes, the outer sides
of which are quite open, although the upper part or lid
and the sides and ends are closed. These boxes do not
stretch right across the whole of the plunger, but arc
stopped short, leaving a space between them. This
space is filled up with square bars set diamond form,
thus <> . The plunger thus constructed is provided
with two cross-bars, to the centre of which one end of
an upright lever is jointed, the upper end of which is
jointed to a horizontal cross lever placed some distance
above the top of the churns, and one cud of which is
grasped by tlie operator, the other end being jointed to a
vertical support at the back. The operation is as fol-
lows : The box in which the plunger is placed is filled to
a certain height with the milk or cream to be operated
upon, and the plunger lifted sharply up, till the lower
edge of the side-wings or boxes of the plunger are a little
above the surface of the milk or cream, the air then passes
into and fills the spaces of the boxes, when tlie plunger

is forced down into the liquid, and the air is passed
through it, and up between the churn anJ set bars, the
shape and position of which cause a variety of contrary
currents, which agitate the liquid. Whatever other result
is obtained, that of passing a large body of air through
the liquid is certainly obtained : a very short working of
the churn suilices to show that. We believe trials have
shown its value in practice, and certainly nothing can be
fairer than the terms upon which the inventor offers it to
the public, for he gives intending purchasers a month's
trial of it, and if that does not satisfy them, ho takes
back the churn. Our description is complete when we
give the poetical quotation with which the inventor heads
his prospectus, and which is applicable to moro things
than to churns : —

" The current that witli gentle murmur glides.

Thou knowest, being stojjpcd, impatiently dotli rage."

Shakespeare, from whom this is taken, has been called a
"universal-minded man;" it must be so, else he could
not thus have been pi-essed into the service of agricultural
implement makers, to, slightly altering the quotation,
" point their prospectus, aiul adorn their tale."

The attendance during the two first days, Monday
and Tuesday, both of which have been half-crown
days, has not by any means been great ; but wo be-
lieve the pecuniary result has satisfied the Society — at
least such is what common report says, if that is trnst-
wortiiy. On Monday G59 paid for admission, 1,800 yester-
day, but the number admitted to-day (Wednesday) must
reach some thousands, for already, at the early hour we
write this, crowds are pouring in from all quarters. The
weather is beautiful, and the attraction outside the show
as well as inside cannot fail to bring a large concourse of
people. If, iu addition, to the money they bring to the
Society, they bring also business to the exhibitors — which
up till to-day has been exceedingly dull — all concerned
will have no reason to complain.

On Tuesday forenoon, about eleven o'clock, the trials of
mowing machines was begun on a field of rye grass, in the
immediate neiglibourhood of the show-yard. The trials
excited great interest, and were attended by a considerable
number of visitors to the show. The Bath and West
of England Society have for some years given up
the prize system, and that trials such as were carried
out on Tuesday and Wednesday were not trials in the
ordinaiy sense of the term, as involving any com-
petition for prizes or other marks of merit. The So-
ciety takes no cognizance of them, but simply aftbrda
facilities for carrying them out, and takes the general
management of them such as they are ; leaving the public
who witness them to be the best judges of the results.
It is, to say the least of this arrangement, open to dis-
cussion as to whether it is a wise policy on the part of the
Society ; whether, indeed, it is not an ignoring of one of
the duties of an agricultm-al society — namely, that which
imposes upon it the task of ascertaining for its mem-
bers what are the inventions and appliances which are
likely to be useful to them in their practice. Those are
not few in number uor unimportaut in influence who
maintain that this is one of the duties, possibly the most
important, which an agricultural society has to perform ;
and, if so, it is diificult to see why this Society has fore-
gone its performance. We cannot but think (he decision of
the Bath and West of England Society an unfortunate one.
The ))rize system has unmistakably done much good, and
is still capable of doing good ; and there is one commentary
very striking, to be met with in the show-yard itself,
upon the decision of the Society, with reference to the
doing away with the prize system in councctiou with the
implements and machines, A walk through the stock and
poultry departments will show on every side tickets

48

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

blazing forth "First prize," "Second prize," "Tliird
prize," iiud so on. How is tliis? Is the prize system so
good for one department that it is followed out ; so had
for another that there it is condemned, and thrust aside
as worthless, if not worse ? We do not lose sight of the
fact that there are conditions afTectiug the stock prize
system which do not affect — at least in the same degree —
the prize system connected with implements and
machines ; nevertheless, to many it does seem an anomaly
that prizes should be given in one and not in another
depai'tment. It is scarcely the place — certainly not the
place to do the subject justice- — to take np the discnssion
of this question at the end of a long article. Mean-
while, we feci that we should not have been doing
either our readers or ourselves justice had we not
alluded to it, and very clearly given our opinion npon
it. We now conclude by giving ihe list of those who
tried their machines ou Tuesday. The numbers refer
to the numbers of the plots which the different com-
petitors—if the term is allowable when nothing was
competed for — drew for the choice of plots. (5) Walter
A. Wood, (1) Samuelson aud Company, (4) Brenton, (7)
Reading Iron Company, (2) Horusby and Sons, (9)
Burgess and Key, (10) Beverley Iron and Waggon Com-
pany, (G) Picksley, Sims, and Co., (3) Howard of Bedford,
(S) Kearsley, (11) Bamletts. The trials excited great in-
terest, and a slight shower before and after and daring
the trial made the grass in capital order for working. As
a rule, the work done by all the machines was excellent,
although to some the usual mishaps occnri'ed, which pre-
vented them from displaying their full powers. It would
be invidious under the circumstances to enter into a
detailed account of the work done by the various
machines : that will be probably done when more leisure
awaits us. On Wednesday the reaper trials were being
carried on in a field of rye some distance from the
Show-yard. The crop is in excellent condition for dis-
playing to advantage the capabilities of the different
machines entered for trial, the principal entries being
made by Burgess and Key, Howard, Wood, Brenton,
Kearsley.

THE IMPLEMENT STANDS.

Holmes and Son, Norwich. — Seven-horse power portable
steam-engine ; combined prize portable finishing thrashing
machine ; improved circular-saw table ; eight, ten, and four-
teen-row corn and small' occupation drills ; four-row aud
economical West of England seed and manure drills ; broad-
cast corn aud seed-sowing machine ; single and two-row
turnip aud mangold drills ; aud corn-dressing machines.

Tasker and Sons, Andover. — Six-horse power portable
single cyliader steam-engine ; single-blast patent combined
portable thrashing machine ; screw-lifting jack ; corn-dressing
machines ; oilcake breakers ; and circidar-saw ta))les.

Clayton, Siiuttlewortu, and Co., Lincoln. — Five and six-
horse power siugle cylinder portable steam-engines; single aud
double-blast combined thrashing aud fiuishing machines ; and
patent combined two-row revolving liquid manure and drop
drill for turnip and other seeds.

Powis and Co., Millwall. — Improved mortising, tenoning,
and boring machiue ; improved endless baud sawing machine ;
the " Joiner Universal" sawing machine ; improved three-
cutter moulding machine ; improved self-acting circular saw-
bench ; and a portable steam-engine to drive the foregoing
machinery.

The Reading Iuon Works (Limited), Reading. — Three-
horse power portable steam-engine ; two patent " clipper"
mowing machines ; improved lever horse rakes ; gorse-bruising
machine ; improved chalt'-cuttcrs for hand and horse power ;
oilcake mill ; grass seed Ijroadcake sowing machine ; and forty-
two inch combined portable tlirashing machine.

Brown and May, Devizes. — Eiglit-horse power patent
portable steara-engiue ; and four-feet six-inch combined
tinisliing thrasliing machine,

Marshall, Sons, and Co., Gaiusborough. — Five and eight-
horse power portable steam-engines ; combined thrashing aud
riuisliiiig machines ; aud iuiproved circular-saw biuiclics.

Plenty and Son, Newbury, — A patent engine aud boiler
yachts, launchas, aud other boats.

Hawken aud Clemow, St. Issey and St. Merryn, Corn-
wall.— Tcn-horee power double-cylinder portable steam-engine ;
eight-horse power single-cylinder portable steam-engine; com-
bined portable double-blast finishing thrashing machine ; im-
proved circular-saw bench (new implement), with cast-irou
frame and planed table ; improved chatf-cutting machiue ;
(new article), set of steadying blocks ; combined reaper and
mower ; self-raking, " Eclipse," and governor self-raking
reapers ; improved horse-gear ; turnip-cutters ; an assortment
of " Excelsior" turnwrest and other ploughs ; an iron plough
(new implemeut), made with wrought-iron centre-piece intro-
duced in the Ijcam, and wrought-iron frame ; collections of
hay and dung forks ; leather machiue bands, aud vidcanized
India rubber bauds : patent flexible or chain harrows ; and
collection of oil feeders, &c.

The Beverley Iron and AVaggon CoMPiVJJV, Beverley.
— Two-horse grass mo^^dng machine ; one and two-horse
reaping machine, with manual and double self-acting swathe
delivery ; three pairs of patent cart wheels, with axles, to
carry 20, 25, and 30 cwts. ; Newcastle prize or one-horse
model cart ; self-cleausing clod crusher and roller ; and a pair
of cast-iron wheels for clod crusher or roller.

RusTON, Proctor, aud Co. — Five and six-horse power
portable steam enginss ; single and double blast thrashing,
finishing, aud dressing machines ; aud improved circular-
saw beuch \vith planed metal table.

Humphries, Pershore. — Six-horse power portable steam
engine ; combined thrashing and finishing machine ; aud pair
of two-and-a-half inch cider press screws.

HoRNSBY and Sons, Grantham. — Six-horse power portable
steam engine, with contracted steam chamber ; four-feet com-
bined thrashing, shaking, and finishing dressing machine ;
"Governor," "Premier," and "Plymouth" self-rakiug and
one-horse back-delivery reaping machines ; patent " Paragon"
mowers, and " Plymouth" and " Paragon" combined mowers
aud reapers ; an assortment of light and strong two-horse
iron ploughs ; root-pulpers ; patent washiug machiue with
wringer and metal screw ; improved patent mangle with
brass-capped sycamore rollers ; patent 10|-iuch forked leg
wringer, with metal screw ; and ten-row corn and seed drill.

Garrett and Sons, Saxmundliam. — Four and six-horse
power portable steam engines ; combined thrashing and fiuish-
ing dressing machines ; patent straw elevator ; ten and eleven-
row Sulfolk corn drills ; West of England and other pattern
corn and seed drills ; two sizes of Chambers' patent artificial
manure distributor ; improved horse hoes ; corn dressing lua-
cliiues ; and patent rick aud corn ventilators.

Sutton aud Sons, Reading. — Collection of one hundred
specimens of dried grass, plants, and samples of grass seeds ;
complete assortment of the principal kinds of agricultural,
horticultural, and floricultural seeds ; collection of agricul-
tural roots ; aud growing samples of various kinds of seeds in
pots.

Be.\xe (Carter and Co.), London. — Samples and specimens
of natural grasses for permanent pasture ; wheats, barleys,
oat», mangel, turnip, and other agricultural produce.

Pontey, Cornwall. — Collections of approved kinds of seed,
grasses, and field roots, including mangolds and turnips.

Samuelson and Co., Banbury. — Self-raking and one and
two-horse " Eclipse" reaping machines ; two-horse grass mow-
ers ; combined mower and reaper ; and fourteen, nineteen, and
thirty-inch lawn mowers.

Bentall, JMaldon. — Five specimens of patent chaff cutters,
of various power, for hand and horse working ; improved disc
root pulpers ; Gardner's turnip cutters ; and improved oil-
cake mills.

Roberts and Sons, Bridgewater. — The patent "Econo-
mist" carriage ; waggonettes ; park phaetons ; Malvern,
Whitechapel, and other dog carts ; a gadabout Dennet gig ;
and miscellaneous lot of single and double harness.

Picksley, Sims, aud Co., Leigh. — Variety of differeut
size chatf cutters for baud and horse power; steel grinding
mills ; oat aud bean mills ; smooth roller crushing mills ;
siugle and combined tnrnip pulpers, slicers, and strippers;
Gardner's single action turnip cutter ; new pattern oilcake

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

49

mill ; eleven, thirteen, fourteen, and nineteen-inch lawn mow-
ers ; single and double cylinder garden rollers ; an assortment
of combined wood and iron garden pic-nic chairs, of various
sizes and patterns ; American and improved horse rakes ; case
of American hay and manure forks ; twelve pig troughs, as-
sorted sizes ; two-horse mowing machines ; two-horse com-
bined reaper and mower ; and one-horse " Champion" reaper.
Goss and Son, Plymouth. — Specimens of brass and steel
letters for marking and branding purposes ; and ornaments,
coats of arms, and trade marks for all kinds of metal, wood, &c.

Brenton, St. Germans, Cornwall. — One and two-horse
patent cylinder reaping machines ; two two-horse " Nonpa-
reil" mowing machines ; three-row turnip and mangold drill ;
combined blowing and dressing machine ; broadcast corn and
seed machine ; improved registered sheep rack mounted on
iron wlieels ; set of tubular iron whippletrees ; samples of
machine driving bands ; and bundle of hay and manure forks.

Howard, J. and F., Bedford. — An assortment of iron one
and two-wheel iron ploughs for every variety of soil and work,
with subsoil, ridging, and digging-bodies for attachment ; im-
proved potato-raising plough, with two wheels and double
raisers ; improved plough sledge,"dynamometer or draught
gauge, sets of patent flexible chain and beam iron harrows,
improved wrought-iron harrow carriage, sets of trussed Whipple
trees, patent horse rakes, three sizes patent double-action hay-
making machines, new patent improved two-horse mowing
machine, one and two-horse manual and self-delivery reaping
raachiups, and new patent safety steam boiler and super-heater
often-horse power.

Kearsley, H. and G., Ripon.— .Two-horse grass mowing
machine, two-horse combined mower and reaper, one and two
horse reaping machines, and a meadow mower.

Larkworthy and Co., Worcester. — Three sizes patent
" Excelsior" iron ploughs ; various sets of " Excelsior" iron
scuflles, drag and beam harrows; sets of "Excelsior" steel
plough and eciualizing whippletrees, and a wrought-iron cattle
crib.

Garton and King, Exeter.— An assortment of cottage,
domestic, farmhouse,and pedestal cooking stoves, ranges, grates,
and heaters ; variety of useful and highly-ornamental com-
bined wood and iron garden seats and tables ; set of cast-iron
work for loose box, porcelain manger and drinking trough ;
sets of cast-iron stall divisions and stable fittings ; cast-iron
galvanized hay-racks and corner mangers ; single and double
harness fittings, and general stable necessaries and utensils ;
wrought-iron gates with posts and stays, wrought-iron hurdles,
continuous cattle chain fence and galvanized strained wire ;
wrought-iron cylindrical boiler, and cast-iron crescent boiler.

BoBY, Bury St. Edmund's. — Five patent double-action hay-
makers, fitted with wood or iron travelling wlieels ; patent
com screens, with blowers and removable wire beds ; improved
patent barley screen, improved corn-dressing machine and
screen combined, improved malt screen, barley and malt hura-
mellers ; patent self-acting horse-rakes, with seat for driver ;
and patent oval-beam iron and wood-beam ploughs.

Tuck and Son, Bath. — Patent and improved Hornblotten
and Chantrey stiles, in oak and iron ; lengths of five-wired,
continuous, and tubular cattle fencing, with straining pillars ;
specimens of wrought-iron field and garden gates, hurdles, and
verandahs in different panels ; selection of garden seats, chairs,
tables, watering engines, and wheelbarrows; models of cast
and wrought iron boilers ; model of arrangement for heating
churches or public buildings ; and model of gasworks for man-
sions, factories, collieries, &c.

White, London. — Specimens of the patent S. L. V. oil-
feeders, save-all, pyramid oil-cans, needle lubricators, artificial
dams, stable and barn lamps and lanterns, and thatch fas-
teners ; and samples of leather driving bands, straps, lashing
laces, and thongs.

MusciRAVE Brothers, Belfast. — Four full-sized horsc-
stalls, with patent fittings ; a variety of fittings and stable fur-
niture, racks, mangers, &c. ; patent iron cowhouse fittings, dog
kennels, and piggeries ; patent harness-room, slow combustion,
and conservatory stoves ; and an assortment of staljle utensils
and necessaries.

Plimsaul Brothers, Plymouth. — Improved one-way and
other ploughs ; turnip hoes ; flexible, chain, and Bedford har-
rows ; improved American tubular, iron, hand and horse rakes ;
patent self-raking and one-horse " Eclipse" reaping machines ;
combined reaping and mowing machine ; double and single

action hay turners ; chaffcutters of various power ; improved
turnip pulpers, strippers, and slicers ; Gardner's single and
double action turnip-cutters ; improved oat, bean, corn, seed,
and malt crushers ; two and three row turnip and mangold
drills ; corn dressing and blowing machines ; an assortnient
of liqmd manure barrows, pumps, and garden rollers; washing,
wringing, and mangling machines ; garden chairs, engines,
flower-stands, &c. ; selection of spades, scythes, and forks ; an
assortment of lawn mowers and rolling machines ; galvanized
iron cattle, pig, dog, and poultry troughs ; American cottage
and domestic cooking stoves and ranges ; a variety of gas-
burner stoves, with flexible tubing ; a variety of cooking pots
and domestic utensils ; Milner's patent fireproof boxes and
safes; stable fittings and furniture; corn measures, weighing
machines, garden tools, knife-cleaning machines, and cask of
sheep wash.

Carson and Toone, Warminster. — An assortment of
chaff-cutting engines for hand, horse, or steam power ;
Moody's patent turnip-cutters, on iron frames ; oilcake
crushers ; single and double cheese-presses, on iron and wood
stools ; and an assortment of wrought-iron horse-hoes, with
three steel hoes and five tines.

Baker, Wisbeacli. — Improved combined blowing and dress-
ing machines, and combined corn-dressing machines with one
hopper.

The Canadian Washing-Machine and Agricultural
Implement Company, Worcester. — Patent Canadian wash-
ing-machines, with wood and iron frames ; two sizes of com-
pound lever mangles; patent combined washing, wringing,
and mangling machine ; India-rubber wringers ; patent clothes-
horse and dryer ; and sets of improved diagonal-shaped three
and four-beam harrows.

Sara, Penryn, Cornwall. — Twelve-horse power horizontal
steam-engine ; pair of 12-liorse power vertical engines, with
reversing motion; 2-horse power small donkey engine and
boiler ; steam-ram for forcing water ; sets of three chaff-
cutters ; and set of four ploughs.

Nicholson, Newark-on-Trent. — Three haymaking ma-
chines, with single and combined motion ; (new implement),
high-wheeled horse-rake, of great height, and constructed to
carry large loads ; 2'i-incli garden roller, witli double cylinders ;
patent cake crusher ; registered bottle racks to hold six and
twelve dozen ; sack-lifting machines ; malt and corn shovels ;
and Baker's patent anti-incrustator.

Ransomes and Sims, Ipswich. — An assortment of iron
beam two wheel, moulding, ridging, turn-wrest, or one-way
ploughs, for every variety of soil ; ridging, subsoil, potato, and
digging bodies ; sets of trussed iron whippletrees and porael-
trees ; improved horse-rake ; set of three patent-jointed har-
rows ; bean-cutter ; oat and combined mills ; oilcake breakers ;
Gardner's turnip-cutters ; root-pulper, for hand power ; and
four " automaton" lawn-mowers.

Burgess and Key, London. — Reaping and mowing ma-
chines, and combined reaper and mower.

Buckingham, Launceston. — Champion butterfly ploughs ;
seven-tined cultivator ; (new article), a cultivator with nine
tines, for large occupations, to cover six feet of land ; and an
improved horse-hoe.

Dening and Co. (late Wightman and Dening), Chard,
Somerset. — Haymaking machines ; horse-rake ; cheese-press ;
apple mill and corn-bruiser ; three sizes of horse-gear ; iron
ploughs for light and heavy land ; root-grater ; and horse-
hoe.

WiLCOCKS, Bath. — Three, four, five, and six-motion beer-
engines, with fittings coniplete ; gas-cooking stoves ; bottling
machine, for soda-water manufacturers ; soda-water cylinder
or condenser ; atmospheric kettle-boilers and kettles ; two and
three-light chandeliers ; harp lamp ; and set of pewter wine
measures.

Eastwood, Blackburn. — An assortment of patent com-
pound-action churns, in sizes to churn from one to eight
gallons.

Bamlett, Thirsk. — Two-horse grass mower, and one-horse
reaper.

The Bristol AVaggon Company, Bristol. — Light crank-
axle, improved farm, and pony or errand carts ; Wood's one
and two-horse mowing and reaping machines, and combined
mowing and reaping machine ; three sizes of American horse-
rake ; patent steel-tooth hay-collectors ; grass seed distributor ;

50

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

five and bix-iow coiu ■ drills ; patent aud improved sheep-
racks ; and improved road-scraper.

i/E BUTI, Bury St. Edmund's.— Four patent "Champion
double-action haymaking machines; (new implement), regis-
tered self-acting hand seed drill, for producing greater regu-
larity in sowing seed ; an assortment of mower or reaper-
knife rests ; everlasting malt-screen ; and (new article), speci-
mens of the Abercorn chair, which by a simple movement is
instantaneously converted into a pair of useful steps.

Paji.\ell and Son, Exeter.— A variety of gig and other
harness, saddles, bridles, snaffles. Martingales, &c.; whips,
canes, sticks, and whipholders ; rick-cloths, winnowing-sheets,
aud carriage-wrappers ; and a collection of three, four, and
five-bushel sacks. .

Hakding, WiHcanton.— Harding's genuine horse food, in
casks, canisters, and packets.

Penney and Co., Lincoln. — Patent adjustable corn-screens
and separators ; sack-Ufters ; improved registered gravel, sand,
coal, and malt screens ; rolls of galvanized game and poultry-
netting ; and six galvanized wire meat safes.

Hawkes, Spencer, and Co., Tiverton.— Eight, nine,
eleven, tliirteen, and fifteen-row patent chain corn drills ; three-
row turnip, mangold, and manure drill ; single and double-
action turninp cutters; patent self-acting horse-rakes; hay
machine ; reaping machines ; patent fire-bars ; and washing
machines.

Carson and Co., London. — Samples and patterns of the
original anti-corrosion paint ; samples of varnishes, raw and
boiled linseed oils, turpentine, and paints ; and an assortment
of improved brushes and materials for painting purposes.

CoLMAN and Morton, Chelmsford. — Variety of patent
cultivators, with five and seven tines; improved one-horse
gear ; water or liquid-manure cart ; patent adjustable rotary
com screen ; new patent oilcake cutters for hand or steam
power ; and samples of shares, &c., for Colman's cultivators.

Reeves, R. and J., Westbury. — Two, three, and four-row
liquid manure and economical seed-drills ; eleven-coulter
small-occupation corn-drill; patent broadcast manure distri-
butor ; and improved portable barrow-pump.

IPage and Co., Bedford. — Improved draining pipe and tile
machine ; patent horse, hay, corn, and stubble rakes ; one and
two-horse wrought-iron ploughs ; sets of diagonal iron har-
rows ; improved one-row combined expanding and universal
steerage horse-hoes ; and improved linseed-cake mills.

Cambridge and Co., Bristol. — Improved Cambridge roller
and clod crushers ; patent notched-wheel rollers and clod-
crushers ; sets of three and four-beam combined tine and
chain harrows ; three-wheel land-pressei ; one and two-horse
gear; twenty-three and twenty-six teeth horse-rakes; and
Gardner's single and double-action turnip cutters.

Woods, Cocksedge, and Warner, Stowmarket. — One,
two, and four-horse power vertical steam-engines, complete ;
imiversal grinding and crushing mills, for oats, beans, barley,
linseed, malt, wheat, peas, maize, &c. ; Gardner's single and
double-action patent turnip-cutters ; improved root piilpers and
graters ; improved horse-works, with separate intermediate
motion ; portable corn-grinding miUs, with twenty and thirty-
six inch French burr stones ; improved oilcake breakers, patent
perfect hog-troughs, one-horse cartsj to carry thirty cwts.,
and Woods' one aud two-horse mowers and reapers.

Wood, W. A. (Cranston), London. — One and two-horse
Wood's Royal grass-mowing machines, with and without reap-
ing attachment ; Wood's Royal one-horse reaping machine ;
and Nova Scotia grindstone, for sharpening reaper and mower
knives.

Williams and Co., Falmouth. — Miniature waggonette to
carry four persons, two and four-wheeled dog-carts, and har-
vest waggon.

Croggon and Co., London. — Variety of galvanized iron
pails, turnip skips, bowls, and basins ; roUs of asphalte, in-
odorous, ship-sheathing, and dry hair non-conducting felts ;
models of sheds and galvanized iron church ; samples of
Kamptulicon floorcloth and stall plauking ; two garden engines ;
galvanized iron cistern , gas stove." ; samples of perforated
iron and zinc asphalte blocks, shovels, spades, and forks ; and
rolls of strand wire fencing.

Rollins, London. — A large assortment of patent American
domestic, well, suction, and force pumps, of various power ;
patent American aquarius and hydraulic ram ; bundles of
American hay and manure forks ; Nova Scotia grindstone and

India pond extra scythe stones ; improved Auicricau wheel
horse-rakes ; variety of small American implements for farm
and household use ; set of American thermometer churns ;
and assortment of Shaler and Faiibank's weigliing machines,
weights, scoops, &c.

Ash, Penzance. — Two and four-wheel dog-carts and park
phaetons.

Beare, Newton Abbot. — Three aud five-horse power port-
able thrashing machines; three aud five-horse power port-
able gear ; three-row turnip and mangold drill ; winnow-
ing machine, patent "Eclipse" reaping machine, combined
reaper and mower; and Riche's and Watts' patent "Eureka"
grist mUls.

Richmond and Chjusdler, Salford. — Assortment of chaff-
cutters of various size and cut, to work with hand, horse, or
steam power ; corn crushers ; one, two, and four-horse gear ;
root washers, turnip cutters, steaming apparatus, sackholders,
and bread-kneading machines.

Tipper, Birmingham.— Cattle medicines ; Tipper's medi-
cated mystery, for cows, calves, sheep, pigs, poultry, and dogs ;
and sheep-dipping apparatus for scab, tick, and fly.

Inleef, Ladock, Cornwall.— Variety of cemetery memorial
stones, pillars, and crosses.

Mitchell and Burgess, Manchester.— Emery composi-
tion grinding machines and files for ordinary and reaper knife
sharpening, and portable stand for holding reaper knife bar
while being sharpened.

Moule's Patent Earth Closet Co., London.— Speci-
mens of the patent earth commode, with pull-up and self-
action, made of varioui woods; patent dustless earth and
cinder sifter, patent earth urinal, sets of self-acting and pull-
up apparatuses, drying stove for drying earth, and galvanized
iron tanks for earth closets.

Davey, Crofthole, Cornwall.— Excelsior turn-wrest ploughs,
with steel breasts, skim coulter, and parallel self-acting wheels ;
portable horse rake, and set of tubular whippletrees.

Day, Son, and Hewitt, Loudon. — Stock-breeders' com-
plete medicine chest, containing " Guide " and large assort-
ment of cattle and sheep medicines and compounds ; chests
of chemical extracts, gaseous fluid, red drench or inflam-
mation powders, red paste or condition balls, for the cure of
the various complaints and diseases incidental to horses,
cattle, sheep, &c.; the aluminate of zinc and sulphuretted
extract ointments ; and four pamphlets — " Key to Farriery "
(two editions), " Prize Essay on the Rearing of Calves," and
" The Breeding and Management of Sheep."

Baker, Newbury. — Liquid manure or water cart, on 4<-inch
wood wheels ; liquid manure distributor ; pump, with 13 feet
of suction hose attached ; and 130-gallon liqaid manure cart,
with distributor attached.

Silvester, London. — Patent American scales, improved
American blade sharpener, and patent noose ring for leading
cattle.

Hardon, Manchester. — Samples of royal patent cake, and
original condimcntal food for feeding and health restoring.

Petiiick, Plymouth. — Two-horse farm carts for general
purposes.

Terrill, Redruth.— Six sizes of improved cooking appa-
ratus, fitted with every requisite for domestic use, and made
of various measurement.

Jones, Gloucester. — Composition for waterproofing, soften-
ing, and preserving leather ; and Gloucestershire specific for
foot-rot in sheep.

Parham, Bath.— Assortment of iron, tubular, and orna-
mental field, garden, and wicket gates and pillars ; rolls of
continuous galvanized wire fencing for cattle, sheep, dogs,
pouhry, &c. ; ornamental hurdles, with trellis and chain tops ;
strong wrought-iron cattle crib ; various garden seats ; and
specimens of verandahs.

Hepburn and Sons, London. — Lengths of stout double
and single leather belting, mill-band strapping, aud driving
bands of various weight, length, and width ; lengths of leather
pipe and suction hose ; leather fire buckets, strap screws and
fasteners, and hydrauhc leathers ; and canvas hose for fire
engines and hquid mauure carts, tanks. Sic.

Beach, Dudley.— Beach's farinaceous food for cattle, sheep,
and pigs ; condiment for horses ; aud superfine flour.

Gliddon, Taunton.— Open fire kitchen range or cooking
apparatus ; steaming apparatus for domestic use ; " People's "
cooking range, and " Vesta" cottage range ; suspension roast-

THU FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

51

ing apparatus, fitted with titi screen ; enamelled iron bath,
complete ; and (new) screw-down tap, for all kinds of spirituous
and malt liquors.

Dodge, London. — Rolls of india-rubber and vulcanised
machine-bands of various length, width, weight, and sub-
stance; vulcanised india-rubber hose and tubing for fire-
engines, breweries, manufactories, &c. ; assortment of useful
india-rubber articles for domestic and other purposes ; india-
rubber waterproof covers and sheeting ; ditching and maltiug-
boots, driving-aprons, capes, coats, &c., and gutla-percha
driving-bands.

Cook, Redruth. — Two-wheeled Malvern dog-cart, and four-
wlieeled phaeton.

The Bovey Tracey Pottery Company, Bovey Tracey.—
Fire and architectural brick goods in great variety, for all
purposes.

BuLLEY, Plymouth. — Miniature brougham, Victoria ba-
rouche phaeton, and skeleton-body park phaeton.

Major, Bridgwater.— Model roof, exhibiting various kinds
of roofing and other tiles.

Browne and Co., Bridgwater.— Variety of plain and
moulded bricks, tiles, and pottery.

SiCETCHLEy, Weymouth. — Sis-horse power portable engine,
universal joiner, batting sawing machine, and mortising ma-
chine.

THE ANNUAL MEETING

Of the members was held in the council tent at 12 o'clock on
the Wednesday, Sir John Duckworth, Bart., the President, in
the chair.

Tlie Secretary (Mr. Goodwin) read the following Report:
" Tlie Council have the gratification to announce that, not-
withstanding the decease of several valuable members, pro-
minently among whom must be mentioned the late John Silii-
faut, Esq., of Coombe, in the county of Devon, there has been
no serious diminution in the number of subscribers. There
are at present on the books 69 hfe governors of the Society,
101 governors, 554 members subscribing not less than £1
annually, and 253 members contributing 10s. annually ; total,
977. The growing disposition of local agricultural societies
to enlarge the area of their operations, and to invite the
manufacturers of agricultural implements to exhibit at their
shows, has entailed on that enterprising body of men a great
increase of cost and trouble to meet the requisitions of tlie
various annual exhibitions. When therefore a proposal was
lately made by the Southern Counties Association, embracing
tlie counties of Hants, Berks, Oxford, Sussex, Surrey, and
Kent, that their association should be amalgamated with this
Society, the Council was induced in great measure by this
consideration to appoint a special committee to confer with a
corresponding body of the Council of the Southern Counties
Association ; and, after mature consideration, it was in the
first instance resolved at a special meeting of the Council,
held at Taunton, on the llth of March, and afterwards con-
firmed at an ordinary meeting, held on the 28th of March,
tliat it is desirable for the amalgamation proposed by tlie
Southern Counties Association to be acceded to on the follow-
ing terms: 1. That the name of the amalgamated society be
' The Bath and West of England Society (establislied 1777)
and Southern Counties Association.' 2. That the rules of the
Bath and West of England Society be adopted as the rules of
the amalgamated society. 3. That in the united Council the
vice-presidents and half of the Council (18) of the Southern
Counties Association be added to those of the Bath and West
of England, -i. That the oSice do continue at Bath, and the
officers of the Bath and West of England Society become
those of the amalgamated society. 5. That the meetings of
the Council be held at Yeovil. To this proposal the Council
recommend that the annual meeting give efi'ect. The Council
are happy to announce that the financial position of the
society is satisfactory. The funded capital has not been in
any way diminished during the last three years, and it is hoped
that the experiment of holding a meeting so far west as Fal-
mouth will prove conducive to the great objects for which the
society was founded. The exhibition, though not so large as
on several previous occasions, has the merit of great excel-
lence. Stock and poultry are represented by fine specimens of
the best breeds, machinery i\nd implements by the productions

of many of the best makers from remote parts of the United
Kingdom. The Art Department is replete with works of great
merit by living artists, whose names are annually becoming
more familiar to the frequenters of the society's exhibitions,
and the Council desire to record their obligations to the Lord
President of the Privy Council, and the authorities of South
Kensington Museum, for the fine collection of objects in deco-
rative art entrusted to the society for exhibition. An invita-
tion having been received from the Mayor and Local Com-
mittee of the town and county of Southampton to hold a meet-
ing there in 1869, the Council recommend that, subject to the
usual requirements of the society being complied with, the in-
vitation be accepted. At the last annual meeting a proposition
was made that a petition should be presented to the Legisla-
ture in favour of stricter regulations in reference to the impor-
tation of cattle from foreign ports. The subject was referred
to a special meeting of the Council of the Society, and a me-
morial, which it is hoped has not proved fruitless, was pre-
sented to the Privy Council. The Council recommend that
the Earl of Carnarvon be appointed to the office of president
for the year 1869. To supply the vacancy occurring in the
Council by resignations and the usual retirements, the Council
recommend that the following members be elected : Mr. Wm.
H. P. Carew, Antony House, Torpoint, as vice-president.
(The names of the CouncU included the Rev. A. Thynne, Pen-
stowe, Stratton, and Mr. E, B. Willyams, Nanskeval, St. Co-
liimb.)

On the motion of Mr. Jonathan Gray, seconded by Mr.
P. P. Smith, the report was received, adopted, and ordered to
be circulated among the members of the society.

Mr. Poole, in pursuance of notice, moved an alteration of
the sixteenth law so as to allow of a general law being altered
at a special general meeting as well as at annual meetings.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Hussey.

Mr. Wills tliought the alteration unnecessary, as the mem-
bers of the society put the greatest confidence in the Council,
by whom the whole of the business between the annual meet-
ings miglit l)e transacted as heretofore.

Mr. AcLAND, M.P., pointed out that it would be impossible
to complete this amalgamation with the Southern Counties
Association without altering some of the laws, and it would
be a pity to leave the matter in an unsettled state for twelve
months tOl the annual meeting.

No amendment was proposed by Mr. Wills, and the motion
was then put and carried.

The Rev. T. Phillpotts moved that the proposed amalga-
mation with the Southern Counties Association be approved
and confirmed.

I\Ir. Spoonek, of Southampton, seconded the motion, which
was carried.

Mr. Poole moved the appointment of a committee to con-
sider and report to a special general meeting of the Bath and
West of England Society, how the proposed amalgamation
could be best carried out, and what alterations in the rules were
required.
The motion was seconded and adopted.
Colonel Archer moved that the Earl of Carnarvon be
elected the president of the society for the ensuing year, which
was seconded by the Rev. T. Phillpotts, and carried unani'
mously.

Mr. Farthing then proposed, and Mr. Stokes seconded
the election of the members of the Council as recommended,
whicli was agreed to.

On the motion of Col. Archer, Mr. W. H. Pole Carew was
elected vice-president of the society.

A vote of thanks was then accorded to the chairman for the
ability and courtesy with whicli he had presided over the pro-
ceedings of the society ; and at a meeting of the council imme-
diately preceding the annual meeting, it was resolved that the
best thanuks of the Council be presented to the chairman,
vice-chairman, and the members of the local committee, for
the liberality with which they had received and entertained
the society, and for the zeal and ability with which tliey had
laboured to bring the meeting to a successful issue.

fi 2

52

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE ISLINGTON HORSE SHOW.

There is a story told of a man vvlio, on his return from
tlie Derby, was fonud hurrying over his dinner iu the
eofl'ee-room, aud who, on being asked the reason for all
this haste, answered that he was going to Astley's, and
was afraid he might be late ! It would have been
imagined that he had seen quite enough of horses for once
in the way, althongh we still finish the week much as this
enthusiast did his day out. Astley's Amphitheatre is, to
be sure, shut np and to be sold ; but after the week at Epsom
we wind up with the hoi'se show at Islington, and it
eomes to much the same thing. There is the same smack
of the sawdust, the like scenes in the circle, the lofty
jvmiping, aud " Pay here for the boxes." If they would
only run a tame fox now and then round the ring the
illusion would be complete.

With some considerable experience of such meetings we
have long thought that the horse show might be made some-
thing more of. There can be no disguising the fact that on
the turf the horse is regarded merely as an instrument of
gaming, and that the countenance of the Government in the
way of Koyal Plates, to be ruu for at comparatively heavy
weights and long distances, has come in its influence to be
little more than a nullity. Surely some of the thousands
of pounds annually wasted in this way might be advan-
tageously applied in some other direction. At any rate,
the experiment is worth trying, for nothing could promise
to be more idle or useless than this expenditure, as at
present persisted in. Let there be a few of the Royal
Plates devoted to the encouragemeut of sires either for
the saddle or harness, and a few more of her Majesty's
gifts be oifered for hunting-horses of certain ages and
capabilities. A very small modicum of patronage of this
kind would have a very great effect. It would give a
stamp to the thing, and incite many more people to ex-
hibit and improve, who may not as yet have thought much
of these opportunities. The Royal Agricultural Society
of Ireland is indeed about to take the matter up, and
address the Government on the deterioration in the
breeds of horses. Unfortunately the Charter will not
permit of the Royal English Society goiug before
Parliament, or the Council might do something of the same
kind, say in the course of the next ten or twelve years.
Of course a vast deal will depend upon the conduct of
the shows. If such a gathering be regai'ded chiefly as a
scheme for getting shillings and halfcrowns out of the
public, our argument would be as false as if we went for
breeding horses with main consideration of the hundreds
and thousands the black-legs may get out of the public. If
with this oac great object in view an irrepressible air of
absurdity is to characterise the proceedings ; if the
unfortunate horses are to be "jumped" and "jumped"
again from one week's end to the other, and as an at-
tractive finish to run trotting matches iu a circus, we
merge the horse-show into the fair show. There was
during the Monday in Whitsuu week an entertainment
at Islington, in the course of which "lady jockeys"
rode a steeple chase " over four water jumi)s and eight
fences," with a display of fireworks in the evening. It
is only right to say, that this exhibition was not be in
the Agricultural HaU, but on the adjoining County Cricket
Ground. There was, however, it is fair to add, "extra
prizes for trotting and leaping" in the Agricultural Hall,
and sportsmen and horsemen could have had the op-
portunity for comparing these grand national demon-
strations one with the other. There was, though, no

fireworks after the trotting, an almost culpable omission,
which the directors should order their people to see to
by another year.

To our thinking, the sportsman should have no greater
treat than a well-conducted horse-show. Let us take him
on a month or two, when iu the centre of a great grass
ground three gentlemen have some of the picked nags of
all Yorkshire parading around them. Beyond a solitary
attendant at the gateway there is not a soul to interfere
with these authorities. The very horse seems to make
his entrance and exit by instinct, and though possibly
once or twice during the day a varmint-looking gentleman
with a certain official air about him may cross the scene,
it is as likely as not that he never exchanges a word with
the judges, but, iu the exercise of excellent taste, leaves
them to their duties, content to see that the genius of good
order still reigns supreme. There are no trotting matches,
there are no " leaping" matches ; but if a man wishes to
try a horse, there is a row of bushed hurdles in a quiet
corner, at which he may put anything he has in price.
But what does any true sportsman think of this jumping
in public ? Mr. Thomson's clever horse would not have
it at Islington, and another that took a first prize as a
hunter absolutely refused to have anything to do with
such Cockney contrivances. As The Times has it, " One
horse walked up against the fence and coolly pushed it
down, and another showed his intelligence by selecting a
break between the tressels, through which he shambled
much as a donkey would manage a two-feet ditch. It is
a pity better arrangements were not made for jumping;
although no judge would think of condemning a hunter
for refusing a fence with a crowd close under his nose,
laughing, shouting, and cheering by turns" And yet
horses were sent time after time over " the jumps ;"
while Lord Macclesfield stood by, with a smile of some-
thing like shame on his face, and the officials and the
other " set" aud the directors, and the visitors, and the
clerks of the Company, aud the distinguished foreigners
got in each other's way, and took complacently enough to
judging the judges. What a fuss they did make of it,
to be sure ! Every now and then somebody sounded an
alarum, a cross between a gong and a dinner-bell, and
one was irresistibly reminded of the " Walk up ! walk
up! all in; just a-goiug to begin!" Then a director
said to some unfortunate groom iu charge of a horse,
" Now walk !" and then somebody else, who wasn't a
director, squeaked out, " Now trot !" while a third or-
dered him bodily out of the ring, and a fourth told him
to stop where he was! And then they all went and
bowed and smiled at the judges, under the manifest im-
pression that they had been doing a deal to facilitate the
business 1 But how is it there are no gongs, no board of
directors, no distinguished foreigners, no clerks, to inter-
fere with the arrangements of a Yorkshire meeting ?

The Horse Show pays ; but we should like to see the
horse show regarded as something more than a successful
speculation. Everybody, as it is, seems to treat the thing
as a joke. People laugh, as they would at " Mr. Merry-
man," when a beaten horse runs round and nearly over an
official. The proceedings, moreover, occasionally approach
very closely upon acts of cruelty, and many a horse may
never forget the " bucketing " he gets here. With some
love, and we had almost added respect, for a horse, we
have been induced to say so much upon so much that is
objectionable in this now annual exhibition.

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

5S

The doors opened for a fifth Show, as usual on
the Saturday after the Derby, and in the course of
the day there were a fair number of visitors. There
Were two sets of judges — the lords and commons :
the lords commencing the business of the day a little
after ten, with the weight-carrying hunters, a rather
heavy class, numbering fifty. Amongst these were about
a score that looked like hunters, and two notorious im-
postors who have taken their value in prize-money a
hundred times over, as neither of them as hunters is
really worth a ten-pound note ; and we hope, for the
good of the cause, of horse-shows in particular, th.at they
will never have another penny awarded them. Those
that struck us as possessing hunting characteristics were
Mr. Austruther Thomson's Borderer and Valeria, about
which there could be no mistake, although we think there
decidedly was, in giving Miss Tyler's Tyrconnel a place,
for he has anything but a hunting forehand. Capt. Percy
Williams, who has often acted as judge in the Hall, had
a big slashing five-year-old with rather a loaded shoulder
and strong round flashy action, that would require a deal of
steam to keep him going, and who smacked a little more
of charging than staying with hounds ; but he is a young
one and big one, so time may work wonders as he sobers
down. Mountain Dew, a well-known prize-taker, and
a hunter all over, being a capital goer and a fencer in the
open, would not have anything to do with the jumping
business here, many more horses following suit during
the day, including Capt. Thomson's good-looking hunter.
Borderer. Can this be wondered at ? As well might
we expect hunters to take to sawdust and face
gaudy green-pea-coloured leaping-bars topped by rows
of Lincoln and Bennett's, or Christy's best, and
the staring heads within them, as a good man
across country, to don a chignon, long stockings, and
short gauze petticoat, and be as an fait in simpers,
curtsies, and turning heels over head, or jumping
through a hoop, as the American Ella himself.
Mountain Dew has thickened, but would have
shown to more advantage with less carcase. Mr. All-
sopp'sSparkenhoe was a really gentlemanly-looking horse,
of fine form, breed, and action, his legs coming tveU
under him ; couple with him Mr. Davies Bryan's Here-
ford, and you have two horses very taking to the eye, and
of excellent symmetry. Captain Heath's Chicken caused
much merriment from his description in the catalogue as
standing "16 hands 5 inches high, a wonderful hunter
up to 17 stone." Five inches ! while the dam of one
of the stud horses was stated to be a well-known
stallion ! Mr. Manner's Phalanx was a compact
good-looking horse, but with something more of the
charger in form and action ; as^was Colonel Carleton's
Warkworth, but we doubt not that both can take their
turns as hunters. Mr. Fison's had breed, and could
move. Mr. G. Stones' Middleton, and Mr. S. Cope-
stake's Bellerophon, and Mr. Booth's Shamrock, were
good-looking, the latter lighter in his carcase than
his owner is in the habit of showing horses. Lady, an
old-fashioned hunting mare of Mr. Codrington's, looked
more like sixteen than six ; and Lord Ingestre showed
four, Godfrey and Gurney being our fancy, the latter a
useful, good-topped horse on a short leg with fair action,
but not over fast looking. Colonel Somerset's Tom
Steele is a quick-looking grey, with bone, and Mr.
Greetham's a fair-looking ehesnut. Voyageur has a
shoidder that would stop one of Stephenson's locomotives,
and Master of Arts, though grand in his top, is the most
wooden choppy goer that ever put his head through a
breast-plate : both were in excellent trim for the German
sausage market, a market that by nature they are much
more adapted for than Market Harborough, or any other
hunting country, though kept in the ring till the last. The

next class, forty-eight in number, for hunters without
condition as to weight, was headed by a lengthy, well-
formed, gentlemanly horse of the Prince of Wales',
Knight of St. Patrick, who was awarded second honours,
a horse that the owners of a great many in this class
might try and carry away in their eye, just to give them
some notion of what a hunter ought to be — a thing, judg-
ing them by some of the brutes exhibited, they must
have but a very few loose ideas about. In fact, there was
a deal of weeding, which might have been done
with a very wide hoe in a very little time, without
the slightest chance of injuring a good plant. Denmark,
a very useful but rather plain horse, the judges did not
take to, and although with many of the characteristics of
his brother Mountain Dew he has more of the charger
about him, and he made his exit, never to return, with
such horses as Mr. PauU's Plaudit, Mr. Dragc's Thorpe
Malsor, Mr. Sander's Crick, Col. Somerset's two. Aerolite
and Carnarvon, Mr. Pagden's Confidence, Mr. Greetham s
ehesnut, whilst horses with shoulders like Mr. Clarke's
Rosa, Mr. Raike's Amazon, and Mr. Davis's Chevening
came labouring in a second time and were kept before
their lordships till the last turn. The Honourable Mrs.
Villiers, a fine woman across country in her day, sent a
very neat, compact ehesnut, Toby, but who wants his
shoulders shaved to make him perfect. Among those good-
looking were Mr. Kirk's Bayard a good-topped, useful
horse ; Mr. Bevan's black mare, by Sir Hercules, with
form, breed, and action ; Mr. Newman's Prince ; Mr.
Lloyd's Planet ; Mr. Topham's Springy Jack, third here
last year to Brayfield and Goldfinder ; and Mr. Thomas
Bradfield's Harkaway. With something about them
commendable were Mr. Mitchell's Orion and Esquire, and
Mr. Barker's Tom Bowline ; but the beauty of the hour,
and who received her honours amidst a general clapping
of hands, was Lady Derwent — a lady not only by title, but
in manners, form, and carriage — who for symmetrical pro-
portions, strength, and breed is a Venus in horseflesh, and
if it were not for a deep dish in her frontispiece, some
three inches below the eye, which nearly approaches to a
deformity, she would be perfect : she was the best and Cup
four-year-old at Driflield last year. The third was the well-
known General, whose carcass was a little too big ; he has
thickened considerably, and is deservedly a great favourite
with most people ; if he has a fault, he is rather long
from the elbow and stifle to the ground, or short from
whirl-bone to stifle. For hunters without coudition as
to weight, and not exceeding fifteen-two, there were
nine fair ones out of the twenty-three. Chillon, a black,
well-built gelding, was considered the best by their
lordships. Nutbourne running him very hard, as
he was a really nice one. Sir George Wombwell
sent a very nice bloodlike ehesnut mare, a little slack in
her back ; and Mr. Cox has a capital framed one in Star ;
whilst Mr. Addison's Idle Boy, Mr. Barker's Exchange,
Mr. Beck's Peter, Mr. Newman's Fire King, and Mr.
Hall's Nimrod were commendable for looks. Out of the
thirteen four-year-olds there were five somewhat in the
form and fashion of hunters, the prize going to Nugents-
town, a useful, hardy-looking ehesnut belonging to a noble
lord whose name ought to be familiar to most foxhunters,
or at least to those who do not labour under the same in-
firmity (if we can call it one) as a well-got-up swell in a
train the other day, who declined our proffered Tele-
l/raph in the most oft'-hand manner with " I kent read."
The second, Brigadier, a powerful, deep-topped horse, with
a sensible head if not a handsome one, would have shown
to more advantage if he had not been suffering from the
Killerby Hall complaint — too much to eat. 5lr. Good-
liff's Father Mourad, said to be by Trumpeter, appeared
to be very good-looking ; whilst Mr. Topham's brown
by the Ugly Buck was a taking horse spoilt by a slack

54

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

loin, and Mr. Toynbee's Bii'cl's Eye was neat, quick, and a
goer. Then came feeding time, and the Lords to luncheon,
and the Commons proceeding with the park hacks and
ladies' horses, horses of all shapes and sizes with jockeys
to match, including the guardsman in uniform, who lives
on his pay, proud of his weight and inches, dowu to the
bow-legged stable lad, who, if he could only have kept that
deformed bit of humanity within eight stone seven, might
have had a valet, dined with dukes and marquises, and
been lauded by toadying scribes as the great jockey So-and-
so. The first and second were neat hacks of fashion, and
the third a light, leggy charger ; l)ut Cuirassier pleased us
far more as a charger. General Hess, by The Nabob out of
Lady Aliee by Lanercost, was first in the thoroughbred
stallions in a class of nine. He is a nice-looking horse,
with good ends and fair middle ; the second being Idler,
by the Flying Dutchman out of Urania by Idle Boy, a
varmint, hardy-looking horse with fair ends and limbs, but
a hollow back, and we fancied rather light in his thighs.
Mr. Stiggins' stiU looks like a good useful horse for the
country, so far as shapegoes. John Halifax is a big one;
Ivanhoff the handsomest and best-shaped of the lot, cut
him off at the knees ; Brown Dayrell coaching-looking ;
First Hope a weed ; and INIail Train so overloaded with
flesh that he seems short and over-topped, and looks nothing
like so well as he did a month or two ago, when we saw
him knocked down at Tattersall's at something over ten
guineas, which we thought at the time remarkably cheap.
The roadster stallions were not a grand class, the prizes
going to three roans — Rapid Roan, a rather good-looking
roadster with a heavy forehand and waspy middle, but a
first-rate goer, was shown at the meeting of the Royal
last year at Bury, when he only came in for a com-
mendation. Young Performer is anything but a true-made
one, with not the best of heads ; while Young Phe-
nomenon, though he can go, almost comes under the
denomination of a two-ended horse, having but little
middle. The prize stallions under fifteen hands were not
a strong lot — the first a three-year-old, Merry -legs, being
a very true-made hack with good ends and no lumber ;
and the second a good goer of fair form. So far, we
ha\e seen better horses in aU these classes at the Agri-
cultural Hall.

Of cover hacks and roadsters, from the glimpse we
got of them in their stalls, there appeared to be some fair
samples ; but of com'se action would go a great way.
Cheltenham Tommy, a strong short-legged cobby hack,
is more remarkable for useful than elegant looks, while
the Dorking lass, Brown Duchess, shows a deal of quality
with a handsome top and capital shoulders, but not the
best formed forelegs. Cheshire Phenomenon is one of the
roan Norfolk trotting tribe, some of which are strong useful
hacks enough, but too many like- our Cheshire friend,
whose shoulders always remind us of Sinbad the Sailor
and his hanger-on the Old Man of the Sea. It is quite
astonishing the number of really good-looking horses one
comes across, who if not burdened with this incubus
would be all but perfect. Romulus and Remus found
room in the Agricultural Hall, the former a very good-
looking lengthy grey cob, caiTying off the first prize for
park hacks up to weight ; the second to him being Hero,
another handsome one of his sort, but a very different
stamp, being a powerful cob, something of the Cleveland
cart-horse in miniature. He was steered by a feather
from Pimlico, man and horse appearing to be cut out
for one another. Mr. Salter's Young England was a
powerful cob of somewhat the same class, and a very
useful animal for a welter weight. In the harness
olass Rom)ilus was again elected, beating Nellie,
coming from the same Common, a veiy neat little
hackney mare, perfect in manners in a gig, witli
nice quiet elegant action, and who, it will be seen.

heads the list in another class of park hacks for riding piu'-
poses. Highflyer came in for a commendation, a cobby
hack that could step ; and there were some others worthy of
mention, but nothing extraordinary. The Prince of
Wales had a couple iu the next class uf park hacks.
Lord Macclesfield acted for Col. Kingscote, the Master of
the Horse to the Prince, who retired from the ring for
the time. Rupee is a fair hack ; Le Vent, a bay lathy
Arab, perfect in his manners as a lady's horse, and quietly
ridden by an unassuming horsewoman ; while the thii'd
prize. Bridesmaid, is a nice hack, with some style, but
a trifle thick at her shoulder points. We don't
hold with applauding or hissing gentlemen while acting as
judges, as you would a lot of mountebauks ; and knowing
how easily an audience is led on to hiss or cheer, we look
upon such ebullitions of feeling with some doubt, more
especially when there are more blanks than prizes ; but the
mistake here is clearly the plan of conducting the whole
thing, more like a second-rate circus than a meeting
for sportsmen and horsemen. Moreover, this is the
only show of the kind, that we know of, at which
the judges are supplied with the 'iiames of the ex-
hibitors. At all other meetings the awards are made
by numbers, and it was iu this way that the late Prince
Consort gained his many premiums at the Royal Agricul-
tural Society and Smithfield Club. But at the Islington
Horse Show, with stewards and others continually ear-
wigging them, it was concluded that the judges knew the
Prince's entries ; and hence the sad scene that occurred.
Any man may make a mistake, a peer perhaps as readily
as a commoner ; but the question is why a lord should be
made an exception, and put in a position manifestly to
his own disadvantage ? If the ring were kept thoroughly
clear, if the lords were left to themselves and their books,
which should give nothing beyond the conditions and
the numbers, their awards, let them be ever so indifferent,
would hardly be received with hooting and hissing. W^e
have seen as many horse shows as most people ; but we
remember no such demonstration as this. Katplan, one of
the Arabians presented by the Sultan to the Prince, was
here, and looks much impi'oved since he has been in this
country. Miss Letitia Millard, quite a feather in a skirt,
handled a chesnut with a big knee in an artistic manner,
but so quietly, that it was a treat to see, after the exhi-
bitions one had to endure year* after year of a rough-
riding amazon, with no liands, who was always pulling
and hauling away at her mount, or on the grin with mock-
modest smiles and leers. After Lord Macclesfield left,
there was fearful pottering and waste of time with the
Commoners, who seemed to have no method whatever, and
when they came to the park hacks under fourteen hands
and a-half, their feeble hesitation was almost unbearable.
The Flero, who with his rider went round and round the
ring time after time tiU he sweated again, must have found
this out. Mr. Salter pulls down with his saddle a trifle
more than eight-stone-ten ! Round and round, again
and again, and then they are pulled up for inspection, and
the more the judges look the more they hesitate, and the
more undecided they get. Then the gong is struck by
some one, time after" time, for the next class, mufiins,
more champagne, or perhaps in the hope of hurrying on
the trio to adecision ; but it has not the least effect,
and there are ofters of 6 to 4 that the judges, like juries,
will have to be locked up. Statue-like they stood;
then a yoick-over noisy gentleman tendered his
advice, pointing first to one horse and then
another. At last they decided by disappointing all those
that did not get prizes, more especially Hero and his
rider, who liad not had such a bucketing for many a loug
day. Nellie, as we have said before, was first, though we
liked her better in haraess ; Fenette is a small chestnut
mare, not much to look at, with good fast flourishing but

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

vulgar action, and Quicksilver a cobby hack. There were
several in the class, for there were all sorts, weight-
carrying cobs, etcetera, that, before another bench, like
spirit-rappers, might turn the tables. Black Jessie,
standing fourteen hands, was really a charmer in harness,
with neat useful action ; while Miss Menken was a com-
mon looking cob hack, not remarkable for head, shoulders,
middle-quarters or limbs, and no compliment to the
" adorable Mazeppa," as the Frenchmen christened her.
Puss, a dun, with a hog mane, and a very short round
bushy tail that looked like a chignon, so artificially was
the little kitten got up, did not want for action
or knowing looks. In the ponies not exceeding
thii-teen hands, Multum in Parvo is a really nice pony,
very showy, with form, breed, and stylish action ; and
Jacob, a black, neat, clever goer, without any nonsense ;
while Black Prince is quite a different stamp to Multum
in Parvo, with short hammering action. There were one
or two nice harness pairs, the cream of the lot, or rather
their owner, coming from Argyleshire. The customary
tom-foolery in trotting came off on Friday, for a higher
title you cannot give it ; a groom with a varmint-cover
hack in a high mail-cart, went over a crasher at one of
the tui'ns, and while they got the horse free and gathered
up the pieces, there was a pretty general verdict of
" served him right." Later in the day another servant
was taken off senseless, and it was thought at first that
he had been killed outright. Shepherd T. Knapp, the
American, was in full force : he has rather a heavy
neck and head, but a round deep middle piece, great
quarters and limbs, and is a really fine fine-goer. The
wind-up was with the jumping, a good-looking
horse of Captain Carleton's, with something of a
charger-like forehand, taking the artificial double
in and out, and topping a rasper in hunter-like style.
The second-best was Buzzard, a light, blood-like, steeple-
chasing looking animal of good form. Lord Combermere,
Captain J. Anstruther Thomson, and Captain Percy Wil-
liams were judges of jumping, and superintended the
arrangement of the fences. Two or three came to
grief — one a trooper, who stood much more chance of
being down among the dead men, or maimed by an ugly
roll he got underneath his horse, than he would, by aU
accounts, if in the Abyssinian rook-shooting party.
Another, a dealer-looking man in a white hat, took the
fences very decently several times, but at last put a
climax to his crimes by getting an awful purl, ploughing
the tan with his nose, and turning up with his face dyed.
He retired for a while, and then was ushered in again,
looking very ruffled ; but, on Captain Percy Williams pre-
senting him with a bit of yellow ribbon, which appeared to
act like balm of Gilead, he gained his proper equilibrium ;
for no sooner were the colours fastened to the horse's
head than the battered white hat was seen topping the
bars, amidst continual applause, and Solomon was once
more in all his glory !

PRIZE LIST.

HUNTERS.

Judges. — Lord Combermere, Lord Macclesfield, and Lord

Kesteven (and for Thoroughbred Stallions) .

Weight-carriers up to 15 stone : First prize of £80 to Capt.
£. N. Heygate, Buckland, Leominster (Mountain Dew) ; se-
cond of £40, Miss Tyler, Wareham (Tyrconnel) ; third of
£20, Mr. J. Anstruther Thomson, Brixworth (Borderer).

Without condition as to weight : First prize of £50 to Mr.
E. Hornby, Ganton, Yorkshire (Lady Derwent) ; second of
££5, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales (Knight of St. Patrick);
third of £15, Mr. T. Gee, Wadhur»t, Susses (The General).

Without condition as to weight, and not exceeding 15
hands 3 inches high : First prize of £40 to Mr. J. Casson,
Burgh-by-Sands, Carlisle (Cliillon) ; second of £20, Mr. W.
J. Lloyd, Watford (Nutbourne).

Four-year-olds: First prize of £50 to Lord Soraerville, 35,
St. James-street (Nugentstown) ; second of £25, Mr. J. B.
Booth, Killerby, Catterick (Brigadier).
STALLIONS.

Thoroughbred : First prize of £40 to Lord Spencer, Al-
thorpe Park (General Hess) ; second of £20, Mr. T. Merrick,
Northampton (Idler).

Roadsters not less than 1 5 hands higli : First prize of £25
to Mr. E. JoUey, Banham, Norfolk (Rapid Roan) ; second
of £15, Mr. J. Rowell, Bury, Huntingdon (Young Performer) ;
third of £5, Mr. J. Abel, Norwich (Yomig Phenomenon).

Stallions under 15 liands, for getting Hacks, Cobs, or
Ponies: First prize of £15, Mr. W. Major, Malton (Merry-
legs) ; second of £10, Mr. D. Lister Westwood, Ilkey, Leeds,
(Black Performer).

HACKS.
Judges. — Colonel the Hon. Charles Hay, Colonel Kiugscote,

and Mr. Harvie M. Farqujiar.

Park Hacks and Ladies' Horses of any height : First prize
of £20 to Mr. J. G. Morrel, Netting Hill (Jenny) ; second
of £10, Sir E. C. Bering, Pall MaU (Quicksilver) ; third of
£5, Lieutenant-Colonel Dougall Astley, 40, Belgrave Man-
sions (Napier).

Cover Hacks and Roadsters, not exceeding 15 hands 2
inches high : First prize of £15 to Mr. T. W. Potter, Eari
Court, Cheltenham (Tommy) ; second of £10, Mr. W. Morley,
Effingham Hill Lodge, Dorking (Brown Duchess) ; third of
£5, Captain St. Clair Ford, Zeelugt House, Cheltenham
(Cheshire Phenomenon).

Park Hacks, Weight-carriers, not exceeding 15 hands
2 inches high.— First prize of £20,to Mr. CM. Baker, Clapham
Common (Romulus); second of £10, to Capt. T.Hargreaves,
Arborfield, Reading (Hero) ; third of £5, to Mr. G. H. Smith,
Stamford Hill (Kitty).

Harness Horses, not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches high,
of the best shape, with park-action, in single harness. — First
prize of £15, to Mr. C. M. Baker, Clapham Conmion (Romu-
lus) ; 2nd of £10, to Mr. W. G. Clift, (Nellie) ; Highly com-
mended and Medal, to Mr. W. Green, Leeds (Highflyer).

Park Hacks and Ladies' Horses, not exceeding 15
hands 1 inch high.— First prize of £20, to H.R.H. the Prince
of Wales (Rupee) ; second of £10, to Mr. Bedford (Le Vent) ;
third of £5, to Mr. A. T. Hewitt, 38, Gloucester Place, Hyde
Park (Bridesmaid) ; Highly commended, Mr. W. J. Beadale,
Chelmsford (DupUcate). Horses, not exceeding 14 hands and
a-half.— First prize of £20, to Mr. W. G. Clift (Nellie) ; se-
cond of £10, to Mr. E. T. Fowler, Jun., Gillingham Street
(Finette) ; third of £5, to Mr. C. M. Baker, (Quicksilver) ;
Highly commended, Mr. C. Groucock, Stanfield Hall, Wy-
mondham (Pretty Se-eusan) , Capt. Hargreave (Hero) ; and
Mr. J. Casson, Carlisle (The Beau),

Ponies, not exceeding 14 hands, in single harness. — First
prize of £15, to Mr. H. Beck, Brandon, Norfolk (Jessie) ; second
of £10, to Mr. C. Billiard, Norwich (Miss Menken) ; third of
£5, to Mr. C. Groucock, Wymondham (Puss) ; Highly com-
mended, Mr. J. S. Calthorp, Isle of Ely (The Dandy) ; and
Mr. W. M. Spence, Weston, Yorkshire (Venus) ; Commended,
Mr. C. L. Sutherland, Croydon (Gipsie). Ponies, not exceeding
13 hands high, in single harness. — First prize of £12, to Mr.
J. Gilman, Jun., Birmingham (Multum in Parvo) ; second of
£8, to Mr. H. Ballard, Norwich (Jacob) ; third of £5, to Mr.
J. Hutton, Clapham (Black Prince) .

Extra Prize : Harness Pairs, not exceeding 14 hands*
—Prize of £10, to Mr. C. M, Moreton, Lurgie Castle, Ar-
gyleshire.

Gold Medal, as best of all the hunters, to Mr. E. Hornby
(Lady Derwent).

THE "EXHIBITION" AT ISLINGTON.

It is more than questionable whether the amusement which
called forth so many bursts of laughter was of the right sort.
If, instead of a trial of prize-hunters at fencing, this had been
a donkey-race, or some clownish competition in which rougli
humour is an essential ingredient, the shouts of mirth would
not have seemed inappropriate or uncomplimentary. As it
was, the riding and deriding which went so closely together

56

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

were hardly well-matched. The horsemen who lost their
stirrups, their temper, and now and then their seats, were
bold equestians certainly, or they would not have ventured on
a public display of such remarkable incompetence. Some of
them, with a grave persistency that was ludicrous to see, but
is painful to think of, rode again and again at hurdles whicli
there was not the least likelihood of their ever getting over,
and seemed to be rather stimulated than discouraged by the
re-echoing peals of laughter in their repetition of a wild rush,
ending always in a sudden stop on tlie near side of the fence.
Others belaboured their horses with heavy hunting crops over
the head, on the clieek, anywhere, like mad tailors out for a
holiday. — The Daily Telegraph.

The management depends chiefly upon the parades in the
arena and the jumping burlesque as the chief " draws" for the
amusement of the Londoners. No practical horseman would
consider that hurdle-jumping in a public arena, when sur-
rounded by a noisy crowd, ought to be regarded as any test of
wliat a clever hunter could do in the open country, with tlie
cry of the pack to stimulate his energies, and plenty of space
to get into his stride, and to collect himself properly before
taking off at his fences. Here I may state that this jumping
buffoonery is a species of refined cruelty in which the female
part of the assembly appear to take the greatest delight.
Hunters that are positively as fat as prize oxen, from a cessa-
tion of work in the field, and that have been made up in flesh
to hide faults, and show a sleek coat, are in a few instances
galloped through the heavy tan flooring until tlie sweat rolls
off them in streams, and then put at tlie hurdles when in a
state of exhaustion, to blunder over them and come down
" all of a heap " on the landing side. " Groggy" park hacks
and stale old roadsters are also " rammed " at the hurdles by
excited grooms and ambitious " swells," who appear to have
liad a few lessons in riding-scliools, and take this opportunity
to show off their seats. — The Sporlsman.

Alas ! the everlasting hurdles were introduced, and one of
those bear-garden scenes, such a disgrace to the Islington
shows, commenced ; and in the first ten minutes there was as
many spills as would occur in a quiet burst from Ashby or

Crick gorse. How fatal accidents were avoided is marvellous,
and must be put down to sheer good luck, as liorsemanship
had nothing to do with it. What nerves people must have to
charge different ways at the same place simultaneously ! Of
course collisions occurred, though none serious enough to
cause damage. One man rode under the triangular props for
the bell, instead of over the fence, and upset the lot, luckily
clear of liimself and every one else. Horses were galloped and
jumped until the sweat streamed from them, the management
considerately putting up four obstacles, instead of only two, as
formerly ; and, in fact, so abused and degraded were good
animals by this farce that we took our departure in sheer dis-
gust. Before closing these remarks, we must also refer to the
catalogue, which was compiled with the usual care (?), and
rivalled a pantomime in changing sex and colour ; but the
climax was reached in describing Captain Heath's The
Cliicken as sixteen haiuh five inches high ! — The Sporting
Gazette.

There may be a little of the circus about the show, and it
goes on a day or so too long, but owners need not jump their
horses unless they like ; and with Dick Webster to lead the
revels, and " tootle " the jumpers along, the Wliitsuntide
visitors had a merry time of it. This is, after all, the great con-
sideration ! — The Sporting Life.

The jumping over the artificial fences caused great amuse-
ment to the visitors. As a rule, this is the most that can be
said of this performance in so confined a space, for the display
is utterly unserviceable for any assistance it affords to the
judgment or estimate to be formed of fencing-power in the
open. — The Gardeners^ Chronicle.

The jumping business, to which strong objections are made
by many of the exhibitors, serves to fill the Hall, and is un-
attended with danger. — The Field. [A groom who was thrown
at a fence on Friday, according to the Times, " lay senseless and
bleeding for nearly five minutes ; but after a most painful sus-
pense, he revived sufficiently to justify his removal, and later
in the evening he was sufficiently well to walk. Altogether,
the day was characterised by a sreies of singularly-narrow
escapes."]

HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND.

The monthly meeting of the directors of this Society was
held on Wednesday, June 3rd, in Edinburgh ; Mr. Stirling, of
Kippendavie, in the chair.

The Secretary reported that, in terms of the instructions re-
ceived at the special general meeting on the 13th of May, he
had forwarded the addresses to the Queen and his lloyal
Highness tlie Duke of Edinburgh to the Duke of Montrose
for presentation, and that his Grace has since received the fol-
lowing letter from the Principal Secretary of State for the
Home Department : " Whitehall, May 27, 18G8. My Lord
Duke, — I have had the honour to lay before the Queen the
loyal and dutiful address of the Highland and Agricultural
Society of Scotland in reference to th& atrocious attempt upon
the life of his lloyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh ; and I
beg to inform your Grace tliat her Majesty was pleased to
receive the address very graciously. — I have the honour to be,
&c., (Signed) Gatiiorne Hardy. — His Grace the Duke of
Montrose."

A letter was read from the Board of Trade announcing
tliat the Lords of the Council have refused to recommend to
her Majesty to grant a veterinary charter for Scotland.

A plan of the yard at Aberdeen, showing the position of
the different erections, was submitted and approved of.

Mr. E. N. Menzies reported correspondence between the
secretaries of the different railways in Scotland and himself
in reference to some more liberal arrangement as to the rates
charged for stock sent to the general shows of the society,
from which it appeared that tlie suljject was brouglit before a
meeting of the general managers of the English and Scotch
railways, held at tlie Clearing House in London, in May last,
when it was decided to adhere to the following regulations,
wliich have been for some time in force : 1, Stock and imple-
ments to the show to be charged full rates. 2, From the
show, if sold, full rates. 3, From the show, if unsold, to be
conveyed free back to the station whence they were sent, at

owner's risk, on production of a certificate from the secretary
of the agricultural show to the effect that tliey are really un-
sold. 4, All the above to be carried at owners' risk. 5, Col-
lection and delivery to be performed by the owners. 6, Regu-
lations Nos. 1, 2, 3, as to cattle and horses, apply only if traffic
be conveyed in cattle waggons and by goods trains. 7, Poul-
try and dogs to be charged full rates both ways. 8, No reduc-
tion in the ordinary rates for horses or cattle when conveyed
in horse boxes. 9, Parties requiring the exclusive use of a
horse-box for only one animal, to be charged one fare and a
half.

The Secretary stated that, on the other hand, the directors
of the Highland Railway Company had very handsomely
agreed to carry unsold stock going home from the Aberdeen
show, in horse-])oxes, free of charge ; and to run special trains
with stock, to or from the show, if the numbers are sufficient.

It was reported that, at the recent examinations by tlie
Royal Agricultural Society of England, the principal prizes
were gained by students in the class of agriculture in the
Edinburgh University, and that every one of the Edinburgh
agricultural candidates took a first prize. There were twelve
candidates, of whom six obtained prizes, and out of the six
prize-men four were Edinburgh men, three of them having
already obtained the diploma of the Highland Society.

It was arranged that the following subjects should
be brought before the general meeting on the 24'th June : —
Election of members ; chair of agriculture ; Aberdeen show
arrangements; agricultural education; Veterinary College
examinations ; letter from Board of Trade in regard to veteri-
nary charter for Scotland ; No. 3 of the fourth series of the
Society's Transactions ; premiums awarded for essays and re-
ports ; Dr. Anderson's report on the chemical department.

The Secretary submitted the names of 46 candidates for
election as members at the next general meeting, and stated
that he anticipated a much larger list before the 24th.

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

S7

THE PREMIER ON THE PRIZE SYSTEM.

A meeting was held on Monday, June 1, at Halton, a village
near Aylesbury, where Mr. Disraeli inaugurated an exhibition
of the industrial products of the district. The idea of holding
such a display originated with Sir Anthony and Lady de
Rothschild, whose seat is situate in the neighbourhood. A
circular inviting the villagers to send in some article of their
handiwork was issued. Any objections to so doing were met
in the address, which begged them to get rid of the notion
that they could not make anything. They were also specially
requested to encourage their children, " as the means of show-
ing them the road which leads to the exercise of ingenuity
and taste, and to a life of honest industry ; as the road whicli
does not lead either to the public-house or to the wasteful ex-
penditure of time or money." It was pointed out that there
was an industry followed in their villages which might be
turned to great advantage. They could manufacture the plait
into hats and bonnets, boxes and bonnets, in endless variety ef
form and colour ; there was also great room for ingenuity in
the production of plans and machinery for the hatching, rear-
ing, warming, and cleansing of the poultry raised in such
numbers in the district. It was promised that the highest de-
grees of merit in each class should be rewarded by silver and
bronze medals — a promise which it was found had the most
beneficial effect, as the keenest interest was shown in the en-
deavour to win so distinguishing a mark of skill. If any fear
was entertained that the exhibition would be but a small one,
it was speedily dispelled ; for contributions had been sent in
from fifty parishes. There were iive classes of exhibitors —
skilled artisans and tradespeople, labourers, their wives and
daughters, school-children, domestic servants, farmers and
their families. Baron Lionel de Rothschild placed the grounds
attached to the mansion-house at Halton, formerly the resi-
dence of Sir Henry Dashwood, but at present unoccupied, at
the service of the conductors of thefe/e, and a more delightful
spot could not have been found in the Vale. The spectators,
numbering something like five thousand, formed a large semi-
circle around the steps at the entrance. In the centre were
the united choirs of Halton and Aston Clinton. Behind them
was the band of the Grenadier Guards, under Mr. D. Godfrey;
and a company of the 4th Bucks Volunteers, commanded by
Captain Selfe, did duty at once as a guard of honour and
keepers of the circuit beyond which the general public could
not pass. At one o'clock Mr. Disraeli took up a position on
the top of the steps leading to the mansion, his arrival being
greeted with a hearty cheer. The proceedings were com-
menced by the choir singing a " Song of Joyous Greeting."

Mr. Disraeli, who, upon stepping forward to speak, was
received with loud cheers, said : I am afraid my words will
sound very flat after the sweet voices which we have had so
much gratification in listening to. But I obey the commands
of the lord of the manor in addressing you one moment before
we witness the exhibition of the industry of our vale and its
neighbourhood. Now, for a very long time, it has been con-
sidered that the good old county of Buckingham only
produced butter, beef, and barley (a laugh) — three excellent
things, and produced in this county in excellent style. But
the fact is we have, for a very long time, been producing many
other things for which we have had no credit, and to-day we
are about to attempt to vindicate our reputation. 1 think,
therefore, that when you accompany us to witness the exhi-
bition of industry, not of this parish only, as was first in-
tended, in its more modest and primitive idea, but of fifty
contiguous parishes that have contributed the result of their
ingenuity to this exhibition, you will be astonished at some of
the productions, and proud of the land that has produced
them. Many of you know well that tliere are many instances
of the arts and manufactures in which this part of tlie world
has not only not been deficient, but has even excelled. The
lace of BuckingJiamshire — especiaUy of late years — has vied
with that of the Low Countries ; and we have produced at
public exhibitions that which has rivalled with success the
productions of Mechhn and Valenciennes. In one part of the
county there is the manufacture of furniture carried on with

singular success, in which our beeehwood is used, particularly
for chairs, which we have furnished to most parts of England,
and even to many of our colonies. Our embroidery wiU vin-
dicate its claim to the approbation of those whom I now ad-
dress. But there are also several other departments of inven-
tion in which we shall to-day advance our claims for public
confidence and approval. In the first place, let me congra-
tulate you that in this county there is so earnest a movemeni
ill order to improve the residences of the labouring classes-
In this county, for several years, there has been an endeavour
— and a successful endeavour — to accomplish that great end,
and to-day we shall find before us specimens of invention and
of design for that object which, I hope, will achieve the great
end desired, and which will unite comfort and convenience
with economy. There is also, I am told, one other manufac-
ture which I sliall myself witness with very great interest,,
and which I think you must observe with no common feelings.
It is the production of an ancient manufacture in this county,,
though little known ont of it, and not so much as it ought ta
be in the county itself. I allude to the silk manufacture,
which not only exists but flourishes in our county town of
Aylesbury. We shall witness specimens of the art of
ability rarely equalled. No doubt the account which has
reached me of these productions is not exaggerated, be-
cause our manufacturers in Aylesbury compete, and com-
pete snecessfuUy, with the French makers, the goods being
exported to Erance, where they are re-exported back to
England, and then bought with admiration in Regent-
street — (a laugh) — as the finest productions of the Prench
looms (renewed laughter-) Under these encouraging circum-
stances we need not despair of our manufactures flourishing
and iucreasing in the good county of Bucks. To-day there is
a very great etfort to recognise success in aU those varied
branches of industry, and to stimulate the various arts. I
know not whether I am correct in enumerating the number of
medals to be distributed, but I believe nearly two hundred
medals will be given to-day — certainly one of gold, very many
of the sister precious metal, and a considerable number of an
enduring metal, wluch will commemorate the name and
achievements of the successful competitors for these prizes.
Allow me for one moment to touch upon the interesting cha-
racter of the scene before us- In what could the vaiied classes
of our complicated and admirably-devised society be better
united than for purposes like the present, and for ends like
those wliich we are all anxious to accomplish ? How much
better are meetings like the present than mere meetings for
brutal pastime, filling a void which yon have felt, and which
you have desired should be supplied, but which the generosity,
the taste, and the intelligence of those who should give a
colour and form to the society in which they live, have hitherto
been deficient in affording ; I think, therefore, that on this
occasion every heart must feel grateful to the generous owner
of the soil for the public spirit which on this and every occa-
sion he has shown. And in all the arrangements that during
six anxious months have been matured, we must recognise the
graceful thought of that lady whose taste and intelligence have
diffused throughout this neighbourhood such beneficial results.
I will detain you but one moment longer, and, taking advantage
of the position which I unexpectedly occupy, will announce
the inauguration of the Industrial Exhibition of Halton and
the neighbourhood, and ask you to accompany us to witness
the triumph of the industry of the Vale of Aylesbury.

The models of cottages which had been sent in by carpenters
and builders were critically examined. A special circular had
been issued to the competitors of this class, which stated that
" greater attention must be paid to substantial and interior
comfort than to outward and architectural effects." Several
models were sent in, some of which possessed a good deal of
merit. The general collection of articles was of a very varied
character. It included a quantity of needlework, which had
been executed in a superior style. The judges, who, of course,
had tasting orders, spoke highly of the qualities of the articles
of food, such as home-made preserves, wines, cheese, and beer.

58

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZnTE.

CANON GIEDLESTONE AND THE LABOURERS.

Tlie anniversary of the New luu rriendly Society, llalber-
ton, took place on Whit-Monday. In the afternoon a large
party assembled at the New Ina, where a dinner was provided
by the host, who is the secretary of the Club. Canon Girdle-
stone, who presided, said : You seem to think there is no shy-
ness in me — that I am made of brass. Well, but I really do feel
shy. As I said in the pulpit this morning, I should be glad to
see some provision made, so that when a man is " past work"
he may receive some 5s., 6s., or 7s. weekly, thus ending his life
in quietness and comfort. Take that suggestion into your serious
coQsideratiou. I have, lying on my table in the vicarage, the
rules of twenty or thirty trades' unions throughout the greater
part of this country, and those of each contain this important
provision — when the member is "past work" he has an allow-
ance wliich for the remainder of his life will keep him in
comfort and happiness. I have another thiug to say. I con-
sider that as the vicar of this parish I am the shepherd of a
flock, including farmers, shopkeepers, labourers, artisans, all
descriptions of men, and that I am not»called upon to look to
one class more than another, but to do my duty to all — en-
deavouring, in God's sight, to promote both the spiritual and
the temporal weal of all around me. The public prints say,
" The parson has no right to interfere with the temporal con-
cerns of his neighbours." Am I to be confined to the pulpit
and the church ? Am I, when I see you in ruinous cottages,
your wives and children wanting fire and clothing, living upon
miserable hard cheese and stale bread, instead of beef and mut-
ton, such as our good host has provided us to-day — am I when
1 see all this to turn a deaf ear, to be so blind and hardhearted
as not to notice it at all ? Am I to go home to my own com-
forts and enjoy all the prosperity that God has given me, with-
out making a single effort to better your position? Some per-
sons say that the parson ought to do that. But I liold quite a
different doctrine. My duty is to provide you with the ser-
vices of the church in which I minister without ritualistic in-
)iovation or any other kind of innovation — to preach to you
" the truth as it is in Jesus." Another«duty is to look to the
temporal as well as spiritual welfare of every single sheep
that my heavenly Master has committed to my keeping, and,
God being my helper, I am determined to do so as long as I
Lave health and strength. This is the preface to what I am
going to say. I abominate anything like violence and ag-
gression. Most of you have probably read of the outrages
committed in connection with the trades unions of Sheffield,
Manchester, and other places. Nothing could be worse
than that workmen should combine either against their
masters — destroyiug their masters' property — or else
against their fellow-worktileu who won't join a
union. But with a careful safeguard against anything of a
violent character, I do think that if you agricultural labourers
of the West of England, who are undoubtedly very much less
paid than any otliers in other parts of the country, would
unite one with another not to damage your masters' property,
not to injure those who don't choose to unite with you, but to
respectfully, civilly, courteously, with kind Christian tempers
and Christian hearts, represent to your employers that you
cannot on 8s., 9s., or lOs. a week maintain witli decency a wife
and family, and lay up against a rainy day for the time of in-
firmity and old age — I do think that if you stoutly uuite in
this manner you may undoubtedly with God's blessing attain
your point. If any numljer of operatives in the West of Eng-
land would unite for that purpose — only they had better find
some one to take the lead in such a union — I will give all the
countenance and assistance in my power. You must not sup-
pose that my heart is entirely engrossed in this one particular
society. I am your president, and most of you are my pa-
rishioners. But I must bear in mind that there is another
club of a similar kind in this parish. In another place it has
been represented that I am opposed to that clul) ; but I take
this opportunity of stating that I am as thoroughly friendly
to that club as I am to this. Both have the same objects :
both are composed of labouring men. I don't see why they
should not be on the most friendly terms with each other : the

only rivalry between them should be who can get the most
members, and wlio can get the largest amount of funds. For
my own part I reciprocate any good feeling which they have
shown me. It has been said that I invited the police to keep
the " Hearts of Oak" club in order when they met last Fri-
day. I may mention that the whole of the club, with the ex-
ception of a few honorary members, assembled on my lawn
and gave my wife and family as hearty cheers as you your-
selves have given me this day. If I had received an invita-
tion to dine with the club — wliich I did not — I should un-
doubtedly have accepted it. I should have gone in the fullest
confidence that every labouring man in that room lielonging
to that club would have protected me from the slightest at-
tempt to insult or injure me. Every one of them as I believe
has as affectionate a heart towards me as I believe you your-
selves have. The police did not come into this parish to keep
the Hearts of Oak in order, but to keep a few farmers in
order. They came to keep in order a man who occupies the
office of churchwarden in this parish. Being charged with
the custody of the parish, he asked my representative on the
left hand to lend him the keys of tlie church, and then what
did he do ? Without the slightest notice he had the smith at
his elbow, who takes off the lock of the church door, puts it
in his bag, goes to Tiverton, and gets keys made. In what a
predicament I am placed ! The churchyard is my freehold
just as much as this house is a free house. What should I do
to the man who said " Give me the keys of your house" ? I
should say, " Get, you fellow, out of my premises directly"
(laughter). But the person of whom I am now speaking did
not dare to do that. In a sneaking way he gets hold of the
keys : the locks are taken off, and he gets false keys made, so
that he may enter the premises at any time he chooses. T
repeat that the police were called into this village on Friday,
not to keep in order the Hearts of Oak, but the gentleman
who, as the parish churchwarden, took off the lock of another
person's property and had keys made for his own use.
Understand what the parish is. This parish has 1,750 people
in it ; some are men, some are women ; some are land-
owners, some are farmers and occupiers ; some are tradesmen,
some merchants ; some are labourers. It is absurd to suppose
tliat the parish is composed of any one class. The parish
property belongs to the poorest labourer as to the richest land-
owner or the most prosperous farmer. My position is this.
I don't wish to trespass on anybody's rights, but merely to
hold tight by my own. I will not allow anybody to take from
me one jot or tittle of the property entrusted to me by the law
of England, of which I am the guardian and the custodian.
At my tithe audit dinner I stated that I was most
thoroughly disposed and determined to overlook everything
past, to let bygones be bygones. I now say that I am equally
deteimiued, through good report and evil report, to maintain
inviolable every single privilege committed to me by the laws
of England as the vicar of this parish. In doing that I am
defending, not myself, but you. A friend of mine, writing
from Yorkshire the other day, said " When the men you sent
me first came they could not do above one-third as much work
as my own Yorkshire men do ; but it i s wonderful what
twelve months' beef and mutton has done for them." I re-
plied, " My dear sir, all that a Devonshire man wants when he
gets to Yorkshire is a proper quantity of beef." Yes, beef
suits them better than dry bread and musty cheese (laughter.)
It was a curious thing that when I was preparing to meet you
on the lawn I was told that a young man wanted to see me in
my haU. I went to see who it was, and found an uncommon
dapper spmce young man, with a watch-chain and everything
complete — in fact, much better dressed tlian I was (laughter.)
I looked down on my rusty black — that of a poor persecuted
parson (laughter.) " I am," he said, " one of those who
twelve montTis ago you sent into Lancashire" — my own parish.
I answered, " Well, it appears that I did you a good turn."
He had come down to attend the meeting of the Hearts of
Oak Club on Friday last ; he said he thought I was going to
speak on the question of labourers' wages, and he should like

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

59

me to mention his own particular case. He stated that he had
not been there very long before liis wages were raised to £17
a-year, and everything found him. Well, his coat and watch
looked very much like that (laughter.) He added, " Nothing
should induce me to come back and receive the low wages of
Devonshire." He had his sister with him, and was going to
take his brother back. This is only one out of a great many
cases. With a few exceptions the hundred men whom I have
sent to different places in the country are prospering as much
as I could possibly desire. I say it is for you to help your-
selves. You can do so by united action, respectful, courteous

action— with no violence, no aggression. If you cannot get
your wages raised in this parish and neighbourhood, do like
others have done — go and seek your fortunes in better paid
counties than this. I observe present my friend Mr. Grills,
who has always stuck to me like a leech ; and I am sure he
will agree with me, that when I advocate higher wages for the
agricultural labourer, I am advocating the prosperity of the
farmer himself. I have said over and over again, and I main-
tain it in spite of everything said to tlie contrary, that as
the best fed horse does its work the most satisfactory, the
best fed labourer likewise gives the most satisfaction in his work.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND.

The monthly Meeting of the council of this Society was
held in Upper Sackville-street, Dublin, Sir George Hodson
in the chair. The other members present were — Hon.
Charles J. Trench, Lieut.-General Hall, C.B., Charles Col-
thurst Vesey, John Bolton Massey, John G. Coddington,
Edward Purdon, J. P. Byrne, Laurence Waldron, D.L., H. J.
MacFarlane, J.P., Dawson A. Milward, Hans H. Woods, D.L.,
Richard Challoner, Robert Borrowes, and Rev. R. W. Bagot.

A subscription list was opened for the prizes offered by the
local committee of the late cattle-show held in Stephen's-
green, the council contributing £50, and the local committee
£50. It was stated that the competition would be very large,
and that important results would follow from so desirable an
object.

The half-yearly report was submitted by the CHAiRMAJS,and
adopted, with some slight modification in reference to the prize
offered by his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant.

The SECKETAEif read the accompanying communication,
which had been received from Dr. Steele :

" Royal Dublin Society, Kildare-st., loth May.

" My dear Sir, — I duly submitted to the council, at their
meeting yesterday, your letter of the d'tli iust., together
with its accompanying resolution of the council of the Royal
Agricultural Society, proposing joint action on the subject of
the deterioration of the breeds of horses in Ireland, and I have
been directed to acquaint you that the council of this society
had previously resolved to address Parliament on this im-
portant matter. — I am, my dear sir, yours very faithfully,

" W. E. Steele, Assist. -Secretary.

" Capt. Thornhill, Sec. Roy. Ag. Society, 43, Sackville-st."

Mr. Waldron thought it would be better to have two
bodies acting independently in the matter.

The Chairman said there was this peculiarity in the
matter, that the word " Parliament" attached to the resolution
would have the effect of taking the matter out of their juris-
diction.

Mr. Waldron observed that it was considered if Parlia-
ment addressed the Crown to issue a royal commission it
would give general satisfaction. Many gentlemen were of
opinion that by acting independently it would be much better
than if the two bodies acted together.

Mr. Ma(;Farlane remarked that as the Royal Dublin
Society would not co-operate with them, he did not see why
the question should not be referred to the committee to take
action, and call on the Government to issue a royal commission
to inquire into the whole matter.

Mr. Woods said a committee had been already appointed,
and was then in existence,

Mr. MacFarlane believed that the Royal Duljlin Society
would not act with them in any matter.

Mr. Waldron did not think Mr. MacFarlane was justified

in making such a statement, as they had at that moment a
Joint Flax Committee. He repeated that in his opinion it
would be better and more effective if the two bodies acted in-
dependently of each other.

Captain Vesey was not aware that on all subjects they had
declined to co-operate with them. The committee might be
summoned together to consider the subject.

Mr. MacFarlane thought they should be empowered to
take the necessary steps to apply to the Government at once,
as it should be done in June. Power should be given them to
make application at once, without calling on them to make a
report to the council. He was not sorry how matters turned
out ; because the Royal Dublin Society liaving petitioned
Parliament to issue a royal commission, it was time for them
to apply to the Government to do the same thing, and thus
strengthen them in adopting any course which they might
think proper.

Mr. Waldron believed that there was a disposition on the
part of the Government to give them every assistance; but as
considerable expense would be entailed, they did not like to
take the responsibility on themselves. If the petition was at-
tended with success, of course the Government would merely
be the executive in the case to carry out the [Wishes of Par-
liament, that the expenses incurred would be legitimately ex-
pended.

Mr. MacFarlane observed that the cost would not exceed
£100.

Major Borrowes said with regard to the cry of scarcity of
horses in Ireland, he was of opinion that the evil would effect
its own cure, because he did not think the Goverment could
any step in increasing the number or breeding of horses in
this country. If foreign governments continued to send for
remounts to Ireland, they would have to give more for their
own re-mounts ; so that in this way the evil would effect its
own cure.

Mr. MacFarlane remarked that they merely wanted to
have a royal commission issued, which would direct public
attention to the breeding of horses in this country.

The Chairman stated that he was one of a deputation who
had waited on the late Lord Carlisle on this point, when his
Excellency told them that if any action was taken by the
Government, it would refer only to tlie question of re-mounts.

Major Borrrowes said they would find before three or
four years were out that the Government would be obliged
to increase the price they gave for re-mounts by a considera-
ble amount.

The Secretary was directed to summou the horse-breeding
committee together, for the purpose of taking immediate ac-
tion in the matter.

60

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

The cliallenge cup which had some time ago been awarded
to the Duke of Leinster was returned by His Grace, to be in
future a perpetual challenge cup for the best description of
labourers' cottages in Ireland.

The following gentlemen were balloted for and unanimously
admitted members of the society : Crosdale Molony, KOna-
crandy, Co. Clare ; and D. H. Cooper, Hanover House, Carlow.

The half-yearly general meeting of the society was held the
aarae day, in the reading-room of tlie Farmers' Club. The
Hon Chas. J. Trench was called to the chair.

The minutes of the former meeting having been read and
confirmed.

Captain Tuornhill, secretary, read ^the half-yearly report,
as follows :

" In presenting a report of the proceedings of this society
during the present half-year, your council are enabled to record
a considerable addition to the list of members elected during
that period.

" The annual national cattle-show for 1868 will be held for
the province of Ulster at Londonderry, during the last week
of August next, and will occupy the site of the successful ex-
hibition of 1858. From the untiring zeal displayed by the
local committee up to the present time, your council anticipate
a large and influential meeting.

" The society's exhibition of 1867, in Stephen's-green, so
interesting in its various departments and carried out with so
much energy and perseverance, proved most remunerative in a
financial point of view ; and the local committee, after pay-
ment of all the attendant expenses, having a large surplus in
hands, determined to allocate a considerable sum in prizes for
the successful cultivation of green crops during the present
year. Your council have supplemented such prizes by the
amount of £50, in order fully to carry out the recommenda-
tion of the general meeting in May, 1866, to that effect.

" In reference to the proposition adopted at the half-yearly
meeting of the society, in December, 1867, that a remission of
taxes, firing, and gaslights, valued at £50 yearly, should be
made to the Royal Agricultural Society's Club, your council
have to report that such an appropriation of tlie society's funds
having been considered unwise and illegal by a considerable
section of your members, an extraordinary meeting was con-
vened by requisition, and was held on the 6tli March last, for
the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of re-
scinding so much of the proceedings in December as sanctioned
such allowance. The club, in the meantime, having, at a
general meeting of their body, determined upon relinquishing
all claim to such remission of taxes, &c., it was decided at the
extraordinary meeting of the 6th March that the question be
referred to the next general meeting in May, and your council
accordingly recommend the rescinding of such portion of the
proceedings of last December as sanctioned the remission
above referred to.

" Your council are happy to report that during the past
half-year much success has attended the efforts of the local
farming societies in connexion with the parent one in deve-
loping the agricultural resources of this country, and that the
numerous prizes awarded, in money and medals, among the
farming classes are productive of beneficial results, indicating
that the system of mixed husbandry is again gaining ground.

" Your council has again to express regret that more ge-
neral competition has not taken place in connexion with the
prizes offered for newly-erected labourers' cottages, three par-
ties only competing in Leinster — A. Kavanagh, Esq., M.P.,
Mrs. Bomford, and Robert Cosby, Esq. ; one in Munster —
Lord Mounteagle ; and for improvements in already-existing
labourers' dwellings, one in Leinster — Lord Digby. Lord
Digby, the Hon. King Harman, and Robert Cosby, Esq., are
competitors in drainage for 1867-8.

" They have also to report, in reference to the prize offered
by his Excellency the Marquis of Abercorn, for the best de-
sign of a labourers' cottage, to be erected for a limited sum,
that a very large number of plans have been submitted to a
committee of their body, but that, although many of these de-
signs evinced much careful consider.atiou of the subject, the
cost of construction, according to the average rates of build-
ing in Ireland, would be iu excess of the appointed limited
outlay. Measures have been adopted, with the sanction of his
Encellency, to allow the competition to remain open to the
1st September, 1868.

" In accordance with your 9th rule, ten members of your
council retire, but are eligible for re-election. A correct list
of members whose subscriptions have been paid to 1st of
April has been prepared, and forwarded to each member en-
titled to receive it.

" Annexed is a statement of receipts and expenditure for
the past year, as audited by Messrs. O'Connor and Molloy,
who kindly gave their services gratuitously.

" Signed, " Geo. Hodson, Bart., Chairman.

" J. Badhaji Thoenhill, Sec."

A>'NUAL Statement of the Receipt.s and Expenditure

OF THE Royal Agkicultural Society of Ireland for

the Year 1867.

Dr. £ s. d.

To balance to credit last account... ... 557 17 11

Subscriptions received from SS-t members, up

to May, 1868 ... ... ... 1,263 10 0

Interest — viz., on cash in funds

(/. e., £5,585 5s. 9d.) ... £164 15 4

Ditto on cash in bank on deposit 16 3 1

Cash from Local Committee of the Dublin
Show, 1867

Cr.

Money premiumsjto local societies

Medals for year

Secretary's salary

Accountant's ditto ...

Chemist's ditto

Mr. CaUanan's gratuity

HaU-porter's wages ...

Printing and advertising

Stationsry and bookbinding

Postages

Rent and insurance ...

Furniture, including safe (iron) ...

Sundries...

Judges' expenses to and from Dublin Show ...

Clerk of the yard (Mr. Corrigan)

Secretary's travelling expenses ...

Prizes paid

Printing, advertising, and stationery

Badges ...

Judges of cottages (travelling expenses

Prizes for cottages (in lieu of medals)

Estimating prices from plans, for the Cottage

Committee, by Mr. Doolan, measurer
Judges of drainage (travelling expenses)
Balance to credit

180 18 5
677 5 0
£3,679 II 4

210

129

250

80

100

29

26

34

10

20

135

18

5

192

10

18

1,143

86

3

29

30

7

9

97

0 0

11 6

0 0

0 0

0 0

18 0

0 0

8 6
11 0

2 0

15 6
13 10

3 2

16 3
0 0

11 0

9 2

12 3
5 6

10 7
0 0

11 3

13 8

18 2

Examined, and found correct.

£2,679 11
Charles C.^Vesey.
H. J. MacFarlane.
Phineas Riall.

21st May, 1868.

We have carefully examined the above accounts, and com-
pared the vouchers with the items, and we find them to be
perfectly correct. Val. O'B. O'Connor.

Robert Molloy.

Lieut.-General Hall moved the adoption of the report,
which appeared to him to be very satisfactory indeed.

Sir George Hodson secottded the motion, and in doing
so observed that it was unnecessary that he should refer par-
ticularly to any topic noted in the report which has just been
read. It might be thought smitable, however, that lie should
say a word or two in leference to the paragraph which related
to the appropriation of a portrjon of the society's funds for the
use of the Royal Agricultural Club. That paragraph had been
carefully considered and attentively worded, and he sincerely
trusted that the meeting would adopt it without discussion and
without dissension. There had been a good deal of feeling dis-
played in tlie matter, but he did not think there was anything
in tlie paragraph with which the most sensitive could find
fault. The club, they were aware, had relinquished the claim
put forward for an allowance for rent and taxes, and the
council had considered it proper to accept their offer, declining
to receive such allowance ; and they now wished them to

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

61

adopt the report, wliicli rescmded, to a certain degree, so much
of the proceedings of the former general meeting as sanctioned
that appropriation. The adoption of it, he thought, would
restore to them a good deal of peace and tranquillity, and
give effect in the main in inducing Lord Clonbroek and his
co-trustee to continue as trustees of the society (Hear, hear) .
If would also enable tliem to approach with better attention
the main objects which the council and the society liad in
view — that of promoting agricultural science in this country.

The Chairman said, before he put the resolution, he
thought it was a question whether it should not be followed
by a resolution absolutely rescinding what had been done at a
previous meeting.

Mr. Byrne conceived that if the motion for the adoption
of the report was put from the chair, it should be acceptable
to all parties ; but, if anything else were put forward, there
might be others who would canvas it out of doors. The
paragraph was drawn up in order to promote that harmony
and kindly leeliug which it was right and necessary should
exist in a society like that. Tlie club had agreed to those
terras; and if the acceptance of the report, in its present
shape, was acceptable to the meeting, it would tend to the
cordial agreement of parties outside.

The Chairman remarked that it appeared to him, as
Chairman, that it was not quite satisfactory, inasmuch as
some members who had not paid their subscriptions might
not do so, as they would say that the resolution had not been
rescinded. A sliort resolution, rescinding the previous one,
was, he thought, necessary.

Sir George Hodson wished to say, as a member of the
council, that it was not in the province of the members to do
more than recommend the general meeting to rescind the
resolution in question. They had no power to do anything

final in the matter. They, therefore, sent it forward as a
recommendation ; and if the report was adopted, he did not
see why it should not be considered sufficient to answer all
the purposes.

Sir John Dillon insisted that the resolution referred to
should be decidedly and absolutdy rescinded by the meeting.
He had been always opposed to it from the beginning.

Mr. Waldron said the question before the chair was the
adoption or rejection of the report. It might be competent
for anybody afterwards to move such a resolution as that
which the Chairman spoke of. He apprehended that their
duty was to adopt the recommendation of the council or not,
as they thought fit.

The Chairman then put the resolution, which was carried
unanimously.

Captain Vesey moved that, in compliance with the recom-
mendation of the council, the resolution relative to an allow-
ance of £50 to the Agricultural Club, passed at the half-
yearly general meeting, be rescinded.

Mr. Hans Woods seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr. Woods proposed a vote of thanks to Messrs. MoUoy
and O'Connor, for having kindly audited the accounts of the
society free of charge.

Sir John Dillon seconded the resolution, which was
passed.

On the motion of Major Borrowes, seconded by Mr. George
Woods Mauusell, Messrs. Townsend, Jlilhvard, and Byrne
were appointed scrutineers to take the ballot for the election
of members of the council.

Tlie following is the result of the ballot : Hans H. Woods,
Sir John Power, Bart., R. M. Garden, P. J. Newton, Lord
Powerscourt, John Borthwick, C. V. Towiisend, Jjord Lurgan,
Sir Richard Musgrave, S. A, Richards,

EAST SUFFOLK CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE,

A meeting of this chamber was held at Ipswich. Tlie pre-
sident, Mr. ¥. S. Corrauce, M.P., was in the chair. The at-
tendance was limited, there not being SOmerabers present.

Mr. W. Johnson (Boyton), vice-president of the chamber,
introduced the first subject — The Condition of the Agricultural
Labourer. He said : At a Conference held in March last in
Willis's Rooms upon the condition of agricultural labourers
a series of resolutions were passed for the proposed remedy of
imaginary grievances, and with those resolutions farmers gene-
rally differed. The object of the meeting was to take into
consideration three questions : " What are the causes of the
unsatisfactory condition of the agricultural labourer ?" " Wiiat
are the best means calculated to improve that condition ?"
" If by the formation of a society, then upon what plan should
such society be constituted, and what steps should be taken to
form it ?" In the first place, he was not disposed to admit
that the present state of the agricultural labourer was so
thoroughly depressed as was represented. He was prepared,
from an experience of more than 30 years in this county, to
state, without fear of contradiction, that he never knew the
agricultural labourers in East Anglia in a better position
than at the present time. At the same time he was unwilling
that it should be inferred that lie was not willing to enter into
the consideration of the desirability of improving the com-
forts and condition of the agricultural labourers, for he would
be glad to do anything to improve their condition ; but he did
not wish to admit that tliey were so oppressed aud persecuted
as it was endeavoured to be made out. The Rev. Canon
Girdlestone stated that the poor people were expected to bring
up their families upon 7s. or 83. or 10s. a week. They knew
notliing of such wages in Suffolk, and consequently the ques-
tion of wages did not apply to tiieir case. Canon Girdlestone
said that he had been instrumental in raising the wages from
7s. to 10s. a week ; but in this part of the country they ranged
from 13s. to 15s., and therefore with the question of wages
they had nothing to do. Mr. Johnson then referred at some
length to the proceedings at Willis's Rooms, and proposed a
resolution condemnatory of the resolutions passed, which,
after some observations from the chairman, was taken as carried.

The Hon. Sec, 51 r. H. Biddell, said he had received a
long letter from Col. Adair, upon the subject of County Finan-
cial Boards, from which he read an abstract.

Mr. Johnson said : It was unnecessary for them to discuss
the details of Mr. Wylde's very voluminous bill, it having been
withdrawn, and they had simply to consider the principle of
the measure, which would require very few words, the justice
of the attempt having been admitted by the Government,
although the Bill was rejected and a committee appointed to
inquire into the working of county business generally. Com-
mittees were very slow travellers, and very often were ap-
pointed for the purpose of postponing measures, so that
nothing more might be heard of them, aud consequently it was
necessary that this committee should be reiniuded that the
country was watching their proceedings. Hitherto county
business had been confined to the county magistrates, and he
was not going to say a word of complaint or disparagement of
the conduct by tlie magistrates of that business, for he believed
tliey were anxious to investigate and control the expenditure
to the best of their judgment ; but as the county expenses af-
fected real property generally, the ratepayers claimed a right
to superintend them. The question was, what was the most
advisable step to take ? He would not propose anything pon-
derous or complicated like Mr. Wylde's Bill, because if there
were a large financial committee the result would be too apt to
be a great deal of talk aud very little work. He at the same
time believed the magistrates would gladly accept the assist-
ance of other parties, men of judgment and experience, to
co-operate with them on financial matters. He took up this
question with no feeling of opposition to the magistrates, and
would much regret that the magistrates should imagine that
there was any feeling of antagonism to them, for the desire
was simply to co-operate with them in solving the dift'erent
problems that might be brought before them. They had been
told that these matters were purely landlords' questions, and
that all charges on land finally fell on the landlord; but he had
yet to learn how to divide the interests of the tenant aud the
landlord, for he considered they must be identical. It was as
great a mistake to attempt to divide the interest.s of landlord

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

aud teuaut aa to divide those of the employer and the em-
ployed, and he regretted that there were not more landowners
members of that chamber. He moved

" That this Chamber views with approval the principle em-
braced by the bills upon the County Financial Board. The
application of that principle is, at present, a matter of appa-
rent difficulty ; but this Chamber begs to record its opinion
that these difficulties are not such as ought, in its opinion, to
present an insuperable obstacle to the just settlement of this
question."

Mr. R. L. Everett said, as representative of that chamber,
he was present at the last meeting of the council of the Central
Chamber in London when this subject was discussed. One
gentleman strongly condemned the reference of the subject to
the House of Commons to a committee, as shelving the ques-
tion ; but Mr. Wylde denied that such was the case, and it
seemed that Mr. Wylde had been so unfortunate as to draw an
impracticable bill, and oue the details of which his own friends
did not like.

Mr. G. ToMXiNE, M.P., believed that if the system were
changed it would not be found more economical ; but if
it should not be more economical, stUl they would have
the satisfaction of spending their money themselves and
knowing how aud why they spent it. But he did not stop
here — he went further, and said the magistrates would thank
them for giving them the power (if it should turn out tliat by
Financial Boards they did give it) of resistance to those cen-
tral authorities to which aUusion liad been made — power of
resistance to government inspectors and government depart-
ments, who liked to throw every burden, even those which
were almost imperial as well as those which were local, upon
the rate-payers. He had been told by the Lord-Lieutenant
that a circular liad been sent round to Lord-Lieutenants asking
their opinion whether the magistrates would consent to borrow
on the security of the county rates a very large sum for the
purpose of building barracks for the mUitia when called up
for their training, and stating that when those barracks were
built with money borrowed on the security of the rates, then
Government would consent to pay a rent for them. But Go-
vernment had no power to pay a rent, because the money
which was to be applied in payment of rent must be voted by
Parhament. However, this secret circular had been sent to
Lord-Lieutenants asking their opinion as to the probability of
the magistrates assenting to the imposition of this new burden.
Now if that circular had been sent by tlie Home Office to
County Financial Boards, if they existed — he would not pre-
judge the question and say whether they would assent to the
proposition or dissent from it — the rate-payers would be treated
with a certain degree of courtesy and respect in their repre-
sentatives being asked whether they were willing to have a new
burden imposed on them, and whether they were inclined to
borrow a large sum for tlie ei-ection of those barracks, the ex-
pense of which ought not, in his opinion, to be thrown upon
one species of property, the owners of tliat species of pro-
perty having no power at this moment to criticise or condemn
this new demand. There was proof enough that this secret
system of departmental government was burdensome upon
rate-payers, and magistrates might thank them if by esta-

blishing County Financial Boards they gave them the power
of saying " no" to such demands. In West Suffolk, he saw
by the newspapers, the magistrates were acting with great
courage in respect to the gaol inspector, that a new gaol should
be bunt, and he said the establishment of County Financial
Boards would do the magistrates a service in giving them the
power to say " no" to burdens, the imposition of ivhich they
could not now resist. The circular he had alluded to was an
argument for Financial Boards, &c. He did not think the
Lord-Lientenant, who was by his office the representative of
the sovereign, was a proper person — nor even would the High
Sheriff, as representative of the freeholders, be the right
person — to communicate with on the subject of the finances of
the county. Let them have a Financial Board, who would
know what wa| proposed, who would openly discuss it, and
who might, as they pleased, say " Yes" or " No."

Mr. Herman Biddell could not understand why, if there
was no opposition to the principle involved in Mr. Wylde's
BUI, but only objection to the manner in which it was drawn,
the whole matter should have been referred to a committee.
It appeared to him the only principle involved was, " Are the
ratepayers to be represented in determining upon the collec-
tion and disbursement of county funds ? or is it to be left in
the hands of those who have for years had the management
of it ?" All agreed that the ratepayers should be represented,
and why shoidd it be referred to a committee to inquire into
the working of certain matters ? The ratepayers never as-
serted that the funds were misapplied or mismanaged : aU they
said was that they were altogether disregarded in the matter.
He could not see the necessity for a committee, and regarded
it as an attempt to shelve the matter.

The President said he must call their attention to the cir-
cumstance that they had only discussed the priuciple of a bill
for establishing County Financial Boards, aud that the details
remained untouched. They had not heard anytliing from any-
one with reference to what such a bill ought to be, and there
was a wide difference between the mere admission of a prin-
ciple and the determination of details. He was not a Goveorn-
ment apologist, but they would allow him to say a few words
upon the debate on Mr. Wylde's bill. There was an entire
unanimity among the speakers with reference to the principle,
but scarcely one speaker approved of the way in which it was
applied. The bOl was cumbrous ; it went into a great deal
more than Parliament would, at oue sitting, be prepared either
to discuss or decide upon, and it opened aU sorts of principles.
Mr. Biddell had said that committees were very often tlie
grave of good measures, but they were also often the grave of
very bad ones, for of aU bills introduced into Parliament tlie
larger proportion were utterly to be condemned, and for one
good biU ten were introduced so bad that if their authors had
been tolerably discreet they never would have seen the light.
Therefore he approved of sending the bills to a select com-
mittee, more especially such a bill as that in question. When
they came to examine the details they would find tliis was not
such an easy thing to apply.

After some further discussion the resolution was assumed to
be carried, and tlie meeting broke up.

SOMERSET CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE AND COUNTY ASSOCIATION

OF RATE-PAYERS.

The fourth general meeting of the members of this associa-
tion was held at Bridgwater, when Mr. J . P. Broadmead, of
Enmore, was voted to the chair.

Tlie Chairman said, that this was not merely a meeting of
the Chamber of Agriculture, but also of the " County Asso-
ciation of Ratepayers," and consequently it affected all classes
of persons who were liable to pay rates. He repeated they
must be very -thankful to the gentlemen connected with the
Yeovil Board of Guardians for having moved in this important
matter. They might not be prepared to concur in all the
minor details to which tlie chamber liad committed itself, and,
moreover, they were not asked to do so. The promoters of
the association merely said if they could agree that the general

principles laid down were sound and good then they could join
it ; and he thought quite the same. It had been thought by
some that it was merely the claims of the Chamber of Agri-
culture which they met to advocate ; but such was not the
case — they were also an association of ratepayers, and as such
dealt with matters affecting every class of persons. If tjicy
considered the system upon which the poor-rate was levied at
present, and what was really proposed by this association, they
could not fail to see that those who are now unfairly burdened
would be greatly relieved by the personal property of the
country being called upon to contribute, as it ought to do, to-
wards the rate for the relief of the poor, and all those various
other charges which he had named- They did not ask to be

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

63

relieved of any buillieu wliicli it wiis right and just for Iheni
to bear ; they wanted to have everything tair, and that was the
object of this meeting. Some persons argued that money in
the funds should be exempted, because at the time the funds
were estabhshed money was required for carrying on a war,
and there was a kind of compact that the capital so invested
should be free from rating. But at that time we had no police
or highway rates, and many of the burthens now complained
of had not been imposed upon them. Therefore, these things
being altered, all things might be altered. He urged them to
move in this matter, for if tliey did not they could not expect
that tliose who were not at present rated would come forward
voluntarily and offer to bear their proportion of these charges.
They might feel that in justice tliey ought to do so ; but of
course they would say, " Let those who are interested in it
move in the matter ; we are not going to do so." If they did
not put their shoulder to the wheel they would not get relieved.
An impression seemed to prevail that they wanted to transfer
all these burdens to trades and manufactures ; but it was not
so, for by including all personal property in the assessment
they would be benefited rather than oppressed. After all it
was but fair that those who obtained their wealth from the
labour of the poor, should, when these had become indigent
and unable to work, help to support them ; whereas at present
the poor, whose best labours were employed in the aggrandise-
ment of the wealth of the manufacturing interest, were thrust
back upon the landed interest for support, whilst those who
had reaped the advantage of tlieir labour contributed nothing
towards the rate. He appealed to the meeting whether the
system was not an unfair and unreasonable one ?

Mr. Andrews, as secretary of the association, explained
more fully the objects and purposes of the meeting.

Mr. John Trask proposed " That this meeting fully ap-
proves and endorses the resolutions passed by meetings of this
association held at Yeovil, Taunton, and Bristol." He re-
marked that the resolutions referred to had been circulated,
and no doubt every one present was conversant with them,

Mr. Joim Samso^^j seconded the resolutiou, and it was
carried by acclamation.

Mr. T. Baker, of Boroughbridge, proposed "That this
meeting pledges itself to use every effort to make the objects
and purposes of this association known throughout the county
of Somerset in accordance with the circulars and resolutions
sent to the guardians of each parish, and addressed to the rate-
payers." He moved this resolution because he highly approved
of the movement and the broad principles upon which the
association was based. He believed the time had come when
the rating system should be thoroughly and completely over-
hauled and re-adjusted.

Mr. James Kinder, in seconding the resolutiou, hoped
that the matter would be taken up in thorough earnest-
ness, and he had no doubt tlieir efforts would be crowned with
success.

The motion was unanimously carried.

Mr. E,. S. PiTTARD proposed, " That in the opinion of this
meeting a persistent attempt should be made by the chairmen
and committees of the associated ratepayers in each union to
get every town and parish in their union represented by a
ratepayer, and to canvass for members and subscriptions."

Mr. J. Stuckey, of Drayton, seconded the resolution, which
was carried.

Mr. H. G. Andrews proposed, "That in the opinion of
this meeting the ratepayers of parishes, independent of sub-
scriptions from large proprietors, should attempt to raise tlie
income of this association to £1,000 a-year, and that this can
be done with ease in a field consisting of 510 parishes."

Mr. Reynolds seconded the resolution, which was carried
by acclamation.

Mr. James Ery proposed, " That the secretary be requested
to convey to Sir Massey Lopes the thanks of the Somerset
Chamber of Agriculture and of this meeting for the able way
in vvliich he has brought the question of Local Taxation be-
fore the House of Commons."

Tlie motion on being seconded by Mr. Frith was carried.

THE PENWITH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual exhibition of the Penwith Agricultural Society,
which has now attained the age allotted as man's sojourn
upon earth — three score and ten — has been held at Treneere,
Penzance. A finer show of cattle and horses for a local meet-
ing has rarely been seen ; and some good judges expressed it
as their opinion that it would take some unusually fine cattle
to beat the first-prize shorthorns, exhibited at the above show.
In making their awards to the horses, the judges had a most
arduous duty to perform, and they were a considerable time
before they succeeded in awarding the prizes to their own
satisfaction. The horses were tried in every way, and in the
presence of a large number of spectators, and it was generally
admitted that they gave their fiat in favour of first-class
horses. The show of pigs was certainly not large, but what
was deficient in quantity was in every respect made up in
quality. The contest in this department was between Mr. E.
Bolitho and Mr. Sydney Davey, two gentlemen who have
competed in former years. Last year the first prize was car-
ried off by Mr. Bolitho, and this year the same gentleman was
again successful, Mr. Davey being second ; but he was dis-
qualified from taking the second prize in consequence of his
having won the same prize last year. There was an excellent
exhibition of sheep, and the Leicester rams were especially
noticeable for their size and beauty. The judges were : For
cattle, sheep, and Pigs — Messrs. Luke Bice, St. Enoder ;
Jabez Steeper, St. Columb ; and Marshall, Maidstone, Kent.
For horses and implements — Messrs. J. Burgess, Barncoose,
lUogan ; Whitser Laming, Trevethoe ; and K. Quick, Tre-
wellard St. Just. The following were the

AWARDS.

Cattle.

North Devon Bulls.— First, G. Mason, Truro ; second, J.
Burgess, Barncoose,

Shorthorn Bulls. — First and second, Hosken & Son, Ilayle ;
tliird, S. Harvey, Sennen.

North Devon Bulls, calved since January 1st, 1867. — First,
T. Stevens, Wendron ; second, G. Mason.

Shorthorn BuUs, calved since January 1st, 1807. — Second,
Hosken & Son.

North Devon Cows. — First, J. Burgess ; second, J. Mason.

Shorthorn Cows. — First and second, Hosken & Son.

Cows of the Guernsey or Jersey breed. — First, R. F. Bo-
•litho, Ponsandane ; second, H. Hodge, St. Levan.

Cows of the cross-breed. — First, E. Bolitho, Treuuggo ;
second, Rev. M. N. Peters, Penzance.

Two-years-old Shorthorn Heifers. — First and second, Hos-
ken & Son.

Heifers of the Guernsey or Jersey breed. — General Tre-
menheere, Boscathnoe.

Horses.

Stallions calculated to improve the breed of saddle horses.—
First, W. Hawke, Budock (Sea King) ; second, J. Yeo, Bod-
min (Gazna).

Stallions calculated to improve the breed of horses for gene-
ral purposes. — First, Hosken and Son (Forester).

Stallions calculated to improve the breed of cart-horses.—
First, H. Laity, Clowance (Goldfinder) ; second, H. Roberts,
St. Hilary (Oxford).

Brood saddle mares with foals. — First, J. Abraham, Crowan ;
second, G. Eustice, jun., Hayle.

Three-year-old fillies or geldings for the saddle. — First, S.
Harvey, Trevear ; second, N. Hoskins, St. Allen.

Three-year-old fillies or colts for general purposes. — First,
Branwell and Sons, Penzance.

Two-year-old colts or fillies for the saddle.— First, W. Jelbart,
Roborough, Devon.

Two-year-old colts or fillies for general purposes. — First, J.
Bone, Penzance,

64

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Cart-mares with foals. — First, Brauwell and Son ; second,
J. Pearce, St. Bur3'an.

Yearling colts or fillies for the saddle. — First, H. Laity.

Yearling colts or iillies for general purposes. — First, J.
Chappie, Sancreed.

Sheep.

Leicester rams. — First, J. Rosewarne, Nanspusker ; second
and third, J. Thomas, Phillack.

Leicester hogg rams. — First, second, and tliird, J. Rose-
warne.

Five Leicester ewes. — First and second, J. Thomas.

Five Leicester hogg ewes. — First, W. Laming, Trevethoe ;
second, J. Rosewarne.

Southdown rams or other Down. — First, S.Rodda, Penzance ;
Gooond, R. F". Bolitho.
Five Southdown ewes, or other Down. — R. F. Bolitho.

Pigs.

Boars. — T. Thomas, Sancreed ; second and third, S. Davcy,
Redruth.

Sows in farrow, or having had farrows. — First, E. Bolitho,
Trennuggo ; second, J. S. Davey.

Husbandry Implements.
£3, Messrs. Holnian and Sons, for the hest assortment of
implements, particular mention being made of the corn horse-
hoe and the liquid-niauure distributor.

THE RABBIT QUESTION IN COURT.

A case involving the question of law as to damage to grow-
ing crops by rabbits came before the Court of Common Pleas
on June 1st. Mr. Gatacre, the landlord, appealed against a de-
cision obtained by Mr. Wool)rick,his tenant,in the County Court
of Shropshire. Tlie case stated that the plaiutiff in the court
below was tenant to the defendant under a lease containing a
proviso excepting all game, which was reserved to the de.
fendant as owner of the laud. Adjoining a field so held by
the plaintiff the defendant had a coppice, which was full of
rabbits, and the rabbits got into the plaintiff's field, and so in-
jured the crops, that in 1865 the defendant allowed him £75
as compensation for the damage done by them. The rabbits
were for a time kept down, but since then they had greatly
increased, and inflicted damage on the tenant's away-going
crop of last year to the valued amount of £21. The defendant
offered the plaintiff £13 as compensation, which he refused to
receive, and brought his action in the Shropshire County
Court to recover the amount of the estimated damage, and the
learned judge of that court gave judgment for the plaintiff for
the amount claimed, against which was the present appeal.

Mr. Archibald appeared for the appellant, and Mr. Hudson
for the respondent.

For the appellant it was contended that the action would
not lie, that the rabbits were /era natiirit, and that the
appellant was not responsible for what they did. Suppose a
fox had gone out of the coppice, was the appellant to be held
responsible for its taking his neighbour's chickens ? The re-
spondent was restricted by the terms of his lease from killing
the rabbits when on liis land, but that was by his own agree-
ment. He referred to " Jeffries v. Evans," 34, Laiv Journal
Beports, C. P., page 51. Tlie learned counsel was here stopped.

For the respondent it was contended that the decision of
the court below was right. Half the respondent's crop had
been destroyed by the rabbits which issued out of the appel-
lant's coppice, and it was his duty to keep down their increase,
80 that they should not be a nuisance to his neighbours.

Tiie Chief Justice : Are the rabbits the property of the
appellant ?

Mr. Hudson : The appellant ought to have kept down their
increase.

Mr. Justice Byles : They are the most prolific of all anmals.

The learned counsel, conceding that, still contended they
had no right to consume the respondent's away-going crop,
and that the appellant ought to have taken means to pre-
vent it.

Mr. Justice Willes : Have you looked into the civil law on
the subject ?

Mr. Hudson said he had not. He liad thought it was more
a question of tlie co mmon and statute law.

Mr. Justice Willes said if the learned counsel would consult
the civil law, title Actio noxalis, he would find it had much
bearing on the matter.

Mr. Hudson said he had not referred to that head of the
civil law, and proceeded to contend that the rabbits were a
nuisance, and had wrongfully been permitted to increase.

Mr. Justice Willes referred the learned counsel to the old
case, in the year books, of the bear, which while tamed and
in captivity rendered its master liable for its acts, but having
regained its liberty and escaped into the woods it committed
all manner of atrocities, for which its former master was held
not liable. In the present case, had these been tame rabbits^
the case might have been different. So also there was the
case of Dale v. Edwards, where a person kept a dog which
had a propensity to go out on his own account, and went
poaching into a preserve, and killed the pheasants, where it
was held that an action lay against the owner of the dog ; that
case had carried the law to the extreme. It seemed to him
that this action was an utterly groundless one.

The learned counsel said the decision in this case was that
of Mr. Josiah William Smith, a very learned judge.

The Chiet Justice wished to treat the decision with every
respect, but it was the decision appealed against, with no au-
thority to support it. The appellant was not the owner of
these rabbits in any sense to make him responsible. There
was no contract, expressed or implied, in the lease, that he
would keep in or kill down the rabbits. The judgment must,
therefore, be reversed.

This decision leaves the matter in a very unsatisfactory
state for the farmers, who suffer by the overstock of game,
which there is no question is the case in some parts of the
kingdom. Taking Essex generally we do not think the te-
nantry have much to complain of in this respect — though of
course there are some lands that do suffer from this cause ;
and most of the occupiers have a little of the sporting
spirit in tlicra, and look rather with pride than displeasure to
a fair stock of game in their fields and hedgerows. But in
other districts of the kingdom the manner in which the game
is preserved is a serious loss to the tillers of the soil, and the
rabbits are a nuisance, for though the owners of the land do
not care much about the latter, where these are the perqui-
sites of the gamekeepers, as is commonly the case, those gentry
look jealously and closely after thera, and take care to have a
good stock in hand.

This decision, which places the rabbits on the same ground
as the sparrows on the house-top, is therefore a grave matter
to many, and will require the serious consideration of the
tenant in taking, and a liberal arrangement on the part of the
landlord in letting, a farm.

T^B I'ABMBB'S MAGA55TNIJ.

THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

At the last meeting of the Maidstone Farmers' Club
Mr. Elvy read a paper on " The state of Agriculture in the
United Kingdom, and its relation to the safety of the Nation."
He said : I have to introduce a subject to your notice which is
cue that is perhaps rarely taken up by farmers. My motive
in bringing this subject before the club may be deemed pre-
sumptuous ; if it be, I can only plead my wish that it may
lead men of far greater consequence and ability to consider the
matter. I have been led to think, by seeing in The Mark Lane
Express and other papers, the probable chance of England
wanting corn before the arrival of the harvest. Now, if such
an event is likely to take place during a time of profound
peace, with the ports of all the world open to us, what may be
the case prove if war, or any other evil, shut off our supplies P
Our fleet, which has for " a thousand years braved the battle
and the breeze," is indeed an arm of strength, and ever may be
England look proudly to it. But not even to such a tower of
strength should we trust for a supply of food. We, in some
measure, resemble ancient Rome. She, like us, conquered and
colonized, and at last depended for her s upplies of food more
on foreign lauds than her own. Corn, &c., was obtained more
cheaply from other soils: thus her own were neglected, and the
Pontine Marshes were allowed to run to waste and become
swamps. Brigands there find a shelter, and thus prove a curse
to Rome, as well as a fatal miasma arising therefrom. These
evils may not be feared ; but a short supply of corn is by no
means improbable, and what would be the state of London,
and of our great cities, with their over-crowded populations, if
suffering from the want of the necessaries of life P We know
too well how unmanageable they are. Let us then consider
how we can make ourselves rs safe as we can, and try to meet
an evil even before it arrives. Looking back to the state of
agriculture centuries ago, we find that the United Kingdom
did not produce a fifth of its present amount. Yet then it
produced enough to feed its inhabitants. Now, vnth all its
increase, it needs immense supplies of foreign grain, &c.
Population has so largely increased that it has outgrown the
land. Agriculture has made rapid strides, but cannot keep
pace, at least with its knowledge. What are we to endeavour
to do P how obtain a greater supply P As the land now yields
three or four times as much as it did in the days of the
Edwards and Henrys, can it not be made to yield far more,
and thus ensure our safety ? We have now the advantage of
chemistry ; we have manures from cloth and other factories :
we have guano ; the knowledge of herbs and plants converted
into manure. We learn that by a change of crops, by
keeping our land clean, fallowing is rendered generally
unnecessary ; by grubbing all useless hedges and trees,
taking in all straggling land, we are enabled to increase our
acres, as well as throw our land open to the sun and air. We
have also the knowledge of machinery. Where these acts have
not been done, let them be so. Let prejudice be put aside,
let men be taught their own and their country's welfare ; let,
also, liberal leases be granted to good tenants, and let them be
encouraged to render the land fruitful ; let, also, rabbits and
hares be placed at the disposal of the farmer. I come now to
what I deem more necessary than even the before-mentioned
ways of increase. Let no man talk of indelicacy or impro-
priety. Our Great Creator, when he formed man, made him
to live agreeably to his will ; and let no fastidiousness curl up
its nose at the organs God ordains him to live by. See with
what infinite wisdom it is ordained that all we eat or drink,
all we wear, even our bodies, can be returned to the earth, and
so fructify it that it will reproduce what has been consumed.
This is a fact well known to scientific men — nay, even to most
agriculturists. Why, then, should not production go on with
consumption ? Wliy, because we waste and destroy the
means. Thus our towns are rendered unhealthy, our rivers
polluted, when that which poisons them might be rendered a
blessing. It might not, in the language of the world, repay
individuals or corporate bodies, but surely Government might
aid in so good a plan. Deep cesspools might be formed, into
which all the excretia might run. They might be covered

over to prevent smell by evaporation, and the contents sold for
manure. There is a new invention — earth-closets— a plan
of which I have before me. These we are now using at the
Union, and I believe they will supersede water-closets, &c., in
many places, and be the means of easily eff'ecting the purpose
of retaining animal manure. Dr. Monckton, in his able
paper, to which I had not an opportunity till lately of paying
proper attention, urges greater attention to agriculture, though
he does not openly state the necessity ; yet both he and Mr.
Mechi bear me out in pressing it on the public. Let the
farmers of England change sides with the public, and extend
protection to those who refused it to them. Let us humbly
look on the earth in a religious point of view. The Great
Creator made it beautiful to man, and from its bosom fruits
and flowers sprang, uutilled, uncultivated. Man, by his dis-
obedience, brought the thistles and weeds, and what then
seemed to be a curse upon the ground. But, even then, in
His severity, the mercy of God held out a remedy : " Thou
shalt labour, and by the sweat of thy brow shalt thou raise
thy bread." There was health and happiness in the com-
mand. Man has found health and content ; he has restored,
by that labour, the earth to its fertility ; fruits and flowers
have again sprung forth, and thus man only obeys the com-
mand of his Maker when he applies all his diligence to the
cultivation of the earth.

A letter was here read from Messrs. Haynes and Sons with
regard to the use of earth-closets, and the advantage which
they had proved on their own premises and elsewhere.

Mr. Hayes said he could fully endorse what Messrs. Haynes
said, as he had used a similar closet on his own premises, and
found it to work admirably. There was still, however, great
prejudice to be overcome in the matter, as he had found that
labourers had refused to use them. He thought they were
greatly indebted to Mr. Elvy for bringing the subject forward,
not only as farmers but as Englishmen. No doubt the ques-
tion of feeding the people concerned every one in the country.
Mr. Elvy had touched two points in his paper which were re-
ceived with cheers, and therefore he imagined his views met
with their approval. The questions were the providing of
greater security to the tenant, and that their lands should not
be overrun with game. According to the agricultural statistics
issued lately, the population was twenty millions, and the
acreage under wheat three millions two hundred thousand in
round numbers. He had no doubt that if expense was not
considered, one-half or two-thirds of the wheat land could be
made to yield very much more than it now did. But then,
under present circumstances it would not pay. The tenant
was suffering from want of capital, and he wanted greater
security given for what he did, and the destruction of the crops
by hares and rabbits avoided. No farmer would object to
give reasonable and fair sport. Might the time never come
when country gentlemen could not find fair sport. But there
was no sport, in his opinion, in shooting down flocks of game
as if they were barndoor fowls. It was frequently said that
he who could make two blades of grass grow where one grew
before was a benefactor to his country ; and he thought the
opposite was also true, that he who prevented two blades of
grass growing where one grew before — that any landlord who
refused fair security to the tenant, and who allowed his land
to be overstocked with game — was not a benefactor to his
country, but quite the contrary. He did not with to see any
legal remedies introduced, for he thought over-legislation was
a great evil. But all that they could do to call the attention
of the country to those defects, by making their voices heard,
he thought they ought to do.

Mr. BridglaND (the Chairman) said he thought the ques-
tion of game was one entirely between the landlord and the
tenant. A farmer took his land with his eyes open, and he
made his own bargain. He thought, however, they should
try to get rid of the annoyance of the ground game, hares and
rabbits.

Mr. Hayes said he wished to see the land produce as
much as it possibly could of the food of the people, fie

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

spoke not as a farmer, but as an Englishman. He thought no
reasonable man would object to a fair, old-fashioned style of
shooting, but he did not think it was right that the farmer
should have the produce of his fields destroyed by vermin.

Mr. HoDsOLL said he thanked Mr. Elvy most cordially for
the manner in whicli he had introduced the subject. He
held, however, that the produce of the land contributed but
in a small degree to the safety and the welfare of the nation.
It really was the subdivsion and distribution of labour which
contributed so powerfully to the prosperity and safety of this
realm. What was it that enhanced and created the value of
the produce of the soil but labour ? What was the flax which
they produced worth until it was dressed and woven and spun ?
What was the value of metals — of even gold itself — until
labour had been applied to it ? They would pay, perhaps, two
guineas an ounce for an elaborate article in silver, the raw
material of which they could buy at 5s. It was true that a
great deal of wealth first emanated from the soil, but it was
distributed througli various streams in wliicli manufactures
and commerce took part, and so built up the colossal power
and wealth of this kingdom. When Mr. Elvy spoke of Rome
and the Pontine marshes, and suggested that England might
possibly decline in a similar manner, he forgot that the position
of the two countries was entirely diifereut. Rome never
encouraged a subdivision of labour, and the extension of com-
merce and manufactures, so that that country could trade vfith
others, and the wants of one nation could be supplied from
the over-productions of another. He was satisfied that, as
lou^ as commerce and manufactures existed in England in
their present state, we should find markets for the products of
our skill, and have plenty of money to purchase of the
foreigner the supplies of food we required. But he did not
ignore any of Mr. Elvy's conclusions with regard to agricul-
ture. There was nothing to prevent tliem from producing
two blades of grass where one grew before, but everything to
encourage theni in doing so. Every penny we laid out in corn
was so much abstracted from the wealth of this country ; and,
therefore, the question of liberal leases and matters of that
kind ought to be considered. Mr. Hodsoll concluded by
calling upon both owuers and occupiers of land to assist the
efforts of the West Kent Chamber of Agriculture to obtain,
without further delay from the legislature, through their
representatives, a more fair adjustment of local taxation,
which, lie said, was only secondary in importance to the in-
crease of their crops.

Mr. T. Reeves, jun., said he fully concurred in what Mr.
Hayes had said, that the want of security and the game
were the two great things at the present time that hindered
agriculturists from progressing. They should be encouraged

to make the land of England produce more than it does
now. Mr. Hayes had said that if the present acreage of
wheat were made to produce one quarter more than it has
previously done, it would feed the population of the country
for three weeks. But he said that the acreage of wheat
planted at the present time might be made to produce three
quarters per acre more than it does now, and that would
feed the country for nine weeks. The question Mr. Elvy had
introduced was very important as to the safety of the country.
If they did not take care of themselves, they would find them-
selves in a position they would all deplore : and it was for the
landowners to look about them and see what was for their own
interests as well as for the interests of the agriculturists.
They might have increased rents if they would give proper
security to their tenants, and do away with their greatest
curse, the game, for there was no doubt that it was a curse to
them. The question of small enclosures was another matter
that should receive the serious attention of them all. In his
neighbourhood they saw enclosures of one, two, and two-and-
a-half acres surrounded by trees, where there would be but a
small patch in the middle where they could grow anything.
Then the drainage question was a matter of great importance
to them. He believed that the interests of the agriculturists
had been too much ignored by the commercial class for many
years, and if they had been better upheld by them they would
have been in a very different position, and have had more
money to have spent upon such improvements, while the com-
mercial class would have been none the poorer. There bad
been, he considered, too great a tendency in the legislation of
late years towards the commercial interests, and ignoring al-
most— if not entirely — the agricultural interests. The com-
mercial interests would never serve England in the event of
famine ; neither their money nor goods would feed tlie people.
If at any time the country should be at war with more than
one nation, they would find it very difficult to get food for the
inhabitants, and, therefore, they should stir heaven and earth,
as it was said, at the present time to increase the produce of
the land in tlie country. He was convinced that the produce
might be doubled in a few years if the proper steps were taken.
If they went through the country they would see all round the
fields places that would not produce nearly as much as the
middle would. Then came the question of hedgerows and
timber, and the game that lived in the hedgerows devoured
what sprang up. On that account they would find that in the
Weald of Kent the prodnce of many farms was not one-quarter
of what they might be made to yield in the course of some
three years.

The discussion was continued for a short time after this, but
with nothing of moment in it.

TOPDRESSING.

At the dinner of the Wester Ross Earmers' Society, Mr.
Adam said : I may say that top-dressing is an operation
with which our forefathers were little, if at all, acquainted.
It is an operation that has become common in these later
years through the importation and manufacture of such
large quantities of portable manures. Our forefathers
would have given to their land with right goodwill, I doubt
not, all the manure they could scrape ; but with guano,
nitrate of soda, and tlie endless diversity of stuffs with which
we are now famil-ar, they knew notliing ; consequently, their
crops, having had applied to them beforehand all the dis-
posable manure, had to go on to harvest unsupplemented, un-
assisted by any addition, and depended exclusively on the sun-
shine and rain from heaven. We, in this respect, are now-a-
days more advantageously circumstanced. In addition to the
ordinary farmyard manure, we not only can give, when sowing
the crop, a supply of artificial manure, but even after the crop
is brairded, should there be any appearance of sickness of the
plant, any indication of stinted growth, a manure easily dis-
solved, and readily washed to the roots of the plants, we can
apply with immediate and astonishing effects. In this respect,
the farmer stands somewhat related to the plant as its medical
attendant. His practised eye detects the first symptoms of

disease, by fading colour and lagging step ; but, assured of the
cause of disease, the fitting manure is applied with the desired
result of the restoration of the beautiful hue of health, and of
greatly-accelerated growth. The necessity of topdressing
arises from the soil being imperfectly supplied wi*h the con-
stituents necessary for the growth of plants. Did the soil
naturally contain an inexhaustible supply of all that the plants
required for their growth, then manure, either ordinary or
artificial, would never be needed. But it is well known that
very little of the soil of our country is fitted naturally for the
full development of our plants ; and it is equally well-known
that soil, thus naturally fertile, speedily becomes, by continuous
cropping without manure, so reduced and impoverished as to
exhibit only the shadow of a crop. The large proportion of
the soil of our country is naturally so barren that, when im-
proved, it will grow nothing until supplied at a great cost with
plaut-growing substances. Indeed, the first outlay in clearing
and breaking up ground is often small as compared with the
outlay necessary in bringing it into a state of ordinary fertility.
But a state of ordinary fertility is not all that is desiderated.
What the improving tenant is desirous of, is to have his land in
that condition in which he might reasonably anticipate the
largest possible yield. True, there are a few favoured spots in

I'iiE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

67

such a condition as this ; and to apply topdressing to these to
increase the return would be the height of folly, as it would lu
all likelihood result in a crop early laid and in a diminished
return. To apply additional manure to soil already
sufficiently supplied with every necessary ingredient, is similar
to bringing an additional round to the dinner-table after all
the guests are choke-full. But farms in such a state as this
are rarer than angels' visits. I once saw, and perhaps only
once, 2 cwt. of Peruvian guano given to one acre over and
above the supply given to the lield generally, without the
slightest perceptible difference, either at the hoeing or lifting
of the crop, simply because the field had a sufficiency of
manure witliout this addition — there being over 33 tons of
turnips per acre. It is not every day that one Mill stumble on
a farm off which a yield could reasonably be expected of C qrs.
of wheat, 9 qrs. of barley, and from 10 to 11 qrs. of oats per
acre, and these are Mr. Mechi's maximum returns. If these
returns have not as yet been reached by us, is there not room
for top-dressiug ? and if they have been reached by us, is there
not need for abundant manuring still, to keep the ground in a
condition in which it can continue to give a return so magnifi-
cent ? Whether such returns as these can ever be reached as
a general rule it is impossible to say, but I am persuaded that
ere the soil be brought to its highest possible state of cultiva-
tion mucli has to be learned and much has to be done. The
kinds of manure' that are more generally used for top-dressing
purposes are guano, nitrate of soda, and dissolved bones.
Until within these few years guano was more commonly used,
but, from the fall in the price of nitrate of soda, it is now
coming more generally into use, and from its facility of solu-
tion, it is very easily washed into the soil. To specify any one
kind of manure as the best for top-dressing purposes generally
would be unwise and misleading. The kind of crop to which
it is to be applied, and the nature of the soil in each particular
case, must be fully considered, and the manner adopted thereto
must be selected. To all our cereal crops, top-dressing in
ordinary seasons, if wisely applied, will be advantageous.
True, in such dry summers as we some time ago had, top-
dressing was of little or no value ; whilst in dry shallow soils
it was really disastrous, greatly assisting the drought in its
withering effects. But fortunately such seasons as these are
the exception, not the rule, and without somewhat of the pro-
phetic spirit cannot be foreseen. To grain crops the quantity
to be applied must be carefully considered, as it now and then
happens, when nitrate of soda is largely used, that there grows
an abundance of straw, but the grain maybe nearly entirely want-
ing, and when this happens the straw is inferior also. A large
dose may lie much more safely applied to grass, either for pas-
ture or hay, as there is less regard to the growing of seed than
to the quantity of grass sown, and hay secured. The season
I have found most suitable for topdressing is spring. Even
to autumn-sown wheat it is more advisable to apply topdress-
ing in spring than when the grain is sown ; for I have found,
when applied in autumn, that the manure very much exhausted
itself in forcing on an undue growth in winter and early spring,
which was again cut down by the later frosts, leaving the
wheat in a worse condition than it would have been if it had
received no topdressing at all. To wheat and grass, topdress-
ing may be applied at any time in spring, care being taken,
however, that the soil be not too wet, so that the manure
would be in danger of being carried away, and that there be
rain either at the time of sowing or the prospect of its imme-
diate coming thereafter, so as to secure that the manure be
washed into the ground as soon as possible. Topdressing of
oats and barley is more conveniently applied at the time of
sowing the grain. Conld present prices of grain, or some-
thing even considerably lower, be stereotyped, then there could
be no question of the profitableness of topdressing ; but
should prices fall to nearly one-half their present amount,
which we have sometimes seen, it might yet be advisable to
topdress, if not for tlie value of the additional grown grain,
yet for the increased quantity of straw raised, which would
be so helpful in maintaining or imp'oving the general condi-
tion of the farm.

I\Ir. MiDDLETON said that he topdressed different ways
almost every kind of crop, and generally he found himself
benefited by it — perhaps not so much as he would desire, but
still to an extent that he considered remunerative. The soil
on his farm was easily overdone, and therefore he had to top-
dress carefully. The mixture he preferred for corn crops was

dissolved bones and guauo, with a little nitrate of soda. For
hay he found guano best, with a little both of nitrate of soda
and bone meal.

Mr. Bethune said that he generally topdressed liis grass
every year with nitrate of soda and guano ; for his corn crop
he used guano chiefly. He never tried nitrate of soda or dis-
solved bones for his corn crop, and of the guano he usually
gave from one to two hundredweight an acre.

Mr. Sim said it had been remarked that the man who made
two blades of grass grow where one grew before deserved the
thanks of mankind ; and he considered that the farmer who
top-dressed judiciously would almost accomplish this feat.
One thing, however, they all ought to learn, and that was, to
mix manures properly ; for sufficient attention was not usually
paid to this important point. In corn crops, a great deal de-
pended on judicious mixture, so that they might not find a
handful of nitrate here, a handful of dissolved bones there, and
a handful of guano in another place. He found the following
mixtures answer best in his own experience : For wheat, one
hundred-weight of nitrate, a hi^lf-hundredweight of Peruvian
guano, and one hundredweight of superphosphate have the best
and most lasting results ; and I think the proper time for ap-
plication is just when the fresh growth sets in in spring.
Barley, of all other grains, is the most dangerous to top-
dress, as, if too quick and luxuriant a growth is induced, you
are apt to have soft straw and a lodged crop. He found two
hundredweight of best superphosphate most suitable, harrowed
in with the seed. Oats, on strong land especially, repay top-
dressing more than any other grain, as it ensures a strong,
quick growth at once, and in dry seasons prevents the crop
from becoming set after the strength of the seed is exhausted.
He found one hundredweight guauo and two of superphos-
phate most beneficial. Of all crops, the most marked results
of top-dressing are produced on potatoes. He found last year,
by actual experiment, that it increases the crops by one-fifth ;
and, in talking the other day to a farmer (who has been a
regular grower of potatoes for years), as to the quantity he
gave to his potatoes, he told me he never used less than six
hundredweight per acre ; and he believed it would pay to give
more. He found Peruvian guano one hundredweight, potash one
hundred weight, and best dissolved bones two hundred- weight
to suit him best, two-and-a-half hundredweight put down when
planting, and one half-hundredweight when earthing up.

Mr. HoSACK said he had not top-dressed much ; but he
tried it last year, and he had nearly two-thirds — at least fully
one-half — more crop on the part that was top-dressed than on
the other parts of the farm. The mixture he used was a
hundredweight ot nitrate of soda, two hundredweight of super-
phosphate, and two hundredweight of salt. Tlie soil was
very strong clay. He considered that top-dressing was remu-
nerative.

Mr. Akres, whose experience of topdressing in Roxburgh-
shire was asked, said that he had not yet had very much expe-
rience of it, but he had tried it on grass and oats, and in both
instances the result was most extraordinary. In regard to the
oats, the thing he noticed was that while the rest of the field
was very dirty, the part topdressed was comparatively clean, as
well as the crop produced being much heaver. By topdressing
grass he found the crop improved about one-half; on the other
hand, the foggage or grazing was not so good, but tlie second
year the grazing was quite as usual, if not better. The foggage,
however, was not nearly so good, especially with nitrate of
soda ; with Peruvian guano and bones it is not so bad. In
Roxburghshire, topdressing was not carried out to a great
extent, because the land had not much body in it. He men-
tioned as an experiment on one occasion that two acres of
light soil were topdressed in the middle of a field, and another
two acres, not topdressed, were carefully measured off. In the
part of the field topdressed the crop became quite flat, and, on
being thrashed out, it was found that there was a dead loss of
six bushels an acre, compared with the piece not topdressed.

Mr. Fenton said that on all ordinary land judicious top-
dressing was, in his opinion, beneficial. He recommended as
a good mixture two cwt. of salt and two cwt. of nitrate of soda,
half-ewt. of Peruvian guano and half-cwt. of super-phosphate ;
he had found this suit very well both for grass and corn. He
advised every one to use two or three cwt. of common salt ; it
strengthened the straw, and likewise kept it^^sappy.

Mr. Ross said he had got his farm in very bad condition'
but by using a good deal of Dingwall manure he liad broujh*'

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

it into such excellent order that he was afraid to topdress it.
He found that so long as he could grow very nearly 6| quarters
of wheat to the acre he did not require to topdress.

Mr. Hakpkr : Don't make last year a criterion.

Mr. Peterkin said that on the farm he occupied before he
came to Ross-shire the soil was generally light, and he had to
apply a good deal of artificial manure. What he found an-
swer best was a cwt. of guano, a cwt. of super-phosphate, and
a cwt. of nitrate. He remembered on one occasion topdressing
a grassfield of 25 acres, and giving it of nitrate alone about
two and a-half or three cwt. per acre. He had an extraordin-
ary crop of hay, perhaps not less than 300 stone to the impe-
rial acre, and it was thinnish soil ; but next year he had no-
thing. After that he never topdressed with nitrate alone, but
used the mixture he had mentioned, along with a cwt. of salt.
On the land he required to dress for oats, he often laid down
the manure (got from fishing villages, &c.) in September or
October, or if not then in spring, and found very great benefit
arise from that method. Topdressing, he thought, had always

paid him. As he had said, a great part of his land was thin,
and yet he had always had as good crops as others with better
land. He considered the farmer should always topdress, es-
pecially if he had not such land as their friend Mr. Ross •, on
the good alluvial soil, such as many of them had about Ding-
wall, he considered that top-dressing was beneficial.

Mr. Harper said that topdressing had puzzled him a good
deal, and he did not think that his experience was ol any
authority. The year before last he topdressed a dry field
with guano, super-phosphate, and bones, but he was obliged to
use extraordinary measures to keep the crop down, and he
partly lost it. When in Edinburgh a gentleman to whom he
was speaking had told him that nitrate of soda had nearly
ruined him. He had a good crop the first year, but the next
he had none at all.

The CHAiRJiiLN then summed up, giving it as his opinion
that with proper attention topdressing would pay all farmers.
The result of the discussion was that guano, nitrate of soda,
and bone meal were considered the best top-dressing mixtures.

THE WORCESTERSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE.

At a meeting, Mr. G. Whittaker chairman, a letter was
read from the secretary of the Central Chamber, requesting
the secretary to forward to Mr. Jasper More, M.P., the
chairman of that Chamber, the names of any gentlemen this
Chamber would like to give evidence before tlie select com-
mittee of the House of Commons on the subject of Financial
Boards.

The Chairman said he thought thai perhaps they would
liave some difficulty in proving their case, but they wanted
to show that, if they had Financial Boards, the moment any
biU came before Parliament afi'ecting the interests of the rate-
payers, the ratepayers on those Boards would immediately
oppose that measure, and show to tlie country that the biU
would increase the burdens of the ratepayers. — Mr. Blick
confirmed what had been said by the cliairman, and added
that with regard to tlie Lunatic Asylum the magistrates had to
carry out the provisions of an Act of Parliament, under the
supervision of the Lunacy Commissioners. The manage-
ment of the gaol, too, was now by a special act placed in the
hands of a joint committee of city and county magistrates,
subject to the supervision of inspectors appointed by the Home
Office ; and in a discussion at the Central Chamber of Agri-
culture it was stated that the magistrates had very little con-
trol over county expenditure. — Mr. Abell remarked that that
might be so, but they never found the Government and the
magistrates coming into opposition. In nineteen cases out of
twenty the alterations were suggested by the magistrates. — A
discussion followed, in the course of which Mr. Guest said he
did not think Mr. Wy'.d's bill went far enough. He thought
that the ratepayers s'.ould elect all the membeis of the Board.
It was true that '^ney had a great many good financial men
sitting as magistrates, but tlie principle they wanted to do
away with w-.s "taxation without representation." A few
years ago, at the time of the alterations at the gaol, there
were magistrates put upon the Gaol Committee who were not
business men. When they got such men on committees they
were induced to lay out money without due regard to economy —
Mr. Webb said that in his district the magistrates had no
adequate interest in the matter of expenditure. There were
two or three farmers in the neighbourhood who had to pay
more rates that all the magistrates put together. — Ultimately
it was agreed that Messrs. Whitehair, Webb, and Blick (secre-
tary) be appointed to represent the Chamber.

Mr. Blick reported tiiat the period for which the Chamber
of Agriculture was ordered to be supplied to the members of
the Council had expired, and he wished to know if it was to be
continued. — Several members of the council complained that
the reports of the various meetings of the Chamber had not
been reported, and Mr. Webb proposed the following resolution,
which was agreed to :— ' That the secretary of this Chamber
request the editor of the Chamber of Agriculture to supply
copies of that journal for the next two months for the mem-
bers of the oouncU, and at the same time state that in the

opinion of this Chamber the reports of the meetings of the
Centra] Chamber have not been as fuU and satisfactory as they
could wish, and also to call his attention to the fact that meet-
ings of this Chamber are sometimes omitted, although he has
been furnished with the necessary information."

The Secretary mentioned that Mr. Dillwyn, M.P., had
introduced a bill " to amend the laws relating to the holding
of fairs in England and Wales." He had written for copies of
the bill, which he expected in a few days.

The Chairmak said that, at the last meeting, it was pretty
well agreed that they should call a general meeting of the
Chamber to consider the subject of local taxation. He con-
sidered it the most important subject that had come before
them for some time, and he had a notion that a public meeting
would go a good way towards ventilating the subject. A long
conversation ensued as to the desirability of having the public
meeting immediately or postponing it for some time, and this
was decided by the following resolution, proposed by Mr. Abell
and seconded by Mr. Smithin, being carried, " That a public
meeting be held this day fortnight on the subject of local tax-
ation, at lialf-past eleven o'clock." — The resolutions to be
proposed at this meeting — three in number—were then dis-
cussed and agreed upon.

At the meeting of this Chamber, Mr. G. Whitaker, chair-
man,

Mr. Trinder moved, " That this Chamber, having taken
into consideration the great and continued increase in the
poor-rates, and local taxation generally, is of opinion that the
present system of rating is unequal and unjust."

Mr. RussoN seconded the resolution, which was put and
carried.

Mr. B. Smithin moved the second resolution as follows :
" That income arising from personal property ought to con-
tribute with real property to a national rate."

Mr. Whitehair seconded the resolution, which was
carried.

Mr. James Webb moved " That an income-tax, properly
levied, will afford an economical means of taxation, and this
Chamber will use its best endeavours to bring about a system
of national rating on that basis."

Mr. J. Abell seconded the motion.

Mr. WiLLis-BuND objected to the income-tax being men-
tioned. He thought they would have great opposition to any
scheme for taxing personal property, and their endeavour
ought to be as much as possible to disarm opposition. The
income-tax was a very unpopular tax, and the very name of it
would create opposition.

Mr. Wkbb, in reply, said he thought that the difficulties
suggested with regard to taxing real property could be got over
by a national rate being levied, and out of that the amount of
the precepts of each union paid.

Mr. RussoN supported the resolution, and contended that

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

69

they ought to be supported by both the borough and county
members.

The Chaikjun expressed his regret that on the present
occasion they had so few landowners of the county of Wor-
cester endeavouring to pull with the tenantry for an adjust-
ment and equalisation of the burdens upon land. It appeared
■ to him that, although the landlords did not pay the taxes, and
they fell upon the tenants, if they did not mind it would
eventually fall on the landlords. He was very much surprised
that the large landed proprietors of tliis county should take
so little interest in the welfare of their tenants. It was time
that all parties connected with the land should lend an assist-
ing and helping hand to promote the one cause. There was
no wish to put class against class, or tenant against landlord,
and he was sure that the tenantry of the kingdom were not
opposed to the wishes or tlie interests of the landlords, but
they did feel, and felt justly, that burdens crept on time after
time which had to be borne exclusively by tenant-farmers.
With regard to Mr. Willis-Bund's observations relative to the
income-tax, he could not agree. He did not think they had
anything to apprehend from adopting the income-tax ; it was
not for them to suggest the mode of legislation. Mr. Pear-
son had suggested one remedy, and Mr. Webb another, the
latter gentleman suggesting that a proportional amount be
paid out of the Consolidated Fund ; but he would not detain
the meeting by dwelling on these subjects, as it was so simple
a matter. He would, however, say that he did not think the
adoption of this course would at all do away with local go-
vernment. This Chamber was not a political one, and he
hoped it would never become political, but where matters of
interest to the tenant-farmer was concerned it was their duty
as a class to insist on the county members attending in their
places in the House of Commons and voting on all important
clauses. He thought that on Mr. Wyld's BOl to establisli
Financial Boards it was their duty to have attended, but the
fact that only twelve county members were present on that
occasion did not show that they took a deep interest in the
affairs of the farmers. He thought that when any vital sub-
ject was brought forward they (the Chamber of Agricul-
ture) would not be doing their duty if they did not write to
the borough and county members to beg of them to support
any measure which the Chamber might think ought to be
passed.

The Chairman then put the motion, wliich was carried.

THE WESTERN CHAMBERS OF AGRICULTURE.—

At a meeting at Falmouth, during the Bath and West of
England show week, Mr. Brydges WiUiaras in the chair, the
subject of poor-rates and local taxation, and a motion which
Sir Massey Lopes brought before the House of Commons a
short time since, were discussed, and the following resolutions
passed : Sir Massey Lopes, M.P., proposed, and Mr. Whevenen
seconded, — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the
direct tax of eleven millions per annum now levied under the
name of poors' rates bears unfairly on income arising from
real property ; and that the exemption of income arising from
personal property is not only unjust, but also impoUtic and
prejudicial to the pubUc interest." Proposed by Mr. H. G.
Andrews, and seconded by Mr. Peter, — " That, whereas the
majority of ratepayers in towns are deeply interested in the
removal of the exemption from poors' rate of income arising
from personal property, means should be taken through the
medium of the several Chambers of Agriculture in the
Western counties for uniting their co-operation in tliis move-
ment." Mr. H. G. Andrews said that at a meeting of the
Somersetshire Chamber, held at Bridgwater on the 27th of
May, he was deputed by that Chamber to present the
following resolution to Sir Massey Lopes : " Resolved, that
the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir Massey Lopes,
M.P., for the able manner in which he has brought before
the House of Commons the present unjust exemption from
poor-rate of income arising from personal property." The
Chairman said that the meeting could not do better than
follow the example set by the Somerset Chamber. He would
therefore propose that the best thanks of this meeting be
given to Sir Massey Lopes for having treated the subject with
so much ability, and having given so much attention to that
important question.

THE MORPETH CHAMBER OF AGRI-
CULTURE.

The usual monthly meeting of this branch was held at Mor-
peth, Mr. Thos. Bell in the chair.

Mr. Thomas Lawson, of Longhurst Grange, having read a
short paper on local taxation, Mr. J. Angus moved, and Mr.
T. Lawson seconded, " That this Chamber strongly recom-
mend the council to send at least one witness to give evidence
before the Select Committee of the House of Commons upon
the present system of county fmance, and that such witness
specially bring before such committee the expenditure of
£2,350 in the purchase of premises adjoining the Moot Hall
Courts, for the sole purpose of removing the danger whi(^
might accrue to such courts in case the aforesaid premises
took fire ; the said Moot Hall Courts having always been
regularly insured against fire."

Mr. John Moor moved, and Mr. John Rutherford
seconded, " That the local rates press severely on the landed-
interest, and that this severity arises by a large amonnt of pro-
perty of a local description being exempted from assessment,
and that in consequence not one-half of the property ability
vrithin a parish is assessed to the relief of the poor."

Mr. Young moved, and Mr. MoOR seconded, the follow-
ing : " That many matters of rather national than local pur-
pose have been added to the local rates, and that such ought,
in whole or in part, to be repaid to the local treasurer from the
national treasury."

Mr. Rutherford moved, and Mr. iVNGUS seconded, " That
there is no subject of greater importance, or more immediately
requiring the full consideration of the general council of the
North of England Chamber of Agriculture, and that our local
council members be requested to press the council to take such
steps as will define what would be a more equitable assess-
ment of local property for local purposes."

EAST RIDING CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE.— At
the ordinary monthly meeting of members at Beverley, Mr.
W. Sainton presiding, on the motion of Mr. Langdale,
seconded by Mx. C. Dixon, the chairman was selected as a
witness to be examined before the House of Commons Select
Committee on the disadvantages of the present system of
county finance. A very lengthy discussion then took place by
adjournment, ou a paper read by Mr. R. W. Parke, of
Catwick, at the last meeting, relative to the present system of
rating. After two hours' debate, Mr. Parke proposed " That it
is the opinion of this meeting that the maintenance of the
poor, highways, poUce, and militia falls unfairly upon real
property alone, and that all property and income whatsoever
ought to contribute its reasonable proportion." Mr, A.
CrosskiU and Mr. Norfolk objected to a division taking place
at that hour, as two-thirds of the members had left the room.
The objection was ovemiled, and the motion was carried by
12 against 7.

A CURE FOR THE RABBIT COjVIPLAINT.— Farmers
never make a greater mistake than when they allow their
worst farming to be round a wood. It is precisely there that
should be the largest expenditure in cake and com, and the
greatest amount of manure. Fanners ought to be made aware,
if they are not now, that when we have heavily folded a piece
of white or red clover, the sheep having been well supplied
with cake, corn, malt combs, bran, and hay, the second growth
will be so rich and rank that it will kill many sheep, whether
lean or fat, and is almost certain death to lambs. This applies
equally to rabbits. The same remarks apply in degree to
pasture or Italian rye-grass, for I dare not sewage-manure the
first or spring-growth when it is intended for sheep and lambs.
They cannot stand such rich food, nor can tlie rabbits. A
friend of mine who farms 1,200 acres told me an amusing
story about this. His baihff was desirous to have some rab-
bits in a grove, to which my friend waggishly assented. His
fat sheep were closely folded and heavily caked round the
grove, and the rabbits soon departed this life. Those who
intend following my example of close-folding wUl do well to
take note about the dying of sheep as well as of rabbits. I
have a great respect for pheasants and partridges ; they can
hardly be too numerous, and arc the farmers' best friends.
Of course the pheasants should be fed in covert.— J. J. Mechi,

THJii FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

HANTS AND BERKS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT WINCHESTER.

The show of tliis society took place on June 5. The entries
ahuost iu every class showed au increase, though in some few
of tlie subdivisions tliere was scarcely what could be called
keen competition. The cart-horses, although not numerous, in-
cluded some excellent animals ; and some were descendants
from previous winners at these meetings. Among tlie mares
in-foal there was nothing very striking, but the mares as a
class were very good. The cattle presented some moderately
good specimens, more especially amongst tlie cows ; hut
perhaps the exhibition was chiefly remarkable for tlie
sheep shown. The Hampshires were particularly noticeable
for their splendid quality, and one of the judges — Mr. Saun-
ders, of Watercombe — declared he had never before seen such
sheep ; and some Cotswolds sent in by Mr. Tombs, of Lechlade,
Gloucestershire, deservedly attracted much attention. In pigs
there was a marked improvement on the show of two or
three years siuce as to number, variety, and quality, and that
they were excellent will be at once manifest when we say
that a sow sent by the jMarquis of Ailesbnry, winner of
a Bath and AVest of England prize, came oft" here
with third prizee, and was, though of splendid quality,
admittedly inferior to those placed before it by the judges.
There were in all only three " hunting horses." The show of
agricultural machinery was large ; made up as this was by
Tasker, of Andover; Wallis, Haslam, and Steevens, of Basing-
stoke: Sutton, of Shirley; Burgess and Key, of Newgate-street;
The Reading Iron Works; Brown and May, of Devizes; Gower
and Son, of Hook; H.andG.Kearsley,of Ripon; Fitt,of Bishop-
stoke; Taylor, of Headbourne Worthy; Samuelsou, of Banbury;
Watson, of Andover ; and Bradford, of Eleet-street, London.

There was a trial of grass-mowers, all the machines being
drawn by two horses. The competitors were— The Reading
Ironworks; Woods, of Upper Thames-street, London; Samuel-
son; Hornsby, of Grantham ; Burgess and Key ; Howard, Bed-
ford ; and H. and G. Kearsley, llipon ; but the majority of the
machines entered were in the hands of local agents. One acre
of clover and rye grass was cut by each, and the prizes were
awarded thus :— 1, Woods (48 min.) ; 2, Howards (52 miu.) ;
'6, Burgess and Key (76 min.). These three had an additional
trial in order to place them, after being selected as the three
best. The work was considered to be very good.

The dinner under the presidency of Lord Northbrook was
but thinly attended, and the proceedings were rather tame ;
Mr. Beach, Mr. Bonham Carter, and Blr. Barrow Simonds,
the three M.P.'s present, keeping carefully clear of " Farmers'
I'olitics."

PRIZE LIS T.
SHEEP.

Hampsiiiiie, or West Country Dowss. — Ewe Tegs not
separated from the flock. — First prize, a cup, value 10 guineas,
J. Warwick, Martyr Worthy ; second, £5, G. K. Budd, Clid-
desden, Basingstoke. Highly commended, J. Warwick.
Commended, W. Pain, T. and M. Arnold, W. and J. Cordery,
and J. Reeves.

Ewe tegs not separated from flock before l.^t April. — First
prize, a cup value £5 5s., .1. Barton, jun., Hackwood Farm,
Basingstoke ; second, £5, G. K. Budd. Highly commended,
W. E. Fitt, Littleton.

Ewes of any age. — First prize, a cup value £5, F. S.
Schwann, North Houghton ; second, 50s., J. Rawlence, Bull-
bridge, Wilton. Highly commended, J. Palmer, Cliddesdeu.
Commended, W. Pain, W. E. Fitt, and J. Wigg.

Rams of any age. — First prize,£5, R.Coles, Middleton Farm,
Norton Bavant, Warminster ; second, 50s., J. Moore, Littlecott,
Pewsey. Highly commended, W. F. Bennett, Chilmark,
Salisbury. Commended, J. Moore, and T. and M. Arnold.

Shearling Rams. — First pri/.e, a cup, value £10 10s., E.
Olding, Ratilnd, Amesbury ; second, £5 5s., S. King, Bock-
liampton, Lambourn ; third, £3, S. King. Highly commended,
A. Morrison, Berwick, Tisbury ; J. Parker, Lasham, Alton.

Ram Lambs — £5 5s., A. INIorrison ; £3, L. Lewis, Chilton
Candover. Very highly commended, G. Edney, Whitchurdi.
Highly commended, J. Mooreand A. Twitchen. Commended
R. Cole, G. Edney, F. S. Schwann, W, F. Bennett, J. Barton,
jun., and E. Olding.

Rams of any age — First prize, a cup, value £5 5s., C. Child,
Lower AVyke; second, £2 2s., J. Warwick. Highly com-
mended, J, Warwick.

Ewe Lambs— £3, J. Warwick ; £2, G. R. Budd.

Sheep or any otker Breed — Rams of any age — £5,
J. K. Tombs, Langford, Lechlade, Gloucestershire ; 50s., T.
B. Brown, Salperton Park, Andoversford. Highly com-
mended, J.Wheeler, Long Compton.

Shearling Rams — A cup value £5, J. K. Tombs ; 50s.,
J. K. Tombs. Highly commended, J. K. Tombs.

Ram Lambs— £2, Mrs. Clift, Shereborne St. John ; £1,
Mrs. Clift.

Ewe Lambs — £2, J. Atkins, Barton, Peveril; £1, H.
Portsmouth.

Ewes of any age — £5, J. Atkins ; £1. J. Atkins.

Ewe Tegs— £2, H. Portsmouth.

Fat Lambs— £3, W. E. Fitt.

CART HORSES.

Stallions — £5, W. H. Gale, Manor Farm, Burbage, Wilts :
50s., J. M. Earwaker, Peak Farm, Warnford. Commended,
W. E. Fitt.

Two-year-old Stallions — £3, R. Gringham, Shalden ; SOs.,
R. Gringham.

Mare and Foal — £5, J. G. Attwater, Britford, Salisbury ;
50s., W. B. Stubbs, Tichborne, Alresford. Highly Com-
mended, J, Atkins. Commended, Messrs. Follett.

Cart Mares — £5, F. M. Ross, Fobdown, Alresford ; 50s., 1'.
B. Bailey, Brown Candover ; £1, F. M. Ross. Commended,

F. R. Hulbert.

Three-year-old Filly— £3, J. Atkins.

Two-year-old Filly. — First prize, W. Woodward, Owslebury,
Winchester.

HUNTERS.

£5, R.P.Fitzgerald, North Hall, Preston, Candover; £3,
J. Canning, Sutton Scotney.

CATTLE.

Shorthorn Bulls— £4, J. Atkins ; £2, J. Taylor, Head-
bourne Worthy.

Bulls of any other breed — £3, J. Turvil, Hartley, Alton ;
£2, E. Curtis, Hummer Grange.

Two-year-old Bulls of any breed — £3, J. Atkins ; 30s., W.
L. W. Chute, The Vyne, Basingstoke.

Yearling Bolls- £2, T. R. Hulbert, Old Alresford.

Cows in milk— £3, J. Turvil; £2, Mr. C. Charlwood, Pad-
worth MiU, Reading. Commended, W. Goodall, Winchester.

Heifers under three years old — £2, C. Charlwood ; £1, W.
Nicholson, Basing Park, Alton, Highly commended, J. At-
kins, J. Turvill.

Heifers under two years old — £2, J. and M. Arnold, West-
meon; £1, C. Charlwood. Highly commended, J. and M.
Arnold.

PIGS.

Berkshire Boars — £4, H. Hurafrey, Kingstone Farm, Shriv-
enhara ; £2, H. Humfrey ; £1, J. H.Clark, Attwood, Maiden-
head.

Berkshire breeding Sows — £3 and £2, H. Humfrey ; £1 .
the Marquis of Aylesbury.

Boars of any othei breed — £3, Captain R. P. Warren,
Worting House, Basingstoke ; £2, J. Wheeler, Long Comp-
ton, Shipton-on-Stour. Commended, Capt. R. P. Warren.

Sows of any other breed— £3 and £2, Capt. R. P. Warreu.
Commended, T. Baring, M.P.

EXTRA STOCK.

Highly commended. Miss Tannton,Stockbridge, for shorthorn
cow; commended, T. Chamberlayne, for three pigs 14 weeks
old; C. Charlwood, for shorthorn heifer; A. C. Sayers,
Bishopstoke, for a cow.

The Judges were — Sheep, T. Saunders, Watercombe, Dorset ;

G. Butler, Tiifton, Whitchurch ; and J. Allsopp, WeUow,
Romsey. Horses, Cattle, and Pigs, J. B. Spearing, Benham
Lodge, Reading; J. White, Odiham ; and W. C. Spoouer,
Eling. Himters, W. W. B. Beach, M.P., and J. Deacon,
Master of the H.H. Poultry, J. Bailey, Mount-street, Gros-
venor-square, London. Mowing, J. Lancashire, C. Hart, and
E, Portsmouth.

T^IS |^A|IM^R'3 MAGAZIKE.

71

TO FALMOUTH AND BACK.

BY A PRACTICAL FAKMEK.

I rau3t confess that the primary reason of my visit
was the circumstance of the show being held in a part of
the country I had not yet visited. I had been to Exeter
and Torquay, but no further — hence my desire to pass
through Devonshire into and through a considerable part
of Cornwall. I was greatly delighted with my journey
down. My first day's journey from Waterloo Station
ended at Plymouth. The coimtry through which 1 passed
down to near Basingstoke is comparatively uninteresting
—wild heaths, desolate and dreary ; bad land, and worse
fanning. Energy, intelligence, and capital ouly are requi-
site to improve most of it. Much of it is undoubtedly
had enough ; but in these days of abundance of capital,
and no great lack of enterprise, the wonder is that it re-
mains unproductive so long. In getting into Wiltshire I
was truly struck with the remarkable improvements
manifest since my visit to "The Royal Meeting" at Salis-
bury, 1857. It may be the season — it may be my
fancy : be that as it may, I was much pleased with the
satisfactory prospects everywhere before me. The crops
on all sides were nearly clean (only a few yellows here
aad there), and almost all good. The sainfoin crops
unusually plentiful, clean and good — the grass seeds very
promising— the fallows forward and cleanly. In the
breeding of cattle and sheep I could occasioually notice
signs of crossing, or attempts, as I thought, to improve
their breeds. This is as it should be. The chief end of
migratory societies is to import or introduce the know-
ledge of departmental agriculture, and excite native energy
and talent wherever they go. Beyond Salisbury I soon
got into some very pleasing and line dairy districts ; but
as I had no opportunity of taking notes, and evening was
coming on, I reserved my remarks thereon till my return.
I reached Plymouth too late to notice the district. The
town itself is most interesting : The Hoc is unsurpassed
by anything I have seeu. My next day's run down to
Falmouth was rapid and interesting in the extreme ;
but as I purposed taking agricultural notes of my
journey on my retm-n, and was enabled to do so, I
give them as they struck me on, so quickly passing.
I left Falmouth at 10.10 a.m. We were soon in the
country ; and at Penryn, about two miles from Falmouth,
the land along our route clean and well farmed ; over
viaduct No I country exceedingly pretty ; the hills very
steep, and valleys narrow and deep (apparently, as we
passed along, averaging from 200 to 500 or COO yards in
width, and chiefly laid upon wood framc-woi-k), and posi-
tively looking dangerous to pass over. The fields arc
very small, surrounded with hedges, not cut into shape,
but laid in some fashion on the banks ou which they
stand. More beautiful valleys ; arrive at Perrenwcll-
station. The bridge or viaduct fine ! Presently a mining
district ou our left ; small paddocks, too small for fields,
on our right, with hedges round and timber ; now some
heath, and over a long viaduct very high, and then
through a cutting to Truro, which is beautifully situate,
surrounded by richly-wooded hills and still richer valleys,
deep and picturesque, with a pretty river flowing through
it. The grass fields small, but rich in verdure, and nicely
grazed, chiefly with dairy stock. No crops to any extent.
The church on the hill to our left very imposing, and ex-
tremely rich. The stock seen along our route chiefly
shorthorn cattle and Leicester sheep. The town is almost
beueath us, we being upon a long and high viaduct. Some
crops of wheat. We soon pass into a high and poor

country, along a bank, then a tunnel, then a bank, and
into a fine country on our right, well-farmed. The
stock, shorthorns and Leicesters. "We keep passing fair
crops and good seeds ; the soil now free, now strong ;
the crops, wheat, oats, and barley. The soil now looks
like a stony, gravelly district. Reach Grampound-road — ■
now a slaty soil ; the farming still good. A small flock
of rams. Now viaduct after viaduct ; then a cutting ;
get amongst mines, and ia a higher country, and broad,
with larger fields ; the seeds and farming good. Now
into the white clay district, i.e., " decomposed granite."
Much is raised and sent to the potteries. On our left
a tine country comes in, and a view of the sea to the
right. We noticed that the implements seen are pool'
and very homely-made. Saw establishment for stamping
ore, &c. ; pass two viaducts, high and very fine, over-
looking it. Austel : We are now getting to a high
elevation, and travel nearly along the tops of hills, with
most richly-wooded valleys below us, all extremely beau-
tiful for many miles together, and nicely grazed or in
meadow : the country to the right very undulating — now
in a cutting, now a view of the sea; field with much
garlic ; now amongst the mines — tin — krolin. At Par-
station : much white clay shipped from hence to various
countries, as well as to Staflbrdshire. AVe pass along
steep hills, and over romantic valleys, to a better country,
and well grazed — to Lostwithiel. The soil clay or clayey
loam, grass lands abounding in buttercups. The field's
far too small, with big hedges and trees : the sheep
Downs, and the cattle Devons. We pass along the country :
extremely pretty grass-seeds : good Leicester and Down
sheep here. The rich woods and varied foliage of a park,
with nice residence near Bodmin-road station, are very
fiue. We arc at a great elevation : country wild, and
abounding with mines. The hills higher : we are drag-
ging hard — now upon a high viaduct, about three
hundred yards over a beautiful dell, extending to our left
and far below us. Now another viaduct, very deep : the
hills on our right not cultivated, but ou our left good
farming ; now wild again — our viaduct over the tree-tops.
Another remarkably deep — all trees under us again ; ano-
ther still deeper and narrowei*. These narrow gorges,
spanned by these wondrous viaducts, created singular
emotions on passing. They don't appear to average
above two hundred yards in length, and the depths must
be from one hundred to two hundred feet. We now go
along the hill-sides : the country to the left very fine. I
never saw such a succession of deep viaducts beibre. We
arrive at Doublebois-statiou. We are soon along some fine
land, fairly farmed, and notice Devons, Shorthorns, and
I thought a small flock of Cotswolds and Cotswold
lambs : again over a very fiue viaduct. Liskeard : again
a fiue viaduct and fine hill. Menheniot station — a nice
country now — Devons and Leicesters. The soil a sort of
slate stony loam, of singular appearance. The roads
meuded with slaty stone ; viaducts again long and high ;
country more expansive and good — quite a relief to get
away from the little crowded fields, the hedge-row timber
almost meeting across them, to their larger fields well-
farmed and growing good crops : noticed mangolds given
to some fiue lengthy sheep. We soon reach St. Germans ;
all very fine. Now come to the river, clothed with
beautiful trees to the water's edge. A park or beautiful
wood opposite, all very rich. The river, along which we
rattle, broad and very attractive. We soon ap-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

proach Saltash, with its wonderful viaduct. The woods
and scenery of Mount Edgecombe from tMs point is very
fine.

I would here observe that amongst the answers to
many inquiiies I learnt that flock-masters never wash
their sheep prior to shearing, and that the average
diflPerence in price of washed wool is from 4d. to 5d. per
lb. I learnt that landlordism is at its height in Cornwall.
On many estates the tenant must not destroy a rabbit ;
no, not for his own table ! nor any game ; that rabbits
are sold by landlords by 200 or 300 couples together ;
that the tenant must give twenty-four days' notice before
he can plash a hedge, so that the steward, with his paint-
pot, may come and mark the saplings intended to stand.
I was told one telling fact. An old and good tenant
applied to the steward for a couple of rabbits. He sold
him a couple, and gave a receipt for the money ! The
tenant bought a handsome frame with glass front, and
therein is displayed this bright specimen of landlordism.
I was told that the tenants, as a class, were kept down ;
and although there were many good and liberal landlords,
open to erery improvement, yet there were " exceptions
to the rule." How is agriculture to flom-ish under such
auspices? Tenants are now becoming enterprising
capitalists. Only let them the land upon proper terms :
they, by their expenditure, will make it productive, and
greatly to the advantage of landlord and tenant. This
land of paddocks must be turned into fields. The tenant
must graze sheep and cattle instead of rabbits and game,
and that only for his landlord. " Property has its duties
as well as its rights." I believe it is false economy. A
good tenant would amply compensate a landlord in rent
for destroying rabbits. I trust the visit of the Bath and
West of England Society to this remote district will open
the eyes of both landlords and tenants to their best and
permanent interests. It is to a modern agriculture that
England looks for her progress and prosperity ; and land-
lords neglect their duty in withholding the requisite en-
couragements. Well, we are now in Devonshire : we
leave Plymouth, and are again on " the line," and soon
into a rich and weU-cultivated country, the fields of fail-
size : the stock grazing are chiefly Devons, Shorthorns,
and Leicester sheep. Have a view of Dartmoor to the left,
over a beautiful valley. Now a high viaduct ; deep valley
very richly wooded ; and a view of the sea to our right.
The land rich and well-farmed at Wybridge. We noticed
the beautiful establishment for making paper held by J.
Allen & Sons, It is in a charming valley, ci'ossed by a long
viaduct. I again notice that these viaducts appeal- to be all
upon timber supports. Dartmoor now close to us : it extends
from hence across to Oakhampton. The country is very
fine to our left, and we have a view of the sea to our
right. We reach Kingsbridge-road. The^ country is
stUl remarkably pretty ; the fields very nice, but too
small, and fences large, and ti-ees overshadowing the
land ; the farming fairly done ; the grazing stock,
Devons and crosses of heavier-woolled sheep are seen.
Near Brent we come upon the first water-meadows seen,
and the fields near are much larger and much more like
profitable farming. Herefords and Devons seen here,
and notice large herds of dairy cows. Totnes : the
country steep and abrupt, the soil on the red sandstone,
or red-land. Note : Heard that the like custom, with
regard to notices before plashing hedges, is customary
in these parts of Devonshire. Newton : Near this
station is a fine hill, covered with new houses, upon
a dry red-land district ; no doubt healthy for residents.
We now approach the sea at Teignmouth, and from
thence along the coast to Dawlish. The line of route by
the sea, and along the marshes of the river, is very in-
teresting. The marshes are good and extensive, but not
equal to Romney Marsh. Exmouth stands immediately

opposite, as we leave the sea for the river side. Star-
cross appears to be the home of many Exeter citizens,
and is the station before reaching Exeter. We scarcely
rested at Exeter ; were soon in the country, which is very
richly wooded. The land good red-land, and well farmed,
and grazed chiefly with dairy cows and sheep, although
but few of the latter are seen. The country along which
we are now passing is very pretty to the Ottery-road
station. There is a fine vaUey to the right, and the
country is nicely undulating, and rich in woods ; the fields
much too small, and hedge-row timber very injurious,
but rather better than some districts already passed.
I have said very little about the crops thus far ; in fact,
we have not passed much arable culture, it being chiefly
grazing and meadow ; but the whole country appears in
great freshness and beauty, having had plenty of rain,
and the general report says it never looked better. We
now pass Sidmouth to the right, down the valley, and
enter a long cutting emerging upon a rich valley well
grazed with Devons and Leicester sheep ; the crops good
and forward, evidencing no want of rain. Leaving the
red-land we come to a district more of clay and stones,
pass a very rich country on the left, but fields still far too
small and sadly burthened with hedges and hedgerow
timber : now a ridge of good high land, extending to the
sea ; through a cutting, to another charming valley, and
rich to Honiton Station ; again a very pretty country,
overdone with wood and hedge, the grass in great plenty,
the hills steep and abrupt; pass a broad valley to the left,
hiUs to the right ; the crops good and grass abundant ;
crops of beans seen, denoting a clayey district ; enter a long
tunnel ; the cattle chiefly Devons, valley deep, hills like
immense banks, and full of wood ; no sheep seen ; still
small fields, and much wood. The whole country through-
out for many miles appears as if it was laid out for orna-
mental scenery rather than profitable farming ; the grass
lands are not heavily stocked with cattle, and no sheep
are seen ; meadows plentiful. Coryton Junction : We
are now passing through a region of dairy farms ; much of
the land is laid in as meadows ; seemany dairy cows, some
very fine ones ; a few Leicester sheep and Downs. Now
in a sandstone district, the country very good, but small
fields still, full of wood, and the lands not well-managed ;
much of the grass land under meadow. I would here
remark that notwithstanding the large dairies around
us, I have not seen a good modern farmstead
along my whole route : nearly all are very
homely, and thatched with straw, and not very
extensive or commodious. Down sheep here, and a
cross apparently of Herefords near. We come upon
sheep-folds now — yes, and a creditable farmhouse, not
thatched; but wood, wood, wood, and not much corn.
Orchards now become prominent : a very pretty valley
to our left, with more corn and fewer cows, but more
sheep, chiefly Downs ; some large flocks seen. The
country varied — now red land, now clay, now red land,
and well-farmed and properly grazed; a good farming
near ; a good dairy of cows, Shorthorns and Herefords.
Pass Forde Abbey, a fine old place ; mowing commenced
near and making clover hay. We find more flocks, and
large dairies of cows ; the country a heavier soil, and five-
furrow lands ; Italian rye-grass grown, beans cultivated.
The dairies along this part of my route are large, varying
from 40 to 70, or even 90 cows ; nearly all of them are
let out to dairymen at a stated price per cow. These
dairymen undertake the sole management, and make their
cheese and do all their business upon the fai'mer's pre-
mises. We now enter a portion of Somerset — Yeovil to
Sherburne ; very rich to our left. The Vale of Blackmore,
which we soon reach, is a very fine agricultural district,
and extensive ; it is capital land — the arable is cleanly
farmed, »nd the rich grass land is fairly grazed; the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

73

fields too small ; and for the first time we saw some
underdraining iu progress. We are now ia Dorsetshire,
amidst capital dairies ; much meadow laud. The country
near Gillingham nicely undulating, mostly under grass ;
the land a heavy soil. Shafteshury-on-the-llill to our
right ; the same order of dairying and culture, with an
occasional water-meadow, are seen ; the crops of wheat,

oats, and beans are good, but oats late. We now have
more culture ; the valleys good and grass superabundant ;
cultm'e good, and preparations for turnips going on. Near
Diuton wc observed small fields, nmcli grass, and all
roughly managed. We come upon much wood again to
our right ; the Dorset and Wiltshire Downs in the dis-
tance. We aoou reach Salisbury, where my notes cease.

ON GREEN MANURING.

The progress which has been made in every department
of industrial art during the last twenty years is consider-
ably greater than we are ready to acknowledge, until a
careful consideration of the subject gives evidence which
proves beyond doubt that advances and improvements,
which may be small iu their individual character, have
carried us far onwards in the path of economy and pro-
ductiveness. The practice of agriculture has during this
period advanced as rapidly as any of the industrial arts,
and those who have so ably co-operated in pi-omoting im-
provements may congratulate themselves upon the results
which have been obtained. It often happens that when
the stream thus steadily progresses, we find that we over-
look some matters of interest to which we may again turn
with advantage.

One important detail of agricultural practice which has
been somewhat overlooked during the interval referred to
[^ is again attracting the attention of those who are likely
i to encourage its extension. We refer to the practice of
green-manuring. This proceeding, as is well known,
consists in the growth of green crops for the express
purpose of the vegetable matter so produced being added
to the soil, and thereby increasing its productiveness. In
some parts of the country the employment of green
manm-es is a well-established and very successful practice
— one that is steadily persevered in, and with highly
beneficial results, and it will be readily acknowledged
that its more extended adoption will in many cases prove
to be advantageous.

It does not involve any abstruse theories if an explana-
tion be given of the practice here referred to. In the
growth of a crop, we have two sources of food which are
available for its requirements. We have the soil, as the
source from which all the mineral matter of the plant is
derived, together with a small portion of the organic or
combustible portion ; and the atmosphere, from which the
growing plant draws the chief portion of its oi'ganic con-
stituents. If the soil had been the only source of food,
the growth of a crop could not have added any new
material to the land, and could not have increased its fer-
tility in this manner. It is perfectly true that the mate-
rials would by the processes of growth have been altered
in their condition and modified in their character. Scat-
tered as they might previously have been, and in a con-
dition only slowly available for vegetation, they have been
collected by the fine searching roots of the plant, and are
in a condition more ready for use than prior to their
being absorbed into the growing crop. As a natural con-
sequence, even the mineral matter required for one crop is
thus gathered and rendered more immediately available
by the assistance of the preceding crop. But when we
consider the large amount of vegetable matter which is
accumulated from the atmosphere and then incorporated
with the soil, we cannot fail to be struck with surprise at
the fertilizing matter thus added to the soil. Rich as
such manure is in its composition, it has the advantage of
being ready for use by the succeeding crop just as the
nourishment is required — not liable to be washed from
the land and wasted ; but as the process of decay pro-

ceeds, so does the decaying matter liberate the imprisoned
elements of nutrition, and place them at the disposal
of the growing crop.

We must not look upon this increase of nutriment as
the only action resulting from the use of green manures ;
for, if so, it would become a simple matter of calculation
whether or not we could purchase these supplies of ma-
nure, and add them to the soil, at the same cost. This
is, undoubtedly, a very interesting subject for research,
and one which will well repay the scientific agriculturist
for the consideration it demands, and in its economical
bearings will be most important. Few will be prepared
for the diminished cost at which a given quantity of am-
moniacal manure can be gathered from the atmosphere
by a growing crop, and then added to the land, as com-
pared with the purchase of the same quantity of manure,
even when obtained in its most economical form. It is,
however, upon the mechanical influence of green manures,
as well as on their chemical action, that their value so
much depends.

l^pon the strong clay soils this mechanical action is
exceedingly important. Many of these soils, whilst con-
taining abundant stores of fertility, have such a dense
and compact character, that there is great difficulty in
carrying out the ordinary tillage operations whereby the
soil is prepared for the growth of the crop ; and after the
necessary preparation has been well performed, such soils
are predisposed to revert to their original condition, and
become as dense and compact as ever. The peculiar in-
fluence of green manures upon these soils is that by their
incorporation they impart a porosity and friability to the
land which very much encourages the growth of the
roots. They are thus able to penetrate the soil more
freely and more perfectly, and to search for the nutri-
ment required by the crop. This enables the crop to
take advantage of the natural fertility of the land ; and
the cultivator obtains practical proof of its pecuniary
importance.

The action is materially modified upon sandy and
loamy soils, where we have to contend with an absence
of that density and tenacity of character which we desire
to overcome in the case of strong and tenacious clay
soils. When green manures are ploughed into sandy
soils, the action which is observed upon them is an in-
creased capability for retaining moisture ; and even ma-
nure, which previously could not withstand the wasting-
action of the rain, but was liable to be soon carried
down into the subsoil, is preserved by the vegetable
tissues thus added to the land. The influence has been
of very great importance upon very light and frequently
blowing sands ; for by the agency of green manures these
have been ameliorated so as entirely to alter their cha-
racter, and thereby a foundation has frequently been laid,
preparatory to the more ordinary tillage operations ; and
superior turnip and sheep-farms have thus been formed
upon barren and worthless tracts of land.

There are, however, certain qualities of growth which
should characterise the crop selected for the purpose.
Rapidity of growth and a suitability for the soil upon

O

74

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

which it has to be grown are essentially necessary. Mus-
tard, buckwheat, and lupin have been most extensively
used, and offer a choice according to the character of the
soil and district, each possessing its especial merit, and
becoming, under various circumstances, most suitable for
cultivation for the production of green manure.

It is also very desirable that the age of the crop at the
time it is ploughed into the land should be carefully con-
trolled. Whilst the plants are in a condition of luxuriant
growth, and just as they are preparing to bloom, the
juices are most fully charged with nitrogenised matters,
and are in their richest condition. This stage being
passed the condition of the fertilising ingredients changes

in its character, and some of the more valuable become
imbedded in woody fibre from which they are not xeadily
available. An overgrown crop is therefore not only more
injurious to the land, but it is less useful as a preparation
for any succeeding vegetation.

There is another beneficial result which has followed
the use of green manures, and especially mustard, which
is the destructive influence it appears to exert upon the
wire-worm, one of the wheat-farmer's greatest pests. So
beneficial has its influence been regarded that in ^ome
districts its cultivation is especially encouraged for this
reason,

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF VICTORIA.

We have recently received an official copy of the agri-
cultural statistics of the colony of Victoria for last year,
and as there are some important facts to be gleaned from
a careful perusal of this document, we shall abstract
a few of the statements for the information of our readers.
Although some attention is still given to gold mining,
the exports of gold averaging about £6,000,000, agricul-
ture and sheep-farming occupy now very prominent
places in the industry of the colony. The export of wool
now reaches 43,000,000 pounds, or more than double what
it was at the time of the gold-seeking mania in 1853.
The horses in the colony have quadrupled, there are
double the number of sheep, and the cattle keep steady in
number and quite adequate to the wants of the increased
population ; the population in the colony having doubled
in twelve years.

The occupied land in the colony now amounts to
7,947,455 acres. The area occupied dm-ing the last ten
years amounts to 5,840,930 acres, or more than three-
fourths of the whole extent of land at present under occu-
pation. The average size of holdings is 325 acres ; that
of the lots usually devoted to farming pursuits, 104 acres.
The average area in occupation to each individual in the
colony is 11.5 acres. In the last ten years, settlement
has progressed in a faster ratio than population.

The land enclosed amounts to 6,970,106 acres ; of
this 1,151,228 acres were fenced-in in 1867. The ave-
rage area cultivated by each holder is 21.7 acres, of
which freeholders contributed 70 per cent., and non-
freeholders 30 per cent. The average area cultivated by
farmers is 25^ acres, and by squatters 52^ acres. Farmers
cultivated 13 per cent, of the land they occupied, and
squatters 1 per cent, of the alienated land attached to
their runs. The extent cultivated by each occupier was
greatest in the year 1861, when the average was nearly
31 acres; since that period the tendency has been for
settlement to outstrip cultivation, so far as the number of
occupiers is concerned. Comparing the land in cultiva-
tion with the population of the colony, on an average, 100
acres are cultivated to every 109 individuals. Should
cultivation advance in the same ratio, in relation to the
increase of population, the next returns should show a
proportion of not less than an acre under tillage to each
head of the population. This proportion has already been
exceeded both in New South Wales and South Australia.
In the former colony, according to the latest returns,
with a population of 431,000, the number of acres jilaced
in cultivation amounted to 451,000, or a fraction over an
acre per head ; and in South Australia, during the last
season, no less than 4.37 acres were placed under tillage
to each individual in the community.

The numbers of live stock retm-ned for Victoria are as

foUow: Horses, 131,381; cattle, 598,968, of which
140,414 were milch cows; 8,833,139 sheep, and 74,708
pigs. In ten years there has been a net increase of 73,549
in the number of horses, of 4,191,591 in the number of
sheep, and of 23,481 in the number of pigs, but a falling
off of 47,645 in the number of horned cattle. There
are nearly 15 head of stock of all desci-iptions to each
man, woman, and child in the colony, consisting of about
one-fifth of a horse, one head of cattle, 14 sheep, and
one-tenth of a pig; and about 111 head to the square
mile, namely. If horses, nearly 7 cattle, 102 sheep, and
leas than one pig.

In all the Australian colonies, including Tasmania and
New Zealand, there are upwards of 600,000 horses, neai'ly
4,000,000 cattle, 38,500,000 sheep, and nearly 400,000
pigs, or more than 43,000,000 head of stock of all de-
scriptions distributed throughout the group. New South
Wales stiU heads the list in 13f millions ; Victoria stands
second, 9,628,000; Queensland third, 8,364,000; and
New Zealand fourth, 5,297,000. New South Wales and
Queensland are still the great grazing colonies, as they
own 2,700,000 head of cattle, and Victoria has under
600,000. As a sheep-breeding colony Victoria stands in
an equally good position, surpassing Queensland by nearly
2,000,000, but outstripped by the older colony New
South Wales, which owns more than 11 J- million sheep.

Passing now to an examination of the agricultural re-
sources and production of Victoria, we find that the
most important crop cultivated is wheat, which covered
208,588 acres, and produced 4,641,205 bushels. The
average produce per acre was — wheat 22.3 bushels, oats
30 bushels, barley 30.3 bushels, potatoes 3.7 tons, hay
1.7 tons. Four years ago vines only covered about
3,000 acres in Victoria, less than one-half the extent of
ground now devoted to that cnltiu-e. The vines number
8,331,023, more than half of which are in bearing. The
grapes gathered last year amounted to 60,659 cwt., of
which 43,395 cwt. were made into wine. The cultivation
of tobacco is not increasing in Victoria, the acreage
having declined from 623 acres in 1864 to 243 acres
in 1867.

If we inquire into the area of land in cultivation
and the extent sown with different crops in all
the Australian colonies, including Tasmania and
New Zealand, we find that close upon 2,500,000
acres are under tillage. The greatest amount of cul-
tivation (739,714 acres) and of lands under vines,
wheat, and miscellaneous tillage is in South Australia, as
is also the largest extent under hay, if New Zealand
(which only returns sown grasses and not hay) be ex-
cluded. Victoria can boast of the largest extent under
oats and potatoes, and New South Wales the largest ex-

THE FARMBE.'S MAGAZINE.

75

tent under cereals, exclusive of wheat and oats (clilefly
maize), and under tobacco. The whole acreage under
wheat in all the Colonies is nearly 1,000,000 acres,
whilst vines now cover 13,319 acres. The acreable yield
of wheat, oats, and hay is highest in Victoria ; New
South Wales gives the highest acreable yield of maize
and other cereals ; the average yield of potatoes and to-
bacco is highest in Tasmania ; and most wine per acre is
made in South Austi'alia.

Returns of the machines and implements in use upon
farms and stations in Victoria, and ot theirvalue, are given :
from these, it appears that 165 steam-engines, of an
aggregate power equal to that of 1,239 horses, are used
by farmers, and 22 steam-engines of 142-horse power
by squatters. The total value of the plant or machines
and implements possessed by farmers amounted to
£804,515, whilst that in the possession of squatters is
only valued at £61,182. The crops reaped and sown by
machinery covered 160,649 acres, of which all but
1,100 acres were upon farms. The number of persons

employed upon farms is 43,211, and upon squatting
stations 9,640.

There are 114 miUs for grinding and dressing grain in
the colony ; 106 of these are worked by steam and 8 by
water power. The amount of horse-power employed is
2,952. There are 355 pairs of stones at work, and the
quantity of grain operated on was 4,000,000 bushels.
The flour made during the year was 85,586 tons. The
approximate value of the machinery and plant of the
flour-mUIs was £176,425. There are now 86 breweries
in the Colony, employing 648 hands and 471 horses.
Nearly 9 million gallons of beer are made, in the manu-
facture of which "^539,000 bushels of malt, 003,289 lbs.
of hops, and 6,290,000 lbs. of sugar are used.

In closing this summary, it may be added that as there
are stated to be officially 43i million acres of land avail-
able for agricultural or pastoral pui-poses in the colony
and as not 8 million are yet occupied, there is ample
room for expansion of population and stock, even at the
rapid rate at which they have been shown to be increasing.

THE MISMANAGEMENT OF LANDED PROPERTY.

The following account, extracted from a local newspaper of
the district in which the estates are situated, gives an account
of changes made and about to be made on the Savernake
estate — a very extensive property in Wiitslure, belonging (so
far as an entailed estate can belong) to the Marquis of Ailes-
i bury. The estate is chiefly on tlie chalk formation, some part
of it extending to the green sand and marl formations respec-
tively, cropping out below the chalk. Part of the high lands
are poor and thin clay above the chalk ; the greater portion
consists of thin soil upon chalk, which under high cultivation
may be made largely productive, and carries sheep well, while
the lands on the green sand and marl are naturally fertile, but
require skilfd management. This is particularly the case
with the marl soil. By far the greater part of the estate con-
sists of poor or light land ; there are very large woods on the
property, and Savernake Forest is an enormous tract of un-
cultivated land, stocked with fallow deer and game, in which
the tenants of many of the adjoining farms have the liljerty of
turning in some of their stock during the summer Imlf of the
year. A " run iu the forest" is, however, only available for
stock of a third or fourth class character, as the natural
growth of tJie soil is not sufficiently fertile to carry anything
like good stock. It may form a tolerable summer's run for
sheep during the day, but, practically, the deer and game cou-
sume nine-tenths of such natural produce as there is. The
terms said by the Marlborough Times to have been recently
imposed on the tenants would seem to be about as complete
examples of the mismanagement to which estates in England
are subjected as could well be brought together; "The
Savernaice Estates -. Very important changes are about to
take place in the relative position of landlord and tenant on
the Marquis of Ailesbury's estate, consequent on the late re-
valuation of the whole of his lordship's property, which has
been made by Mr. Carey, of Shrewsbury, on the accession of
Mr. Bolam to the stewardship. Not only has the rental been,
ia most cases, increased, and in all re-adjusted in accordance
with the valuation, but the terms of holding have been con-
siderably altered. Day by day, during the past week, by request
of the steward, the farm tenants have attended at the Saver-
nake Forest Oihce, to receive the new proposals and future
terms of holding. These, with the re-adjusted rent, are to be
acceded to before Lady-day next ; but we are sorry to hear
that the increase of rent has in many cases given great dis-
satisfaction, and that the future rent-charge is pronounced to
be excessive. The rent of some farms has been raised
upwards of 35 per cent. ; in one instance we are informed
the rent of 130 acres has been increased by £60 or £70
a-year, and another tenant has to pay about £200 addi-
tional rent per annum. The agreement varies in many
respects from the former terms. Provision has been made for
quarterly payments of rent — instead of half-yearly — and for
twelve months' notice to quit to be given on either side. The

agreement also reserves to the landlord all game and rabbits.
The tenant is to keep the buildings in good repair ; to pay one-
half the cost of labour for landlord's repairs, and one-third the
cost for outside painting. All the ' hay, straw, haulm, fodder,
clover, tares, artificial grasses, cabbages, root crops, and other
produce' are to be consumed and converted into good manure,
and to be used on the land. Then there are some additional
regulations as to cropping, and the 14th clause, which must
surely be equivalent to additional rent, provides that the tenant
keep insured to a fixed sum, in the name and for the benefit of
the landlord, all farm buildings against loss by fire, in an office
approved by the landlord, and to produce, when required, the
poUcy of insurance, and receipts for the current year's premium.
The occupiers of house property— particularly iu Marlborough
—must also lie prepared for a considerable increase of rent, if
we may judge from the exalted ideas we know to have been
entertained of the property by Mr. Carey. It is to be hoped, how-
ever, that Mr. Carey has not based his calculations on the re-
lative value of house property in his own county town of
Shrewsbury. The trade now done, and for many years past
doing, in Marlborough, will not warrant any increase of rent,
nor clin a grave reduction in the income of the agriculturist be
made without being proportionately felt in the town." An
increase of rent to such an extent as is mentioned could only
be justified by giving to the tenants at the same time addi-
tional security and length of tenure ; but it would seem that,
besides advauce of rents, new restrictions and burdens are im-
posed on the tenants. They appear to have held, hitherto,
simply as yearly tenants, governed only by the custom of the
country. This is perhaps, the least satisfactory form of a
yearly holding. If there be a reasonable confidence between
the tenants and the landlord— or perhaps we should say the
steward— husbandry may be carried on in a moderately good
manner, though it is not likely to make any striking advance.
But when that simple— homely— system is departed from, and
the yearly tenant is required to sign a wi-itten agreement con-
taining an elaborate system of restrictions, game reservation,
cropping, manure, and crop-consuming clauses, such as are in-
dicated by the foregoing extract, a new system of petty and
vexatious iuterference is inaugurated, which must soon drive ■
fronr the property all the best farmers, and will assuredly dete-
riorate the cultivation. There is, perhaps, no greater mistake
than to bring a surveyor from a different district to re-value an
estate, especially when it is intended to lessen the free action
of the tenants.— 77?e Economist.

WORTH KNOWING.— It may not be generally known
that Indian corn given whole to horses, is a very dangerous
feed. I have seen two cases, one a very narrow escape from
death through inflammation, brought on by this feed ; the
other resulted in death in a very short time this week. It
swells the stomach, and is bad to digest,— R. R.

ft 8

76

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

At the annual meeting on Wednesday, June 17, the following
report was read and adopted.

Premising that tlie year ending the 31st of December, 1867,
was franght with a larger amount of commercial stagnation and
social disorganization than any which had preceded it within
their recollection, the Council have just reason for self-con-
gratulation in the well-assured fact that the Royal Agricultural
Benevolent Institution, whose affairs they have the honour to
direct, has not in any degree retrograded from that sphere of
expansion which for eight successive years it has been gradually
developing. Whatever might be thought in quarters where the
" utilizing" principle is advocated, in exclusion of all pro-
spective considerations, the Council are unanimous in think-
ing that too high a value camiot be set on that
wise forethought which has directed, year by year, the invest-
ment of capital, not only as a means of imparting strength
and efficiency to the Society, but as a guarantee for the punc-
tual fulfilment of any engagements to whicli tlie Council, in
the execution of the trust coniided to them, might hereafter
find themselves pledged. Pensions for life, once granted, can-
not be revoked without manifest injury and injustice to the
recipients. Having moreover due regard to the importance
of creating new and enlarged sources of relief, the Council
are strong in this conviction — a conviction based upon eight
years' practical experience — that the course which has
been pursued is the safest and the best for all the prac-
tical purposes for which tliis charity was called into exist-
ence by its excellent founder. The Institution now
stands on a solid foundation, and may take a foremost
place amongst those which adorn and dignify this country.
During the past year fifteen pensioners have been placed on the
books of the Institution, making up the total number since the
first election to one hundred and six. The financial position

of the Institution is not less gratifying. The donations
and subscriptions amounted to £4,860 17s. lid., being
£969 13s. 2d. in excess of the previous year. In addition to
the balance of £621 9s. 4d., £507 10s. have been received from
dividends, making the total receipts of the year £5,979 Os. 6d.,
of which £1,475 have been paid to pensioners, and £2,768 I5s.
have been added to invested capital of the institution, leaving
a credit balance at the bankers, after payment of all expenses,
of £760 Ss. 8d.

Messrs. Johnson, Naish,IIudsou, and Brown, retiring members
of the Council, were re-elected, and Messrs. Beddall, Baldwin,
and Donald Nicoll were elected in the room of Messrs. Pain,
Eigden, and Sanday, who also retired by rotation. After
some other formal proceedings, the Council proceeded to the
election of pensioners. The following are the names of the
successful candidates : Male pensioners at £26 per annum —
Edmund Painter, John Steel, Thomas Barnett, David
Unthank, William Turvill, Charles Theedam, Josiah Jerrard,
and William Pingley. Married pensioners at £40 per annum
— Walter and Hannah Mansfield, Thomas and Hannah
Hughes, and William and Anderson Des Forges. Female
pensioners at £20 per annum — Elizabeth Sandon, Jane Hulls,
Ann Harris, Ann Carter, Sarah Wheeler, Elizabeth Clarence,
Sarah Brett, Mary Needham Brett, Arundell King, Jane
Haviland, Rebecca Davie, and Ehza Jones. The following
orphan children were also admitted : Andrew Anscomb, Earl
Spencer, Thom Giddings, Edward M. Stanford, Annie Gearing,
Louisa C. Grant, Elizabeth Back, Ann C. Fell, Ann Eliza
Adams, Elizabeth Belliss, Sarah Policy, Kate Spencer, and
Mary E. Hall.

The thanks of the meeting were voted to Viscount Enfield,
M.P., for his kindness in presiding at the anniversary ef the
Institutiou, and to Mr. Shaw, the Secretary.

STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE.

A meeting of this Cliamber was held on Saturday, June 13,
at Sti.fford ; Mr. R. H. Masfeu presided, and there were about
twenty members present. The first business on the circular
convening the meeting was as to " the appointment of well-
informed witnesses te give evidence before the House of Com-
mons Select Committee upon the disadvantages of the present
system of county finance, and as to tiie best machinery for es-
tablishing a representative control of the expenditure."

The Chairman said he was rather at a loss to know whom
to nominate to represent them on such a question.

Mr. J. Neville (Ilaselour) said that so far as this county
was concerned they had reason to be satisfied, tlie financial
board being composed of thorough business men who would
not allow any unnecessary expenditure of the funds over which
they had control. But there were many counties which were
not so well represented, and the funds of which were not so
well managed ; and as the principle propounded was a good
one, that Chamber ought to assist in obtaining such a mea-
sure as was thought desirable to improve the working of the
present system.

Mr. May expressed a similar opinion. Though he did not
think there was any unnecessary or wasteful expenditure of
the finances of this county, he considered that they ought to
be ready to assist others who were not so favourably circum-
stanced. He suggested that they should request Mr. Startin,
of Exhall, near Coventry, to give evidence before the commit-
tee. Mr. Startin was a gentleman well-acquainted with finan-
cial matters, and a short time ago he read a very excellent
paper on "The Rating Question" at the meeting of the
Midland Farmers' Club, at Birmingham. Very probably Mr.
Startin might be nominated by the Warwickshire Chamber,
but even if he was it would be strengthening his hands if
nominated to represent this Chamber as well.

The Chairman referred with disapprobation to the course

which he said had been taken by the magistrates with refer-
ence to the dissolution of the Burton Highway District.
When the ratepayers petitioned the magistrates to allow the
dit.trict to be dissolved, the magistrates would not listen to
them. The subject was brought forward a second time, and
with a similar result, although no magistrate in the Burton
district would second Mr. Bass's amendment in opposition to
Mr. Lyon's motion.

Mr. May said the Chairman was in error. The magistrates
at the last Quarter Sessions granted, by a majority of 21 to
10, a provisional order, which was all they could do.

Mr. May's suggestion was agreed to, and the Secretary was
instructed to write to Mr. Startin to know whether he would
consent to represent the Chamber.

The next business on tlie programme was to appoint a malt-
ster, brewer, or other person of the consuming interest, to give
evidence in favour of the repeal or transference of the malt
duty.

Mr. May remarked that they should endeavour to select
some gentleman who was not only practically acquainted with
the subject, but who, being in an extensive way of business,
would carry some weight and inftuence with him in whatever
evidence he might give. It was pretty evident that the
Government would not sacrifice the revenue arising from the
tax altogether, amounting as it did to six millions annuallj%
and he thought the aim of the committee would be to transfer
the tax from malt to beer. They wanted some one, therefore,
who would give evidence favourable to such a transfer, and he
did not imagine that the brewers as a class were so favourable.

Mr. Neville said they were decidedly unfavourable.

The names of several gentlemen were mentioned, and
amongst the rest that of Mr. M. T. Bass, but at the same
time an opinion was expressed that he would be opposed to
the transfer of the tax from malt to beer. It was decided that

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77

jthe Secretary should write to Mr. Bass and inquire what his
\riews were on tlie matter, and that in case they were favour-
able he should be asked to give evidence.

Attention was next called to a public meeting proposed to
be held at Lsicester, on the Friday of the show week, of the
members as of the various chambers of agriculture, one of the
subjects for discussion being, " The Pressure of Local Taxa-
tion upon Real Property."

The Chairman and Mr. Perry said the subject referred to
was the great question of the day, so far as the agricultural
interest was concerned.

Mr. Neville hoped tliat at the meeting referred to the
question would be taken up in an earnest manner, for one ex-
pense after another was being thrown upon the rates, and
there was only one species of property that could bear the
burden.

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL GOSSIP.

The Hohenheim Agricultural Institute in AVurtemberg has
just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation. Herr
von Goether presided over this celebration, which collected an
imposing number of old pupils of the Academy, among whom
were 203 Wurtembergers, 10 from North Germany, 7 Aus-
trians, 5 Bavarians, 4 Swiss, 1 Russian, 7 from Baden, and 2
representatives of the new world. After the songs, without
which no fttc would be complete in Germany, and after the
customary speeches and felicitations, when the pupils had wel-
comed those who liad preceded them in their career, and when
the company assembled had visited the workshops and collec-
tions, the sound of a gong gave the signal for a dejeuner,
wliich was served on the terrace before the chateau. Neither
the King nor the Academy of Hohenheim nor its director
Herr von Werner was forgotten in the toasts which termi-
nated the repast ; and Herr von Goether was not the least
applauded of the orators when he assured the joyous meeting
that all plans for the extension and improvement of the old
and celebrated institute would meet at his hands, us a minister,
with a reception all the more sympathetic, as he was sure
beforehand of the agreement and good-will of the King. This
good-will was, indeed, proved by the presence of his Majesty, who,
accompanied by the Queen, arrived subsequently, and caused to
be presented to him some of the foreigners who " assisted" at
the interesting agricultural jubUee, and then proceeded to
the trial field, where a reaping machine and other apparatus
were tried before him. This unexpected visit was greeted
with enthusiasm by those present, who saluted the royal
couple with ranch applause, since they saw in this act of good
taste a proof of direct interest and effective solicitude for the
first and most ancient establishment devoted to agricultural
instruction in Germany. — By a contrast which has excited
regret among French agriculturists, the Grignon school has
not been able to celebrate its fortieth anniversary in so
striking a manner ; and notwithstanding the splendour of
its past, its slow re-organization for the future and its
half existence in the present are subjects of grief
among those devoted to the progress of agriculture. — In
Bohemia, questions relating to the organization of exhibitions
and agricultural instruction are exciting but little interest at
present, tlie whole attention of proprietors and farmers being
directed to the cultivation of beet-root and to manufactories of
indigenous sugar, wliich, according to a local expression, come
up literally like mushrooms. In some localities where liabita-
tions made themselves remarked neither by their number nor
by their importance, and where cultivation might even pass as
neghgent, persons travelling are now much surprised to per-
ceive fields of beet-root of a very fine appearance and great
works, the high chimneys of which command general atten-
tion. These results are due in great part to the development
of the spirit of association, as the majority of these enterprises
are constituted by shares, and among the principal persons in-
terested are landed proprietors, who have undertaken at the
same time to devote a certain portion of their laud to the cul-
tivation of beet-root. It was important also to assure the co-
operation of small cultivators, aud with this object associated
manufacturers have concluded with such persons contracts
whicii, for the season of 1868, fix the price of beet-root deli-
vered at the works at Is. 3d. per cwt., roots from marshy lands
being excluded. This fixed price assures the producer from all
eventualities ; but it is further stipulated that in case, in the
months of October, November, and December, the price of
mixed sugar should be quoted on the Prague market above
30 11., the sum paid to cultivators shall be slightly increased.
But manufacturers do not content themselves with associating

cultivators, to some extent, witli them in their profits : they
also make advances to tliem of money, without interest, in
proportion to the quantity of land cidtivated with beet-root :
these advances are made to the extent of £3 10s. per acre,
The refuse left from the beet-root after treatment is also sup-
plied to cultivators formanurial purposes, the charge made
being deducted fi-om the price paid for the raw material de-
livered. Finally, transport indemnities, calculated accord-
ing to the distance of farms from manufactories,
are granted to producers. These indemnities are pay-
able in money or in refuse at the pleasure of those
entitled to them. These are advantages which deserve to be
taken into serious consideration ; but some persons look back
and affect to regret the time when the proprietors of large
farms sold their- beetroot on better terms than at present. But,
if the present state of things is not so good for some, it pre-
sents an improvement for the majority ; and it cannot be
doubted that sugar-producing industry has become a real
source of prosperity for the agriculture of Bohemia. — June is
the month for the meetings and exhibitions of French agri-
cultural commissions, and at all the meetings lately held the
new Society of Agriculturists of France has evoked sympathetic
adhesions. " Instruct yourselves ; make an interchange of
your ideas," said the Viscomte Cormedet to the Chenerailles
Committee ; " there is the principal advantage of meetings
like ours— in seeing, you learn to do better ; in meeting each
other, you can take concert with eacli other — and thus the
wants and aspirations of agriculture can be declared, expressed,
and summed up. Moved by this thought, a certain number
of eminent agriculturists — some of whom honour me with their
friendship — have sought to found at Paris a vast association,
which forms French agriculturists into a living and compact
body. Your president — whom I applaud on finding him here
in his old place — and myself have been among the first to
welcome an idea which seems to us likely to be attended with
fruitful results, and which now comprises nearly 1,200 ad-
herents. Under the presidency of one of our statesmen, who
disdains not in his leisure hours to occupy himself with agri-
culture— I mean M. Drouyn de Lhuys — this vast society,
divided into several sections, will assemble every year at Paris,
in order to discuss the interests of agriculture, and to affirm
and defend them if necessary. This will be, in fact, a Parlia-
ment for our agriculturists." At a meeting of the Chateau
Thierry Committee, the president, M. de Tillancourt, deputy
to the Corps Leijiskttif, spoke to the same effect. A special
exhibition of mowing and reaping machines, held by the Meaux
Committee, was also an occasion for bidding welcome to the
new association. We should note, in passing, that the jury of
the Meaux competition awarded the first prize to the mowing
machine of M. Lallier ; that of Wood, exhibited by M. Peltier,
less fortunate than at Senlis, was classed in the second rank.
A machine of smaller dimensions, on Wood's system, modi-
fied by M. Peltier, worked separately. The jury was very well
satisfied with its manner of working, and awarded it a first
prize of £16. — The annual exhibition of the Committee of the
Seine-et-Oise was held on the lands of the farm of St. Ger-
main-les-Corbeil, belonging to M. Darblay, jeune, and culti-
vated by M. Renard. The committee more than fulfilled its
programme by organizing a very fine horticultural exhibition,
and instituting steam ploughing trials, which proved perfectly
successful. One of Fowler's apparatus, belonging to M.
Decanville, of Petit-Bourg, was worked during the day. On
the report of M. Lucien Rousseau, of Angerville — who did
not allow the occasion to escape him of rendering homage to
the idea which originated the Society of Agriculturists of

78

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

France — the prize of honour of the committee was awarded to
M. Duclos, of Marolles-en-Brie. A banquet of 600 covers
terminated Wicfefc. Toasts were jiroposed — by M. Darblay,
to the Emperor ; by M. Boselli, Prefect of the Seine-et-Oise,
to Agriculture ; and by M. Feray, of Essonnes, to Agricultural
Associations. All these toasts were warmly applauded ; but
what took the fancy of the meeting most was a humorous and
forcible, although hastily-improvised, speech of M. Victor
Borie, editor in cliief of the " Echo Agricole." " I do not
\vish," said M. Borie, " to raise complaints against any one ;
it has been the same from all time and under all Governments,
but it is a fact of which Agriculture is not proud, that while
our war budget is £16,000,000 our agricultural budget is but
£160,000. Some days since there assembled at Paris a body

composed of honourable men, belonging to all religions beliefs)
and aU opinions : this was the Peace League. The members
of this Peace League are very brave men, who have the good-
ness to believe that you can make men very happy without
shooting them. Well, I think like them, and we all think
like them. What is tlie Agricultural Committee of the Seine-
et-Oise but a league of peace and a league against misery and
famine ? And what is this new Society of Agriculturists of
France, of which we have heard, but a league ot all agricul-
turists to render the soil fruitful and combat misery and
famine ? . . . Make roads ; they are a veritable encou-
ragement of Agriculture. Found some cannons the less, and
make roads ; manufacture some chassepots the less, and make
roads — roads, and still roads."

CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE.

Finish the sowing of turnips, as directed last
month. In the eastern counties, turnips sown in
in this month escape the fly better than in June,
the insect being not so prevalent as in the former
month, and the plants are less liable to be mildewed.
Horse and hand-hoe potatoes, mangold wurzel, and
the earliest sown Swedish turnips. Those plants
growing on lands with stiff under-soils are best
ploughed in the intervals of the drills by the
miniature plough of wood or iron. The narrow-
pointed share with one wing pierces the subsoil more
effectually than the duck-footed share, raises fresh
soil to be scarified by the light implement with two
knives, with the power of one horse for both opera-
tions. The hand-hoeings are done betwixt the
scufflings, loosening the soil between the plants, and
cutting all weeds that escape the ploughings. The
single plough requires more time than the clouble-
knived scufflers ; but the work is better performed ;
and true economy consists not in getting things
cheaply done, but in getting them weU done. The
processes are repeated till no weeds appear, and the
land is completely fallowed, with nothing growing on
it except what is sown or planted for crops, exhi-
biting a true specimen of the cultivation of land.
The young plants derive much benefit from the
frequent stirrings of the intervals of the drills, and
most in dry weather: it causes evaporation of
moisture, which is imbibed by the leaves. Tall
weeds are pulled by hand, if any rise after last
scuffling and hoeing.

Clay fallows for wheat are prepared by ploughing,
harrowing, and rolling; and after each earth of
cultivation the weeds and stones are picked by hand
and removed from the ground. The dung and lime
intended to be applied to the land are prepared and
brought forward.

Draining of wet lands is done with the greatest
neatness and cleanlmess on a surface of grass, as the
turf is present to cover the stones or tUes, and the
surface is not puddled as on arable lands in wet
weather. The proper direction of the drains must
be marked out in ^vinter, when every wetness shows
itself. The drains may be dug to the requii-ed
depth beforehand, and the bottoms only to be
cleaned when the cavities are filled, the turf inverted
on the materials, and the excavated earth replaced
m the drain. On fallow lands the drains must be
excavated, filled with the stones or tiles, the covering

laid on these materials, and the loose soil placed over
all, with much force, not to impede the working of
the land.

Wean the latest lambs, and place them on the
best pastures. Put mares to the stallion regularly.

Attend that the pasture fields have a supply of
water, and that no gaps are continued in the fences
of the fields, and that no dilapidated or awkward
moving gates are seen to mark a slovenly manage-
ment and a careless profession.

The sheep flocks will require attention. Protect
by the contents of the dredging box the deposit of
the eggs of the maegot-fly on the body of the
animals. Dress clean the posterior parts of the
animal from the adhesions of the excrements.

The corners of all pasture fields, both natural and
artificial, which includes the whole farm, are very
usefidly widely planted with trees of spreading
branches, as beech, ash, and sycamoi-e,to afford shelter
to cattle and sheep from heavy rains and scorching
heats, and coolness in hot seasons. In arable lands,
the corners of plantations may be extended to a
circle, which the plough go round without turning
at the corners, and thus relieve an inconvenience.
Shelter-sheds for cattle may be placed in the sub-
division fences, with a roof sloping into each, with
a central height of 15 feet, a front height of 6 or
7 feet, and a bottom width of 12 or 14 feet. Per-
manent pastures should have these provisions as a
necessary furnitui'e. Sheep are much benefited by
small thatched cots in the corners of the fields, 5
or 6 feet in the central height, 4 feet in front, and
about 5 feet wide. These provisions are very useful
m any localities of a high or low elevation.

Hay harvest will be general during this month.
Dry the herbage in two or three days, by alternate
tedding and cocking ; build it into long staeks, lay
it lightly together, and allow it to settle by its own
weight. It is a mistake to tread the herbage firmly
together. Pull nothing from the sides of the ricks
till well settled ; then dress it into any form, and
thatch it without delay. A scaffold of boards is
raised to pitch the hay to a high rick. When the
hay is damaged by rains, mix salt in the rick, as
directed last month. A tarpaulin cloth will cover
the stack from rains, when the building is inter-
rupted, and removed in dry intervals to allow the
escape of the gaseous evaporations. A light sail-
cloth will defend day showers, suspended from a

THE i^ARMER'S MAGAZINE.

?9

i'ope passing along the rick, fastened to an upright
pole at each ejid, and raised and lowered by pulleys.

Corn harvest will commence this month in early
localities with tlie most forward grains. Early peas,
barley, and rye will be cut first. Tie the barley and
rye into sheaves, to be placed in shocks of twelve
together ; lay the peas in small heaps, and turn them
frequently. Carry the grains quickly when dry, to
be lodged in barns in a clean readiness, or built into
ricks on stands of stone ready in position, or on the
grouKid with straw spread beneath.

Vetches are now the green food of the farm.
Cut the herbage fresh in the forenoon for daily use,
for maintaining the work-horses, the milch cows in
the yards and sheds in the evening feed ; the sheep
consuming the crop on the ground, or cut into

troughs along with oats and cake for being fattened.
This most valuable plant admits a large application
iu affording a most nutritious green food to all the
animals of the farm — horses, cattle, sheep, and
swine, and in acting as a smothering crop on the
land, covering the surface, killing all weeds, and in
mellowing the surface of the ground into a moist
and clammy state of fertility. The crop must be
thick on the ground, from tliick-sowing of seed, and
a careful heavy rolling of the land in the young con-
dition of the plants, in order to lock with a key the
moisture that is in the ground and what may fall
fiom the heavens for future use. The vetch in the
winter and spring varieties form the green food of
the farm for four months of the year, and demand a
much larger attention than has been yet bestowed.

CALENDAR OF GARDENING.

Kitchen Garden;

Sow peas of any short kinds in the earliest days
of the month, and again soon after : the crop may
be fine, and therefore acceptable in September.
Sow endive twice in the month, from the 8th to
12th, and from 20th to 25th. Plant kidney beans,
French beans, and scarlet runners ; round-leaved
spinach early, and the winter, or prickly sort, in
the latter end of the month. Sow lettuce, radish,
and a large succession of turnips in the red and
white varieties ; early Dutch, white, and yellow, to
come in late in the year and through winter.

After the second week, sow cabbage seeds, York
and Varack, for coleworts, called "greens," one of
the sweetest of spring vegetables ; and at the close
of the month, in some situations, for early hearting
spring cabbages. Sow small saladings as may be
required, as carrots and onions, to be drawn young,
and, on poorish land, a few of the large bulbers to
stand the winter, and subsequently to be trans-
planted for an autumn crop.

Transplant celery, the last crop : it must be care-
fully earthed up ; and in doing this for the first and
second times, hold each plant compactly with oue
hand, while the other applies fine earth close around
the lower part of the leaves, but not so high as the
growing heart. Give water copiously along the
trenches, if the weather be dry, for the first good
stand is most important.

Transplant broccoli at various times for early and
later spring supply, choosing, if possible, a moist
state of soil ; otherwise, if the weather be dry, every
hole must be filled with water. The ground should
be rich in nitrogenous manure ; and therefore some
soot, mixed up with spit dung, would be useful, as
it contains salts of ammonia. May-sown cauliflower
may be treated in the same manner.

Transplant leeks ; dig and manure richly a plot
for a row or two, and use with the dung 2 oz. of
sulphate of ammonia to the small barrow. Very
prime guano, to the extent of a pint to the same
bulk, would comprise phosphates of ammonia and
of lime, several ammoniacal and nitrogenous com-
pounds, common salt, and neutral sulphate to the
soil. It is the comprehensiveness of pure guano

which stamps its value, and therefore it should
always be added to the less powerful manures as a
restorative. In planting leeks, make deep case-
like holes, and drop therein, applying water in a
small stream, so as to fix the roots of each.

Transplant vegetable-marrow and cucumbers
already raised in heat. Dig a hole for each in a
warm open spot of ground ; put in a barrow or
more of leafy, rich manure, and cover it with some
light rich soil ; plant, water, and cover with hand-
glasses till growth be established, and then gradually
train out the runners. Stop the points occasionally
to obtain laterals.

Propagate herbs by slips. Collect camomile
flowers.

At all seasons, and under most circumstances,
while crops are growing, the following are required
to be done : Stick and top peas, also kidney and
broad beans ; earth-up legumes and potatoes ; peg
down and train the regular advancing shoots of
vegetable-marrow, gourds, and cucumbers ; hoe
and move the surface among crops ; give weak
guano-water to plants of the cabbage family.
These directions are not many, nor any way ex-
pensive.

Fruit Department.

In the end of the month, plum and cherry-trees
may be trained in the best placed shoots ; apple
and pear-trees next month. Budding is now per-
formed with wall-fruit, and will succeed if done
adroitly, by always recollecting that both stock and
scion be in a moist condition, when the bark
detaches freely from the wood. Success depends
upon attraction between the vital organizable juicy
membrane, which exudes, or is deposited between
the yearling wood and the inner bark. The bark
must rise freely, owing to the exudation of the
proper juice between the new wood and the bark,
if the operation be timely and skilfully performed,
the fluids attract each other, solidify, and cause a
union between the secreting surfaces. The art may
be learned by watching the operations of a jobbing
gardener or workman, which are found in most
country places, and are occasionally employed by
farmers of the higher grade to perform the upper

80

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

works of the garden. To these persons the above
directions can only apply.

Lay strawberries at the first joint into small
pots of free loam. They will root speedily in moist
weather, or if watered when dry.

Flower Garden.

Roses are budded by the rules that have been
given for fruit-trees. The largest plants must be
chosen in health and strength, and which are
judged, from appearance, to contain the juices in
abundance. Experience will soon enable to judge
these appearances, and also perform the dissection
with skill and utihty. It is a very pleasing and
instructive employment.

Keep all parterres, flower borders, lawns, walks,
and shrubberies in neat order, free from weeds,
and duly regulated.

The collection of manure for the kitchen garden
claims a chief attention, as no articles need be
imported as auxiliaries, guano-water being only
recommended for some broad-leafed plants. All

lands in farm or garden cultivation should maintain
its own fertility — light lands of sands, downs, and
commons excepted — for green food and sheep food.
The garden requires a liquid pit of brick and
cement, to contain every vegetable and earthy
refuse, cattle droppings, and all large weeds cut
into short lengths, saturated with the soapy waters
and urinary liquids of the dwelling-houses, all
carefully preserved for the special purpose. A dry
compost-heap may be added of lime and all
earthy bodies, to make a change of manure. The
water-closets to hold the excrements in box on
wheels, to roll backwards into an uncovered posi-
tion, in which to receive fine earths as a mixture,
to absorb the moisture, and kill the odour, and
from which the contents are lifted for use. One
or two common privies will collect on the largest
farms, the farm dwelling being always separate.
These three sources will supply most amply every
demand for manure, all gathered on the farm, at
little expense, and not by any extra trouble or
interference.

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS

GENERAL AGMCULTURAL REPORT FOR JUNE.

In the early part of the month, a severe drought was ex-
perienced throughout the country. It enabled tlie hay-makers
to complete their operations at an early period ; but it com-
pletely parched up the crops in many districts. The wheats
upon light soils have suifered to some extent, and it is anti-
cipated that their yield will fall short of previous expectations.
Upon strong lands, however, very little damage has been sus-
tained. It is hoped, therefore, that the entire crop will come
up to a fair average. The barley and oat crops will, we appre-
hend, fall short of last season, owing to the v ant of an
adequate supply of moisture. Beans and peas, however, are
likely to yield well.

Owing, chiefly, to the rapidly diminishing stocks held by
our farmers, very small supplies of English wheat have been
brought forward during the month. The millers have, there-
fore, been compelled to pay an advance of 23. per qr. from
the lowest point, and very little disposition has been shown to
force sales by the importing houses. As far as we can judge,
the value of both English and foreign wheat will be supported
for several months. The sale for barley and oats has been
very inactive, on easier terms, and at Mark Lane the top
price of flour has fallen 43., or to 60s. per 280 lb. We have
very little change to notice in the value of either beans or
peas : for the most part, sales have been wholly in retail.

In the forward districts, nearly the whole of the crop of
hay has been secured in very fine condition. The quantify,
however, is considerably less than last year; but there is
every prospect of a heavy second crop. In the metropolitan
markets new meadow hay has sold at from 36s. to 80s.,
old 70s. to 05s,, clover 70s. to 110s., and straw 30». to 36s,
per load.

The reports from the plantations, in reference to the
appearance of the hop bine, are favouiable. For the most
part, fly is scarce, and the burr promises well ; indeed, it is
supposed that the crop wiU be unusually large and of fine
quality. On the continent the bine looks remarkably well.
The sale for hops in the Borough has been much restricted,
and the quotations have had a drooping tendency.

The scanty supply of moisture has retarded the progress of
the potato crop. Very few complaints respecting disease have
reached us, and most of our correspondents agree in stating
that there is every prospect of a large growth. Very few old
potatoes have been brought forward ; but new qualities have
sold at from 6s. to 12s. per cwt.

The colonial wool sales held in London have been brought
to a conclusion at one time, owing to the large quantities of
wool taken by continental houses ; prices showed an advance
of ^d. to l^d. per lb., compared with tlie March sales ; but,
prior to the close, that improvement was lost. Considering
that over 200,000 bales were brought forward, it is surprising
that the quotations were so well supported.

The drought has had a most prejudicial effect upon the beet
and turnip crops. In some counties they are partly destroyed,
and it is believed that even the late fine showers will not
improve them to any extent.

There has been a moderate demand for most kinds of
produce in the Scotcli markets, and prices generally have been
well supported. The country has suffered much from the late
dry weather.

Very small supplies of wheat have been exhibited in the
Irish markets. The demand has fallen off ; yet prices have
been well supported. The island has been visited with copious
showers of rain, which have greatly improved the appearance
of vegetation.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

81

REVIEW OE THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE
PAST MONTH.

Owing to the serious drought experienced in the early part
of the month, the supply of food in the pastures has fallen off
considerably. Many of the graziers have, therefore, been
compelled to withdraw their stock, and the consumption of
food has fallen partly upon hay. This has led to an increased
supply of beasts in our leading markets, and to much inactivity
in the demand for most breeds. The fluctuations in prices
have as a consequence been somewhat extensive. At one
period, the best Scots and crosses sold at 4-s. 8d. ; but, owing
to the limited quantities of dead meat on sale in Newgate and
Leadenhall, the quotation has since advanced to 5s. per 81bs.

The numbers of sheep brought forward have been exten-
sive ; but we have observed a falling off in their general
weight and condition. Altliough a good business has been
doing, the rates liave fluctuated. The best Downs and half-
breds have ranged from is. 8d. to 5s. per 81bs.

Lambs have come freely to hand. The demand has fallen
off, and the leading quotations have been 5s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. per
Bibs.

We have very little change to notice in the value of calves.
Prices may be quoted at from 3s. 8d. to 5s. 2d. per 8 lbs. Pair
average numbers have been brought forward.

Tlie best small pigs have supported previous rates, with a
fair demand ; but inferior pigs have sold heavily. The former
have changed hands at from 3s. lOd. to 4s. 4d., the latter
3s. 4d. to 3s. 8d. per 8 lbs.

The following figures shew the total supplies of stoci exhi-
bited in the Metropolitan Cattle Market during the month : —

Head.

Beasts 19,650

Sheep and Lambs 177,690

Calves '2,875

Pigs 1,480

Comparison of Supplies.
Sheep.
June. Beasts. Cows, and Lambs. Calves. Pigs.

1864 25,890 550 138,450 2,786 3,280

1865 24,050 646 165,720 4,278 3,210

1866 18,820 130 139,880 1,864 1,782

1867 16,270 120 146,650 2,600 2,048

The comparison of the arrivals of English, Scotch, and Irish

beasts is as under : —

June. June. June.

Prom— 1866. 1867. 1868.

Norfolk, Suffolk, &c. .. 9,000 5,570 9,000

Lincobishire — 400 370

Other parts of England. 1,930 2,240 1,920

Scotland 59 737 97

Ireland 20 20 220

The imports of foreign stock into London were as follows: —

Head.

Beasts 5,327

Sheep and Lambs 16,849

Calves 1,910

Pigs 569

Total 24,655

48,508

47,425

61,935

38,029

30,059

22,841

32,751

From the above comparison it will be seen that the imports
of foreign stock are falling off considerably, notwithstanding
that prices continue remunerative. We learn, however, that
on many parts of the continent both beasts and sheep are
higher in price than in England. Whilst high quotations con-
tinue abroad, we can hardly anticipate any important increase
in the importations.

Beef has sold at from 3s. to 5s. ; mutton, 3s. to 5s. ; lamb,
5s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. ; veal, 3s. 8d. to 5s. 3d. ; pork, 3s. 4d. to 4s.
2d. per 8 lbs. to sink the offaL

Total in June,

1867

1866

1865

1864

1863

1862

1861

CoMPAEisoN or Prices.

June, 1864. June, 1865.

s. d. 8. d. s. d. s. d.

Beef from 3 4 to 5 0 ... 3 6 to 5 3

Mutton 36 53... 44 64

Lamb 60 70... 60 78

Veal 40 50... 40 54

Pork 3 6 4 0 ... 3 6 4 10

June, 1866. June, 1867.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Beef from 3 10 to 6 0 ... 3 4 to 5 6

Mutton 40 60... 38 54

Lamb 68 80... 60 70

Veal 54 64... 40 56

Pork 40 63... 34 46

Scarcely any foreign meat has been on sale in Newgate and
Leadenhall ; and the arrivals from Scotland and various parts
of England have been on a limited scale. On the whole the
trade has ruled steady. The leading quotations have been as
follows :— Beef, from 3s. to 4s. 6d. ; mutton, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 8d. ;
lamb, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 4d. ; veal, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. ; and pork,
Ss, to 4s. 6d. per 81bs. by the carcase.

WEST SUSSEX.
Tlie state of the growing cereal crops is now a matter of
vast interest and importance. I see there are persons as last
year who are telling the public of the grand appearance of the
crops generally, but I think these will turn out as last year to
be false prophets. In this division of the county, which has
such variety of soils, my report must have reference to locality.
On the good land of the sea-coast I think the wheat crop is
generally looking well, and with favourable weather will pro-
duce a fair average yield. On the hills, except some pieces
which have been thin of plant all the winter, from the ravages
of slug and wireworm, I believe the prospects are good. In
the stiff land of the Weald I do not think appearances are in
favour of an average. It is a question also whether on all
soils the present unexampled weather (for the sun shines from
morning till night) will not injure the crop, and bring on pre-
mature ripeness. I know old farmers say " nothing like dry
weather for wheat." I say so too, but this is rather beyond
ordinary dry weather, and in addition we have now a parching
east wind. Barley and oats, except on the very best soils
and where got in very early, must, I think, be short in straw
and deficient in yield. In the clay lands of the Weald a large
proportion of the oat crop will be a failure. All root crops
must suffer from the present dry weather. Mangold wnrzel
came up badly, and swede turnips may be considered hitherto
a failure. Both lean and fat stock are falling in price, and
feed is becoming scarce. The hay crop, a very hght one gene-
rally, has been carried so far in capital order. — June 19.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE,
FAIRS, &c.

BANBURY FORTNIGHTLY FAIR.— The demand for
cattle was very slow ; and few sales were effected, even at a
reduction on the prices of last market. The mutton trade
was also dull, and the price obtained was about 4s. per stone.

BANNOCKBURN PAIR drew together a large attendance
of dealers and farmers from all parts of the country. The
show of stock consisted principally of Ayrshire milch cows,
grazing cattle of the sound, useful, and profitable breed, and
several lots of calves and stirks from Ireland. The market
opened Hat for all descriptions of stock ; and the dullness
which so early indicated itself was not reUeved as the day pro-
gressed. For milch stock the sale was especially dull ; and
the same remark is applicable to the Irish cattle. Home-
bred animals for grazing purposes were easier got quit of. In
the horse fair there was a quiet sale for all kinds ; and at the
finish of the market the want of customers was made apparent
by the number of animals which remained unsold. From Ire-
land there was a fair show of cob and harness-horses ; but a
very dull demand took place. The following were among the
chief transactions: Mr. Potts purchased calving heifers at
from UIO to £12. Mr. Crawford sold a lot of fourteen
Crosses at £5, and a lot of stots at £6 IDs. Mr, Keir sold

82

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

calving queys at from £9 to £10, and milch cows at similar
prices. Mr. Goodwin sold calving queys at from £^ to £9,
milch cows at from £11 to £13 10s. Mr. Graham sold milch
cows at from £10 to £14, fat cows at from £14 to £14 10s.,
and queys at £7 10s. Mr. M'Gechie sold milch cows at from
£10 to £15. Mr. Brock sold milch cows at from £12 to
£14. Mr. Liddell sold milch cows at from £14 to £14 IDs.
Mr. WaddeU sold calving queys at £8, and milch cows at
from £10 10s. to £13. Mr. Scott purchased milch cows at
from £10 to £14. Mr. Yuill purchased draught-horses at
from £28 to £30. Mr. Christie sold draught -horses at from
£20 to £43. Mr. Walker sold draught-horses at from £30 to
£35, and harness-horses at from £30 to £40. Other sales of
a similar nature were recorded.

BOROUGKBRIDGE HORSE MIR.— There was a good
attendance of both local and foreign buyers. First-class
hunters and roadsters still continue to keep an upward ten-
dency, and the best descriptions were readily sold. A poor
show of cab and trap horses, but they had good sale. The best
draught horses for town purposes went at paying figures, but
other descriptions, which were abundant, went at very irregular
prices.

BOSTON SHEEP MARKET.— There was a fair supply of
fat sheep at market ; but, the demand bemg small, trade was
dull, at from 5d. to 6d. per lb.

BRADFORD FAIR.— There was quite an average show of
horned cattle ; but the continuance of drought had an adverse
influence on business, and prices had a drooping tendency.
The quotations for milch cows ranged from £13 to £31 each,
and for geld cows from about £9 to £16 each. Stock of the
choicest quality, and commanding the be^t prices, were in fair
demand; but this was quite an exceptional feature in the
market. The chief business done was in good draught-
horses, which were scanty in number, and commanded good
prices.

DROITWICH FAIR was well attended. There was a
larger quantity of stock for sale than on several previous
summer fairs; but the business transacted was somewhat
limited. The prices may be fairly quoted as follows : Beef 7d.
to 1\L, mutton 6id. to 7d., lamb 8d.

LEDBURY FAIR was rather a smaE one, except in regard
to store sheep, of which there were a good number. Fat sheep
were scarce. Stock for the most part were somewhat lower ;
dealers not numerous. Beef sold at 7d. to 7fd., mutton
(wethers) 6d. to 7d., fat ewes 6d. The pig trade was brisker.
MENHENIOT jMARKET.— A large number of cattle were
offered for sale. Fat bullocks realized from £3 Gs. to £3 10s.,
per cwi., but there was not a brisk sale. There was a good
supply of neat Devon store steersjwhich, from the plentiful
supply of grass, realized good prices. There was a small
supply of sheep and lambs. Shearing sheep CJd. per lb,, m
the wool 8d. per lb., lambs about 8|-d. per lb. There was a
plentiful supply of cows and calves, the prices of which had a
downward tendency.

NEWARK FAT STOCK MARKET.— A good supply of
both beasts and sheep, and a fair number of buyers ; but trade
was slow, and sellers were obliged to give way in favour of
purchasers before sales could "be effected. Beef ranged from
7s. 6d. to 8s. 6d., the hulk being sold at 8s. Sheep 5id. to
8d. per lb. Lamb 31s. to 25s. each.

NEWTON - STEWART MARKET. — Business opened
stiffly, the recent fall in the price of sheep having a visible
effect on this market. Holders of stock in many instances
would have been content with the current figures of last mar-
ket, but buyers were offering from five to ten per cent, less ;
consequently, trade ruled very heavy. Three-year-olds ranged
from £10 to £13 each, two-year-olds £7 7s. to £9 9s., stirks
from £3 to £5. A few left unsold.

ROSLEY HILL FAIR. — Horses in great numbers were
brought for sale, and there was no lack of buyers. The con-
dition of the horses was good, though of course liberally in-
terspersed with inferior nags. Anything really good was quickly
picked up at a very good price ; and, indeed, good prices might
be quoted for aU. classes. A good business was done all

fr'^°"|q ''*'' '^^^' ^"''^^ ^°'" ^''^ ^^^*'' '^^^^^ shown ranged
irom £30 to £50, other classes comijiff down according to
msnt.

ST. AUSTELL MONTHLY IVIARKET wa^ weU attended
ooth witli buyers and sellers, and many good l)argains were
made. Fat cattle sold at from £3 63. to £3 1,0s. per cwt.

SOUTHMOLTON MlR.— There were not sOmanybullocks
exhibited as previous to the outbreak of the cattle-plague, a
good deal of business being now done at the homes of the
bleeders. Fat bullocks sold well, and were eagerly bought at
12s. 6d. per score. One prime lot sold at 13s. per score, but
those were the best in the fair. Cows and calves were dear,
so were young bullocks and steers, a pair of the latter fetching
£30. There was about the usual number of sheep penned ;
ewes 6d., wethers 6jd. to 7d. per lb., with a rather slack sale.

STOFORD FAIR suffered in two ways— from the prevail-
ing dry weather, many farmers being in the midst of their hay-
harvest, and those who attended being rather apprehensive
about the keep. The sale consequently, on the wliole, was
dull. Considering the length of time that the fair lias been
closed, there was a large quantity of fat beasts and yearlings,
the best beef moving off at 13s. a score. Yearlings druggish.
An average number of sheep, which we quote — ewes 30s. to
4Ss., lamb 18s. to 27s.

:::.TARBOLTON FAIR.— There was a large display of stock,
entirely composed of Ayrshire cattle. There was a good at-
tendance of dealers and others. The market proved a dull
and sluggish one, and prices were back from recent district
fairs. The prices of two-year-olds ranged from £4 to £7, of
stirks from 30s. to £4, and of calving cows from £9 to £18.

TAUNTON FAIR. — Cattle were not so numerous as in
years gone by. Good animals sold readily at the following
prices : Fat beasts £16 to £37, store ditto £10 to £15, cows
and calves £13 to £18, fat sheep 40s. to 47s., grazing ditto
33s. to 39s., rams £6 to £14. Business in horses was very
brisk ; the number was much larger than last year, and, taken
as a whole, the quality superior, especially those for the
road and for agricultural purposes. Hunters fetched £38 to
£55, carriage horses £14 to £38, cart horses £10 to £30,
hacks £10 to £26, ponies £9 to £18.

THORNE FAIR.— The show of horses and beasts was
above an average, but very inferior in quality ; from £15 to
£30 was about the range of prices. For Irish calves £11 to
£12 -was asked, and small bullocks were sold at £5 15s. each.
For English cattle the prices were higher ; but very few lots
changed hands, good year-old heifers being from £8 10s. to
£13, and calves £12 to £16.

WORCESTER FAT STOCK MARKET.— Owing to the
shortness of keep, there was a very large supply of stock
brought to the market, and consequently prices were dull, and
in many cases much lower. Beef was ^d. per lb. lower, and
mutton -2-d. to ifd. per lb. lower than last market.

IRISH FAIRS. — MuLLAGHCREW : Prime specimens of beef
went to fully 65s., second class from 56s. to 60s. per cvrt., and
third class from 48s. to 52s. 6d. per cwt. Three-year-old
heifers brought from £13 to £15 for those in best condition,
two-year-olds from £9 to £11 10s., yearlings from £4 to £7
each. Three-year-old bullocks from £12 to £16, the latter
figure being obtained for a prime lot, two-year-olds from £8
to £11, yearlings from £4 to £8. Young springers went from
£15 to £17 10s. each, while inferior springers and milkers
rated from £9 to £13 10s. per head. There was an immense
show of sheep and lambs, and busy buying tor shipment.
Prices were, nevertheless, a shade lower than late fairs. From
5id. to 6^d. per lb. were the quotations for wether mutton in
the skin, ewes in proportion, lambs from 34s. to 30s. each,
hoggets from 32s. to 38s. a-piece. The swine fair was well
attended. Bacon rated from eid. to 7d. per lb., stiU holding a
smart price. Stores went from 40s. to 55s., and the weanlings
from 16s. for the smallest to 34s. for the best. — Newtown-
BAE.RY : Beef Went up to 61s. per cwt. for prime animals ;
new mUch cows and springers averaged £13 each, strippers
sold from £8 to £11, three-year-old cattle from £10 to £16
each, two-year-old £9 to £10, yearlings £3 15s. to £6. Mut-
ton sold from 5|d. to 62d. per lb., hoggets from 30s. to 408.,
lambs 19s. to 26s., fat pigs from 64s. to 57s. 6d. per cwt.,
stores varied from 34s. to 50s., slips from 15s. to 25s., bon-
hams from lis. to 16s. — Callajm : Yearhng bullocks and
heifers rated at from £3 10s. to £6 6s. per head. Two and
tliree-year-olds ranged from £7 to £13. First-rate milchers
and springers near the dropping realised from £13 to £15 10a.
per head, second and third ditto eight to eleven guineas.
Young bulls were bought at from £6 to £10 10s. per head.
Half-fat cows and strippers ranged from £13 5s. to £15 10s.
per head. Some prime ewes averaged 38s. per head, hoggets
and lambs 17s. to 30s., and mutton 6d. to 6|d. per lb. Small

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

83

pigs in kishes and creels went from 16s. to 23s. each, slips
and stores 32s. to 40s.

COEK BUTTER MA.11KET, (Friday last.)— Firsts 102s.
seconds 99s., thirds 92s., fourths ,90s., fifths 77s., sixths 60s. ;
mild cured— firsts 106s., seconds 102., thirds 96s. Number
in market, 1,590.

GLASGOW CHEESE MAKKET, (Wednesday last.)—
The supply of cheese moderate, 630 having been laid down,
chiefly new. To clear off some lots that were lying over,
lower prices were taken. Business upon the whole slow.
About 18 tons sold. Old Cheddars 51s. to 57s., new ditto
44s. to 49s., old Dunlops 48s. to 55s., new ditto 42s. to 45s.,
new skim-milk 21s. to 23s.

THE HARTSEDE SALE.— A sale of stock at Hartside,
ia the Cheviots, took place on Friday, May 29, under the
direction of Mr. Samuel Donkin. Upwards of 3,000 sheep
and lambs were brought to the hammer, besides horses, cattle,
and other farm stock. The slieep sales were the great feature
of the auction, and the Greensides averaged as foUows : —
Young ewes and lambs £2 5s. lOd., four-year-old ewes
£2 6s. Id., five-year-old ewes and lambs £2 3s. The Hart-
side three-year-old ewes £2 7s. 3d., four-year-old ewes
£2 6s. 3d., five-year-old ewes £2 5s. 8d., gimmers £1 17s. 5d.,
ewe hoggs £1 8s. 9d., wedder hoggs £1 2s. 4d., Dinmonts
£1 12s. 2d., old wedders £1 16s. 7d., tup hoggs £2 15s. 6d.,
old tups £2 4s. 5d. Tlie competition was very keen.

SHORTHORN SALE.— On Thursday, June 4, a draft of
shorthorn dairying cattle, fi'om the celebrated herd of Sir
Curtis JL Lampson, of Rowfant, Sussex, were sold on his es-
tate by Mr. Strafford. There was a large company present
from various parts of the country, and several of tlie cattle
were purchased for foreign exportation. Among the principal
lots sold were a roan milch cow (Fancy) of known blood and
from a prize family, to Mr. Robarts for £315, and the auc-
tioneer remarked that this was tlie higliest value ever re-
corded for a cow in Sussex. A yearling heifer, the produce of
tliis cow, was purchased by Mr. Cheney for £152 5s., and a
calf (now but two months old), from the same cow, realized
£52 10s., to Mr. Sartons. Brunette, a milch cow, was sohl
to Mr. Rigg for £105. Mr. Tracey bought Hebe at £70 7s. ;
Mr. Akins took Nancy at £79 16s. ; and Mr, Downing had
Princess at £78 15s. ; two otlier yearling heifers fetched £81
18s. ; and three other calves under four months of age pro-
duced £69 6s. The sixteen dairying shorthorn cows realized
an average of £69 19s. each. The three heifers made an
average of £78 4s. 6d., and the four calves brought the
average of £30 9s. each, and the herd, consisting of 23 head
of cows, heifers, and calves, produced the aggregate amount
of £1,475 5s.

SALE OF A DRAFT OF MR. HARWARD'S SHORT-
HORNS.—Mr. Straff'ord sold, at Winterfold, near Kidder-
minster, on June 17th, 34 cows and heifers, and 15 bulls and
bull-calves, announced as bred with great care from the
stock of the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Ducie, Messrs. Bow-
ley, Maynard, and Ricli, and others. Amongst the buUs was
Charleston, the sire of many of the cows and heifers
offered. A number of gentlemen, farmers, butchers, and
others attended. The total produce of the sale amounted to
£1,453, the average for the 49 animals being less than 30
guineas each. Lady Jane 2nd, a roan, sire Duke of Bolton,
was bought by Mr. Beaseley for 41 guineas ; Oxford Lassie, a
red, sire Duke of Ormond, by Mr. Maun for 40 guineas ; Fo-
rest Queen, a roan, sire Fitzroy by Mr. IN ash at 37 guineas ;
Pharsalia, a rich roan, sire Archduke, by Mr. Holland at 37
guineas ; Duchess of Gloucester, white, sire Jlandarin, by
Mr. Canning at 31 guineas; Cleopatra the 8th, red and white,
sire 10th Duke of Oxford, by Mr. Norris at 45 guineas ;
Charming Woman, red, sire Royal Arch, by Mr, Blakeway
at 33 guineas ; Cleopatra 9tli, a rich roan, sire Lord Oxford,
by Mr. Davis at 58 guineas ; Yorkshire Lass, a roan, sire 7th
Duke of York, by Mr. Cutler at 38 guineas ; Maid of Oxford
2nd, a roan, was the highest-priced female, her sire was 7th
Duke of York and dam Maid of Oxford, and she was knocked
down to Mr. Cutler for 80 guineas in calf. Charleston is a
rich roan, and 5 years old, by Lord Oxford ; and his dam.
Countess of Berrington, was bought by Mr, Morris for 46
guineas. Mark Antony, 11 months old, made 46 guineas, to

Mr. Munns ; and Lord Waterloo 2nd, 6 months' old, 35 gui-
neas, to Mr. Cutler. The local papers speak to "the spirited
competition," but according to the prices realised the sale
must have been by no means a success.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKET.
CITY, MoJJDAY, June 22. — We have no change of impor-
tance to notice in the English wool-market. The trade con-
tinues languid, and the quotations are almost nominal. Stocks
are on the increase ; but there is soon likely to be a revival
in the export demand.

CUEEBNT PbiCES OB ENGLISH WOOt. 8. d. 8. d.

Fleeces — Southdown hoggets per lb. 1 3J to 1 4

Half-bred ditto „ 1 4^ 1 5

Kent fleeces „ 14 1 4?

Southdown ewes and wothers », 13 14

Leicester ditto ,, 13 1 3^

SoBTS— Combing », 10 1 6i

Clothing „ 1 2 16

BRACKLEY WOOL FAIE,, (Wednesday last.)— Business
was dull, owing to the absence of the large manufacturers.
In the fair there were about 13,000 fleeces of Wool — a larger
number, we believe, than on any former occasion. The highest
price obtained was 39s. 6d. per tod, the average being 38s.

BRADFORD WOOL MARKET, (Thursday last.)— The
continuance of a moderate consumptive demand for wool,
principally the lustre sorts, is reported to-day. The tone of
the trade is rather firmer, owing to the improvement which
has taken place during the last few days in the Liverpool
cotton market, but staplers allege that they are unable to
realise prices proportionate to country rates, wliich are
gradually hardening. As, however, there is a large ([uautity
of wool to come forward, and the drought, should it continue,
will have a very injurious effect upon the crops and upon the
state of trade, tliey are not very eager as yet to replenish their
stocks. — Bradford Observer.

" CUMBERLAND WOOL FAIRS.~At the annual wool
fairs held in Cumberland prices generally have had an upward
tendency, and a fair amount of business has been done. At
both Longtovni and Brampton tlie prices were nearly the
same. The following were the average : Half-bred hoggs
Is. 7id. to Is. 8d., Cheviot hoggs Is. 4d. to Is. Sjd., mule
hoggs Is. 2d. to Is. 3-2-d., Leicester and half-bred ewes Is. 3d.
to Is. 4d., and Cheviot ewes Is. Id. to Is. 2d. per lb.

DONCASTER WOOL MARKET, (Saturday last.) —
Another immense market, not far short of 1,800 sheets.
These great supplies naturally check business, and trade ruled
very flat. StiU fine lustre wools were not quotably cheaper,
and inferior runs scarcely so. About 6d. per stone would
cover the greatest reduction, but for all business purposes last
week's prices must be quoted with a slow trade.

GLASGOW WOOL MARKET, (Saturday last.)— Fine
weather having now set in, clips are coming into the market
more freely, and during the week a fair average of bred wools
has changed hands. Rates have been well maintained. A few
clips of laid Highland have also come iu, but as buyers are
evidently waiting the result of the sales next week, little busi-
ness has been done. Rates, it is expected, will be fully tested
then, ^^^lite Highland is not in request. — F. H. iVLcod.

HEREFORD WOOL MARKET, (Wednesday last.)— There
was again a fair quantity of Wool at market, and prices were
about the same as last week — viz., wethers lod. to 15|d. per
lb., mixed wool 16d. to 17id., and hoggs 18d. to 18Jd.

LEEDS (English and Foreign) WOOL MARKET,
(Friday last.) — The consumption of English wool is well
maintained, and prices are firm, especially for the best quality.
The farmers are asking higher rates than can be got for some
sorts in tlie manufacturing towns. Colonial wool is barely
maintaining the prices given at the beginnning of the sales,
and as there is still a large quantity to offer the necessities of
buyers can be easily met. Liferior wools are selling at losing
prices for the colonists and others.

LEOMINSTER WOOL FAIR.— Wool ruled from 16d. to
18d., and to fetch the latter price about one-half of the fleeces
were tegs. Lambs' wool was 12d. and 13d., but not so much
on offer.

MALTON WOOL SIARKET, (Saturday last.)— The fuU
clip of wool now being available, there are numerous sellers
among the smaller farmers ; buyers, however, were not so

84

THE MtlMEE'S MAGAZINE.

eager to purchase as a week ago, and the best wools are not
quite so high, the extreme rates uot being given. The average
prices may be put at 23s. for hogg tleeces, 21s. mixed, and ISs.
ewe per lijlbs.

STOCKTON WOOL MARKET, (Wednesday last.)— A
good supply of wool, which made the following prices :
Leicester, all hogg 21s., two hoggs for one ewe 2Us., lialf-and-
half 18s. Gd. to 19s. ; Cheviot hogg 17s. Gd. to I'Js., ditto
ewe 14s. to 15s. per stone ; Scotch 6d. per lb.

YORK WOOL MARKET, (Thursday last.)— To-day there
was the largest show of Wool that has ever been known in
York, the number of sheets pitched amounting to about 1,500.
The business done was consequently slow, and last week's
prices could not be maintained. Ture-bred fleeces fetched
from 17s. to 32s. per stone as per count of hogg, ewe, and
wether fleeces ; and clean condition and cross-bred wools sold

at from 12s. to 16s. per stone ; locks from 9s. to 10s. 6d., and
cots 12s. to 14s. per 141bs.

BRESLAU WOOL REPORT, June 18.— Owing to the
continuance of the German wool-fairs, which are attended by
our customary buyers, business is completely at a stand-still.
In the meanwhile, large supplies are arriving from Prussia,
Posen, Poland, and Hungary, wliich, added to our remaining
stock, form a quantity of about 35,000 cwts. The recent
fairs of Landsberg, Dresden, Rostock, HaUe, Weimar, Leipzic,
and Augsburg had very nearly the same result as our own,
and only at Stettin was an indifferent revival noticeable, as
combers were purchasing rather freely, and paying for good
washed a little more in proportion than at other fairs. The
Berlin fair, which begins on the 19th inst., will be a deciding
one for the further march of the wool-trade. — Gunsburg
Brothers.

REVIEW OE THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE PAST MONTH.

For three weeks the month of June followed the
dry hot month of May, with greater intensity of
solar power, until general apprehensions were en-
tertained that the drought would seriously affect
the yield of corn, as it has already that of hay,
which proves a very scanty produce. Some fine
rains began to fall on the third week, with more
frequent falls subsequently, and we hope they will
save much of the spring corn, which was in great
jeopardy. "Wheat in the light lands suffered quite
as severely, whole fields with a gravelly subsoil
going off as if by blight, and such lands must be
past recovery ; but the deep highly-farmed loams
scarcely ever looked better, and have been put
about a month forward by the extraordinary heat.
This is no slight matter at a period of exhausted
stocks, being perhaps equal to an import of two
million quarters. So the pinch apprehended by
many can now never be felt, unless there should
be disasters in harvest time. These, however, we
have no right to expect, but rather to be thankful
that a critical period has thus been met by the
kindness of Providence:— though, as in all these
cases, at the smart expense of some. The rain,
we fear, has arrived too late to make a good crop
of peas, though it will wonderfully alter the mar-
ket gardens. The beans, being later, have received
great benefit, as well as the late pieces of barley
in the cool eoils, and also a good portion of the
oats. But enough has passed to remind us of
our constant dependence, in the midst of the most
industrious and intelligent efforts, on the soil; and
it affords a striking comment on those sure words :
" Neither is he that planteth any, nor he that wa-
tereth, but God that giveth the increase." In
France, it would seem, opinions vary ; but the gene-
ral expectation is not beyond an ordinary year.
Belgium and Holland appear satisfied with their
prospects, the soils of both countries, though so
different, better bearing the heat. Germany has
had rain. There are some complaints in Poland,
Russia, and Spain ; but America promises an
average surplus for export. Our rates have ma-
terially altered for wheat under these changed
circumstances, the decline being on the first Monday

about 38. to 4s., fully Is. of which was subse-
quently recovered. The following were the recent
quotations at the several places named: — The
best white wheat at Paris 76s., red 70s. 6d. In
Belgium rates varied from 66s. to 68s. 6d., white
Zealand at Rotterdam 7ls., Holstein red at
Hambro' 69s., Saale 67s. 6d., red at Cologne 57s.,
at Mayence 60s., Berlin 6 Is., the best high-mi-xed
at Danzic 7 Is., Serbian yellow at Pesth 38s., red
Banat to 438,, Upper Canada spring 54s. 6d. per
480lb8. No. 1 spring American at New York 59s.
per480lbs.; No, 2, 676.

The first Monday, which happened to be the
first day of the month, was the time of deepest
depression. The weather was most splendid; the
home supply of wheat only small ; and, though
the foreign arrivals were large, they were by no
means excessive. Very little was exhibited on the
Kentish and Sussex stands ; but a sort of panic
seemed upon the trade, and, though English
factors had not much to clear, they would gladly
have done so at a decline of 3s. to 4s. per qr. j but
millers seemed in a state of alarm, and left the
stands pretty much as they found them. The fo-
reign trade was very little better, factors being
willing to submit to a reduction of 2s. to 38. per
qr., without finding more than the most retail
custom. The same influence was felt in the float-
ing trade ; and some time holders sacrificed
several cargoes of Odessa Ghirka wheat at 54s.
6d. per qr., which at the end of the week brought
3s. 6d. per qr. more. The depressed advices from
London had considerable effect on the country
markets. A few went down more than London —
viz., Bury St. Edmunds, Bristol, Gloucester, and
Sheffield noting a decline of 4s., and Hull of 48.
to 5s. ; but more generally 2s. to 3s. was noted as
the decline, and several did not exceed 2s. per qr.
Liverpool, which gave way 6d. per cental on Tues-
day, recovered on the following Friday. Glasgow
was quite panic-stricken, and noted a fall of 28. to
3s. per boll ; but Edinburgh was more moderate,
the reduction not exceeding 2s. per qr. Dublin
submitted to 2b. per barrel, with but httle doing at
the decline.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

85

On the second Monday there was a more limited
supply of native wheat, but a greater abundance
of foreign. The Essex and Kentish stands exhi-
bited very few fresh samples this morning ; and the
weather having become colder, some reaction was
experienced, and Is. per qr. advance was realised
on good samples. More confidence was exhibited
in the foreign trade, there being no disposition to
force sales; and floating cargoes were fully Is.
dearer than on the previous Monday. The re-
action evinced in the London market was much
more marked in those of the country ; but they
varied materially. Though more money was ge-
nerally demanded, some were only firm; some re-
ported a rise of Is., as Ashford and Alton; more
were up 2s., as Birmingham, Bury St. Edmunds,
&c,; others rose 2s. to 3s.; and not a few were
up 3s. to 4s., as Boston, Ipswich, Leighton
Buzzard, Sleaford, and Stockton. Edinburgh
advanced 2s. per qr. Glasgow was only slightly
dearer. Dublin reported a great trade, with very
little change.

On the third Monday there was a small supply
of English wheat, but plenty from abroad. There
were but few fresh samples showing on the Essex
and Kentish stands ; and some were asking more
money, say Is. to 2s. ; and in one or two instances,
we hear, it was made, but generally we could only
^ note more firmness in the trade. There was, how-
ever, more demand for foreign, at the previous
currency ; and cargoes afloat were a better sale, at
fully as much money. With scanty suppUes
again in the country, and the weekly sales further
reduced, there was a hardening tendency in prices.
About half the reports were Is. per qr. higher; a
few were up Is. to 2s., as Ipswich, Leeds, Lynn,
Market Harborough, and Market Rasen ; yet
some places were dull, as St. Ives and Sheffield.
Edinburgh was up again Is. to 2s.; but Glasgow
was only slightly improved. All that could be
said of the wheat trade at Dublin was, that it was
irm.

On the fourth Monday the native supply was
again small, but the foreign was the largest of the
four weeks. Some fine rains had fallen, and done
much good to the wheat on the light lands. A few
of the previous week's samples were yet on the
Essex stands, increased by a small number of
fresh. An effort was again made to realize some
advance, but it did not succeed, though everything
good was fully as dear. Fine Danzig being very
scarce was held high. A steady demand was ex-
perienced for the better qualities of Russian and
spring American, but low qualities were rather in
favour of buyers, and somewhat difficult to place.
Floating cargoes were fully as dear. The subse-
quent advices from the country showed little diff'er-
ence.

The London imports during the four weeks
were 8,698 qrs. English wheat, 131,747 qrs.
foreign ; against 14,947 qrs. English, 103,775 qrs.
foreign for the same period in 1867. The London
averages commenced at 73s. 9d., and closed at 68s.
5d. per qr. The London exports were 52 qrs.
wheat, 63 cwt. flour. The general averages opened
at 73s. lOd., and finished at 67s. 6d. The imports
into the Kingdom for four we^ks were 2,976,449

cwt. wheat, 164,303 cwt. Flour; against 2,330,311
cwt. wheat, 370,608 cwt. flour for the same time in
1867.

The supphes of country flour have kept up
very well, considering the difficulty of procuring
wheat in the interior ; but the foreign arrivals have
been moderate. A decline of Is. to 2s. per sack
took place on the first Monday, in sympathy with
the state of the wheat trade, bringing Norfolks to
4Ss., and the better markets in proportion. There
has been no quotable change since, business
having been quiet. The foreign trade has been
also on a small scale, the best American barrels
scarcely being worth over 36s. On the third
Monday town millers lowered the top price from
648. to 60s., at which it remains, and does not seem
for the present likely to change. The imports into
London for four weeks were 50,754 sacks country
made, 9,396 sacks 6,540 brls. foreign; against
69,977 sacks country, 20,643 sacks foreign for the
same period in 1867. The Paris market has fluc-
tuated much, but closed rather dearer, and above
profitable shipments to England.

The arrivals of maize have been moderate, and
so has the demand, at about Is. decline in the
course of the month.

Very little British barley has come to hand, but
little has been wanting. The foreign receipts have
lately been somewhat liberal, though chiefly of a
grinding description. The market, though weak
in prices through the month, and giving way 2s.
per qr., subsequently hardened, in consequence of
unfavourable reports as to the influence of the late
drought on I he growing crop, which in some
localities have suflfered much ; and though the late
moderate rains will doubtless save a good many
pieces, they have come too late for some that were
prematurely forced into ear. Malting prices are of
course nominal, but good Saale could be had at
36s. to 37s., and good grinding has lately sold
freely at 32s. The imports into London for the
four weeks were 1,367 qrs. British, 34,631 qrs.
foreign; against 2,075 qrs. British, 24,934 qrs.
foreign last year.

The malt trade was very quiet during the earlier
part of the month, and tending downwards ; but
the late reports respecting barley have caused more
business, at rather firmer rates.

The entire supply of oats from the United King-
dom has been very scanty, but the foreign arrivals
have more than made up for the deficiency, and been
very large for the time of year, generally exceeding
the expectations of importers from the previous
foreign reports. Steamers have helped to swell the
amount with Russian sorts, and these with the
inferior qualities have given way in value during
the month about Is. perqr. ; but so scarce has
been fresh heavy corn, and so small its proportion
to the bulk of our receipts, that it can hardly be
considered any cheaper. Good 38 lbs. sweet corn
is worth nearly 2Ss., but light and inferior has been
selling at 23s. As there seems little now left in
the country, we shall pi-incipally 'depend on foreign
arrivals. It is well some fine rains have fallen, for
this crop ; as, though forced on at a rapid rate by the
powerful sunshine, it was very unpromising a little
while back, and we fear now cannot be a plentiful

86

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

one. As we know the hay has suflfered, we may
have another dear season for this corn. The im-
ports into London for four weeks were 957 qrs.
English, 130 qrs. Scotch, 880 qrs. Irish, 160,069
qrs. foreign. This grain has lately risen again in
France from injury done there, and we may once
more have the French in the market for Russian
corn, as they have all along been buying in Ireland.

The bean supply has been moderate, both Eng-
lish and foreign, yet prices gave way on the first
Monday Is. per qr. ; but they have since been
hardening, as the haulm is very short and the
drought is said to have lessened the number of
pods as well as prevented their filling. The im-
ports into London for four weeks were 1,702 qrs.
English, 3,280 qrs. foreign, against 2,037 qrs.
English, 7,924 qrs. foreign for the same time
in 1867.

Scarcely any English peas have appeared at
market, and there have only been two small ship-
ments of foreign white. There has, however, been
little demand for hog feed, maize being cheaper
and barley also ; but white sorts, from the short-
ness of stocks, have kept steady, being worth 45s.
to 47s. per qr. The imports into London for four
weeks were 79 qrs. English, 1,400 qrs. foi'eign,
against 294 qrs. EngUsh, 4,333 qrs. foreign in 1867.

Linseed, in consequence of the short supplies,
has been rising till it has gained 2s. to 3s. per qr.
from the lowest point, and seems likely to be dear.

In Cloverseed a limited sale has been sometimes
made, at about late rates, and it is now held for
more money. New samples of trifolium have ap-
peared in France, and trefoil here. Prices not
fixed.

CURRENT PRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR

IN MARK LANE.

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT, Essex and Kent, white... old 73 76.. .new 66to75

„ „ red , 71 72... „ 65 71

Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire, red 64 71

BARIBY 34 to 36 Chevalier, new 37 45

Grinding 33 35 Distilling 36 40

MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk 69 extra 70 75

Kingston, Ware, and town-made 69 , 70 75

Brown 64 63

RYE 40 42

OATS, EngUsh, feed 28 to 33 Potato 30 35

Scotch, feed 00 00 Potato 00 00

Irish, feed, white 23 26 Fine 28 30

Ditto, black 23 26 Potato 27 32

BEANS, Mazagan ...42 44 Ticks 42 45

Harrow 43 46 Pigeon 48 56

PEAS, white, boilers.. 45 47 Maple 46 to 48 Grey, new43 45

FLOUR, per sack of 2801bs., Town, Households 56 60

Country, on shore 49 to 50 „ 52 56

Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 46 4S

FOREIGN GRAIN.

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT, Dantzic, mixed 68 to 70 old, extra 74 to78

Konigsberg 68 71 extra 68 73

Rostock 68 71 fine 72 74

SUesiau, red 65 68 white.... 68 73

Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermrk. ...red old... 68 72

Russian, hard, 58 to 61. ..St. Petersburg and Riga 61 63

Danish and Holstein, red 62 65 American 64 67

rrench,none Rhine and Belgium 00 00

Chilian, white 71... Califomian 73 ... Australian 75 77

BARLEY, grinding 32 to 34.. ..distilling and malting 35 40

OATS, Dutch, brewing and Polands 26 to 33 feed 23 28

Danish and Swedish, feed 24 to 30.... Stralsimd... 24 29

Canada 22to25, Riga27to 28, Arch.27to28, P'sbg. 29 30

TARES, per qr 40 42

BEANS, Friesland and Holstein 45 48

Konigsberg 43 to 46.. .Egyptian 43 44

PEAS, feeding and maple... 42 44. ..fine boilers 44 46

INDIAN CORN, white 35 42.. .yellow 39 41

FLOUR, per sack, French..51 66... Spanish, p. sack 60 66

American, per brl, 30 33,.,extraana d'bl©,34 36

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

For the week ended June 13, 1868.

Wheat 23,127J qrs. 67s. ed.

Barley 847| „ 428. 2d.

Oats 1,3274 „ 30s. 4d.

COMPARATIVE AVERAGES.

WHEAT.

BARLEY.

OATS.

Years. Qrs. s. d.

Qrs. s. d.

Qrs. B.

d.

1864... 70,2984 ... 39 6

1,821 ... 27 11

3,6364 ... 20

0

1865... 51,802 ...41 1

1,0734 ... 27 3

2,1614 ... 23

8

1866... 48,275i ... 47 4

7281 ... 36 0

1,368| ... 25

9

1867... 39.7674... 65 9

1,0121 ... 36 2

1,8071 ... 27

8

1868... 23,127J ... 67 6| 847| ... 42 2

1,3274 ... 30

4

FLUCTUATIONS in the AVERAGE PRICE of WHEAT
May 23.|May 30. | June 6. June 13

Peice.

748. 7d.
74s. 3d.
73s. lOd.
72s. 3d.
70s. 8d.
67s. 6d.

May 9
"1

May 16,

BRITISH SEEDS.
MusTAED, per bush., brown 12s. to 13s. white 88. to 10s.

CANAEY.per qr 68s. 74s.

CL0V£B3BBD,red 54s. 56s.

CoBiANDEE, per cwt 20s. 21s.

Tabes, winter, new, per bushel 6s. 6s. 6d.

Teepoil 21s. 22a.

Rtbgeass, per qr 18s. 20s.

LiNSEBD, per qr., sowing 65s. toees., crushing 60s. 62s,

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 5s. to £11 10s.

Rapesbed, per qr 58s. 60s.

Rape Cake, per ton £5 10s. to £6 Os.

FOREIGN SEEDS.

Coeiandeb, per cwt 21s.to22s.

Cahbaway ,, 44s. 45s.

Cloveesbbd, red 44s. to46s., white 64s. 70s.

Tbbfoil 18s. 20s.

Rxegeass, per qr 17s. 183.

Hempsbed, small 38s. per qr., Dutch 40s. 42s.

Linseed, per qr., Baltic 56s. to 60s. ..Bombay 61s. 62s.

Linseed Cakes, perton £10 10s. to £12 Os.

Rapesebd, Dutch 60s. 62s.

Rape Cake, perton £5 10s. to £6 Os.

nop MARKETS.
BOROUGH, Monday, June 32. — Our market remains
without alteration, trade showing no improvement, and prices
continuing only nominal. The fine weather which has pre-
vailed during the past week has improved the appearance of
the plant ; but rain is much needed in some districts, iire-hlast
having already been noticed. On the whole, however, the
reports from the plantations must be considered satisfactory.
Continental prospects are equally good, making the markets
flat. Belgium shows more iucjuiry, the stock held being
small. New York advices to the 'Jtli inst. report the market
as very inanunate ; and the bine, with lew exceptions, is
healthy and vigorous in every section.

Mid and East Kent £4 5 £5 5 £6 15

WealdofKents 4 0 4-15 5 12

Sussex 3 15 4 4 5 0

Farnham and country 5 0 6 0 6 6

JearUngs 3 5 3 10 4 4

POTATO MARKET.
BOROUGH AND SPITALHELDS.

LONDON, Monday, June 22.— Very few old Potatoes
are on sale, and the quotations of such are nominal. For new
produce, of whicli a fair supply has been on sale, there has
been a hmited demand at our quotations. The import into
London last week consisted of 3 tons from Antwerp, 5 Bou-
logne, 565 Dunkirk, 11 Havre, 102 Rotterdam, 487 bags
Gibraltar, and 752 boxes from Cherbourg.

Kent and Essex Wares ... Ss. to 10s. per cwt.

Scilly 7s, „ 9s. „

Jersey ... ... ... 8s. „ 9s. „

Lisbon ... ... ... 6s. „ 7s. „

French 6s. „ 8s. „

POULTRY MARKETS.— Goslings 5s. 6d. to 7s., DuckUngs
2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. each. Surrey Fowls 10s. to 13s., ditto
Chickens 6s. to 8s., Barndoor Fowls 4s. 6d. per couple.
English Eggs 8s. to 9s., French to 7s. to 7s. 6d. per 100.

Printed by Rogerson and Tusford, 265, Strand, London, W.C.

THE EARMEE'S MAGAZINE,

JULY, 1868.

CONTENTS.

Ptate I.— portrait of MR. CLARE SEWELL READ, M.P.
PI.ATE II.— ^'ON THE FLAGS."

Biographical Notice of Mr. Clare Sewell Read, M.P

Green Manure. — By Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S.

Norfolk Agricultural Association: Meeting at Downham Market

Thorne Agricultural Association . . , .

North-East Agricultural Society : Meeting at Belfast

The Rust-in-Wheat Commission

The Condition of the Agricultural Labourer

The Management of Cattle ....

The Old Plans of Irrigation.

The New Farm .....

Agriculture in France ....

Exhaustion of the Soil, and the Renewal of its Fertility

Royal Agricultural Society of England : Monthly Council

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution .

Bath and West of England Society: Meeting at Falmouth

Implement Stands ....

Annual Meeting ....

Islington Horse Show ....

Highland and Agricultural Society op Scotland
The Premier on the Prize System
Canon Girdlestone and the Labourers
Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland: Monthly Meeting

Half-Yearly General Meeting
East Suffolk Chamber of Agriculture
Somerset Chamber of Agriculture and County Association op Rate-payers
Penwith Agricultural Society
The Rabbit Question in Court

The State of Agriculture in the United Kingdom
Topdressing .....
Worcester Chamber of Agriculture .
The Western Chambers of Agriculture
Morpeth Chamber of Agriculture
East Riding Chamber of Agriculture
A Cure for the Rabbit Complaint

Hants and Berks Agricultural Society : Meeting at Winchester
To Falmouth and BAck. — By a Practical Farmer
On Green Manuring .
Agricultural Statistics of Victoria .
The Mismanagement of Landed Property
Staffordshire Chamber of Agriculture
Foreign Agricultural Gossip .
Calendars of Agriculture and Gardening
Agricultural Reports
Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c.
Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month
Market Currencies, Imperial Averages, &c. .
Title-page, Index, &q.

PAGE.

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86

THE

MARK LANE EXPRESS

AND

AGRICUI.TURAZ. JOURNAI.

18 THE

LARGEST AND THE LEADING
FARMERS' AND GRAZIERS' NEWSPAPER.

PUBLISHED EVERY MONEAY EVENING IN TIME FOR POST.

The object of the Proprietors of the MARK LANE EXPRESS
has ever been, to render it in every way the most efficient organ
of the ^Agricultural Class, to direct and diffuse practical and
scientific information of all kinds relating to rural affairs, to be
a medium for giving circulation to the Proceedings of the Royal
Agricultural Society of England, he Highland and Agricultural
Society of Scotland, the Royal Agricu tural Improvement Society
of Ireland, and of every Agricultural Society and Farmers' Club
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In times when the position of the Tenant Farmers has been one
of great difficulty, the MARK LANE EXPRESS has ever been
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sight of that noble principle which the great Lord Leicester so
successfully followed ; viz., that liberal conduct towards the
Tenant Kill ever be found to be the most beneficial to the
Landlord.

THE MALT TAX.— This is the only Farmer's Paper in London
which advocates the Repeal of the Malt Tax.

In authenticity and extent of Market information, the MARK
LANE EXPRESS stands unrivalled. A REVIEW OFTHEC(>RN
TRADE (British and Foreign) fully explains the Causes which
occasion the Rise or Fall in Prices, thus affording the Growers
and Speculator some grounds for anticipating the stability or
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The Latest Reports of the Corn, Cattle, Provision, Wool, Seed,
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May be had of all Bookiiellera and Newsmen throughout the Kingdom, price Sevenpence, or £\ lOt. 4d. per aanum.

[giAiyiTBiFiyiLL^ oLLygTi^Ain©.

SCOTT AND SEBRIGHT,

BY

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HISTORICAL AND PRACTICAL.

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IMPORTANT TO FLOGKMASTERS.

THOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary
Chemist, by Appointment to His late Koyal Highness Tlie
Prince Consort, K.G., Leicester House, Great DoTer-street,
Borough, London, begs to call the attention of Farmers and
Graziers to his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COM-
POSITION, whi ch requires no Boiling, and may be used with
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Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac-
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30

8 1b.

40

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80 1b.

400

100 lb.

500

(cask and measure
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Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will
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MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE.
From Ma. Hbeapath, the celebrated Analytical Chemist : —
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
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the carcase. I think it deserves the numerous testimonials pub-
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William Hebapath, Sen., P.C.8., &c., &c.,
To Mr, Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry,

Leicester House, Great Dover-street, Borough, London,

He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, of
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 safnly 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 cureof Scab in Sheep.' The 60O sheep
were all dressed in August last with 84 gallons of the ' Non
Poisonous Specific,' that was so highly recommended at tiie
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 ito have the Scab cured if
possible I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which
1 received the following day ; and although the weather was
most severe in February during the dressing, your Specifto
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 contusion, I believe it
to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir,
your obedient servant, " For JOHN TINGEY, Esq.,

" To Mr. Thomas Bigg." " R. RBNNE Y,

1^" Flockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara-
tions as " Non-poisonous Compositions :" it is only nece«sary to
appeal to their good common sense and judgment to be tho-
roughly couvinced, 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 usoless, or they are not what they
are represented to be.

Dipping Apparatus ri».>£14, £5, £4,& £3.

Now Ready, Cloth, in two Volumes, 782 pp., with four steel Portraits, Price 10s. uniform with
"SCOTT AND SEBRIGHT," "SILK AND SCARLET," &c.,

FIELD AND FEEN, OE 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, ice.

The Volumes, "North" and "South" (of the Frith of Forth) may be had separately— Price FIVE
SHILLINGS each.

Copies will be sent by Post on application to the Author.

PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TQXFORD, 265, STRAND.

NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF « MANHOOD."
Post Free from the Author, 12 stamps j Sealed Ends, 16 stamps.

DR. CURTIS'S MEDICAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE : a Practical I^reatise on its
Physical and Personai. 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, founded on the result of a successful practice of 30 years. — By Dr. J. L. Curtis, M.D., 16, Albbmarlb
Stheet, Piccadilly, London, W.

Also, by the same Author, a New and Revised Edition of

MANHOOD : A MEDICAL ESSAY on the Causes and Cure of 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 th&
Cure of Infection without Mercury, and its Prevention by the Author's Prescription (his infallible Lotion).

REVIEWS OF THE WORK.
*' Manhood.— This is truly a valuable work, and should be in the hands of young and old."— Sundaff
Tttnes, 23rd March, 1868.

"The book under review is one calculated to warn and instruct the erring, without imparting one idea that
can vitiate the mind not already tutored by the vices of which it treats." — Naval and Military Gazette,
Ist Feb., 1856,

<' 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, PRECKPTOB,or Clbrgymai*" — jSmw, Evening Paper,

Manhood.—" Dr. Curtis has 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 37, 1866,

London: Published by Allen, 11, Ave Maria Lane, Pateruoster-row; and Mann, 39, Cornhill; and sent
free by Book Post from the Author or Publishers for 12 Postage Stamps, or in sealed envelopes, 20 Stamps,
Coasultations daily, from 10 to3 and 6 to 8, 16, Albbaiarlb Sxrbbi, Piooadiu^y, W«

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

VOLUME THE THIRTY-FOURTH.

THIRD SDKIES.

JULY TO DECEMBER MDCCCLXVIII.

LONDON :
PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND.

MAY BE HAD BT ORDER THROUGH ALL BOOKSELLERS.

LONDON:

RINTED

BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD

, 265,

STRAND.

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4

INDEX.

A.

Abyssinia and English Agriculture, 217

Abyssinian Pumps, 334

Agriculture, Calendar of, 78, 170, 266, 358, 455,

549
Agriculture, Chambers of —

Central (Leicester), 96

Central (London), 390

Devonshire, 99

East SuflFolk, 61

Morpeth, 69

Somerset, 62

Staffordshire, 76

Western, 69

Worcester, 68
Agriculture in France, 32
Agriculture in the United Kingdom, 65
Agriculture, Natural Laws of, 485
Agriculture, The Three Ages of, 308
Agricultural Authorities in Essex, 368
Agricultural Education, 422
Agricultural Intelligence, 81, 174, 269, 362, 459,

552
Agricultural Interest, Some Points of Present, 479
Agricultural Labourer, Condition of the, l7, 339
Agricultural Machinery, The Working and Use of,

140
Agricultural Manual Labour, 236
Agricultural Reports, 80, 172, 268, 361, 458, 551
Agricultural Societies—

Bath and West of England, 42, 306, 411

Bedale, 352

Cambridge and Isle of Ely, 120

Cheshire, 386

Cleveland, 311

Derbyshire, 286

Driffield, 205

Essex, 110

Gloucester, 201

Hants and Berks, 70

Hereford, 381

Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland,
56, 118, 202, 491, 497

Leicester, 521

Ludlow, 449

Manchester and Liverpool, 309

Norfolk, 7

Northampton, 123

North-East (Irish), 12

North Shropshire, 355

Northumberland, 176

Oxford and Banbury, 353

Penwith, 63

Ripon and Clare, 129

Ross, 489

Royal Agricultural Society of England, 38, 137,
144, 167, 218, 326, 495

Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland, 59, 300,
450^

RoyarBucks, 399

Royal Dubhn, 354

Royal North Lancashire, 303

Scarboro' and North-East Riding, 304

South Lincolnshire, 204

Staffordshire, 348

Suffolk, 126

Tarporley, 356

Thome, 11

Wakefield, 351

Warwickshire, 288

Worcestershire, 398

Yorkshire, 230
Agricultural Statistics, 100, 399
Agricultural Statistics of Victoria, 75
Artificial Manures, Cheap and Bad, 258
Australia, A Dairy Farm in, 260
Australia, Destruction of Birds in, 536
Australia, Live-stock Statistics from, 535
Autumn Cultivation, 417
Autumn Notes, 252, 261

Averages, Comparative, 86, 180, 274, 368, 462, 656
Averages, Six Weeks', 180, 274, 368, 462, 556
Averages, Imperial, 86, 180, 556

B.

Banbury Sewage Farm, 262
Beet Sugar Question, 160
Birmingham Horse and Hound Show, 114
Blue Gown — Description of Plate, 464
Brereton Testimonial, Presentation of the, 451
Britford Sheep Fair, Prizes at, 270
Brussels International Exhibition, 135
Butter and Cheese Markets, &c., 175, 180, 274,
462, 553

c.

California, An Eden in, 347

Calves, The Rearing of, 490

Cattle-Plague Act, 102

Cattle, The Management of, 24

Cattle Trade, Review of the 81, 173, 268, 361, 458,

551
Chemical Agriculture, Review of the Progress of,

209
Chemical Manures, 322
Chickens, Stray Grain for, 389
Chicory, Price of, 177
Clover as a Fertihzer, 407
Clover Crop, The, 244
Clover, Farmyard Dung upon, 496
Clover Plant, The ; by C. W. Johnson, F.R.S., 373
Coal Ashes : Are they Manure ? 533
Cockchafers, War with the, 216
Corn Averages, for Tythe Commutation, 384
Corn Trade, Review of the, 84, 178, 272, 366, 460,

554
Covent Garden Market, 177
Cows, 345

Cows, Abortion in, 514
Crows, A Word for the, 215
Current Prices in Mark-lane, 86, 18®, 274, 308,

462, 556

bbES.

D.

Dinner of the Society, 284

Drought, The, and its Consequences, 94

Dry Summers, 207

Dublin Horse Show, 241

Duke of Grafton (Description of Plate), 181

E.

Echoes from Agricultural Meetings, 432, 538
Education : Compulsory v. Voluntary, 487
Evergreen Hedges, 414

F.

falmouth, To, and Back, 71
Farm Buildings and Kennels at Luton Hoo— De-
scription of Plates, 182, 279, 376
Farm Leases in Scotland, 253
Farm of Masny, The, 424
Farm, The New, 30, 95, 245, 408, 516
Farmers' Clubs —

Ayrshire, 253, 472

Ballymahon, 346, 485

Central, 498

Hexham, 524

Kilkenny, 494

Limerick, 298

Logie and Lecropt, 246

Maidstone, 65

Midland Counties, 33, 475

Morayshire, 470

Newbury, 236, 320

Stewartry, 528

Teviotdale, 264

Wester Ross, 66

Winfrith, 249, 487
Farmers' Friends, 169
Farmers' Friends and Foes, 239
Feeding Bullocks, Results of Experiments in, 493
Fluctuations in the Average Price of Wheat, 556
Fodder, 196

Food Supply for the Winter, 281
Foreign Agricultural Gossip, 17, 169, 265, 3G0, 453
" Formosa" — Description of Plate, 275
Fox, a Provident One's Larder, 389
France, The Small Farm System in, 532

G.

Game Abuse, Movement Against the, 537

Gardening, Calendar of, 79, 171, 267, 359, 457, 550

Geology, Botany and Chemistry, 246

Grass-lands, Our, 243

Green Crops, 494

Green Manures; by C. W. Johnson, F.R.S., 3

Green Manuring, 73

H.
Havre, International Exhibition at, ] 30
Herds of Great Britain, 511
Hereford Cattle, History of; by H. H. Dixon,

Esq., a Prize Essay, 483
Hide and Skin Markets, 180
Hops, Price of, 86, 177, 274, 368, 462, 556
Horns of Cattle : On the Sawing OfF of, 251
Horses, On Shoeing, 546
Hypothec, Law of, 548

t.

Implement Prizes, 139
Irish Lease, An, 335
Irrigation, The Old Plans of, 28
Islington Horse Show, 52

L.

Labourers, The, and Canon Girdlestone, 58

" Lady Fragrant'' — Description of Plate, 463

Land, Aeration of, 421

Land in America, The Cultivation of, 492

Land-floods on Tidal Rivers, 318

Land, The Supply of Moisture Required by, 93

Landlord and Tenant, The Relation Between, 439

Leicestershire Farming, 103, 197

Lime as Manure, 419

Local Taxation, 395, 410

London Averages, 180, 368

London Supply of Live Stock and Dead Meat, 430

Loud Laughter, 452

M.

Malt as Food for Stock, 481

Malt, Non-dried, Experiments in Feeding, 488

Malt-tax Report, 101

Manure, at what Point of Rotation shall we Apply,

337
Manure, Shelter for, 530
Manures, Artificial, 400
Manures, Price of, 180
Meat, The Supply of Fresh, 1 36
Metropolitan Foreign Cattle Market, 431
Milk, 423

Milk in France, The Production of, 385
Milk we Consume, the ; by Cuthbert W. Johnson,

F.R.S., 89
Model Agreement, 401

Mould-board of Ploughs, The Hardening of, 431
" Mountain Dew" — Description of Plate, 87

N.
Norfolk Farming, Improvements in, 291

O.

" On the Flags" — Description of Plate, 3
Ornithology, 527

Oyster Beds in Hayling Island — Description of
Plate, 369

P.

Paris Exhibition, 412
Ploughing Matches, 454
Poetry —

Farmer's Song of Thanksgiving, 313

Grass, the, 166

Haymakers, Song of the, 166

Rustic Aphorisms, 415
Politics of Agriculture, 547
Poor's-rate Assessment, 142
Poor's-rate, in Reference to Labourer's Dwellings^

475
Potato Crop, its Present State, 195
Potato, Cultivation of the, 263
Potatoes, Price of, 86, 177, 274, 368, 462, 553
Poultry Markets, 86, 556
Prize System, Mr. Disraeli on, 57
Putrid Meat, 429

tNCEi.

Rabbit, Complaint, A Cure for the, 69

Rabbit Question, The, in Court, 64

Red Clover Plant, 381

Red-water in Cows, Cure for, 16

Read, Esq., Clare Sewell, Biographical Sketch of, 1

Rennet, 340

Rent for Sheep on Hill Farms, 264

" Return Procession" — Description of Plate, 88

Road Reform iu Scotland, 472

Rook, The, 214

Rooks, A Trial of the, 215

Root Crops, and Modes of Storing them, 509

Root Crops as a Source of Improvement, 325

Root Crops, On Thinning, 263

Roots, as Food for Stock, 249

Roots , The preparation of Land for, 523

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Society, 40, 76

Sales of Stock —

Bally waiter Shorthorns, 449

Beaumont Shorthorns, 444

Dumbleton Sale, 365

Exmoor Ponies, 448

Hartside, 83

Hampsh ire Sheep, 175

Howard, Charles, 270

Kilhow Shorthorns, 443

Rich's (Mr.) Shorthorns, 445

Rigden's Southdowns, 364

Scalesby Shorthorns, 444

Shorthorns, 83
Shropshire Sheep, 365
Treadwell's Oxford Downs, 270
Various, 270, 271, 446, 447

Watercombe 175
Scotch Farming in Ireland, 312
Seed Carefully Grown, The Value of, 469
Seeds, Price of, 86, 180, 274, 368, 556
Sewage Experiments, 257, 290, 345
Sewage Irrigation; by C. W. Johnson, F.R.S., 464
Sheep, The Breeding and Feeding of, 528
Sheep, How they Pay, 467
Shepherd's Dog-tax, 451
Shorthorns at the Cork County Show, 228
Small Farms and Long Leases ; Do they Advance
Agriculture? 320

Smithfield Club, 478

Smithfield, The New Market at, 450

Smoking on the Farm, 200

Soil, Its Exhaustion and Renewal, 33, 427

Southdown, A Royal — Description of Plate, 369

Sowing : Thick v. Thin, 420

Sparrow, The English, 214

Stall-feeding, 298

Steam Cultivation, 524

Straw as Litter, The Economy of 428

Sugar-beet, The Cultivation of, 191

Summer Fallowing and Green Manuring, 313

T.

Takeall, The Farmer's View of, 531

Texas Catble Disease, 336

Textless Notes; by a Crotchety Farmer, 518

Thin Seeding, 357

Thunderstorms, 208

Tiptree Farm, 143

Top-dressing, 66

Top-dressing Seed Lands with Long Manure, 238

Tropical Forest, 1 1 7

V.

Valleys of the Tarn and Fowey ; by C. W. John-
son, F.R.S., 276
Veterinarian v. the Farmer, 242
" Victor"-— Description of Plate, 275

W.

Warm Summers ; by C. W. Johnson, F.R.S., 187

Water-filters, Cheap, for Farm Use, 240

Wayside Grazing, 176

Weather, Signs of the Coming, 346

Wheat, Fluctuations in the Price of, 86

Wheat, Rust in. Commission in South Australia, 13

Wheat-sowing, 441

Wheat, The Quality of, 416

Winter-feeding of Stock, 307, 470

Wood-lice, On Destroying, 546

Wool Markets, 83, 176, 274, 368, 462, 556

Working-classes, Past, Present, and Future of, 314

Worth Knowing, 75

Y.

Young Cattle, The Rearing and Grazing of, 520

THE EMBELLISHMENTS.

Portrait of Clare Sewell Read, Esq., M.P.

On the Flags . . . ,

Mountain Dew, a Prize Hunter

The Return Procession

Duke of Grafton, Prize Short-horned Bull

Farm Buildings at Luton Hoo

Illustrations and Plans of the Buildings at Luton Hoo

Illustrations of Thinning Root Crops

Formosa, a Thorough-bred Filly

Victor the 2nd, Prize Boar of the Large White Breed

Southdown Ram ....

Oyster Beds at Hayling Island

Illustrations of Novelties at the Paris Exhibition

Lady Fragrant, a Prize Short-horned Cow

Blue Gown

Plans for Sheltering Manures

185,

86, 376,

377, 378,

Page.
1

1

87
87
181
181
379, 380
263
275
275
369
369
2, 413
463
463
530

41

No. 2, Vol. XXXIV.] AUGUST 1868. [Third Sbkies.

THE

FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

AND

MONTHLY JOURNAL

OF

THE AaRICULTURAL INTEREST.

TO THE

FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.

LONDON :
PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 365, STRAND.

PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.

[PRINTBKS, 266, STRAND

EOm fflliiilLlllf Wlii.

LEICESTER MEETING, 1868.

UI¥y»ECJEPE]¥TEl> SUCCESS.

THE FOLLOWING PRIZES HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO

J. & F. HOWARD, Britannia Iron Works, BEDFORD.

THE FIRST PRIZE FOR THE BEST WHEEL PLOUGH FOR GENERAL PURPOSES.

THE FIRST PRIZE FOR THE BEST WHEEL PLOUGH FOR LIGHT LAND.

THE FIRST PRIZE FOR THE BEST SWING PLOUGH FOR GENERAL PURPOSES.

THE FIRST PRIZE FOR THE BEST SWING PLOUGH FOR LIGHT LAND.

THE FIRST PRIZE FOR THE BEST SUBSOIL PLOUGH.

THE FIRST PRIZE FOR THE BEST HARROWS FOR HORSE POWER.

THE FIRST AND ONLY PRIZE FOR THE BEST STEAM CULTIVATING APPARATUS

FOR FARMS OF MODERATE SIZE.
THE FIRST AND ONLY PRIZE FOR THE BEST S-TINED STEAM CULTIVATOR.
THE FIRST AND ONLY PRIZE FOR THE BEST STEAM HARROWS.
THE FIRST AND ONLY PRIZE FOR THE BEST STEAM WINDLASS.
THE SILVER MEDAL FOR THEIR PATENT SAFETY BOILER.

J. & F. Howard tlius received

TEN riRST FRIZES, ONE SECOND PRIZE, and a SILVER MEDAL,

Carrying off almost every Prize for which they competed, and this after trials the most severe

and prolonged ever known.

IMPORTANT TO FLOCKMASTERS.

mHOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary

J_ Chemist, by Appointment to His late Royal Highness The
Prince ConBort, K.O., Leicester House, Great Dorer-street,
Borough, Londoa, begs to call the attention of Farmers and
Graziers to his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COM-
POSITION, whi ch requires no Boiling, and may be used with
Warm or Cold Vater, for effectually destroying the Tick, Lice,
and all other insects injurious to the Flock, preventhig 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 : —

41b. for 20 sheep, price, j ar included £0

80

8 1b.

40

10 1b.

50

201b.

100

SO lb.

160

40 1b.

200

501b.

250

60 1b.

300

801b.

400

100 lb.

500

(cask and measure
included)

0 10

0 15

1 0
1 3
1 7

1 17

2 6

Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will
be equally effective.

MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE.
From Me. Herapath, tke celebrated Analytical Chemitt ;—
Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, Jauuary 18th, 1861.

Sir, — 1 have submitted your Sheep-Dipping Composition to
analysis, and find that the ingredients are well blended, and the
mixturs neutral. If it is used according to the directions given,
I reel 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 numerous testimonials pub-
lished; 1 am, Sir, yours respectfully,

T« M nn. WiuxAM Hbkapath, Sen., P.CS., &c., &c.,
T .-. ? « ^o™»» B»g8, Professor of Ohemistry.

Leicester House, Great Dover-street, Borough. London.

He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, of
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 safoly 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 16th, 1856.

" 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
Liucoln 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 ito have the Scab cured if
possible I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which
1 received the following day ; and although the weather was
most serere 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 contusion, 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. RBNNE Y^

i^" 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 lifle. Such advertised
preparations must be wholly usolesf, or tiiey are not what they
are represented to be.

Dipping Apparatus .r,..,jeU,iS6, £i,h £9.

1

■^ 1

^^

^

^

1. I

V

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AUGUST, 1868,

PLATE I.

MOUNTAIN DEW: a Prize Hunter.

THE PROPERTY OF CAPTAIN E. N. KEYGATE, OF BUCKLAND, LEOMINSTER.

Mountain Dew, bred by Captain Heygate, in
1862, is by tlie Era, out of Whisky by Wind-
hound, her dam by Linguist — Dick Andrews.

The Era, foaled in 1840, was by Plenipoten-
tiary, out of Sister to Memnon by Whisker,
her dam Manuella by Dick Andrews. The Era,
a very neat horse, was successful alike on the
turf and the show-ground, having won some
good races at long distances, and taken a num-
ber of prizes as a stallion calculated to get
hunters.

Whisky, bred somewhere in the neighbour-
hood of Dumfries, and foaled in 1853, was
purchased, when a four-year-old, by Captain
Heygate, of Mr. Daggs, of Annan, tracing her
title to a libation over which the bargain was
sealed. The mare, a black browu, was hunted
for four seasons, by Captain Heygate, in Lei-
cester, Yorkshire, and Cumbei'land, and a won-
derfully good one she turned out. She never
tired, and was a famous jumper, particularly at
water, taking one day, at the finish of a long run
with the Hurworth, the river Wisk, when no one
else would have it ; and her owner there and
then declining a long price for her from Mr.
Cookson. At eight years old, although still
quite sound, she was put to the stud, her first
foal being born dead ; her second, Mountain
Dew by the Era ; her third, Denmark by the
Era ; her fourth, Britannia by Ancient Briton ;
her fifth, Curaeoa by Kemptown ; her sixth, a
yearling filly O. D. V. by Double X, and a
foal, Norma by Ancient Briton, now at her foot.
With Denmark at her side. Whisky took the
second prize for hunting brood mares, at the
Royal Society's meeting at Worcester, and the
first prize at Ludlow and Leominster, in the
same year ; while all her stock have been win-
ners. The successes of the two brothers,
Mountain Dew and Denmark, are well known ;
Britannia, now at the stud, won several pre-
miums as a two and three year old ; and Cu-
ra9ao, although only a woek up from the field,
was the best of her class at the last Birinijigham
show. The yeai-ling, said to be a beautiful filly,
has, we believe, never been out ; but the foal
was another credit to her dam, as they walked
round the ring at Leicester. Whisky herself is
rather a coarse-looking mare, showing more
power than breeding ; but with capital clean

Old SKiiras,]

limbs, and she was here again a good second in
the brood-mare class.

Mountain Dew is a black horse, now six years
old, standing sixteen hands and an inch
high. He has a good sensible head, with a neck
that was somewhat light ; but this has thickened
so much since our portrait was taken, that it
can now be scarcely called so. He has good
shoulders, with hunting withers, and a deep
barrel ; but he is just a trifle flat in his ribs ;
he has good loins and quarters, with lengthy
muscular arms and thighs, and first-rate joints,
while the knee and hock are well let down to the
ground. But it is not as a stand-still horse
that Mountain Dew is seen to perfection, or
even when going round the circus at Islington,
or over a course as hard as a turnpike road at
Leicester. Let him the rather extend himself
on a good reach of ground, with a bit of a bite
for his feet, and then will he bring his hind legs
well under him in a style never to be forgotten
by those who can appreciate the action of a
hunter. Mountain Dew, in fact, is something
more than a mere show-horse, great as has been
his success in this way. He was put into work
at three off", beginning the season in Hereford-
shire, and going on into Leicestershire with his
owner's other horses in December. Captain
Heygate's own weight is about 12st., but
that of his groom nearly 14st., though this
difference is apparently none to Mountain Dew,
who goes as well with one as the other. Last
winter he had a very hard season of it in
Leicestershire, coming three days a fortnight,
or frequently twice a week, with long distances
to cover and home again. Mrs. Heygate oftea
rode him with hounds as a three and four year
old, as she still does in the summer as a hack ;
and he is a very charming lady's horse, with a
temper so good,' that when lying down in his
box, the Captain and his little boys will sit on
his back, and he will eat out of their hands. He
is a capital horse through dirt, and altogether a
perfect hunter, at least until he took to public
life; but on this point we shall prefer to let
Captain Heygate speak for himself _: " I think
the horse has been much spoilt by jumping at
shows, the worst thing ever introduced, except
to collect a crowd. Dm-ing the early part of
last season I could hardly ride him at a fence, he
H [Vol. LXIV.— >^o. 2.

88

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

was so excited ; but towards the end I got him
much quietei- ; though this was the reason ho
refused at Islington." When will gentlemen
and sportsmen refuse to give any further coun-
tenance to this mountebank business ? which,
as Captain Heygate so well puts it, is only use-
ful to draw crowds and shillings, and that goes
so far to spoil a good horse.

As a young one Mountain Dew did not make
much mark in the show ring, having been pa-
raded several times, with nothing more coming
of it than an occasional commendation. Handy
home, indeed, at Leominster they told the Cap-
tain his colt was only fit for a carriage-horse ;
while at the Bath and West of England Meet-
ing at Hereford in 1865, Mountain Dew, with
the strangles on him, was merely commended
in the three-year old class, while his brother Den-
mark took the first prize for two-year-olds. A
friend of ours, who acted as judge here, main-
tained from that moment that Denmark was the
better horse of the two, but we joined issue in
favour of his elder brother, and we ourselves
have since " assisted" in awarding prizes to
most of the family. At the Bath and West of
England Meeting in the year following at Salis-
bury, however, Denmark again took his first
prize as a three-year-old,^ and Mountain Dew
was again commended in his class, being lame
at the time from an over-reach which he got
when hunting in the spring. In the autumn of
this year 1866, Mountain Dew's merits came to
be more recognised, and at the Abergavenny
Horse Show in October he took the special
prize of £25 in a large class of all-aged hunters
up to 14st. In the December following, at Lord
Tredegar's show at Newport, in Monmouth-
shire, he won the first prize of £20 for hunters
up to 14st., when one of the judges thus wrote
to us of his prize horse : " He pleased us more
than anything we had seen, having fine even
action, and doing all his leaps in splendid form.
He must, if all go weU with him, turn out a very
valuable animal." In 1867, at the second Bath
and West of England Meeting at Salisbury,
Mountain Dew took the second prize in the AU-
aged class of hunters, being beaten for first by
the famous Irish-Yorkshire prize horse Yoy-

ageur ; while his brother Denmark was the
first for four-year-olds, and his half-sister Bri-
tannia the first for three-year-olds. In the fol-
lowing month, at the Bury St. Edmund's Meet-
ing of the Royal Agricultural Society, Mountain
Dew was placed third, with a prize of £25, in
the weight-carrying hunter class, against Mas-
ter of Arts first and Voyageur second, of which
award we thus wrote at the time : " The more
we see of Master of Arts the more are we satis-
fied that he is a glutton for prizes, and nothing
but a show horse after all. He is very well
strutting round a circus, but his gaUop is no-
thing like the strong bold stride of a hunter
but short and scratchy, as if his knees were tied
together. He wants a lesson from Mountain
Dew." At the Manchester Meeting of the
Liverpool Agricultural Society the black horse
got " righted" again with the first prize of £20
for hunters up to 14st., beating amongst many
others Master of Arts placed third, The Baron
second, Voyageur, Sprig of Nobility, and
Buffoon. At the Lichfield Meeting of the
Staffordshire Agricultural Society he took the
first prize of 20 gs., with Denmark highly com-
mended ; and a second prize of £10 at Tam-
worth, an award which led to an essential differ-
ence amongst the judges, the Yorkshireman
giving his colleagues a bit of his mind corcmi
po}mlo. At Chester he took the one prize of
£10 for hunters, at Wirral the first prize of
£10, and later on in the autumn the first prize
of 20 gs. again at Abergavenny, without any
conditions as to weight. In 1868, at the Is-
lington Horse show, he took the first prize of
£80 for weight-carrying hunters up to 15st., in
a class reaching to fifty of " all sorts," with Voy-
ageur and Master of Arts amongst them. At
the Birmingham Horse Show, in another large
field, he took the first prize of £25 for hunters
up to 15st. ; aud at the Leicester meeting of
the Royal Agricultural Society the second prize
of £25, being beaten for first by the Yorkshire
mare. Lady Derwent.

Captain Heygate refused £400 for Mountain
Dew at Manchester last autumn, but the horse
and his brother Denmark are now for sale, as
they are rather over-stocked at Bucklaud.

PLATE II.

THE RETURN PROCESSION.

" English sportsmen will give almost any-
thing for good grouse-shooting; and Scotch
proprietors have taken advantage to demand
rents which, twenty years ago, would have been
incredible. No sooner is a moor in the market
than it is snapped up ; and thus a large amount
of capital is introduced into the country, in
aiddition to the circulating medium which is
brought in at the time of the shooting season."
So says Murray's Handhooh fur Scotland, as just
issued— certainly one of the best works of the
kind ever brought out. Although intended
ttiore especially for the use of the tourist, there
is no class of traveller but who may profit

by occasionally consulting such a guide. The
information is honestly given — a great point;
and if a view or a hotel be not worthy of a
visit, the stranger must be very obtuse if he
cannot gather as much from his pocket-com-
panion. The advice in this way must be par-
ticularly serviceable ; but the sportsman, as
usual, raises the tariff" Avherever he goes or
whatever business he goes on, and " in some
of the more solitary districts of Ross and
Sutherlandshires, as the inns are limited in size,
they are frequently monopolized by sports-
men;" so that the more general ti'aveller will
often find that " even chairs and sofas ai'e not

:THB FARMER'S MAQAZINE.

89

to b© obtained." The laird in the print, how-
ever, looks very much above that sort of thing.
His house is his Castle; the Hill his own
property ; and the mountain-hare, the black
cock, and the dun deer will receive the atten-
tions of a man-cook, and have their funereal rites
flavoured with the best of Bm'gundy. The pro-

cession has been re-formed early this afternoon,
and the dinner-hour may be observed accord-
ingly; but the lato Duke of Athole, a very keen
stalker, was occasionally out until 11 or 12
o'clock at night ; and dinner, of course, was
never served until bis Grace's return.

THE MILK WE CONSUME.

BY CUTHBEEX W. JOHNSON, F.E..S.

The use of milk naturally commenced with the birth of
the first mammalian. The provision thus made by Crea-
tive Wisdom for the nourishment of the new-born is far
too remarkable to escape the observation of the most
careless. When we proceed to examine the composition
of that mUk our interest and our admiration are increased.
We cannot indeed fail to reflect that it was essential to
adapt the food of the young animal, not only to its sus-
tenance, but for its growth. This provision, too, was
needed, not only for the enlargement of its purely organic
parts, but for its bones also. Now, these requirements
are aU supplied in milk. We shall presently see that in
it is contained an ample supply of matters essential not
only to the formation of flesh and fat, but also of the phos-
phate of lime, of which bones are so largely composed.

We here again see the contrivance of a Divine Archi-
tect, by which every requisite is provided, every present
and future want anticipated, even before the calf is born.
The use by man of the milk of our domestic animals
dates from a very early period. We find it noted
in the earliest book in our possession (Genesis xviii.
8), and also that butter was then made from it. For
many centuries the consumption of mUk was confined to
its use as a beverage, the manufacture of butter and
cheese, or in cookery. It was only about two centuries
since that its great modern employment in tea and cofi'ee
commenced. It is chiefly to the use of milk in this way
and its composition that I propose to address myself in
this paper. One or two valuable reports indeed have
been lately made on this subject, and moreover the supply
of milk to the metropolis and to other densely populated
places has become of increasing importance to many of
my readers.

Milk as au addition to tea and coffee is unknown in
China. In that peculiar empire the infusion is made by
putting the tea at the bottom of a cup and pouring upon
it boiling water; it is then allowed to cool, and drunk
without any admistm-e. IVIi'. Fortune, who travelled over
the tea districts of China, only on one occasion met with
sugar and a teaspoon. The Celestials, it appears, regard
tea as of a cooling nature, so much so indeed, that the
lower orders are wont to counteract this supposed effect
by adding to it ginger and common salt.

Before we examine the composition of the cow's milk
consumed in London, let us see what is its chemical
composition as drawn fi-om cows of different breeds. This
important inquiry not long since engaged the attention of
Professor Voelcker. He observes in one of his valuable
practical reports (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc, vol. xxiv., p. 308) :

" The Shorthorn, though more particularly distinguished
for its precocity and excellence as a meat-producing animal,
is nevertheless an excellent milking cow. Some families
of even pure-bred Shorthorns are, indeed, distinguished
in this respect ; for, when well fed, they will yield much
milk, and at the same time go on improving in condition.
On this account they are preferred by many to Ayrshires,

Alderneys, and other breeds of peculiar or local merit, aud
are becoming more and more the principal dairy breed of
England.

" The Yorkshire cow, essentially a Shorthorn, is the
favourite breed of cow-keepers in Loudon aud other large
towns, as it surpasses all others for the quantity of milk
it yields. The mUk, however, compared with that of the
smaller breeds is more watery and less rich in butter, and
better suited for direct consumption than for the making
of butter or cheese. The statement made by some that
pure-bred Shorthorns are not good milkers, is emphati-
cally denied by others. The truth is, there are Short-
horns which are good milkers, and others which are not.
As a rule, animals remarkable for the rapidity with which
they put on flesh and fatten are not the best milkers, and
vice versa. Shorthorns, on the whole, perhaps, are
more useful for general dairy purposes than any other breed.

" In 1860, I made some experiments with a view of
ascertaining whether pure-bred Shorthorns gave inpre or
less, and better or worse mUk, than ci'oss-breds. In the
month of September, 1860, three cows from the common
dairy stock, and three pedigree Shorthorns, belonging to
Mr. Thomas Proctor, Wall's Coui-t, near Bristol, were
kept on the same pasture, aud the mUk from each set
of cows carefully measured aud subsequently analyzed.
The pasture was good and the supply of food unlimited.

" The daily produce in milk was as follows :

"Three common dairy cows gave 31 pints in the
morning, 31 pints in the evening, making together 52
pints.

" Three pedigree cows gave 28 pints in the morning,
21 pints in the evening, or together 49 pints.

" The common cows thus produced rather more milk,
but the differences were trifling.

COMPOSITION OF MILK OF COMMON COWS (ON GRASS
alone) on SEPTEMBER 18, 1860.

" On evaporation, the morning's milk gave :

Water 86.7

Dry matter 13.3

" The evening's milk ;
Water
Dry matter

100.0

8G.6
13.4.

100.0

" As there was no appreciable difference in the concen-
tration of the morning's and evening's milk, both were
mixed and analyzed together, with the following results ;

Water 86.65

Butter 3.99

*Casein (curd) ... 3.47

Milk-sugar 5.11

Mineral matters (ash) ... ,., 0.78

100.00
♦Containing nitrogen ,,, 0.56

90

" Composition of Milk of Pedigree Shorthorns
(ON Grass alone) on Sept. 18, I860.— The morning's
milk of the pedigree cows contained 87.6 per cent, of
water, and 12.4 per cent, of dry matter, and thus was
less concentrated than the morning's milk from common
cross-bred Shorthorns.

"The evening's milk contained 86.8 per cent, of
water, and 13.2 per cent, of solid matter, and therefore
was about as concentrated as the evening's milk of the
common cows.

" The following numbers show the detailed composi-
tion of this milk in the morning and evening, and the
average composition of both ;

Morning. Evening.

Water 87.60 86.80

Butt«r (pure fat) ... 3.56 4.16

♦Casern 3.19 3.37

Milk-sugar 4.92 4.86

Mineral matters (ash) ... 0.73 0.81

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Average.
87.20
3.86
3.28
4.89
0.77

100.0
0.54

100.00
0.52

100.00
♦Containing nitrogen 0.51

" Whether we regard quantity or quality, the three
crosa-breds in these experiments gave rather more favour-
able results.

" After some time all the cows, in addition to grass,
received lib. of good linseed-cake per head per dead, and
then yielded :
3 common cows ... 28^ pints of milk in the morning and 18

in the evening, or together 46^ pints.
3 pedigree cows ... 26^ pints of milk in the morning and 23

in the evening, or together 48^ pints.
composition of mixid morning and evening's milk on
september 24, 1860, cows on pasture and llb. of lin-
seedcake each daily.

Common Pedigree

Dairy Cows. Cows.

Water. 87.10 86.50

Butter 4.28 4.28

*Casein 3.06 3.25

IMilk-sugar 4.84 5.30

Mineral matters (ash) 0.72 0.67

100.00 100.00

♦Containing nitrogen 0.49 0.62

Percentage of solid

matter 12.90 13.50

"The addition of oilcake appears to have slightly in-
creased the amount of biitter in the milk, but not the
yield of milk itself. After the cows were kept for a
week upon lib. of oilcake and grass ad libitum, 21bs. of
cake were allowed to each animal. The average yield of
milk then was as follows :

3 cows produced 30 pints in the morning and 19 in tlie even-
ing, or together 49 pints.
3 pedigree cows produced 26^ pints in the morning and 21 in
the evening, or together 47^ pints.

COMPOSITION OF THE MIXED MORNING AND EVENING'S MILK
ON OCTOBER 2 (COWS FED UPON GRASS AND 2lBS. LINSEED
CAKE EACH Vk\).

Common
Dairy Cows.

Water 86.90

Butter 3.96

♦Casein ... ... 3.37

Milk-sugar 4.98

Mineral matters (ash) 0.79

Pedigree
Cows.
86.50
4.19
3.19
5.34
0.78

100.00
0.51

*Containing nitrogen 0.54
Percentage of dry

matter 13.10 13.50

" It will be seen that the milk of the cows when kept
on grass alone was rich in butter, and generally speaking
of more than average concentration. The grass evidently

was of good quality, and as the cows had plenty of it, we
can well understand that the additional supply of linseed
neither increased the yield of milk nor its richness. In-
deed the yield of mUk slightly diminished in October,
when 21bs. of oilcake were given, not, I believe, in con-
sequence of the oilcake, but because with the advancing
season the produce in milk gradually decreases, whilst
its richness perceptibly increases."

We have already alluded to the marvellous provision
made for the formation of the bones of the young in its
mother's milk.

When milk is evaporated to dryness, and the dry
matter burnt, it leaves, says Professor Voelcker, a
whitish ash, which consists chiefly of the ptosphates of
lime (bone eartk), and magnesia. The relative pro-
portions of the several substances in lOOOlbs. of the
milk of two cows were found by Haidlen to be as

follows :—

lbs. lbs.

Phosphate of lime 2.31 3.44

Phosphate magnesia 42 .64

Phosphate of peroxide of iron .07 -07

Chloride of potassium 1.44 1.83

Common salt 24 .34

Free soda ^"^ -^o

4.90 6.77
As regards the effect of cake and other concentrated
food upon the quantity and quality of the mUk, the gene-
ral result of the Professor's experiments appears to be,
that, instead of adding to the produce or richness of the
milk, " the additional food had a tendency to go into
meat or to produce fat. This shows that we cannot in-
crease or improve ad infinitum the quantity or quality of
milk. Cows which have a tendency to fatten when sup-
plied with additional food rich in oil and in flesh-forming
materials, like linseed-cake, have the power of converting
that food into fat ; but they do not produce a richer
milk, and they may even produce it in smaller quantity.
It is this which renders all investigations on the influence
of food upon the quantity and quality of mUk so extremely
difficult. According to theory it would appear that food
rich in oily or fatty matter would be extremely useful for
producing rich milk ; but in practice we sometimes find
that it produces fat and flesh instead. Sometimes its in-
fluence is even injurious ; for cows supplied too abun-
dantly with linseed-cake produce milk which does not
make s;ood butter.

" a" very curious case of this kind was brought under
my notice some time ago by Mr. Barthropp. He had
milk which furnished cream that could not be made into
butter, ^\^len put into the churn it beat up into froth ;
the casein would not separate ft-om the butter, even in
the cold weather of Januaiy. Mr. Barthropp had given
his cows liaseed-cake in considerable quantities ; and this
cake, perhaps for want of being mixed with a sufticieut
quantity of good dry hay, evidently had the effect of pro-
ducing too much liquid fat. On trying to separate as much
as possible the solid or crystallized fat fron the hquid
fat, I found that the latter was very much in excess of the
former. This is the most striking instance of the influ-
ence of a great excess of oily food on the quality of cream,
and consequently on the butter, which has come under

my notice. ^ ,3.1 .1. ■

" In speaking of the quaUty of cream, I would take this
opportunity of remarking, that bad oil-cake, and particu-
larly bad linseed-cake, does a great deal more harm than
is generally supposed by dairymen. The inferior taste of
the milk is well known. The wholesomeness of the milk
of stall-fed cows is further affected by the abominable
matters which are occasionally put into hnseed-cake.
Oilcake-crushers seem now to have the privilege of incor-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

91

poi-ating any kmd of oily refuse with liuseed-cake ; and
smce tins has been the case, we have heard more fre-
quently ot diseased milk, and of mOk which has a disa-
greeable flavoui-. If cows must have extra food, and lin-
seed-cake be preferred for the purpose, the very best and
purest kmd of cake will answer best.

"Distillery wash, the acid water "of starchmakers, and
similar reiuse, make milk, as is well known, watery •
and this dispenses with the necessity of mixing it after-
wards with water. Water is not so much added to milk as
It IS incorporated in the animal system before the milk is
produced It 19 well known that acid water, and espe-
cially water that contains lactic acid, has a tendency to
produce an abundance of milk. When animals are fed
with concentrated food, such as bean-meal or cake, it may
perhaps be advisable— in the absence of brewers' grains
or distillery refuse- two materials which contain lactic
acid—to generate some lactic acid by keeping barley-
meal for some time in contact with water, and by lettin-
It slightly ferment, some vegetable matter perhaps bein^
added, which has tendency to hasten the process. By
doing this, I am inclined to think that concentrated food
like cotton-cake, or bean-meal, or rapecake, would be
rendered more digestible— more readily available for the
production of milk of a good quality."

Having thus seen what milk is in its pure state, let us
next examme its quality as commonly delivered to the
consumer in the metropolis. On this head we have an
abundance of information in the valuable recent report

^f^- .;p^:5°'*°° ^'^'""'- ^"^- '^^- ^'"'■' vol. iv., p! 70
l\.&.) Ot the amount of water found in that milk and
ot the causes which lead to its great adulteration we
need hardly a more graphic account than that given to
Mr Morton by " one recently in the trade," of whose
letter tlie lollowing is a copy : —

" I suppose it is allowed an all sides that the London
milk trade is not what it should be, and that very httle
pure milk is sold, especiaUy to the poor. Before attempt-
ing to remedy this great evil the causes must be ascer-
tained. With the poor, milk is a necessary more than a
luxury ; and, if pure, it is a most valuable article of food.
As sold to the poor it yields a much greater profit than
to the upper classes, as the former nearly always ' fetch'
It themselves, and thereby save the milkman the expense
of distribution, which at a West-end shop costs about Q'id
a quart for a wide-spread business, and O^d. for a compact
one : and besides this, the rent in a poor district is so
much lower. But in spite of aU this the poor are the
worst served, and the reason is that the trade among
them has fallen into the hands of such very ' small' men,
who sell so little, that the business cannot yield a main-
tenance without help from the ' eow with the iron tail.'
These same small men cannot contract with a country
farmer for his milk, and therefore are in the hands of the
wholesale dealers. The wholesale dealers, again, give
only so low a price to the farmer that he in hfs turn, to
make it pay, must add a little water.

And if you go below the] labouring class to paupers,
they are treated worst of all. We have tendered for five
or six workhouses at a price which would have given us
a profit of less than one farthing a quart, and yet we have
not been accepted. Tenders of Is. M. a barn gaUon
(8 quarts) have been accepted, or M. a barn gallon less
than our milk now costs us at our shop ; and we are only
paying the market value of pure milk in large quantities.
The fact that a dealer offered to buy a large quantity of
our 'skim,' avowedly to supply a workhouse contract for
'new,' shows what the paupers really get.

Next, as regards the upper classes, the expense of
distribution is so great that only a very small margin is
left for profit on each quart; but, on the other hand, the

businesses are generally large. The bar to the sale of
pure milk among the better classes is the system of per-
centages to servants. They all expect 5 per cent, on the
gross amount of their master's bills, and this is just about
what would be net profit on an honestly conducted West-
end business. If this is not paid the milkman is ' worked
out.' So, to avoid this unpleasant process, he commences
by adding water sufficient to pay this tax, and as that
seems to pay well he soon doubles the quantity. We lose
two or three customers a week from the servants, but we
continually get more new ones, as pure mUk will draw in
spite of all this.

"I have forgotten to mention a rascally trick of the
j milk trade, which deserves exposure ; I mean the selling
cream in quantities short of imperial measure. When we
began our business we were forced to have cream-cans of
correct measure made on purpose, as the tinman assured
us that no dairy-man in London sold cream except in
measures 25 per cent, short, and consequently he had no
others. We have found this to be true by measuring the
cans of many other dealers. The milk, however, is sold
in proper measures."

The commercial portion of our inquiry is that of which
my reader will very naturally wish for information. On
this portion of our inquiry, I will again quote from the
paper of Mr. Morton, who has pretty well exhausted the
question. He observes {ibid, p. 94) :—

"From returns, collected some little time since for the
Society ofAi-ts, from asylums, schools, and institutions (not
infirmaries, or hospitals, or workhouses, where special
dietaries exist), it appeared that 2-5 ths of a pint of milk
a-day is the average quantity which a mixed population of
healthy people consumes when its diet is under medical
direction. And in some places the actual consumption
approaches this quantity. Thus the town of Stirlino-,
which has a population of 12,500 persons, was then sup-
plied 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. There was here a cow to every
60 people ; and this, at the average of 800 gallons yearly
to every cow in mUk gave 100 imperial pints per annum
to every man, woman, and child, or about 2-7ths of a
pint a-day a-piece, very nearly the medical standard; and
indeed exceeding it when the 200 gallons a-day of butter-
milk are taken into account, for this would furnish half a
pint a-day to the 3,200,belonging to the labouring class in
a community of 12,000.

The English town of Mansfield maybe fairly compared
with the Scottish town of Stirling. It contains about
10,000 people, and 108 cows. Taking these at 800
gaUons a head per annum, and adding 20 gallons of skim
milk daily, of which I heard as being sold in the outskirts
of the town, there were only nine gallons (72 pints) per
annum for each inhabitant, or l-5th of a pint a-day a-
piece— one half the medical standard.

" Take, now, Bedford:— It contained in 1865, at the
time of my inquiry, about 15,000 people, and 100 cows :
and 123 gallons of mUk, the daily produce of about 50
other cows, were brought in daily by railway. 150 cows
to 15,000 people are one cow to 100 people, about the
same as at Mansfield; and this, at 800 gaUons a cow is
about 70 pints a year, or l-5th of a pint a-day a-piece—
one-half the medical standard.

" If then l-5th of a pint a-day be taken as the quantity,
not which ought to be, but which is consumed in "enerai
by a mixed population of English people, the°i the
3,000,000 of our London population require 300 000
quarts a-day ; and this, at 10 quarts a-day from each 'cow
or rather from each stall, indicates 30,000 stalls occupied
by cows kept upon the London plan as needed for the
London milk supply. And if people were fed accordin--

92

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

lo the medical rule of oui' selecied Institutions, twice this
number of stalls, representing about three times that
number of cows per annum, would be needed for the sup-
ply. At the time of my inquiry into this subject, two
years ago, I ascertained that the usual number of cows
kept within the metropolitan district was about 24,000 ;
and between 30,000 and 40,000 quarts of milk a -day, in
addition to the town production, were then being brought
in from the country, which must have needed 3000 or
4000 cows for its production ; so that the total number
of cows then engaged in supplying London fell considera-
bly short of the number indicated by the average of such
towns as Bedford and Mansfield.

"During the cattle plague more than half of the 24,000
London cows disappeared, and the railway delivery of
milk rapidly increased, and though, as the London cow-
houses have again filled, the country trade has somewhat
decKned, yet the quantity still delivered is very great
indeed.

" The following table, of which the figures have been
most obligingly supplied to me by four of the leading
metropolitan railways, indicates the growth and, in some
measure since the spring of 1866, the decline of the trade.

Monthly Delivery of Milk (Imperial Gallons)
BY Metropolitan Railways.

Great

North

Great

Great

Western.

Western.

Northern.

Eastern.

1865.

January

8954

14168

14904

76818

PebruaiT

9460

13024

15276

76846

March

14590
11775

12753
10243

16416
18316

74783

April

84452

May

13050
14932
12791
23474

6624

6656

8480

23152

20124
20392
30556
20953

69891

June

68213

July

82525

August

70005

September

59782

76160

21924

101212

October

103214

123952

36016

112890

November

116802

116700

27576

88714

December

140293

148296

37180

109325

1866.

January

143600

155952

30348

95269

February

186764

143880

81608

106483

March

201686
211016
285918
221851
166892
153766

158484

142188

125208

95352

80304

64572

33516
35516
39493
37513
39013
38393

116700

April

145647

Mav

120993

June

120178

July

109973

August

109431

September

110159

53772

35380

109362

October

115834

63073

36444

107955

November

120346

59936

35316

107542

December

126819

66564

33336

109295

1867.

January

118870

63480

31068

110048

February

131210

54648

39784

102500

Mai'ch

156579
122979

61908
60696

37138
36180

106228

April

106510

May

160628
125499
112233

118720

54156
49800
49753
39084

38316
40213
43393
42744

106968

June

109107

Jnlv

105542

August

105487

September

95965

38088

39788

109603

October

86668

50640

40728

107561

-November

149510

50653

38772

128084

December

123121

60528

37884

126784

" It is this aspect of the subject which more than any
other is directly interesting to the readers of this journal.
So large an increase in the quantity of milk brought up to

town as took place during the cattle plague Indicated of
course a very considerable alteration in the management
and industry of many a dairy district. And as the facili-
ties ofi'ered by the London railways increase, and the
methods of transmitting milk with safety are improved,
so no doubt we may expect an extension of the trade
between the London milk dealer and the country dairy
farmer. The latter cannot generally make more than 7<^.
a gallon by cheese or butter and pork or bacon ; and if
the London milk dealer will give that or a little more at
a distant railway station, it may be for the Interest of the
farmer to give up the expense and labour of dairy man-
agement, and in their place incur the risks and costs of a
new and unaccustomed trade. The exchange has not
always been satisfactory : for until, by cooling the milk
before starting and by perfectly filling the cans and car-
rying them without excessive shaking, the liabilities to
souring and spoiling on the road have been diminished or
avoided, great losses, especially in hot weather, have been
and wiU be sufl^ered.

" I say nothing here of other risks which interfere with
the extension of this trade — the risk of bad debts which
the farmer runs and the risk of adulterated milk which the
dealer runs — for these are common to all commercial deal-
ings. A London wholesale cowkeeper wUl receive from
his customer who comes to his cowhouse and milks his
cows 3^. or 4fif. an imperial gallon more than the farmer
wUl receive for country milk delivered, with all Its charges
paid, at the London terminus ; not only because It Is the
produce of specially fed cows and perfectly fresh, but be-
cause It Is certain to be unadulterated. I was told the
other day by a London milkman that every barn gallon
of such milk as his would " hear" a quart of water with-
out any chance of the adulteration being detected by an
ordinary consumer ; and he had known that quart put In
before the milk had left the country farm on its railway
journey. The mere risk of such dishonesty Is enough to
lower the market value of the article to dealers, who pro-
bably would rather benefit by some such dilution than
suffer from it."

These facts (and other practical details abound In the
paper by Mr. Morton from which I have quoted so much)
wiU hardly fail to interest the reader. To the general
student, the provision of milk for the sustenance of the
young, its chemical composition, and its vast Import-
ance, when we employ It In our dally food, will all afford
matters of abounding Interest. To the agrlcultimst
such details wUl reasonably suggest the inquhy as to a
better supply of food to the milch cow, and of pure mDk
to densely populated places, and an Improved mode of
conveyance from distant dairies ; and above all, the best
means for Its preservation until it reaches the consumer,
from "the cow with the iron tail," will not escape his
attention.

THE ASSESSMENT OP WOODS AND GAME.— Mr.
Sewell Read and Mr. Jasper More have introduced a bill
which runs as follows — " Whereas it has been held by the
courts of law that woods and plantations, other than saleable
underwoods, are not liable to be rated to local rates : And
whereas the right of sporting, when reserved by the owner of
the land, or let to any person not being the tenant occupying
the land, is not liable to be rated to local rates : And wliereas
it is expedient that such distinctions and exemptions should
cease : Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most exceUent
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords
spiritual and temporal, and Commons, in this present Parlia-
ment assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :
1. From and after the first of January, one thousand eight
hundred and sLxty-nine, every description of woods and plan-
tations in England and Wales, not now liable to be rated for

THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE,

the relief of the poor and other local rates, shall he liahle to
be rated to such rates, and the occupiers of all woods and
plantations shall be rated forthwith, under the provisions of
twenty-five and twenty-six Victoria, chapter one hundred and
three, and such other acts as regulate the assessment of other
tenements aud hereditaments to local rates. 2. For the pur-
pose of assessing land let for agricultural purposes the gross
estimated rental shall be the fuU rent at which the land, irre-
spective of any reservation of game or timber, might reason-
ably be expected to let from year to year, free of all usual
tenant's rates and taxes, and tithe commutation rent-charge, if
any ; and when such land is occupied by the owner the gross

estimated rental shall be so assessed without any reduction
whatever for any game or timber which may tend to greatly
depreciate the agricultural value of such land. 3. Where iny
tenant shall pay any increase of rate by virtue of this act ou
any land which he may occupy under any lease or agreement
at the time of the passing of this act he shall be entitled,
during the currency or continuance of such lease or agree-
ment, to deduct from any rent he may pay for such land the
amount of the increase of such rate from such rent, and the
amount of such increase shall be fixed and declared by the
Assessment Committee of the union in which the land is
situate."

ON THE SUPPLY OF MOISTURE REQUIRED BY LAND.

The per-centage of moisture required by land to produce
the highest degree of fertility is very various — other things,
as temperature, being the same. Reduced to the form of a
practical question, it may be thus individually put by farmers :
What is the degree of moistness required by this or tliat field
of mine, to place it in the highest state of productiveness, for
the different kinds of crops, during the different months of
the year ? The general proposition, therefore, relative to the
quantity of water required by fertile soils to produce abundant
crops, appears at first sight very simple. It is, however, other-
wise when its details are practically entered upon, for then its
dimensions exceed in magnitude those of almost all others in
connection with successful agriculture.

The supply of moisture to land to produce fertility is so
closely connected with that of air, heat, and light, that in any
practical proposition the former cannot be separated from the
latter. Thus, when air is excluded by moisture, heat is also
partially excluded, miich of it being carried off by evaporation
from the surface ; but when the soil has a proper supply of
air in its texture, more heat is absorbed and less carried off by
evaporation, so that the difference between the two conditions
is very considerable.

The grand question of questions, however, is the proper
distribution of air and moisture in the soil, so as to produce
the best effect. It is a weU-authenticated fact, that the heavy
showers of rain which (all at this season of the year on some
soils displace much air. Hence the manner they cool the
land, talang into consideration the amount .of heat carried off
by the excessive evaporation after a heavy shower. But when
the land is properly drained, the excess of moisture is soon
drawn off, when the supply of fresli air rushes in to supply
its place. But the two processes thus briefly noticed — the
first, the filling up of the interstices of the soU with water,
and the removal of air from the soil, with the compression of
what air remains within the soil ; and the second, the drainage
of the excessive moisture and the fresh supply of air — are very
different ou different soils, and in different states of the same
soil. And such diversities depend much upon the distribution
of the air and water in the soil, whether by normal or artifi-
cial means, i.e. whether produced by the natural state and
quality of the land, or by drainage, cultivation, manuring, and
cropping.

Of natural examples the richest soils are those that main-
tain a highly subdivided state, and which have much decaying
vegetable matter in their texture — laud that cannot be
drowned in wet weather nor burned up in dry. They are
soils that always retain a suitable supply of air and moisture
at all seasons for every kind of crop sown, that is adapted for
the cUmate.

These important results are due more, perhaps, to the che-
mical qualities of such soils than to their mechanical construc-
tion. The more practical question, however, is the joint co-
operation of both these agencies. Thus the presence of a
large amount of decaying vegetable matter has a great affinity
for both air and water. It has also a powerful capillary at-
traction in bringing up water from below, to supply what has
l)eeu removed by the crops grown, orby evaporation when lying in
fallow or before the crops cover the ground. By the former —
a strong aflinity for water — they not only retain the moisture
in them, the force of affinity thus counteracting that of evapo-

ration, but they also abstract from night-dews and the air
drawn into them from the atmosphere much moisture, which
they supply to the roots of crops. Water is also chemically
formed in them during the chemical changes that take
place. Prom the air contained in the interstices of
such soils and in the texture of decaying organic
matter, and also in the pores of decomposing inorganic
matter in a highly subdivided state, much less of it is
displaced by heavy sliowers of rain than what takes place
on poor soils of a different description. And, as the air thus
left is compressed, its expansive action assists in the drainage
of the land. The compressed air thus perfonns a mechanical
function, as well as the chemical one of supplying its oxygen
in the process of decomposition. And, as compressed air
gives out heat, it keeps up the temperature of the soil to a
degree favourable to the fertilising process and the supply of
food to plants. From experiments made on the Continent by
Schonbein, it appears that, " in every case where water is
evaporated, the nitrogen of the atmosphere combines with the
oxygen and hydrogen of the water, so as to form nitrate of
ammonia ;" and from experiments made in this country, when
similar fertilising results were obtained, the high fertility of
such soils, and the continuance of heavy crops produced by
them for years in succession, may yet be traced to the above
combined function of air and water in the soil. But, be this
as it may, farmers have from time immemorial been familiar
with the high degree of fertility which such soils possess
under the conditions in question.

Of artificial examples, where a high degree of fertility iw
produced by drainage, cultivation, manuring, and judicious
cropping, those are the richest that approach the nearest to
the natural examples relative to a finely subdivided state of
soil, air, and water. But in examples of this class the pre-
sence of decaying organic matter, and also a suitable supply
of the inorganic food of plants, are essentially necessary to
produce the required chemical affinity for air and moisture,
mere mechanical subdivision being insufficient to produce the
desired fertilising effect. Thus some of the poorest and most
worthless soils in the kingdom are in a finely subdivided state,
and possess a degree of capillary action highly injurious to
their fertility, as the quantity of water which they raise and
contain excludes the requisite supply of air required by most
cultivated crops. Hence their proneness to produce aquatic
plants, as rushes, &c.

It follows from these preliminary observations under this
head, that the works of drainage, cultivation, manuring, and
cropping, require each to be carried out with due regard t6
the quality of the soil and the nature of the season, in order
to fit the land for the retention and supply of moisture to
growing crops, works which involve a very high degree of
professional skill on the part of the farmer, in order to pro-
duce the desired effect. Were soils of a uniform quality, it,
would be a comparatively easy matter to lay down a general
rule for the execution of such works ; but uniformity of soils
being the exception, and diversity the rule, so to speak, farm-
ers must be guided by their own skill and experience, and not
by book rules. No doubt book rules may assist ; as for ex-
ample. Well-drain, the subsoil, and pnlveriee the staple. But
however truthful and generally applicable such a rule may be,
yet when taken to the field, it may just as well have been left

94

THE FAKMEK'S MAGAZINE.

at home ou tlie shelf, for the pniclical fiinuer requires as raudi
skill and experience to earry it out as if he had never seen it.
In short, the day is gone by when such general rules can with
propriety be piped into the ears of practical farmers, for proper
drainage and pulverization are questions which convey very
different meanings, owing to the wide diflerence in the require-
iuents of dift'erent soils. Thus, what would be generally con-
sidered proper drainage for one description of land often
proves very imperfect for others ; and the degree of pulver-

ization to which sonic soils can be reduced, so as to place them
in the most favourable hygrometrical condition, is at all times
a very perplexing, if not problematical question, whose proper
solution depends more upon future and unknown conditions
relative to the weather than upon the past or present circum-
stances of the case. To provide for the exigencies of the
season in our tickle climate, requires no little skill ou the part
of the farmer to attain successful results. J^emo.

THE DROUGHT AND ITS CONTINGENCIES.

BY A PRACTICAL FARMER.

The drought still eoutiiiues, and the heat of the past
week has been extremely oppressive, and almost unex-
ampled in its continuance. We have occasionally had
single days with the thermometer equally high, but not
for several consecutive days, /. e., from Thursday July
16th to Wednesday 22nd, or an entire week. The drought
has now been full fifty-four days in full force, and much
loss and difficulty is experienced ; and what is more, not-
withstanding every appearance and foretokening of rain,
none comes. Moreover, the drought commenced at the very
time when we were most anxious for summer rains or
showers, to cause the growth and progress of our green
crops for the sustenance of our farm stock dui'ing the ensu-
ing winter. All is yet in abeyance. My feai* is that it will
prove one of the most disastrous droughts England has ever
known. Had it commenced eaiiier or later, better provision
could have been made than we shall now be enabled to make.
I remember many trying seasons, but never, I think, one
80 arid and distressing as the present. In 1817 the
drought commenced Aug. 31st and lasted till Nov. 2ud,
followed by a severe winter, but then we were well pro-
vided with turnips and other winter food. In the next
year it was much worse and lasted much longer, begin-
ning May 17th and continuing to Sept. 1st, i. e., 108
days, lut there were to be found some tolerable crops of
turnips, and the hay crop had a start and was fairly
gathered. In 1826 the di'ought began Feb. 2Sth and
lasted till July 1st, 124 days. This was the most severe
visitation of the kind I have known, and the distressing
circumstances connected with it may be easily imagined.
The heat, too, was extremely great. As for grass, turnips,
or any kind of green food, there was none, and straw was all
we had to fail back upon, andlucky washe who had a supply
of this unusual summer food. In 1840 we had a very se-
vere drought throughout the spring, commencing on the
25th of February, and continued to the 4th May. Such
a spring seeding and such dearth of spring grasses I never
knew. It was nearly midsummer before the farm stock
could be put upon summer pastures. In 1844 we had
another severe di'ought. It commenced March 26, and
continued till July 1 — 97 days. Summer grazing was
nearly thrown away, aud the re-sowing of the green food
crops general ; but we obtained turnips and coleseed at last,
although inferior crops. Hay, of course, was wretchedly
bad. In 1852 we had another very severe spring drought,
commencing so eai'ly as February 15 and without rain till
May 6—80 days, w'hich 80 days gave a rainfall of 0.72
of an inch. The difficulties experienced during this
spring were exceedingly trying to every cattle-owner and
flock-master. In 1864 we had a very dry summer : the
drought began June 24 and did not cease "till August 28.
The green crops were woefuUy distressed ; and in addition
to the drought, we had a deplorable attack of the great
drab-coloured grub, which literally consumed whole fields
of fine healthy plants of mangolds and tui-nips, so that in

the following winter the farm stock had to subsist upon
straw, hay, aud artificial foods. We now come to the
present season. We have had but a slight shower or two
since May 30, and this is the 27th July. In the east
of the kingdom the pastures are everywhere parched up,
the turnips in many parts unsown, and those sown making
no progress ; the spring crops now hai'vesting are the
worst known for many years. The water in all the low
countries is becoming very scarce and bad : in some dis-
tricts the stock has to be taken for miles to a watering,
or this is brought to them in carts, or barrels, or tubs,
as many farmers do no*: possess water-carts. The expense
and trouble no one kuows but those who have to resort to
such a practice in a hot season like this — the hottest June
since 1858, and the di'iest since 1826. The stock, however,
must have water ; of food they have scarcely any ; and it is
surprising how they live, upon the scanty dry herbage
they do gather. Of water they drink abundantly ; and
animals supplied liberally with cake do not shrink to any
extent. The reports of the metropolitan and country
markets amply testify to the difliculties of the graziers.
Many thousands of both cattle and sheep have been sent
in half-fatted, simply because the fields were bare of food,
and the stock losing instead of progressing. This must
teU severely upon the public ere long. It will be worse
than the cattle-plague times. Vast numbers of cattle
were then sent for slaughter, altogether unfitted for sale
as animals of consumption. The like is going on now ;
and, in addition, sheep in great numbers are forwarded
for sale when only " half-meat." These were an exemption
during the cattle-plague trial ; but now they must go, or
starve upon the land. In reference to store stock, the difli-
culties are still greater ; they cannot be sold at any price.
Already the terms of wintering cattle and sheep are ruling
very high. For lambs, one shilling per head per week is
demanded. The owners of store cattle must, if possible,
retain them till the foldyards are ready to receive them ;
and then I fear they will have to take very unremune-
rative prices. The depreciation in price now is
fuU twenty per cent. ; and animals purchased to graze in
the spring, instead of improving and bringing a full
profit, have so deteriorated in condition as to entail a
loss of equal amount. These are very serious items to our
graziers to encounter; but where is it to end? The
contingencies are yet to be provided for. There is a
long autumn and winter to tide through, and that almost
without hay, or straw from any of our spring crops. Hay is
ali-eady selling at from £6 to £7 10s. per ton; mangolds
aud turnips nil, there are next to none ; cake at an exorbi-
tant price ; while wheat straw wiU be tolerably abundant,
but it is indifferent food for stock. What, then, is to be
done? It is not only a choice of difliculties, but of difliculties
of no ordinary kind. From whence are to come the " mate-
riel" for fattening either cattle or sheep ? Store stock we
can sustain in a somewhat thriving state, but how are we

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

95

to biipply the public with fatted aaimals ? This is the hard
problem to be solved. My first suggestion is, that every care
be taken to seciu'e the present crop in as good condition
as possible, in order that the straw may be kept valuable
and nutritious. For this purpose let all the corn crops be
cut before they are fully ripe. The corn is benefited by
it both in quality and yield, and the straw is much more
nutritious. Let every thrashing be very carefully done,
and all the straw, pulse, and chaff be husbanded as
a necessity for food for stock. In its consumption adopt,
as seems most desirable, some of the many devices for
enhancing its nutritive value. Steam all tainted straw
or fodder, and mix with flaxseed tea, or meal, or corn, or
bran, or pulped mangolds, and tui-nips. All other straw
and fodder should be cut into chaff, to be damped, and
then add a mixture of any of the above-named or other
feeding stuffs. It is to many of these and similar devices
that we must resort to carry our farm stock through the
ensuing winter. So much for the consumption of fodder.
My next suggestion is, that every available piece of
arable land on the farm shall be immediately broken up as
cleared of its crop, and be sown with turnips or coleseed,
or planted with cabbages if plants can be had. It must
be remembered that the harvest is an early one, and if
every exertion is made to break up land, either by steam,
by the digging breast-plough, by the skeleton plough, by

the common plough, by scarifier, or in any other most ex-
peditious way, good may result. We may have tolerable
green crops yet. Be that as it may, it is well worth the
attempt to get them. My own crop of early peas has
already been harvested, thrashed, and sold, and the land
broken up, awaiting rains for sowing it with coleseed. I
hope to break up my oat land and much of my wheat
land for a like purpose. The crops of green food may
not be heavy, but "half a loaf is better than no bread."
The crop thus produced may be an incongruous one : it
may consist of turnips or coleseed, intermingled with oats,
barley, or wheat, grown from the shed corn, but it will be
food, and this is what I am aiming to procure. I would
in these autumn crops avoid sowing other than the quickest
growing varieties of turnips. It is preposterous to sow
swedes or mangolds. It may in many cases be very de-
sirable to sow rye for spring feed, or tares, or trifolium ;
if so, by all means do it. If in any field much wheat is shed,
and it is possible to pulverize the surface so as to cause
its growth, you have a crop at once growing nearly equal
to rye. But I need not multiply these simple suggestions.
Every farmer must contrive for himself. I only want to
impress upon him that in this unusual season he must
adopt unusual practices. No landlord will say, " Why do
you do this ?" but rejoice in the energy of his tenant,
be it a deviation or not from lease or regulated cropping.

THE NEW FARM.

Alack*a-day ! that one must Heeds write, sultry weather
or not ! It don't matter that one would mightily prefer just
to sit down in the now swift, shallow stream of the limpid
Wye the day long, listening (if it could be) to sweet music
in the distance, and having birds'-eye and bottled
perry within reach. It don't matter that the prevailing
heat is such — ^(Bother the comet that will sweep his tail
so near to our gasping planet !) — that one could with
advantage, as Sidney Smith said, " get out of one's flesh
and sit in one's bones for half-an-hour ;" but you see,
gentle reader, that when one's mind gets on the fret, 'tis
like one's wife's talk, or young pop : it must froth over,
under risk of an explosion. I am anxious to tell you the
result of my experiments : first, as respects the pelai'go-
nium seedlings, the history of whose parentage I gave
you in a former number. A few have flowered. With
what keen anxiety, and almost hourly visits, did one not
watch the deiiit of that first blossom ! It was all I
could do to refrain from opening it, vi et armis, when
the floret had really begun to extricate its petals from the
enclosing grasp of the calyx points. I think old Melon
did take a surreptitious peep by help of the grape-scissors,
for I cannot otherwise account for sundry marks upon
the flower when it did appear, that looked far more like
bruising caused by human interference than simple
veining due to Nature's pencil. How grievously disap-
pointed I was to find that the flower I had produced by
dint of so much painful care actually came out identical,
to all appearance, with one of the commonest sorts that
old women indulge, with a broken teapot, in their cot-
tage window ! " Good bye," said I at once, with Celtic
perseverance, "to this fun;" but, behold! the next in
size and tint is an eminent triumph, although not so rare-
looking a sample as one could have wished. And yet the
parents of the first (the failure) are superbly tinted flowers,
from the stock of about the best grower in England.
H owever, the farmer, if he would succeed in his profes-
sion, must reflect over every experiment : and this is
what I did conclude, on my river rock and over the

sweetest of pipes — Why you see that's a new proof, young
man, if you wanted one, that if you are to succeed as a
breeder in the production of fine animals, at all equal to
their parentage, you must select for your elements those
that are not only symmetrical in form, but whose striking
traits and features have become stereotyped in their
nature, so that you can safely rely upon " like " being
born of " like." More than ever now I appreciate the
wisdom of those shrewd, grey-haired men, of whom the
auction ring leans forward to take a good look, when
the glass runs out, and a small well-shaped heifer is
credited to Mr. So-and-so, at bidding of many hundi'ed
guineas. Besides her own sweet feminine attributes and
graceful style of person, her character went beyond, upon
a long, stout stock of most fashionable sii-es. There wiU
be little doubt of her producing beauties. [Finally,
then, whether you would breed Shorthorns or South-
downs, or any other " fancy stock," you must provide
yourself with the venj best blood, to begin with, in loell-
shaped aiiimah that have a genealogical tree of indisput-
able value.

It is no good beginning now to start pedigrees. A great
and successful breeder, pre-eminent in the prize-list,
lately found out this fact, and consequently made a clean
sweep of the lot, a grand selection of cows fetching only a
few guineas over butcher's price. He was, doubtless,
getting aware of what his customers had long since found
out, that there was no satisfaction in carrying his new
strains on. Himself endowed with rare judgment and
taste, he could generally attain success ; but when it came
to his elements (only just conglomerate and scarcely
baked) being put into less experienced hands, the sad fact
occurred that no particular development could be relied
upon to issue out. It might be this shape, or that shape,
or something of all sorts. Hence, he wisely made a
clearance, and wiU, I expect, now be more fortunate in
his prices, when his customers find that the seedlings
answer to the parent plant.

There is one disagreeable nuisance to which I am sub -

96

THE FARMEK'S MAGAZINE.

ject, I don't know whetlier other Shorthorn breeders
suffer similarly. It is, that certain gentlemen, exceed-
ingly worthy in all respects but this I doubt not, come and
look over one's young bulls. They always select the best,
and ask the price. As a matter of course they wince
thereat, and reply coldly, " Mine is only a common dairy
herd ; I cannot afford that." " Ah ! then I'U show you
what will suit you at one-fourth the figure. Here's a
grand young animal, pure bred, but descended from ani-
mals whose owners never took the trouble to enter their
stock in the ' Herd Book,' There, now, he is as good
as any one I have shown you, only excepting his having
no recorded pedigree to show." Oh dear no, not for
Joseph at all ! The gentleman-buyer wants the best of
pedigrees, although his herd is but a dairy lot of cows,
and requires this cheap in consideration of that fact.
Just look at the logic of it ! Is it to be wondered
at that one has sometimes not patience to reply to such
application. He never calculates (oh dear, no !) that if, in
consideration of his cows' poverty of blood, I charitably
sell him at about butcher's price the near relative of a
twelve hundred-guinea bull, he may the next day pass
the animal on at a stinging figm'e to the enthusiastic
cousin or friend who does go in for the terribly
high-bred kind, because really after all the bull is better
than he requires. And if he does make this second
bai'gain, will he remember the first seller ? Will he or
will he not ? Avaunt ! I have no patience to write fur-
ther of such. Let them learn to reason, before they in-
sult the feelings of those who like myself have launched
their bark in trust upon a costly deep.

" Poor little Dandy ; how sorry he will be to leave his
mamma !" This was the sympathetic remark of om- Ben-
jamin, in respect to one of the thi'ee terrier puppies which is
about to be sent to a distance, as of course one cannot be

keeping such small deer for everlasting ; especially as the
lamb question makes one sufficiently sore in regard to the
children's pets. Benjamin had not reckoned upon the
neighbourhood of his brothers and sisters when this
tender-hearted reflection gained utterance. Of course a
maternal caress reached him ; but, alas ! the agnomen of
Dandy stuck, and hath given an advantage to his mis-
chievous brother.

Talking of mischief — unfortunately, one day, a month
since, a lady, who had been with the "Missus" inspecting
the poultry at the farm, quite casually cast a glance of
inspection over the half-door of a loose box in which a
young Butterfly of ten months holds his reign. She had
a white floating veil on, the flutter of which so terrified
the young animal, that he jumped and knocked himself
about the box quite frightfully. He has since given us
much trouble. He will not be soothed, and butts vi-
ciously at remonstrance of any sort ; whereas up to that
period he was as gentle as need be. It is so busy at the
farm-house now. Such squadrons of ducklings, each
officered by a single matron, dabbling about as dirty and
as short-clothed as campaigners upon a heap of fresh
vetches in apartments damp as I wish the tm-nip-ground
coiild be. The burnt couch ashes, of which I carted in
quite thirsty some fifteen waggon-loads last autumn, and
upon which a shoal of pigs was fattened, has sieved out
so beautifully fine, and yet so greasily damp, as to put the
bailiff into ecstasies. I am not quite sure that he did
not actually taste a crumb on the tip of his finger. I
trust the swedes may like it. I have not a seed in yet,
nor shall I put any in until rain threatens. Mildew al-
ways punishes our early sowers. My seed is reposing
the meanwhile amidst a bedding of sulphui", as a precau-
tion against the raids of fly. Vigil.

CENTRAL CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE

A dinner of the Chamber was held at Leicester in the show
week ; Mr. Jasper More, M.P., President, in the chair. After
tlie usual complimentary toasts,

Mr. Masf EN proposed " Success to the Chambers of Agri-
culture throughout the kingdom," coupled mtli the health of
Mr. J. More, M.P., President of the Central Chamber. Tliey
had had the opportunity of seeing the rise and progress of the
different Chambers throughout the kingdom, and he thought
the way in which they had gone on had been a most satis-
factory thing to those who had been the promoters of them.
He felt it to be one of the most important steps ever taken by
the British farmer. They had always been told in their agri-
cultural meetings to keep away from politics, and to a certain
extent he agreed with that course; but there were circumstances
in which there was a diversity of interests, and there were cases
in which that of the occupiers had been forgotten by tlieir
legislators. There was an election pending, and they knew
the expressions made use of by gentlemen as to the pressure
brought to bear by tlie different Chambers of Agriculture.
He hoped they would support men who would act for the
benefit of the agricultural community. He did not care
whether they returned a Whig, a Tory, or a Radical ; but they
ought to return such men as would espouse their cause in a
way which, he wbs sorry to gay, was not always done by those
who professed to be their representatives. Last night, or
rather three o'clock that morning, saw the conclusion of a
debate which had occupied the House of Commons three
times daring the present session. The Bill under discussion
had been opposed by some of the representatives of the in-
liabitantsof this county; but the result of the division of last
night was one wluch those present must hail with satisfaction.
As to their worthy Chairman, he beUeved that in his place in
Ji-arliaineut he had felt it his duty to study the interests of the
men who returned him— the tenant-farmers of the county of

Salop — and such a man they should seek to represent them.
(Much applause).

The C11A.IUMA.N, in returning thanks, said he was aware
he owed the privilege of being chairman of the Central
Chamber of Agriculture to the confidence which the tenant
farmers of Shropshire showed in returning liim. He felt
most proud of it, if it enabled him in any way to promote the
interests of Chambers of Agriculture. He was glad that they
had met for their first dinner in the county-town of their
first president, Mr. Pell, and that they had met on a day in
wliich the agricultural interest had been represented in the
greatest strength in the House of Commons He believed
on no occasion had the agricultural interest asserted its power
by a majority of more than a hundred, as it had done that
morning. They must excuse them being tired, for every
member present voted five times between one and three that
morning in favour of the Metropolitan Cattle Market Bill. It
was impossible for them to meet without making some allusion
to such a remarkable fact. He kneur tliat some of them might
have a prejudice against discussing poHtics at an agricultural
dinner (cries of " No, no.") He was extremely glad to hear
them repudiate that. The first division taken was two weeks
ago on the adjournment of the debate ; and on that occasion
the agricidturists reached the extraordinary majority of 145.
They had now to consider how to abate the opposition to the
bill. All the Liberal party were not their opponents, for last
night more Liberal members voted for the bill than the mino-
rity that opposed it. Tliey had, all through the divisions, fifty
Liberal members supporting the bill. The conduct of one mem-
ber of the Government might, undoubtedly, have given rise to
the opposition, simply from raising the notion that they were
not sincere in the conduct of the bdl. The notion of the mar-
ket was originally Mr. Ayrton's. Lord Robert Montagu, only
last session,aaid that the imports to England were so numerous,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

97

that any restrictions would cause an interference with trade
which would be intolerable ; that the proposal was " a gigantic
system of protection." The matter now rested with the Go-
vermnent. In the Chambers of Agriculture they had a great
machinery establislied, which might be used for good pur-
poses. One of tliese was the obtaining of county financial
boards not as separate bodies, but as including the representa-
tion of farmers with the magistrates at quarter-sessions. He
had just ended his labours as a member of the committee on
the malt-tax ; and he thought the best substitute for the tax
would be a brewer's licence ; but to carry tliat out, they must
tax private brewing; and whether that could be done, deserved
their most attentive consideration. With respect to the sub-
ject of the night, the House of Lords came to the conclusion,
twenty years ago, that every description of property ought
justly to be caled upon to contribute to that which the Act of
■iSrd of Elizabeth contemplated should be contributed according
to the ability of every inhabitant ; and they had to consider
the best means of inducing the next Parliament to give effect
effect to the resolution. He had moved for the reprint of the
Lords' committee on parochial assessments ; it was being re-
furnished, and he invited their earnest attention to it. He
had no great faith in the results of committee, on agricultural
subjects. This one had slumbered for twenty years unnoticed.
No one earned out the conclusions of the committee which sat
on the Game Laws in 1846. On turnpike trusts and on
county financial boards, after from ten to twenty years had
elapsed since a committee reported on them, the House of
Commons merely said, Refer them to a committee again. If
they were referred to committees, it would be owing to the
action of Chambers of Agriculture if legislative results were
gained. He should like to see Mr. Read Under-Secretary for
Agriculture. In two counties where there were such depart-
ments minute provisions against the cattle plague had existed
since the middle of the last century. He rejoiced to see so
many foreigners at the show, one of whom, specially sent by
the Emperor of France, he had invited to their meeting to-
day. They would see that France was 50 years behind Eng-
land in agriculture, aud Italy about 300 jears. He had no
great confidence in the results of committees, as they were
seldom acted on in legislation. In the House of Commons a
private member could not carry anything, and their object
must therefore be to get the Government to take the matter
up. It was worth their while to consider whether they should
not try to get a department of Agriculture into the Govern-
ment, which circumstances had shown would be a great ad-
vantage. The chairman said it was clear that personal
property had existed so long vrithout being rated, there must
be some strong considerations against attempting to rate it.
No one said a word against their view, and he was obliged to
place himself in the invidious position of asking a question
from an opponent's view. He asked if Sir G. Jenkinson's
views were carried out, would they consent to tax English
incomes for the poor of Ireland and Scotland ? (" No, no.")
But it wa« impossible to legislate for England alone in taxa-
tion. Then he wished to know if his property consisted of
£100,000 in the Punds, how could they be able to rate him ?
If they tried to do so at Leicester, he should go to London.
If they succeeded in rating him there he should go abroad and
invest his money in foreign securities. This is merely a ditfi-
culty which he suggested to them ; but as he did not wish to
Oppose their views, he would merely ask them to study the
evidence given by four very able men before the House of
Lords on the subject. By all means let them try every means
to gain their end. Let them go in a deputation to the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer next November, and see what hope
lie would give them of the Government adopting their views.
He believed county rates ought to be reduced, but by a very
different method. Some charges, such as the militia, should
be entirely taken off the rates ; others, such as police and
lunatic asylums, should receive an increased grant from Go-
vernment. But let them rate personal property as well, if
they can. Let them remember, however, that they must be
weaker in the nest Parliament. The majority of electors
would be consumers, not producers ; aud the extinction of the
eight small boroughs the other day would make them at least
twelve less in a division, such as the one on the Cattle Bill.
He begged to conclude with his hearty good wishes for the
success of the Leicestershire Chamber. (Applause).
Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., returned thanks as a very young

member of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society, and
he believed the only one present on that occasion, for the com-
pliment paid to that body. This meeting appeared to him to be,
from what little he had seen of it, one of the best wliich the So-
ciety had ever held. They had been furnished with a magnificent
site, and from the long lines of stock which he had had the
pleasure of glancing through, it appeared to him that their
cattle had come out of the affliction which had overtaken them,
improved and purified, rather than degenerated. It was the
custom in these days to look very gloomUy upon the finances
of the Royal Society ; but when they considered that they had
gone through the visitation of the cattle plague, and that in
1866 there was no show, and that last year there was only half
a show, and when they remembered that they had reduced their
capital Slock by £3000, it was not to be wondered at that people
shoidd take such a gloomy view of its prospects. On the other
hand, the Royal Society was not supported by the tenant farmers
as it ought to be, and he thought there was very good reason
why such support was not given (cheers). He meant to say
that the Council was a pocket borough (Hear, hear). The
tenant-farmers who were on the Council were the best and
ablest of tlieir class, and the great noblemen and large
landed proprietors who take a prominent part in agricul-
ture were very properly represented, but he contended that
there was a set of gentlemen on that Council who did all
they could, and who spoke, whenever they could, against
agriculturists, and always voted against them (Shame !) In
speaking in the House of Commons in favour of the Cattle
Market Bill, or in favour of Malt -tax Repeal, it was very
damaging to the little influence he (Mr. Read) had, to have
gentlemen of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society,
getting up and making speeches and voting directly against
the agricultural interest. They coidd scarcely believe that
the gentleman who drew up the report the other day against
the report of the majority of the Malt-tax Committee— a
report which said that the malt-tax was no sort of burden
to the British farmer, and who drew up the report of
the Trade in Animals Committee, which said that there ought
to be the same restriction put upon English cattle as was placed
upon foreign cattle — was a leading member of the" Council of
the Royal Agricultural Society (Shame) ! Leaving the
subject of the Society, he would now allude to one or two
things which had been adverted to by the Chairman. He
had told them that he did not believe in the value of com-
mittees. He did not think that there was ever in these days
legislation without either a committee or a commission pre-
ceding that legislation. He would ask them to remember
particularly the Cattle Plague Commission, of which he was
a member. They recommended the stamping out the disease,
and, though that was an impopular measure at the time, they
knew how successful it had been. They also reported in
favour of separate markets for foreign cattle, and that was
the bill upon which they divided so successfully last night,
Therefore, he thought, so far as commissions were concerned,
he had proved that they were of some use. With regard to
committees, they had recently had a committee on financial
boards, and they had recommended that all Boards of
Guardians should send representative ratepayers to take their
seat at the quarter sessions with the magistrates, and assist
them in all the financial business of the county (Hear, hear).
They also recommended that in all committees, such as' police
and _ finance committees, half of the members should be
magistrates and half elected ratepayers. If those recommen-
dations were carried out, what more could they wish for ?
what more could they desire ? They did not want to set up
county financial boards with separate and distinct jurisdiction,
but they wanted the voice of ratepayers heard in the court of
quarter sessions, and then he thought all would go smooth
and pleasant enough (cheers). As to the Chairman's remarks
upon the Cattle Bill, it was true that they were backed up by
50 independent Liberals ; but unfortunately for them, with but
one exception (Mr. Lowe), the whole Opposition went con-
tinually into the lobby against the agricultural interest. For
25 days, when in committee, they were taunted and badgered ;
it was said that they wished to deprive the poor of their
meat, and that they wanted nothing but protection. What
they wanted was thorough free-trade, but it must be a
rational free-trade, not free-trade in foreign diseases, which
were sure to produce first a pestilence and then a famine in
meat (cheers).

98

The farmeH's magazine.

Tlio Chairman said Mr. Reed's remarks were likely to con-
vey a wrong' impression as to what he said ahout county linan-
cial boards. He had taken a great interest in this question,
and he liad always thought it better to have farmers represented
at tlie quarter sessions, in preference to having distinct financial
boards.

The meeting then proceeded to the discussion of the subject
of the eveiiiug, "The pressure of local taxation on real property."

Sir G. Jenkinson said, he had been requested to propose
the first resolution — " That this meeting declares that the tax-
ation now levied by local rates bears unfairly upon the income
arising from real property, and urges that income arising from
other sources ought to bear an equitable share of the poor law
charges, and other local hurdens." He had had the honour of
reading an address on tl\e subject to the Central Farmers'
Club. He believed if the matter were taken up by all the
Chambers of Agriculture, they would he able to bring in a
measure, w'natever Government succeeded to office next year,
and to compel attention to a real grievance and a real injustice.

Mr. Pell moved " That a committee of tlie House of Lords,
in the year 185U, having decided that the relief of the poor is
a national object, towards wliich every description of property
ought to contribute, this meeting recommends the Chambers of
Agriculture to support by every means in their power legisla-
tion for carrying the principle into effect." In attempting to
advance the intentions of that committee, it was necessary he
should call attention to the evidence that was given before it,
as well as to a portion of the report founded upon that, to
which the Central Chamber of Agriculture had called atten-
tion. He was bound to tell them that the committee of the
House of Lords that sat 20 years ago, directed its attention to
other points, besides the one which had been selected for him
to bring before the meeting. The committee directed its atten-
tion first mainly to the way in which the tithe was assessed
upon every person in England. Among the witnesses ex-
amined there were two important ones, one he was very sorry
to say had passed from among them now, but had left a name
redolent of good sense and surpassing ability behind him, the
late Sir G. Cornewall Lewis, and another was still living and
aiding the agricultural interest by his exertions, the present
Lord Malmesbury. The report stated that as a general prin-
ciple it was impolitic, if not unjust, to levy upon one class
of the community all those rates which were to be expended
for the benefit of all classes of society, that certain property
should be exempt from those rates, and that the rates should
attach solely to real property. That this thing had been so
for the last 50 years was no reason why it should continue for
60 years more. Upon what did the security of personal pro-
perty depend ? It depended upon the happy feeling that
existed between the poor and the rich in this country. How
was that maintained and substantiated ? By the system pecu-
liar to England, the system of the poor law. If he was right
in saying the poor laws were essential in giving the fuU value
to personal property in England, he contended that personal
property sliould bear its share in supporting the poor rate.
Sir G. C. Lews considered that it would be fair to levy a tax
upon those persons who now escaped aU contributions to the
local rates ; for example, fundholders, mortgagees, and persons
whose income arose from the profits of trade. Could they
have any better evidence of that eminent man? He thought
he understood Sir G. Jenkinson to say the statute of Elizabeth
levied the poor rate upon the real property of the land (Sir G.
Jenkinson : I said it imposed it upon real property because
there was no other to impose it upon). The principle of the
statute was that it should be levied upon real property, and
also upon every person in tlie parish according to his ability ;
and acting upon that principle the Scotch up to ISio at-
tempted to levy the rate, and, in fact, in certain parishes in
Scotland, still continued to do so. It had been laid down by
the Judges that property to be rated must be visible — must
exist in the parish ; and persons had removed property to
other parishes to escape the rating. If a man occupied a
house at £100 a-year, and another a farm at the same rent,
and another a warehouse at a similar amount, did they pretend
that if they laid a shilling rate upon each of these men that
they were rating them according to their ability ? There was
no doubt but personal property should be rated as well as rea-
property, and it would be the duty of the Chambers of Agril
culture to take care that this matter was pressed upon the
attention of the legislature.

Mr. DucKHAM moved, " That this meeting calls upon the
members of all Chambers of Agriculture to support by every
means in their power those candidates who declare themselves
in favour of a revision of local taxation." He contended that
the present system of local taxation inflicted injustice upon
one part of the community for the benefit of the other, and
tliat the Chambers of Agriculture would not be carrying out
the objects of their promoters if they did not act iu accordance
with the resolution which he proposed.

Mr. May responded to all that Mr. Duckham had said with
regard to Chambers of Agriculture, and believed with that
gentlemen, tliat they were to be made of real service to the
country. It had been mooted to him by a gentleman who
represented a county, that their association was one-sided.
If such was the case, then all he had to say was, that he him-
self was not so. His only wish was to do that which was the
best for all men. He trusted that their Chambers would avoid
any impression of what might be termed extreme party feeling.
Agriculturists had a great work to perform, and he believed
they were in the van of doing it. They were very young, and
he did not think they had, as yet, put their forces in the right
form. It struck him that tlie present was the time for them
to put their forces in order, not for the mere sake of party
politics, which would be detrimental to their success, but
simply that they should unite, in order that they might
somehow or other teach the country that they, as farmers,
were, after all, not so far behind other people as might be
imagined. The question was, whether farmers as a class
should be taxed, and other members of the community set
free. He coincided with the gentleman who had spoken
before him that such a thing ought not to be, and he thought
it practicable that it should be changed. Wiiy should a penny
in the pound be levied for the release of the Abyssinian
captives, whilst the captives in our prisons and gaols were
paid for from another source? Why should not the same
thing be paid for in one way as in another ? Why should they
build ships of war, or any other expensive armament of the
Government, paying a penny in the pound, and not pay in the
same way for lunatic asylums, and other parochial establish-
ments ? Why should they pay their pennies in the pound to
teach people how to kill each other, and not pay to teach
them how to live amicably together ? His rates had increased
something about one-third upon his occupation ; they used to
be 2s. 6d. per acre, now they were 4s. Id. Still, he should
not grumble if the burdens were borne generally — England
expected that every man would do his duty. He said, let him
do it, in paying as well as in acting. He most sincerely wished
that Mr. Hallett, who was a great man in producing pure
seed, would take Mr. Read, and produce more seed like him —
(applause) — and that jMr. Mechi, who was so well-known in
connection with thin-seeding, would thin-seed Mr. Read over
the whole breadth of the land, and so produce to the farmers
a good crop of admirable men such as he was (Cheers).

Mr. Algernon Clarke (the Secretary of the Chamber)
said the resolution called upon them to exert some political
action in the next election with a view to ensure the return
to ParUament of members who would be likely to carry out
the objects of the Chamber. He was quite aware that this
was the first time that the Central Chamber had officially
taken cognizance of any strictly political action beyond depu-
tations, petitions, and so on ; but it must be remembered that
the Chambers were not merely farmers' clubs, afraid to take
any particular action, neither were they about to form them-
selves into trades' unions ; but at the same time, while there
might be an element of danger in the resolution which the
meeting was asked to carry out, still there was great weakness
in being afraid to pass such a one at all. The resolution, as
read by Mr. Duckman, called upon them to support in the
next election such candidates as declared themselves in favour
of what they might call Chamber questions. He was aware
there were two words in that 'resolution which were originally
intended to be put into it, and they were " wherever expedient."
It might be that an excellent man might come forward, such a
one as they would like to elect, but still he might be dead
against the reform of local taxation. Another man, in respect
to whom they might use every endeavour to keep out of
Parliament, might wish to act strictly in accordance with
their view of revising local taxation, and tlierefore it was
thought advisable to say " wherever expedient." What was
the use of going up to Parliament and asking their representa-

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

99

tives to do something for tliem, and at the same time being
afraid to speak to the candidate before he got tliere. His
object in addressing the company was to ascertain what
course the Central Chamber in particular, and provincial
Chambers also, ought to take in the coming elections. Were
they to have a committee sitting in London to act whenever it
was advisable to do so, and so as to carry out the views of
the members ? or were they to act as the Chambers of Com-
merce did, never interfere in the elections, and by that means
offend neither one party or another ?

Mr. C. H. Frewen rose amidst some applause mingled
with laughter. (After considerable interruption, the chairman
said it was possible that the interruptions came from gentlemen
who were not strictly sober. He should advise them to take
a stroll, and cool themselves.) He said, as regarded the reso-
lution then before the meeting, he must say that he cordially
agreed with it, but he confessed there were, at the same time,
a considerable number of practical difficulties connected with
it that required to be well considered before any measure for
carrying out such a principle was passed into law. He knew
from his own experience the great injustice that was inflicted
under the present system, and the great practical difficulties
that arose from time to time upon the subject of the income-
tax. They knew perfectly well that if they only took up the
Times newspaper they would be sure to see a return of con-
science money sent by individuals who had escaped payment of
the tax. He thought the principle suggested by Sir George
Jenkinson was a very sound one, and could be carried out pre-
cisely in the way that half of the expense of keeping up the
police force was refunded by the Government to the different
districts that supported it. Everyone, he believed, who had
examined the question, must come to the conclusion that there
was a great amount of unfairness and injustice as regarded
the income-tax. He happened to be a commissioner, and he
heard it said that the frauds which were committed in some
particular neighbourhoods were almost beyond conception.

Mr. Green, M.P., could not see how a parish could with
justice be called upon to support a national militia, or when
a man was drowned and thrown ashore, the parish, wherever
it happened to be, should be mulcted with the expense of the
coroner's jury. With regard to putting the expense on to
the income-tax, that was a question on which he should not
like to give an opinion, but certainly they had heard enough
to make them think ou the subject. He hoped the day had
gone by when there would be any class feeling between town
and county, because the interests of both were beginning to
be so united that they must go hand-in-hand together ; and
that which was conceived to be justice to both of them would
have to be done.

Mr. Turner said that the subject they had under discus-
sion was undoubtedly the question of the day. He should
like to have it written in large letters in every public building,
where it could be seen, that instead of paying on the rental
of Is. in the pound, he had to pay on three. There were
£300,000,000 paid to the property-tax, but only £100,000,000
paid to the poor-rate. Everybody knew that that was a fact.
It was simply a question of the rule of three, and they should
think of it night and morning.

The Rev. E. Smythies tliought that something should be
done so that during the next Session of Parliament the matter
might be taken up as it ought to be. There was only one
opinion and one voice as to the injustice of local taxation.
Surely in the next election they would have justice done to
them. He agreed with Sir George Jenkinson that they
should have an income-tax; then instead of having to pay
2s. 6d. in the pound, as at present, their payments might be
reduced to as low as 2d.

Mr. Neild, of Warsby, Manchester, considered Mr. Duck-
ham's resolution of vast importance. He besought them not
to let anything go forward which had in it anything like a
political bias. He believed there was no question of modern
legislation which claimed more consideration or was calcu-
lated to do greater justice to the agricultural interests than the
revision of local taxation ; and in whatever shape it might be
presented, there would still be left the broad principle tliat the
agricultural interest, so for as local taxation was concerned,
must prove the revision of Parli;unent.

Mr..RANDALL, of Market Rasen, held that the national
exchequer ought to meet all liabilities connected with charges
of poor-rates by an imperial taxation founded on an impar-

tial assessment ou the entire income of the country. At pre-
sent they were paying in the dark ; for instance, one-third of
the poor-rate was devoted to other purposes than the relief of
the poor. The local taxation was levied ou real property
alone, whereas real property only represented one-third of the
annual income of the country. The experiment of the blind
leading the blind had been carried to a considerable extent.
However, there was a great hope that the eyes of the leaders
would be opened. It was not long since that these Chambers
ot Agriculture were formed, but they had already gained a
standing in the country, which they would honourably main-
tain (Hear). They were listened to in the House of Cora-
mons, and the proceedings that day had been characterized by
an amount of mind and well directed zeal, which could not fail
to make its mark.

After speeches from several other gentle- men the resolu-
tions were put seriatim, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Read in moving a vote of thanks to the Chair-
man was most anxious that a fair distinction should be
drawn between the politics of agriculture and the politics
of party (loud cheers) . This was a distinction beginning to
be lelt ; and he could not help thinking that the towns would
soon begin to regard this question of land taxation as affect-
ing them also. He was glad to see Mr. Goschen, one of the
members for the City of London, taking up similar views the
other night in the House of Commons. In dealing with this
question, tjierefore, they must be careful to keep its general
bearings always in view. He was, on that account, anxious
to see all exemptions abolished. Several kinds of real pro-
perty— woods, mines, game, &c. — were now exempt from local
rates, and those exemptions should be got rid of. No doubt
it was a great question, but a national rate for the reUef of
the poor was beginning to be thought of. At any rate all
establishment charjies, the cost of lunatic asylums, the
militia and such other fixed charges ought to be defrayed out
of the consolidated fund ; but]the casual poor, respecting which
the expenditure may be lavish or parsimonious as guardians
pleased, were burdens on real property wliicli ought to be
supported by the district. The land even then would pay its
fair proportion of taxation levied by the State for objects in
which it had no special interest. He asked, then, but for a
simple measure of justice. It is not for us (said the hon.
member) that gunboats rot in Chinese seas ; it is not for us
that consuls are sent to semi-barbarous powers, who laud us in
an Abyssinian war and extra in come-tax ;,it is not exclusively for
us that large additional grants are made year by year for
education ; it is not for us that a quarter of a million a year is
spent by the Government ou art and science (cheers) . I say,
therefore, that we want nothing but justice, and though we
may wait long for it, we will be satisfied with nothing less
(loud cheers.)

THE DEVONSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICUL-
TURE. — The quarterly meeting of this Chamber took place
at Exeter ; Mr. Elias Ward, of Hangridge — in the absence
of the president, Earl Fortescue — in the chair. The meet-
ing took into consideration the propriety of establishing a
standard weight for the sale of grain. Mr. G. Radmore, of
Thorverton, brought forward a resolution recommending the
adoption of the following scale : 1st, Bushel of wheat 601bs. ;
2nd, Bushel of barley oOlbs. ; 3rd, Bushel of Oats 381bs.
He referred to the anomalies in the present system. At
Liverpool the weight of a bushel of wheat was 70lbs. ; at
Barnstaple, 651bs. ; at Exeter, 621bs. Mr. HoUey, of
Okehampton, seconded the resolution. Mr. Norrish recom-
mended tiiat the returns should be made of all grain sold in
the market, and moved an amendment embodying his views,
but as there was no seconder it fell to the ground. Mr. Rad-
more's resolution was then carried, witli only one dissentient.
The Chairman introduced for discussion the subject of the
extent of highway districts and highway rates. He moved
" That highway districts should be conterminous with Poor-
law Unions." Mr. HoUey showed that with regard to some
matters there should be a national instead of a county rate.
The resolution was carried by a majority of 19 against 4.
The Chairman then proposed " That the expenses of main-
taining the parisli roads should become chargeable to the
common fund of each district," Mr. Norrisii seconded the

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

motion. Mr. Risdon, of Wolton, thought that the principle
propounded was good, and that the resolxxtion expressed what
would eventually come to pass. The Rev. W. H. Karslake
suggested the formation of a small committee to assist Mr.
Ward in ascertaining how the proposed alteration, if carried
put, would affect tlie parishes. He much douhted whether the

county area would not be the best with reference to the main-
tenance of the highways. The resolution was carried by a
majority of 10 against 3. Mr. Risdon gave notice of a
motion, that as the general election is approaching the electors
be strongly recommended to press on the candidates for election
the great necessity of more xmiform and equitable rates.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

On Monday, July 20, at a general meeting of theTliirsk Cham-
ber of Agriculture, Mr. Craigie, of Brawith, the Chairman,
said they had met together to consider the question of agri-
cultural returns — whether good or bad was to be derived from
them — whether thould give them their support, or raise their
voice against the adoption of them. The subject had now
been under discussion a considerable time — in Scotland more
so than in England — and m the former country agricultural
returns had been tried with great success until lately. The
primary cause of these returns being instituted was through
the cattle plague. The Government were induced, in March,
1866, to issue the cattle census to ascertain what cattle the
country contained, and, in June they imagined the idea of
ascertaining the wheat crops. The returns were very imper-
fect at first, a large section of the community having objected
on principle to them; but gradually they have improved.
The tax-gatherer is mixed up with them, and there is a great
dislike to that word — there was rather a dread of Government,
and the returns being sent to the tax-gatherer. He thought
they ought to discuss the subject as fully as they could, and
ask themselves whether they should give the information, and,
if they did so, whether that information would be for the be-
nefit of the country. His opinion was that it was a capital
thing, and would be found of very great use to farmers, if pro-
perly compiled and prepared ; but they had not yet the statistics
to enable them to see of what real benefit they were, for some
of them r.ather tended to mislead than to form a proper data.
They would all have noticed the great discrepancies from year
to year, and by them they could not ascertain whether they had
advanced or retired. He thought some arrangement ought to
be made in classifying these returns, whereby the man in the
south might see what his brethren in the north were farming,
and he considered that some arrangement of that kind would
be the means ol promoting a general efficiency. The present
returns do not contain all the occupiers, for he knew himself
many in tlie North Riding who liad not sent in their returns.
In 1861, 7,099 were returned as farmers and occupiers, and,
in 1867, this number had increased to 12,631. Now it was
impossible that in six years the number would nearly have
doubled itself. He suggested also that if the size of tlie hold-
ings each man held was returned, it would be advantageous.
Before they discussed the general principles of tliat subject,
they should take it on its merits, and that is what they ouglit
to discuss first. If any person present would move a resolu-
tion, he had another which he would afterwards move as to
details, and which he thought would be of advantage to them.
He referred to the agricultural statistics prepared in Belgium,
Holland, and Trance, and the satisfaction that was derived
therefrom, and said he had no doubt that, on principle, agri-
cultural statistics would be a great benefit to all of them, and
not be detrimental to them. A man's means were not disclosed
to the public. What would a general do in battle, if he was
not acquainted with the supplies to be obtained ? and it was the
same with the country at large, who ought to know what sup.
plies they had at hand ; for if the aid derived from foreign
countries was cut off, they would have no idea of the resources
of this country. lie briefly referred to the question of estimat-
ing the total crops, which would, in his opinion, be found very
difficult. They knevf the area, but he considered it would be
injurious to couple the estimate with the area. It was very
necessary they should have agricultural returns, and those re-
turns should be as complete as possible (applause).

Mr. RiNGUOSE (Osgodby) inquired of the Chairman whe-
ther, in the Scottish statistics, there was not some estimate of
the counties.

The Chmrmah replied that it was attempted in three coim-

Mr. Rtn&rose agreed with the Chairman that a great deal
of objection had been taken to the statistics being associated
with the revenue offices, as it then appeared as having a con-
nexion vpith taxation. He considered that if the facts were
collected by the Board of Guardians, it would be less objec-
tionable to the public at large. If the statistics were collected
by them, they might form an estimate in committee. Some
farmers he knew of would be afraid to give a correct return
for fear of their landlords coming upon them for a higher rent ;
others would make their crops greater than they really were,
merely from a spirit of bombast. He thought that on looking
over the area they might themselves make a pretty good esti-
mate of the crop. He concluded by moving the following re-
solution : "That this chamber records its opinion of the value
of agricultural statistics, and suggests that that there should
be a further development of the system now in force, in order
that greater accuracy may be obtained."

Mr. Appleyard ( Angram) thought if the farmers discusse d
the question as they were doing that day, there would be no
more objection to agricultural statistics. If they ask their
neighbours why they do not send in their returns, the answer
given is tliat there is no advantage to them in doing so — they
ilid not know what they were for. If every person properly
understood the object of the Board of Trade in making out
these returns, he was sure there would be no more objection
to them. A copy is sent to the farmer, six or eight weeks
before harvest, to fill up : he is to give his estimate. If they
estimate the quantity of quarters per acre they must be very
far wrong ; and if the farmers were called upon to do that, there
would be a strong objection to it. This, however, is not what
he is required to do. He is only asked to give an estimate of
his entire crop. If farmers were called upon to give an esti-
mate of quarters per acre, the landlords would see it, and, per-
haps, raise the rents. He could not see any objection to the
present system, and he had great pleasure in seconding Mr.
RLngrose's proposition.

The Chairman next referred to a discussion which had
been raised in the House of Commons, on the advantage of
having a separate department for agriculture, having it repre-
sented in the Cabinet, and doing away with the returns to the
Board of Trade, Perhaps they would not exactly have a
minister of agriculture, but some person holding a similar po-
sition— a secretary for managing the agricultural affairs of
this kingdom. There was no doubt of the failure of agricul-
tural statistics as conmianding respect from the farmers, and
tliis would be best removed by having the statistics collected
entirely independent of aU Government offices. He called
their attention to the trouble in gaining information during
the cattle-plague ; they were referred from one person to
another, and never knew from whom they were getting proper
information, or from whom the restrictions came. Wliat they
wanted was an executive, and under that organization the
Chambers of Agriculture would be most useful to them. They
would not then be responsible to Parliament, but would be
independent of Government altogether. Agriculture formed
the great back-l)one of the country, and although a large por-
tion of the community could not be occupied in commerce, yet
they could in agriculture. A proper system of agriculture
was, he thought, a tiling that could not be over-estimated, and
their object was to make the whole of the agriculture of the
kingdom to radiate from one centre. Wliatever party be in
power, it should be their object to look after the interest of
agriculture. He thought that since agricultural statistics had
been introduced they liad certainly conduced to the benefit of
the farmer, and would still more so if collected as they recom-
mended. He proposed "That this chamber considers that

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

101

agricultural statistics would be more efficiently collected were
they compulsorily done by a national department of agricul-
ture, and in its opinion it would be for the good of the country
if such a department was instituted." He next referred to the
subject as taken up in the House of Commons by Mr. Acland,
and said that more than £70,000 a-year was spent .over the
services rendered to agriculture, which was very badly repre-
sented. What he suggested was that there be a commissioner
of agriculture appointed, who would be responsible to Govern-
ment, and by that there would be not only a considerable
saving effected, but the work would be carried out much more
satisfactorily than at present.

Mr. Barley (Osgodby) seconded the motion, and tlien pro-
posed " That the best mode of distributing the form of returns
would be through the medium of the overseers of the poor for

each township, and such returns to be sent by each occupier
under seal to the department of agriculture."

Mr. Earnett (Birdforth) seconded the motion.

Mr. llij<GROSE tliought statistics no use unless they were
made up soon after sent in, and he considered they should be
placed in tlie hands of a local man, and made up by him.

Several members olyected to tliis, on the ground that their
affairs would then become known in the locality.

Mr. West (secretary) suggested that this question stand
over until another meeting, and moved " That no mode of col-
lecting these returns be approved of by this chamber that doe s
not ensure perfect secrecy so far as it relates to each particular
occupier."

Mr. Barley agreed to withdraw his motion ; and that pro-
posed by Mr. West was carried.

MALT-TAX REPORT.

[We gave the substance of the following report wliieh has just been issued.]

The Select Committee appointed to inquii'e into the opera-
tion of the Malt Tax have considered the matters to them
referred, and have agreed to the following Report :

1. Your Committee opened the inquiry by taking evidence
from the Board of Inland Kevenue, and tlie chairman of the
Board (Mr. Stephenson) put in a statement of the different
rates of duty on malt from the year 1697 (when it was first
imposed) to the present time, as follows : " In 1697, on its
first imposition, it was Od. a bushel; in 1713, when it
was extended to Scotland, it was 6d. ; and in 1726, in
Scotland, it was reduced to 3d. Then, in England, in
1760, it was raised to d^L a bushel; in 1780, it was
raised to Is. 4id. a bushel, and to 8d. a bushel in Scotland.
Then, in 1785, the duty was imposed in Ireland, at 7d. a
bushel ; that was raised in 1795 to Is. 3d. Then in 1802 it
was respectively 2s. 5d. in England, Is. 8|d. in Scotland, and
Is. 9id. in Ireland. In 1804<, which was a year of war tax, it
was raised to 4s. 5|d. in England, 3s. O^d. in Scotland, and
3s. ^i. in Ireland. In 1813 it was raised"to 3s. 3f d. in Ire-
land ; and in 1815 it was raised to 4s. 5d. in Ireland. Then
in 1816 the duty was reduced to what it had been prior to
1804— viz., 2s. 5d. in England, and Is. 8|d. in Scotland, but
it was reduced to 2s. 44-d. in Ireland. In 1819 it was raised
to 3s. 7id. in England and Scotland, and 3s. 6|d. in Ireland.
Then in 1823 the duty was fixed at 2s. 7d. uniformly, at which
it stands at the present time, with the exception of 5 per cent.,
which was added in 1840 to the excise duties generally,
making the actual impost 2s. 8|d. For a short time, from
1854 to 1856, there was a duty of 4s. during the Crimean
war, and after that it reverted to 2s. S^d., as it stands now.''
following this statement, with regard to the amount of tax,
Mr. Stephenson stated as a remarkable fact, that the amount
of malt consumed had remained almost stationary for 100 years
prior to 1830, although the population had largely increased ;
that during this period the consumption was 25,000,000
bushels a year, and timt on the repeal of the beer duty in 1830
the consumption rapidly increased, until in 1866 it reached
45,000,000 bush, for England only. Inl866theamount of malt
on which duty was paid in the United Kingdom was upwards
of 52,000,000 bushels. These statements lead your committee
to the conclusion that a reduction in the rate of duty would
lead to a large increase in the consumption of malt.

2. Your Committee proceeded to examined several agricul-
turists of great practical experience, taken respectively from
all parts of the country. These witnesses appeared to your
Committee to be generally of opinion that the effect of the
malt-tax is to interfere with the due rotation of crops, by
causing wheat to be sown where barley could otherwise be
sovm ; that it causes inferior barley to be neglected for malt-
ing purposes, though it is well known that such barley would
make good malt ; that it causes the labouring classes to con-
sume an unwholesome kind of beer ; that it prevents the far-
mers giving their labourers wholesome home-brewed beer;
that it prevents to a great extent the agricultural labourers
brewing beer in their own cottages ; that it prevents the far-
mers making malt on their own premises, as used to be the

custom, it having been given in evidence that in the counties
of Essex and Cambridge few of the farm-houses were formerly
without malt-houses attached to them. It has been proved to
your Committee that malt is valuable for feeding purposes,
aud that the Excise restrictions, in preventing barley being
sprouted for the feeding of horses and cattle, are injurious to
the agriculturist,

3. Your Committee next examined maltsters from the coun-
ties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertford, Lincoln, Devon, and York ;
from whom your Committee gather that the number of malt-
sters has sensibly decreased in the last few years, whilst the quan-
tity of malt manufactured has increased ; that although some of
the witnesses were favourable to a repeal of the tax, they ad-
mitted that the trade, as a whole, were opposed to the repeal,
on the ground that it would lead to an increase in the number
of maltsters, and to the practice of maltiug by farmers ; that
the tax compels the maltster to use more capital in his trade,
by at least 50 per cent., than would be otherwise required.
The Committee feel bound to observe that it is given in evi-
dence that the revenue officers offer every facility to the malt-
sters in the conducting of their business.

4. Tour Committee examined two eminent corn-factors,
who are large buyers of home-grown barley and large im-
porters of foreign barley. Their evidence goes far to show
that, although in certain localities abroad first-class barley can
be grown, yet that as a rule the best English barley would
always command a higher price than foreign barley for malting
purposes.

5. Your Committee also examined three gentlemen emi-
nent as public brewers, who generally state that the consump-
tion of beer has increased very mucli of late years ; that
more capital is required with the tax than would be re-
quired without it; and that public-house beer is not
adulterated to their knowledge. Mr. Allsopp asserted
confidently that the public brewer can and does deUver
beer cheaper to the consumer than he can brew it for himself.
Two country brewers were also examined, the first of whom
objected to the repeal of the malt-tax, as he could see no good
in it, whilst the other was of opinion that it would confer
great benefit on the public generally, but especially on the
labouring classes.

6. Your Committee also examined Mr. Gurdou,of Brantham
Court, Suffolk, who has a plan for commuting the malt duty by
levying a duty on the malthouse, according to measurement ;
a plan wliich certainly appears to have some merit, but upon
which your Committee are not prepared to express any further
opinion, inasmuch as it is novel, and requires to be considered
by the officers of excise.

7. Your Committee next examined, on behalf of the con-
sumer, a manufacturer employing large niuubers of workpeople
on the borders of Lancashire and Yorkshire, and a very intel-
ligent labouring man from Playford, Suffolk. The latter, Elias
Amos, stated that he was a farm labourer at Playford, and that
he brews in Ms cottage three times a year ; that he could brew
oftener, aud that he and his family should use beer instead of
tea if malt were cheaper, as they can do more work on it; that

102

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

he can do more work on the beer he brews than on public-
house beer, which is not wholesome. He says all labourers in
his country would brew if they could aiford to do so. The
former witness, Mr. Joshua Fielden, of Todmorden, gives im-
portant evidence as to the extent to which cottage brewing is
carried on at the present time. He caused an examination to
be made, from house to house, in seven townships situate in
the parishes of Halifax, Huddersfield, Calverly and Rochdale.
The total number of families visited was 9,822, and the result
is that 76 per cent, of these families brew at home, 8 per cent,
would brew but cannot afford to do so, 6 per cent, buy their
beer, 10 per cent, do not drink beer.

8. The witness accounts for the prevalence of this habit, by
the fact that the wages received by a family in the manufac-
turing districts are so much more than those received by a
family in the agricultural districts. He also states, from his
own experience, that those who practise it are the least given
to frequent public-houses, and are the most sober, steady, and
industrious of the population. This witness contends that
the malt tax being laid on the raw material increases in pres-
sure at every stage of the manufacture or change of hand
through which it passes, and he arrives at the following re-
sults ; that, taking the price of barley at 31s. a quarter, the
tax, when paid by the malster, is 70 per cent.; that tlie person
who buys malt and brews beer from it pays a tax of 100 per
cent. ; and that the person who buys beer by retail in a public-
house pays a tax of 140 per cent. Your Committee are of
opinion that the principle on which this calculation is based
is correct, and that the consumer of beer pays a very much
heavier tax than goes into the Exchequer.

9. Two large distillers were examined by your Committee,
of whom Mr. Menzies was anxious that the distillers should

be allowed to make beer from some portion of his wort, and
that the duty on such beer should be charged in the same
manner as the drawback is now allowed on exported beer.
This witness, with all the large Scotch distillers, presented a
memorial to Mr. Gladstone to this effect, in 1866. But your
Committee must add, that the second witness dissented from
this proposition. He also thinks that a reduction of the duty
on strong wines would interfere with the spirit duty.

10. Your Committee concluded this part of their labours
by examining Sir Charless Pressly (formerly Chairman of the
Board of Inland Revenue), and Mr. C. B. Porsey (Surveying
General Examiner of Excise). The first of these witnesses
stated distinctly that there would be no difficulty in raising a
tax from private brewers ; and the second could point out no
insurmountable difficulty in substituting a brewer's licence in-
stead of the malt tax.

11. Your Committee consider that the result of the evidence
taken by them is, that the malt tax prevents the farmer from
cultivating his land to the greatest advantage ; that it ob-
srtucts him in the use of a valuable article of food for cattle ;
that, by making it necessary to employ a large additional
amount of capital in the important trade of malting and
brewing, it has created and tends to foster two large monopo-
lies ; and that, by materially increasing the price of beer, it
encourages adulteration, and prevents to a great extent the
habit of brewing amongst the labouring people.

13. Your Committee, carefully reviewing the whole of the
evidence before them, are of opinion that the malt tax might
be repealed, provided some means for raising the same amount
of revenue, if required, be substituted either in the shape of a
brewer's licence or some other form.

July 13, 1868.

THE CATTLE PLAGUE ACT.

(Prom the Supplement of the London Gazetfe of Priday, July 24 — Saturday, July 25).

Prom and immediately after the 26th day of July, 1868,
Article 26 of the Consolidated Cattle Plague Order of August,
1867, shall, with respect to the metropolis, be read and have
effect as if the words " ten days" were therein substituted for
the words " six days."

The schedule to the Metropolitan Cattle Plague Order of
August, 1867, shall be read and have effect as if the words
" eleven days" were therein substituted for the words " seven
days ;" and the forms of Metropolitan Cattle-market passes
shall be altered accordingly.

The word " animal" means exclusively an animal comprised
in the definition of cattle ; and the word " calf" means ex-
clusively a calf not more than 14 days old; and, subject
thereto, words in this order have the same meaning as in the
Metropolitan Cattle Plague Order of August, 1867.

Notwithstanding anything in the Metropolitan Cattle Plague
Order of August, 1867, cattle may be moved alive out of the
metropolis, in accordance with the provisions of this order.

Where any person being the owner of any animal within
the metropolis which, except in the case of a calf, has been in
his possession not less than eight weeks, or which, in the case
of a calf, is born from a cow which has been in liis possession
not less than 28 days, is desirous of moving such animal alive
ont of the metropolis, he may give notice of such his desire
to the local authority by writing, stating :

The fact of the requisite possession as aforesaid ;

The name and residence of the owner of the animal ;

The name of the person to whom, and the place to which
the animal is to be sent ;

A description of the animal, stating its sex, breed, age, dis-
tinctive marks, and other particulars sufficient for identifica-
tion.

On receipt of any such notice the local authority shall,
unless there appears to them good reason to the contrary, and
on being satisfied of the fact of possession for the time requi-
site under this Order, proceed, as soon as may be, to cause an
inspector appointed by them under the Contagious Diseases

(Animals) Acts to visit the cowshed or place from which the
animal is desired to be moved : —

In all cases within three days after the receipt by the local
authority of the owner's notice ; and again,

In the case of any animal other than a calf, at the expira-
tion of 28 days from the day of the first visit (both days inclu-
sive) ; but

In the case of a calf, at the expiration of seven days from
the day of the first visit (both days inclusive) :

And to report to the local authority on the state of health
of the cattle in the cowshed or place aforesaid.

If in tlie case of any animal, the inspector, on each such
visit, is satisfied and reports that it and all other cattle in the
cowshed or place aforesaid are entirely free from contagious
or infectious disease, and that it has not, since his first visit,
been in contact with any cattle other than those in the cow-
shed or place aforesaid, then the animal may be moved alive
out of the metropolis at such time within three days after the
second visit of the inspector.

Cattle brought to the metropolis by the London and North-
Western Railway may be moved alive within and out of the
metropolis by the London and North-Western Railway to
Willesden station, thence by the West-London Railway to the
junctions with the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway, and
with the London, Brighton, and South-Coast Railway, at or
near Long Hedge, and thence by either of the last-mentioned
railways out of the metropolis.

Cattle, the produce of Spain or Portugal, or of Normandy
or Brittany, may be landed at any port in Great Britain, along
the coast from the North Poreland, westwards to the Laud's-
eud, and thence northwards to the Mull of Cantyre, at places
approved by the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs.

Until cattle landed from a vessel under this Order have been
examined by an inspector appointed or approved by the Com-
missioners of Her Majesty's Customs, they shall not be moved
from the place of landing, or be allowed to come in contact
with any other cattle.

THE FARMER'S MAGA^lINp,

10<

LEICESTERSHIRE FARMING.

" A plough in a field arable," says Cowley, " is a most
noble and excellent coat of arms." It was a bome-truth
quaintly told, and one not to be lightly gainsaid. StilL
the decision of the twenty Midland farmers, who met to
celebrate the victory of Salamanca, and then sent off the
best score of bullocks in their pastures to " Sir Arthur,"
touches the real key-note of Leicestershii'e farming.
Drayton, it is true, could think of no other title for the
county than " Bean Belly," when he strung together in his
"Polyolbion," "theblazons of the shires;" but the lapse of
two centuries and a-half has placed bullocks before beans,
and wethers before wheat. Its "rich and marly plain"
hath, according to Burton, " the proportion of a Hart,
broad at the top and narrow at the bottom, which name
it truly beareth, for that it lieth almost in the hart and
center of the whole continent of the kingdome." Ex-
cept where Bardon Hill rises more than eight hundred
feet, above

" the craggy bound.
Rugged and high, of Cliarnwood Eorest ground,"

where you meet, as Herbert* did in harvest-time, those
silent workers in cowl and gaberdine, under the shadow
of the cross upon the rock, the county is pretty generally
a succession of gently-rising hills, of which a south-
eastern range separates the basin of the Soar from the
Welland. It contains 816 square miles, or about
535,3-46 statute acres f ; and extends 45 miles, north to
south, from Normanton in " Bever's batning vale," to
Stanford Park, dear to the Pytchley ; and forty, from
east to west, between Wymondhani and Nether Seal.
Its 335 parishes lie ia seven hundreds, and the present
county valuation is £1,063,686. The population, ac-
cording'to the census of '61, was 243,648, with the males
in a minority of 6,202 ; while the sum total showed an
increase in sixty years of more than eighty per cent. By
the same tables we find that there were 194 landed pro-
prietors ; 3,483 farmers and graziers ; 1,051 farmers'
sons, grandsons, brothers, and nephews above fifteen
engaged on the land ; 12t^ farm-bailifi"s; 567 shepherds
(out-door) ; 2,547 servants (in-door) ; and 16,182 agri-
cultural labourers.

It is not a county of large farms. Nearly half of them,
except on the grazing or Harboro' side, are under 50
acres ; there are not many above 500, and one of 700 or
800 acres is quite an exception. On the Harboro' side,
or "Top Leicestershire" as it is often called, they usually
average from 200 to 300 acres, and are let, in some in-
stances, at from fifty to sixty shillings, but more generally
from forty to fifty. Large fields, let by the half-year for
keeping, will make £4 and upwards. From thirty to forty
shillings is the average for plough farms all over the
county, but some of the best are let at fifty shillings, and
£3 in very isolated cases. Nearly all the farms on Charn-
wood Forest are small. In the Vale of Belvoir they more
resemble those on the Harboro' side in extent, but in-
crease to 400 acres on " The Heaths," or Waltham side
of the Duke of Rutland's property.

* lu allusion to Herbert R.A.'s celebrated picture of " La-
horare est orareV
t Vol. iii., Census (1861) Report, p. 80.

There are scarcely any leases in Leicestershire, and
except upon a few estates competition has increased rents
considerably during the last twenty years. The custom
of the country as regards unexhausted improvements has
grown more liberal, but it is still less so than in Notts.
An allowance is generally made to the out-going tenant
for draining done by him within six or seven years, pro-
vided he has paid for the tiles. If the landlord has found
them, the allowance for labour only extends over four
years. In some instances a portion of the cost of unex-
hausted artificial manures is allowed, and so for the most
part is one-fourth of the oilcake consumed in the last two
years of the tenancy, if no crop of corn has been grown
from it. When wheat has been sown on a clover ley, the
out-going tenant generally receives 3s. to os. per acre for
herbage, but not any rent, rates, or tithe ; and there is
also a three-years' allowance for bones on the lighter soils,
and a two-years' one for lime. On mangolds, cabbages,
or potatoes £1 per acre is allowed for the unexhausted
value of farm-yard and artificial manures ; but it is not so
with turnips.

There is a lack of good farm-buildings, although a
gradual improvement is going on ; but much remains to
be done, especially in cattle-yards and field hovels. At
present many farmers cannot tie up nearly enough beasts
on turnips and straw. This system is preferred for the
sake of economising food, but there are too often only
sheds for half the number, and the rest run loose in the
yards, and are often unable to lie down in very rough
nights. There has been no lack of spirit among
landlords and farmers in the purchase of good im-
plements. Private steam ploughs are kept at Key-
thorpe, Garthorpe, Prestwold, Gopsall, and Burton-
on-the-Wolds, and until lately a Smith's cultivator
was let out near Twycross ; but the ploughing is gene-
rally done with two horses, and three on the stronger
soils ; and the old wooden plough is not yet extinct.
Reaping machines and steam thrashers are let out, and
one of the most useful combinations we met with, was that
of a pulper and a straw cutter, discharging into the same
" well" and raising the mixed fodder by a hoist and
funnels either through the wall into the carts outside the
barn, or the storehouse within. Many Irish reapers
still come over, but the machine and the scythe are
gradually superseding the sickle. The scythe is, perhaps,
most in favour, as it acts best upon strong land, which
the machine cannot get into. During harvest, the men
seem to prefer taking out much of their increased wages
in ale or beer rather than in money, and the agreements
as to extra hours, supper in the house, &c., are so various
that hardly a dozen farmers could speak to just the same
practice. Men-servants hii'cd in the house get from £15
to £20 with rations, and, exclusive of hay and harvest
times, when they earn moi-e than double, a labourer's
wages will average from 2s, to 2s. 3d. per day.

" Matters of antiquitye, historye, armorye, and gene-
alogy in the countie of Leicester, whose beauty hath long
been shadowed and obscured," found their earliest
chronicler in Burton, whose work was printed in "Litle
Brittaine, neare unto Aldersgate-street," in 1622. The
north-east and south-west sides were credited therein
with " good soile and apt to bear corne and grasse." The
vale of Belvoir was " inferiour to none neere adjoining
for goodnesse and deepnesse of soile," and when cloud
and mists hung over its Castle tower, the rustics looked

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104

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

up I'lom tlieli' toil, and thougUt of " this old progaostick
rime there ciuTant"— '

" If Beuer have a oappe,
You cburles of the vale, looke to that !"="

The uortli-west side for the most part bore a hard and
barren reputation. " It yieldeth fruite not withoute great
labour and expences, but is still riche in pitcoale and
limestone, wherewith they doe husbande their grounds,"
as well as plenty of wood and fuel, in which the south-
east was wanting. Of the latter side, our author wrote
that it was " almost all champain and yeeldeth great
delight and profit in every way save one." " It affoordeth,"
he Jidded (and this is the earliest allusion we find to its
gheep), "many goode and large sheepe pastm'es, breeding
a sheepe to that height and goodnesse, so that (as I have
credibly heard) neither Lemster nor Cotswould can ex-
ceed them if one respeot, either largenesse of the body,
finenesse of the wool, or goodnesse of the breed."

A similar work was "attempted by John Throsby" —
under the Whartonian motto, "Knowledge is to be drawn
from particularities" — late in the eighteenth century, and
a very elaborate one by Mr. Nichol, in the present. The
agricultural history of the county entered vei-y little into
their plan, and Quaint Old Fuller did little more than
make merry with its "masculine beans," and the good
silver which they caused to rattle in the pockets of the
" stout yeomen," upon whom he strongly pressed the
need of a Friday market. The Board of Agricultm-e
commissioned Mr. William Pitt to report progress before
1790, and his elaborate labours are alluded to by Mr.
Marshall, in his "Abstract of the Reports," The latter
gentleman had himself written the " Rural Economy of
the Midland Counties," and resided for that purpose, in
1784-87, at a small village near Tamworth, where four
of them meet." His analysis of his rival's authorities
(one of whom was the celebrated Dr. Darwin) are suffi-
ciently caustic, and he treated all quotations from his own
works in Mr. Pitt's Report as "pearls set in a shifting
beach." He found, it seems, no land worth less than
five shillings an acre, and few on lease worth less than
ten. From fifteen to twenty shillings per acre was the
valuation he put on the county generally, " which no
other county, Rutlandshire excepted, can bear."

Arthur Young carries us back to 1771, when he left
his Bradmore farm for a tour through the North-West
Midlands. " Such as were pleased to give intelligence to
the author during the course of his tour" were neither
few nor chary of speech. He entered the county from
Northamptonshire, with his mind full of a close of 212
acres, belonging to Sir James Langham of Hazelbeach,
which " waved over the side of a hill, with herds spread
out to the eye, more like a patriarch's of old." He had
gazed on the 6,000 acres in Naseby fieldf, from which
the Ironsides, scarcely a hundred years before, had chased
the Cavaliers into Market Harborough, at the close of a
bloody summer's day. Booth of Glyndon had shown him
cattle of the longhorned Lancashire sort, and a two-
horse Rotherhani plough. As ho rode on his way
by Leicester and Loughboro' to Dishley, which Mr.

* Mr. Marriott, of Kibworth Ilarcourt, in Top Leices-
tershire, who has registered the rainfall for several years
past, informs us that the average for 1856-67 is 23 inches 54
parts, and that the highest rainfall for any year was 30 inches
18 parts in 1S66 ; each part signifying the one hundredth part
of an inch. The years 1857, I860, 1862, and 1865 are next in
order. In the dryest year, 1864, the rainfall was only 18
inches 4 parts.

t This is Mr. Mastin's computation in his History of
Naseby, but the award of the Enclosure Commissioners in
1822 puts it down at 3,376 acres.

Coke always styled " the best inn on the road,''
he " saw a new tool called a spud" at Mr. Ayer's, of
Tilton ; and found Mr. Shuckborough Ashby a right
pleasant guide to the farms round Quenby Hall. He set
the average rent of land at sixteen shillings, and of the
best grass land at thirty ; and he met with no commons
but Charnwood Forest and Rothley Plain. He wrote
strongly on cabbage in preference to turnips, and consi-
dered that spring cabbage for beasts and autumn cabbage
for sheep, with barley or oats for straw, should be cardinal
points of a new county system. Beef, pork, and mutton
were then only 3^d. per lb. ; and the consumption of tea,
both by labourers and the recipients of parish relief,
surprised him not a little. A lean eighteen-months'
wether brought its £1, and a fat one ten shillings more.
It was not the practice to send them up to Smithfield out
of the grass, but they were placed on turnips for soma
weeks near Hatfield or St, Albans.

Of the longhorns he gave a much more favourable re-
port than he did of the shorthorns, and estimated the hide
at fifteen shillings more to the tanner. Nothing seems to
have struck his attention so much as the eleven to thirteen
feet, which wore taken up by the hedge and posts and rails
of the ox fences ; and his proposed substitute was a bank
between two ditches with posts and a line of feathers on
the top, "which not even a deer would jump." There was,
however, nothing left for him to desire, when he found
the " Bakewell Junior" of that day among his cow-teams.
Dishley seemed to him " incomparable iu every particular
of good husbandry," and with such clean-kept quicks
that they were " bigger at three than others at six."
His longhoi-ns wei"e "all as fat as bears;" audit was
their great improver's boast that an ox of 50 stone had
30 of it in roast against 20 in boil. One part of his
stock management was, to say the least of it, peculiar.
He rotted the sheep he would not sell to breeders before
he sold them to the butcher ; and he did so by putting
them on pastures over which water was always flowing
after the middle of May.

The geological structure of the county has this espe-
cial feature, thnt the change of soil from light, sandy, or
gravelly loam to stiff marl is by imperceptible shades. Its
ditl'erent formations are so blended, that we can hardly
speak with the decision of the late Arthur Clough,
when he described himself, during a visit to his
old school, as standing on the blue lias at Rugby,
with the red sandstone westward at Coventry, and
four miles ofl' the Northamptonshke villages, " all built
of their native yellow-brown oolite, and whose peasantry,
in their fustian gaiters and kneb-breeches, have a yellow-
brown oolitish appearance." The eastern part is mostly
occupied by the oolite, the blue and white lias, and tho
intermediate formations ; and the rest consists generally
of the new red sand-stone, and occasionally of gypsum,
with vast coal- deposits commencing on the borders of
Derbyshire, and skirting Charnwood Forest on the west.
It is in this coal-district that the Flora is richest. No
less than IC5 and 155 species can be gathered iu the
course of a stroll round Castle Donington and Ashby-de-
la-Zouch respectively ; whereas you may search Syston
parish at the fertile junction of the Soar and the Wreake,
and only find 73.

The hills of Charnwood Forest are varied and
boundless in their mineral stores. " Swithland Slate
pits" has a familiar sound both to the contractor and the
foxhunter. Whittle Hill furnishes hones for scythes.
Cement-limestone is found at Barrow in horizontal layers,
one or two feet thick ; and granite blocks for the London
streets are hewn from the rocks in the new red sandstone
round Mount Sorrel and Quorn. The uplands are in
some places gravelly, but mostly consist of a greyish loam,
more or less tenacious in its texture. There are eight

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

105

kinds of loam between Melton Mowbray aad Normantou,
though few but a geologist could detect the shades of
difference, as the soil shifts from " sound grey" at Wal-
tham to snuff-coloured" at Braunston, and then to the
strongest or " deep grey," which dips from Stathera Point
into the vale of Belvoir. Sheep-management varies con-
siderably upon them. In the meadows of the Wreake,
near Melton Mowbray, lambs are very seldom wintered.
Between Thorpe Arnold and Grantham the sheep eat the
turnips off the land, whereas in the vale of Belvoir the
cold clay bottom will not admit of it.

The soil is generally deep and not easily burnt up. It
maybe divided into three great leading classes— fi'iable
clay loam for corn and grass, sandy or gravelly loam for
barley and turnips, and excellent meadow pastures along
the rivers. There are frequent deviations in management,
according to diversities of soil and variation of seasons ; but
the four-course is most general. On the lighter soils the
following rotation is usually adopted : 1 st, fallow for root
crops ; 3nJ, barley with seeds ; 3rd, seeds ; 4th, wheat. If
the farmer wants a two-years' ley instead of corn, when he
seeds his land down, he sows white clover with the usual
mixture of rye-grass, &c., and red clover if only for one
year. The quantity required per acre for the former is
one bushel of 23 lbs., which costs twenty shillings. On
heavier soils the six-course rotation is followed, to wit,
1st, dead fallow or roots ; 2nd, wheat or barley seeded
down ; 3rd, seeds ; 4th, wheat ; 5th, beans ; Cth,
wheat or oats. If more than one year's seeds are re-
quired, and the plant will stand, a second year may be
taken, and one less in corn. On the land round Tooley,
which naturally " grasses" well, four or five years' ley is
adopted, which enables a farmer to stock very heavily with
sheep, and then break up for oats, when eight to nine
quarters have been obtained per acre. In the Upton
district the six-field course often runs thus : 1st, break up
for oats , 2nd, wheat ; 3rd, turnips, mangold, peas, beans,
potatoes, vetches, or dead fallow, or a mixture of these
crops ; 4th, barley ; 5th, seeds ; 6th, seeds. In many
cases, the second year's seeds are dispensed with, and the
five-field course adopted. The practice is very variable, as
some parishes in this district grow very good wheat and
beans, while others suit turnips or barley. There are
farms in which no particular course is followed, but that
crop is taken which seems likely to pay most at the time.
As a rule, in the south-western district the oat crop is worst
and wheat and beans best.

Upon the clay lands a dead or summer fallow is gene-
rally taken ; but on the lighter soils, in order to start the
rotation, a crop of swedes, white turnips, or mangolds,
&c., is grown. The turnips are principally consumed on
the land, and the rest drawn ofi' and eaten in the yards.
The old system of pin fallows (sometimes called bye or
bastard fallows in Northamptonshire), which consists in
breaking up the wheat stubble in autumn, cross plough-
ing, scarifying, harrowing, and burning the twitch pre-
paratory to putting in the barley crop, is very much gone
out, as, except in very dry seasons, it cannot be done
with advantage. There is, however, much less necessity
for it than formerly, as twitch and couch grass are
I'apidly disappearing before a higher system of farming.

On some of the lighter soils the wheat is stocked
heavily with sheep in the spring, in order to consolidate
the root. If the weather is fine, and the land in good
condition, the plan is considered by many, apart from
the keep thus obtained, to act nearly as well as the clod-
crusher and roller, as it prevents the plant from lodging
so much in a wet harvest time. If ewes and lambs are
put in, there is sometimes danger of the best lambs dying
very suddenly from eating too freely, or from the change
it produces in the milk. The stronger land, which will
not bear treading, is very seldom stocked, and some far-

mers have calculated the loss at harvest by doing so at a
quarter of wheat per acre.

The wheat, which is principally winter-sown, is, like
the barley crop, very generally drilled in, which enables
the farmer to hoe it in May at much less expense, and
liir more efliciently. This is nearly always done with the
hand-hoe, but the patent poppy-extirpator or light har-
row has been used across the drills iu light soil with very
good effect ; and if this is done early enough in the
spring, before the weeds have got deep hold, it dispenses
with hand-hoeing altogether. Its effect is very good, as
the extii'pator does not draw away the soil from the plant
like the ordinary harrow, but moulds it up. The usual
rate of seeding for the oat crop is about four bushels to
the acre, which is very often sown broadcast. The most
impi'oved mode of putting in the beau crop is dibbling
by hand, v.'ith the aid of a line across the ridges in rows
sixteen inches apart. The holes are then kicked in by
the attendant boys, and one harrowing (which can be de-
ferred a fortnight, if necessary, for fair v/eather) with a
pair of horses finishes the operation. This mode of
management leaves the subsoil much less "set" than
when the crop is drilled iu with three horses, and has
had two harrowings as well.

The horse-hoe is rather falling into disuse, as, inde-
pendently of the loss occasioned by trampling down the
headlands, the work is very much better done by hand ;
and as the horse-hoe cannot act without damage under
20-iuch rows, there is a great saving of space, and the
yield is for two reasons better in consequence. Two or
three beans iu a hole are preferred to more, and when the
plan is followed out by a clever setter, the rows would
delight even a Dutchman's eye.

Lime is used extensively on breaking up the clover
leys for the oat crop, and is also mixed iu large heaps
with ditch scourings, &c., and the addition of salt, as top-
di'cssing for grass-land. When yard manure is drawn
out into the fields, the cart is generally driven on to the
heap and tipped, in preference to forking up the dung
loose, and allowing a second escape of ammonia. Some
farmers put a two or three-inches coating of soil on the
top to fix it, when the heap is finished. Lord Berners
bore testimony a few years siuce at The Londoa Fanners'
Club to the value of covering manure until the time for
spreading. His lordship obser^fed that " he had
ordered the maniu-e to be covered up in heaps as it was
brought into the turnip field, and so to remain untU it
coidd 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 lie was up to his
knees in plants, whilst the other was only a little above
his ankles. Inquiring of the bailitt" what could be the
cause of the difference iu this otherwise fine crop of
swedes, he was told that at that particular part of the field
where the turnips were smallest, the labourers had been
caught in a thunder-storm on the Friday afternoon, and
could not get to work again until the following Tuesday.
Consequently the manure had remained uncovered for
four days ; and it was plain, from the veiy first springing
of the turnips until they were gathered in the winter
time, where the men had left off. In another field the
wheat-stubble was iu one part so strong that he could
scarcely get his pointers into it, and it was as high as his
knees. Mentioning this to the bailiff, the latter said, ' If
you mean a point from a certain 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.' "

The tendency of late years, in the grazing districts,
has been to increase the arable as ancillary to grass-land,

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80 as to manufacture as much meat aud wool as possible.
There was a day within the late Difk Christian's recol-
lection, when he rode in a run from Cant's Thorns
"thirty miles on end to Harboro', and grass all the
way;" but since that proud and happy time Old Pasture
has quite bowed its head to new prices. Towards
Loseby and Twyford, which were both in the line, the
plough has gained on the grass ; and about Great and
Little Dalby fully eight hundred acres of inferior land
has been broken up within a few years. The plough has
also stolen a march round Prior's Coppice and Owston
Wood ; and on the hill-side, between Braunston and
Withcote. Carlton, Noseley, Shankton, Keythorpe, and
those Top Leicestershire districts generally, are ,ill keep-
ing more sheep on their grass-land by the aid of roots ;
and it has been found that, by breaking up a fourth of
four hundred acres of rather mossy pasture, which will
hardly keep a sheep in winter, a farmer is enabled to
double his flock. There are many graziers who have no
plough-land ; but they seem to be coming round fast to
the opinion that " those lands which ai'e one-fifth on the
plough are occupied most advantageously." On the
strong clays between Melton Mowbray and South Crox-
ton there is very little change; but in the East Poscote
Hundred some fields have been laid down, simply, as
was observed to us, " because farmers tire of working
with four horses for forty shillings a quarter." Near
Loughborough laying down is rather the fashion ; but on
Charnwood Forest a great deal of land has been broken
up for turnips, followed by barley, with two years' seeds,
and then oats, and it is rather a common practice to pen-
fold the oat-stubbles with Sheep. On the Leicester
Forest and Bosworth side there has been very little
change, but, if anything, in favour of laying down, though
some bad old pasture has had the plough put through it.
On the Duke of Rutland's estates, the temptation to
" make the corn-sacks walk to market, instead of being
carted there," has induced many to lessen their arable
land ; but we should say that, speaking of the county as
a whole, more furrows are turned up every year, but more
with a view to the meat-market than to Mark-lane.

Long Clawson and Hose, in North Leicestershire,
have no mean fame among pastures; and some of the
best on the Harboro ugh side are on the clay at Lubben-
ham, Oadby, and Great Bowden, and carry one bullock
and nearly two sheep to the acre. Glooston and Cranoe,
which were once wheat-land, have been laid down ; and
Glooston is said to feed bullocks as fast as that famous
100-acre close. Old England, by the Welham-side.
The best pastures are always grazed ; but bones and
liquid manure are very seldom used, and they receive no
top-dressing beyond knocking the dung about ; while the
inferior ones are top-dressed, before they arc shut up for
hay, with a little lime, and sometimes with nitrate of
soda. A ton and a half of hay per acre is a good average
crop ; and two crops are very seldom taken. Of the
management of grass we have spoken more fully in con-
nection with cheese-dairy farms.

Leicester, Loughborough, Market llarborough, and
Melton Mowbray are all large wheat-markets, more espe-
cially Leicester, which is chiefly ruled by the Liverpool
quotations. The farmers always sell, as at Nottingham
and Grantham, by the "18 stone nett of 631bs." to the
bushel. The Vale of Belvoir grows good beans and wheat,
principally red, but inferior in skin and quality to that
grown on the gravelly soils, which commands one or two
shillings more. Barrow-on-Soar aud Cossington, both of
them on the cement-limestone (which has a large propor-
tion of phosphate), grow the best description of white
wheat ; and there are also some capital crops at Dise-
worth, and between Breedon and Donington. Charn-
wood Forest combines fair wheat and barley with good

oats. The land about TTpton also suits it as well as
beans ; and red wheat is the favourite in the Harborough
country. Hound Loughborough both red and white
wheat are used pretty equally ; and a mixed quality is
also much liked, and thought to yield better than either.
The Essex AVhite is sown more round Barrow ; and its
fine " pastry"-flour is so esteemed that the Nottingham
and Derby millers send it to Manchester and Sheffield,
and make three or four shillings more for it. Improved
and Druce's "White are also in fashion ; and so is Homer's
"White, more especially on high-conditioned land. Golden
Drop and Browick or Bristol are also "well-accustomed"
reds, but not equal in quality to the Red Lammas or Old
Red, which sometimes produces five quarters from a
fallow crop, and breaks so well in the mill.

It is on the whole rather a fluctuating county for
barley, which is not very first-rate, and is principally
consumed by cattle. The climate does not suit it, and
colours it too highly for pale-ale purposes, and it grows so
much straw that it is apt to get laid. If the Burton
brewers purchase it they choose the Chevalier, but Sari
barley from the Hamburgh market is their sheet-anchor.
Many farmers grow the old long ear, a rather coarse
luxuriant sort, with sometimes twenty corns on a side.
Queniborough has some "quality barley" on its sandy
loam ; and Cossington is nearly as famous for it as for
wheat. It is also grown pretty good, but, like the oats, with
no great strength of straw, on Charnwood Forest, and, in
fact, all the way from Dishley to Leicester, through Quorn-
don. Mount Sorrel, and more especially at Syston except in
very dry seasons. Hardly any is grown in the Har-
borough country except about Smeeton, aud taking one
season with another, for beautiful colour aud malting
purposes, the midland brewers depend most for their home
supplies on the thin, stony soils near Stamford.

Oats are uot so much cultivated, and for the most part
on ground newly broken-up. Old turf ploughed-in leaves
more in the land to feed future crops than when it is
pared and bm-nt ; but the oat crop is very liable to be
attacked by the wire-worm unless liming and clod-crush-
ing are very carefully cai'ried out. Paring and burning
are a more popular though expensive process, and many
landlords object to it on account of the futm-e deteriora-
tion of the land, especially if it is too deeply done.
Turnips are often sown instead of oats, a plan which gives
six weeks longer for burning, and then two or three white
crops can be taken in successive years, if agreements will
admit of it. The Canadian Poland oats require a deep
soil to mature them, and the earlier they are sown the
better. Black One-sides or grey oats thiive best on very
well-conditioned soil, and Scotch Potato have less straw
and are generally ten days later. Tartarians are little
sown, and Frieslands flourish bravely round Melton
^Mowbray, and go principally to the Matlock millers. The
Harborough side grows this crop pretty well, but the
largest supplies come from the parts about Leicester and
Loughborough, and are chiefly Canadian Polands, weigh-
ing " 13 stone nett of 45ilbs. per bushel." The bulk of
them goes to Nottingham, and some of the finest samples
to Manchester.

Leicestershire is not given to "rejoice in potatoes,"
and its home supplies are principally drawn from the
Lincolnshire fens. A considerable quantity was once
grown on the north of the county, but " since the disease
they have dwindled to a tenth ;" still they hold a place in
the green-crop rotation on the Duke of Rutland's estates.
The Lincoln Reds are grown more on the Lincolnshire
border, and Flukes, a late potato but rather uncertain, as
well as Farmer's Profits, have rather given way before
Second Earlies and Irish Protestants. The last-named is
a very good sort — prolific, mealy, and sizeable. There are
good Creech or " red soil potatoes" at Knipton, but the

The i^armer'S MAGAzmii.

1D7

cract parishes for them are Braunston aad Eaton, two or
three miles south of Belvoir.

A great many turnips are grown on the clay of the
Vale. Root crops also flourish well on the black soil of
the Forest, and the swedes near Beaumanor have taken
the Loughboro' Agricultural Society's prize. On the
lighter, sandy soils about Peckleton and Kirby Mallory,
capital swedes and Improved Skirvings are grown, but
towards Stoke the land becomes stronger and less suited to
them. At Cadeby, Osbaston, and Nailstone the sheep
can eat them off the land, byt not at Upton. About
Narboro' and in the Harborough country they are never
eaten off, but put down upon the grass. Very few are
grown about South Croxton, which is not strong feeding,
but strong working land, and hence the farmers very
seldom finish oif their beasts, but sell them as " Norfolk
steers" between Michaelmas and December 8th.

Mangolds and cabbage have been introduced very
largely since there was a failure in the turnip crop. This
crop is nearly everywhere taken after wheat, and the land
is dressed in autumn by some of the high farmers with
twenty tons to the acre of farmyard manure, and sown in
spring with three to five cwt. of salt according as the soil
is strong or light, but on some farms three to four cwt.
of guano per acre and some salt are deemed suflicient.
The Yellow Globe has been very much run on, and so have
the long reds on strong soils, as they grow more out of
the ground and do not gather so much dirt — although they
are, for this reason, more easily affected by the early
frost.

Cabbages require as high farming as matigolds, and
nitrate of soda and guano suit them best. It is found to
be a very expensive and impoverishing crop, and gene-
rally follows wheat. The land requires to be very clean
and well-manured, and we have heard of it getting in a
very rare instance from 23 to 30 tons of farm-yard manure
per acre. After such a dressing the crop is always eaten
in the yards or on the grass. Under any circumstances,
eating off cabbage makes great waste, and wherever it
is practised only every third or fourth is left on the
ground. Where the land is very strong, eating ofi' is also
objectionable for another reason — that the dead leaf and
clay get into the sheep's feet and lame them. The drum-
head cabbage, which is " all heart and no peel," is first-
rate for teaching lambs, or feeding off cull ewes on the
grass. From 45 to 60 tons have been grown per acre at
Narboro' Woods in a good season ; but they should be
aU consumed not later than November, as they are apt to
open and crack with the wet weather. Lucerne is some-
times grown to the extent of two or three acres, for horses ;
but there is very little rape to be found in the county, and
scarcely any mustard. Peas are sown to a considerable
extent on the light soils ; and are given, along with beans,
to the hogs, which are thought by some farmers to
acquire more bone and fibre on them than on any other
food. Beans thrive on all the strong land, but are rather
subject to blight on the lighter ; very heavy crops of
them are grown round Belvoir and Melton Mowbray, and
the run is generally on the hardy and prolific Heligoland
and white-eyed bean. About South Croxton and Billes-
don the land does not suit them so well ; but they are
much cultivated, both in spring and autumn, about Six-
Hills and Ragdale. Not many beans and peas are grown
about Ashby-de-la-Zouch ; and Barton-in-the-Beans is by
no means superior in its growth to the parishes round it,
whose farmers prefer peas, as the straw is more useful for
stock.

Owston, Launde, and Tilton — which .Jack Goddard and
Fi'ank Goodall know so well — are the big woods ou the
east side ; but the great mass of the woodland is still
upon Charnwood Forest, and, whenever owners plant

there, it is almost invariably with larch. Hollies flourish
in rich luxuriance in the south — and more especially, to our
eye, in the neighbourhood of Earl Shilton and Bosworth ;
while in Top Leicestershire the ash has been sown by
winds or birds in almost every hedge. Woodmen tell
you with pride of the ashes of Barton Field, and of the
elms of Wistow. Between them, these two trees do yeo-
men service, as the ash supplies the felloes and the
" hubs " of the wheels of those blue-and-red and straw-
coloured four-horse waggons in which Leicestershire de-
lights. One-horse carts are not nearly so much used as
in Northamptonshire, and in hay and harvest-time they
are hardly seen at all.

The woods, which are gradually being thinned, are
generally a tangled mixture of oak and ash, with hazel
undergrowth. In the detached ash-holts, the poles are
shoots growing, for the most part, from old " stools," and
generally seasonable and fit for cutting every 17 or 18
years. In Viscount Hood v. Kendall, which was tried a
few years since at Leicester, it was found by the jury that
there is a universal custom that such poles are not
"crops," but belong to the landlord, in the absence of a
special agreement. Leave was reserved to the defendant
to move to enter a verdict, if the court above should be
of opinion that, notwithstanding the custom, the defen-
dant had a right to the poles ; but, as it had not been
left to the jury to consider on what terms the tenant held
the farm, a new trial was ordered. The matter was,
however, settled out of court. Such ash poles are very
valuable for rails, the oaken posts for which are generally
bought in Northamptonshire ; those with three holes can
be got for 8d., and those with four at Is.

A good ox-fence consists ot a flight of post and rails
(for which wire is sometimes substituted) ; two yards from
that, a four-foot hedge planted with quicks, and strongly
back-fenced with maple, sallow, or blackthorn out of the
woods, and then a wide ditch. Horses, resolutely ridden,
will often clear from nine to ten yards over them. " I
like the rail best," said an eminent huntsman to us, " on
the other side of the hedge ; so that, if the horse does not
quite clear it, it will break if he drops on to it with his
hind legs." They are generally strongest on the Har-
borough side, from Kibworth by Stanton Wyville, the
Langtons, Hornyhold, and Hallaton Bottoms. Some of
the biggest bulfinches have been left for cattle shelter, and
not cut for 30 or 40 years. For practical purposes they
are useless at this stage, as, when they have once risen to
13 or 14 feet, there is little or no shelter at the bottom.
About 10 or 12 years is the longest period to which they
should be allowed to run, as they do not require so much
putting down, and the old layers will use up again. The
truth of the saying, " Good land, good fences," is patent
from the bad growth of the quicks in the Six-Hills
country. The little two and three acre fields with high
hedges, round Dishley, are all gone ; and in some parts
the exigencies of steam-cultivation have also acted as a
most potent hedge-grubber. About Normanton, where
there is no " kettle o' steam," there has also been a great
fall of hedge-row timber, and fields of 15 acres have been
more than doubled. The only stone walls are on Charn-
wood Forest ; but they are built very stiff, with sharp cop-
ings, which " cut a hunter's knees like a knife ;" whereas,
in Gloucestershire, "he can generally take a toot out of
the wall, and no account." AVire-fencing, a yard off the
hedge, has rather increased towards Pickwell and Lees-
thorpe ; but the fox-hunting feeling of the country is
against it, and the introduction of lease covenants to
that effect, as well, have caused it to be pretty universally
taken down during the hunting season.

Great strides have been made in drainage, and the
results jbtained by a very careful and scientific system at

108

O^HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Keytliorpe have been already detailed in the Royal Agri-
cultural Society's Journal.* Thirty years ago a Leicester-
shire agriculturist was very strongly in favour of con-
tinuing to drain with straw in preference to tiles. His
argument was to the effect that " draining with straw
leaves pores in the clay, and thus leaves a possibility for
water to get down ; whereas if you put in a tile you put
in clay on it again that soon becomes adhesive, and no-
thing gets through it." He did not then purpose going
deeper than eighteen inches, and it was thought by many
that water might percolate through two feet ; but any one
who proposed four feet was deemed ripe for the asylum.
On some of the strong grass land two feet is still not
exceeded, and is thought to keep the surface greener in a
dry summer ; but the conventional depth is from three to
four feet, and ten or twelve yards apart in gi'avel and
seven to ten in clay. A considerable amount of Govern-
ment drainage has been done on large estates, at four feet
with two-inch pipes, which have quite superseded the tiles
set on slate. Clergymen have availed themselves of the
loan pretty extensively for their glebes ; and if the land-
lords take it up, they generally charge the tenant five per
cent., and pay the one per cent, themselves. The Duke
of Eutland and several of the landowners give the tiles,
the tenants finding the labour ; and this is in fact the
pretty constant practice throughout the whole county.

And so from white and green crops — from oxfence and
woodland — we turn to stock at last. There is no lack of
local show-stimulus, and " The Leicestershire and Rut-
landshire Society," now "The Leicestershire and
Waltham," was in being as far back as 1808. It did not
seem to strike its committee, as it had done the apolo-
gists whom Arthur Young met on his way, that " ant-
hills made a varied bite for the cattle." On the contrary,
they offered a premium of 20gs. in that year to the man
who " will free not less than five acres from anthills in one
year ; but still they made him wait " for proof of efficacy"
three years for his money.

The Sparkenhoe Farmers' Club, whose lists are open
to All England, is not, strictly speaking, a county insti-
tution, b)it selects its places of meeting from Staffordshire
and Warwickshire as well. Its show is held early in Sep-
tember, and moves annually to one or another of nine
towns. Agricultural labourers, single or married, frame-
work knitters, farm-boys, and dairy-maids, all receive
prizes, under certain well-considered restrictions. The
okill of drainers and hedge-cutters is duly recognized,
and, besides the general competition, there is a champion
class among ploughmen " for the straightest ridge of two
furrows." Rearing lambs is a science, which receives
special attention, and the shepherd classes are quite dis-
tinct for long-wool, short-wool, and cross-bred flocks.

The store cattle judges are especially enjoined "not to
take into consideration the present value for the butcher."
Longhorn men regard the show as quite a rallying gi-ound,
on which they can stiU successfully give battle to their
Teeswater supplanters. It is also as great an honour to
be the Sparkenhoe cheese champion of the year as it is
to get the highest price per ton at the Leicester October
fair. The prizes, which amount to about £700, extend
to pigeons, poultry, and rabbits, as well as barley for
malting, fruits, and flowers. Conjointly with the two
other societies, it has given a considerable impulse to
poultry breeding in Leicestershire, where the Dorking is
quite the prima-donna of the hen-roost.

The Loughboro' Society is conducted much on the
same principle, and so is " The Leicester and Waltham,"
which holds its meeting in August, and is very liberally
supported with special prizes, which swell its added money
to about .€850. The horse element is especially predomi-

* Vol. xiv. p. 96.

nant. Hunter prizes are open to all England, and three
are limited to six neighbouring hunts. A Scottish society
makes fifteen hands the limits of its butter-milk cart
horses, and fourteen-two of its sweet-milk cart ponies ;
and so in these Leicestershire lists a "cob " may not ex-
ceed the latter height, while a " hack " may range between
it and fifteen-one. We know no higher standard of
orthodoxy for country societies to follow.

Still there is none of that enthusiasm for breeding
hunters with "great hips and rumps, and hocks a little
in," which animated the breasts of " the old Bluecoats."
" Those crashers would hardly wait for hoimds to get on
the scent ;" and they bred and rode such horses that
Jonathan King, of Beeby, would hardly take one out of
the stable to show a purchaser, under 300 gs. Many
other farmers, who did not ride in this long blue coat and
gilt-button brigade could sell to the Meltonians at £150
to £200 ; but very few hunters are bred now ; and the
days when Carver of Ingarsby could say that he got
200 gs. apiece for seven colts out of one mare seem to
have faded into fable. Four-fifths of the Leicestershire
hunters are now bought in London ; and many of the
rest are originally Irish colts, which have been brought
over by the dealers to fairs at Leicester, Tamworth, and
Belton (where Welsh pony buyers for the coal mines also
resort), as well as the more finished material, which may
be seen after a canter over " the forest " to the snug
stables at Talbot-lane. If the farmers do use a blood
sire, he is mostly put to a light waggon mare. Their
choice of such sires is also very limited. They want
another Vivalda, with his long, low, and lasting horses,
which always, young or old, " had a leg to spare at a
fence ;" a Julius Cfcsar, with his fine tempered, up-
standing, and " spawny bays ; a Cannonball, with his
good-looking, clever-actioued, middle-weight stock ; and
a Belzoni, with his big, plain browns, rather sour in the
temper and forge-hammer in the head, and never quite
ripe till they were rising eight. Cart-horse breeding is
the safer aim of the Leicestershire men, when, as in some
of the rich grazing farms, they do not grudge a colt his
grass. A great number are sold at Waltham fair, on or
about September 19th, where they usually come up, at
two off. These Leicestershire colts are also in strong
force, side by side with the kindred levies from North-
amptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Notts, at the Rugby
Martinmas fair*, which lasts from the 15th to the 23nd
of November. They are of all ages, from yearlings np
to five years old, with a strong dash of the Clydesdale
as well as the old Leicestershire horse in them, and mostly
browns or blacks. The plough-farmers of Oxfordshii'e,
Berks, and Bucks generally buy the juniors ; and if there
is anything with age and substance for dray-work, the
London dealers seldom leave them.

ilarch 2nd is the large spring fair at Leicester for
store beasts, and there are also Low Fair and Palm Fair
before and after Easter. Every Leicester Saturday is
more or less a fair up to Old May-day. April 2nd is also
a large fair-day at Lutterworth, and so is Holy Thursday.
IMarket Harborough has a very large one in October, and
the " Norfolk Steer Market" is held at Leicester on
December 8th. From March to June the Shropshire^
Hereford, Welsh, and Irish cattle are poured into the
county through Leicester market, and again from Sep-
tember to December.

The Hereford still holds the lead of its kinsman, the
black with white face Shropshire, and the Welsh runt,
but there has been no Hereford dairy in the county since
Mr. Henry Chamberlayne of Desford died in '53. He
bore an honoured name in Smithfield Club annals, and
besides acting as steward, he added to his head prize for a
Hereford bullock in '38 the gold medals of 1838-39
for Loug-woolled wethers, with Lcicesters bred from his

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

109

own ewes, and two of tlieui by Buckley lams. Here-
fords have always been liked in Leicestershire, not only
for their feeding qualities, but for their tine tempers in
the yards, where the horns of the West Highlanders are
never at rest. The Shropshire was once upon a time
more of a smoky-faced brindle, until he was " crossed
up" about Pontypool and Welshpool, with the Welsh and
Hereford cattle, and took to the coat of the one and the
face of the other. Still his ancestry will hardly repay inquiry,
and no doubt has much in common vnth. the Montgo-
meryshire and Glamorganshire breeds, both of which are
nearly extinct. The former of these two was once very
common in Shropshii'e, and in many points, except its
superior size, resembled a Devon ; while the latter, with
the substitution of black for red, was very like a Hereford
in its colour marks. Be their pedigree what it may, the
Shropshire, like the Runts, are good ones to rough it,
and when there is not room to tie up all, they have to lie
in the yards. A few West Highlanders, Devons, and
Galloways are still to be seen ; but that once great.Scotch
fair at Melton Mowbray in Angust, where "the heavy
blacks" from the Stewartiy might be found in droves,
now knows them no more ; and " The Shamrock" has
quite superseded The Thistle. The heaviest cattle sup-
plies are sent up to Sniithfield between July and
December, and in a straggling way during the first half of
the year. There are not many cows and heifers amongst
them ; but any shortcoming in this respect is made up by
the bullocks. Still there is no doubt that the Leicester-
shire fai'mers stock hard, and one season with another
send off beasts quicker than they once did, and not so ripe
in condition ; and in a Top Leicestershire 400-acre farm
a grazier will have about 150 beasts and 600 sheep.

The longborns still struggle for a separate existence in
a small district round the point of impact of Warwickshire,
Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Leicestershire. They had
made themselves a name at Upton as far back as 1745 ;
but it was not until 1756 that the blood of the renowned
Twopenny, from Dishley, began to tell, and caused Bake-
well to speak of George Chapman's as " o/te of the lest
herds I know any where. ''' Some years after Bakewell's
death, Shakespeare of che sort made £420 at Mr. Prin-
sepp's, of CroxaU's sale ; 'and it was said that 700gs. was
refused for Tiger. With such traditions to inspire them,
we can hardly wonder at a select few " clinging to this
expiring cause" with more than Jacobite zeal. The
Upton herd has an uninterrupted title of more than
eleven times eleven years, in grandsire, sire, and grand-
son. The present Mr. Chapman has taken seven firsts
and a second with them at Smithtield, and five firsts and
as many seconds at Birmingham, besides breeding three
other winners. Competition at these shows is always
very limited; but his steer of 3 years and 8 months,
which took double Christmas honours in '63, won the
Sparkenhoe county cup in the same year, against two
longhoms and three shorthorns. jMr. Chapman has also
taken £70 in Royal Agricultural prizes at Exeter, Wind-
sor, Battersea, and Plymouth. Among his champions
were " Exeter," with his shaven poll and great brindled
carcase, which weighed 21st. 121bs. per quarter, and
" Sparkenhoe," that " grand old longhorn buU, himself
one of the greatest curiosities of the show, * who jour-
neyed still farther west in '65.t Mr. Godfrey, of

* Beport of stock stewards at Plymouth, Royal Agricul-
tural Society's Journal, vol. i. (S.S.), p. 364.

t Mr. Chapman's most recent purchase of nev/ blood has
been from Mr. Fletcher Rigg, of Wythop, in Cumberland.
This is going back to first principles, as the Drakelow stock
of Sir R. Gresley, on which Mr. Webster, of Cauley, near
Coventry, the fli'st scientific improver of the sort, is said to
have worked, was kept up by bulls from that county and
"Westmoreland.

Wigston Parva (who won with a pair of cows, when the
Royal Agricultural Society met at Warwick), and the
Messrs. Taverner, of Upton, have also longhorn dairies
in Leicestershire ; but Mr. Green's and Mr. Astley's of
Odstone herds were dispersed when their owners died.

The adherents of the breed muster twelve or thirteen
more in the three adjoining counties ; but a few of them
are not purely longhorn men ; and one of them. Colonel
Inge, keeps a 'shorthorn bull. They give as the reason of
their faith in beasts of.' the sort, that they are not only
hardier, and keep their young looks longer, but furnish
more meat on the best parts, and a greater weight of car-
case at a less outlay. The cows, Avhich should calve, if
possible, at three years old, feed fastest from that age to
five, especially if they have had a calf. Their tendency
is to feed more on the back and barrel ; and hence the
butchers are rather prejudiced against them, and say that
they have not enough of the steel-yard inside, and do not
" prove " so well in consequence. Many of the cows
w^ill hold on well to fifteen, and then feed up to eleven or
twelve score a quarter. A yearling bull will make from
15gs. to 25gs., and some years ago a two-year-old was
sold by auction for 50 gs.

Mr. Burbury has bred them white, but the darker
colours are preferred. Dark brindle is thought very
hardy ; but Mr. Chapman and some other breeders like
cherry-red, with the back white, and the sides coloured.
The coat should be as curly as possible ; and a face with a
darker shade intermixed is liked better than a white or
bald. They are a remarkably docile race, and their thick
skin saves them in a great measure from the torture of
the gadfly. The tanners set much store by it, and will
pay as high as £2 7s. 6d. for a first-rate bull's hide, and
still higher for that of an ox. Good keep gives that
blood-red tinge to the horns, which is always prized by a
breeder. They begin to show the age wrinkle after three,
and run into all shapes. Some grow so much down that
the cows can hardly graze, and they require to be sawn
off, like " the wheel -horn," which will curl right back
into the nose. Others go straight away into space, at an
acute angle ; and it is not very uncommon to see one
following the usual curve, and the other curled into the
" scorp," like a boxer's hands in position. To walk down
the massive red-and-white line of forty cows at Upton,
all busy with their hay bundles on the pastures, and the
thirteen-year old " Rose" still " blooming fresh and fair"
at their head, is a very pleasant picture, even on a
January day, backed up, as it is, by Bosworth Field,
whese well still marks the spot where the third Richard
lost his life and crown.

As a general rule the plainest cows are the best milkers,
and the milk of a seven or eight year old one is generally
thought the richest. Some of the best " fill-pails " will
give 19 quarts at two meals, and the dairy farmers have
made 4^ cwt. of cheese from one cow. They ai-e kept in
winter on barley straw and pulped tiuTiips, and mostly
calve early in AprQ. Calves get new milk for three weeks
or a month, and then have linseed and oilcake dissolved
in gruel, with the over-night's milk or whey. The cows
are good nurses ; and one of Mr. Chapman's, which had
only three teats, brought up a bull-calf on each with
credit. Some of them have been sold recently to Mount-
serrat, as well as to Ireland. They are crossed with
Shorthorns to a sm.all extent in the county, and the
" half-horns," as they are called, milk well and come to a
great weight, if they are not taken beyond a first cross.

H. H. D.

110

I'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.
MEETING AT CHELMSFORD.

la the exercise of a certain timidity, or still more
certain selfishness, the show of the Essex Agricultural
Association is still mainly confined to the county. In
this respect it does not rank well with its neis;hbour3 ;
and any further comparison would be as unfavourable,
for despite the admirable way in which the old " Royal"
ground was laid out, the meeting was at most but a partial
success. The cart-horses were with a few exceptions so
indiflerent, that a well-known breeder and judge, who has
so far voted for a continuance of the home-trade in prizes,
declared that he could support such a system no longer ;
while Messrs. Newton and Little very candidly expressed
their surprise at the sheep and pigs, and at having come
so far to see so little. On the other hand, notwithstand-
ing the absence from the lists of such supporters as
Messrs. Marjoribanks, Bramston, and Clayden, who have
lately been selling out, the entries of Shorlhoiiis were
very creditable ; as a good word may be certainly said
for the general strength of the riding-horse section.
Then, again, the town and district took up the visit with
a deal of heart. In association with the Association
there were flower-shows, poultry-shows, and dog-shows ;
flags were flying and shops were closing ; as in fact there
was plenty of spirit evinced everywhere, save just where
spirit should have been most prominently displayed. Let
the entries be thrown open, as they are in Norfolk and
Suffolk, and let any animal be allowed to win, so long as
he is good enough to do so ; and then, and not till then,
Essex, as we have just said, may take rank with its
neighbours.

As it is, and but for the off"er of a few All-England
premiums, the proceedings have of course little beyond a
merely local interest and influence. After looking through
the sheep, the judges came to look still harder at their
instructions, which went to say they were "not to award
any prize in classes in which the animals exhibited did
not possess sufficient merit." Here was clearly a dilemma
on the face of it, for the entries were but few ; some of
these were not sent, and those that were had but little
merit. If the Essex Society be still to continue a
"limited" company, it is a question of some moment
whether these excellent instructions should not be
amended, or more properly altered? Or, by another
meeting the prize list may itself read in significant com-
mentary on this restrictive principle. However, Lord
Braybrooke was permitted to take the premiums for
Southdowns against absolutely no competition. The
Audley End sheep show a deal of breeding ; but the
rams, more especially, are small, light of wool, and any-
thing but good in their symmetry, beginning with snake
heads and -weak necks. The ewes and fat shearlings
were better ; but even these did not come up to the cha-
racter of the Smithfield Club prize pen. ^Ir. Giblin had
it almost as much his own way with the Cotswolds and
Oxford Downs ; but these would make no mark out of
the county, and so Mr. Hugh Aylmer of course took the
open prize for long-wools with a small but useful sheep
of very superior quality to anything of home-growth.
In the other short-wools, Mr. Portway won with some
coarse useful black-faces; but these sheep are so plain,
that they can never tell in the show-yard, while in charity
to some of the other exhibitors of other short-wools, we
will say nothing more about them. The judges had the

wooden spoon ready for one pen of ewes and lambs, as
" the worst lot seen in a show -yard for a very long time."
By the way, would it not be as well at a limited county
meeting to have a wooden spoon for the worst lot in every
class, as inducement for doing better ? On this showing,
the sheep judges would at any rate have had something
to do at Chelmsford.

Of pigs there was a very short entry ; but we
have before now spoken to the merits of Mr. Griggs'
Berkshires, as really good specimeiis of their sort, and
now crossed, as the boars are bred from Captain Stewart
of Gloucester. Still they could make no stand in the
All-England classes, where the Sextons could not and
Mr. Stearn would not show, and so as at Downham the
Duckerings and Mr. Crisp had it all their own way, with
Lincoln for large and Suffolk for small, as usual.

It may be as well to have it known that the horror of
one of the Shorthorn judges — and two of the three were
" Royal" authorities — is " a pretty bull." And as Lady
Pigot sent a pretty bull in the well-named Charles le
Beau for the AU-England premium, her ladyship reached
but a high commendation, and jMr. Christie kept the prize
in the county with Duke of Grafton, by Duke of Geneva,
bred by Lord Penrhyn, a big, long, broad four -year-old,
of good quality and with some capital points, being espe-
cially good in his back and hind quarters, and well let
down to his hocks. Against all this, he is light in his neck,
and has a rather tapering egg-sucking head, but is never-
theless at all points a grand useful bull, that might have
commanded some notice at Leicester, had his owner
hardened his heart to send him on. He could not take
the first prize class of the county here, because he took it
at the show in 1867 ; but the judges held to his line so
far as they could. They made his daughter Potentilla
their choice in the youngest class of heifers, and then
took her Avith her father and mother as the best family
party, or bull, cow, and calf; the cow Primula having pre-
viously won prizes at all stages from a heifer calf upwards
at these meetings. The first prize bull of the county,
Mr. Upson's Sorcerer, is a good well-grown three-year-
old, also bred by Lord Penrhyn, and a long way the best
of a short class. There was nothing very extrordinary
amongst the two-year-old and yearling bulls. Colonel
Brise in the younger class fairly beating 5Ir. Sturgeon's
good-looking one on the nice points of hair, hand, and qua-
lity. In a better lot of cows, over which some commenda-
tions were scattered, Mr. Upson was again first with a fine
taking cow in high condition, the second being weak in her
loin, but showing a deal of breeding. The best two-year-old
heifer was in anything but show form, having recently
calved, and being very poor, so that all due allowance had
to be made for her by " judges" ; while they got
on again to the Duke of Grafton vein in his daughter
Patchouli 4th, a well-grown handsome yearling, of good
colour and quality ; Mr. Pigot getting next with another
very nice heifer in Dagmar. Another daughter of the
Duke, as we have already mentioned, was the best heifer
calf ; but the trio of judges got terribly at variance for a
second, each taking and holding to his own, until Mr.
Aylmer had to be called in, when he went with Mr.
Game for Ringlet, another daughter of the Duke of
Grafton, a son of whose was also the best bull-calf.
Amongst the Shorthorns without pedigrees Mr. XTpson

THE I^AHMER'S MAGAZINE.

Ill

took the prize for heifers under twelve months old, with one
that for style and quality showed a deal better than many
to be found in Thr Herd Bonk, as it appears, she is bred
at least on side of her head ; whilst far among the best
dairy cows was a beautiful Alderney exhibited by Mr.
Beadel; but the judges kindly took it into consideration
that she would be worth little or nothing when she had
done with the dairy, and so they highly commended her,
and gave the two prizes to two Shorthorns. As Short-
horn men they no doubt did quite right ; but as the class
was distinctly one for dairy cows they no doubt did quite
wrong, as their unfortunate explanation only goes to make
this wrong the greater.

As we stated in our last, Mr. Thompson, the single-
handed judge and his own veterinarian, passed Harwich
Emperor at Downhara, and Professor Varnell passed him
again at Chelmsford, although the horse had previously
been disqualified by some of the profession. He ac-
cordingly stood in again for the All-England Cup, over
which award there was a deal of deliberation ; but even-
tually Cup-bearer was once more proclaimed the winner,
as he was at Braintree in 1867 and at Eppingin 1866,
Mr. Manning still clearly holding to his horse, who has
gone on improving, and whose two " odd" forelegs did
not show so conspicuously as they have done. Harwich
Emperoi', like his father before him, " seems" to be flat
in his sides after work ; and the third left in, Mr.|Wilson's
President, beat Cup-bearer for the Cup at Eakenham last
year. They are three very good horses, and settled as the
points of a Suffolk may be supposed to be, the three may
as likely as not change about again the next time they
meet, the more so as only one of the three judges at
Chelmsford is a breeder of the sort. President won
another All-England premium, in which neither Cup-
bearer nor Emperor showed against him ; his chief oppo-
nent being a two-year-old of Mr. Bott's, a very smart
good-limbed colt, that was not only the best of the county
two-year-old class, but first again against All-England of
the same age, where he beat a very good class, many of
the entries being Suffolks born and bred. Mr. Wolton's
well-known Violet was the best All-England mare, and
Major AVilson's three-year-old the best filh^ and with
these the excellence of the cart-horse section came to
something like a full stop. For the cart stallions of the
county there were two premiums and two entries, the
first prize going to a dead lame one and only half a good
one ; the second with more propriety being withheld
from an animal, that any man might have the misfortune
to breed, but no one as we should have thought the
temerity to buy. However, the Eeverend R. A. "Wes-
thorp duly enters his horse as bred by ]\Ir. Crisp, and
Mr. Crisp is congratulated accordingly. The county cart
mares were an indifl'erent lot ; but Mr. Holmes' prize mare
and foal were worthy of their place and price, 50 gs. for
the lot. There was only one three-year-old filly, and she
was a bad one ; but we must make some exception for
Mr. Bott's couple of two-year-old fillies, like his two-
year-old colt by Chapion and both of very good quality.
The yearlings were few and poor, and the foals in much
the same category, the best being out of the prize mare.
Almost all the cart-horses exhibited were Suftblks or
Suffolk crosses, the majority of course chesnuts, with a
few bays by way of variety ; but beyond Mr. Bott's en-
tries, the county of Essex had very little to do with the
actual merit of this department. Indeed, if this limita-
tion and disqualification after winning be only persevered
in, the probable result will be that animals competent to
win in Essex will be incompetent to win anywhere else.

The riding-horses were a deal better, and some very
decided improvement is here discernible, no little of which
is attributable to the desire of Sir Thomas Lennard to
get and keep some good blood in the country. Tor years

past there has always been a thoroughbred stallion within
the farmers' reach at Belhus ; but Sir Thomas offers some
further inducement, in the shape of premiums for stock
by his horses. jNIainstone now appears to be replaced by
Amsterdam, a neater horse of very high quality, and with
all the prestige of performance to recommend him. He
was quite the hero of the day at Chelmsford, taking the
premium in the county class against three or four very
well-bred but odd looking horses, that as thoroughbred
sires seem to have been turned to queer purposes. The
excuse made for Whitmore, a West Australian horse,
looking so bad, was that he had been driven about by his
owner in a cart ; while Port Royal by Yellow Jack was
ready to be "jumped" as a hunter, and Camillus by
Newcourt looked more like steeple-chasing than the stud.
But the judges resolutely scorned from the first having any-
thing to do with the " leaps" in front of the Grand Stand,
either in the way of proving a sire or his stock, so that
Amsterdam's looks and action secured him a very blood-
less victory. In the All-England class the contest was
closer, with four or five fresh animals in, such as the lum-
bering Abbot, the lucky Knight Templar, that has already
won a prize in Essex ; a Big Ben four-year-old of Captain
Sparrow's, and another four -year-old from Hasketon, a
stud that has taken so many All-England honours out of
Essex into Sufi'olk. Still King of the Dale, despite his
size, failed to accomplish so much, the premium again
going to Amsterdam, to the very manifest satisfaction of
the public, but in the ring the award was only ar-
rived at on a division. Although a showy young hoi'se.
King of the Dale does not prove so well ; he is high on
hig leg, has not the best of shoulders, is throaty iu the
setting on of his head, and will have to fine and drop a
bit before he can do better than he did at CJielmsford.
In another open class for " stallions, thorough-bred or
otherwise, calculated to get weight-carrying hunters," of
course he won against such cattle as Pollard, not
thorough-bred ; Harkaway by Master Moody ; Morgan
Lightfoot, a machuer, that took a prize in another
class, although nobody knows what for ; Young Kingston,
beaten by Morgan Lightfoot, and that is saying some-
thing ; and The Abbot, Port Royal, and "Whitmore, over
and over again. But Captain Barlow had his reward in
other ways, for in the best class in the show, where
everything was commended, much of the superiority
was traceable [to his stable. This was the lot
of two-year-olds, in which Mr. Viekerman was first with
a handsome, well-grown, very promising, thorough-bred
filly by Ace of Clubs, and highly commended for another
filly by Surplice ; while another high commendation, and
" the reserve" went to Captain Sparrow's fiily by Ace of
Clubs, for which the judges regretted they had not a
second prize at their disposal. Some of the young Main-
stones, both foals and yearlings, were full of promise; and
the two prize brood-mares had foals at foot by this horse.
Of the younger stock, the three-year-olds, on the con-
trary, were very indifterent, and there was nothing but
the winner in it ; while being without further condition,
and open to hunting hackneys, or coaching colts or
fillies these classes were made up of " aU sorts," although
the best bred one generally got it. A nicish level mare
of Mr. Christy, that promises to go over a country, was
the best four-year-old ; but there was no standiug against
Mr. Barker's long string iu the hunters of aU ages.
Barring another of Mr. Christy's he had not much to beat
amongst the mares ; while the steeplechase horse Tom
Bowline was a deal too much of a workman at all points
to give the geldings a chance, and he won the open prize
almost as easily. Mr. Beadel's prize hack-mare and
prize cob were both very good of their kind, the cob Jacob
being a treasure for a "heavy-weight." Mr. Christy
had also a very neat hack-marc, and Mr. Hicks a wonder-

112

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

fully clover duu pony, that for shape, style, and " car-
riage" was a long way a-head of his motley company.

There was a goodly array of implement stands, which,
as somebody said, went to " make it look like little
Royal ;" but with neither trials, premiums, nor no-
velties our report would come chiefly to a list of exhibi-
tors for the home and the adjoining county of Suffolk. The
flower-show was said to be a success, as it certainly ap-
peared to be well-attended ; but there was not a crowded
company at the dinner, where the chief topic amongst the
M.P.'s of both sides was the new Foreign Cattle Market.
Mr. Spooner, as the only one present, returned thanks
for the judges, and in doing so took the opportunity of
very fairly ridiculing the practice of " some other socie-
ties," where catalogues containing the merits of the animals
and the names of the owners are placed in the judges'
hands. The only society we know of, that adopts this
plan, is the London Horse-show Society, while Mr.
Spooner acted " in happy ignorance of all this," and, as
it appeared was applauded, and not hooted.

PRIZE LIST.

JUDGES.

CAKt Horses.— T. King, Preston Hall, Suffolk ; J. Man-
ning, Orlingbury, Wellingborough ; AV. C. Spooner, Ealing
House, Southampton.

Riding Horses.— H. Biddell, Playford, Suffolk; H.
Corbet, Strand, London ; H. Thumall, Royston.

Cattle.— W. H. Beauford, Bedford ; G. Game, Church-liill
Heath, Chipping Norton ; W. Ladds, Ellington, Kimboltou.

Sheep and Pigs.— M. Biddell, Playford ; E. Little, Chip-
penham ; R. Newton, Campsfield, Woodstock.

Veterinaky Inspector. — Professor Varnell, Beech House,
Belton, Yarmouth.

HORSES FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.

Stallion.— First prize, £30, G. D. Badham, Bulmer Tye,
Sudbury (Great Eastern) ; second, £10, withheld : no merit.

Entire two-year-old colt. — First prize, £15, W. Bott,
Broomfield (Champion) ; second, £7, G. D. Badham (Fitz
Emperor) ; highly commended, R. G. Salmon, Clacton Hall
(Major) ; commended, H. Croxton, Burnham (Young Boxer),
and Marriage and Sons, Broomfield.

Mare, not under four years. — First prize, £6, A. B. Croxton,
Burnham (Silver) ; second, £i, E. Catchpool, Feeriug Bury.

Mare, four years and upwards (open to all England). —
Prize £10, S. Wolton, jun., Kesgrave (Violet) ; highly com-
mended, A. B. Croxton (Silver) ; commended, F. M. Wilson,
Stowlangtoft Hall, Bury.

Mare, with foal at foot. — First prize, £10, H. Holmes,
Booking; second, £5, W. Belcher, Sandon (Blossom).

Cart filly, under four years. — Prize, £10, F. M. Wilson ;
highly commended, F. M. AVilson ; eommeuded, S. Wolton,
jun. (Matchett).

Three-year-old filly.— Prize, £5, T. Taylor, Earls Cobe.

Gelding.— Prize, £5, G. Potter, Hoo Hall, Riveuhall.

Two-year-old filly. — First prize, £7, W. Bott ; second, £4,
W. Bott.

Yearling colt. — First prize, £5, J. Gibling, Little Bardfield ;
second, £3, G. Norfolk, Layer Marney.

Y>-arling fdly. — First prize, £5, H. Foster, Totham ; second
prize withheld : no merit.

Foal. — First prize, £5, H. Holmes (out of prize mare) ;
second, £3, T. Taylor ; commended, W. Elphick.

Plough horses. — First prize, £7, G. F. Josling, Beruers
Roding (Gilbert, Diamond) ; second, £3, withheld.

StaUion (open). — Prize, £25, W. Wilson, Baylham Hall,
Ipswich (President) ; higlily commended, W. Bott (Champion).

StaUion (open to all England).— Prize, £20, T. Crisp,
Butley (Cupbearer) ; highly commended, AV. Wilson (Presi-
dent), and I. Rist, Tattingstone (Harwich Emperor) : com-
mended, C. Boby (Couquerer).

Colt (open) — Prize, £10, W. Bott (Champion) ; higldy
commended, W. AVilson and C. Boby (Captain).

RIDING AND COACHING HORSES.
Thoroughbred staUion.— Prize, £15, SirT. Barrett-Lenuard,
Beihus, Romford (Amsterdam).

^ Sfallion, not tlioroughbrcd.— Prize, £10, F. Biitclier, Colne
Engaine (Morgan Lightfoot).

Hunting mare. — Prize, £7,F. Barker, Ingatestone (Jessica).

Hunting gelding.— Prize, £7, F. Barker (Tom Bowline).

Hunter (all England). — Prize, £20, F. Barker (Tom
Bowline) ; highly commended, B. Sparrow, and J. Grout
(Turk) ; commended, J. Christy (Madonna).

Hackney mare. — First prize, £5, W. J. Beadel, Chelmsford
(Duplicate) ; second, £3, J. Christy (The Nun).

Hackney gelding. — Prize, £5, P. O. Papillou, Lexden
Manor.

Mare or gelding, -l yrs. — Prize, £7, J. Christy, RoxwcU
(Madonna).

Mare or gelding, 3 yrs. — Prize, £7, G. D. Badham
(Eclipse).

Mare or gelding, 2 yrs. — C. R. Vickerman, Thoby Priory,
Brentwood (The Countess) ; highly commended, C. R. Vicker-
man (Crucifix), and B. Sparrow. The class commended.

Mare and foal. — First prize, £6, J. Casidy ; second, £3, G
Pool.

Cob. — Prize, £5, W. J. Beadel (Jacob) ; commended, Alfred
Hockley, Hatfield Broad Oak,AV. Lucking (Young Fireaway),
and Sir J. T. Tyrell, Bart., Borehara-house.

Pony. — First prize, £i, C. Hicks, jun., Stansted Mount-
fitchet (The Eari) ; second, £2, C. Barnard, Harlow.

Half-bred yearling by Mainstone. — Prize, £5, C. Stnrgeon,
South Ockendon-hall.

Thorough-bred stallion (open to all England). — Prize, £25,
Sir T. Barrett-Lennard (Amsterdam).

StaUion, thorougli-bred or otherwise, to get hunters (open).
— Prize, £25, Captain F. Barlow (King of the Dale).

CATTLE.

Shorthorn buU. — First prize, £15, J. Upson, Rivenhall
(Sorcerer) ; second, £10, J. Piggot, Beekingham llaU (Grand
Visier) .

Two-year-old bull— First prize, £10, A. P. Clear, Maldon
(Monarch) ; second, £6, J. Chaplin, RidgweU (Raven's
Eye).

Yearling buU. — First prize, £10, Col. Brise, Spain's Hall
(Whipper-in) ; second, £6, C. Sturgeon (Grand Sismeur).

Cow. — First prize, £10, J. Upson (Violet 3rd) ; second, £G,
J. A. Piggot (Daphne) ; highly commended, J. R. Chaplin
(lona).

Heifer (two-years-old). — First prize, £8, J. Upson (Rose-
bud) ; second, £5, J. R. Chaplin.

Y'earling heifer. — First prize, £7, J. Christy, jun. (Patchouli
4th) ; second, £5, J. A. Piggot (Dagmar).

Heifer, not exceeding 12 months old.) — First prize, £6, J.
Christy, jun., Boynton HaU (Potentilla) ; second, £3, William
Tippler, RoxweU (Ringlet).

BuU, not exceeding 12 months old. — First prize, £6, J.
Christy, jun. (Duke of Babraham) ; second, £3, J, Hutley,
Rivenhall.

Shorthorn bull (open to allEngland). — Prize,£20, J.Christy,
jun., Boynton Hall (Duke of Grafton) ; highly commended, H.
Ayhner, AVest Dereham Abbey, Norfolk (Thorndale Duke),
and Lady Pigot, Branches Park, Newmarket (Charles Le
Beau).

BuU, cow, and calf (open to aU England). — £20, J. Christy,
jun. (Duke of Grafton, Primula, and PotentUla).

SHORTHORNS AVITHOUT PEDIGREES.

Cow. — First prize, £8, W. Sworder, Stapleford (Tawney) ;
second, £4, D. Cliristy, Patching Hall.

Heifer, two years old. — First prize, £5, J. Oxley Parker,
AA''oodham Mortimer-place ; second, £3, Colonel Brise, Spains
Hall, Braintree.

Yearling heifer. — First prize, £5, J. Giblin, Little Bardfield ;
second, £3, J. Oxley Parker.

Heifer, not exceeding 12 months old. — Prize, £3, J. Upson,
Rivenhall.

OTHER PURE BREEDS.

Bull.— Prize, £5, C. HiU, Harrow Lodge, Horncliurcli.
Bull, two years. — No entry.

Cow. — Prize, £4, S. Hanbury, Wiekham-place, Witliam
( Alderney) .
Heifer, t^o years old. — Prize, £3, C. Hill (Quennie).
Yearling heifer. — Prize, £3, 8, Courtall, Gosfiekl, (Alderney).

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

113

DAIRY CATTLE.
Cow or heifer. — First prize, £S, J. Upson, Riveuliall (Lady
Ducie 2iid) ; second, £5, S. Young, jun., Koxwell (Shornhorn) ;
highly commended, \V. J. Beadel (Alderney).

FAT CATTLE.
Ox or steer. — Prize, £5, J. S. Dennis, Mashbury Hall
(Shorthorn).
Cow or lieifer. — Prize £5, J. Perry, Bocking (cow).

SHEEP.

Sonthdown ram of any age. — Prize £6, Lord Braybrooke,
Andley End.

Short-woolled ram. — Prize £5, J. M. Green, Stradishall,
Newmarket (blackfaced).

Cotswohl ram. — First prize £5, J. Giblin, Lt. Bardfield ;
second £3, J. Giblin.

Long-wooUed ram. — First prize £5, W. King, Woodham
Ferris (Lincoln) ; second £3, W. King (Lincoln).

Oxfordshire or Shropshire ram. — First prize £5, J. Giblin
(Oxford Down) ; second £3, J. Giblin (Oxford Down).

Shearling Southdown ram. — First prize £5, Lord Bray-
brooke ; second £3, Lord Braybrooke.

Shearling shortwool ram (any other breed). — First prize
£5.— J. M. Green (blackfaced) ; second £3, J. M. Green.

Shearling Oxfordshire or Shropshire ram. — First prize £5,
J. Giblin ; second £3, J. Giblin.

Shearling long-wooUed ram. — First prize £5, J. Giblin ;
second £3, J. Giblin.

Shearling pure Down ewes. — First prize £6, Lord Bray-
brooke.

ShearUng short-woolled ewes. — First prize £5, W. Sworder ;
second £3, P. Portway.

Shearling long-woolled ewes. — First prize £5, J. Giblin.

Ewes and lambs. — First prize £5. — J. Giblin (Cotswold) ;
second £3, C. Sturgeon.

Fat shearling short-woolled wethers. — First prize £5, Lord
Braybrooke -, second £3, Lord Braybrooke.

Fat shearling cross-bred or long-wooUed wethers. — No
entry.

Long-woolled ram. — (Open to all England). — ^Prize £10, H.
Aylmer, West Dereham Abbey (Norfolk Cotswold) ; com-
mended, J. Giblin (Cotswold).

Short-woolled ram. — (Open to all England). — Prize £10,
Lord Braybrooke (Southdown).

PIGS.

Boar. — First prize £3, .T. Pertwee, Boreham (small Suf-
folk) ; second £3, Wm. Thompson, jun., Thorpe (Essex).

Boar, not exceeding 13 months. — First prize £5, G. D.
Badham (white) ; second£3,G. Griggs (Berkshire).

Sow in pig. — First prize £5, G. Griggs (Berkshire);
second £3, C. Sturgeon (Berkshire).

Sow and pigs. — Prize £5, G. Griggs (Berkshire).

Three sow pigs. — First prize £5, J, Giblin ; second £3, G.
Griggs ; commended, C. Sturgeon.

Boar, large breed. — (Open to all England). — Prize £10,
Duckering and Sons, Northorpe, Kirton Lindsey (Victor).

Boar, small breed.— (Open to all England).— Prize £10, T.
Crisp (small white) ; higlily commended, Duckering and Sons
(Comet).

Sow.— (Open to all England).— Prize £5, Duckering and
Sons (Lily) ; highly commended, Duckering and Sons (Prim-
rose).

THE DINNER.

The dinner took place on the Thursday, but the .ittendance
was not so large as usual. The President of the Society for
the year. Sir C. C. Smith, Bart., who occupied the chair, gave
" Success to the Society." Their presence, he said, indicated
the interest they took in the society, which had now been
organized eleven years. At that time it was thought a bold
experiment, but he thought he might say it had now lived
down all mistrust and doubt, and an evidence of its validity
was the extension of the meeting to two days. This might be
a bold, but he considered it a very wise, step, and thought it
would result in success. The president then congratulated the
members upon the successful character of the meeting, upon
the improvement in both the numbers and quality of the
stock, and upon the general fact that the society was

making a gradual but certain progress. Implements also
were weU represented, and in these days, when the want of
labour was so much felt upon farms, he thought they could
not do better than encourage and acknowledge the merits of
tile macliinery which was so efticient a substitute. He espe-
cially noticed the tube well, and recognized in that invention a
great boon to the labouring man upon a farm ; and with regard
to the produce exhibited from Barking, he said they could but
rejoice rather than frown at the advent of the odoriferous fluid
which enabled cultivation to be brought to so high a state of
perfection. In conclusion, he acknowledged the debt of grati-
tude that M'as due from them to the secretary of the society—
(Hear, hear)— and all those who had assisted to promote the
welfare of the society.

Mr. W. C. Spooi^ek, who returned thanks for the judges,
said, in reference to the particular department in which he had
acted that day, he was happy to say that, coming from a long
distance, he was not aware of the ownership of a single animal
that came before him, for the society very wisely did not do as
he had heard some societies did— put into the judges' hands
catalogues containing the merits of the animals and tlie names
of the owners (laughter). In happy ignorance of all this,
they were enabled to give their judgments impartially and to
the best of their ability. On behalf of the judges, he con-
gratulated the society upon their very excellent show, and the
large number of animals exhibited. In the department in
which he had been engaged— that of the cart-horses- there
was a want of competition in two most important classes. One
of these was the class of stallions, in which there were only
two animals exhibited, and only one possessed any merit. In
mares also there was a want of competition and a want of
merit. He suggested to the committee whether, in order to
remedy this state of things, they should not give some greater
encouragement to exhibiters, and take away some of the pre-
sent restrictions.

Sir Thomas Western, in responding for the County Mem-
bers, said the show had an additional attraction for him, be-
cause oi the past devastation caused by the cattle plague, and
the present absence of that pestilence from the country. This
subject reminded him of the Metropolitan Foreign Cattle
Market Bill, upon which, he said, there would be a severe fight
in the House of Commons. He was not prepared to say that
it would be carried, but it was a very important measure for
this country, and the exertions of all were needed to pass it.
Many members connected with large towns were opposed to it,
because they believed it would be the means of contracting the
supply of meat ; but that was not so— the only idea in the minds
of the promoters of the Bill was protection to the home
cattle against the re-introduction of the cattle plague. It
would be brought forward in a few days, when he trusted it
would have the support of every member of this county, and
of the borough members also ; and he hoped to be able, when
they met again next year, to hear that the effects of the Bill
had been such as they desired.

Mr. Selwin-Ibbztson, in responding, also alluded to the
subject of the Metropolitan Foreign Cattle Markets Bill, and
said he himself felt very great interest in the subject, he having
sat upon tlie Committee on the Bill for 25 days, during which
time they had had a mass of evidence before them, and. which
had been sifted, not by the most impartial adversaries, but by
men who used every possible device to defeat the measure.
The Bill, notwithstanding, had gone to the House, not exactly,
perhaps, as its friend could have wished; buts till a very
serviceable measure. When it came before the House he was
satisfied that a large number of agricultural members of Ireland
and Scotland, who did not sit on the same side of the House as
himself, would give it their support. It was said by the oppo-
nents of the measure that it would diminish the supply of fo-
reign meat ; but every witness the Committee had^before them
told them that, though at first the restrictions of the measure
might to a certain extent impede importation, the trade would
almost immediately find its own level. The farmers through-
out England, and certainly of Essex, ought to look upon this
measure as one most important to their interests.

Lord Eustace Cecil said : With regard to the measure be-
fore Parliament which had been alluded to, he need not say that
he thoroughly went with the two previous speakers in all that
they had said. He hoped the Bill would be made to suit,if possi-
ble, all classes,but especially the agricultural community. With -
out going into several agricultural objects which had been be-

Il4

1?HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

fore tlie House, and which, perhaps, might be considered semi-
political, there was one exception to which he might allude,
and that was a very old friend with whom he had lately had a
great deal to do : he alluded to the Malt-tax. He read the
other day that at a certain meeting, of a rather more political
character than this, some one who uttered the well-known
cry upon this subject was threatened to be turned out of the
room. He had, therefore, an additional reason for asking for
their indulgence in bringing this question before them, be-
cause he certainly had no desire that so rigorous a measure
should be carried out as regarded himself — that he should be
turned out of this room or elsewhere. As a member, however, of
the Malt-tax Committee, he felt it was only right to report pro-
gress upon the question, because a great deal had beeu said in

Chambers of Agriculture and elsewhere of the dilitoriness of
that Committee. The fact was that they had had a great many
disadvantages to contend against : they had had a number of
witnesses who had not giveri their evidence in the shortest
way in the world, and their worthy Chairman — small blame
to him — had thought fit to get married, and no one could
grudge him his well-earned honeymoon. They, however, he
thought, began to see the end of their discussions ; and he
sincerely hoped that their deliberations would be satisfactory
to the public, and to the large agricultural class. Two
things he had especially learned while on that Com-
mittee — one was that everybody was most anxious to
get rid of the Malt-tax, and secondly, that no one would
allow his own trade or profession to be agood one.

THE BIRMINGHAM HORSE AND HOUND SHOW.
IN BINGLEY HALL.

" Love me love my dog," is an old saying, that had it
been started in these days there would most likely have been
added " and give him a prize." This is equally applicable
to the horse, and we know of no more unenviable post
than a judge at a show ; as for one he pleases there are ten
non-contents. But this is a mere matter of arithmetic
after all, the old sow and her pigs again, and more pigs
than teats. If there is one more unenviable post than
that of a judge it is the critic, who goes to the best of
his ability as straight as the crow flies, for he may not
only offend the exhibitors, but the judges as well. And
why has Ginger turned that smile of honey that he was
wont to greet us with into one as sour as verjuice, and
growl as he passes, " His head arn't well set on, arn't it ?
And where, oh where is the hearty shake of that horny
hand of old Whipcord as he looked in our eyes ? we
imagined to see if we had glass ones or a cataract form-
ing— vauished. Yes. He has turned astronomer when
we meet, and wants a martingale quite as much as that
brute of his with the ewe-neck that we called a stargazer.
Then there's Steel, because we said his horse bored, has
taken to terrestrial studies or counting his toes ; whilst
Oily Gammon, who was always pointing out and dilating
in the plaintive notes of Philomela on the points of
Shapeless, thinking that he was persuading us that she
was far superior to the prize-winner Perfection, has
stopped his piping, and with ruffled feathers shifts and
sides about, or turns tail as if he had been shot at, or
borrowed two-and-six. " Love me love my dog !" never,
if he be a savage deformity or your horse a shapeless
brute. But for the love we bear you, here we are at our
post with the indelible pencil. The hour is ten — and the
scene laid in Bingley Hall — the centre being fitted up as
n circus, with Lord Combermere and Mr. Cookson in the
open as judges ; when in there comes dancing a mealy
chesnut, with light wavy mane and tail, which add to his
foreign appearance. It is Umpire, the American, by Le
Comte out of Alice Carneal, by Imp Sarpedon, and a
fair performer on the turf in his time, having started for
forty races, and won thirteen. But now, he figures for
the first time in a new character, being sent by his noble
OAvner, the Earl of Coventry, as a candidate for prizes
given for thorough-bred stallions calculated to get weight-
carrying hunters. And if " like gets like," or anything
like it, a pretty lot of weight-carriers they would be. He
stands fifteen-three, and is a light horse all over, with a
neat head and neck, capital shoulders, good quarters and
thighs; but he is flat-sided, and the most waspy, herring-
gutted animal we have seen for some time, and the least
likely-looking, as far as form goes, to get hunters. Be-
sides this, his forelegs struck us as being twisted, small

at knee, and light of bone; though it is only fair to say, they
have stood him well during his racing career. His groom
told us he had some very good-looking stock ; but surely
his noble owner never dreamt of taking a prize with him,
and we think must have merely sent him to show those
who go for form " an exception to the rule." The next
on the list is old Motley, by Touchstone, dam bj Laner-
cost, both stayers in their day, looking as sound and as
well as ever. He took the Koyal Hundred at Plymouth,
and now adds another first prize to his long score of
victories. He has got some very handsome stock, and
this year there are eighty young Motleys, fifty of them
being colts. After Motley comes the neat-topped, hand-
some Ivanholf by Muscovite, out of Blackbird by Irish
Birdcatcher, and as good a looking horse as one may see
in a day's march, cutting him off, as we have often said
before, at his knees. He has a sweet temper, allowing,
his owner told us, Miss Griffiths, a child of eight years,
to take him out for a ride by herself. H e and Motley
serve half-breds at five guineas, whilst Umpire goes for
eight. The other competitor was a nag by New-
minster, out of Marchioness D'Eu by Magpie, a big,
deep-topped horse, with something hunting-like about
him, but anything but a taking one on the whole, or a
free mover. It was a small class, but just at this season
the lights of the harem require great attention, which
keeps many of the lamplighters at home. Though only
four to seven last year, we consider the thorough-bred
stallion class an improvement, for among the seven last
year there were some whose owners would have done
their country more service by handing them over to the
slaughterman, a character we hope soon to see appointed
by the Government, instead of sending them stalking
about the country in search of mares to propagate their
wretched misshapen frames and rotten constitutions.
Now for the weight-carrying hunters; send them in.
That's Mountain Dew, the Islington prize-horse, walking
clean away from the second to him there, a horse called
Tyrconnel, and though he has one of the Ghifneys of
the show-yard up, he cannot keep his toe out of the tan
with those shoulders. Then this rather smart servant's
horse at first sight, but who will bear looking
into, is the stout-made, good limbed, ever going
Ereeney ; a nice one, barring the shoulders, which surely
have encroached too much on that shortest of necks.
The fair topped bay, a size bigger than any of the others,
and who has not improved since we last saw him, is
Hobby Noble, from the same stable, and second prize
horse in this class last year, beating Little John, the
Islington prize weight-carrier — that dummy of a horse.
Master of Arts, being put over both their heads, a gay

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

115

deceiver, who was not found out, although we charmed
never so wisely, till he had stripped the country of prizes
to which, for the purpose, he was as much entitled
to as the " Trojan horse" would have heen. We forgot
to say before starting for Troy that Freeney was the
second hunter here last year, without conditions as to
weight. This snaffle-bridle horse, flourishing his feet
about in a pecidiar manner, handsomer and more sym-
metrical than any of them down to the knees, which from
thence do not improve on inspection is a horse that
pleased us much at Islington, Sparkenhoe by name, and
he comes in here also lor empty honours. Then there are
the well-made, short-legged Pilot from Kenilworth, and
Tupsley, a neat styUsh grey of Mr. Corbett's, of Eve-
sham. Captain Heath's two. The Chicken and Brewer,
want fashion and breed — in fact, are the sort of horses,
looking at them as hunters, to make one imagine we have
gone back at least a century, and expect every moment
to see Squire "Western and Tony Lumpkin pop in the
ring and claim them. There was a brown with some-
thing of a charger look, not in the catalogue. Of the
four others, we hope their owner's heads will not ache
until they get a prize. In the hunters without condi-
tion as to weight The General was quite the "primur
genitur boy" of the party in breed, carriage, and form.
He has greatly thickened, and let down to his leg since
last year : his arms are much bigger, and as he is now
rising six we about see him in perfection. He looked
better than at Islington in himself; but what gave him a
grander look here than he really has, grand horse as he
is, was the company he was in, for he had nothing like
Lady Derwent by his side. " Comparisons are odious,"
but nevertheless capital things to judge by. Balance-in-
hand, the second to The General, is compact, well-made,
with a nicely drooped quarter, and a good mover. He
belongs to Mr. Westley Richards, who goes more for the
useful than the ornamental, with an eye to a capital
stamp of horse ; Pilot, another of his, a neat light horse,
being commended. The third, Thclka is a usefu
hunting mare, with good shoidders and quarters. The
others we thought good-looking were the hunting-like
Lance from ilelton Mowbray, but who bears the irons
on some curby hocks ; The Dean, from Mr. Lynes'
Northampton, and a brother of Rural Dean, sold to the
Piince of Wales, is very neat ; while the Hon. R. C.
Hill's Beak is a cobby under-bred looking animal, whose
merit was not in his looks. Mr. King's Curragh is a
blood-like looking hunter coming from Leamington, and
looked like going ; and Mr. J. Gilman's, Birmingham — was
worthy of being named. In the four-year-old colts and
fillies Mr. Westley Richards was first and third with
Tipperary and Shambally, the former being a long low
horse, with good a quarters and big limbs, but a heavy
head, which gave him a want of breed ; he needed a
dash more blood like Shambally, who though not so
powerful or good stand-still horse, was more to our eye.
Brigadier was looking better than at Ishngton, and
having a deep fiame, time will tell on it, a very safe and
quite oracular opinion for any one to give. A half-
sister of Rural Dean, the Prince's horse, was very neat ;
Mr. A. Harrison's Paddy Carey well made; Mr. W.
Goodliff Stow's Father Mewrad good looking, with plenty
of blood ; and Mr. Meyrick, of Bush, Pembroke, sent a
nice sort of chesnut, whose Parson as a gig-horse we shall
never forget.

Roulette, by Oscar, the first of the two-year-olds last
year, repeated his victory in an indifferent class of three-
year-olds. He shows breed and character, but is nothing
of a mover, and the man who led him either had very
little notion of giving a show or no intention. He was
at Thirsk Yorkshire Show last year, in better society, and
passed unnoticed. But the junior classes are never very

strong in Bingley Hall. Tippler, by Claret, though a
trifle flat-sided, has plenty of depth, and is a fair-topped
horse, with blood ; but is wrong iu his forelegs, and his
hocks look none of the best. He appears to have been
roughly handled, and is as poor as a rook. Thunder-an-
Turf, an Irishman, as his name indicates, does not look
like rivalling forked lightning iu pace. He was purchased
at Ballinasloe fair, and is remarkable for his old-
fashioned look; while he belongs to the owner of the famous
old hackney mare Crafty, and was attended by the com-
panion of her victories, who has been in search of some-
thing like her, but has not yet met with the desired ob-
ject. Mr. Lort's highly-commended chesnut was here
last year ; he has length with some blood, and a good
head, but has not quite the shape of a hunter. Ethel by
Idler out of Rural Dean's dam, from Preston Deanery,
had something pleasing about her. Iu a poorer class of
two-years-old Cura9oa has a hunting top, but not the best
formed hocks, and he was shown in very poor condition ;
Britannia bearing a strong resemblance to her sister
Mr. Booth's British Queen, a well known filly from
Killerby Hall, is by Laughing Stock out of sister
to British Yeoman, and at present rather high on the
leg. The judges having disposed of the above, as
the buck-jumper remarked when he parted with his rider,
resigned office. They were about two hours and forty
minutes selecting the winners, and throughout acted well
their parts. They had none of the horses jumped. This
carried us on till a quarter to one, when the routine of a
show-yard was set aside for a few old rattle-traps to be
run round the ring, or while hacks verging on the butcher
were trotted, or some hopped over a hurdle.

To drag people away from their homes and business
for such trifling is too bad, and several came miles
to see the show, but like the young Jew who fell from
the gallery into the pit, did not. Some did not arrive
till one on Tuesday, and when they found what was
going on went away never to return. Two days and
a-half did we swelter in Bingley Hall ; two days
and a-half waiting to see 240 horses, which included
a lot of tag-rag and bobtail, in the shape of ponies and
hacks, out and judged in vain, for up to twelve on Thurs-
day the agricultural and dray horses were not looked at.
And we came away, as who would not ? disgusted with the
systematic spinning out and childish trifling. Is it to
delude people in this manner that noblemen and gentle-
men kindly consent to act as judges, lend their names to
give a respectability to the thing, and send horses and
hounds ? Is it in this way that horse shows have gained
the popularity and ascendancy they have throughout the
country? And is this the way to keep them so ? No.
Go to Yorkshire, Mr. Manager, go ! In the carriage
horses, a neat pair of browns, who were second last year
now took first honours, the second being a well-matched'
rather cobby, pair of browns, while the commended were
a pair of roans, and, as is often the case in pairs, one much
neater than the other. There was nothing very attractive,
and we think, in a circle of the dimensions of Bingley
the carriages might be left out, and the horses stripped'
as fine feathers make fine birds. There were some nice
hacks in the class exceeding fifteen-two ; the fight for
the prize lying between Thorngumbald's Pride, a very
ueseful cobby mare, with limbs well placed, and quick
strong action, just smacking of a little tutorinsj, and
Ladylike, a title she is quite entitled by her' per-
fect manners, a very good-looking hack, an inch over
fifteen, and who went with such ease and grace, bending
the kuee and getting it well away without an effort, that
it was quite the poetry of motion. The judges hung a
long time here, and appeared anything but unanimous,
having the saddles removed and the pair run up and
down, dealer fashion. Then Mr. AVelby rode them

116

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

round, but we fancy did not gain much information
during the short time he was up, as either the mouth had
not become accustomed to the hand, or the hand to the
mouth. However, it ended, to the surprise of many, by
the prize going to The Pride — we leave out the other name,
being such a fearful mouthful — a decision that, had we been
judging, we would have stood out against till Christmas,
provided we had had a good breakfast, and were just a
trifle deeper in our back-i"ibs. The others we fancied in
this class out of a dozen were Mr. Gilman's (Birmingham)
Lelia, and Mr. Price's (Churchstoke, Salop) Honesty.
Old Crafty, a famous hackney mare, with her constant
companion up, who is known by her name quite as well,
if not better, than he is by his own — IMulcaster — looked
as well as ever, and carried off the prize in the weight-
carrying roadsters, to the surprise of no one, we should
think. The second to her was a clever useful hack ;
Cheshire Phenomena, a third-prize one at Islington, and
the neat Tommy coming in for commendations. Bantam, a
pony witha nice head and large prominent eye, showing great
breed and character, though as fat as butter, and with a
hollow back, and was still very worthy of his honours ;
Piccadilly, a smart little pony, and a prize-taker at all points
of the compass, being a good second ; but the commended
one, Zai'a, a nice pony, has not the best shoulders for a
saddle. Pretty Se-eusan is a high-stepping cobby lass with
the prison crop, and Tommy, who for the moment we can-
not bi-ing before us. In the ladies' hacks a droKit mare of
Mr. Holmes's, described asa chesnut in thecatalogue, with-
out a name, is a very nice mare for a lady, with form and
fashion, but her hiud leg action called forth many remarks,
going as she did very screwy. Between her and Beauty,
a deep good-topped bay, and not badly named — she is by
an Arabian of the King of Sweden — and for whom we
shouldhave again held out, the judges hung a long time
before coming to a verdict. Mr. Turner's (Birmingham)
Lady Jane, Mr. Casson's Gipsey, and Mr. C. Richards's
blood hack were the next we fancied.

In the ladies' horses under fifteen, a mare entered
in the hacks and roadsters exceeding 15 hands, called
Bonny Lass, and who we were told was disqualified as
to height, was allowed very improperly to compete.
She is a very handsome mare, with loaded shoulder points,
and had the first prize awarded to her, when some one
objected, and the prize went to the second and commended,
but not before Mr. C. Richards was called in as referee,
who went for Duchess, a uice-shouldered mare, with a
hollow back, and who moved better than Polly, her oppo-
nent, a finer-made mare, barring her shoulders, which
were nothing like so good. Mr. Thornley's Bayard ex-
hibited a very neat one for a lady. The harness horses
were anything but a grand lot, barring the winner, Kate,
who is a finished mare with stylish action, and the second a
neatish bay. In the ponies 13i hands The Duchess was
waited on by John Brown and several fine goers,
among them Leybourne, a Birmingham trotter, and
second-prize taker last year. Still we believe to be seen
alive, as stated by the local papers, as " the winner of
the exciting trotting match at Islington." Exciting ! we
should rather think it was, at the " turn of the tubs,"
where you expected some one to come over neck and crop
every time, in a space more adapted for spinning a teeto-
tum than to let a trotter out at top speed. Trotting
match — bosh! Multum-in-parvo, a pony under 13^,
and a really nice one, of whom we gave a description in
our IsUngton Show, where he was iirst, had several good-
looking ones to keep him company; whilethe lengthy Bobby,
a prize-taker here, and this time of a silver medal, haJ only
two others against him, as the best entire pony, Alice, the
piebald pony that the Princess of Wales admired so much
at Islington, and bred by Mr. Drake, the late Master of the
Bicester Hounds, was picked out as the best child's pony.

And so she is, if any one has got a large family and wants
them dispersed ; as such she would prove invaluable, for
there is no telling where she would send them flying or
take them to. She is an inch under 12 hands, very well
made, and looks all over like going ; but is the most unruly,
self-willed, boring, plunging little vixen we have seen in a
small compass for some time ; reminding us of some of the
racing ponies of our youth, who would unseat a monkey
strapped on, if uot let out for a spin. Surely Messrs.
Welby and Topham must be as fond of little ones
as the swell in difficulties, who told the bootmaker
when he informed him that " he had taken the
liberty of bringing his ' little bill,' " to " take him
out of his sight, for he hated the sight of children!"
There were four pairs of good-looking di-ay horses, those
that struck us as the best being Mr. C. Brierly's Prince
and Boxer, the former being a great framed horse, with a
capital forehand on a short leg, and the latter with a re-
markably good head, and movement as light as a pony.
They were second at Manchester last year to an extraor-
dinary pair, but have wonderfully improved since. The
two of Mr. Evans, of Birmingham, wei'e also greys ;
Charley, the old horse, being a rare shaped one, with
great depth of middle, short-legged, and active looking,
but begins to show age and signs of work ; Dick, his
companion, a five-year-old, is also very good, but has uot
the character of the old oue. The Midland Railway was
represented by a pau' of very handsome blacks, of great
weight, but not a matrh ; and 3Ir. Brown, of Hands-
worth, with two useful ones, a grey and bay. There were
four agricultural stallions : A 1, bred in Bucks, a plain
headed animal, comingfortheblue ribbon, as he did last year,
and afterwards at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire
meetings. Tom Sayers, who, from the glance we could
get of him in his box, was rather common looking ; and
Young Sampson, of Bui'nley, Lancashire, the other com-
petitor, and a winner of a necklace of local pilzes was
sent empty away. The agricultm-al pairs had a prize for
each. Among them was a mare called Dumpling, a
lengthy, low, well made mare, who has taken a second
prize two years in successiouj and now comes in for a
first.

The hounds were judged on some planks in the circle ;
and the eccentric attitudes and knowing way the three
old huntsmen, famous in story, went to work seemed to
please the ladies quite as much as an exhibition of Punch
and Judy. First Jack Walker would put his head on
one side in the most comical position, and have a half-
doubting look at a hound ; but as that wouldn't do, he
turned it to the other for a squint. But when Will
Long began to tape them round the middle, arms, ankles,
and divers other parts, the approving smile Mr. Walker
gave him, as much as to say, " William, you are a doing
of it," and when 'Arry Ayris put on his specs for a stai'e,
is beyond all description. The ladies were in ecstasies,
some putting their pocket-handkerchiefs to their lips to
prevent them from shi-ieking outright.

PRIZE LIST.

Judges. — Viscount Comberniere.

Mr. J. Gookson, Neasham Hall, Darhngtou.
STALLIONS.
Tliorough-bred stallions for getting weight-carrying hunters.
— First prize of £30 to Mr. J. Casson, Burgh-by-Sands, Car-
lisle (Motley) ; second of £10 to Mr. E. Griffiths. Marie liill,
Cheltenham (Ivanholl').

HUNTERS,
Five years old and upwards, equal to 15 stone. — First prize
of £25 to Captain E. N. Heygate, Buckland, Leominster
(Mountain Dew) ; second of £10 to Mr. Westley Richards,
Birmingham (Freeney) ; third of £5 to Captain Fyler, Ware-
ham, Dorset (Tyrconnel), Highly commended : Mr. Henry
Allsopp, Ilindlip Hall, Worcester,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

117

Five years old and upwards, without condition as to weight,
— First prize of £25 to Mr. C4. Holmes, Beverley (The
General) ; second of £10 to Mr. W. K-ichards, Birmin^iam
(Balance-in-Hand) ; third of £5 to Mr. George Van Wart,
Edgbaston, Birmingham (Houeydew). Commended : Mr.
W. Richards (Pilot) ; the Hon. R. C. Hill, Hawkeslone,
Slirewsbury (Becks).

Four-year-old colts or fillies. — First prize of £20 to Mr.
Westley Richards, Birmingham (Tipperary) ; second of £10
to Mr. J. B. Booth, Killerby Hall, Catterick (Brigadier) ;
third of £5, to Mr. W. Richards (Shanbally). Highly com-
mended : Mr. W. Goodliff, Stow, Weedon (Father Mewrad).
Commended : Mr. T. Meyrick, Bush House, Pembroke (ciies-
nut filly).

Three-year-old colts or fillies. — First prize of &-20 to Mr.
G. Wise, Woodcote, Warwick (Boulette) ; second of £10 to
Mr. Westley Richards, Birmingham (Tippler) ; third of £5
to Mr. H. J. Percy, Howseurigg, Aspatria, Cumberland
(Thunder-an'-Turf). Highly commended : Mr. W. Lort, The
Cotteridge, King's Norton (chesuut). Commended : Mr. G.
M'Kniglit, Qakeugates Salop (Maggie).

Two-year-old colts or fillies for hunting purposes. — First
prize of £15 to Captain E. N. Heygate, Buckland, Leominster
(Curacoa) ; second of £10 to Mr. J. W. Gardom, Buttertou
Park, Newcastle (Biitaunia) ; third of £5 to Mr. Robert
Emmerson, Darlington (Lillie). Highly commended : Mr.
James Hughes, Broome, near Alcester (chesnut filly) ; Com-
mended: Mr. Wm. Boddington, Liddington, Stratford-upon-
Avon (bay colt).

CARRIAGE HORSES.

Judges. — Mr. J. C. Welby, London.

Mr. J. Topham.Welford, Rugby.
Pairs. — First prize of £20 to Mr. C. J. Sliavv, Harborne
Road, Birmingham (Shakespere and Greenfield) ; second of
£10 to Mr. Smith, Birmingham. Commended: Mr. James
Oldham, King's Heath (Strawberry) ; Mr. J. Oldham, Lea-
mington (Jessie).

HACKS, ROADSTERS, AND COBS.

Hacks and roadsters exceeding 15 hands high. — First prize
of £15 to Mr. J. H. Deuniss, Burstwick, Holderuess (Thorn-
gumbald's Pride) ; second £5 to Mr. J. Sankey, Birmingham
(Ladylike).

Weight-carrying liacks, from 14' to 15 hands high. — First
piize of £15 to Mr. H. Percy, Aspatria, Cumberland (Crafty) ;
second of £5 to Mr. T. Smith, Woottou Downs, Woodstock
(Jenny Jones). Commended : Captain St. Clair Ford, Chel-
tenham (Cheshire Phenomenon) ; Mr. J. Gilmau, Birmingham
(Tommy).

Cobs under 14 hands high. — First prize of £15 to Mr.
R. H, Watson, Wigton, Cumberland (Bantam) ; second of
£5 to Captain F. Barlow, Castle Donington, Derby (Picca-
dilly). Commended: Mr. F. Pearce, Steeple Acton, Ozon
(Zara) ; C. Groucock, Stanfield Hall, Wymondham (Pretty
Se-eusau).

LADIES' HORSES.

15 hands high and upwards. — First prize of £15 to Mr. G.
Holmes, Beverley (brown mare) ; second of £5 to Mr. J. S.
Keep, Park Road, Edgbaston (13eauty).

Under 15 hands high. — First prize of £15 to Mrs. Webb,
Edgbaston (Duchess) ; second of £5 to Mr. J. W. Shaw,
Moseley (Polly). Commended: Mr. Thornley, Yardley, Bir-
mingham (Bayard).

HARNESS HORSES AND PONIES.

E.xceeding 15 hands high. — First prize of £15 to Mr.
J. S. Keep, Edgbaston, Birmingham (Kate) ; second of £5 to
Mr. C. L. Boyce, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. Highly com-
n'.ended: Mr. A. Cooper, King's Heath (chesnut).

From 13| to 15 hands high.— First prize of £15 to Mr. T.
Worlhington, Litchurch Villa, Derby (Duchess) ; second of
£5 to Mr. H. Davis, Great Hampton Street, Birniingham
(John Brown). Coinmeuded: Mr. J. Bate,*King's Heath.

Ponies in harness under 13j hands high. — First prize of
£10 to Mr. J. Gilham, jun., Lancaster Street, Birmingham
(Miiltum in Parvo) ; aecond of £5 to Mrs, H. Chavasse, Soho
Park, Handsworth (Kitty). *

PONIES.

Under 13 hands high,— First prize of £10 to Mr. C. Jolin-

son, Park Road, Birmingham (Fan) ; second of £5 to Mr. D.
Hedges, Bull Ring (O.^ford Joe). Commended: Mr. F.
Haines, Bromford Villa, Ealing (Princess). Commended;
Messrs. Johnson, North Lindsey, Warwick (Tommy) .

Under 13 hands high, to carry children. — First prize of £10
to Mr. C. Thomas, Banbury (AUce) ; second of £5 to Mr. J.
Lane, Bristol Road, Birmingham (Black Prince).

STALLIONS.

Not under 14 hands high, for getting liacks or roadsters.—
First prize of £15 to Captain Bailow, Castle Donington (Lu-
cifer) ; second of £5 to Mr. J. Edwards, Sudbury Paddocks,
Middlesex (Shepherd F. Knapp).

Ponies. — Silver medal to the Most Noble the Marchioness
of Hastings (Bobby).

DRAY HORSES.
Pair of horses (geldings or mares) four years old and up-
wards.— First prize of £15 to Mr. C. W. Brierly, Middleton,
Manchester (Boxer and Prince) ; second of £10 to The Midland

Railway Company (Blacks).

AGRICULTURAL HORSES.
JuDGE.s.— Mr. J. E. Bennett, Bosworth Grange, Rugby.
Mr. C. Randall, Evesham.
Mr. Shepherd, Coleshill.
Stallious.— First prize of £30 to Mr. W. Wynn, Alcester
Redditch (A 1) ; second of £10 to Mr. P. Leather, Warrington
(Tom Sayers).

Pairs of geldings or mares. — First of £15 to Mr. S. Davis,
AVoolashill, Pershore (Dumpling and Darby) ; second of £10
to Mr. C. I3rierley, Middleton, Manchester.

FOXHOUNDS.

Judges — H. Ayris, W. Long, and J. Walker.

For two couple of dogs. — First prize of £15, and £3 to the
huntsman, to Mr. Oswald Milne (The North Warwickshire),
Saffron, Guider, Ranter, and Prodigal ; the second of £10,
and £3 to the huntsman, to The Earl of Yarborougli (The
Brocklesby), Bluecap, Villager, Gay lad, and Castor ;
third of £5, and £1 to the huntsman, to Lord Fitzhardinge
(The Berkeley), Pomfret, Dissolute, Rubens, and Premier.

Tv.'o couples of bitches. — First prize of £15, and £3 to the
liuntsmau, to Lord Yarborough (The Brocklesby), Graceful,
Reckless, Gaiety, and Niobe ; the second of £10 to Mr. Os-
wald Milne (North Warwickshire), Rosy, Nancy, Rally, and
Damsel ; third. Lord Fitzhardinge;(The Berkeley), Truelove,
Languish, Petulant, and Paleface.

Couples of unentered puppies, one of each sex. — First prize
of £10, and £3 to the huntsman, to Mr. C. Colmore (The
Cotswold), Render and Ruin; the second of £5, and £1 to
the huntsman, to Lord Yarborough (The Brocklesby), Beu-
tinck and Handsome.

A TROPICAL FOREST.— The general aspect of one
tropical forest is much the same as another, varied occasion-
ally by a vegetation discovered only on nearer inspection as
more peculiarly its own. Nothing can exceed their beauty.
A rank luxuriance, a wild unrebuked race of vegetable giants,
the tangled festoons of creepers starred with the most
brilliant (lowers, hanging down like stringed jewels ; then the
great big orchids.^ How oue smiles afterwards at the pigmy
specimens of artificial hothouse culture ! One very frequent

is like a huge bird's nest — the name in fact of the species

embedded in the forks of the largest trees ; yards and yards
of " lianes" are frequently suspended on the gnarled distorted
limbs above and about it ; such is a faint idea of the picture
presented right and left as one breaks one's way through the
heart of a primeval forest in the tropics. If you look down
there are green depths as it would seem bottomless ; if you
look up there is roof upon roof of an ex(piisitcly variegated
verdure, the tall fern-tree piercing through the under and
densely-tangled vegetation with its umbrella-shaped head
waving like a coronet of feathers. At times yon see the
ghastly bared shape of some tempest-stricken child of the
woods stretching across as if to hide its nakedness among
the surrounding millions of leafy things. The hope of
giving any adequate idea of the witchery of a scene like this
is wmn.^^Bo^k's Manntian, Slceiches,

lis

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND.

The stated half-yearly general meeting was held in Edin-
burgh on Wednesday, June 24- ; the Duke of Buccleuch and
Queensberry, president of the Society, in the chair.

Mr. F. N. Menzies, the secretary, read the names of the
new members, 104 in number, who were balloted for and duly
admitted.

The Chairman said he had now to report to the meeting
that an answer had been received to the address from tliis
Society to the Queen on the occasion of the atrocious attempt
on the life of the Duke of Edinburgh. Tlie Duke of Mont-
rose was stiU in charge of the address to the Duke of Edin-
burgh until he had an opportunity of presenting it to His
Royal Highness on his arrival in this country.

Mr. Walker, of Bowland, said it would be in the recollec-
tion of the members of the Society that at the last general
meeting of the Society it was agreed to give a sum of £150
for ten years towards the endowment of the Chair of Agricul-
ture in the University of Edinburgh, or rather to assist in
providing a salary for the Professor of that Chair. The grant
was given on condition that Government should contribute an
equal or greater sum for that purpose. He had now to report
that the directors made the necessary application to the
Government, and he had the satisfaction to state that a reply
had been received to the effect tiiat the Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury were pleased to place on the estimates of
1868 the sum of £150 for that purpose. He had also to state
that the University had fulfilled their pledge in order to make
the Chair more useful than it had hitherto been, by instituting
degrees in agriculture, the examination in which is to be con-
ducted by the University examiners in conjunction with an
examiner appointed by this Society.

The report was adopted.

The Secretary reported that the arrangements for the
show at Aberdeen, on the 28th, 29th, and 30th July,
were in a satisfactory state of advancement, and that there was
every promise of a most successful meeting. Nearly 1,200
head of stock have been entered for competition, besides
upwards of 460 head of poultry, and a very large number
of implements, as well as general collections of seeds and
roots, and coniferae, and other forest trees.

Professor Balfour reported that at a meeting of the
Council on Education, held on the 18th March, the Society's
Diploma in Agriculture had been conferred on Mr. Thomas
John Elliot, Wilton, Salisbury ; and the certificate on Mr.
James Taylor, Allan Vale, Pitmnxton, Aberdeenshire. He also
stated that the prizes of £6 and £4, annually allowed by the
Society to the students in the Agricultural class in the Edin-
burgh University who pass the best and second best examina-
tion, had this year been awarded to — 1st, G. R. Glendinning,
Mid-Lothian ; 2ud, G. G. Bursby, Northumberland. The
Professor concluded by reporting that at the recent examina-
tions by the Royal Agricultural Society of England the prin-
cipal prizes were gained by students in the class of Agriculture
in the Edinburgh University, and that every one of the Edin-
burgh agricultural candidates took a first prize. There were
twelve candidates, of whom six obtained prizes ; and out of
the six prizemen four were Edinburgh men, three of them
having already obtained the diplomas of the Highland Society.

The report was approved of.

Mr. Campbell Swinton, of Kimmerghame, gave in the
following report of examinations of the Veterinary College :
" The examination of the students for the Society's Veterinary
Diploma took place on the 15th and ICth April, and were con-
ducted by four separate boards. Thirty-two students pre-
sented themselves, and, after a careful and searching examina-
tion, the Society's diploma or certificate was conferred on
wenty-nine. Six silver medals were awarded by the Society
for the best examination, as follows: 1. Anatomy — Andrew
Spreull, Milngavie ; 2. Chemistry— Frederick W. Going, Mul-
lenahone ; 3. Horse Pathology— Jonathan Bunnell, Liverpool ;
4. Materia Medica— Joseph L. Faulkner, Wetherby ; 5. Phy-
siology—Andrew Spreull, Milugavie; 6. Best General
Lxaminstion — George Lawson, Aberdeenshire."

The report was approved of.

Mr. Campbeli Swinton said he had to report upon anotlier
matter connected with veterinary science, in regard to which,
he was sorry to say, that they had hitherto met with ill- success
— he referred to the eflTort which had been made to obtain a
charter for a General Royal Veterinary College in Scotland.
The members were aware that, in conjunction with the Lord
Provost and magistrates of Edinburgh, acting as trustees of
the Dick College, and also acting in conjunction with other
public bodies in tliat city and elsewhere, and with a large num-
ber of the veterinary surgeons in Scotland, they had made an
application to Government asking them to institute a Royal
Veterinary College, not connected specially with Edinburgh,
lint to hold the same position which the Veterinary College in
England did, and to give diplomas, degrees, and certificates to
students attending any veterinary establishment where suitable
education was given. He was sorry to say that liitherto their
efforts had not been attended with success. The last letter
which had been received from the Board of Trade on the sub-
ject, which was addressed to their London agent, was dated
May 15, and was as follows :

Council Ofiice, May 15, 1868.

Sir, — I am directed by the Lords of the Council to inform
you that their lordships have had under their consideration
the petition lodged by you at this office on behalf of the High-
land and Agricultural Society of Scotland, and of the trustees
of the late Professor Dick, praying for the grant of a charter
of incorporation to the Royal Veterinary College of Scotland,
and I am to state that their lordships, after mature delibera-
tion, fiud themselves unable to recommend her Majesty to
grant the charter prayed for. — I am, &c.,

(Signed) AuTuuE Helps.

John Graham, Esq., 3, Westminster-street.
That answer evidently proceeded on a misapprehension, be-
cause it refused a prayer for a charter of incorporation to the
Royal Veterinary College in Scotland, while there was no such
body in Scotland. They seemed to be confounding the Col-
lege, the establishment of wliich they asked for, with tjie
school of veterinary medicine which existed in Edinburgh.
He hoped, therefore, they might stiU hold out some expecta-
tion that when that mistake was properly explained their just
demands in that matter for Scotland would receive greater
consideration from the authorities in England than they had
hitherto met with. Probably the society would be willing to
remit the matter to the directors, knowing as they did what
zealous friends they had in their noble president and in mem-
bers of both Houses of Parliament, who were anxious stUl to
take tliat matter up and press it on the attention of the Go-
vernment.

The Duke of Buccleuch said that the letter which had
just been read by Mr. Swinton showed that there must be
some misapprehension of the object of the Society in asking
for this charter. No reason had been assigned for the refusal,
and he thought they had therefore a very good right to press
the matter stUl further, and ascertain really what was the ob-
jection to granting a charter to a veterinary college in Scot-
land. He knew, from what he heard last year, that there was
an excessive amount of jealousy in certain quarters against
the estabhshment of a veterinary coUege in Scotland. They
had an idea that a veterinary college in England was the only
one that ought to be supported, and that every person must
go to London to get his diploma. He would like to know
how they would have been if there had been no Royal Col-
lege of Surgeons or Physicians in Scotland. He was not one
who lelt at all inclined to yield to pressure of that sort; and
when he went to London he would make it liis duty to en-
deavour to ascertain the grounds upon which this refusal was
based, and, if possible, to procure the pubUcation of any
documents upon the subject, by moving for all the corre-
spondence which had taken place between the Board of Trade
and that Society, and all other public bodies, upon the subject.
He thought they should still press it strongly upon the atten-
tion of the Board of Trade.

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

119

Mr. IiiviJSE, of Drum, laid ou the table No. III. of the
fourth series of the Transaciions, and thea read the list of
premiums awarded for reports as follows : —

The gold medal, or £10, to James Purves, Lochend, Thurso,
for a report of the improvement of seventy-five acres of mea-
dow pasture, by relieving it from injurious flooding, exe-
cuted in ]8(34 and 1865, on the Leens of Torran, part of
the Crown lands and grazings of Dorrery, in the county of
Caithness.

The medium gold medal, or £5, to John Honeyman, Crosby,
Isle of Man, for a report on the Isle of Man — its agriculture,
climate, &c.

The silver medal, to II. Newby Praser, Wyseby HiU, Eccle-
fechan, for a report on the agriculture of Dumfriesshire.

The silver medal, to William Gilcliirist, forester, Midmar
Castle, Edit, Aberdeenshire, for a report on the formation
and management of young plantations.

The silver medal, to Kobert Hutchison, of Carlowrie,
Kirkliston, for a report on trees not liable to be destroyed by
rabbits.

The silver medal, to John Morrison, Coney-park Nursery,
Stirling, for a report on the Corsican fir.

Dr. Andeeson reported that the laboratory work had been
very arduous during the last half-year. The number of
analyses had very materially exceeded that of any previous
half-year, and the results which had been obtained from them
were in many respects extremely important to the agriculturist.
This year the number of inferior manures in the market was
very considerable, and these were very often sold under names
to which they were not entitled. In some instances, manure
said to consist of dissolved bones was almost entirely formed
of coprolites and other mineral matters, and in many cases
these manures were sold at prices nearly double their intrinsic
value. He had also had occasion to examine a very large
number of oilcakes, and here adulteration was carried on to
an extraordinary extent. Although it was a mere guess on
liis part, he would say that tliere were thousands of tons of
oilcake sold in Scotland during the past six months, mixed
with bran, cottonseed, and other substances. In one case, the
adulteration went so far that he might almost say that the
justification for the name of linseedcake lay only in this, that
a little of that material had been put among the other sub-
stances. These adulterations were done so artistically that
they deceived the eye, and the article appeared to be the
genuine oilcake ; so that, unless care was taken, the adultera-
tions might escape notice. The whole of the field experiments
had been arranged for this season. Certain of the experiments
of last year were to be repeated, while a series of other ex-
periments on a large scale had been commenced. The
manures were to be of the kinds most commonly used — such
as farmyard manure, Peruvian guano, and so fortJi. He
thought that the result of these experiments would be of great
importance to the farmer.

Mr. Harvey, Whittinghame Mains, said he still thought,
as he thought a few years ago, that there should be a chemical
department in Edinburgh. Glasgow was renowned for com-
merce, but not for agriculture. The eastern part of Scotland
had by far a greater interest in agriculture than the west ; and
he thought that the present arrangement was very incon-
venient for the farmers in this district. With regard to the
adulterations mentioned by Dr. Anderson, he wished to know
whether something could not be done to check such a system
by advertising the firms who sold adulterated material. He
knew there was a difficulty in regard to pouncing upon firms
seUing adulterated manure, but it was a system by which the
farmers suffered very greatly, aud it ought to l)e inquired into.
He thought that the chemical department of the Society was
not in that satisfactory position that the farmers of Scotland
were entitled to expect. He was of opinion that they ought
to have a model farm connected with the Society, as there
was nothing like seeing practical work. He had no great
faith in farmers carrying out these experiments, as they were
often transferred to a substitute, lie would mention a case in
point. Two most respectable farmers in the county of Rox-
burgh on a recent occasion undertook the experiments, and
what was the result ? A drain had burst in botli experiments,
and no practical result was arrived at. A model farm, in his
opinion, came nearer the mark, as in that case a person would
be appointed of undoubted integrity to see that every pound
and ounce of the produce raised would be weighed thoroughly

out, and a greater power and a greater force would be con-
nected with these experiments. He was aware that there
was some difficulty with an experimental farm — it would cost
money ; at the same time, to gain the confidence of the far-
mers of Scotland, perhaps it would be the best plan that
could be devised.

Dr. Anderson said that it was true, as Mr. Harvey had
stated, that the greater part of the analyses came from the
eastern districts of Scotland. He very much feared that in
some parts of the West, agriculture was not so much advanced
as to induce the farmers to take advantage of what the rail-
ways could do. The best mode of putting a stop to adultera-
tion was a question of very great difficulty. He feared that it
would be rather a dangerous proceeding to venture upon, ad-
vertising the names of adulterating dealers ; at least, if such a
thing were done, he certainly hoped the Society would take
any responsibility in the matter off his shoulders. As far as
model farms were concerned, there was no doubt that a great
deal of important information could be got from such farms if
they could be got up. The difticulty in that matter was
chiefly a pecuniary one. A model farm could not be carried
on at a profit ; it had been invariably found that such a farm
must be carried on at a loss ; and the whole question would be
how to obtain the pecuniary means to carry on such a farm,
which would certainly not be small, when it was taken into
account that the researches of Mr. Lawes cost him £2,000 a-
year. These were experiments, no doubt, ou an extensive
scale ; but that gave some idea of the cost of these experi-
ments, and Mr. Lawes certainly carried on his experiments in
a very economical manner.

Mr. MiLNE-HoME said that, in regard to the suggestion of
a model farm, that matter was brought before the directors
at one time by the late Mr. Finuie, of Swanston, and a part
of Liulithgowshire was suggested as a place where a model
farm could be obtained. At that time Professor Low was in
the Chair of Agriculture, and gave his assistance to the
directors in considering the matter ; and the result of the de-
liberations of the directors was that a very large sum would be
required to pay the rent and expenses of a model farm, because
it would be conducted upon principles totally different from
those upon which ordinary farms were carried on ; because,
while farmers only grew those crops which had been ascer-
tained to yield a profit, the object of a model farm would be to
try unknown experiments, which in nine cases out of ten would
result in failure and a large expenditure. Unless, therefore,
the Society was prepared to set apart a considerable sum, the
idea of starting a model farm was Utopian; but he did not
see why the well-managed farms in East-Lothian might not
afl'ord the same tacilities for field experiments which a model
farm could afford. If some of those gentlemen so intelligent
in agriculture were to allow a small portion of their land to be
used for well-conducted experiments, the same results might
be secured as by a model farm at far less expense. Consider-
ing the great importance of agriculture in the east of Scotland,
he thought there ought to be some establishment connected
with chemistry in Edinburgh as well as Glasgow, and perhaps
Professor Anderson and the directors might be able to make
some araugements to meet the views of Mr. Harvey in that
matter. Considering the importance of East-Lothian, he
thought there ought to be some chemical establishment
nearer tliem than in Glasgow.

Dr. Anderson said that Mr. Milne-Home's suggestion in
regard to certain farmers setting aside part of their land and
making experiments was being carried on. The field experi-
ments were being carried on by some of the most distinguished
agriculturists, and they were carried ou on a very admirable
footing. The gentleman have been selected as those ex-
perienced in such matters. With regard to Mr. Harvey's re-
marks as to the chemical depaitinent, he (Dr. Anderson) made
a proposal at the time he went to Glasgow that a certain part
of the work of the Highland Society should be done in Edin-
burgh, but the directors thought it was entirely unneces-
sary, and that the work would be better consolidated in one
place.

The Chairman said as to the proposal to have a model
farm, his idea was that, for such a thing to be of real utility,
they would require not one model farm, but half-a-dozen. He
thought that the experiments were not so necessary on fine,
rich, deep loam and soil, but they ought rather to be made ou
clay and cold lands, and where there was a had climate. Tt

K

120

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

was on farms situated on such districts tliat, in his opinion,
they required to make the experiments. It was not always
the best land that was the best to make experiments upon.
He saw the peculiar difficulties of having a model farm.
After one was erected, there might be a proposal to estabhsh
others in different parts of the country, which would cause
great expense to the Society. Most of the proprietors of
Scotland had got farms of their own which they did not always
find to be very profitable, and he would suggest that it would
only be a little additional loss if they were to make a few such
experiments as were desired.

Mr. Hakvey said his idea was that they should have a
model farm in a central part of the country. He did not like
the experiments of farmers themselves, as they were often very
carelessly conducted. They had spent a great deal of money

on the ciiemical department, and he did not think it had been
worth ten straws to them. With a model farm, they would
have ocular demonstration of what might be accomplished.
Mr. Harvey further stated that he never for a moment thought
of proposing that a model farm should be established about
Dunbar, or within three or four miles of Edinburgh, where
abundance of manure could be supplied, but in a central dis-
trict of Scotland — perhaps in some district between the eastern
and western oceans, and land not naturally in a high condi-
tion, wliere all manure supplied shows itself more minutely ;
then there would be something like data to work upon. These
were his opinions, and he was fortified in them by present and
ex-directors of the Society.

A vote of thanks liaving been given to the Dvike of Buc-
cleuch for presiding, the meeting separated.

THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MEETING AT NEWMARKET.

The Cambridgeshire is not a Society of much calibre.
Its operation apparently extending but occasionally beyond
the confines of the county into Essex, Norfolk, and Suf-
folk. Neither does the aim look like a very high one, the
prize-sheet being cut up into a number of petty premiums
and a multiplicity of classes — animals of the same sort
or age entered or winning in one not being eligible to
compete in another, until every man gets something in
turn. This is no doubt' all pleasant enough ; but it is
not the way to make an impression, or to develope a
show of much character. Let the money subscribed by
the districts visited be thrown into the general classes,
and the premiums proportionately increased, so that we
shall hear no longer of such parish ofterings as £4 for a
best bull and £2 for a second. The Society would seem
to possess the chief elements of success ; but its conduct
calls for careful revision and greater scope. The system
of keeping the thing down, and of neighbours rewarding
each other, is pretty certain to come to grief, as it has
done in Essex ; while so far as any example or lesson be
concerned, we can learn but little by staying at home.

The Newmarket meeting was, nevertheless, a creditable
one ; although, as it strikes us, it might have been better
had its forces been concentrated instead of scattered.
There was something wearisome alike to judges and
spectators in encountering an infinite succession and
repetition that went often enough to make a dis-
tinction without a difference, and this was more es-
pecially the case in the horse section. The cattle, or
more properly the Shorthorns, did not either for
numbers or merits equal the display at Wisbeach
last year, although amongst the more prominent prize -
takers were Lady Pigot, Mr. Pawlett, Mr. Hugh Aylmer,
and Mr. How, of Broughton. But her Ladyship's two
bulls look to have had quite enough of it, and Charles le
Beau, more particularly, although placed first in his class,
was terribly faded and cut up by his travels ; as he of
course shows this the more from being at best but a de-
licate animal. Rosolio, and Mr. Aylmer's General Hope-
well young bull were entered in different classes at
Dovvnham, the West Dereham bemg then third in the
old class. He is not a bull of much appearance, and had
Lady Pigot's been fresher he might have reversed the
decision. Young stock, however, above all others, cannot
stand such incessant excitement, and any chance the
Branches herd might have had for Leicester w^ould
threaten to be destroyed. The judges noticed nothing
further amongst the yearlings, but beyond Mr. Pawlett's
second prize for his round," thick Baron Warlaby, they
iiighly commended a Thorndale Grand Duke of Mr.

Aylmer's in the older class. The bull calves, where Lord
Braybrooke was first with one not noticed at Chelmsford,
and Mr. Erere of Roydon second, were both very mode-
rate ; and in a short class of cows Mr. How's Jolly
Queen, the second at Downham, had it all her own way,
Jennings the trainer being a bad second. There was
nothing very particular, again, about Mr. Prere's or Mr.
E. Durrant's first and second two-year-old heifers ; but
Mr. How's Lady Anne, the best yearling, or nearly two-
year-old, is a very sweet lady-like creature, quite worthy
of her £4 premium, and immeasurably superior to Mr.
E. Frost's poor second ; any comparison being fur-
ther emphazised by Victoria Spes, about the worst
animal John Ward ever led into a ring: being not
only bad in herself, but badly done by. It was at
first thought that her ladyship had lent her herdsman to
some neighbour for a show ; but his charge, alas ! is
Branches, born and bred. There was only one heifer-
calf — Mr. Prost's Strawberry, which took the prize on
the distinct understanding of there being nothing against
her ; while Mr. Durrant's capital cross of the Shorthorn
and Angus had, as in Norfolk, hll the best of the fat
beasts, taking first for oxen or heifers pure-bred or other-
wise, and again for steers or heifers by a Shorthorn
bull out of a half-bred cow. There was a second prize in
the former of these classes, which Mr. Prost won with a
Shorthorn, and where Mr. How and Mr. Adeane were
commended ; but nothing could touch the Aberdeen cross
amongst crosses. Over the polled cows of the country,
where Mr. Peddar, of Kennett, was first, the judges
must have had some difficulty in trying to award the three
prizes, the one solitary distinction for Alderneys going to
Mr. J. S. Tharp, of Chippenham.

The show of short-wooUed sheep was very much an
echo of that at Chelmsford, Lord Braybrooke having it
all to himself with the Shorthorns, Mr. Giblin going for
Oxfords, and Mr. Green, of Stradishall, leading the way
with the blackfaces on their native heath. In the first
class of short-wool rams, Mr. Giblin, of Bardfield, beat
Lord Braybrooke for best with an Oxford, the judges
considering the Audley Ead sheep as pretty generally too
delicate ; but in the pens of shearling short-wool ewes
the positions of these -two sorts were reversed. Lord
Braybrooke's Chelmsford five being first, and Mr. Street's
Oxfords second. Por the pens of short-wool lambs, Mr.
Samuel Jonas did deservedly well with four very good lots,
which took first and second prizes for rams, and
second and a commendation for the ewes, where Mr.
Northern, of Moulton, was first, and Mr. Jary of
Westley, commended for his Black-face and Down

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

121

cross. The judges took a deal more kindly to Lord
Braybrooke's reaily good fat shearling wethers, which
Were placed first and second, with picked threes
from the Chelmsford fives ; Mr. Street being highly com-
mended for some very good Oxfords, and Mr. Dobito receiv-
ing a similar compliment as one of "the Suffolk" champions.
With little or no competition, Mr. Battcock,of Hemingford
Abbotts, was first and second in two classes of cross-
breds, pens of ewes and pens of wether lambs, with the
now-very-popular "nick" of a Cotswold ram put on to a
Hampshire Down flock ; but in the class of fat wethers
Mr. Street beat these for first place with his Oxfords.
For Mr. Henry Webb's cup for the best shearling South-
down ram there were only three entries, and these three
all by Lord Braybrooke ; the best ram in Essex being also
the best here, but the judges now reversing the places of
the second and third. The other special prizes included
a class of cross-bred ewe and ram lambs, where Mr. Batt-
cock was still first, as weU as second in the ram class, and
Mr. Jary second in the ewes, with the produce of a
Lincoln ram and Hampshire Down ewes. Mr. Green
won nearly all the chief premiums for Suffolk black-
faces, being first for old rams (where Mr. Dobito
was second), and first, second, and commended for
shearling rams. But there was altogether a very strong
show of these sheep, with Mr. G. Jonas, Mr. Jary, Mr. G.
King, Mr. Northern, and Mr. Frere's executors amongst the
winners, and the judges speaking to a very visible improve-
ment, which they attribute to a dash of Hamp-
shire blood. The longwools were mostly Lincolns and
Cotswolds, but there was little or often no competition ;
and Mr. Gunnell, of Milton, and Mr. Giblin took all the
chief prizes for rams, ewes, and lambs, the only exception
being in the two classes of shearling Leicester or Lincoln
ewes, where Mr. T. 0. Daintree was first for the old ewes
and first and second for shearlings with some good sorty
sheep, especially the shearlings bred from a Lincoln ram
of Mr. C. Clarke's, of Ashby-de-la-Luud.

There were not a dozen pigs in the six classes, and
Jennings, the trainer of Gladiateur, had all the best of it.
His first white boar is of Lord Wenlock's breed, and his
big black sow, a Cheshire pig from the stock of the late
Captain White. These Cheshires are said to feed famously,
and to be quite the admiration of the Newmarket jockey-
boys ; but we cannot say that we know much of the sort.
The two prizes for small boars were duly awarded to the
two entries, Lady Pigot first, and Mr. Jillings second ;
and Mr. King, of Ashley, took first for small sows in two
classes with one reaUy nice pen of young pigs.

The horse show was generally moderate, and, strangely
enough, there were amongst the riding-horse classes some
of the very worst animals in the whole catalogue. Nothing,
indeed, could be well worse than the stallions calculated
to get hunters, as even with Mr. Thmmall amongst them,
the committee neglected to insert the thorough-bred
clause, and so of course, as is now generally the case
under such circumstances, the entry was a failure.
As an example, the premiums should never have been
awarded ; but the judges were induced to do so, although
we feel very certain that neither of them would ever think
of trying to breed a hunter from their first prize. This
was a half bred trotting horse, by Fiieaway, the property
of Mr. Mitchell, that might have been in his place in the
next lot of hackney stallions, where Mr. Bultitaft won
with Clearaway, a Norfolk horse with showy action ; Mr.
Reed, of Downham Market, getting second with his well-
known Trotaway. This was a creditable class, in which
Mr. Joselyn showed a good-looking horse, pulled down
by doubtful forelegs ; but the hunting brood mares were
indifferent, Mr. Linton taking the first prize with a mean-
looking King of Oude mare, and the Rev. W. Smith
second with an old mare by Jericho, of more character

than the other. The hunting classes were saved by a
conple of entries from Mr. Gardner, of Moulton, his four-
year-old being the best of two or three duplicate classes,
and a winner amongst the younger horses as well as of a
special prize to much the same effect. In some sort of
commentary on the hunter-sire class this colt is quite
thoroughbred, by Touchwood, out of Lord Burleigh's
dam ; and in some further commentary on the jumping
business, it may be added that the four-year-old reso-
lutely declined to jump hurdles, though this made not the
slightest differenceinthejudges'opinionofhim. Heisa very
bloodlike handsome nag, up to a certain weight, while Mr.
Gardner's other horse, the winner of another prize in
another class, has more power ; and Mr. Tharp's Phalanx,
the best hunter of any age, is also well up to weight ;
but beyond his bone and substance, there is little more to
be said for him, as he has a thick, coacher's neck, with
roUing, wooden action, and, according to Mr. Bennett,
anything but a pleasant horse to ride. Amongst the
second prize hunters were Mr. Long's four-year-old, and
Mr. Durrant's clever old chesnut that took a prize as a
hack at Downham. Tiietwo classes proper of hacks here
were very poor, nothing beyond Mr. Worth's four-year-
old being really worthy of notice, although three or
four premiums were duly distributed. Mr. Worth won
again with a good galloway ; and Mr. J . L. King, of
Wood Ditton, had a long way the best pony ; while a
premium for hackneys in harness also went to Mr.
Worth, of Sutton; although the pairs were not much of
a match, but then there was no competition. The special
premium, offered by the town of Newmarket for a show
in Newmarket of thorough-bred stallions to serve half-
bred mares, also resulted in but one entry ! — Mr. Jen-
nings' German-bred King Pippin, by Blackdrop, out of
Letitia, by Priam. The King is not much to look at ;
but then certainly he was not in show form, having had
a very hard season, with the credit of getting some very
good high-stepping stock. Mr. Jennings was first
again for the best hack, but against lots of competi-
tion, and certainly with one of the cleverest and
handsomest " nags " in the show. This was Ami-
cable, otherwise Halifax, by Amsterdam, and him-
self quite thorough - bred. Some of the farmers
grumbled a bit at his not being up to more weight, as
with the 15 st. condition Mr. H. Martin's good cob that
we missed at Downham no doubt would have won. But
without the influence of any such clause it was impossible
to iguore the fashion and action of the bay five-year-old.
The moral of the riding-horse show was thus both with
hunters and hacks that "blood will tell," and yet the Com-
mittee of the Cambridgeshire Society in the year 1868
continues to offer and award prizes to hunter stallions
without pedigrees !

The Shire three-year-old, Mr. Welcher's Honest
Tom, the best of his class at so many previous
meetings, was the hero of the agricultural classes
at Newmarket, taking the Society's premium of £10 for
the best stallion, and the All-England Cup of £20 on the
same showing. We can only repeat that he is a capital
specimen of his breed, with power, action, and "appear-
aace,"and we know no cart-horse that isnow moregenerally
liked. In the first class Mr. E. Clayden, of Barham was
second, with Lion, a fine-topped chesnut that could also
move, and Mr. Harvey, of Mildenhall, third — three prizes
for three entries. But in the open class, where Lion again
competed, Mr. Badham was " next best" with his two-
year-old Fitz Emperor, a colt that has much of the good
and quite as much of the bad of his sire. In the Society's
class of two-year-old stallions Mr. Mainprice, of Ely, was
fii'st with his nice Norfolk colt, and Mr. GiUings second
with a bay, as indeed the chesnuts were not in such force.
One of the best animals in the show for her purpose

K 2

122

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

was Mr. Warth's roan cavt-mare, with power, weight,
quality, and action all in her favour, and she walked clean
away from her class; though Mr. Waltham was near
enough to be placed second in fair company. The
mares with foals at foot were nothing extraordinary, Mr.
Gillings taking first prize with a rather neat, clean mare,
and Mr. T. B. Harvey second. The one three-year old
filly, although she was awarded the top prize, could not
have won otherwise ; and Mr. Wiles, of l)enny, took first
and second for two-year-old geldings on much the same
terms — viz., there being no other entries beyond his own;
Mr. Teulon's first prize two-year-old filly was much bet-
ter, being both useful and handsome, but she had nothing
but Mr. Gillings to beat ; while the few foals were bad,
with Mr. Ambrose first, and Mr. Gillings again second.
There were no entries whatever of dray-horses, but there
was a really good show of, plough teuns in pairs — hardy,
well-grown, quick-stepping animals, that looked like
getting through a fair day's work, and being ready again
for another. Mr. Staples was first, with two very smart
roans, and Mr. Taylor, of Sohani, second, with a com-
mendation for Mr. Peddar, of Kennet, and another good
word for Mr. Nunn, who would have been more forward,
but that one of his pair of chesnuts was lame. The best
three-year-old colt, not entered in either of the two all-
aged classes, was a very good brown colt of Mr. Batt-
cock's ; the executors of Mr. S. Clayden getting the second
prize with a light neat son of Chester Emperor; and the
Suffolks were thus pretty generally but second-best.

There was a poultry show of rather limited range, and
premiums of £10 and £5 for the best collection of imple-
ments, for which the following firms entered : Turner, Ips-
wich ; Holmes, Norwich ; Maynard, Whittlesford ; Ran-
somes and Sims, Ipswich ; Woods, Cocksedge, and Warner,
Stowmarket; IJaker, Wisbech; Ward and Silver, Long
Melford ; Wilkinson, Ely ; Headly, Cambridge ; and
Cutlack, Ely. The award was in favour of Woods and
Cocksedge first, and Ransomes and Sims second.

There was also prizes for grain, wool, and butter,
which were thus distributed : Red Wheat : First prize,
&i, T. Gardner; second, £2, not awarded. White
Wheat : First prize, £4, L. Kent ; second, £2, W. S.
Peddar. Oats; No entries. Wool : Five fleeces of long-
wool hogg, prize, £4, no merit. Five fleeces of short-
wool hogg : Prize, £4, W. T. Brackenbury. Five fleeces
of cross-bred wool hogg : Prize, £4, W. T. Brackenbury.
Butter — Five pounds of butter, made up in one pound
lumps, open to all England : First prize, £5, A. King ;
second, £3, Mrs. H. P. Balls.

The Judges were — Cart-horses : G. Bedford, Abbots
Ripton ; P. Portway, Great Sampford. Nag Horses : J.
E. Bennett, Bosworth Grange, Rugby ; T. K. M. Elliott,
Heathencote, Towcaster. Cattle : W. Ladds, Ellington ;
J. Robinson, Clifton Pastures, Olney. Long-wool
Sheep and Pigs : J. Codling, Whaplode ; W. Looker,
Wyton Manor, Huntingdon. Shori-wool and Cross-brep
Sheep : C. Howard, Biddenham ; H. Thurnall, Royston.
Implements : T. Gardner, Moulton ; Hl Long, Carlton.
Grain : F. Challands, Newmarket ; B. Colman, Newmar-
ket. Wool. J. W. Turner, Westgate Hill, Bradford.
Poultry and Pigeons : E. Hewitt, Eden Cottage, Spark
Brook, Birmingham.

The Dinner

Took place on the ground, with Lord George Manners, in the
absence of ihe Duke of Rutland, in the chair. There was a
very good attendance. In the course of the proceedings.

Lord Haruwick said it would not be wrong on his part to
give his opinion as to the future, and to dilate upon what were
th?ir p-gricultviral prospects of making money. In the last

four years they had had a rapid ascent in the price of wheat.
They would allow him to tell them what liad been the condi-
tion of the wheat market, and what they might look for in the
future, as no doubt it would be the case. They had had this year,
in the month of March, wheat at an average of 7vS. lOd. per
qr. ; in March, 1867, it was 60s. lid. ; at the same time in
186G, 44s. lid. per qr. ; and in 1865, 38s. lid. Now he
would tell them that the wheat market had reached its highest
point ; they knew it was now falling, and at least that was a
warning to most of them. Why did he think so ? America
was rapidly quieting and increasing her growth of wheat ; and
to show them what she could do, though she had not been
able recently, in 1861 she raised upwards of three hundred
million quarters of wheat for the purpose, and she would do it
again. They would have to consider, therefore, what they
had to look for. In this year, and for the future, tliey must
be prepared for a fall in the price of grain. That was a state-
ment he conceived of some value (laughter). If they believed
it they would be ready for it. His noble friend laughed
heartily, and he was glad to see men amongst then who could
laugh heartily at the prospect of a reduction of the price of
wheat. As a landlord he was glad to hear that laugh, as it
indicated the fact that the farmers were prepared to meet the
fall in the price of wheat (laughter). His friend still laughed.
He could oaly say that the gentleman represented the superla-
tive of the farmer. When he clieered them with that happy
laugh he gave them confidence in the tenant-farmer in tlie
days that were coming upon them.

The Cu.viRiiAN said the Government had introduced a bill,
which had not a political bearmg, for the establishment of
ports for the killing of newly-arrived meat, and that bill met
with so strong an opposition that there was but little chance
of its passing into law. Should that be the case, it would be-
come imperative on agricultural communities not to rest till
they had procured some security against these evils. Another
question to which ]\e would like to shortly call the attention
o< the meeting was the education of the agricultural labourer.
Although he was far from thinking the general progress of
education throughout the country unsatisfactory, yet there was
no question that the education of the labouring classes did call
for improvement (A Voice: "How about the cottages?").
As far as he had been able to master the (luestion, every boy
before he arrived at the age of nine or ten— he should prefer
ten — should have given him the necessary opportunity of ob-
taining sufficient education for his life. This was a subject
that must be considered iu future Parliaments, and he trusted
that the decision arrived at would be a right one. Another
point was one which came before them with peculiar claims at
tlie present moment after a lengthened drought— i.e., the
water supply of the country. He could not but think that if
some of the agriculturists were to place themselves in commu-
nication with some celebrated engineer, they might possibly in
many districts obtain at a cheap rate, at all events, a limited
supply of water, which would enable them to grapple vvith the
very short supply they had now.

Mr. TuuRNAXL said this was the fourth county show he
had attended tliis year ; and, so far as he could judge, it ex-
celled the Bedford, and nearly equally the Essex and Bath and
West of England shows.

Mr. HoLBEN, the secretary, said hitherto the Society had
been unable to extend its operations to the labourer ; but he
had thought of laying before the committee a suggestion that
they should offer a prize for the labouring man who produced
a schoolmaster's certificate and proved that he had sent his
children to school the most regularly and for the longest term.
That would be an incentive or stimulant to self-denial.

Mr. T. Jennings, of Newmarket, responded for "The
Successful Exhibitors ;" and said that the emotions he felt at
winning the prizes he had done that day were equal, or greater,
tlian when he had won a great race ; and he would endeavour
on another occasion to have something better to sliow,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

128

THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT OUNDLE.

It was quite evident one Thursday last month to the most
casual observer, that something more than market-day
was to come off at the snug little town of Oundle, rigged
out as it was in holiday costume, like some grim warrior
of the deep, with all its bunting flying. Indeed, every
hatchway or loophole was crowded with smiling faces on
the look out, as some Grand Seignor in the form of a
shorthorn bull, a bevy of cows, or a pen of sheep made
their appearance, or, for what the Shire is still more
famous, as some well-made hunter came sauntering along
or gay hack went dancing by, who for step and neatness
rivalled the lasses themselves ; whilst old Dumpling's
sleek well-fed looks and gaudy colours on either side the
head were fairly outshone by the healthy rosy cheeks of
some bouncing dairy-maid, and the flaunting ribands
with which she had tied up her bonny black hair. On,
on they go to the field of rivalry, to engage in the list for
some of the thousand pounds given in prizes ; while the
banners idly wave in the air, and the cry is stDl " They
come !" The show-ground was laid out close to the
town, a beautiful site having been fixed on, and, viewed
from the horse-ring or far end of the yard, surrounded as
it was by clusters of trees, with the church rising
from their very midst, formed a very pretty centre-bit.
The strongest part of the exhibition being the horses, we
made our way for the ring, which we think would have
been better for all — ^^judges, horses, and spectators — if it
had not been quite so much on the slope ; but this the
steward who laid out the yard could not well avoid.
The judging of riding horses, cart horses, beasts, sheep,
and pigs, all commenced about the same time ; and,
although we much desired it, in vain we sighed " "We
would we were a bird," like Sir Boyle Roache, to be in
two places at once. Sevei'al times we tried it on ; but,
finding that we were neither here nor there when any-
thing iinportant occurred, we gave up any further hopes
of accomplishing an impossibility or bobbing at a cherry.
In the hunting brood mares and foals the £20 brought an
entry of sixteen ; but, judging by many of the specimens
sent, we should imagine their owners, like children who
dip in a lucky-bag for a prize, trust more to fortune than
judgment. The prize-mare is a brown deep-topped
useful-looking one by Ambrose, and the highly-com-
mended an old mare, with a capital forehand, but short
from the whirlbone to the stifle, while her hocks are also
somewhat stilty, and do not come well under her, without
we were much deceived by the ground. Then next, with
good looks, was the bloodlike chesnut by Monarque, from
Mr. Cowper, of Leamington. Mr. G. Lyne's mare by
Collingwood, with a foal by General Hess, very dicky iu
his forelegs, and Mr. P. Durran's mare were worthy of
notice. In the hunting mares and geldings five years old
and upwards, open to all England, there were some neat
useful-looking horses, but nothing very much out of
the way. The first prize, a chesnut by Kentucky, showing
a deal of blood, is compact, well-made, with good ends,
and his stifles well let down. If anything, he is a trifle
short. He has a peculiar flourish with his hind feet,
and, when trotting, picks his legs up a little too flashy for
hunting, and more like reminiscences of Piccadilly. The
highly-commended Old Port, bred at High Wycombe,
Bucks, is of a good stamp, a neat, deep, well-made, short-
legged horse that does not look like a very fast one, and
that we think we could improve a bit in his shoulders,

if we had the remodelling of him for hunting-purposes.
Thorpe Malsor, a placed horse here last year, was look-
ing very well, and steered by his old pilot, whom we were
sorry to see with his arm still strapped down by his side.
Mr. Hill, of Oundle, showed a bay with a capital top that
could move, but with hocks much disfigured by being
capped, as well as bearing the marks of the iron. With
Mr. Newcombe Mason up afterwards, he looked all over
like going, and brought back to memory one who, as an
elegant horseman and for crossing a country, "we shall
ne'er look upon his like again." Mr. D. Bletsoe had a
six-year-old black of very fair form, and Mr. G. B.
Lynes and Mr. J. T. Roe had something pleasing.
Mr. Colpnianan's Islip, Thrapstone, had a good top, but
curby hocks ; while the Hon. C. W. Fitzwilliam's chesnut
mare's, by Affidavit, shoulders did not please us, or allow
her to move. There was some taping going on in these
classes ; but without horses have the same quality, and are
of the same build, we really scarcely see the use of it.
Monarch by Lovett, in the four-year-olds, was a good-
topped hunting-like horse ; and the commended of Mr.
Sharpe, also by Lovett, though not so grand in frame, is
a clever light mover. Mr. W. Brooks had a fair-looking
bay, with "good limbs, that could go. Mr. Drage's bay
gelding has a short neck, but a fair top, and is light below
the knee ; and Father Meurad, a big fair-looking blood-hke
horse, a little high on the leg, by Trumpeter, goes the
rounds of the shows without collecting any halfpence.
The judges picked out Mr. Hili's brown gelding, a com-
pact horse, with just a dash of the cob in him, and his
head set on throaty ; as besides dishing with the off leg,
he has a sottish appearance, but they hung over him for
some time. In the next class for riding-pm-poses we had
ticked the winner off' as a Tilbury, or light-carriage horse,
and saw no reason, after looking him over, to alter it.
He is a mealy bay, with not a very handsome nob. The
second, by Mowbray, was a nice mare that could move ; and
the commended, a long-backed one, but more handsome
than anything. The Hon. C. W. Fitzwilliam sent a brown
by Richmond, with something taking about his top, but de-
formed in his forelegs ; and Mr. T. Stokes had a useful one
by Lovett. The gelding and fillies rising three were poor ;
the first, having his toes out and elbows in, is anything
but a free mover ; the second being a lathy bay of good
form and breed. Mr. G. Jackson's thick compact-made
chesnut, with blood, looked like making a light charger,
as well as a handsome one when caparisoned. Some of
the others were remarkable for their bad forelegs or
shoulders being too forward. Mr. T. Roe's fiUy by
Lovett had something of the hack about her, if not
fashionable. In the colts and fillies wc thought the
young gentleman from the Land of Bucks by Idler
a long way the best, as he was taking in his
looks with good big-jointed limbs. A filly by the Drake,
out of Crazy Jane, was fair-looking. The hackney mares
and foals under fifteen and an inch, were not a great class.
At first the prize went to a mare by the Ugly Buck, a
handsome, good -going hack, but she was disqualified,
and the first place was then given to one of the "has-
beens," in the shape of a varmint old mare by Pantaloon,
four- and- twenty years old, and he must have been twenty
when he got her, which will carry us back to the death
of Louis the Eighteenth, or the laying the first stone of
London-bridge. What a way a couple of old ones will

124

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

take you, if you only keep them together ! The second to
the old one was Jessie, a grey — a rather nice-looking
little mare, with two stars on her knees, and not over-
free in her movements ; nor was Mr, E. Stokes's (Bul-
wick) old mare of great character, and she wanted a little
oiling to set her going. Among the hacks not exceeding
fifteen and an inch were some very neat ones. Mr.
Lyne's mare, by Idler, dam by Skiff, being very good, with
action and quality ; while the second was a powerful
chesnut, with symmetry and good strong action, but with
a regular broomstick, with a few hairs at the end for a tail.
However, as the rider does not see it, this is not of much
consequence ; without he happens to be acting as a judge;
then, if he gets on one, the proper thing is to stand bolt
upright in his stirrups, and look over the horse's shoul-
ders to see if he can observe the animal's toes, and then
repeat the same thing behind for his heels, taking especial
caie not to over-balance himself; having done this, he
gets off, and is taken for a very knowing card. The
commended was a neat bay of Mr. E. Stokes, of Wans-
ford. The Rev. A. Longhurst had a very nice-shaped
horse, a light hunter, by Ambrose, but who did not move
so well ; while Mr. W. Smith's, Oundle, brown, with a
plain head, could go. The Rev. E. Gi-ey's brown mare, Mr.
J. H. Silby's brown mare, and Mr. J. D. Bletsoe's bay
had something about them to take the eye. The cob
winner was a really clever one, in shape and action, and
is said to be by an Arab out of a Welsh pony, but she tikes
more after the dam. There was a little bay pony, a won-
derfully quick goer, of Mr. W. Williams, of Oundle, and
another Welshman, the pony we mean. Amongst the
cart-horses, which, taking them altogether, were a very
useful industrious-looking lot, and evidently not kept for
show, there were many deep-topped, short-legged, ac-
tive-looking horses, that would not let the grass grow un-
der their feet. They were just on the move for home as
we came round to them, s i that we had no time to look
them over carefully.

The beasts, both in the fat-stock and breeding classes,
were well represented; Messrs. Robinson and Game,
excellent judges, pronouncing them to be an exceedingly
good-looking lot — one saying that he would be much
surprised if some of them did not obtain honours at the
forthcoming exhibition of the Royal Agricultural Society
at Leicester. In a class of six, Billy, a very level one,
beat an ox, by Britannicus (17452) of Mr. Wood, well-
known as the owner of a fat ox, who, after coming off
victorious at Birmingham, was taken to the Crystal
Palace, and made quite a peep-show affair of. In the
steers, a good-looking white two-year-old and six months,
by Lord Stanley Spencer (20823), ousted a two-year-old
and six months exhibited hy Lord Spencer. This naming
animals after their breeders is apt to create confusion,
and we can hardly see the compliment or taste when you
hear the name of some nobleman coupled with a grand
bull-like head, bad loins, no rump, and a tail fearfully
set on. The Banbm-y cow was a nice neat-headed one,
with quality, and exhibited in capital trim, her rival be-
ing also good-looking ; while another, from the Burghly
herd, came in for empty honours. These were the only
competitors. A really nice-headed, level heifer, by Bri-
tannicus, carried off the cup, beating one of Lord Stanley
Spencer's daughters, Clara, and two others, one coming
from Thame, in Oxfordshire. Prizeman, the Down-
ham best bull, was still in capital show condition ;
his other rivals will be found in the prize-list, all
coming in for commendations, with the exception of
the Hon. C. W. Fitzwilliam's Jasper. However, the
M. P. was elected in the next class, with the rather leggy,
ox-like Baron Windsor, second to the good-headed old
Lord Chancellor, from Babraham. The six other compe-
titors were not considdted worthy of a commendaliion.

Cherry Butterfly (23530), out of a Duchess, is a very
lengthy youngster, one year and nine months old, and
considered to be the best animal in the yard, but he
struck us as being a little hollow behind his shoulders
— a hollow that later in the evening we wished we
had had our heads in, having joined innocently
enough what we took for an Ordinary, but which
turned out to be an out-and-out kip ! hip ! hip ! hurrah
affair, with one cheer more, the noisiest dogs believing
they were the most loyal. Really, we believe if our
good little Queen had been there, knowing the kindly
feeling she has for all her subjects, she would have ad-
dressed them in something after this manner : " Now,
now, my good fellows ; do pray stop this bawling and
jumping up directly after dinner, like so many jacks-in-the-
box. What good can this noise do om- royal self, our
children, our army, navy, bishops, or clergy, or what we
take quite as much interest in, your noble selves? We do
not doubt your loyalty for a moment, seeing it as we do
written, crossed' and recrossed, in every feature of your
open manly countenance (loud cheers.) Do pray sCop
that noise ; consider our royal head. My friends
and subjects, do pray enjoy yourselves and your wine
and the other good things we see the table covered
with, in a rational manner. Let us hear again that
pleasing hum throughout the room, caused no doubt,
as we saw you gathered in knots of five or six, by
cheerful conversation, interchanging ideas and gather-
ing information before the gentleman at the top of room
put an end to it by proposing our noble self (loud
cheers.) Pray recollect yourselves ; let us hear no more
of it ; we had imagined that in the march of civOization
these noisy professions had gone out with the Bill for
the Consumption of Smoke."

Grand Sultan, from what we could see with his cloth
on, had length, quality, and handsome looks. He is by Prize-
man, the first bull of any age. Jolly Queen, still on her
travels, and Beauty had eight others to contend with, three
or four, likethemselves, beingblessed with good looks. Queen
of Rosalea proved the handsomest of the heifers by a long
way ; Mr. Pawlett, however, with a young Prince Hope-
well, beating her half sister in the next class. Mr. How 's
red and white heifer of one year and ten months was de-
clared the victress in a class of seven, including one of the
Duke of Buccleuch's, and Victoria Spes, one of Lady Pigot's
— darn Victoria Alba by Prince Alfred. So much for names.
In a class of five, Mr. Pawlett's 11 months' heifer calf by
Baron Killerby (23364) out of Rose Warlaby by British
Flag (19351) was at the top of an entry of five ; while Sir
W. de C. Brooke's 1 year and 8 months' steer by Lord
Stanley Spencer out of Amethyst by the Hero of Kars, in
a class of fom*, carried out the saying of " the last shall
be first," being at the bottom of the list. Sir William
was first again in the next with Rose of Geddington, 1
year and 10 months, by Roger (24980), out of Rose of
Ruby.

The sheep were strongest in long wools, most of the
classes being well filled ; while in the Down tups the
Oxfordshire mustered very well. There were few entries
in the classes for crossbreds and shortwooUed or half-bred.
There was a poor show of pigs, whOe, on the other hand,
the poultry was very strong.

PRIZE LIST.

RIDING HORSES.

Judges. — J. M. K. Elliott, Towcester.
S. Middleton, Wansford.
T. B. Turnell, Wellingborough.

Mares and foals for hunting purposes, the foal to be by a
thoroughbred stallion.— First prize of £20 to Mr. J. Cheuey,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

125

Oundle (sire Ambrose). Higlily commended : Mr. T. Tryon,
Bulwick Hall (black).

Mares and geldings, five years old, adapted for hunting pur-
poses (open to all England). — First prize of £20 to Mr. S.
Ayres, Towcester (sire Kentucky). Highly commended: Mr.
J. Drage, Moulton Lodge (Oldport).

Mares and geldings above four and under five, adapted for
hunting purposes. — Jirst prize of £20 to Mr. S. Gale, Kel-
marsh (Monarch).

Geldings or fillies above three and under four, adapted for
hunting purposes. — Erst prize of £7 to Mr. T. Bonsor, Oundle
(sire Richmond) ; second of £3 to Mr. J. Smith (sire Mow-
bray).

Geldings or fillies above two and under three, adapted for
riding purposes. — First prize of £7 to Mr. W. J. Cheney, Oundle
(sire Richmond) ; second of £3 to Mr. H. Hunt (sire Northern
Light).

Colts or fillies above one and under two, adapted for riding
purposes. — First prize of £7 to Mr. J. Clode, Great Linford,
Bucks (sire Idler) ; second of £3 to Mr. J. Lawrence, Elton
(sire The Drake).

Hackney mares not exceeding fifteea bauds one inch. — First
prize of £7 to Mr. R. Ward, Uppingham (sire Pantaloon) ;
second of £3 to Mr. S. Deacon, Oundle (Jessie).

Hackney mare or gelding not exceeding fifteen hands one
inch.— First of £10 to Mr. G. B. Lynes, Preston Deanery
(sire Idler) ; second of £3 to Mr. H. L. Bayley, Northampton
(sire Cruisk).

Cobs, mares or geldings, not exceeding fourteen hands high.
— Prize of £5 5s. to Mr. J. H. Lowndes (sire an Arab) .

Ponies not exceeding thirteen hands high. — Prize of £5 to
Mr. J. D. Bletsoe, Grendon Hall, Notts,

CART HORSES.

Judges. — J. Bird, Yaxley, Peterborough.
T. Wood, Witchly Warren.

Cart mares with foals at foot. — First prize of £10 to Mr.
C. E. Tebbutt, Oundle; second of £5 to Mr. T. Baker,
Weedon.

Cart geldings or fillies above three and under four. — First
prize of £7 to Mr. J. W. D. Harris, Wootton (gelding) ; se-
cond of £3 to Mr. R. Wood, Clapton, Thrapstone (filly).

Cart gelding or fiUy above two and under three. — First prize
of £7 to Mr. R. Timms, Rugby (gelding) ; second of £3 to Mr.
T.Baker, Weedon (filly).

Cart yearlings, geldings or fillies. — First prize of £5 to Mr.
E. Winder, Clapton Hall (filly) ; second of £3 to Mr. R. Timms,
Rugby (gelding).

BEASTS.

Judges. — G. Game, Chipping Norton.
J. Knowles, Wetherby.
J. Robinson, Clifton Pastures.

Fat stock, open to all England. — Oxen exceeding three years
and three months on the 1st December next, without restriction
as to keep, though the kind of food is to be certified. — First
prize of £10 and cup to Mr. C. Speed, Exton (BiUy) ; second
of £5 to Mr. R.Wood, Thrapstone (sire Britannicus). Highly
commended •. Mr. T. Pulver, Broughton, Kettering.

Open to aU England. — Steers not exceeding three years and
three months on the 1st December next, with same condition as
to food.— First prize of £10 to Sir W. de Capel Broke, Ged-
dington Grange ; second of £5 to Lord Spencer. Highly com-
mended: The Marcpis of Exeter. Commended: Mr. J. How,
Brougliton, Hunts.

Open to all England. — Cows of any breed or age (same con-
dition as to keep). — First prize of £10 to Mr. J. Ivens, Ban-
bury ; second of £5 to Mr. W. Spencer, Hinckley.

Open to all England. — Heifers of any breed, not exceeding
four years old on Dec. 1 next (same condition as to food). —
First prize of £10 to Mr. R. Wood, Thrapstone (sire Britan-
nicus) ; second of £5 to Sir W. de Capel Broke (Clara) ;
commended, Mr. R. E. Oliver, Towcester.

Breeding and store stock, open to all England. — BuUs
of any age. — First prize of £20 to Mr. J. Lynch, Stroxton,
Grantham (Prizeman,24;870) ; highly commended, Mr. T. E.
Pawlett, Beeston, Beds (Baron Killerby), and Lady E. Pigot
(Charles le Beau) ; commended, Sir W. de Ca'pel Broke (Lord
Stanley Spencer).

Bulls above two years old, the property of or hired by the
exhibitor, that has proved himself a stock-getter, which shall
have been or is to be used in the county. — First prize of £15
to Mr. R. Wood, Thrapstone (Lord Chancellor, 20160) •, se-
cond of £5 to Hon. C. W. Fitzwilliam (Baron Windsor).

Bulls above one ■ and under two years of age, which shall
have been or is to be used in the county. — First prize of £15
to Mr. R. Oliver, Towcester (Cherry Butterfly, 23550) ; se-
cond of £5 to Sir W. de Capel Broke (Duke of Watering-
bury, 23799).

Bull calves above six and under twelve months old. — First
prize of £10 to Mr. J. Lynch, Stroxton (Grand Sultan), se-
cond of £5 to Mr. R. E. Oliver, Towcester (Cherry Grand
Duke) ; highly commmended, E. Freeman, Thame, Oxon.

Best cow of any breed, in-milk or in-calf. — First prize of
£10 to Mr. J. How, Broughton, Hunts (Jolly Queen) ; se-
cond of £5 to Mr. C. J. Bradshaw, Burley-on-the-Hill
(Beauty) ; highly commended, Mr. C, Speed, Exton, Oakham
(Diana), Sir W.' de Capel Broke, Geddington Grange ; com-
mended, Mr. S. Deacon, Oundle (Emma).

Heifers of any breed, in-milk or in-calf, above three and
under four years old.— First prize of £10 to Lady E. Pigot
(Queen of Rosalea) ; second of £5 to Mr. Selby, Oundle.

Heifers of any breed, in-milk or in-caK, above two and
under three.— First prize of £10 to Mr. T. E. Pawlett, Beeston,
Beds ; second of £5 to Lady E. Pigot (Dame of Rosalea).

Heifer of any breed, above one and under two years. — First
prize of £10 to Mr. J. How; second of £5 to Mr. T. E.
Pawlett; commended, Mr. C. Speed, Exton, Oakham,
(Polly).

Heifer or caK of any breed, under 12 months.— Prize of £5
to Mr. T. E. Pawlett.

Shorthorn steer, under two years.— First prize of £5 to Sir
W. de Capel Broke.

Shorthorned heifer, above one and under two years, to have
been in the possession of the exhibitor for six months previous
to the show (open to the above subscribers and to all members
of the society residing in the county). — Prize of £20 to Sir W.
de Capel Broke (Rose of Geddbgton).

SHEEP AND PIGS.

Judges. — T. Jones, Wellingborough.
J. Painter, Nottingham.
T. Wagstaif, Peterborough.

Pens of ten long-wooUed ewes, that have suckled lambs to
June 1, 1868.— First prize of £10 10s., to Mr. J. Gillett,
Charlbury ; second of £5 5s., to C. J. Bradshaw, Oakham ;
highly commended, Mr. R. Barlow, Oundle, and Mr. W.
Godfrey, Oundle.

Pens of five long-wooUed theaves. — First prize of £5, to Mr.
J. Giblin ; second of £2 10s., to Mr. C. Hales ; commended,
Mr. C. F. Bradshaw, Alstoe, Oakham.

Pens of five cross-bred ewes, that have suckled lambs to June
1, 1868.— First prize of £5, to Mr. J. Treadwell, Winchendon,
Bucks.

Pens of three cross-bred shear hoggs. — First prize of £5, to
E. Freeman, Thame, Oxon ; second of £3, to Mr. F. Street,
Bedford.

Pens of three long-woolled shear hoggs. — Firstprize of £5,to
Mr. J . Edwards, Buckworth, Kimbolton.

Shearling long-wooUed tups. — First prize of £5, to Mr. J.
Gillett, Charlbury ; second of £3, to W. F. Marshall, Branston,
Lincoln ; commended, Mr. J. GiUet.

. Long-woolled tups of any breed, two shear and upwards,
that has proved himself a stock-getter. — First prize of £7, to
Mr. J. Lynch ; second of £3, to Mr. W. F. Marshall, Bran-
ston, Lincoln ; commended, Mr. J. Gillett.

Down tups of any age. — Firstprize of £7, to Mr. J. Tread-
well, Winchendon, Bucks ; second of £3, to Mr. J. Giblip,
Bardfield, Essex; commended, Mr. F. Street, Harrowden,
Bedford.

Pens of five long-woolled wether lambs.— Firstprize of £3, to
Mr. T. G. West, DaUington, Northampton.

Pens of five long-woolled ewe lambs. — First prize of £3, to
Mr.T. W. Harris; second of £1 10s., to Mr. J. Gillett.

Pens of five short-woolled or half bred wether lambs. — First
prize of £3, to Mr. J- N. Beasley, Brampton, Northampton.

Pens of five short-woolled or haifbred ewe lambs,— First

U6

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

prize of £3, (o Mr. J. Louglaud, Grendon, Northampton;
second of £3, to Mr. J. N. Beasley, Brampton.

Boars of any breed to be used in the county. — First prize
of £5, to Mr. J. A. W. Underwood, Ouudle ; second of £2, to
Mr. S. Deacon, Oundle.

Sows breeding or suckling, of any breed. — First prize of
£5, to Mr. S. Deacon, Oundle; second of £3, to Mr. Yorke,
Holdich ; commended, Mr- J. Wheeler, Shipston-on-Stour.

Pens of three fat pigs, of anybreed or age. — First prize of £5,
to Mr. R. Wood, Thrapstone ; highly commended, Mr, J.
Giblin, Bardfield, Essex.

Five breeding pigs of one litter, above three and not ex-
ceeding six months old. — Prize of £5, to Mr. R. Wood.

IMPLEMENTS.

Prizes awarded to exhibitors : Amies and Barford, for general
collection of reapers and mowers £3, for rollers and crushers
£2, for improved large cake crushers £1, and their general

collection was highly commended. To Ball and Son, Roth-
well, for collection of carts and waggons for agricultural pur-
poses £3 ; for an improved scufller £1. To Hayes and Son,
Stamford, for a collection of carts and waggons for agricultural
purposes, £3. To Richmond and Chandler, Manchester, for
an improved large chaff-cutter, £3. To Ashby and Jeffery, for
a small chaff-cutter £1, their improved haymaker liighly
commended. To Smith and Grace, Thrapston, for bean and
oat mill £3, for small chaff-cutter £1. To T. Corbett, lor an
improved winnowing machine, £1. To Chapman, of Apethorpe,
for collection of carts and waggons £1, break and cart highly
commended. There was a trial of mowing machines, which
took place in a meadow low and moist, where the work was
excellent. There were five competitors : Hornsby, Kearsley,
Samuelson, Burgess and Key, and Wood, of Upper Thames-
street. The first prize of £10 was awarded to Samuelson,
whose machine cut the allotted acre in 45 minutes ; and the
second of £5, to Woods, whose American machine did the
same amount of work in 43 minutes.

THE SUFFOLK AGEIOULTUEAL ASSOCIATION.
MEETING AT FRAMLINGHAM.

The Suffolk Association, blessed as it is with its park at
Ipswich and the old castle grounds at Framlingham, two
of the prettiest show-yards in the kingdom, and ranking, as
it does.as one of the oldestof oui* agricultural societies, does
not with years appear to increase in stature, but, on the con-
trary, is evidently on the wane. This downward ten-
dency is easily traced to a want of spirit equal to these
go-ahead times, as well as to a want of liberality. Indeed,
the Suffolkites can be tempted into an adjoining county to
carry off atwenty-fiveor a twentypound prize, whileathome
they in return barely offer sufficient to pay for the seed cake
and sherry, so necessary for the successful exhibitors'
friends who come to do homage to the prize animal on his
return to his stall. Several old members, on discussing the
subject, came to the conclusion that they did not see why
they should not be able to get up as good a prize list as
that of their neighbours in Essex ; and the chairman,
as will be seen, spoke very pointedly to this at the dinner.
The ground was nicely laid out with canvass sheddings,
for the horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs, that afforded plenty
of protection from the sun, which was scorching and no
mistake ; while the two rings, for judging the riding and
agricultural horses, adjoined each other, and enabled one
to see what was going on in both, besides affording a most
agreeable relief to the eye from that monotonous study
of red and all-red — a colour that the agriculturists
of Suffolk, in spite of the old adage, think it
absolutely necessary that a good one should be. To
save people from unnecessaiy feats of pedestrianism, in
following each class to their standings, to get at the win-
ners, the numbers might be hoisted in the ring after each
award. Even the strong feature of the show, the red
and all-red, good as they stiU are, were not up to what
we have seen, although the twenty pounds divided into
three prizes brought a very exceUeut class, and several
well-known prize takers, including the first and second at
the Royal Bury show last year, but who now reversed
their position or something more, as the compact, well-
built, short, stout -limbed, active looking Cupbearer was
first, whilst Mr. Boby's Conqueror, with his over-crested
neck, set on as if part and parcel of something else not
belonging to him, was, with his weak arms and thighs,
nowhere. The second was a well-knit one, bred by Mr.
Bromley, by Wolton's horse; but more to our fancy,
barring;his feet, was another compact, well-built animal,
bred by Mr. Gentry, and foaled in 1861. Why the

names of these horses are not put down in the catalogue
we should much like to know, as what with Conqueror
this and Emperor that over and over again, with f. s., d.,
s., or b. tacked on, and in one place a five year-old and
another six, is enough to muddle the head of a Person
without the drink, or a Bidder without the addition of
figures. Mr. Rist's Harwich Emperor, whose forelegs
we were not in love with, had met with some accident,
and was disqualified this time without giving him the benefit
of a doubt. The other competitors were G. Estaugh's
Marquis, E. Cavell's Victor, and S. Wolton's Monarch, the
fight being between Mr. Rist's horse, and Mr. Crisp's three.
How long the judges hung over this class before calling
in a referee to decide for them, we will not say ; but this
we will say, it was unpardonable. In the three-year-olds
the Bury decisions were again reversed. In the two-year-
olds there were some good specimens of the Suffolk, the
Woodbridge colt being a fine-grown and very forward
one. The yearling entire colts were good, though few,
two having prizes and the other commendations. There
were only two ffasi or barren mares — the nice-looking
deep-topped Moggy, by Canterbury Pilgrim, and the
useful good-limbed Matchett by Hercules ; while in the
three-year-old fillies Mr. Wolton had it all his own way,
the good-looking young Matchett, commended in Essex,
having nothing to oppose her : Bonny, by name and
nature, though blessed with that abomination in horse-
flesh so common to most of the Suffolks, the calf-knee,
or in other words, perhaps more appropriate, being back
at the knees, was the best two-year-old. We saw a
thorough-bred whose legs inclined tlie same way, through
mere sympathy, and a short residence in the county ; for
his great ancestor's legs were all the other way.
Duchess, by Boby's Conqueror, the second to
Matchett, was thought by many to be quite her equal ;
while a known good judge, who had carefully looked her
over, declared he quite agi-eed with the verdict. The
yearling fillies were poor, with only three competitors for
the two prizes. There were also the same number of
geldings of any age, the prize-horse being an eight-year-
old, a lengthy deep horse, on a short leg, by Capon's Duke.
The winning pair of cart-geldings were very good-looking,
and the highly-commended useful, and from appearances
seeming as if they belonged to a self-supporting club,
which is more than we can say of most of the others, idle-
ness apparently having clothed them not in rags, but in

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

127

burdens of fat. Is not this fattening carried a little too
far ? Matchett and Dapper, a pair of cart mares, were as
handsome as anything in the yard ; but, as " handsome
is as handsome does," they did not look like work-a-day
folks.

In the thorough-bred stallions. Captain Barlow, who
has done so much for the breed of horses in the county,
and who has still his work cut out for him, through a
slice of luck this time became possessed of the enormous
sum of te:i pounds with King of the Dale, and seed-cake
and sherry will be in the ascendency at Hasketon ; his
only opponent Beauville, led by a son of old Martin
Starling, whose face of the roseate hue, well-filled scarlet,
cords, and tops, must be familiar to millions who have
seen oue of the sights of the world— a Derby-day. Beau-
ville was disqualified, having a contracted hoof. He is a
brother of Rapid Roan, and of the same coloui-, bred by Lord
Glasgow and exhibited by Lord Stradbrooke, and is really
a neat clever lengthy short-legged thoroughbred horse,
without lumber. He has good ends, is a trifle slack in his
back, with good short-jointed limbs from the knee and
hock down, that have seen some knocking about ; but his
good head is set on fearfully throaty to a rather peacocky
neck. There was no opposition in the coaching or road-
ster stallions, there being a prize for each, and one over ;
but we will not say they were properly placed. A good
stamp of mare won in a poor lot of hunting mares with
foal at foot, and a neat dappled brown in a poorer sample
of coachers. Then in the cob mares there were some
clever hacks; but the only one that could come under
the definition was old Gipsy, the dam of Silver
Locks, the prize hunting mare at Bury; and also
of Lucifer, a well-known " Brummagem" prize cob. Mr.
Crisp exhibited a varmint old chesnut hackney; Mr.
Grout, a strong, useful, moving one; and Mr.
Eackham, a neatish one, rejoicing in one of the old-
fashioned names of our great great grandmothers, not
Hannah Maria, but Mary Jane. The hunting and
coaching foals were both by the disqualified Beauville,
and the roadster by Quicksilver Shales. Of the weight-
carrving three-year-olds, as hunters, the less said the
better ; for Mr. Easterton's Fitz-Weatherbit;;by Weatherden,
was the only one with shoulders approaching his purpose.
In the hackney mares or geldings the prize went to a
vulgar-looking clod-crusher, suitable for an explorer,
traps and all ; or to come in generally useful in case of a
scarcity of beef. Alice is a neatish hack and a mover,
but a little raw in her manners; while a lathy black,
with a fiddle head set on to his neck like a case, moved
in grand style. There were three others very fair — Mr.
Capon's, Mr. Barker's, and Mr. Borrett's. In the hunting
mares or geldings were two or three neat ones, but the
class was more remarkable for a good-looking, hunting-
like roan; a would-be musical gentleman being dis-
qualified for an attempt to hum " Gentle Zitella" or "Not
for Joseph" ; and the two more fortunate Brewers.
The coaching gelding. Dandy, is a stylish-looking animal ;
and Polly, a neat pony, with power. Rufus, who carried oif
theFramlingham Hunter cup, is a good stamp, with breed-
rare old head and limbs, though all humility about the
knees, haying seen some service in the quarter
of a century he has been permitted to roam. He be-
longed at one time to Mr. Tharpe, near Newmarket, and,
no doubt, matriculated at Cambridge. Mystery is a neat
short-jointed hunting mare, Mr. Groat's bay of some
character, and Mr. Gay ford's Charley a neat hack.

The show of cattle was small indeed, numbering as it did
but thirty head. What would old Rhodes, not the statue,
but the dairyman, when Camden Town was in fields, have
thought of such an exhibition, when his own cows often
numbered nine hundred and ninety-nine, but never reached
a thousand ? Or at least, so says tradition. The Polled

Suffolks, with which we were much pleased, were in the
greatest force (red and all red again) , having among them
some really handsome bloodlike little toys. With a sir-
loin from one and a saddle from the Elmham Hall flock,
we think, any one might manage to rought it. King
Alfred, a polled Suffolk, is very neat ; but Rendlesham
Hero, though handsome, has rather a big head, which
gives him a Tom Thumb, or dwarfish appearance. In
the cows, Sprightly, from the Rendlesham herd, with a
beautiful top aod quality, beat a pretty one from Mr. Tom-
line, who exhibited some very clever things, both in
horses, cattle, and sheep. Pavourite, the silver-medal
cow at Downham, came in for empty honours only. In
the three-year-old heifers, with three entries, Violet 2nd
had plenty of quality, of which Red Stockings was
not deficient ; Sir Edward Kerrison being- again to
the front, with a level stylish heifer of quality, in a
match with one Mr. Tomline's. Of Siorthorns there
were not half-a-dozen, and but one pedi-
gree bull amongst them, excepting Mr. Cooper's
bull from Pencraig, and he does anything but justice to
that herd ; though he landed a prize with nothing against
him. Sorcerer, the good-looking county bull at Chelms-
ford, had no trouble in disposing of Mr. Crisp's, who,
though a neat one, falls off in his hind-quarters. Three
cows in milk, a fat heifer, and two fat oxen, a neat polled
pair of Mr. W^olton's, and two pairs of horned cows made
up the total.

The sheep were but a handful, many of the classes
being represented by an entry or two only. But the
most remarkable fact was Mr. Tomline beating Lord
Sondes with his own blood in the shearling tups ; while in
the tups of any age there was a capital representative from
Elmhall Hall. In the shearling ewes Lord Sondes had
two very nice pens, but Mr. Tomline managed to score a
second with his only entry, and in the short- wooUed
shearlings was first without opposition. Mr. Gayford,
with some half-breds, was unopposed in the pens of
twenty, both in the wether and ewe lambs, though his
sheep were but in poor trim. With blackfaces Messrs.
Dobito, Green, and Harvey were the only exhibitors, ex-
cepting a troupe of Negro melodists, with banjo, bones,
and eccentric costumes, and, like the sheep, anything
but a matchy lot.

The pigs were few in numbers, but good in quality,
coming, as they all did, with the exception of a couple of
pens of Mr. Sawyer's, from two well-known breeders ;
and the prizes went, when there was any opposition,
pretty much as you would have introduced those two
well-known gentlemen, " Mr. Steam, Mr. Crisp — Mr.
Crisp, Mr. Steam ;" or like we have seen before now, a
couple vis-a-vis, armed each with a black bottle, when so
much wine was included in the dinner-ticket, and
it was considered necessary to put on a pretty laugh,
bob the head like a couple of Mandarins, and repeat each
other's uames before drinking a glass of wine — "Mr.
Crisp, Mr. Stearn— Mr. Stearn, Mr. Crisp." In the
black sow and pigs and white sow and pigs, and pens of
three black sows and three white there was no opposition,
and in the pen of five breeding pigs Mr. Steai-u was op-
posed by Mr. Sawyer only. The other classes wer
matches between Mr. Crisp and Mr. Stearn, but with
odds or entries in some cases of three to one on the former.
Lady Elizabeth — unfortunate name ! — a black sow of
breed with a narrow back and a tucked-up appearance,
was not liked so well as Mr. Crisp's second by the " oUoi
piggoi," aud, we believe, the judges were not quite unani-
mous as to the verdict.

The bells rang merrily as we came away, and crowded
Framlingham, to all appearances, was the happiest of the
happy, and gayest of the gay. But what a pity there
was not a more liberal prize-list !

128

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

PRIZE LIST.

AGRICULTURAL HORSES.

Judges. — W. Bloomfield, Hockwold, Brandon.
A. Freuer, Debenliam.

Stallions having served not less than twenty mares in the
county. — First prize of £10 (cup bearer), and second of £5,
■ to T. Crisp, Butley.

Three-year-old stallion. — First prize of £6 to T. Crisp ; se-
cond of £5 to W. Wilson, Baylliam (President).

Two-year-old stallion. — First prize of £5 to J. Grant, Wood-
bridge ; second of £4 to W. Wilson ; third of £3 to C. Boby,
Stutton (Captain). Highly commended : J. Sawyer, Tunstall
(Duke).

Yearling colts. — First prize of £5 to G. Tomline, Orwell
Park ; second of £3 to W. Wilson, Baylham. Commended :
S. Wolton, Newbourn, and T. Crisp.

Mares and foals. — First prize of £6 to S. Wolton, juu., Kes-
grave (Violet) ; second of £4 to G. Tomline (Darby).

Foals. — First prize of £5 to D. Capon ; second of £3 to
T.Crisp. Commended: S. Wolton, Kesgrave.

Mares. — First prize of £6 to W. Borrett, Framlingham
(Moggy) ; second of £4 to J. Catchpole, Letheringham
(Matchett).

Three-year-old fillies. — First prize of £6 to S. Wolton, jun.,
Kesgrave (Matchett).

Two-year-old fillies.— First prize of £5 to G. Tomline
(Bonny) ; second of £3 to A. Noble, Greeting (Duchess).

Yearhng fillies. — First prize of £4, and second of £3, to S.
Wolton.

Geldings of any age. — Prize of £4 to T. Capon (Bowler).

Pairs of geldings. — Prize of £8 to T. Easterton, Bawdsey.

Pairs of Mares.— -The Cup to T. Capon (Matchett and
Depper). Commended : Mr. S. Wolton (Diamond and
Dapper).

RIDING AND COACHING HORSES.

Judges. — Capt. Blake, Claydon.

H. Overman, Weasenham.

Thorough-bred stallions. — First prize of £10 to Captain
Barlow (King of the Dale) .

Coaching stallions. — First prize of £10 to J. Grout, Wood-
bridge (Harkaway).

Roadster stallions. — First of £10 and second of £5 to J .
Grout.

Hunting mares and foals. — Piize of £5 to T. Crisp.

Coaching mares and foals. — Prize of £5 to F. G. Freeman
(Rainbow).

Cob mares, fourteen hands high and not exceeding fifteen
hands. — Prize of £4 to Captain Barlow (Gipsy).

Hunting foals.— Prize of £4 to F. G. Freeman, Reyden
(roan).

Coaching foals.- Prize of £4 to F. G. Freeman (roan).

Roadster foals.— Prize of £4 to R. V. Sutton (bay).

Three-year-old weight-carrying mares or geldings for hunting
purposes.— Prize of £5 to G. Fish, Campsey Ashe.

Three-year-old coaching mare or gelding.— Prize of £5 to
N. Welton, Bredfield.

Three-year-old roadster mares or geldings. — Prize of £5 to
J. Garnham, East Stonham (bay).

Two-year-old mares or geldings for hunting purposes. —
Prize of £4 to M. Mumford, Greeting (Queen of Clubs).

Hackney mares or geldings.— Prize of £5 to F. G. Freeman
(Norfolk) ; second of £3 to J. Grout (Alice).

Hunting mares or geldings. — First prize of £5 to E.
Green, Ixworth (Brewer) ; second £3 to J. Grout (Brewer)

Coaching mare or gelding.— Prize £5 to J. Grout. High
commended : T. Easterton (Bawdsey).

Ponies not under twelve hands and not exceeding thirteen-
and-a-half hands high.— First prize of £4 to J. Grout (Polly) •
second of £2 to N. Catchpole, Ipswich (Tom).^

Hunters of age, regularly hunted in the county last season.
—Silver Tankard to Rev. A. Bond, Friston (Rufns) ; extra
prize to T. Capon (Mystery).

CATTLE.

Judges.— J. Clayden, Littlebury.
T. Fulcher, Elmham.
Suffolk bulls under two-yearsold.— First prize of £4 to

ighly

Lord Reudlesham (Hero) ; second of £2 to G. Gooderham,
Monewden (King Alfred).

Suffolk cows, in milk or in calf. — First prize of £5 to Lord
Rendlesham (Gem) ; second of £3 to G. Tomline (Pretty).
Highly commended : S. Wolton (Favourite).

Sufi'olk heifers, three-year-old, in milk or in calf. — First
prize of £4 to Sir E. C. Kerrisbn (Violet 2nd) ; second of £2
to G. Gooderham (Red Stockings).

Suffolk heifers, two-year-old, in milk or in calf. — First prize
of £4 to Sir E. C. Kerrison (Princess) ; second of £2 to G.
Tomline.

Bulls of any other breed, not under two-years-old. — First
prize of £Q to J. Upson (Sorcerer) ; second of £3 to T.
Crisp (red and white Shorthorn).

Bull of any other breed under two years old. — Prize of £4
to G. K. Cooper (Euston).

Cow of any breed but Suffolk, in milk or in calf. — First
prize of £5 and second of ^£3 to N. Catchpole, Ipswich.

Fat heifers, not exceeeing three-years-old. — Prize of £3 to
W. Thurlov/, Hacheston.

Pairs of poUed cows, of any breed, for dairy purposes. — Prize
of £4 to S. Wolton (Heiress and Cowslip).

Pairs of horned cows. — Prize of £4 to T. Capon, Denning-
ton (PoUy and Nancy).

Fat ox of any age. — Prize of £4 to J. Upson (Prince).

SHEEP.

Judges. — 0. Hawkins, Colchester.
C. Howard, Biddeuham.

Southdown tups of any age. — Prize of £6 to Lord Sondes.

Southdown shearling tups. — First prize of £6 to G. Tom-
line ; second of £2 to Lord Sondes.

Tup of any age of the Suffolk black-faced breed. — Prize of
^6 to J. M. Green, Stradishall.

Shearling tups of any age of the Suffolk black-faced breed.
— First prize of £6 and second of £2 to J. M. Greene.

Pens of five Southdown shearling ewes. — First prize of £6
and second of £2 to G. Tomline.

Pens of five shearling ewes of the Suffolk black-faced breed.
— First prize of £6 and second of £2 to G. King, Gazeley.

Pens of five short-woolled shearling wethers. — Prize of £3
to G. Tomline.

Pens of twenty wether lambs of any breed. — First prize of
£4 and second of £2 to G. Gayford, jun., Rymer House.

Pens of twenty ewe lambs of any breed. — First prize of £4
and second of £2 to G. Gayford.

PIGS.

Judges.— 0. Hawkins, Colchester.
C. Howard, Biddenham.

Pigs. — Boar.s of the black breed. — First prize of £5 to S.
G. Steam, Brandeston (Black Tom), and second of £3 to T.
Crisp.

Boars of the white breed. — First prize of £5 to T. Crisp,
and second of £3 to S. G. Steam, Brandeston.

Sow and pigs of the black breed, — First prize of £4 to S. G.
Steam.

Sow and pigs of the white breed. — First prize of £4 to J.
Sawyer, Tunstall (Victoria).

Breeding sows of the black breed. — First prize of £3 to G.
S. Stearn (Lady Elizabeth), and second of £3 to T. Crisp
and highly commended.

Breeding sows of the white breed. — First prize of £3 and
second of £2 to T. Crisp. Highly commended : G. S. Stearn
(Lady Caroline).

Pens of three sows of the black breed, pigged since Nov.
1st.— Prize of £3 to S. G. Stearn.

Pens of three sows of the white breed. — Prize of £3 to S. G.
Stearn.

Pens of five pigs, not exceeding four-months-old, for breed-
ing purposes. — Prize of £4 to S, G. Stearn.

THE DINNER.

At the dinner, which was not so weU attended as heretofore,
Sir Edwakd Kerrison, the Chairman, said, in proposing
" Success to the Suffolk Agricultural Association," he had
not himself been able to see the show of that day, but general
report told him that though not at aU equal in numbers to the
shows of former years, it was very good indeed in quality.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

129

There were circumstances which necessarily rendered this
show small. For two years they expected the show of the
Royal Society to be held in the county — for one year in vain ;
and when it was held, it was held without cattle. During
those two years, no one would subscribe to the Suifolk So-
ciety, which was going to give its funds in a lump to the
Royal Society. Another reason why the show was small was
the smallness of the prizes. He believed if the spirit of the
county were roused that they would be equal to the occasion ;
and he hoped that no feeling that the labourers should be dis-
sociated from the society would be allowed to prevail. Let
them see whether they could raise the funds ; and at another
meeting there would be prizes enough to induce people from
a distance to come to the Suffolk show. They must not be
discouraged because Norfolk and Essex had a large show, and
Suffolk not so good, for there were 100,000 more inhabitants
in Norfolk, and the same number more in Essex, than in Suf-
folk ; and in Norfolk there were 50,000 more cattle than in
Suffolk, and 200,000 more sheep, and they could not expect
the same number of animals at the show of one county that
there was in the other. Agriculturally speaking, they had
had a year of considerable difficulty : it was not to them alone,
but to the country at large. The deficiency of wheat to be
met in this country was twenty-seven millions. That was to
say, last year they had to pay twenty-seven millions more
money for foreign corn than was wanted in 1863, when there
was the largest harvest for twenty years. What the effect
must be upon the country he could not say, but it was satis-
factory to know that, by energy and continued activity, the
agriculturists, by superior management of the land, were
enabled quickly to make up the loss occasioned by a bad har-
vest iu comparison with France, where only 15^ bushels per
acre were produced against 28 in England ; and although the
deficiency between 1863 and 1867 was as much as li bushels
an acre, they would perceive what energy could do. Still
they knew that further exertions were necessary if they meant
to keep up in the race with foreign competitors. The average
supply of wheat annually wanted was twenty million quarters ;

and last year the quantity pi'oduced was only nine millions, the
rest having to be supplied from abroad. England took the
first place in the agricultural department of the Paris Ex-
hibition. Last year, at the Royal Society's Show at Bury,
they saw some 4,000 implements : the show was very in-
teresting ; and there were, what he thought essential, prizes
for the best implements, so as to enable agriculturists to know
which were the best. At that show they saw the steam plough,
and he would say that it would be some time before they
ploughed by steam in this country, for two generations of
farmers had dug ditches, which it would take another gene-
ration to get rid of, and they must be got rid of before they
could avail themselves of steam. But when they remembered
that the Viceroy of Egypt had more steam ploughs than were
in use in the three or four eastern counties —

Mr. R, Gae,rett : More than in all England.

Sir E. Kerrison : Even more than in all England. He
thought when they thought of this, it was time for them to
consider whether they could not use them with advantage.
The question with reference to the labourers had arisen ; and
he should be indeed sorry if they dissociated them from the
society, for the interest of all — landowners, occupiers, and
labourers — was one. He referred to the subscription paid by
the working-classes to friendly societies and clubs, and to the
efforts they made to avoid becoming a burden to the rates ;
and he asked how could they do greater good than by trying
to assist these honest labourers in their endeavour to provide
for the day of sickness and for old age ? It was a question,
not of charity, but of positive expediency. He condemned
the attempt to get tlie agricultural labourers to form a trades'
union, pointing out the agricultural labourers had a large
number of different occupations ; and he advised employers
to try to keep the younger portion of the labourers in their
employ by paying more according to the amount of work each
man accomplished, than by paying day-wages. He concluded
by expressing his hope that however they might raise the
prizes for stock, they will do so without interfering with the
rewards they offered to labourers.

RIPON AND CLARO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The show of this society was held on July 7th, for the first
time after an intermission of the annual competition for three
years. This cessation was solely attributable to the prevalence
of cattle plague, and to the influence of measures taken to
stamp out the pestilence. At the show on Tuesday there
was once more an excellent display of cattle, a class of stock
which invariably divides with horses the interest of an agricul-
tural exhibition. The entries of cattle were 71, of horses 196,
of sheep 43, of pigs 33, of poultry &c. 185, and of implements
187. Amongst the cattle shown there were some fine speci-
mens of shorthorns ; but this is scarcely matter of surprise
when a glance at the catalogue revealed the names of so many
noted breeders, several of whom reside within the district of
the show. Sheep and pigs were both well represented, and the
display of implements included everything required by the
farmer, the collection of reapers, as might be expected at this
season, being especially large. On this occasion, however, the
horses were really the leading feature of the show, there being
upwards of 100 entries ; and seeing that that was the district
hunted by the York and Ainsty, and the Bedale packs, every
one was prepared for some fine specimens of hunters. Lady
Derwent, the winner of the first prize for the best hunter, took
the gold medal at Islington.

PRIZE LIST.

Judges. — Horses: W. Godson, Normandy-by-Stowe, Gains-
borough ; R. Botterill, Garton, Driffield ; J. Johnson,
Brigham, Driffield ; T. EUerby, Whitwell, York.

Cattle : H. T. Peacock, Mount Vale, York ; T. "Wetherhill,
Claypath, Durham.

Sheep and Pigs : T. Stamper, Highfield House, Oswaldkirk ;
C. Wright, Oglethorpe Hall, Tadcaster.

Poultry : G. Hutchinson, Prospect House, York ; J. 0. Jolly,
Green Hammerton.

Implements : C. Clark, Minskip Lodge, Boronghbridge,

CATTLE.

Shorthorn Bull, two years old or upwards, £5, W. Linton,
York ; second, £2, J. W. Botcherby, Darhngton ; third, £1, J.
and J. Buhner, Darlington ; highly commended, J. Yorke
Pateley Bridge. Bull, above one and under two years old',
£3, Wm. Linton ; second, £2, J. Greenwood, Ripley ; third,
£1, A. Stables, Richmond; commended, R. J. Hudson,
Burley-in-Whart'edale. Bull calf, under twelve months old)
£2, S. Frank, York ; second, £1, J. Smith, Wetherby ; com-
mnnded, T. H. Hutchinson, Catterick. Cow or Heifer, in
calf or milk, three years old and upwards, £3, J. Greenwood ;
second, £2, W. Linton ; third, £1, M. Thomlinson, Wetherby •
highly commended, J. W. Botcherby, J. Edraondson, and
H. Powell, Ripon. Heifer, in calf or in milk, under three
years old, £2, W. Wilson, Burton Leonard ; second, £1, S. H.
Powell. Heifer, one year old and under two, £2, J. W.
Botcherby ; second, £1, G. Yeats, Ripon ; highly commended",
J. T. Pearson, Leeds. Heifer calf, under twelve months, £l'
R. J. Hudson, Burley-iu-Wharfedale ; second, 10s., R. Pear-
son, Hutton.

Cattle of any Breed, or a Cross.— Cow, for dairy pur-
poses, £1 10s., R. E. CoUinson, Ripon ; second, £1, M. Steel
Wath ; third, 10s., G. Yeats, Ripon. '

HORSES.

Brood mare for the field, £2, J. Lancaster, Cleveland • se-
cond, £1, T. B. Maynard, Marton-le-Moor ; third, 10s., s! H.
Powell, Ripon. Brood mare for harness, £2, F. Long, We-
therby ; second, £1, W. Clarke, Tliirsk ; third, 10s., T. Smith-
son, Ripon. Brood mare for the road, £2, W. Ingham, Ripon •
second, £1, W. Garnett, Ripon ; third, 10s., J. Burrill, Ripon!
Brood mare for the farm, £2, G. Linton, Bedale ; second, £1,"
C. Nicholson, Ripon ; third, 10s., M. Tomlinson, Wetherby!
Pair of horses for farm purposes, £2, J. Daltou, Ripon ; se-

130

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

cond, £1, A. Somcrviile, Ripon. Hunting gelding or mare of
aay age, silver cup or £10, E. H. Flotnianby, York ; £5, B.
Nicholson, Leeds. Young gentleman's hunter, £3, W. T.
Garnett, llipon ; second, £3, J. Burrill. Roadster, gelding,
or mare, £5, F. P. Newton, Malton ; second, £1, R. 15arker,
Malton ; highly commended, W. H. Gaunt, York. Pony, not
exceeding 14 hands, £1, W. H. Gaunt ; second, 10s., C. J.
Garnett. Pony, not exceeding 12 liands, £1 T. B. Maynard,
Marton-le-Moor ; second, IDs., M. Iraeson, Masham. Three-
year-old colt for the field, £1 10s., R. Green, Bedale ; second,
10s., R. Green. Three-year-old filly for the field, £1 10s., W.
Clarke, Thirsk ; second, 10s., R. Manfield, Thirsk. Three-
year-old colt or fiUy for harness, £1 10s., H. Wells, Kirkliug-
ton ; second, 10s., T. Scott, Broom Close. Three-year-old
colt or filly for the road, £1 10s., E. Shepherd, Bedale ; second,
10s., C. Knowlson, Thirsk. Three-year-old colt or filly for the
farm, £1 10s., C. and W. Kendall, Azerley ; second, 10s., A.
Harris, Ripon. Three-year-old colt for the field, £1 10s., R.
Atkinson, Northallerton; second, 10s., R. Wells, Thirsk.
Two-year-old filly for the field, £1, J. Dalton, Ripon ; second,
10s., J. Burton, Thirsk. Two-year-old colt or filly for har-
ness, £1, L. Manfield, Thirkleby ; second, 10s., L. Manfield.
Two-year-old colt or filly for the road, £1, W. W^ardman,
Kirby Overblow ; second, 10s., W. Ingham, Ripon. Two-
year-old colt or filly for the farm, £)., G. Mangles, Givendale ;
second, 10s., G. Mangles. Yearling colt for the field, £1, W.
W. Gatliif, Littlethorpe Grange ; second, 10s., H. Milner,
Harrogate. Y'earling fiUy for the field, £1, R. Pinkney,
Northallerton ; second, 10s., J. Daniel, Skelton. Yearling
colt or filly for harness, £1, F. Long, Wetherby ; second, 10s.,
J. Wells, Ripon ; highly commended, G. Mangles. Yearling
colt or filly for the road, £1, E. Long ; second, 10s., C. Knowl-
son, Thirsk. Yearling colt or filly for the farm, £1, G. IVIan-
gles ; second, 10s., R. Walker, Boroughbridge.

Speciax Prize. — Two-year-old colt or filly, by Yorkshire
Grey, silver cup, value £5 5s., R. M. Bovnnan, Ripon.

SHEEP.
Leicester or Long-tvools. — Ram of any age, £3, J.
Simpson, Spofforth Park ; second, £10s., T. H. Hutchinson,
Manor House, Catterick ; third, J . Simpson ; highly com-
mended, T. H. Hutchinson ; commended, J. Heugh, Mudd
Fields, Bedale. Shearling ram, £2, T. H. Hutchinson ; second,

£1, T. H. Hutchinson ; third, 10s., T. H. Hutchinson. Pen
of five ewes, £2, T. H. Hutchinson ; second, £1, J. Simpson ;
third, 10s., J. Heugh. Pen ol five shearling gimmers, £l, T.
H. Hutchinson ; second, 10s., T. H. Hutchinson ; third, 5s.,
J. Simpson. Pen of five lambs, 10s., T. H. Hutchinson ; sec-
ond, 5s., R. E. CoUinson, Ripon.

Sheep of ajiy other Breed, or a Cross. — Scotch ram,
of any age, £], J. Stubbs, West Summersidea, Masham.
Pen of five Scotch ewes, £1, J. Walker, Oilshaw, Grewel-
thorpe.

PIGS.

Boar of any age, of the large breed, £2, J. Dyson, Leeds.
Sow of any age, of the large breed, £2, J. Dyson. Boar of
any age, of the middle breed, £2, J. Dyson ; second, £1, J.
Dyson. Sow of any age, of the middle breed, £2, J. Dyson ;
second, £1, J. Greaves, Clotherholme ; commended, W. F.
Stephenson, Bishopton Close, Ripon. Boar of any age, of the
small breed, £3, G. Mangles; second, £1, J. Dyson ; highly
commended, G. Mangles. Sow of any age, of the small breed,
£2, J. Dyson ; second, £1, G. Mangles ; commended, G.
Mangles.

IMPLEMENTS.

Myers and Sons, Sand Hutton, £2, for portable engine and
thrashing machine, 10s., for coulter clover seed driU ; G. Malt-
house, Ripon, 10s., for assortment ; Wm. Mattison, Leeming
Bar, Bedale, £1, for one-horse reaper ; H. Green, £1, for
assortment ; J. Ingrain, Ripon, 10s., for assortment ; W. Waide,
Leeds, 10s., for churns; H. and G. Kearsley, Ripon, £1 or
medal, for grass mower, £1 or medal, for chaff machine for
power, and 16s., for thirteen-row patent chain drill ; J. Spence,
Ripon, 10s., for assortment ; R. Nicholson, 10s., for improved
lawn mowing, rolUng, collecting, and self-acting delivering
machine ; J. Wood, South Staiuley, £1, for assortment ; H.
Bushell, for Samuelson and Co., Skeldergate, York, £1, for
assortment ; J. Todd, Ripon, £1, for assortment ; S. T.
Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbro', £2 or medal,
for assortment, and 10s. for lime, gravel, and guano screens ;
W. Smith, Foston, £1, for fourteen-feet self-feeding sheep-
rack ; E. Sherwood, Bedale, 10s., for one-horse reaping ma-
chine ; R, Cuthbert and Co., Leeming, 10s., for combined
plough and digger ; S. Croft, Ripon, £3 or medal, for assort-
ment.

THE HAVRE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Not merely for the sake of the Exhibition now heing
held here, but for its own, for the objects of interest in
all surrounding it, and for its nearness to districts cele-
brated at once for their fine old towns, rich in historical
associations, grand old cathedrals and quaint buildings, and
for much that is directly interesting to the practical far-
mer, the town of Havre is well worthy of a visit by those
of our readers who can afford the time to make it. It is
easily reached from the metropolis : you leave by the
express from Waterloo at nine in the evening, and by
means of one of the fine steamers of the South Western
Railway, which leaves Southampton immediately after the
train arrives from London, yon may be amongst the quaint
streets, strolling on the fine pier or promenade, or climb-
ing the hill which forms the fine background of the city,
in the early forenoon of the next day. Nor are the ex-
penses of the journey likely to deter many ; the fare per
return ticket is very moderate, and for a few shillings
more the journey to Paris and back may be added ; and
the expense of living in Havre is by no means great.

The title of the Exhibition, the " International Mari-
time," does not convey what are really the objects
to be seen. Originally intended, doubtless, to comprise
exhibits only connected with maritime matters, it has
extended its objects, and now comprises a great number of
objects generally interesting, and specially so to many of

our readers, of which more anon. The Exhibition is situ-
ated on a vacant space of ground in the Boulevard of Fran-
cis I., and the main or grand entrance, superior in jioint
of design, and infinitely so in point of execution, to
the grand entrance of the Paris Exhibition of last
year, is within a few minutes' walk of the Hotel de Ville,
a very handsome building, and faced by gardens very
heautifully laid-out. The plan of the Exhibition — admis-
sion to which is one franc, after six o'clock half-a-franc —
is very simple. It consists of a quadi-angular space,
surrounded with a continuous gallery or series of arcades,
which contain the objects exhibited ; outside of which,
towards the quadrangle, eaved or verandahed galleries
are placed, these heing occupied either by shops for the
sale of various articles, or by cafe's, restaurants, and other
places of entertainment. The quadrangle interior is
laid-out very prettily with a series of garden-plots, which
contain very beautiful collections of roses and pines.
There are also spaces for various erections — as conser-
vatories, kiosks, collections of building materials, machines,
and last, not least, a huge aquarium for marine fishes and
animals, which is really very iuteresting and suggestive.
Altogether the whole exhibition reminds one very much
of the grand one held in Paris last year, and in some
respects it is superior. We have said that it is of a much
more comprehensive character than was originally con-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

131

templated, or as its special title would indicate ; as for
example group fii-st — navigation, which embraces twenty-
three classes, as sailing-vessels, their fittings and stores ;
steam-ships, their construction and machinery — would take
in all the objects of a strictly maritime exhibition ; but to
this group are added others, as for example group second,
merchandise and trade products ; group third, fisheries ;
group fourth, fish-culture ; and group fifth, supplementary
or miscellaneous.

It is obviously with group second with which our
readers are concerned, and with certain classes of it, as
the classes taking up cereals, flour, seeds, and manures,
and agricultural machinery and implements. It is to the
last of these that we shall in the first place direct the
attention of our readers.

The collection of agricultural implements and machines
does not comprise a numerous list of objects, but many of
them are good and several worthy of special notice. We
shall economize time and space if we go through
the various departments in regular order. Near to the
circle or hall, and which, by the way, is well worth
inspecting as a specimen of elegant decoration, obtained
at a imall expense, is a shed or annexe, containing a num-
ber of agricultural machines and implements, chiefly of
foreign make, although a few of our own makers are
represented by French agents. There are here several
corn-cleaning machines, of which a brief notice will be
useful. The" first of those we meet with on entering is
the one invented and made by Lhuillier, at Dijon. This
consists of a rotatory cylinder of wires of different gauge,
set at an angle, or inclined ; this is supported at the
I upper and lower extremities by uprights, which are
f jointed at the lower end to the framing of the machine ;
so that the cylinder is capable of being moved to and fro
in the direction of its length, this motion being given to
it by means of a connecting-rod worked by a small crank
on the main axle or shaft. This vibrating motion is rapid,
but extends only through a small space. In addition to
this longitudinal motion, the cylinder has a rotatory
motion given to it by means of a driving-belt passing
over a pulley at the upper extremity of its shaft, this
being passed over a pulley on the main driving axle of the
machine. The double-motion thus given to the cylinder
— a longitudinal and quick vibrating one, in the direction
of its length, and a slow circular motion — keeps the grain
passing through it in a state of continual movement,
during which it is also subjected to a blast of air from a
pair of fanners. To prevent the substances sticking in the
meshes of the wire of which the cylinder is composed, a
hammer is provided, which is made to strike the outside
at certain intervals.

The corn-dressing apparatus of M. Josse (at Ormeson,
canton de Boissy-Saint-Leger, .Seine-et-Oise) is distin-
guished by its simplicity, there being a marked absence
of all complicated parts or movements apt to get out of
order. In its simplest form, the apparatus consists of a
triangular box, the bottom of which is made of wire ;
the sides, of wood some three inches deep. This is
supported by spring uprights fixed at their lower end
to a framework, in such a way that by moving the box
to and fro a vibrating movement is given to the gram
passing over its wired surface. The box is inclined from
the upper or broad end to its lower or narrow end or
apex. The lower framework carries an upright, which
supports the hopper in which the grain to be cleaned is
placed, and the grain is delivered into a small vibrating
sieve at the small end. The main peculiarity of the ap-
paratus here described lies however in the application of
certain shaped blocks of wood or of pieces, forming when
placed upon the bottom of the moveable or vibrating box
a series of passages, along which the grain passes, and
agaiast wMck tlie graia is fgrced or drivea by the vibrat'

ing action of the screen, in such a way that all extraneous
matter is separated from it and passed away while the
cleaned grain is kept separated. In applying the principle
to a dressing-machine calculated to do a large amount of
work, the blocks are placed in the wire screen, and a
motion from side to side is given by means of connecting
rods and cranks worked from the main axle, to which the
motion of the prime mover is given in the usual way.
The following rough diagram will explain the mode of
placing the blocks upon the moveable screen :

The grain in its passage down and along the parts a a
and ^ ^ is driven against the projecting parts and sides of
the blocks c c and rapidly separated from all extraneous
matter. It is only right to say tliat the work done by this
apparatus seems very good, and that a very large number
of apparatus has been sold. The same remark applies to
the form of corn-dressing machine exhibited close to that
of iM. Josse, under the name of the "American
machine," and which is well known to our readers
as that of Child's. It is made in France by Messrs.
H. and G. Rose frcres, engineers at Poissy
(Seine-et-Oise), and who have, we believe, done a large
business in connection with it. As our readers are aware,
the main feature of this machine is the employment of a
double-blast, or rather of two currents of air — oue of which
is on the plenum or full, the other on the vacuum or
exhaust. The exhaust serves to kee]) the grain suspended,
and is so regulated that all the light grains are passed
away, while the heavy or best grain are retained by
themselves. This regulation of the force of the exhaust
is secured by means of a valve, which is operated upon
by a lever and weight. A'ext to the American machine is
the decorticating apparatus, made by the celebrated
engineers, J. F. Cail et Cie. and Barrabe, Quai de
Grenille, Paris. This consists of two metal cams, provided
with projecting ribs on their outer and inner surfaces ;
one cam working within the other, the latter being fixed.
A very neat application of Robertson's frictional gearing
is applied to this machine, to work the revolving cam, in
place of the bevil gearing usually employed.

There are several collections of mill-stones of the class
for which the French mills are so famous, and a few
examples of mill construction. In this department there
is exhibited by C. Touaillon fils. Boulevard Sebas-
topol, Paris, a small apparatus for dressing miU-stones.
Our readers are aware that a good deal of attention has
been lately directed to this class of mechanism, notably
through the remarkable success — pecuniary if not
mechanically — which has been met by Golay's patent,
which was exhibited for the first time publicly at the
Paris Exhibition of last year. In Golay's patent machine
the cuttiug-tool is a hard Braziliaa diamoad, aad is

132

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

actuated by machinery of a very ingenious character. In
M. Touaill'on's apparatus, now to be described, the cutting-
tool is a hard-faced steel chisel (a), about one-inch broad.
This is worked hammer-fashion, being fix ed vertically («)
in the slotted end of a horizontal lever {h) ; this lever

passes through and is fixed by a screw in a slot {c) at the
upper end of a stud which is carried by a horizontal lever

((?), supported and carried by the frame or carriage of
the machine ; the hammer-chisel («) is worked by hand,
the hand grasping the lever {b) near the chisel {a), and
lifting it up and down, inflicting through the medium of
its sharp edge a " crack" or line on the face of the stone.
The carriage of the apparatus is placed upon the millstone
in such a position as that the face of it will be parallel to
the line or crack to be dressed or made in the millstone
face; by means of a simple arrangement of screw, the
change of position of the chisel as it cuts the " crack" is
very easily made.

Golay's millstone dressing-machine to which we have
above alluded, although not exhibited in the same place as
the apparatus just described, it being in the inner gallery
in the machinery-in-motion department, we may as well
describe it here. This machine was first exhibited in
Paris, in the Exposition of last year, and it has since at-
tracted a large amount of attention in this country from
the very large sums which have been obtained for licences
for working it. These sums have been so large that the
purchasers of the patent for this country have made a
sum considerably exceeding one hundred thousand,
some of the licences sold having got up to the large
figure of £21,000. Our readers will be pleased, there-
fore, to receive here a description of a machine which
has taken so fortunate a pecuniaiy position. The machine
is of small size, neat and compact in arrangement, and
easily adjusted to the millstone which it is employed to
dress. Unlike the form of apparatus last described, the
whole work is done by mechanism, no manual labour being
required. The cuts or cracks or lines made in the face of the
miJl-stone are cut by means of a diamond, fixed in the
face of a small disc, to which a rapid motion of rotation
is given. The mode by which the diamond is fixed in the
disc is very ingenious. The disc is in reality made up of
two discs, w^hich are screwed on to the axle, and bear up
against a shoulder in the same. On the face of the discs
small recesses are cut at intervals : these are cut from the
circumference, a short way towards the centre, so that
when the two discs are placed together, cells are formed
opening to the periphery of the disc. The diamond is
placed in one of the cells, and when the discs are screwed
tightly up, is held fast, a part or point projecting from the
periphery. The means by which rotation is given to the
disc with its cutting diamond point, and by which it is
moved along so as to cut the proper line required, may
now be described. A frame is connected with a central
socket pillar, which passes into the end of the axle
of the mill-stone to be dressed, From this central pillar

three arms radiate, provided at their extremities with
screws, which pass through apertures, and press up their
larger ends upon the face of smaD plates of iron, which
in turn rest upon the miU-stone. By raising or lowering
the screws, the frame of the apparatus is levelled [as de-
sired. The carriage which carries the rotary disc or tool-
holder, slides out and in towards or from the central pil-
lar, and consequently over the mill-stone surface, in a dove-
tailled guide, passing along a horizontal arm, which is
connected with the framing, and which arm is adjusted by
a bolt which is passed into a curved slot in the support.
By this arrangement the arm can be moved in an arc of a
circle at will, and the tool-carrier moved out and in to-
wards the circumference as desired. The upper part of
the central socket or pillar is formed into a socket or
" step," which carries a small vertical shaft, to which
rotation is given by means of a small pulley, worked by the
prime mover. The vertical shaft carries another puUey,
the belt or end of which passes over a pulley at the end of
a bracket, which is carried by the central pillar,
and which is socketed in the same, so as to
be able freely to move. The proper tension is
kept on the cord or belt by means of a counterpoise placed
at the end of the socket or jointed bracket. From the
pulley at the end of the bracket a cord or belt passes to
the axle of the rotatory disc or tool holder and round a
pulley fixed thereon. The carriage which carries the tool-
holder is capable of having the necessary motion along
the slide or lever by means of a bell-crank lever. "While
the tool-holder is revolving with great rapidity, the dia-
mond on its face cutting the line on the mill-stone by
means of the bell-crank lever, the carriage is moved along
the slide so as to enable the tool to operate in the direction
of the line of cut required. When the line is finished
the tool is then moved so as to draw a line parallel to
the first : this is efi'ected by making the tool-holder move
in a slide, which is carried by the horizontal arm, this
slide being at right angles to the direction of the slide
passing from the centre to the circumference. To com-
plete the parallelism of the lines, the support carrying the
arm is moved in the curved slot, a short distance, and
fixed by the screw. The machine eifects its work in a
very complete manner, not only doing the grooves or
cracks very sharply and with precision, but a large saving
of time is eftected. Thus taking the time of dressing a
millstone in the ordinary way by hand at nine hours,
this machine can do the work completely in two hours
or in two hours and a-half, which is equivalent to a large
saving in the working year.

E. Goudouin, of Boulevard Poissoniere, Paris, ex-
hibited specimens of his wire-work fences, and an ex-
ceedingly neat hen-house of galvanised iron-wire. M.
Goudouin has supplied the Zoological Gardens in Paris
and those of the Society of Acclimatization at the Bois
de Boulogne with the various iron enclosures. Some of
the wire-workers might with advantage take a lesson or
two in the designing of poultry-houses and sheds,
aviaries, &c. ; some of the designs met with
abroad, for these, being exceedingly elegant, and must
have been designed by special artists. The same also
may be said as to erections in wood suited for gardens, of
which there are several specimens in the park of the Ex-
hibition, amongst which we may specially notice the
" kiosk" made by M. Bouviere, of Harfleiu" ; not only for
the elegance of the general design, but for the beauty of
the cut wood and fret-work in which it abounds, this
structure is worthy of the special notice of the visitor.
It is occupied as a confectioner's stall ; but if it had a
place in the grounds of some of our rich men, we can fancy
him a very much envied man for having a structure so
beautiful.

There are a few machines used in the preparation of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

13?

flax, sent from the North of France, where that plant is
grown to a large extent, and made into fabrics. M.
Pareyelt, of Bergues (near Dunkirk), sends a very simple
yet efficient form of flax-breaker. This resembles very
closely the paddles of a steamer ; but the floats, in place
of being horizontal and between two rings of iron, are
placed so as to project from the face of a single ring, and
to present a flat striking edge to the flax which is held
to their action. The central shaft carries two rings thus
provided with beaters, one ring at each end, a space being
left between them.

Edmund Garmeson, Quai de Billy, Paris, has a
pretty extensive collection of agricultural machines and
implements in this annexe, the majority of them being of
foreign design and make, although he has some of Eng-
lish makers, for many of whom M. Garmeson is agent for
France. The collection at this point will afi'ord the
visitor from England a fair opportunity to contrast the
machines and implements of his own country with those
of France, and the points of contrast will, we feel assured,
be striking enough. On this point we do not deem it
necessary to repeat what we have already taken
the opportunity to say in the first papers
which we have had the privilege to give in this
Journal, under the title of " Novelties at the Paris Ex-
hibition of 1867,'' and to which we therefore refer the
reader who cares to know what is there said upon the
point now being referred to. A few practical exemplifi-
cations of it may be met with in the annexe now being
dissected, as for example one in the corn drill of M.
Jacquet Rovillard, Arras. This machine has three car-
rying wheels, one of them being in front between the
shafts which project before the body of the apparatus ;
the axle of this front wheel carries two eccentrics, which
move connecting rods carried back to the corn-delivery
part, and which work its mechanism. The delivery of
the corn is regulated by a set screw to each coulter part —
a very tedious method, and one open to extreme irregu-
larity in the adjustment of the whole.

The French, as our readers are aware, have paid much
attention of late to apparatus designed to di-y and preserve
grain. Some of those lately introduced are very com-
plicated, at least of gigantic dimensions, and of course
costly. A very compact arrangement is met with in this
annexe, the invention of M. Ballarieux, 52, Rue des
Pres, Havre. It consists of a cylindrical receptacle, the
air in the interior of which is heated by a central stove
or fire-place, the feeding part of which projects from the
lower and central part of the cylinder. The top of the
cylinder is provided with sides and ends, which forms a
species of hopper, the bottom of which is the heated and
upper portion of the cylinder. The grain to be dried is
in the first instance placed in this hopper, so as to give it
a preliminary drying. When snfliciently long in this, it
is passed out by a shoot into baskets, and the contents of
these are next passed into a shoot or hopper at the end of
the machine. This hopper conducts the grain to a he-
lical screw placed in the interior of the cylinder, the re-
volution of which is eff'ected by means of a driving pulley
on the main shaft, worked by wind or power. The shaft
of this screw is hollow and perforated with holes,
and a stream of hot air is forced thi'ough it
so as to fill the interior, and act upon the grain. The
heated aii- is obtained by forcing, by means of a small
fanner at the other end of the machine, a current of air
through the small furnace, which, as above described, is
placed underneath the main cylinder ; the tube which
carries this heated air being terminated with a nozzle pro-
jecting into the open end of the hollow axle of the screw.
As long as the screw is made to rotate in one direction,
the grain in its interior is kejrt in, it being tossed to and
fro and subjected to the hot air j but when the screw is

turned the reverse way, the grain is passed out by a shoot
at the end.

Glancing at a collection of cider-presses (Normandy is
celebrated for its cider) and at a compact corn-dressing
machine, flour-miU and flour-dressing apparatus com-
bined, we pass on to the machinery gallery in the main
range, and take up the notice of such objects which we
there meet with. The agricultural machines here met
with are principally straw-cutters, root-cutters, thrashing-
machines, and portable engines. Of these latter, the three
noteworthv are (1) the engine of MM. Weyher, Loreau,
and Co., of Paris ; (2) that of MM. Albaret and Co. ; and
(3) of M. Gerard. We notice that of Weyher and Co.
first, not because of any excellence it possesses, but rather
as it affords a somewhat remarkable contrast to the
engines of this class of our makers. The first point it
presents is the heaviness, and, shall we say clumsiness, of
the whole ; as regards the mere weight, we should say it
is not far off being double that of engines of similar power
made here. The working arrangements are very defec-
tive ; for example, to get at the starting-handle the engi-
neer must either climb up by one of the wheels or have
something on which to stand to raise hinr up to its
level, so high above is it placed. The engine is
secured to a heavy cast-iron bed-plate, resting on the
boiler ; none of the parts being covered by the boiler, as
with us. The boOer itself is on the Cornish principle,
not well proportioned ; it extends to the end of tlie engine,
and the smoke and heated air are brought back to a
smoke-box near the fire-door, by return flues or tubes,
after the fashion of Carrett's portable engine, of
Leeds. The boiler is provided with what appears to be a
steam dome, but is in reality a water-heater, the exhaust-
steam pipe passing through it. The engine of MM. Albaret
and Co. is a much lighter and better proportioned ma-
chine, although in these respects it does not come up to
our standai'd of efiiciency. The mechanism by which any
required degree of expansive working of steam is obtained
may be noticed here. The eccentric rod is jointed at its
extremity to the upper end of a curved link, the lower
of which is well jointed to a stud fixed to the side of the
boiler. This curved link carries a small slidiug-block, to
which is jointed the end of a lever which is carried for-
ward to the valve-check and works the valve. This
valve-rod is provided with a slotted part near the curved
link, before named, and through this slot the end of a
lever projects ; this lever is provided with a screw and
hand-wheel near its curved end, at which point it is
jointed to a stud fixed to the side of the boiler. By
turning the hand-wheel the screw is reversed and lowered,
and with it the slotted part of the valve-lever; this
causes the sliding-block to rise or fall upon the curved
link, to the end of which the eccentric rod is jointed. By
this arrangement the throw of the valve-rod is altered as
desired. M. Gerard, Vierzon (Cher), exhibits a portable
engine of which the desi,gn and workmanship afi'ord a
good contrast to the one of MM. Weyher and Co. alluded
to above. M. Gerard has introduced a modification of
the ordinary governor, which may be described here.
The lower part of the vertical lever which carries the jointed
levers and balls is provided with a third ball, of much
larger dimensions and heavier weight than the ordinarv
balls. Immediately below this counter-weight is placed
the stud which carries the end of the lever which com-
municates with the throttle valve. The action of the
heavy or third ball is direct upon the ordinary pendulum
balls of the governor, preventing them from flying too
rapidly out, and thus stopping or slackening the speed of
the engine. But in order to change at will the speed of
the engine, M. Gerard adds a fourth ball to the apparatus,
this being placed upon the lever which actuates the
throttle valve, and it is made capable of sliding to-and-fro

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

134

upon tliis, so as to approach or recede from the centre of
the lever and nearer to or further from the vertical lever
which carries the governor. When this fourth ball is
brought near the centre lever the engine is made to
quicken its speed, and by taking out the ball further from
the centre the engine is slackened in speed. M. Gerard
exhibits a straw-cutter, in which there is an ingenious
arrangement for altering the length of cut, and for
regulating the delivery of the straw to the cutting-knives.
The shaft of the fly-wheel, to which the knives are iixed,
is parallel to the feed-box, and carries at the extremity,
farthest from the fly-wheel, an elliptical-shaped cam,
which has upon its surface paths or faces of varying
diameter. Working in contact with one of the faces is a
small force-wheel fixed to the end of a lever, and capable
of turning upon a small stud at its end. This lever is
jointed at^'its other end to a stud fixed to the side of the
machine, aad forms half of a bell-crank lever, the other
half of which stands vertically ; the extremity of this is
provided with a lever which is carried forward and ter-
minated with a pawl which takes into a ratchet-wheel
keyed on to the upper feed-roller. The revolution
of the elliptical cam, with its varying path, gives a to-aud-
fro motion of the heU-crank lever, which, by means of
the pawl at its furthest extremity, moves the ratchet-
wheel of the feed-roller a certain portion of its revolu-
tion, and thus delivers a certain length of material to be
cut. By changing the position of the friction-wheel at
the end of the bell-crank lever near the cam, so as to
work upon one or other of the paths of the cam, certain
degrees of change of throw of the bell-crank lever are
obtained, and by consequence difl'erent lengths of cut.
Por all practical purposes a variety of lengths of cut are
not required, two being found quite sufficient, and we
know of no arrangement so simple and eiiicient by which
these two lengths'can be obtained as that recently intro-
dueed by Richmond and Chandler, a specimen of which
we regretted not seeing at the Exhibition.

Wilson & Co., of Vauxhall Iron Works, London, exhibit
several forms of donkey steam-pumps for supplying boilers
and pumping water. Messrs. Wilson have introduced some
improvements in the arrangement of these pumps, which
are on Brown's patent, which we fully described last
year. Our readers may recollect that the connecting rod
in Brown's pumps was bent ; this arrangement had the
tendency to throw an indirect strain upon the rod and
thel crank-pin in the face of the flywheel. Messrs. Wil-
son obviate this, and secure other advantages by their
very simple, and valuable because simple, arrangement.
To 'the pump-ram a stud is cast, projecting at right
angles from it, and working in a vertical guide. The
stud is brought sufficiently forward to admit of the lower
end of the connecting-rod to be jointed to it, in aline
with the crank-pin on the flywheel above, thus securing a
direct line of action. By simply bringing the flywheel
shaft, and the eccentric cam which works the steam-
valve, outside the steam-crank or casing, every facility for
oiling is obtained.

M. Mezeline, of Havre, exhibits a steam-pump, on the
principle of Worthington's American pump, the distin-
guishing feature of w'hich is the absence of cranks, fly-
wheel, and shafts. These are dispensed with by simply
placing a pair of steam-cylinders at one end of the frame
horizontally, and parallel to one another, and the piston-
rods of which are connected directly with the rams of
two pumps placed at the other end of the frame. The
valves of the cylinder are worked by levers from the
piston-rod of the other cylinder. M. Boweden, of Pans,
exhibits his steam-pump, in which the steam-cylinder,
and the pump, or ram, are placed at each end of the
frame, and hoth horizontally ; the ram is worked from a
slotted link placed between the cylinder and the ram, the

piston-rod being attached to one piece of the link, or ram-
plunger, and the other side the flywheel-shaft is put to a
double crank, and connected at each end to the sides of
a block which slides in one link. As the crank revolves
the block rises and falls in the link, and the parallelism of
the piston-rod and pump-plunger are preserved.

Messrs. Gwynne, of the Hammersmith Works, London,
exhibit their steam-engine and centrifugal-pump combined.
The whole is so well arranged, and the parts constructed
with such nicety, that the engine can run at the rate of
no fewer than nine hundred revolutions per minute, with-
out any shaking or vibration of the foundation or base-
plate. Working at 414 revolutions per minute, it will
thi'ow 500 gallons per minute to a height of 30 feet. The
whole occupies but a very small space — about 3 feet 5
inches by 3 feet. Steel is employed, to a large extent,
in its construction: as, for example, the piston and
piston-rod (which are cast in one piece), the main shaft,
the crank disc, or face-plate, and the crank-pin, are
also in one piece of Bessemer steel. Messrs. L. Neat
and L. Dumsut, of Paris, exhibit specimens of their cen-
trifugal pumps, one of which is employed in pumping up
the water from the sea for the supply of the gigantic
marine aquarium in the park, which by the way is a spe-
cial object of attraction to the visitors, and worthily so.
An hour or two may be spent, both pleasantly and in-
structively, in examining the various departments of this
aquarium. Contrasting with the compact centrifugal
pumps, is the huge chain-bucket pump or lifter, which is
exhibited in the "park, with portable engine attached, by
M. Saint Romas, of Paris. For many situations this
form of water-lifter may be used with advantage: it
seems well made.

Closely connected with the question of water supply is
that of appliances used in distributing it ; as for example,
water meters and pipes. An excellent form of water
meter — probably the best yet introduced — is that in-
vented by Mr.'Worthington, of America. A meter on
his princiifle is at work in the Exhibition. There are two
cylinders employed in the meter of the same capacity,
laid side by side and horizontally ; the valves of one cy-
linder being worked by means of connecting rods and
links attached to the other cylinder, the motion of the
cylinders being in the reverse direction, that is as one
goes out the other is going in. The cylinders work with
a very small pressure or head of water, as low as two
ounce's to the square inch, and they will register accu-
rately with even the smallest escaping flow. As a rule
water meters are not much to be depended upon for ex-
treme accuracy of working ; but the one under notice
seems to fulfil all the requisite conditions in a very satisfac-
tory manner. As regards the distributing pipes for water
supply, a very interesting stand is that which contains
nume'rons specimens of the tin-liued lead pipes made upon
Hamon's system. Our readers are all well acquainted
with the evils arising from the action of certain waters
upon lead, creating a substance which, if partaken of
regularly, brings about many complaints of a pccuharly
distressing character. This has been well-established by
many eminent medical men, who have had their attention
directed to the matter through the occurrence of acci-
dents— if we we may so term them— arising through the
use of water passing through lead pipes. To obviate the
dangers arising from the use of leaden pipes, many at-
tempts have b'een made to introduce another material— or
to use in conjunction with the lead pipes another material
not acted upon by the water-as tin, which was coated
upon the lead. But in practice the coating was never
efficiently done ; while the use of pure tin pipes was pre-
cluded from their great expense as compared with lead.
M. Hamon has overcome aU the diflSculties attendant
upon the use of tin in conjunction with lead by a very

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ingenious process, by which a very thin but perfectly
solid and homogeneous tin pipe is iiicased in, or enfolded
by, a lead pipe. The two pipes are produced simul-
taneously by driving, by enormous hydraulic pressure, the
lead and tin over two concentric rollers or matrices ; and
the two metals are in complete coherence, and the thick-
ness throughout the whole length of pipes in both ma-
terials of absolutely uniform thickness. One great
advantage in the use of these tin-cased pipes for water-
closet and scullery-sink purposes is that refuse matter
does not adhere to the interior tin pipe. Those of our
readers who are practically acquainted with the evils
arising from the rapidity with which the lead pipes in the
above appliances get coated with foul matter, will be able
to appreciate this advantage of the tin-cased lead pipes
which we have now described.

We shall conclude our notice of the Havre Exhibition
by describing a few odds and ends met with in the gal-
leries. And first as to a cow-milking apparatus, the in-
vention of M. Liverbardon, Rue de Provence, Paris.
We cannot say that we are an ardent believer in the
milking of cows by mechanical means, certainly not in
such as aim at effecting it by such means of a compli-
cated character. The majority of farmers believe, and
they have at least a great deal to say on their side of the
question, that milking the cow, like some other opera-
tions in practical farming, is best done by hand, and that
all complicated apparatus to operate this should be avoided. '
Certainly the apparatus now before us has not this charge
of complication of parts to go against it. Nothing can
indeed be more simple ; it consists of a small silver tube,
which is simply inserted in the orifice of the teat, and
which serves as a tube by which the milk vessels com-
pletely empty themselves. The apparatus has been tried
by several eminent Continental agriculturists, who speak
highly of the completeness of its action and the ease with
which it can be used ; and whether the fact will have any
weight with our readers or not, which will depend upon
the views they hold of the prize system, the appliance has
had a prize awarded to it at the agricultural show held at
Amiens last year. Before inserting the tube, the teat
should be filled or swollen out with milk brought down by
hand ; the tube is then inserted gently, giving it on its
entrance a slight turning motion which will facilitate its
passage into the orifice of the teat.

M. Masson, of 10, Avenue du Cimetiere du
Nord, Paris, exhibits an apparatus by which the
quantity of corn used per day in stables is mea-
sured with extreme accuracy. For large establish-

135

j ments, where waste if not peculation goes on
in many cases to a large extent, we believe such an
I apparatus would soon pay itself. The com is freed from
I the apparatus by withdrawing a flap acted on by a handle
; placed under the dials or indicators, falling Into a re-
1 ceptacle placed beneath, from which it is taken as
required. The corn is supplied from a room above, under
I lock and key, and all supplies required must pass through
j the apparatus and the quantity recorded.

There are several forms of lubrication in the Exhibition,
one or two of which we shall notice briefly here The
first is that made by De La Coux, Rue'Saint Lazare
Pans, and which consists of a ball of thick glass
provided with a brass collar at its opening; this is em-
braced by a brass cover, which carries a small projecting
tube a short distance'on either side of the cover. This is
closed at the end which remains in the bulb of glass when the
cover is put on ; but a small aperture is made in the end, as
well as one or two small holes made in the side of the
tube below the end. The end, with its perforation, is
formed like a cup, so that it can be taken off when 'the
tube requires cleaning. The glass ball being filled with
oil, aud the cup and tube put ou, the whole is reversed,
, the lower end of the tube passing down the oil-hole iii
j the journal or shaft-pedestal, and allowed to rest upon
I the shaft or journal. As this revolves, the oil is drawn
out of the bulb drop by drop, and is replaced by air which
passes up the tube, and through the holes in it, into the
upper part of the glass. The Vore quickly the shaft re-
volves the more rapidly is the oil withdrawn. A method
of lubricating the working-parts of steam-engine cylinders
recently introduced is that of mixing the steam supplied
to the cylinder with fatty matter. A mode of doing this,
as patented by Morton and Wilson, and sold by A.
Robinson and Co., of Canning Dock, Liverpool, is
exhibited in the gallery. It is an apparatus of a very
simple character, being merely a receptacle which is to
contain the tatty matter, as oil or of soap melted, and
which is placed upon the steam-pipe leading to the cylin-
der. By turning the middle of the indicator the steam is
admitted to the interior of the receptacle, and passing to
its upper part, is there condensed into water ; this being
heavier than the lubricating material, descends to the
bottom, and displaces it ; the lubricating material, after
a short interval, begins to descend, drop by drop, into
the steam-pipe, where it mixes with the steam, and is
carried.forward to the various working-parts. The greasy
steam thus formed acts as an admirable lubricant of ail
the parts.

BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

Tlie exhibition of the Agricultural Society of the Province
of Brabant, held in Brussels last week, was formally opened
on Saturday, the 20th June, by the King and Queen in per-
son, under an almost tropical sun, witii all tlie pomp of mili-
tary display so loved on the continent, amidst a crowd of Bel-
gian nobility. The exhibition was international as far as
implements and machinery were concerned, but confined to the
province of Brabant as regards animals ; while without the
presence of English manufacturers the show of implements
and machinery would have been poor ; and of course our ex-
hibitors were very successful in the competitive trials, t' ->^»^i

Still the show of machinery and implements was very laro-e'
numbering nearly 1,000 machines in all. England was repre-
sented by 17 exhibitors, with about 120 difl'erent articles of
their manufacture. Amongst the English exhibitors were the
foUowing : J. and F. Howard, Ransomes and Sims, Aveling
and Porter, Rupton and Proctor, Marshall, Sons, and Co., E.
R. and I. Turner, Richmond and Chandler, Hornsby and Sous,

and Woods and Cocksedge. The implements were all placed
in rotation — that is, the ploughs of all exhibitors were near the
entrance ; afterwards harrows, scarifiers, rollers, drills, reapers;
and lastly steam-engines and thrashing-machines— -an' arrange-
ment which suited the juries very well, but entailed a vast
amount of labour to the staff of any exhibitor who had more
than one machine. The juries were composed of well known
men, and amongst them we may mention James Howard, of
Bedford, for drills ; Thomas Ritsou, of the Luxembourg Rail-
way, lor steam-engines; Messrs. Albaret, the celebrated
French implement manufacturers, for thrashing machines •
Professor Ran, of Carlsruhe, for ploughs ; and the juries gave
each machine a fair and patient trial, devoting nearly a week
to their investigation. The principal prizes to English firms
were awarded as follows : Steam-engines, first prize Ransomes
and Sims ; second, Ruston and Proctor ; third, Marshall, Sons,
and Co. Steam thrashing-machines, first prize, Ransomes
and Sims ; third, Ruston and Proctor, also a third prize for

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

136

small thrashing-machiues to MarsliaU, Sons, and Co., aud E
R and F Turner. Traction-engines, first prize, Avebng and
Porter Ploughs, first prize, J. and F. Howard- another first
Eansomes andlims ; and « Prize of perfection" for turn-wrest
Sough, Eansomes and Sims; prize for ftato plough, J. and
I Howard. Haymakers, first prize, J. and F. Howard ; horse-
rate, first prize, J. and F. Howard; Becond, Ransomes and
Sims. DriUs, first prize, general purpose driU, Smyth ana
Sons. PeasenhaU. Fi^st prize manure drill, Smyth and bons,
PeasenhaU. The prizes for chaff-cutters, brmsing-mills tur-
nip-cutters, oat-bruisers, and horse-gears were in most in-
stances awarded to Richmond and Chaudler, E. R.andi.
Turner, Woods and Cocksedge, and BentaU.

The show of cattle was exceUent, the large Brabant horses
carrying off the principal prizes; the Shorthorn and Dutch
S iso attracted a'gre^t deal of attention from cattle
breeders ; and there were some good Southdowns, Oxfords and
cross-bred sheep. Mr. Charles Howard was requested to go
on as a iudge of Shorthorns, but was unable to act.

Many prizes were only awarded to new inventions or im-
provements. Medals, scattered in profusion, were of vermiel
or silver gilt ^nd brouze, handsome lu appearawQC; one JiiUg-

lish exhibitor took home nearly a dozen of them. As is usual
in continental shows, a lottery was established for the purpose
of purchasing standard implements and machinery selectea-
by a special committee, by which means a certain number ol
good implements and machines are certain to be lett in tue
district. This Brussels lottery was particularly successiul, ana
a placard " Acquis pour la lotterie" was found on a great many
English implements and machines. We regret to say that
some of the foremost British exhibitors ran their engines aM
thrashing machines on Sunday, though, as far as we could
learn, to little purpose, no sales being effected. We commend
this fact to the notice of the Lord's Day Observance Society.
The President of the Brabant Agricultural Society Mr.
Leclerq. who organised the exhibition, received from the hands
of the King the decoration of "Officer" of the order
of Leopold, which is analogous to the French Legion of Honour
A banquet in honour of the jurors was held on the evening ol
the 33nd instant, when the healths of the King and Queen
Prosperity to the Society, Health of the President Thanks to
the Home and Foreign Exliibitors, were received with great
enthusiasm.the hips and hurrahs of the English edubitors being
pi^^ticularly noticeable. The speeches were plentiful, and good.

THE SUPPLY OF FRESH MEAT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

giK—Ag tbere ia much miaconceptioa about the
proportion of Home aiid Foreign Supplies of Meat, I
have prepared a short calculation on the subject, which
is founded entirely on Mr. Dudley Baxter's estimate ot
the quantity of cattle and sheep kiUed in this country.
That estimate I consider a low one— it is his, not mine
—but it shows how little we yet depend on the
foreigner for our fresh meat. The number of foreign
Cattle imported during the past eight years average
170,000 : but, as I think they may increase, I have put
up the numbers to 200,000. I don't suppose that the
quantity of Sheep and Pigs wiU alter materially, and

have therefore taken the actual average of the past
eight years' importations. ^ o ., „i.4.i„

Mr. Dudley Baxter is the agent fo» the cattle
importers and butchers, and leads the opposition against
the Metropolitan Cattle Market Bill. In order to mak e
the case of the poor worse than it is, m his pamphlet
Pics are ignored ; but I have supplied that deficiency,
and give my rough estimate to my brother-farmers for

what it is worth. , ,. , .

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Clare Sewell Read,
House of Commons, Zrd July^ 1868.

PROPORTION OF HOME AND FOREIGN SUPPLY OF FRESH MEAT TO THIS COUNTRY.

CATTLE
(lirCLUDlNQ CaltBs)

Homo

Foreign

Number

slaughtered

Annually.

SHEEP & LAMBS.

Home

Foreign

PIGS.

Home

Foreign

Proportion Weight
of per

Foreign Carcase
to Home. I in Ihs.

3,500,000
200,000

12,000,000
500,000

4,500,000
50,000

One'l2th

One-24tU

One-90th

660
500

66

50

90
90

Number
of lbs.

1,400,000,000
100,000,000

673,000,000
25,000,000

405,000,000
4,500,000

Proportion

of Foreign

to

Home

Supply

in lbs.

One-14th

One- 27th

One-90th

Price!
per
lb.

Value
of Home
• and
Foreign.

7d.
6d.

7d.
6d.

ed.
5id.

£ s. d.

40,833,333 6 8

2,500,000 0 0

19,600,000 0 0
625,000 0 0

10,126,000 0 0
103,125 0 0

Proportion
of Value
of Foreign
to Home.

One-ieth

One-31st

One-98th

SUMMARY.
PROPORTION OF HOME T O POREIGN_^UPPLY_^IL^^^

HOME.

Cattle..
Sheep..
Piga...

Numbers.

2,500,000
13,000,000
4,500,000

Total* 1 19,000,000

Weight in lbs.

Value.

1,400,000,000
672,000,000
405,000,000

£ s. d

140,833,333 6 8

19.600,000 0 0

10,125,000 0 0

2,477,000,000 1.70,558,333 6 81 Total* ....

FOREIGN.

Cattle..
Sheep.,
Pigs....

Numbers.

200,000
500,000
100,000

800,000

Weight in lbs.

100,000,000

25,000,000

4,500,000

129,600,000

Value.

£
2,500,000
625,000
103,176

3,228,176

« The Foreign is OvL^-tweHty

-^-ir^{^^^^i[;^Om-eigMeenthof the WsiaHX. and Onu-tw^ty-mrA of the Value

of our Home SuppUeS:

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

137

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.

Monthly Councii,, Wednesday, July 1,— Present :
the Duke of Richmond, K.G., President, in the chair;
the Earl of Powis, Lord Bridport, Lord Chesham, Lord
Kesteven, Lord Portman, Lord Tredegar, Lord Vernon,
Lord Walsingham, Sir Massey Lopes, Bart., M.P. ;
Sir A. K. Macdonald, Bart. ; Sir T. Western, Bart. ;
Sir Watkin W. Wynn, Bart., M.P. ; Mr. Amos, Mr.
Barnett, Mr. Cantrell, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Brandreth
Gibbs, Mr. Hornsby, Mr. Jonas, Colonel Kingscote,
M.P., Mr. Milward, Mr. Pain, Mr. Eandell, Mr.
Ransome, Mr. Read, M.P. ; Mr. Rigden, Mr. Sanday,
Mr. Shuttleworth, Mr. Stone, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Torr,
Mr. Turner, Mr. Webb, Mr. Wells, Mr. Jacob Wilson,
Professor Simonds, and Dr. Voelcker.

The Duke of Sutherland, K.G,, and Lord Kenlis were
elected Governors of the Society.

The following members were elected .- —

Agar, Thomas, Lower Hastings Street, Leicester

Agar, William, 5, Upper King Street, Leicester

Allen, John, Ashfield House, Knighton, Leicester

Augrave, Thomas Cooper, East Leake, Loughborough

Ardron, John, Queniborough Cottage, Leicester

Arkwright, Arthur W., Broughtou Ashley, Lutterworth

Ashby, Jolin W., Knaptoft, Husband's Bosworth, Rugby

Bantoch, Thomas, Merridale House, Wolverhampton

Bellairs, George Clarke, The Newarke, Leicester

Boddingtou, Henry, Mouton House, Eccles, Lancashire

Brewster, John, Stretten Mill, Penkridge, Staffordsliire

Bryan, Thomas, Seatou Lodge, Uppingham

Burd, Thomas Augustus, Burcot, Wellington, Salop

Burley, John Henry, Leicester

Chapman, W. Henry, Humberstone, Leicester

Cheatle, Thomas Farmer, Dostliill, Tamworth

Clark, J. W., 84, Belvoir Street, Leicester

Coleman, G. W., Great Glen, Leicester

Crawley, J. Rogers, Melchbourn, Higham Ferrers

Crawley, Lewis, Keightley House, Holbeach

Crickmore, Robert, Ingloss, Loddou, Norfolk

Crickmore, William, Seathing, Brooke, Norfolk

Crosland, Jabez, Clumber Street, Nottingham

Day, Nevile, Easton, Stamford

De Wend, W. Fenton, Croft Lodge, Leominster

Ellis, Alfred, Belgrave, Leicester

Fowler, Lawrence P., Little Bushey Farm, Bushey

Fyers, Colonel, W. A., C. B., United Service Club, S. W.

Gamble, Henry Thomas, 28, Lincoln Street, Leicester

Goddard, Joseph, Stoneygate, Leicester

Gresley, Sir Thomas, Bart., Cauldwell Hall, Burton-on-Trent

Harris, George Shirley, Leicester

Harris, John Dove, &iighton, Leicester

Harris, Samuel, Westcotes, Leicester
Haxley, Joseph Barber, Leicester

Heathley, James Henry, Engleton Hall, Penkridge

Henty, Robert, Rothley Temple, Loughborough

Hume, Charles T., Waterloo Terrace, Bridgnorth

Ingram, Thomas, Wigston Magna, Leicester

Leadbeater, John B., Thorpe Sachville, Melton Mowbray

Lott, John, 156, Victoria Park Road, Hackney, Middlesex

Lowe, Thomas Foster, South Croxton, Leicester

Macfarlan, Walter, Bretton Lodge, Wakefield

Moore, Henry, Calverton, Nottingham

Moore, John, Calverton, Nottingham

Murray, Gilbert, Elvaston Castle, Derby

Munn, E. B., Royston

Preston, Benjamin B., Leicester

Preston, William, Leicester

PuUen, Richard, Shackerley House, Albrighton, Salop

Quenby- Ashby, Rev. E., Quenby Hall, Leicester

Reeve, William Napier, Leicester

Richards, William, Belgrave, Leicester

Ricliardson, J. G. F., Houghton House, Knighton, Leicwter

Rider, Thomas John, Kenwick, Shrewsbury

Roberts, Edward, Berden HaU, Bishops' Stortford

Rodgers, Herbert, Gilmorton, Lutterworth

St. John, Beauchamp Mowbray, Melchbourne, Higham Ferrers

Shaw, George, Leicester

Simpkin, Thomas Henton, Hoby, Leicester

Sing, Henry, Swancote, Bridgnorth, Salop

Sing, William, Newton, Bridgnorth, Salop

Smith, Henry, The Grove, Cropwell Butler, Bingham, Notts

Stark, W. P. W., Knaptoft Hall, Rugby

Strutt, Hon. Arthur, Duffield, Derby

Strutt, Hon. Frederick, Kingston, Derby

Suflield, Lord, Gunton Park, Norwich

Tailby, W. Ward, Skefiington Hall, Leicester

Taylor, John, Leicester

Towgood, Hamer, Little Shelford, Cambridgeshire

Towgood, Edward, jun., Sawston, Cambridge

Watt, William, jun., Leicester

Whitwell, John Judkins, Silsworth Lodge, Crick, Rugby

Williams, Henry, Alma Farm, Truro, Cornwall

Wood, John, Pridmore, Nottingham

Wright, Thomas, Wanlip, Leicester

Wright, WiUiam, Shoby Priory, Melton Mowbray

Wynn, Richard, Crickett, Ellesmere, Salop.

Finances. — Major-General Lord Bridport, chairman,
presented the report, from which it appeared that the
secretary's receipts during the past month had been duly
examined by the committee, and by Messrs. Quilter,
Ball, and Co., the Society's accountants, and found cor-
rect. The balance in the hands of the bankers on the
30th June was £1,340 9s. 9d., and £2,000 remains on
deposit. The quarterly statement of subscriptions and
arrears to 30th June, and the quarterly cash account,
were laid on the table.

Journal. — Mr. Thompson, chairman, reported the
recommendation of the committee, that, as the appoint-
ment of a new editor cannot be made for some months,
the committee be authorised to make arrangements with
Mr. Goodwin to continue his services, and prepare the
matter for the February number of the Journal.

Prize Essay. — Mr. Thompson having announced the
award of the judges, and the motto-paper having been
opened by the President, the successful competitor for
the prize of £20 in Class X., " Rise and Progress of the
Leicester Sheep," was declared to be Mr. H. H. Dixon,
of 10, Kensington-square, W.

Editorship. — The President read the followina
report : —

" The following letter from the secretary was read and
considered by the committee : —

"'My Lord Duke,— Having served the Society for nine
years, and those perhaps the best of my life, I was somewhat
astonished at the terms into which Mr. Randell's resolution
was altered, and the large majority by which it was carried
and trust you will allow me to offer some remarks to the
committee appointed to carry out the decision at which the
Council arrived. Had the original idea of this resolution
been followed up, I should have gladly proposed my services
in editing the Journal, and am very willing to do so now with
the assistance of a sub-editor, to be approved by the Council.
The bond now before you, under which I hold my office, dis-
tinctly points out my duties as secretary ; and, at the time of-
my appointment, I stated to the Council my ignorance of prac-
tical farming. These duties I have fufiUed to the utmost of

I. 2

138

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

iiiy power, and I trust in a manner calculated to promote
the material interests of the Society, * as is indeed
proved by the fact that your funded capital, which at the date
of my appointment (December, 1859) stood at £10,000, has,
in that interim been raised to £21,027 19s. 6d. ; while the
arrears of subscriptions, which I then found to be £4',804-, are
now £04.6. The annual fluctuation in the number of members
is not greater than may be expected in a Society of this mag-
nitude, as was pointed out by Mr. Thompson at the last general
meeting ; wliile the influence of the losses occasioned to the
farmer by the cattle-plague, and to the Society by the con-
sequent suspension of the cattle show for two years, must be
borne in mind. This temporary diminution of numbers will,
however, be more than counterbalanced by the meetings at
Leicester and IManchester. It will be with the deepest regret
I shall quit the service of the Society ; but sliould the report
of the committee recommend my removal from the secretary-
ship, I shall be glad of as long notice as practicable, tiras
being all important to me in seeking other employment, which
at my age, I fear, I shall have much difiicnlty in obtaining. —
I have the honour to be, my lord duke, your Grace's most obe-
dient servant, H. Hall D.vke, Secretary.

" ' His Grace the Duke of Richmond, K.G., President of
the Royal Agricultural Society of England.'

" The Committee are of opinion that it is inexpedient
to accept the offer made by j\Ir. Hall Dare to act as
Editor of the Journal with the assistance of a sub-Editor.
Should the foregoing recommendation be approved by the
Council, Mr. Half Dare's engagement with the Society
will terminate on the 1st of January, 1869, and the Com-
mittee recommend that formal notice shall be given him
to that effect, and that he be presented with a year's
salary (£400) on leaving the Society's service. The Com-
mittee recommend that an advertisement be issued, in-
viting applications for the combined office of Secretary
and Editor, at a salary of £600 per annum. The adver-
tisement to be issued forthwith. No application to be
received later than the 20th of October."

The reception of the report having been moved by Mr.
Torr, 13 votes were given in its favour and 14 against
it. Mr. Thompson desiring to take the propositions .j^-
riatioi, the President decided that the report having been
negatived as a whole could not be discussed seriatim.

Mr. Jonas having inquired if the resolution of the
Council combining the offices of Secretary and Editor re-
mained in force, Lord Portman explained that the resolu-
tion remained until rescinded on regular motion. It was
then moved by Lord Walsingham, and seconded by Col.
Challoner, that the offer contained in Mr. Hall Dare's let-
ter be accepted. The EarlofPowis opposed the combina-
tion of the two offices, pointing out the difficulty of ob-
taining a suitable person. He considered the salary oftered
(£600) too small, and moved as an amendment, that the
further consideration of this motion be adjourned till No-
vember, which was seconded by Mr. Read, M.P., as he
considered the subject wants more consideration. Lord
Vernon supported the motion to retain the Secretary.
Lord Chesham suggested that the Secretary should receive
£1,000 on retiring. Mr. Turner pointed out that Lord
Walsingham's motion would appoint Mr. Hall Dare *to
both offices. Mr. Randell and Lord Bridport urged decision

* STATEMEIfT OF THE SoCIETY's PrOPEBTT.

December, 1859. June, 1868.

£ 8. d. £ s. d.

New Three per Cents 10,000 0 0 16,027 19 6

Cash at bankers 1,339 8 0 3,503 2 4

Petty cash 3 4 4 46 10 1

Ob deposit 2,000 0 0

Showyard plant 2,800 0 0

Books and furniture 2,000 0 0 2,000 0 0

£13,342 12 4 £26,382 11 11

at the present meeting, and want of courtesy in the non-
reception of the report. The President did not consider
it as such. Mr. Thompson supported Lord Powis's
amendment, the arrangements for the next Journal being
sufficient for the present. On a division Lord Powis's
amendment was lost by 17 Noes to 15 Ayes ; and Lord
"Walsingham's motion was lost by 18 Noes to 13 Ayes.
Lord Bridport then moved that an advertisement be issued
inviting applications for the combined office of Secretary
and Editor, at a salary of £600 per annum, which was
seconded by Mr. Torr, and carried by 16 Ayes to 14
Noes.

Mr. Randell moved that the amount of remuneration
to the Secretary be £400, which was seconded by Mr.
Jonas, and supported by Lord Bridport. Mr. Amos re-
commended £600, which was seconded by Mr. Milward.
Lord Bridport then moved that formal notice be given to
Mr. Hall Dare that his engagement with the Society shall
terminate on the 1st January, 1869, and that he be pre-
sented on that occasion with £600, which was seconded
by Mr. Torr and carried.

The President then informed Mr. Hall Dare of the
result, and expressed regret at the decision which would
deprive the Society of his services.

Leicester Meeting. — Mr. Thompson, Chairman of
the Committee, reported that the Secretary had been
authorised to arrange with the contractors for the supply
of refreshments to the Judges in the field and the Show-
yard while the trials are going on. The Judges in the
" miscellaneous" class of implements would be in the
Show-yard at 5 p.m. on Tuesday the 14th inst. The
Committee recommend that power be given to the Stew-
ards of Implements at Leicester to defer the final trial of
ploughs and other field implements if the state of the
land shall make it necessary : the time and place of such
deferred trial to be fixed by the Stewards. The arrange-
ments for the final trial of steam cultivating implements
(including the selection of the land), shall also be in-
trusted to the Stewards ol Implements. — This report was
adopted.

Show-yard Contract. — Mr. Randell, Chairman, re-
ported that all the Show-yard works at Leicester are coni-
pleted, and the surveyor certifies that the contractor is
entitled to the second instalment of £1,000. The rail-
way siding and roads and approaches are all in a satis-
factory state. The surveyor had produced a preliminary
plan for the arrangement of the Show-yard at Man-
chester, which the Committee recommended the Council
to adopt, subject to such modifications as may be found
necessary ; and also that the Surveyor be empowered to
make arrangements with the railway companies for the
transit of the Society's plant from Leicester to Manchester.
A tent should be provided in the implement trial field for
the use of the Judges and Stewards. This report was
adopted. The following noblemen and gentlemen were
appointed to serve on the General Manchester Committee :
His Grace the Duke of Richmond, chairman ; the Earl of
Powis, Lord Bridport, Lord Chesham, Lord Kesteven,
Lord Portman, Lord Tredegar, Lord Vernon, Lord Wal-
singham, the Hon. H. G. Liddell, M.P., Sir H. Vane,
Bart., Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., Sir W. Wms. Wynn,
Bart., M.P., the Mayor of Manchester, Mr. Amos, Mr.
Barnett, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Cantrell, Colonel Challoner,
Mr. Clayden, Mr. Davis, Mr. Dent, M.P., Mr. Brandreth
Gibbs, Mr. Holland, M.P., Mr. Hornsby, Mr. Wren
Hoskyns, Mr. Milward, Mr. Pain, Mr. Randell, Mr. R.
C. Ransome, Mr. Read, M.P., Mr. Sanday, Mr. Shut-
tleworth, Mr. Stone, Mr. Webb, Mr. Wells, Mr. Torr,
Major Wilson, Mr. Jacob Wilson, and the Stewards.

THE FARxMEE'S MAGAZINE.

139

IMPLEMENT PRIZES.

The current progress of agricultural mechanics is incom-
patible with any permanent rule for the granting of prizes to
particular classes of implements, either annually or periodi-
cally. Such being the march of improvement generally, the
Royal Agricultural Society of England has no alternative left
but to shape its course according to the force of existing cir-
cumstances ; and such too is the lot of every other agricultural
society.

Not a few implement makers and agriculturists object to the
granting of money prizes under any conditions ; but the argu-
ments advanced in support of this objection, and of the con-
trary rule for distinguishing different degrees of merit, are not
very well tortified either by scientific or practical data ; for if
it be admitted, as it generally is, that certain new things
should have a prize, but that the old should be rewarded with
a jmedal or empty commendation, then such admissions re-
solve themselves into the above demand imperatively made by
the progress of agricultural mechanics, so that one solution
answers both questions. It would not, therefore, be difficult
to show that the two parties in this controversy have each
much right on their side, but into such a discussion we do not
propose dragging the reader further. Old things, to which
many old-school farmers cling so tenaciously and fondly in the
rear, may safely be left to take care of themselves, with what-
ever merit they possess ; but it is otherwise in the forefront of
the march of improvement, where such old things are bidding
a final farewell to our homesteads and fields, their places
being permanently taken possession of by the new-fangled
novelties of the day.

At the present time there is no one department of the farm
iu which old things are not dying out, as it were, to make
room for the prolific offspring of " modern innovation." It
is not, therefore, with the great subdivisions into which farm
implements and machinery are divided, that we have to deal ;
but with the progress being made in each of those subdivi-
sions, and with the old things that are becoming antiquated. In
other words, in the tillage department of the farm, old imple-
ments and machinery are being superseded by new. In the
manuring, seeding, and hoeing department, things are to be
found in a similar state of transition. In both hay and corn
harvest a complete revolution has recently been experienced ;
and yet during the ensuing harvest, ninety-nine out of every
hundred farmers will probably tell you that they cannot yet
do without the old sickle and scythe. In the stack-yard and
barn the practical man appears to breathe more freely ; but
even here the microscope has recently revealed such a world
of " little bodies," that cling to the grain for their subsistence,
that Necessity is just now taxing her ingenuity to the utter-
most to get rid of sucli devouring mouths by numerous pro-
cesses, chemical and mechanical ; consequently these have their
respective claims of merit that call for consideration. Dairy-
men, too, are on their tiptoes, looking round about them, as if
awoke by a peal of thunder from a slumber of half-a-century
and odds, to see what is already beginning to loom in the
distance, i. e., " milk manufactories" with the numerous
novelties which they contain. The storm which recently raged
so high relative to breeding stock and fat stock markets, &c., has
given place to a calm ; but in this all-important department of
modern farm-practice the atmosphere is nevertheless far from
being yet in a settled state, for here and there the genii of the
age are singing their " lullabies ;" so that before many months
expire producers and consumers may see contrivances success-
fully carried into practice unheard-of before. Accidentally we
have passed by the modern department of artificial manures ;
but no apology is needed for this, inasmuch as the genuine
pliosphatic and ammoniacal compounds invariably, weather
permitting, speak for themselves. Such is a very general out-
line of the march of improvement in the different departments
of farm practice at the present time. Each has its own
peeuliar claims on the consideration of the farmer, and to these
we shall next briefly turn attention.

Of implements and machinery for the cultivation of land,
steam-culture apparatus has its special claims. The steam-

plough, for example, is subject to improvement. This is a fact
which cannot be denied. On the other hand, it is equally
manifest that less or more improvement is annually being
made, and so long as this is the case it would be at variance
with the requirements of Science and Practice to shunt the
steam-plough for a single season. In point of fact, the de-
mands of both Science and Practice require a series of ex-
periments every year to test the merits of steam-cultivating
apparatus at different seasons, in order to determine, not only
what advances have been made, but also what further advances
are required.

What is thus true of the steam-plough applies to every
other implement and machine in this department, and also in
every other department of the farm. In other words, it may
be laid down as a general rule that so long as implements and
machinery are subject to improvement, and are being annually
so improved, yearly experiments should be made and prizes
given.

To every general rule there is an exception ; so runs the
common maxim ; but we aver that there are few exceptions to
the above. No doubt a diversity of opinion may arise as to
the prospects of farther improvement being made. We might
take hypothetical examples tor illustration, were such neces-
sary ; but, on questions of this kind, farmers and the general
public are the judges, not the manufacturer of the implement
or machine. And here it must be borne in mind that the
solution of the question at issue does not hinge wholly upon
the actual progress made in mechanical construction — the big
half, if not the more important half, of the solution turning
upon the successful use of the implement, in order to satisfy
farmers as to its efficiency and advantages.

To this latter half of the solution of the question of steam-
culture sufficient attention has not hitherto been paid, the
experiments made being so defective and objectionable as to
fall short in many respects of the requirements of farmers.
No doubt, the selection of the land is the best that can be
made under the circumstances of the case for the peculiar dis-
trict in which the experimental trials are annually held
during the period of the show. But the experiments will not
bear either a scientific or practical investigation relative to the
twofold purpose for which they are made ; and therefore the
less said about the details the better ; for, putting the most
charitable construction upou them, the summer meeting ex-
periments of the Royal Agricultural Society of England are,
at the best, but very rough guesses as to what the steam-
plough can do on the farm of this or that farmer at the proper
seasons of the year for ploughing and smashing up the land :
hence the practical conclusion.

We receive with much satisfaction any and every proposed
change to the better. The after-harvest and winter trials now
proposed may not suit so well the cravings of mere sight-
seers, or the pockets of not a few farmers at a distance, as the
present plan ; but it must not be forgotten that such steam-
plough trials are neither made to excite the curiosity of mere
sight-seers, nor to meet the peculiar wants of farmers with
empty pockets. And when we set both these classes aside and
weigh the wants of those for whom the experiments are actually
made, the facts of the case lead to a very different con-
clusion.

Two questions remain for a passing notice before leaving
this department. First, is sufficientencouragement being given
to other steam-culture implements besides the plough and
grubber? Ought not prizes to be given for steam-rollers,
steam clod-crushers, and steam-harrows ? And in the next
department, for steam seed and manure drills, and broadcast
machines ?

Second : As we progress in the substitution of steam-power
for horse-power, and increase the annual number of experi-
ments with the former, it is but in accordance with the require-
ments of both science and practice that the length of the
periods between the trials of the latter (horse implements)
should be increased. In point of fact, the attention of the
great bulk of the agricultural body is now so engrossed with

140

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

steam-culture that they can well afford to shelve horse-culture
altogether for the future. As yet, a rule so sweeping as this
may not be in accordance with tlie declared functions of any
of our national or even local societies. This may he granted,
and yet it may nevertheless be affirmed that the rule is fast
working its way into general application.

Much of what has been said about steam ploughs, grubbers,
seed and manure drills, applies in principle to mowing
and reaping macliines, hay and straw elevators, with other
machines of hay and corn harvest, subject to improvement,
and which are annually being improved. If any patentee or
manufacturer is very particular, we see no great objection to
leaving out pitchforks, hand rakes, common ladders, harvest
carts, and other old well-tried things altogether, making an
exception only of real novelty, when it enters appearance ;
but mowing and reaping machines must be annually tried for
a long time to come, and that for the two-fold purpose already
noticed under the steam plough, and different prizes awarded
to them according to their merits.

In the barn department the period between the trials of
thrashing machines, chaffcutters, portable and fixed engines
only adapted for actuating the same, with turnip cutters, corn
and cake breakers, and old machines of this kind, may be in-
creased in length. But in this department an exception re-
quires to be made of corn screens, scouring machines, and
other like novelties under the pioneering hand of Improvement.
We have here under consideration a functional distinction
between different machines sufficiently far apart to demand
a corresponding distinction in the awarding of prizes for the
two-fold purpose at issue. Hence the conclusion at which we
arrive under this head.

Hitherto, although dairy affairs formed a frequent topic
of discussion at its weekly council meetings, in Hanover-
square, the Royal Agricultural Society of England has not
given much encouragement to progress in other respects.
And the same may be said relative to the marketing of breed-
ing-stock, fat-stock, and dead-meat, although few departments
of farm practice engross more of the farmer's attention.

There has manifestly been an oversight in this, which may
be termed the commercial department of farm practice. We
are even appreliensive that when the subject is closely investi-
gated something worse than mere oversight will be found ; for
not a few of our great ones shy, and even turn tail, the moment
any proposition is enunciated for bringing the agricultural
body in contact with the inhabitants of our large manufac-
turing and commercial towns, as if experience had taught
them that the latter are too many for them in any commer-
cial transaction.

The day was when country folks had some reason for shy-
ing at townsfolks, but that day has gone by ; farmers, as a body,
being now able to hold their ground with equal-handed firm-
ness and success. At the present time they are even showing
themselves masters of their position as the primary and lead-
ing body in the political economy of the country, and the true
topics under consideration, viz., the commerce of dairy pro-
duce and the commerce of Uve and dead meat, occupy a pro-
minent place in their public and private deliberations in every
corner and province of the kingdom. They are topics which
claim the special patronage of the Eoyal Agricultural Society,
and that of all our other societies and clubs, with a view to
cultivate chemical and mechanical progress in each of these
branches of farming. Both propositions are great national
movements having for^their object the joint economy of labour

and capital, so that they merit the timely consideration of
those political economists who are now discussing the rights
of landed property, large and small farms, and so on — public
questions whose details we cannot at present entertain.

Milk manufactories are of several kinds, according to the
nature of their working details. In some of the large Ame-
rican and continental establishments the whole of the milk
is produced by the proprietor's or farmer's own herd of
cows. In other examples, it is purchased from the farmers in
the district. One converts the cream into butter — the
skimmed milk into pork ; another, the whole milk into cheese
— the whey only into pork ; a third adopts both practices ; a
fourth sends a great portion of the cream and whole milk to
town. There is thus a considerable diversity of practice, with
a corresponding diversity in the dairy apparatus and utensils
for carrying the same into effect, in all of which the manu-
facturer has a control over temperature and everything else
comparatively unknown in small concerns at the homestead of
the farmer. Such are the advantages in their favour, that it
is even said a farmer may sell his milk, and buy what butter
and cheese he requires for his own use, with profit. It would
be uncharitable to draw any comparisons between such manu-
factories and the antiquated dairies of the vast majority of
farmers at the present day. Such being the general outline,
tlie reader will readily perceive the patronage whicli this new
subdivision of labour and branch of industry requires, so as to
increase their number and effective operation, in order to meet
the demands of farmers, many of whom may feel it their in-
terest to produce more milk than they now do, were a market
for it thus to spring up at their doors.

Our commerce of beef, mutton, and pork is equally subject
to improvement. Of late years, much encouragement has been
given, and many improvements made in the art of production ;
but the roundabout way in which farmers convert this
description of farm produce into hard cash is yet deplorably
antiquated.

It were difficult to imagine any branch of human industry
more out of date than our cattle markets and dead-meat
ranrkets. And yet when we put the plain, practical question.
What has the Royal Agricultural Society done, and what is
it now doing to encourage improvement ? we are at a dead loss
how to return a satisfactory answer in harmony with its char-
tered privileges and duties. To say that nothing can be done
to stimulate progress is tenfold worse than no answer at all.
Before the establishment of milk manufactories nothing could
be done with milk in the country far away from towns. Some
give it to the pigs, or convert it into cheese which nobody
would eat. But no sooner do such establishments make their
appearance than everybody is surprised they did not appear
sooner, so simply manifest and successful is everything about
them. Just so is it with our beef, mutton, and pork. We pro-
duce them in abundance, and would produce much more could
we only see our way clearly to a more intelligent economy ; but
this we cannot do, although suspicion is becoming stronger and
stronger every day that an incalculable loss is being sustained.
Consequently farmers keep grumbling, as this all-important
branch of commerce continues to flow on in its old antiquated
channel — like the stream in the desert,'growing beautifully less
and less, as it sinks in the porous substratum below unseen,
and rises in the atmosphere above in the form of vapour in-
visible ! All this is plain enough ; but it weighs hea'nly upon
the shoulders of the farmer and the productive resources of
the country. Engineer.

THE WORKING AND USES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY.

At the quarterly meeting of the Boroughbridge Agricul-
tural Society, Mr. Scruton said : The subject allotted to me
has been on agricultural implements and machinery. As this
subject is too extensive to be treated in a short paper, I shall
confine myself to the working and uses of agricultural ma-
chinery. Firstly : The necessity of reaping and securing our
S*'^ crops. It is of great importance, though it is widely
modified as to time, labour, and precariousness, by the nature
ot tlie climate and the character of crops. In reaping our
gram, it has only occurred within the last few years that a

march of improvement has come to our notice from the sickle,
which has been in use for thousands of years ; next the scythe
was introduced, which was not an improvement on the sickle :
it was a most untidy way of reaping, making great waste : the
only benefit derived was getting it quicker done and sooner
ready for the stack-yard. Now we have reaping machines
nearly brought out to perfection, which, a few years ago, were
considered by the agricultural societies prizeless machines, but,
through the skill of our mechanics .and hints given them from
our agriculturists, have come at the proper mechanism. We

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

141

owe no little sympathy to our implement manufacturers, if we
look back how they have tried to invent machinery for the
cheaper mode of farm cultivation. We now have reapers
quite equal to the sickle, which was a cost of from 10s. to
16s. per acre reaping. Our crops can now be reaped with a
reaper at from 5s. 3d. to 10s. per acre, including raking and
making it, quite equal to the sickle reaping, leaving no rough
stubble to contend with afterwards, which is now made into
manure ; also, the great benefit derived when a general harvest
comes hurriedly on, and the weather for it is capricious and ex-
ceedingly changeable. The farmer has daily and nightly about
as much need of skiU and energy, vigilance and continual self-
possession, as ever Wellington had in any three months of his
Peninsular campaign. It is needless for me to say anything
as regards the working of reaping macliines, as they are made
so simple to work, nor can I recommend any particular maker's
reaper — the principles are so nearly allied. I can only say
that in making a purchase of a reaper do not get a light-made
reaper : you cannot get power in a light machine. To cut
heavy crops a three-inch stroke in the crank is the best for
cutting clean, and a six-inch stroke in the crank is easier
draught for the horses, requiring less speed, but does not cut so
clean a stubble, which is easily accounted for, that a slow cut
is not equal to a quick one. Have your reapers examined in
due time before harvest and put in good order, as delays in
this respect are troublesome, and expensive to have to repair
when they should be at work. — Secondly comes the time for
autumnal cleansing. No time should be lost after the crops
are carried, our part of the country, being a northern district,
not having the same advantage in this respect as the south ;
also twitch grass makes great progress in the 'roots after the
crops are reaped. The cultivators mostly in use should be
those with the three-inch tines : first, to loosen the soil and
make it in better order for crossing with the broadshares, cul-
tivate your land a good depth, so as to extricate the twitch
grass ; then use a drag with teeth well forward, so as to lift any
weeds the cultivator lias not brought to the surface. All seasons
are not suitable for this process of cleansing the land of weeds ;
nevertheless strive to get it done, as frost will, to a great ex-
tent, kill twitch grass when exposed to it. Great benefit is
derived by scarifying the land that is to be cleansed of weeds,
and not to plough in the spring when the land is wanted
to sow with either corn or turnips, particularly the latter :
if strong loams are to be ploughed in the spring, and
the winter tilth or moisture lost, it invariably is never
regained. The chain harrow is an indispensable implement
for using, in the process of dashing the soil from the twitch
grass on strong land that has been cultivated in the autumn.
It is not amiss to put on the chain harrow after a frost, if
there be much twitch on the land, but the land must be suffi-
ciently dry. Much benefit has been derived by the use of the
scarifier, over the old system of plougliing and harrowing, as
every harrow, be its particular construction what it may, fails
to brifig up the weeds from any considerable depth. The scarifier
may be termed the king of harrows, or an intermediate imple-
ment between the plough and harrow. Thirdly: Having
cleansed oat, bean, and pea stubble intended for wheat, with
the broadshare, and the time approacliing for wheat sowing,
it is necessary to get the plough to work, which, in its per-
fection, is the foundation of good husbandry. Very few bad
ploughs are made now : there is a markedfdiiference from the
old-fashioned ploughs with' short straight handles, short mould-
boards, setting their furrow upon an edge, being incapable of
turning the soil, and merely effecting a stirring or breaking
up. A plough should set its furrow at an angle, to be in the
best form for harrows, making plenty of tilth for |the seed ;
avoid laying your furrows too flat, which is regulated by the
width ol furrows taken ; if the land be clear of stones, use a
share the width of the furrow you take, so as to cut up all
weeds ; if not, thistles and .various kinds of weeds will soon
appear in the plough seam. There are few implements now
in common use that have undergone more improvements than
the plough. Our ploughing matches have made great success
in this department of farm practice ; good ploughboys are to
be found on nearly every farm, A sharp active boy will do
more work now and much better than men could do before the
wheel plough came into public use. Fourthly : Having pre-
pared the land for seeding, the steerage drill being an imple-
ment of much importance should on no account be omitted to
be used, it being an economiser of seed, as well as the

exactness in the rows being in a true position for horse-hoeing.
A drill of about eighty incbes in width is a useful size : it can
be made to drill four rows of beans, twenty inches apart,
which, when a five-foot reaper is at work, will be found to
take three rows of beans and reap them tidily. If the rows
are shed by the reaper the work is not so well done. After
the autumn sowing is over, the digging breast should be at-
tached to our ploughs, which, in its form, leaves the land in a
broken, rough, and exposed surface for the frost, rifthly:
Machinery, in its appUcation to manufactures, consists in the
addition which it makes to human power, the economy of
human time, and in the conversion of substances apparently
worthless into valuable products. The same applied to agri-
culture consists chiefly in steam-thrashing machines, which is
a saving of human power and economy of human time over
the old system of thrashing. Next comes the root pulper, an
implement applied to bring worthless substances into valuable
use ; also a great saver of our root crops, which is so costly to
produce. Chaff', which formerly used to be buried in pits to
get rid of weeds, by the use of the pulper has become, by
being mixed with roots, a valuable counteractant on the bowels
of cattle, as well as making our roots go further. By the use
of the chaff-cutter, chaff is substituted with cut straw for
mixing with meal for horses. A turnip-slicer for sheep forms
one of our most indispensable implements, for the fattening of
hoggets and other sheep on turnips in the winter, thus in wet
weather being a great saving over the old system of eating tur-
nips on the land unpulled, which caused much waste by the
trampling of their feet over them, until they would not eat them.
Various other macliines are to advantage, such as grinding mills.
Sixthly : In the early spring time of the year, we must
look to our horse-hoeing. The practice of cereal-hoeing is all
but universal in modern agriculture. It dates its adoption
with the introduction of dnll-husbandry, and is a most valu-
able aid in the production of a fine and profitable crop ; it is a
great help to the cleanliness of the soil, and assists the healthy
growth of the plants. It has been found profitable to hoe the
weediest portions of the farm by hand-hoeing. Why should
we now neglect to hoe when practical and scientific skill has
improved and brought before the public an implement for use
at so trifling a cost compared to hand-hoeing ? It can be done
at Is. 6d. per acre, and more effectually ; whereas hand-hoeing
costs about 5s. per acre and is only imperfectly done. The
best time for hoeing is as soon as the corn is high enough, but
not to cover with the loose soil. It is injurious to the plant
to hoe when corn gets liigh, as the roots are spreading in
search of additional food to promote their more vigorous
growth, and if cut off with the hoe will be an injury to the
growth. The true principle of horse-hoeing consists mainly
in the breaking of the surface soil and the extirpation of weeds.
The greatest advantage over the hand-hoe is in consequence
of one man, two boys, and two horses being able to do from 12
to 16 acres per day, as necessity requires. The advantage of
doing a large portion in one day is to get through the work in
fine weather, so that the sun will have its influence in killing
the weeds. Seventhly.— Implements for the preparation of
green crops. — The common harrow, to loosen the surface soil ;
next the cliisel-harrow is a valuable implement for breaking
and loosening the soil ; then the drag or cultivator, to get
deeper into the ground, and to form more loose soil for ridg-
ing. A cheap-made implement, called the bruiser or scrubber,
used in timely application after the drag, will produce, in the
generality of soils, a tilth that cannot be excelled, leaving the
soil in a much lighter state for the ridge-plough than any
other kind of implement. Drills or ridges may be opened out
\vith either the double-mouldboard plough or the common
plough. The last-named plough can be made at a trifling
cost, by putting a thin iron mouldboard on the left side of the
plough, with a screw to adjust the width of the plough. A
small iron attached to the plough, to mark the width of the
ridge, is very useful to keep the ridges even. A light-
made driU for mangold wurtzel and turnips, with concave
rollers to fit the ridge, is the best for drilling with .per-
fect exactness on the centre of the ridge, and a great improve-
ment on the old system of drill with fast coulters, as often de-
positing the seed on the ridge side as anywhere else, and
making it difficult for the ridge horse-hoe to work. A light
roller is a very useful implement to roll the ridges after, the
seed is sown, and to press firm the seed amongst the earth,
which so often admits the parching air and extracts the

U2

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

moisture. The rough roller is preferahle to a smooth
roller; for when heavy rains come it is not so liable
to fasten the soil, on account of its leaving an uneven sur-
face. Eighthly. — Implements for mowing grass and hay-
making.— The mowiug-macliine is quite universal now, and
used on almost every farm. It excels the scythe, gets
nearer the ground, by the aid of a flexible beam ; it can be
done at a cost of 3s. Gd.to 4s. per acre, where in many districts
6s. was paid before the mowing machine came into public
use. Not only is it a saving in the cost of mowing, but it
does its work much quicker. The old adage is, " make hay
while the sun shines." It is absolutely frightful to see the
quantities of hay lying before cattle in some places, that
nothing but great hunger can tempt them to cat, being fit for
nothing but the dunghill. Hay wants getting quick and kept
moving by the haymaking machine, and it will keep its weight
and colour, its proper amount of juices, and that delightful
aroma so sought after by cattle. Let it lie to " make itself,"
and the sun will soon scorch all that on the top, while there is
no making whatever that underneath ; time and quality are
thus lost, when the cropmight have otherwise been well secured.

Mr. Scott said he would recommend to all young beginners
the necessity of being very careful in the selection of proper
implements to use upon their farms. It would be well for
them to consult their friends, and also the reports of the va-
rious agricultural shows. They must go to the best makers
for their implements. To one maker for their ploughs, to
another for their drills, and not obtain all the implements they
required of one particular maker. They must choose the best
makers for the particular implements they wanted (Hear.)
How difi'erent was the state of the blacksmith's shop now to
what it used to be ! Formerly they saw nothing but the vice,
anvil, and bellows ; but now, at almost every blacksmith's
shop, there was a small steam-engine ai work, and agricul-
tural implement-makers had made rapid strides in improve-
ments, and they had displayed skill and ingenuity in the ma-
nufacture of locomotive engines. He thought that Mr. Scru-
ton had not alluded in his lecture to the digging plough, one
of the finest improvements elfected within the last few years.
There was the chisel-harrow, too, which was a most valuable
implement.

Mr. Bainbiudgk said that there was one point with regard
to implements which ought not to be overlooked. They ought
to be properly taken care of, and not thrust into corners or left
in the middle of the field to become out of order. He had
seen a reaper standing out last winter. It was the height of
foUy to use implements in this way, to leave them uupainted,
and to let careless boys have the charge of them. Agricul-
tural implements, generally speaking, required far more care
than they received at present.

Mr. Ai'PLEYARD said that the water-drill for turnips was
not mentioned in Mr. Scruton's paper. He had used the
water-drill on his farm, and it answered well, and he had also
experimented with a water-cart upon an acre of turnips in one
of his fields. The water-cart went over two rows of turnips at
a time, and they had been watered every other day for some
time. He should have a very good crop of turnips upon this
acre of land, but as to the rest of the field, which had not been

watered, he had not yet seen a turnip-plant make its appear-
ance.

Mr. Scott said that he had used the water-drill with suc-
cess upon his farm for the last fifteen years. He was of opi-
nion that the water-cart, as alluded to by Mr. Appleyard,
would be of great service, because it would act meclianieally
in the equal distribution of the manure.

Mr. Hakla^d inquired of Mr. Appleyard if he rolled the
rest of the field which he had not watered ?

Mr. AiTLEVAKD replied in the negative.

Mr. H.VRLAND said that if Mr. Appleyard had rolled the
soil it would have become consolidated. If the roller had fol-
lowed the drill it would pcdiaps have done as much good as
the watering. He found upon light soils the use of the level
drill beneficial, and it was the kind of drill he approved of.
It would act well, fitted with a tillage-distributor, and followed
immediately by a light harrow and roller ; yet it might be that
he should think differently if a plentiful supply of water was
near the land.

The Rev. C. H. Sale said that thrashing-machines had
been a great boon to the agricultural labourer. During the
early part of his career as a clergyman, he had known many
strong young men " killed oft'" in the prime of life in thrash-
ing by hand. Wages were high, and these men were stimu-
lated to over-exert themselves; the consequence being that
they died of the lung complaint, by inhaling the dust from the
thrashing. Many men, by thrashing in a liarn for eight or
nine montlis together, were at length attacked with the lung
disease, and died at an early age. Agricultural machinery re-
quired something like skill and intelligence in its management,
and it therefore behoved the farmers to do all they could to
educate their labourers and servants. Men who were unedu-
cated and dull must mismanage machinery, and it stood to
common sense that those employed on farm-work should be
properly trained. On every farm there ought to be at least
two or three men having a smattering of mechanical know-
ledge, to prevent the others from getting into error in the use
of agricultural machinery.

Mr. Scott said that the mechanical construction of agri-
cultural machinery was such that it required the men engaged
in its use to be very careful and to pay particular attention to
oiling the various parts, and keeping the whole in proper
working order. He' had used a reaping-machine since 1852,
and he was now using more than one, and they answered their
purpose remarkably well. Mowing-machines for grass were
more efficient than reapers, as they were more simple in their
operation. The raising and lowering of a reaping-machine
when in motion was a great improvement.

Mr. ScitUTON said that four years ago he introduced at
Goldsbrough a grass-mowing machine. It was very much
liked, and he soon got a second, then a third, and at last a
fourth, as orders for cutting grass came in so fast. At first
his young men were ignorant as to these machines, but they
soon became acquainted with their use ; and with these four
machines, in one season, he cut 900 acres of grass, and not the
slightest fault was found with the way in which the work was
done. The farmers liked these machines so well that they
purchased them of him.

POOR RATES ASSESSMENT.

The select committee appointed " to inquire into the assess-
ment and collection of poor rates and other local rates and taxes
in England and Wales " have issued their report. The conclu-
sions at which the committee have arrived are expressed in the
following series of resolutions :

" 1. That every local authority entitled to raise any money
by means of local rates should make a requisition on the over-
seer or other proper officer for the whole amount required to be
piud, so far as the same can be estimated, for the period of one
year, commencing at a fixed period.

" 2. That such requisition should be delivered to the overseer,
or such other officer, a reasonable time before the commence-
ment of the year, to enable him to make a rate at that time.

" 3. That such requisition should state the amounts which

may be required for the several purposes, if more than one, for
which rates are authorized by law to be made.

" 4. That the overseer should, on receipt of all the requi-
sitions made on him for the year, make one consoKdated rate
sufficient to satisfy all such requisitions.

" 5. But when all property described in the rate-book is not
liable to be rated uniformly for the purposes of all such requi-
sitions, such entries shall be made in the rate-book as may be
necessary to show such difference in the rate.

" 6. That the rate should be payable by not less than four
equal quarterly payments, and be collected and enforced ac-
cordingly.

" 7. That where the rate exceeds Is. in the pound, the per-
son in occupation of any tenement let at a rent payable

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

143

oftener than quarterly may elect to pay the rate hy monthly
instalments.

" 8. That, in addition to the rate-book now prescribed, a
book to be called the ' Instalment Rate-book' sliall be pro-
vided m a form to be prescribed bv law, in which the name of
each occupier electing to pay monthly the amount of the rate,
tlie amount of each instalment, and the time when payable,
shall be entered.

" 9. That, when any necessity shall arise during the year
for any rate above the estimated annual charge, a special rate
shall be made, and be collected with the nest following pay-
ment. ° ^ ^

" 10. That a demand-note should be left with each rate-
payer, on the rate being made, stating the amount of the re-
quisitions, the rate in the pound for each purpose, and the
period for which the rate is made, the rateable value of the
premises,^ amount of the rate thereon, and of each payment.

" 11. That the overseer should be empowered, at 'any time
after a rate has been allowed, to amend the rate-book, with
the sanction of the justice, by omitting the name of any per-
son unduly inserted, or inserting the name of any person un-
duly omitted.

" 13. That where any premises, being vacant at the time
of making the rate, shall become occupied before the next rate
shall be made, or any change shall take place in the occupation
during the year, the overseer should make a supplemental rate
in respect of such occupation.

" 13. Tliat paid collectors should be employed where neces-
sary to collect the rate, for such remuneration, by way of sa-
lary or commission, as the local authority making the requisi-
tion shall consent to allow out of the amount tliereof.

" li. That the overseer and collecting officer should pay over
the rate as collected, and account for "the same and for arrears
thereof, at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed
by law, and the same should be enforced by a summary pro-
ceeding before two justices of the peace.

" 15. That every change in the ownership and occupation of
premises should be reported by the collecting officer to the over-
seer, and every increase in the value of the premises should be
reported to the Assessment Committee.

"16. That the Commissioners for the Assessment of Local
Taxes should deliver yearly to the overseer, or other proper
officer, a sclicdule of tlie taxes to be collected from tax payers in
the parish (except the assessments of the special commissioners
of the income-tax).

"17. That the collecting officers should collect, account
for, and pay over the taxes according to such directions as
they may receive from the Board of Inland Revenue, on being
allowed such per-centage thereon as may be allowed for the
collection of taxes.

" 18. In the event of any loss arising from the insolvency
of a person liable for both rates and taxes, or from the em-
bezzlement of a collector, the priority of claim on the part of
the Crown on the available fund should be preserved, subject
to which the loss should be borne rateably out of the several
requisitions for which the consolidated rate was imposed.

19. That the owner should be rated in the following cases:
a. Where the tenement is let furnished ; b. Where the tene-
ment is let in apartments, but the occupier should be per-
mitted to claim to be rated and be rated in manner prescribed
by the existing law.

" 20. The owner should be deemed to be any person re-
ceiving or claiming the rent of any tenement, or receiving the
same for the use of any corporatiou aggregate, or of any public
company, or of any landlord or lessor, who shall be under
disability ; or for the use of any person who shall not be
actually resident within twenty miles from the parish in vvhicli
the tenement is situate.

" 31. That the power of excusing persons from the payment
of rates should be transferred to the board of guardians, and
any allowance of exemption from rates op the ground of
poverty should be considered as out-door relief.

" 22. That the board of guardians, before hearing any ap-
phcation of an occupier for excusal, shall give notice to the
owner of the tenement occupied of the time and place ap-
pointed for hearing the application.

" 23. That the owner of every tenement, the occupier of
which has been excused payment of rate on the ground of
poverty, shall be liable to two-thirds of the rate.

" 2i. That where premises are let for shorter periods than
a year, the assessment should be carefully revised, so that, in
fixing the gross estimated rental under the Assessment Acts,
proper deductions should be made from the enhanced rent
charged by the owner, to cover the risk and cost of so dealing
with his jiroperty .

" 2o. That when the owner is compelled to pay any portion
of tlie rate, contrary to his agreement with the occupier, he
shall be entitled to recover the same by distress or action from
the occupier ; and when the occupier* shall be compelled to
pay the rates, contrary to his agreement with the owner, he
shall be entitled to deduct the same from liis rent, or to recover
the same, as well as damages, for any distress he may have
sufl'ered by action from the owner.

" 26. That so much of any public or local Act as relates to
compositions for rates for pubhc purposes should be repealed."

TIPTREE FARM.

A deputation from the Midland Farmers' Club, consisting
of Messrs. J. Ford (the president), E. Yates, H. H. Chattock,
W. Brewster (Stretton), C.L.Browning, J.France, T. Horley,
R. II. Masfen, Shenstone, J. Smith, J. A. Williams, M.
Wi]U,ams, and J. B. Lythall (secretary), visited Tiptree Hall
Farm by invitation. The deputation from the Midland
Farmers' Club was met by Mr. Moore, chairman of the Far-
riugdou Farmers' Club, with Mr. Dyke, Mr. Humfrey, and
about twelve members ; Mr. Bridgland, chairman of the Maid-
stone Farmers' Club, and twenty-five members; and some
otliers also accepted invitations.

From the character of the soil of the county and the general
healthy appearance of the wheat crops of the district, it was
expected that the Tiptree wheat would present a very creditable
appearance, but none of the members of the deputation were,
we Ijelieve, jirepared to see so much good wJieat for the whole
growth as Mr. Mechi showed them. The total extent of land in
wheat IS 72 acres, the farm comprising only 170 acres, of
which 13 are in pasture.

Mr. JIeciii having stated at Birmingham that he made 18
per cent, on his capital of £16 per acre, and would have pre-
ferred to increase his capital to £35 per acre, was requested
by Mr. Masfen to give his opinion as to what per-centage he
would obtain on this additional capital. Mr. Mechi, in reply,
stated that last year he had to sell hay and straw, which, liad
tlie additional capital been forthcoming, he should have con-
sumed with cattle, thus obtaining a much greater quantity of
manure, both hquid and sohd, and thereby increased fertihty
and yield. He considered, if he had employed £1,500 more,
he should have made 30 per cent, on the whole capital.

A discussion took place, in which Jlr. Horley and Mr.
Brewster took part, as to Tenant Right, the general opinion
being that it was futile to expect farmers to lay out money in
the manner it was done at Tiptree, or to follow in Mr. Mechi's
steps, without security of tenure or ample compensation ; Mr.
Foiiu requesting Mr. Mechi's opinion as to the best way of
attracting capital to the land, and obtaining security.

Mr. Lythall also stated that in the great majority of
agreements in the Midland counties the tenant-farmers were
so tied down to particular courses of cropping that they could
not farm as Mr. Meciii did, even where they had the inchna-
tion and the capital ; and he also spoke of the loss caused in
corn and root-crops by the large quantity of hedge-row timber
in the Midlands.

Mr. Hallett would give his agent the management of his
best farm, and make it the standard for his tenants to farm up
to, as long as it paid ; to which the farmers present objected,
thinking the agent should rather have one of the worst farms
to improve.

Mr. Mechi, in conclusion, said that no doubt the main
question involving investment of capital in the soil was secu-
rity of tenure. He was decidedly in favour of a long lease, or
an equitable Tenant Right. Long leases were impossible in
all cases, and he thought landlords should be most particular
in looking to character, conduct, improving business habits,
and capital of tenants, and then bad tanning would soon be-
come the exception.

lU

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL feOCI^TY OF ENGLAND.

MEETING AT LEICESTER.

The resuscitation of the Royal Show must have been
a question of some moment with the management ; hut
it is one that has been very satisfactorily solved. The
interest in these occasions has by uo means died out on
the fallows, and seldom has a meeting been better sup-
ported than that at Leicester, The champion breeders of
most kinds of stock came in something like their pristine
force, the public came in greater numbers than ever, and
the implement makers spoke to the briskness of trade and
the great promise ot the opening days. In fact, the only
doubt expressed, and this was a very general feeling, Avent
to impugn the policy of cutting the week into two, and
driving people away on the Saturday with the idea that
they would ever come back again on the Monday. Let the
trials of machinery extend over ten days or a fortnight ;
but if the cattle show proper commence on the Tuesday
and finish on the Friday, it would amply answer its
purpose, as such an arrangement would be far more
convenient to a great majority of the visitors. But there
is and long has been a certain peculiarity in the action of
the Council, which goes to make alterations that were
never needed, and to resist improvements that have been
long pressed upon its attention.

If a really magnificent show-ground and the most
brilliant of weather would tend to ensm'e success, the
Royal Society was so far favoured ; but, as has already
been inferred, there were the still more substantial attrac-
tions of large entries and much merit. In some of the
sections, such as the Leicester, Southdown, and Shro])shire
sheep, the Devon cattle, and certain varieties of the pig,
these breeds have seldom or ever been so well represented ;
while the Shorthorns, if only good in places or classes, yet
reached quite to an average of excellence, as the riding
horses are fairly training on into a very creditable, and of
course at the same time into a most popular, featm'e of
the exhibition. The very catalogue went far to assure one
of the worth of what there was to see, and in the first
class of cattle there were the names of owners and
animals almost equally famous. These old buUs indeed,
with many a winner in the ring, took a deal of judging
and drafting ; but the award ultimately arrived at struck
the key-note, and the Booth blood was altogther in the
ascendant. Commander-in-Chief took a second prize as
a yearling at Plymouth, where he was but little fancied,
save by the Judges, one of whom was here again in office.
The Commander has gone on growing and improving,
and is now certainly a very handsome animal, with a good
fore-hand, and fine length, but with rather a lack of mas-
culine character about his head, and with his tail set on
high and lumpy. A stiU neater bull, so much so as to
be pronounced almost " pretty," was the Heir of English-
man, who has been a frequent winner in Scotland, and
that was considered by many to be the next best here.
The judges, however, went for Mr. Peel's white, a not
very taking buU until you study him closely, and who
proves better in his standing than when led out. There
is a want of freedom about his carriage, and the hand we
should say had more to do with his place than the eye,
for no doubt the award was something of a surprise to the
lookers-on. The third prize. Huntsman, has many good
points, the more especially forward, beginning with a
capital head, in which respect he was superior to his
fellows; while Mr. Lynn's Prizeman, Mr. Pawlett's

Baron Killerby, and Mr. Christy's Duke of Grafton, that
have been all winning about the country this summer,
were kept in or " about" for some time, although, as was
very evident, with no chance of reaping anything higher
than a commendation. The class of two-year-old bulls
contained some of the worst animals in the show, and
nothing could look like a greater burlesque on the im-
proved Shorthorn than such things as Prince of Rosedale
or the Northumberland Knight. The indifferent alto-
gether preponderated, and after having seen them go
once round we put our mark on Baron Geneva as a long
way the best of them. He is deep, round, and hand-
some, of a good roan in colour, and moves well, so that
the judges could not keep their eyes off him, and Mr.
Adcock "won easily" if ever such a phrase was ad-
admissible. That now well-known exquisite, the pretty
Charles le Beau, again got into his iavourite place of
second, while Mr. Stratton, even in such company, could
reach no higher than a commendation, but his young
bull was thought more of out of than he was in the ring.
The best Shorthorn bull in the show was the best of the
next class, the Irish yearling Bolivar, the best of all the
bulls at the last Dublin show, and of wonderful quality,
with the finest silky coat, a long level frame, and so
forth. In fact, there is scarcely anything against him
but his colour, so dingy and rusty as to really detract
from his otherwise handsome appearance. Lady Pigot
was again second with another of her strolling cornpany,
and a'plain cloddy animal from Gloucestershire lacking all
the fashion of the other two put third, as the judges here
hardly held to their line. The calf classes do niore harm
than good, but there were some nice promising young
buUs, if these be not spoiled in the making, and Mr.
Foljambe first and second for quality and style, with lots
of critics ready to reverse the judges' decision ; but this
is no uncommon case where the same man takes all the
honours. In fact, in Yorkshire, the very owner will com-
monly uphold the second, knowing well enough that the
fact of a " first" will always speak for itself.

One of the sweetest, straightest, and altogether most
charming cows out for many a long day is Mr. Booth's
Lady Fragrant, who still gathers graces with her yeai-s,
and is really ripening into perfection. Her head and
" expression'"' would furnish the study for a pictm-e ; and
so far as the chief prize could be concerned, there was no
competition. Still the Queen of Rosalea is a lengthy,
handsome animal, that has previously beaten Jolly Queen,
as to our thinking she should have done at Leicester, and
it certainly was not for want of " a show" if she did
not. A gaudy, vulgar, steery animal, from Leeds way,
was made the reserve number, and some further com-
mendations liberally scattered. But if the cow class were
a good one, Lady Fragrant is a clipper. Against but
little competition the three prize two-year-old heifers
are all good, and .we have previously spoken to the merits
of the Dame of Ro'salea and Thoughtless, but Her Majesty's
entry has never been out before, so that she may show
fresher than her competitors ; as indeed Lady Pigot looked
rather out of luck, most probably from the peregrinations
to which her stock have been subjected. There was a very
large and excellent entry of yearling heifers, led off by
Mr. How's Lady Anne, that has been winning all over
the country, at Downham, Newmarket, Oundle, and Lu-

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

ton.^and to whom we have all long since taken off our hats
as "a beautiful lady -like creature." We believe this
heifer has never been beaten, yet she has a long pull
amongst a lot of yearlings, being now close upon two
years old, although there were even her seniors here,
Mr. Game's third prize, Duchess of Towneley, being still
nearer to the limit. With Mr. Booth second and the
reserve, the great merit of the first heifer may be easily
imagined, but there were others worthy of notice, al-
though but few commendations were appended. Mr.
Stratton got a place at last amongst the calves, where
Lord Penryn won with a particularly neat one, and Mr.
Beever deservedly gained some further commendation for
the Shorthorn herd he is cultivating on the banks of the
Wye.

This no doubt sounds very like treason, but the Here-
ford breeders must show a better front if they mean to
hold their OAvn. There was no breed which attracted so
little attention at Leicester as the white-faces ; and there
should be no surprise if it were so. The entries were
generally scanty, and in many of the classes there was
no competition beyond the one or two prizes the judges
had at their disposal. Moreover, the sample was not a
very brilliant one; and when we remember the grand
shows of Herefords that we have witnessed, we are the
more inclined to condemn the apathy into which breeders
appear to have fallen since the meetings were for a time
set aside. The Sir Benjamin blood is very strong
in the prize-list, and Mr. Rogers' old bull, a
very good one, comes on both sides of winning
strains, though Mr. Arkwright has the best of
what there is here. His cow is low, lengthy, and
handsome ; his young bull very promising, and his year-
ling heifer very perfect in her frame, but not so nice about
her head. Mr. Plimley also shows a clever heifer in an
older class, where she has no difficulty in beating two very
poor things from Mr. Prosser ; but as there are three
prizes and only three entries, everybody gets something.
There was only one bull-calf sent, and only four yearling
bulls entered. Her Majesty, it will be observed, still
maintains her Hereford herd, Mr. Duckham is an
exhibitor, and a young bull was sold early to go to Ire-
land, but, nevertheless, if any one can be said to have
enjoyed the cool shade on Leicester race-course, this must
have been a Hereford beast.

Any weakness amongst the white-faces was rendered
the more remarkable by the comparative strength of the
Devons, of which there was really a capital show. In
some of the classes, in fact, the competition was consi-
dered to be almost too much for the judges, and nowhere
were the decisions more warmly canvassed. It appears
that a very experienced man, IMr. Franklin, being unable to
come, the Coimcil put on his son, and it was thought
the only west-country man was continually out-voted. The
first lot of bulls, certainly full of good animals, took a deal
of judging, and it appeared at one time that the trio
never would arrive at an opinion, and, when they did, this
was by no means endorsed outside. They made their best
of all a smart bull of Mr. George Tm-ner's, that was also
first at Falmouth, and they put a yet more clever blood-
like bull from Flitton third, vrith one of Lord Falmouth's
between them ; as it was assumed that the local man had
to remonstrate Very strongly before he could obtain thus
much. Still the class, no doubt, was very " trying"
throughout ; and were we to find fault, it would be rather
with the terribly high and over-done condition in which
some of the animals were exhibited, than with any want
of actual merit. Mr. Bodley's bull was quite worthy
of a prize, and it is significant to see that almost all
the honours went to the true or North Devon type.
There was only one entry of two-yeai'-olds ; whilst the
Somersetshiie men had all the best of the yearlings, if Mr.

145

J. A, Smith's high-bred looking animals are open to the
comparative reproach conveyed in the term. It is when
the blood-red begins to lose his colour, and fade into a
dull dun or yellow, that we come to think there
is need to go back to the old sort. How-
ever, at Leicester the home Devons by no means
lacked size ; and the Somersets, with an exception or so,
seemed to be gathering more style and quality. The
Bradford Peverill herd was first again with cows, and
the whole class of heifers, in milk or in calf, was comt
mended. There was not much competition in the year-
ling or heifer-calf classes, but the young things sent were
all beautiful specimens of their kind ; and there are few
more beautiful animals in creation than the round, com-
pact, active, but thriving Devon ; and here again her
Majesty gives her countenance. The Shorthorn, indeed,
is almost the only beast that has not made much mark
from Windsor Castle.

Possibly from the neglect with which this qualification
has so long been treated by our leading breeders, a certain
reaction has set in, and there is now quite a run on good
milkers. Mthough the entry of Channel Island Cattle
was not large, the Jersey judge was quite satisfied, as
amongst the animals were many winners from the Island.
Mr. Fallot's best bull was considered to be a very superior
specimen of the Jersey, uniting true symmetry with more
size than is often seen ; as Mr. Gaudin's second was also
pronounced to be very meritorious. The fifteen cows were
really all good, many of these being exhibited by English
gentlemen, if they could stand but little chance against
the Island breeders ; whilst the gem of the sort was Mr.
Fallot's two-year-old, not only very graceful in her
appearance, but with her milking properties finely de-
veloped. Of course the call was for Jerseys, but Lady
Berners' highly-commended cow is a Guernsey; while
for anything like a distinguished animal prices ruled high,
forty or fifty guineas being readily asked for a cow ; but
then at J\Ir. Dancey 's sale more money was often made, and
we doubt if Mr. Dancey could have won at Leicester.

There were five entries in four classes of Sussex, with
only two exhibitors— Messrs. Heasman and Mr. William
Marshall ; and of course this breed will be dropped out
of the list into the other established breeds, chiefly made
up here by Midland Longhorns and Norfolk Polled. The
Longhorns vVere indisputably good, as in more numerical
force than usual ; and the Polled milkers scattered here
and there throughout the classes had no chance in such
company. A mixed class must be but an ungrateful one
to judge ; and considering that Leicestershire has always
been their 'vantage ground, the Longhorns, if only by the
way of a curiosity, might have had some rank of their
own.

In a nicely-formed ring, which allowed the public to
get near enough to the horses to see what was going on, busi-
ness commenced on Thursday, at eight o'clock ; one end
being taken up by the judges of riding horses, and the other
by the agricultural bench. Nine out of the ten thorough-
bred stallions entered as suitable for getting hunters made
their appearance in the ring— Ivanhoif, by Muscovite, out
of Blackbird by Irish Birdcatcher ; Lancer, by Heapy,
out of Cairngorm ; Angelus, by Orpheus, out of Nutmeg
byNutwith; John Halifax, by The Ugly Buck, dam by
Annandale ; Rouge Dragon, by Windbound, out of
Paradigm by Paragone> Cawood, by The Cure, out of
Brandy Snap by Muley Moloch; Naseby, by Cotherstone,
out of Victorine by Speculation ; Hurrah, by Newminster,
out of Jovial by Bay Middleton ; and General Hesse, by
Nabob, out of Lady Alice by Lanercost— the absentee
being King of the Dale, by Annandale, out of The Nugget
by Nutbourne. During the judging some of the horses
were sent on a visit to the veterinarian for certificates of
soundness, and Ivanhoff, not returning with his licence.

146

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

was out bf the coutest. Lancer is a low horse of some
power, but with not the best-formed fore-legs, though he
has in othtr respects a fair fore-hand ; however, he is
mean behind and a very straggling, wide goer ; but, as he
is only three years old, he might improve, but never grow
into a good one. Angelus, a prize horse at the Great
Yorkshire shows, held at York and Thirsk, was loaded
with llesh— the fat running olT him like butter, in his box.
He has not improved since York, where we consider he was
placed before several horses much better adapted for
getting hunters, as he is anything but true-made or
well balanced, his beefy fore-hand being out of all propor-
tion to his hind-quarters. Loaded with lumber, as he is,
and not brilliant in action, he came paddling into the ring
more like an animated Suffolk or a fat ox than a thorough-
bred. General Hesse, though a smaller horse, is much more
to our mind, lor he walks away well, and though lightish
in his middle he is not half a bad one for the purpose ;
while there is something very grand in old Naseby,
with his fine, haughty head, rather dilapidated middle,
and rare-formed, oily-going old limbs. He reminded us
something of Sir John Barleycorn, and like him has been
hunted, carrying a gentleman whose yeai-s added to those of
Naseby are something over eighty. John Halifax moved
well ; but his handsome looks smack more of the light
charger, park, or harness sire than the hunter ; and Rouge
Dragon is such a deformity that it astonishes one how he
could have escaped the knife. Hurrah has a fair but long
top, with wooden, stilty fore-legs ; and Cawood, with
good shoulders, has a mean and anything but a taking
appearance. It will be seen by our summing-up this was
not a grand class, although there were four or five very
decent-looking horses out of the nine. The best hackney
stallion to our mind is a neat thoroughbred when he can
be had, and while a horse that could move like Greenford
by Ellington, out of j\Iadame Laudeau by the Libel, was
in the ring, we consider it anything but judgment to have
given the prize to the coarse-shouldered Norfolk roadster.
Ambition. What mares would the judges put to such a
horse with the expectation of getting anything with
fashion to carry a gentleman ? But these hammering,
fussy, flourishing vulgar goers are, we are glad to see, in
the 'course of civilization becoming extinct. The second
was the well-known cob-stallion Lucifer, and the third a
neat little horse, with limbs that he could move, by the
ewe-necked, old savage Footstool, out of Lady Liveden by
Oscar. Then again," in the pony stallions. Jack Horner
is as vulgar a looking beast as any one would not wish to
see in the form of a thick, beapy, cart-like cob, and yet
placed before the blood-like King Arthur! and that
fashionable little swell, Bobby, from Donnington !

We come on to something far better in the hunters,
mares, and geldings, without condition to weight, and a
capital class, headed as it is by Captain Heygate's well-
known brothers Denmark and Mountain Dew, whose
merit is not only in their looks, for they are both tried
good ones over a country. But they have not much
chance of bringing those hind legs under them, and
showing themselves off to advantage to-day, for, though
upon the race-course, the going is as slippery as glass.
They are on sale we hear, and at so moderate a figure that
such a chance does not often happen to those in search of
a couple of the right sort, just getting into their prime.
However, Mountain Dew has to play second-fiddle to-day
to the handsome Lady Derwent, who looks as unlike
having done any service as a new hat just out of the
tissue-paper and bandbox. We do not hold with this
bandbox work, and the terrible trial her ladyship had to
undergo before passing the veterinary mill must
have told on the nuriing and spoiling of a
prize nag. We wish the ground had been in
going order that we might have seen My Lady have a

spin with Mountain Dew ; for till then we shall not be
too liberal in our praises, as it struck us she went rather
pitchy in her walk, as well as other paces, and the way
she " roached " her back at first did not look like pleasant
riding. We have had enough of mere show horses — Master
of Arts, Voyageur, Beechwood, and so forth. Orangeman
by Anglesea, a horse of Mr. Tailby's, with length, good
ends, big arms and thighs, who looked and went like a
hunter, was much fancied ; but there was something,
with all this, wanting, for he passeth not the mill. He
has the slightest inclination to be back at the knee, and,
although the merest trifle out of the line, we would
always prefer it the other way. He showed better two
seasons back when he ran away with the first prize at
the Leicester country show. Of another stamp, im-
mensely business-like, though with the servants' stamp
upon them in such company, is Balance-in-Hand, so
beautifullv put together, strutting about with his baggy
breeches, 'and his stout-looking, short-necked companion
Freeny — prize horses at Birmingham, which, with the
mealy-coloured bay Thorpe Malsor, have figured at full
length in these columns before now. Then another short,
compact one, but not with the frame of Balance-in-Hand,
but with a dash more blood, is Andover ; and, though his
white legs are over at knee, he brings the hind ones under
in a style that looks like getting out of any difficulty ; but
with Lord Rosslyn's Gentleman-in-Black, as a hunter,
we were not much taken. Rupert, fi-om Rugby, is
useful and well-made ; and Peach, with more blood, a
rather light but nice mare from Nottingham. Then,
very hunting-like, is the third prize— Mr. Lovatt's
Emperor; Mr. Cooper's chesnut ; and Mr. Wood's
light-boned mare, with fired hocks, from Market
Overton. Mr. Bailey, of Uppingham, sent a coarse,
lumbering chesnut— about the only one with nothing
hunting-like about him. Good again were the four-year-
olds, and among them several that we have noticed
during this season. Nugentstown, the first of the four-
year-olds at Islington, Tipperary and Shambally, the
first and third at Birmingham, were all bowled out
by the second-prize four-year-old at Islington and Bir-
mingham, Brigadier— the second being the sour-headed,
bad" shouldered and slack-loined Gaylad, a horse
passed unnoticed in the lists at Islington. Be-
yond these were Mr. W. H. Potterton's upstanding
'black, by Lovett ; Mr. J. E. Bennett's neat, good-moving,
hunting-like, brown, by Orpheus; and Mr. Gale's
IMonarch, a prize fonryear-old, at Oundle, who falls off
behind, and stands with his hind legs any thing but under
him. This is a verdict we don't expect to see encored if
the same horses meet again. The hunting brood mares
were well represented, as among them were Capt. Barlow's
Silver Locks, the first-prize mare in this class last year
at Bury ; Whisky, a good-limbed old mare, and dam of
Mountain Dew and Denmark ; the grand lengthy-looking
Maid of the Heath, with a fine forehand on a short leg ;
and the hunting-like good shoulder, well put together,
though of less substance, Go-a-head, a mare we noticed
at Thirsk last year, and who, some thought, ought
to have been here first. There were three or four
good specimens of hackney brood-mares, and one —
Black Fanny— remarkable for her angular frame and ex-
traordinarily di-oopiug abdomen, showing how years and
youngsters will change the nattiest of forms, as we have
no doubt dark Fanny's has been in her day. British
Queen is a neat round square mare ; but Gipsy pleased us
more, being a very varmint old mare of great character ;
while Mr. J. N. Beasley's well-known Geraldine was much
more to our fancy than the third.

In the hacks were a few neat ones, amongst which was
the Thurgarton Rose, alia^ Crisis, that wants a little
more depth in her middle ; yet why change the name of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

90 public a performer? The first prize was a vulaar
round-shouldered bay; the second a park hack, verging:'on
the light charger in formation, whilst the deep-waisted
Lady Flora, the cobby Kegworth, and the showy Birth-
day, all of Leicester town, had something comrnendable
about them ; as two others we had almost omitted— the
short, thick, drooping-quartered, quick-stepping Kosabella,
a hack of Mr. Hack's, and IMr. Lund's Mora of Leeds.
Ihe cob-mares or geldings were chiefly remarkable for The
Dean, Lird Rosslyn's Islington prize-cob, the best of the
bunch of six alongl^vay, but over height and out of the hunt.
Almost as conspicuous was Zingara, one of those flourish-
ing, high-going, dishing trotters that a butcher's boy
might be proud of, and who, throwing her less about " like
a daddy long-legs with one foot in a tallow" candle," can
catch the eyes of thejudges directly and get a prize ; while
neat hacks, like Sir A. G. Hazlerigg's grey, are sent
empty away. In the ponies, not exceeding fourteen hands.
Matchless is a lengthy, well-formed mare, rather light of
bone, but a first-rate walker ; and the second, the well-
known Piccadilly, is, with more substance, really a very
nice little hack of fashion; The third was Pretty 'Seeusan,
very flash, with her twopenny-concert name and chignon
tail.

The class of cocktail stallions to breed hunters from
was very wisely abandoned ; and the still more cocktail
business of proving hunters by jumping was also given up
at "the first asking." But nothing can look tamer or
work worse than the plan of sending horses out of the
ring for a certificate from the Vets, whereby all the plea-
sure and profit of studying the awards is too often de-
stroyed.

Suffolk as usual was in force in the agricultural classes,
but with nothing iu numbers like to the armies in red
there were marshalled on the flats of Battersea, or on the
slopes in the ever memorable drenches of Bury. Still
there were a great many of the pick of last year again iu
the classes, with the customary changing and shifting,
making the first last and the last first ; but the judging
did not satisfy the Suffolk men as did the decisions at
Framlingham. In the stallions not qualified to compete
as Suffolks we should have gone like an arrow for the
Clydesdale, the exceedingly handsome young Lofty, who
in symmetry, quality, activity, freedom in the shoulders,
and in the placing and formation of his beautiful short
limbs, is a long way ahead of Honest Tom, the well-known
prize three-year-old ; making allowance that is for age and
the Shire being a bigger and coarser animal. The third,
young Sampson, is a very useful horse, while the com-
mended Victor struck us as being all hind-quarters like a
Birmingham hansom. Amongst the stallions foaled in
1866, not Suffolks, there were some useful horses the
first, Lion, being a very handsome two-year-old, a deep,
compact, good-ended, well-set horse ; the second. Con-
queror, a big raw youngster, that looked like growing
into a good one; while the third, Sandy, though coming
from the Court, was but an ugly Scot. The highly com-
mended Rutland Hero was a Shire horse, and the light-
boned Major a fatal cross, we should say, between Essex
and Suffolk, so far as agriculture be concerned, and one
more adapted for the town van of some strong active young
washervfoman doing a good stroke of business. In the
Suff'olks foaled before '66, Cupbearer, the four-year-old
first at Framlingham in the All-Aged Class and second at
Bury in the Three-year-olds, was "now placed third ; the
first being a three-year-old, beaten by the second horse
at Framlingham last week, but who beat the second at
Bury. This is ringing the changes, and no mistake. The
first here has an unpardonable defect, being lighter in his
thigh, just below the stifle, than he is at the hock, where
it is drawn in as if he had been wearing garters. Har-
wich Emperor did not face the tribunal. In the Agri-

U7

cultural Mares, Jet, a deep-topped, good-ended, short-
limbed active mare, with a remarkably light head and
neck for her weight and inches, was first"; while the
second is a fine-grown mare, with queer forelegs. There
was npthiiig to go for third honours ; and "in the next
class the Suff'olk Violet had the three prizes to pick from,
Major IMaitland had two handsome first aud second fillies ;'
but, for good looks. Young Lofty, the black mare Jet, and
the iron-grey Lion pleased us most of all "the Agricultural
Purposes."

The Leicesters at Leicester would be one of the prime
features of the whole show. It is rarely that these sheep
have been so generally good, while the competition iu all
the classes, as estimated even by mere numbers, was
capitally sustained. There were but fews delicate sheep,
but plenty of the best breeding about, as evinced in the
clean, lean heads, fine wool, and, it may be
eraphRtically added, the firm touch. Seldom ' have
the Leicesters handled so well, and they proved
as handsomely to the eye. Mr. Borton ' admitted
that he had never got together so good a team,
more especially of shearling rams, aud yet the Barton
entries were fairly beaten both for first and second. Col.
Inge came back to all his former excellence with a ram
of fine size, great breadth, and good style ; while the
younger Turner and Sanday are well maintaining the re-
pute of their father's flocks. Mr. Turner, jury., was
again first for old sheep, with a son of the' Bury ram
so that he would seem to have quite established his own
sort at Alexton ; and Mr. G. H. Sanday's sheep looked a
deal better done by, despite the hot weather, than they
did at Bury. Mr. Borton's yearlings, chiefly by Black-
aye, never showed more breeding, one being quite small
aud pretty, not often characteristics of the Yorkshire
Leicester. Of course he had lots of prize sheep in the
older class ; although his best, here placed second, was
nowhere at the last Iloyal Meeting. A prize sheep of
Mr. Creswell's was now unnoticed ; and such breeders as
Mr. Marris, Mr. Riley, Mr. Stamper, Lord Beruers, and
Mr. George Turner, could reach no higher than commen-
dations, where almost everything might have been com-
mended. This was more pointedly observable amongst
the ewes, where of course the entries were by no means
so numerous ; but a large majority of the pens received
some notice, and the breeding ewes were really aidmirable
illustrations of the Leicester in fair working condition.

Many of the Cotswold ram-breeders still hold oft'; and the
once-imposing array of these grand animals has broken
through. ButitsurelyniustbedetrimentalwhenMr. Brown,
of Marham, with a Norfolk-bred one, and which would
have been known, until within this last year or so. as " a
Norfolk Long-wool," can again beat the Hill champions,
the Gilletts, King Tombs, and Beale Browne ; and in
these names is included the Avhole list of exhibitors of
Cotswolds. Mr. Tombs certainly came to the rescue
amongst the old sheep with his famous 210 gs. ram, bred
and bought of Mr. Lane of Broadtield ; but another of
the Longford rams was disqualified as unfairly shorn ; and
amongst the ewes Mr. John Gillett was awarded the first
prize for one pen, and was disqualified for the other ! But,
as in other cases, the condemned exhibitors are prepared
to prove that all the sheep were shorn ou the same day,
and protests either have or will be entered accordingly.

" The other long- wools," that is to say, the Lincolus,
are rapidly advancing, and made so good a front here'
both for numbers and merits, that the breeders might
surely claim classes of their own. Certainly, from what
there was to see at Leicester, if the Oxfords, the Hamp-
shires, or even the Cotswolds are entitled to such a re-
cognition, the Lincolus are as justly admissible to the
rank of a distinctive breed or variety. There were not
only more of them, but they were more uniform in cha-

148

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

raeter whUe they were uarivalled for wool and te weU
wTth Xbutchei' The time was whea the Marshalls had
it all their owu way with the show Liacolns; but they
could only win in their turn at Leicester, and Mr.
Lynn was %vithout a place. There are othesr breeders who
oL require bringing out, and some like Mr. Wright, of
Nocton, who are becoming better known a they are more

'^There were no very " leading" sheep amongst the Ox-
ford Downs, and a moderate and useful, but by no means
" advei-tising" entry would be the highest comphment
that c^uldb'e paid them. Mr. Wallis, of Shifford took
all the chief honours, and Mr. Charles Howard could get
no higher than a commendation. Mr. TreadweU s
second prize old ram is a six-year-old " BrackweU
wearing wonderfully well; and Mr. TreadweU s two
Tjens of ewes were supposed to have doue a little too well,
for the inspectors disqualified them both ; whereupon
Mr TreadweU wiU caU evidence on oath to the contrary.
Mr! Henry Overman, as a good second for ewes, still,
maintains the merit of his cross, an Ox ord like the
Marham Cotswold, manufactured m Norfolk, and with
which they can successhiUy encounter the old ongi-

^^'' The sensation" of the meeting was over the South-
downs, which the judges took late in the day so that
what with the heat and the amount of competition, this
trio looked to have had quite enough of it by the time they
were through. StUl they did not suffer their work to
beat them ; for never were awards more heartily approved.
Nevertheless, these went in comparatively a new direction
to that which has been the order of thmgs of late. Al-
though, to use his own words. Lord Walsingham declined
to run for the first heat over his own course in Norfolk,
he was now beaten, and easily beaten, in both classes
of rams- as certainly the Merton sheep have
seldom shown to less advantage. They were many
of them loose to the hand, as here and there you come
across a sheep with a heavy-hanging Hampshire head and
with little but his size to his credit. The second prize shear-
ling however, has been hired by his Royal Highness the
Prmce of Wales, and others purchased to go abroad; but
if we are to preserve the true type of the Southdown, it is
a nice question whether we should not go more for Lord
Sondes' high-bred animals, or even for the still more
dainty little " gentlemen" at Audley End. But the happy
union of size with blood-like character was hit by Mr.
Rigdeu, whose shearling is as clever a sheep of his sort as
has been out for many a long day. He has a good weU-
coloured head, a muscular neck, a round springing
barrel and a famous hind-quarter, being beautitully
let down to his hock. Then his touch is
firm although for wool and flesh the highly-commended
sheep fi-om Hove is as good or even tetter than the win-
ner The judges, however, declared that they had no
difficulty in finding their first sheep in either class, and
but for one deficiency they would have recorded the best
old ram as about the best they had ever met with. Of
fine size, with a beautiful back and loin, and of admirable
quality, this sheep has absolutely no dock, although other-
wise so good to meet or foUow. He was the prize
shearUng last year at the Brighton Meeting of the new
Southern Counties Association, aUhough with Mr.
Rigden's other sheep strangely overlooked at Bury bt.
Edmunds. Both the shearling and two-shear winner are
by the Babraham ram bought by Sir Thomas Lennard tor
170 gs., and subsequently let to Mr. Rigden, so that the
long price has, after aU, been warranted. Lord Walsing-
ham's ewes were reaUy exceUent, or, indeed, they coidd
never have got before such good pens as those of Lord
Radnor, the Duke of Richmond, Messrs. Heasman, and
Sir WUUam Throckmorton, • The class might have been

commended, as the general show of Southdowns was very
good, with a leaning observable for style and blood, in
preference to the sacrifice of such essential points to mere
size. The Oxford, Hampshire, or Shropshire is a good useful
sheep for roughing it; but, after aU, the Oxford and Shrop-
shire owe something to the pure Down, as the Down should
certainly never borrow in turn. Of the Hampshires, there
was a very short and not very extraordinary show. Mr.
Rawlence's ewes were not up to the Bury standard, and his
old rams had but two other sheep against them. Amongst
the shearlings, the Messrs. Russell, who cultivate this
breed in Kent, were placed first with an animal so horribly
coarse and bad about his head that it is strange how the
judges could ever have passed him. But, then, a heavy
lop^ear a fiddle-pattern face, and a hang-dog expression
are said to be essential properties of the Hampshires ;
although, at most points, Mr. King's second was sm-ely a
better sheep. He was handsomer about his head, it is
true ; but, at the same time, he was more symmetrical in
his frame, and smarter in his carriage; and we believe
that the judges divided over the award. , ^, ^ , ,
There was no sort of stock on the ground that show-ed
so much "the force of circumstances as the
Shropshire sheep. OccasionaUy you come across a Short-
horn whose owner must have gone for the wooden
spoon " or encountered a SuffoUi horse that was clearly
sent on the chance of his being sold at "some price or
other. But there were so many good Shropshires ba-
lanced by so many bad ; and, then again, there were so
many disquaUfied, and so many otherwise com-
mendable amongst these outcasts, that one had to
sum up with more than customary care. Our own
opinion, then, is that the Shropshire made a very
strong muster. Casting out the bad and indifferent
on the plea of their being handy home, or on the yet more
merciful consideration of the SuffoUc gentleman whose
great hope is that the chesnut wiU never go back again,
there were stiU more reaUy good young sheep than have
been previously got together. These exhibited, moreover,
leading characteristics that were pretty generaUy recog-
nizable by those not engaged in this special busmess— tor
a business it is-and our first walk down the lines went
to assure us that the Shropshires were being cultivated
up to a certain standard of points, with more care and
unanimity than has hitherto been observable. Good as
were the shearlings at Bury, there were better
at Leicester; and the Uffington speckle-faces had
now no place. The Messrs. Crane, perhaps, a stiU
more formidable name, were placed first with a very
noble, handsome sheep, although, as with Mr. Evans last
year it was said that a better sheep from the same flock
was passed over-a point of difference that may be settled
at the autumn sales. Mr. ManseU was second with a
capital lengthy sheep, good to meet or follow as better
when seen out than in— the true test, after aU, of any ani-
mal He was also thii'd with another Maccaroni ; and
then our catalogue reads like a very labyrinth
of commendations and disquaUfications, that we
shall not care to separate. The entries, how-
ever of ShearUng rams, reached to upwards of
sixty, including, amongst a somewhat curious compound ot
exhibitors. Lord WUloughby de Broke Lord Wenlock
Lord Chesham, Mrs. Baker, Mr Byrd, Mr Mathews,
Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Bradburne, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr.
Beach Mr. Thornton, and Mr. HoUand, beyond those we
have previously and those we need not name Mr. Evans
best old sheep was only highly commended at Bury, al-
though, if we remember aright, he afterwa_rds let for more
mouey than either the first or second, and he has gone on
capitaUy since, having plenty of length, size and style
The second old sheep is bad about his J^ef ''/"^^ the
third, with a plain head, has a somewhat old-fashioned

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

character, as, iu fact, barring the winner, the rams of
any age were nothing extraordinary, and Mr. HoUand took
the reserve number. But the shearling ewes, like the
shearling rams, were capital ; Mr. Evans winning with a
beautiful sorty pen, wonderfully got up in the way of
wool ; and Lord Chesham reaching second with a very
neat lot, not quite uniform about their heads, but
otherwise full of style and quality. If they be not goino-
^httle away from the Shropshire type, they were amongst
the .prettiest sheep in the show. Mr. Coxon's ewes
were far better thau Messrs. Crane's, by which they
stood — and that is saying something, too; while Mr.
Yates was disqualified for a pen that must have been
noticed had not the inspectors interfered. It is right to
say that the third judge, Mr. Eandell, was too ill to act,
and that Messrs. Horley and Woods took the work upon
themselves.

The pigs are nowhere better sorted than they now are
on the prize list of the Royal Agricultural Society. The
big whites and the small whites, the small blacks, the
Berkshii-es, and the middle breeds have all classes of their
own, and the arrangement seems to work very satisfactorily.
The Yorkshire big pigs have lost something of their coarse-
ness, and it is significant that the' best small white boar
was bred in Suffolk, although exhibited by a Manchester
man. But both Messrs. Crisp and Sexton have been
sending pigs northward of late, where they are pretty sure
to improve their quality. The best black boar was of the
Fisher Hobbs improved Essex kind, and the next best a
black Suffolk ; awards that point to the line which the
judges are taking. Nothing can be less telling than the
mere size of a monster pig, much as he may be fancied in
Yorkshire ; and for prize stock we need something of an
" improved" character. The Berkshires were a good but
not a large class ; and in fact, in a majority of cases, the
competition was not great ; but the sample was superior ;
and pigs that could win at Leicester will be pretty certain
to hold their own hereafter, let them travel either North
or South,

Well as the show went, the General Meeting on Satm--
day was one of the most stormy and detrimental that the
Council has ever had to encounter. It appears that at the
dinner of the Central Chamber of Agriciiture, on the pre-
ceding evening, Mr. Clare Sewell Read, in returning thanks
on behalf of the Royal Agricultural Society, said, in the
com-se of his remarks, that " the Society was not supported-
by the tenant-farmers in the way he should like to see it,
while he must freely admit there was sufficient reason for
such support not being accorded. He meant to say the
Council was a pocket borough." And, again, he contended
" that there was a set of gentlemen on that Council who did
all they could, and who spoke whenever they could, against
the agricultural interest, and always voted against them.
In speaking in the House of Commons in favour of the
Cattle Market Bill, or in favour of the Malt-tax repeal, it
was very damaging to the little influence he (Mr. Read)
had to have a gentleman of the Council of the Royal
Agricultm-al Society getting up and making speeches
and voting directly against the agricultural interest.
They would scarcely believe that the gentleman who drew
up the Report the other day against the Report of the ma-
jority of the Malt-tax Committee— a Report which said
that the malt-tax was no sort of burthen to the British
farmer, and who drew up a Report of the Trade in
Animals Committee, which said that there ought to
be the same restriction put upon English stock as was
placed upon foreign cattle, was a leading member of
the Council of the Royal Agi-icultural Society." It may
be right to explain here that the Report recommending
the repeal or re-adjustment of the Malt-Tax, and of which
we gave the chief points last week, was only carried by
the casting vote of the chairmau, Au oppositioa Report

149

was prepared by, as we believe, Mr. Dent, that went to
declare " that the tax is easily and cheaply collected, not
1 ressing with harshness upon the operations of trade, nor
injuriously affecting the retail price of beer to the con-
sumer."— That " the evidence against the tax is generally
presented by agriculturists, who complain of any impost
upon theii- produce, as obstructing a judicious course of
husbandry, and interfering with their unrestricted use of
their own crops, both in supplying beer to their labourers
and in feeding cattle and sheep ;" but that " the evidence
of the corn-dealers, and of the large brewers, and buyers
of barley tends to throw doubt on their first objection ;
and the payment of beer iu lieu of wages does not appear
to your committee a sufficient reason for removing so im-
portant a branch of the revenue." — That " various pro-
positions have been submitted as to the substitution of a
beer tax in lieu of the malt duty ; but your committee do
not incline to look with favom- upon the proposal." —
That " another suggestion, to levy a licence-duty instead
of the Malt-Tax, would obviously be a mere shifting of
the present tax, involving considerably more trouble in its
collection, and risk to the revenue, without any sufficient
advantage ;" — and so on.

At the General Meeting Sir George JenMnson veiy
properly reported the substance of Mr, SeweU Read's
remarks upon the previous evening, and this gave the
signal for a general attack. The little value of the Jom--
nal, the unwan-antable interference of the Journal Com-
mittee, the absurd constitution of the Implement Commit-
tee, the want of courtesy on the part of the Council, and
the system on which the Council is elected, all came iu
turn to sustain some very severe criticism. Some, indeed,
of the leading members of the dii-ection were individually
singled out by name. Thus, Mr. Thompson " admired
his own mannikin," in other words, the Journal ; if Mr.
Aclaud " had his living to get as a writer, no one would
think of employing him ;" and Colonel Challoner. as the
Chairman of the Implement Committee, was ridiculed for
some certain description of prizes he still retained on the
prize list. It has often been our duty to advert to the
management of the Royal Agricultural Society ; but never
have graver charges been brought than by some of its own
members at Leicester on Saturday.

PRIZE LIST.

CART HORSES.

STALLIONS.
JuDGEa.—H. Crosse, Stowmarket,

J. Steaclman, Boghall, Roslin, Edinburgh.
A. Tumbull, Cresswell, Morpeth..
StalHon, foaled before the 1st of January, 1866 (not ciualified
to compete as Suffolk).— First prize, £25, W. Welcher Uti-
well, Wisbeach (Honest Tom) ; second of £16, Earl Beau-
champ, Madresfield Court, Malvern, Worcestershire (Yoima-
Lofty Clydesdale) ; third of £5. J. Edmondson, Extwistle
Burnley (Young Sampson). Commended: J. Henderson'
Horsley-liill, South Shields (Victor), c^uarson,

^i*".^*?"; f°^?tl '" tlie year 1866 (not qualified to compete
as Sufi'olk). -First pnze, £20, H. Hitchcock, Chittern AJl-
samts, Hej-tesbury (Lion); second of £10, J. Manning- Wel-
lingborough (Conqueror) ; thu-d of £5, Her Majesty the Queen
^MM^^i F'^^Ht <^'^?y Clydesdale), Highly commended
T. Middleton, Uppmgham (Rutland Hero), Commended • R
U, Salmon, Great Clacton Hall, Colchester (Major), " *
SUFFOLK.

P9^^w°V?'^'^''/°';t*^^i^*n'^'^^'^''y' 1866,-First prize.
£25, W. Wilson, Baylham Hall, Ipswich (The President) •
second of £15, T, Crisp, Butley Abbey, Wickham Markflt •
third prize of £5, T. Crisp (Cupbearer), Highly commended '■
M, Bidden. Playford. Ipswfch (Puich). CoCi^S T
Cnsp. ■

StaUion foaled in the year 1866.— First prize £90 G D
Badham, Bulmer, Sudbury (Fitz-Emperor) ; second of £lo'
O^oIfc^SaJp^r)!'^^ "^'^ '' ^'' '■ «^^' Tattingstone

Agricultural Mare and Foal not qualified to compete as Suf-
folk3,-First prize, £20, W. Tennant, Selbv ( Jet) • Beoond
Of «10, J. G. Attwater. Britford, Salisbury (Violet). ' '

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

150

Marc and Foal.-First prize, £20, S. Wolton jun., Wood-
bridge Siiffolk (Violet). No further competition.

Fifly t^ years old, not qualified to compete as Suffolk -
Trirstnrizo £15, R. Maple, Aston-on-Trent ; second of £10
T BaFdwin, Tanworth.^Hockley Heath, Wan^-ick; third of

^i^^o\k^tl?,^iv'o?eSi"o?^^^^^^

wflson. Bury St. Edmund's. Suffolk (Violet) ; second of £10,
Major F. M^ Wilson (Bury Empress) ; third of £o I Rist,
Ipswich (Blossom). Highly commended : I. Rist (boot).

THOROUGHBREDS, HUNTERS, AND HACKS.
Judges.— J. Atkins, Brandon,^lnwich.

C. M. Nainby, Barnoldby, Grimsby.
Sir G. T. Wombwell, Newburgh Park,
Easingwold.
Thoroughbred StalUon, suitable for getting Hunters -
First urize £100 Sir G. Cholmley. Bart., Newton RiUmgtoii,
Yorkstoe (Ange us) ; second of £50, W. Gulliver, Banbury
(NaseSVtMrd ofilO, Earl Spencer, Northampton (General

^SUUions not less than fourteen hands two i^^ches nor ex-
ceeding fifteen hands two inches, suitable fo^ getting hack-
neys-First prize, £25. C. Beart, Downham Market Norfo k
(Ambition); second of £15, F. Barlow Woodbridge, buffolk
(Lucifer) ; thii-d of £5, W. King, Stamford.

Stallion not less than sixteen hands, smtable for getting
Coach Horses.-No entry. ;„m,oc Piv«t

Pony Stallion under fourteen li^^'^s two inches -Fust
prize £20, J. Baldock. Bingham. Notts (Little Jack Hor-
nerl second of £10, C. Groucock. Wymondham, Norlolk
(King Arthur) ; ttird of £5. A. Doyle. Abergale, Denbigh

^^Huntir. mare or gelding, not less than five years old -
First prize, £50. E.Hornby. Ganton, Yorkshu-e (Lady Der-
went)Tsecond'of £25, Captain E. N. Heygate, Buckland.
Leominster (Mountain Dew). -ci- „,. „,.;,o fitn

Hunter, mare or gelding, four years old.-First prize. £30
J b: Booth. KiUerby Hall. Catterick (Brigadier) ; second ot
£15 J. Drage, Northampton (Gay Lad). . ,, „ , ,.

Mare, in Val. or with foal at ^ot suitable for breeding
Hunters.-First prize. £25. J. Byron, Sleaforcl, Lincoln (Maid
of the Heath); second of £15, Capt. E N Hej^gate
°Wliiskey)T:thii-d of £5, J. T. Robinson, Topchff, Thirsk

^^M^^MtVess than U hands one inch, nor exceeding fifteen
hands one inch, in foal, or with foal at foot-^Vi'^'^'^lf^f?;:^'^?^^,:
ing Hackneys.-First prize, £20. F. Cook, Thixendale lork
(BriUsh Queen) ; second of £10, W.SWoodrofie Lough-
borough /Leicester (Gipsy) ; third of £o, A. B. Howland,

^Sne^^^Mare or Gelding, not exceeding fifteen hands one
inch, four years old and upwards.-First prize. £20, A. Hack,
Grantham; second of £10; P. AVollastou, Nuneaton, Leices-

*'cob M^re' or'Gelding, not exceeding fourteen hands one
inch, four years old and up wards. -Fu-st prize, £20. C. Giou-
cock, Wyiiondham (Champagne Charley) ; second of £10,
J. Warth, Ely (Zingara). , , -r,- .. ■

Pony Mare, not exceeding fourteen liands.-Fu-st prize.
£15 j; Warth, Ely (Matchless) ; second of £10. F Barlovv,
Woodbridge (Piccadilly) ; third of £5, C. Groucock, Wymond-
ham (Pretty Seeusan) .

CATTLE.
SHORTHORNS.
Judges.— G. Drmy, Holker Grange, Lancashire.

T Hunt. Thomington, Coldstream, JN.B.
r' Tallant, Easeboume Priory, IVUdhurst.
BuU above three years old.-First prize, £25, T. C. Booth
of Warfab J. Nortlmllerton (Commander-in-Chief) ; s^^^^^^^
£1^1 Pee Knowlmere Manor, Clithero (Knight ot Knowl-
mer'el third of £5, W. Caless. Bodicote House. Banbury
I^untsman) Reserve: G. R. Barclay, Kemiil Dunfermline
Fifeshire (Heir of Englishman . Highly commended : J.
lSu Church Farm, Stroxton, Grantham (Prizeman) ; and
F^ H Fawkes, :.Farnley Hall. Otley (Friar Bacon) Com-
mended : J. Pulley, Lower Eaton. Hereford (Royal Buck) ;
and R. Ratcliff. Walton Hall, Burton-on-Trent (Gaylady.

Bull above two and not exceeding three years old.-Fiist
prize, £25, W. H. S. Adcock, Farndish, WeUingborough
^Baron Geneva) ; second of £15, Lady Pigot Branches Park
Newmarket (Charles Le Beau) ; third of £5 T. E. Pawlett,
Beeston, Sandy (Baron Warlaby). Highly commended :
H. Aylmer, West Dereham Abbey, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk
(General Hopewell). Commended: R. Stratton, Wall s-
court, Bristol (Jamesthe First).

Yearling Bull, above one and not exceeding two years old.
Firstprize, £25, J. Meadows, Thornville, Wexford, Ireland
(Bolivar) ; second of £15, Lady Pigot { Rosalio) ; third ot £5,
T. Walker, Stowell Park, Northleach (The Cotswold Exami-
ner). Highly commended: F. H. Fawkes (Fra Diavolo) ;
and Rev. W. H. Beever, Pencraig-court, Ross, Herefordshire

(Rose Butterfly). Commended: J. Peel (Baron Beust) ; P.
H. Fawkes (Lord Belmore) ; Earl Radnor (Orknej); and

Lord Feversham (Manchester). tv,= niri

Bull Calf, above six and not exceeding twelve months oia,
-Fii-st prize, £10, G. S. Foljambe, Osberton-hall, Notts
(Knight of the Bath) ; second of £5 G. S. Foljambe (Knight
of the Crescent). Highly commended: F. H. iawke» (Lord
Monto-omery) ; J. Lynn (Grand Sultan). Commended : Loru
Walsfngham, Merton-hall. Thetford (Wensleydale) .

Cow Sbove three years old.-First prize, £20, T C. Booth
(Lady Fragrant) ; second of £10, J. How, Broughton, Huiit-
^glon (Jolly qLeen) ; thu-d of £5, Lady Pigot (The Queen of
Ro?alea) Highly commended : R. TeunantScarcroft Lodge,
Ss (kiss -Farewell); and G. Game, Churchill Heath
Chipping Norton (Lady Lucy). Commended: G^ S. ioi-
jamlHcherry Blossom): C. J. padshaw Alstre. Burley-on
the-Hill (Beauty) ; and Sir AY de Cape 1 Brooke Bart. Ged-
din-ton Grange. Kettering, Northampton (Rose of Raby).
HeU-er in-mTlk or in-calf? not exceeding tl^ree years ow
Firstprize, £15, Her Majesty (Alexandra) : second °f £10
Lady Pigot (The Dame of Rosalea) ; t^"V 4il^v North
singham (Thoughtless). Commended: J. Bailey, North
Lodge, Mansfield (Juanita 2nd). „.o^i„,r two vears

YearUng Heifer, above one and not exceedmg two years
old -Fu-.st prize, £15, J. How (Lady Anne) ; second oi £10
T. C. Bootrjpatricik) ; ^^^/ f f^l.%,''^?^liT^i^J,'
Towneley) . Highly commended : TC. Booth (Lady Gaiety) .
Commended: R. Tennant (Rose of York). ,, ■,^_

Heifer Calf, above six and under >^T^elve months oUL
First prize, £10, Lord Penrhyn Penrhyn Castle Ban^r
(Waterloo 27th); second of £5, R Stratton WaUsCovu^.
Bristol (Ai-iel). Highly commended, G. S. Foljamb (*lora) ,
and Lord Penrhyn (Waterloo 2Gth). Commended: W. H.
Beever (Lady Culshaw).

HEREFORDS.
JuDGES.-S. Anstey, Manabilly Fai-m, Par Station,
Cornwall. „, ,,. » j

W. Franklin, jun., Ascott, ^ aUmgford.
H. W. Kcary, Bridgnorth.
Bull above three years old.-First prize, £25 T Rogers,
Coxall, Brampton Bryan (Batten-hall) ; f^ond of £15 J.
Williams, St. Mary's, Kingsland, Leominster (Su George; ,
third of £5, J. R. Paramore, Dinedor Court, Cmedor

Bull above two and not exceeding three years old^First
Hrize £25 J H. Ark\\Tight, Hampton Court. Leommstei
fsu Hfmgerford,-; second of £15, T. Duckham Baysha^
Court, Ross (Reginald); thu-d of £ a, J. Tayloi, fatiettora
Court, Leominster (Challenge). „ „„„^o ,.ui

Yearling Bull, above one and not exceedmg two years old
-First prTze. £25, W. Tudge. Lemtwardme (Brandon) se-
cond of £15. Her Majesty (Prince Leopold) ; thu-d of £5, J. K.

''Sc'ilfK^llx'U not exceeding twelve months old
-Fu-st prize. £10, W. Tudge, Leintwariline (Landseei). JNO

'^To'l^'ltve three years old.-First Prize /20 J H . Ar^
wrieht (Hampton Beauty) ; second of £10. Her Majes^
Ses) ; third of £5, h: R. Evans, jim.. Swanstone Court

^^iSin-milk or in-calf, not exceeding thi-ee years old.-
Pirst prize, £15, S. Plimley, Shrewsbury; second ot £10, J.
Prosser, Broadway, Gloucester (White Rose) ; thu^d of £5. J.

^Terr'lilS'^He'ifers above one and not exceeding two years
old —First prize, £15, J. H. Arkwright; second of £10 Her
Majesfy (Di^chess de Bronte) ; thirdof £5,W. Tudge. Highly
commended : J. H. Ark^^^-ight. Commended : T. Rogers.
Coxall, Brampton Bryan (Queen of the Valley).

Heifer Calf, above six and under twelve months old.-First
prize, £10, W. Tudge (Silver Star); second of £5, J. WU-
Uams, Kingsland, Leominster (Flower Gu-1).

DEVONS.
Judges.— Same as for Herefords.

Bull above three years old.-First prize, £25, G. Turner,
Brampford Speke, Exeter (Albert Victor) ; second of £15.
Viscoiut Falmouth, Tregothnan Sunflower) ; third of £o. T
Davy, North Molton. Devon (Duke of 5^1'"ou 3rd) Highly
comi^ended: J. Bodley, Stockley Pomeroy, Cred ton Lin-
coln). Commended: W. Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridge-
wa?er (Master Ellic) ; and J. H. BuUer, Downes, Crediton

Bull above two and not exceedmg three years old First
prize, £25, AV. Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridgewater (bt.
Audries). No competition. ,,

Yearling BuU, above one and not exceeding two years old.
-Iirst prtze, £25? J. A. Smith. Bradford Peveril Dorchester
(Triumph) ; second of £15, W. Farthing (Master Arthur) ;
thirdof £5 J. H. Buller, Downes, Crediton. Highly com-
mended :W. Smith, Higher Hoopem. Exeter. Commended :
A. Umbers, Leamington (Captain). , „ ^„r,tiia old

Bull Calf, above six aud not exceeding twelve montfts om.

PiSfnriie '^n ? k^t?^ 1^ "°' exceeding three years old.-

anT G TSr'??^f m'^^ Her Majesty'(Pnnce.ss nflSh
(Verbena) ^ ^ *"'^^- Commended: G. Tiirner

nrSe iin hI'^m^'"-^ and under twelve months old.-Pirst

fp wAi^ ' ^.er .Majesty (Rosa ; second of £5, J. A. Smith

G^Sr(Sgl^^.r^^'^= J.H.Bnller. Commenced:

SUSSEX.

Judges.— Same as for Herefords.

r.^ufi ^^°X? ope year old.-First prize, £15. W Marshall
CiKkfield (Napier). No competition ' * "• »^- ^^^ai^iiail,

LOW above three years old.-First prize, £15, J and A

Heasman, Augmering, Arundel (Ada) '

Fi?st prye^'iis'' T «i,H^'/' w°' exceeding thi-ee years old.-

£10?«krfhalltca^.li,fe).'' (Leicester); second of

CHANNEL ISLANDS.

.I0DGKS.-L. P. Le Cornu, Trinity Manor, Jersey

J. Druce, Eynsham, Oxon.

J. Ellis, Arlington, Guildford

fBtlUxU)!""^"'' '"^'^•^^- c°---ded^t-:*Mt

Cow above three years old.— First prize, £15, P Gaudin
Sprmg Farm. St Heller's (Lady Bird, Jertey ; second^f

f G^h^^^ftfJ^^^^ ^'fr-^T^P- Hlghl/commended
T ;;„^ / \ ^^ette) • and Lady Berners, Keythorne Hall
Leicestershire Fawn). Commended: 0. Pallot (Countess) '
Heifer m-milk or in-calf, not exceeding three years ofd-
Ilo p71n•/.'?^^• ?;'^"°'V (Shorthorn,^^Jersey)f second-of
Ga";d^?Pa^yf5Sr' ''''''^^- HigHly commended: P.

OTHER ESTABLISHED BREEDS,

Not including the Shorthorn, Hereford, Devon.' Sussex or

Channel Islands breeds.

JcDGES.— Same as for Channel Islands
Bull above one year old.-First prize, £15, The Duke of
Buckmgham and Chandos, of Stowe Park, ' Bucki^Tam
^onqueror, Longhorn) ; second of £10. J H feer^
Kemlworth (Longhorn). Hio-hly commended • T nV^ «V.!;ri/'
Thetford Norfolf (CuU. Norfofk M^ ^ J°^1,tded ?
R. H. Chapman, Nuneaton (Earl of Derby Loncrhoriiin,iri
J^B. Tibbits. Kettering, Northampton (Eclipse 2nd?Long!

Cow above three years old.-Fh-st prize, £15. R H Chan-
man Upton (Brmdled Beauty, Longhorn) ; secoiK of £10 J
Godfrey, WigstonParva (Red Rose, Longhorn) . Hghi;

Heifer in-milk or in-calf, not exceeding three years old —
First prize, £16, R. EC. Chapman (Rose of Dishley, Whorn) •
v^^Tn ''^n^^'^' I^ord Sondes. Thetford (Cheri/'lth, Norfolk-
Polled). Commended: Lord Sondes (Kate). ""' """""'i^

SHEEP.

LEICESTER S.
Judges.— G. Leighton Osgod. by Scarborough,
G. Mann. Scawsby. Doncaster.
Shno.r !?• T^itp.'ie". Willington, Bedford.
ThM^^on ^.^^^'•"m^""*' P"^0' *20, Lt.-Col. Wm. In-e
Thorpe Constantme.Tamworth; second of £10, G H SandSv
Home Pierrepont; third of £5, J. Borton.Rrton House'
Malton. Highlycommended: G.Turner iun Alevtonufn'
Uppingham. Commended : Lt.-Col. C:^ Inge cfTmier'
Ck IV. R w'r?°' T. Stamper, Highfield ifoiise; Osvvafdl
kirk (2) ; R. W. Cresswell (2) ; G. Turner, Sen.

se^o^n'S °o'f '£fo.°rB^S-'io";''^fhi^fo^f "Ti' % '"^'^^ T' '
Highly contended: E. ROey, Ki !li^!, to'tes -pannS?:
A?^' •"^•nS°^°"- Commended: T. AJlen Thurmaifn^ • t
^f^^^7n^^^^'^'.^^''''y' G- TuiuieVBraiSSpekl
£15 T t Pnf fv^earhng Ewes of the same flocL-Pirslprize
£5 Lt fV.^ w""- T°^^' "^"^""'^ "^ ^1". J- I^orton; thFrd of
m'^h rk^2^"TT i""' ^°^S' Highlycommended: Wm. Brow^
High Gate, Holme-on- Spalding Moor : Lord BernersT a w'
^ondfty. Commended , T. Marria, G. Mey. ' "' ""

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

151

un^n'Jhfift'n'V ^'■eedln? Ewes, which have suckled Iambs
second of fo"w' ^^^^-^irst prize. £15, Lt.-Col. W. Inget

Berner, %rfJti'^ 'J^'^^Z''- ^'^^^y commended : Lwd
aerners, Keythorpe Hall. Tugby; E. Riley.

COTSWOLDS.

JUDGES.-Wm Bartholomew. Waddington Heath, Lincoln.
C. Uarke. Scopwick. Sleaford.
R. Lord, Stanton Harcourt. Whitney
Shearling Ram.— First prize. £20. T. Brown" Marham Hall
thXf''£5^T''p-1f\.^^^°'^'^ "^x^^O- J- &t Anas!
^''o^r^^-CoZl^k^rBlZ'^'- Highlycommended':
Ram of any other age.— First nrizp £'>n T v T.^^l,r,
te'^'Br^o'v^'t'' ■' , --nd.lPS?if;tt^-'^iitfr- LoTeu'/
c'oml;ie'ncfed°:^:Kn^- ^^^^'^ ^^-^^ended : T.Brown'.

£15^'T°rmPt.^''^^-'''T ®T^^^ "^'t^e same flock.-Pirst prize.
Mai third of'^i^rT^r^il^' T"""* "'■ ^lO. T. bK
t! Brown /jl.Tom'b/.-^- ^°'^'''- ^^'^^^^ commended':

LINCOLNS AND OTHER LONGWOOLS
(.Not (lualified to compete as Leicesters or Cotswolds) .
Judges as for Cotswolds.
Heirfcto^nn^c^^^^^^^^^^

Moor and; third of £5. W. P. MarshalY.BSon Lincoln"
&nf°°™^^l'®'^' ^- ^"^^^S^t; C. Williams ' ■^'''°°^°-

sec'ln'^o |?o?W p^liVTS'^* ^^^^^ ^-- ^. Marshall ;.
Duddins-. iviarbnall. Highly commended : Messrs.

£i^^T°pf? Shearling Ewes of the same flock.-Pirst prize
f PplVa M'^"^''*T'-^''^''°^P"Ia'"' Dimston; second of £lS'
J. Pears Meres, Lincoln ; thii-d of £5. R Wrieht Hi^hlv
commended: T. Cartwright. The elas.s commended. ^

OXFORDSHIRE DOWNS
Judges.— E. Little, Lanhill, Chippenham

R. J. Newten, Campsfield, Woodstock.
J. b. lurner, Chyngton, Seaford, Sussex.

.eS^^5^vSii-?s^S:f^^eS^s^«^;

lel^r(2).' = ''•^^''''- Commended: IlbT'^, fffi

Ram of any other age.-Pirst prize, £20, G. WalUa • second
T^^^' J- ^readwell, Upper Winchendon. '

£h'' r° w^?H ^'''■'"'^ ^r^ °''*^e same flock.-Pirst prize

SOUTHDOWN S.

Judges as for Oxfordshu-e Downs.
Shearling Ram.— First prize, £20, W. Rio-den Hove
of"lt TnVf wt °^ f 10. Lord Walsingham.lllerton; third
sLSai^fDirritZonf °"''^^°'^^-^^'^= ^^^^ ^'^'-

Throckmorton, Buckland. Highly commended 'Lord wS'
smgham. Commended: H. Humnhrev ARhi'Titfrf^ *?,„
Duke of Richmond, Goodwood '^^' ^^'^''Ston; the

i^i^^T'^^^H^w Sheading Ewes of the same flock.-Pirst prize
£15, Lord WaLsingham ; second of £10, the Earl of Radnor
Coleshill; third of £5, the Duke of RichmoiuL Highly c^m-'
mended: Sir Wm. Throckmorton. Commended John an,
A. Heasman, Augmering, Arundel.

HAMPSHIRE AND OTHER SHORT-WOOLLED
(Not qualified to compete as Southdowns or Shropahires).

Judges as for Oxfordshii-o Downs.
Shearling Ram.— Pii'st prize £20 R in'ri t n^o^^n

Pen of five Shearling Ewes of the same flock.-First prize
£15, J. Rawlence ; second of £10, J. Rawlence. '

SHROPSHIRES

JUDGES.-T. Horley, iun.. The Posse. Leamington.
J. Woods, Chpstone. Notts.

Shearling Ram.-Pirst prize, £20, Jas. and Ed Crane
Smuvardine; second of £10. T. Mansell, AdcoftT third of
io, 1 • Alansell. Highly commended ; G. Griffiths C'nm
mended: S. Gnfliths ; H. Smith (2) ; T. Mansell ""^

TW ^.^° cm''-^ °,'''er age.-Pirst prize, £20, J Evan«
Uflington Shrewsbmy; second of £10, j. and E Crane'
Shravvardine, Shrewsibury ; third of £5 C Bv3 T ut,, ^ I'
Statford. Highly commeii^led: E.lflLdli'p foSS!
Lord Penrhyn, T. Jone.., Ma^pris; Mrs, Bake// T H™?'

1-62

pen of five Shearing Ewe. of the ^^^ cE^mf^Lae;
416. J. BvanB; second of m^ora^^^^
Chesham; tli^'^,f.f^'T'' Beach The Hattens, Brewood; J.
^ti •'SI."'conu^eMed^Lord Chesham; Lord Wen-
lock; T. Horton; H. Smith.

PIGS.

THE PARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

J™«---i:KnKSo°XFaxingdon
J B Slater, Cammermgham, Lmcom.
Boar of a la;ge white hreed^Fh-stpm^^^^ R.^^*^-

£5, W. Sa"on Adtogham Lee^^^Yo^ ^^^^^^^^^^^
oommended : T. At'ierion, ouap ^^^ ^ Turner,

W. Throctanorton (Queen); second of £5, T.Onap. mg j-
conmended: A Stewart; R-Swan^c^^^^ ^^^

Breedmg Sow of a iF^^^^p^^'/^l^n (Queen of Trumps);
^S'Tf'^^f K^'SeriS(Primrl>Ie). Highly com-

'"pCof tto? Breeding Sow Pigs of a large white breed of

S^5fe °^i&^^mSefdX^«rn;
^TnTf-tlr^ettr^eding Sow Pigs of a sm^l white breed of

WestKhSi'Abbey, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk. Highly com-

-ir^o^ SreSloTptgro^'a^s^lllblack^^^^^^^
theTame htti?, above four and under eight months old.-

^pKlhrr ^r^rglo^w f s^ot7he Berk^h^^^^^^^

H Humfrey (A, B, C). Highly commended: H. Humfrey,

Vn of 'threeUernrSow Pigs of a breed not eligible for
thri^etSclaTses,^of the sfme litter above foi^^nd
under eight months old.-First prize, ^10, R. E. DucKenng
r Faith" "Hope," and "Charity ") ; second of £5, G.
Chapman, Seamere, Yorkshire.
Shbep-sheabing Inspectoes—

H. Bone, Ringwood, Hants,

J. H. Workman, Rydon, Pershore.

Professor Symonds, London (Cattle).
Professor Varnell, Yarmouth (Horses.)

AssisTiNT Inspectoe—

R. L. Hunt, Birmmgham.

WOOL.

BUTTER.

JtTDGES.-H. E.Emberlin, The Hermitage, Oadby. Leicester.

B. Etches, Derby. .

aw nmi-nAa. of Fresh Butter in one pound wmps.— riras

t,iS ^5 llricurtural Colony, Coalver, Leicester ; second.

Eatorge^. Straton. Aylestone Rectory, Leicester.

CHEESE.

Judges as for Butter.
ciiT rheeses exceeding 45 pounds each.-First prize, £10,

'^?7S.%te»».-Fi«' prize «..EP.^S»HhN^

bray.

JriBGEs.— W. Agar, Leicester.

W. H. Ellis, Leicester.
Six LongwtoUed Hogg Fleeces. — First Prize, £10, J.
■Rowles, Leicester (Leicesters) ; second of £2, C. BairowDy,
Balder, Thirsk, Yorkshire (Leicesters). Commended : C
Boswortb, Dishley, Loughborough (Leicesters).

THE IMPLEMENT TRIALS
In its wanderings thronghout England the Royal
Society has this year found a brief resting-place at
Leicester; if that indeed can be called brief which m-
volves a longer sojourn than has been the wont of
the Society. Eor it so happens, and happens well that
the period during which the trials have to be earned out
has been lengthened, so that the actual time over which
the Show will extend wiU not be far off. if not indeed
quite, ten days. This lengthening of the period of trial
is a move in the right direction, and a " move in its
strictest acceptation. Hours wiU be given to labours to
which minutes were allotted in times gone by ; and
gradusparffraansh,verhK^^, after aU, the best way to
proceed in reforms. Let us then, with such a motto m
view begin to detail "step by step" the work of the
week of trial this day, July 9th inaugurated and endea-
vour as clearly, yet as concisely as possible, to give a
X" of wh'at'is done or to be done. Misled by the
announcement that the trial field 7^? ^n. fri the
from the showyard, and but a short distance from the
tow^, we wended our way to the fields, and it was only
when we got beyond human, or we shoiUd say horse aid
Tnthe shape of cabs, that we found, asoneoften finds
in the world, that " Hope's aye a gay deceiver. ihe
worst ofTt was not the walk thus involved, although xmder
a sweltering smi and over dusty roads that was bad
enough; but the difficulty to find out where the tnd-
fields w^re? Some thought they were to the "ght some
that thev were to the left, some straight on; so tms
seetingto us the most feasible thing to do. we did go
straight oV till gladly hailing a return cab, we were taken

'' Irriv^d SX tSfiS we had " aU the world before
us where to choose"-a world comprised withm the hm^
of a no less surface of trial-ground than l^O acres The
choice might have been difficult, where to begin, with a
number of claimants for notice pressing upon us But
we have no difficulty. As in a general company place to
the ladies" in every thing is the watchword of a gentle-
m^n^^sowith us,L view of its time-honoured c^a.ms
" pkce to the ploughs" dictates our choice of a sub ect to
start with. The plough trials were carried on in a large
w U-praced field to^he right of that in which the greater
Lmber of steam cultivators were placed; and they began

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

with ^t Gey^raljurpose Houghs, the judges being
Messrs HipweU, Wheateley, and Bond, for the prizes fof
which elejen competitors entered. We name these in the
order of the plots they obtained to work upon No 1
was occupied by Lewis, of the Salopian Irou Works,
Shrewsbuiy, Salop. This was fitted with two wheels
skim coulter, and cast breast. No. 2 was occupied bj^
Page and Co of Victoria Iron Works, Bedford, and was
a^so provided with two wheels and a cast-steel breast.
No. 3 was occupied by Hitherly, of Thrussington, Leices-
ter. No 4 was occupied by Vickers, Snowden, and
Morris, of Doncaster, Yorkshire; this was provided with
a skim coulter and steel breast. Plot No. 5 was taken
up by Boby, of Bury St. Edmunds, with a plough with
his oval, sectioned beam and patent wheels. No 6 was
taken up by the Howards, of Britannia Ironworks Bed-
tord ; and No. 7 was occupied by Ball and Son, of Roth-
well, Kettering Northamptonshire. No. 8 was occupied
by Cooke aad Co of Lincoln; No. 9, by Eansomes and
T^.'; °^0™e" Works, Ipswich; No. 10, by Beadsmore
of Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough, Leicestershire ; and
JMo. il, by Hornsby and Sons, of Grantham.

To each competitor a width of twenty-one feet was
given to plough, marked off at the ends with stakes num-
bering the plot. After opening up the plot with a furrow
to tbe right, and another on the left, abutting upon the plot
next in position, and taking three turns, each competitor
was to begm the regular work of the competition by taking
tour turns with a furrow six inches in depth, then foux
with a seven-and-a-half-inch furrow, and to finish off with a
mne-inch furrow. Whenfairly set to work under these con-
ditions, the trial field here was by far the most interesting
ot the day ; rendered aU the more so by the business-Uke
order which characterized the whole proceedings and
which enabled those who watched the work to do 'their
office with comfort and certainty of obtaining accurate re-
sults. The field was of good breadth, so that the ploughs
had bouts of fairish lengths to " show their paces in " to
quote for the nonce a sporting phrase. The soil was heavy
—a good wheat soil of fair average quality, although in
many places unequal. As may be easily supposed, the long-
continued drought made the land by no means in that fine
condition in which the work of a plough, and how it turns
over its furrow slice, is best shown. Still the work done was,
on the whole, excellent, and in some instances very superior'
Without prejudice, as the lawyers say, we may thus early
state our belief that the prizes will be found to rest be-
tween the three magnates of the plough world— the
Howards, the Hornsbys, and the Ransomes, and in all
probability between the first and the last-named of these
Our own opinion so far is in favour of the work done
by the Howards, which, in many respects, taking
all the circumstances into account, may be classed as a
very fine performance indeed; although we do not
hesitate to say that the work of one or two ploughs at
some parts of their "bouts," came pretty closely up to
that done by those makers more prominently mentioned
The immense advantage which the "crack" men have in
such a competition over others is the admirable discipline
and management which characterise the work of their
respective staffs. One can see at a glance that every
detail has been by them attended to, that something in
and about the group teUs at once that all its members are
domg their very best, and mean to win if they possibly
can. The very horses are part and parcel of this deter-
mination, and they show also the advantages of careful
discipline and attention in the minutest details. With ar-
rangements such as those alluded to, it is not to be wondered
at that other competitors who have not these favours at
least m such perfection, should really work under a
disadvantage. Some have only the merits of their
implements to fall back upon ; not possessing the best

153

means by which the implement can be worked. Thus
one of the competitors— Messrs. Vickers, Snowden and
Morris, of Dorchester— had to retire from the competi-
tion on account of their having the misfortune to have
a pair of restive horses. Now, the horses of Howard for
instance, would as soon think of flying in the air as being
restive in the trial field ; a glance at them is quite enough
to satisiy one that they know what their work is aad
that they mean to do it. So steady is their pull 'that
under a dynamometer their draught would be 'found
to vary within exceedingly narrow limits.

Having mentioned Vickers, Snowden, and Morris
as labouring under a misfortune which they could
not at the time avoid, it is only fair to them to state that
this, and this alone, was the cause of their giving up the
trial; it is due to them to state this, as some other idea
may have taken possession of the public who were wit-
nessing the works. And we may as weU name here that
this firm have mtroduced an innovation, or rather
we should say gone back to an old practice in the con-
struction of the plough, namely, the use of timber. This
is, however, confined only to the stilts or handles, and
has for its aim the doing away with the objections which
many have to iron stilts, namely, their elasticity, and the
difficulty there is with them to provide for the strains
ot heavy work. We are quite aware that this view of
the superiority of timber over iron stilts is not held by all
—we may say not by many; still it is a suggestive
circumstance that with ordinary farm ploughmen
wooden handles are in a great number of instances pre-'
ferred to iron. There is much to be said on both
sides of the question, and we shall be glad to k^ow what
the judges have to offer on it ?

All the ploughs tried in this class were wheel ploughs—
a fact which a general spectator might or might not have
taken as evidence of the superiority of this form over the
swmg plough, or at aU events as evidence that wheel ploughs
are in greater favour amongst farmers than the swing •
but the swing ploughs are still held in high estimation by
many, and for some classes of soils they are the only
ploughs which can do good work— at least the kind of
work required. The swing ploughs were tried on the
Friday. On looking at those ploughs doing their work
under by no means the most favourable circumstances'
and doing it with a precision and a general accuracy of
results, one could not help feeling gratified at the high
position which this branch of agricultural mechanism has
reached ; and one which has been reached by the com-
bined influence of the prize system, and the high
mechanical skill, the business-like energy, and the lavish
outlay of the makers.

For the light-land ploughs, we found the following
competing: (14) Cooke, of Lincoln; (18) Snowden
Vickers, and Morris, Doncaster; (22) Boby, Bury St'
Edmunds; (17) Hunt and Pickering, Leicester- (15)
Hornsby and Sons, Grantham; (10) Howards' Bed-
ford ; (19-20) BaU and Son, of Rothwell, Kettering (two
entries) ; (21) Ransomes and Sims, Ipswich. The work
done in this class was nearly as good, if not quite so as
the general-purpose-plough trial. That of the Messrs
Howard was thought specially good by many authorities
although a very close comparison of that done by the
Messrs. Ransomes and Sims with that done by the
Messrs. Howard inclined us to give the palm in favour of
the Messrs. Ransome. As the work of both lies, the
judges will have something to do in deciding between the
claims of these two magnates ; for it is clear to our mind
that the prize lies at present between them. But it was
a misnomer to call this a trial of light-land ploughs, for
the simple reason that it was not light land on which
they worked. True, they w«re pkughs designed for li^t

M 2

154

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

land ; but that did uot make the trials light-land-plough
trials. We look, therefore, upon this trial as to a
certain extent practically useless — as useless as would be
the trial of a machine with cotton as the medium upon
which it operated, in place of silk for which it was de-
signed. In a properly-arranged trial, each thing must
be compatible with the other, or, to quote somewhat
ludicrous, but apt enough phrase in a "concatenation
accordingly."'

After the ploughs, we take up the cultivators — the har-
rows, clodcrushers, and roller trials coming in at a later
date. The judges of these departments were Mr. Cham-
bers, Mr. Sherborn, and Mr. Roberts ; and hard work
they had of it, for a more unpromising field was pro-
l>ably never put before a lot of competitors, who, many of
them, must have inwardly felt that it was " no go," as " no
go" assuredly it was, for more than one of them. Many
■were the attempts made : some were placed completely hors
de combat by breakage or other mishap ; while but two,
or — shall we say? — three, made out their bout ; but of
these three, one did remarkably good work, tearing up
and smashing up the soil in fine steady style, and leaving
a remarkably level sole. We have long maintained that
in certain departments of agricultural mechanism special
arrangements or contrivances must be made, to meet
special circumstances ; and the trials in this field, where
the cultivators were at work, more and more convinced us
of the truth of this. We had only to look at the soil, and
see what a task it was to break it up — like ploughing a
street — then to walk along the row of competing imple-
ments, to be able at once to point out which had no chance ;
and, in the face of which, the destiny of failure was
plainly written. Not a high degree of mechanical know-
ledge was necessary to point this out ; and in view of
it, however much we might admire the pluck of those
who did compete under what we knew at once to be most
adverse circumstances, we did certainly feel that if we had
been in their places we should not have thought of pluck,
but of prudence : declining to compete was less of a loss
to them than competing only to fail. Out of the
entry only two, we may say, did their lots fairly out ;
and, of these two, one was the cultivation of Mr. Clay,
the other that of Mr. Bentall : while the superiority of the
work of the latter is that to which we have referred. So
far as we saw, the work done by Bentall was the work
of the day. In this class Comstock's Rotary Spader com-
peted, and was tried ; but it would have been better
for the interests of the inventor had the trial on such a soil
and under such circumstances been declined. The machine
was far too light for the peculiarly trying work it at-
tempted to perform ; and it is a question whether it is
really fitted for heavy land. The following were the com-
petitors in this class : Sherburn, Clay of Wakefield, Cole-
man of Chelmsford, Ball of Rugby, Bentall of Maldon,
Underbill of Newport, Salop, Hunt and Pickering of
Leicester, Coleman of Northampton, and Beadsmore of
Loughborough.

Passing now from the field in which the cultivators by
horse-power have shown in more instances than one how
the work is not to be done, to that in which the steam
cultivators are at work, we see at once that we are in pos-
session of a power which places a wide range of work
within the reach of the farmer. Taking the main field,
Fowler of Leeds shows a remarkable collection of steam
cultivating apparatus, remarkable alike for the number of
appliances adapted for almost every kind of work con-
nected with the preparation of the soil for crops, and also
noticeable for the costliness of the whole. There are
upwards of three hundred tons of machinery exhibited
W this firm. They exhibit two engines of twenty-
»H>r»« power, two of twelve^ four of ten, and one

of eight. The twenty-horse power engines are remark-
able for displaying to the fullest possible extent the use of
stetl in their construction — a material of only compara-
tively recent introduction, but which bids fair to bring
about, if it has not already brought about, where used,
quite a new era in machine construction, in which the
maximum of strength will be obtained with the minimum
of weight and, by consequence, of bulk — a fine com-
bination, in short, of lightness and strength, The
Fowlers have at work four different kinds of apparatus.
The one working this morning was on the direct-action
principle, which, the Messrs. Powler uphold as the best.
In this, two engines (ten -horse power each) are placed on
opposite sides of the field, and are provided with winding-
drums, which take up and pay out alternately the steel
rope attached to the implement. The winding-drums
work at and give out a steady pull at any angle ; and the
ease with which the advance is made at the end of each
bout is not the only practically good feature connected
with the system. The engine works either a five-tined
cultivator for deep work at a slow speed, or a seven-tined
cultivator for lighter work at a higher speed. Both these
were tried this morning, the five-tined cultivator working
nearly an acre in the hour, inclusive of setting down, the
depth being nine inches and the breadth four feet ten
inches, the width between the tines being eleven inches.
The depth to which the seven-tined cultivator was worked
was only eight inches, in consequence of the extreme
hardness of the soil. At some parts, indeed, it was more
like breaking-up a hard road or street than farm land.
But such as it was, the work done was something extra-
ordinary, and gave ample evidence of the immense advant-
age of steam power, well applied, in the cultivation of
land.

The Messrs. Fowler have also a 14-horse power engine,
with their patent clip drum attached, the system being
still the direct action ; but the self-moving anchor being
placed on the opposite headland. This works a five-
branched plough, or a seven-tined cultivator. This ap-
paratus was fixed to work (Saturday the 11th). They also
exhibit two engines of 10-horse power each, with double-
winding drums. The implements work to and fro
between the engines, one of which is placed on one
headland, the other on the opposite, each implement,
taking only half the field, both meeting in the centre.
They also have two splendid engines of 20-horse power
each, with single-winding drums; the peculiarity of
these is that they are arranged to work at two speeds —
the slow speed with great draught, the quick speed with
lighter draught. These engines are going to Louisiana,
in America, for cultivating sugar plantations. The steel
engine exhibited has this peculiai-ity, that the winding
drum is placed behind the engine. The Messrs. Fowler
also exhibit a new cultivator, which takes the great width
of 15 feet; this is made in three sections or gangs, to
allow the implement to accommodate itself to the ine-
qualities of the ground, and an arrangement is adopted by
which the tines are lifted up by the engine. A large
harrow is also exhibited.

The other exhibitors in this class are the Messrs.
Howard of Bedford ; Hayes, of Stony Stratford,
who works a Smith's cultivator ; Tasker, of Andover,
who also works a Smith's cultivator ; Aveling and
Porter, of Rochester, who work a Fowler's balance
cultivator, on the round-about system. Of the apparatus
of these exhibitors and of the work done we shall give a
full description hereafter.

In the horse-plough field, the general purpose and the
light land swing ploughs were tried in the morning and
afternoon ; and in both classes there was some excellent
work done. In the general purpose swing ploughs the

THE FABMEEVS MAGAZINE.

16o

competitors were, with the number of the plots, as
follows : 27, Cooke and Co. of Lincoln ; 26, Boby of
Bury St. Edmunds ; 25, Kansomes and Sims of Ins-
'I'lh,^^' Ball and Son of Rothvvell; 28, Howards
ot Bedford ; 29, Hornsby of Grantham. These ploughs
had to take three "bouts" to get a depth of 6
inches; then to take four bouts at 6^ ; four bouts at
7 inches ; and finish off with 9-inch depth. The com-
petitors and the number of the plots of the light land
swing ploughs were as follows : 30, Ransomes and Sims;
31, Hornsby; 32, Howard; 33,BaU; 34, Cooke. These
ploughs had to take three bouts to get depth, six at 5 inches,
and to finish off at 6 inches. We may here again ex-
press our approval of the arrangements made by the
stewards and judges of the trial-fields, so far as the ploughs
were concerned ; everywhere there was evidence of the
directing minds of men who knew what their work
was, and how to do it. We give this good word with
the greater jdeasure as on former occasions it has not
been altogether deserved.

The trials of the deep-land wheel-ploughs took place in
the afternoon of Friday, for which the following were
the enteries, with the number of their plots: (58)
Howard, of Bedford; (59) Ransomes, of Ipswich; (60)
Ball and Son, of Kettering ; (61) Cook and Co., of Lin-
coln ; (62) Hornsby, of Grantham. The conditions were
that each plough was to get first into depth, then to take
five bouts at ten inches, and to finish off with a depth of
twelve inches. Due regard to the " propriety of things "
compels us to record our opinion of this trial, that it was
neither more nor less than an exhibition, if not of
positive cruelty to animals, certainly of a lamentable
want of consideration for them, to say nothing of that of
the men employed in working the ploughs. Four horses
were allowed ; but the soil to be worked was honestly
beyond all horse-power. It was work for the steam-
engine, with its iron muscles and untiring strength ;
and it is impossible for anyone who loves horse-flesh
to record this trial in any other way than we now record
it. The clods moved in many instances exceeded in bulk,
far exceeded in weight, those torn up from the iron-bound
soil in the steam -cidtivated field close by. We would
strongly advise the exhibitors on one or two jjlots we
wot of, to take home or get photographed some
of the clods tui-ned up, especially in one plot
not twenty yards from the end, and not far from
if not quite at the top. We measured one which showed
a fuU depth of 12 inches, and would have been a good
load for the Irish brick-carrier and his hod. And then,
after all this terrible expenditure of muscle and will, both
on the part of man and horse, the question at once 'came
up, Cui bono I' What practically good result to the farmer
came of it ? Truly not much. Certainly it showed well
what horses could do in pulling through such a bricky
soil— that's the word, nothing else— and how well -made the
ploughs were ; and that is all that could be said of it. It
would be quite invidious to give here any critical notice
of the work done : the praise due to all is that thev did
it at all ! ^

At four o'clock the land rollers were put on for
competition on the land ploughed by deep
ploughs on Friday: all working across the furrows
and all thus getting a fair share of the work to
be done in the way of some rare and heavy clods
Many here, again, were far too light, and we believe that
the chances of the prize will be found to lie between two
well-known makers. The competitors were as follows •
(1) Hunt and Pickering of Leicester, (2) The Beverley
Iron Company, (3) Crosskill and Sons of Beverley (4)
Lewis of Shrewsbury, (5) Boby of Bury St. Edmunds,
(6) Amies, Barford, and Co. (2 entries), (7) Holmes and

Son of Norwich, (8) Page and Co. of Bedford, (,9) Woods.
Cocksedge, and Co. On Monday a selected trial ol
clod-crushers will take place, these being taken from
the previous competition :—(l) The Beverley Iron
Company, (2) Crosskill of Beverley, (3) Cambridge of
Bristol, and (4) Amies, Barford, and Co. Selected trials
also of the ploughs wiU come off on Monday — the
general-purpose ploughs, the light-land and the deep
ploughs (wheel), as also the swing ploughs; and ou
Tuesday dynamometer trials of various implements are
expected to come on.

On the piece of field broken up by the
steam-worked cultivator of Messrs. Howard — and
wonderfuDy well broken up it was— the clod-crushers
were put to work on the afternoon of Friday. Some
dissatisfaction was experienced at their being ordered
on here, in place of the horse-ploughed field above
— and with some reason too, as the horse-ploughed land
was the most fitting for horse-worked clod-crusher to
work upon. lYom what we have said of the cultivation
of soil generally, and especially of the huge clods turned
up by steam power, it will be felt that one might
as well have attempted to "glean after an Irish
reaper" as to do any good in reducing such clods to the con-
dition desiderated with some of the implements employed.
The majority were too light for such heavy work, and
went dancing over the rough surface like cockboats in a
sea with nasty cross waves on. Many also, which
had weight, smoothed the surface over only, and
did not break up the clods which lay beneath.
The work of clod-crushers requires to be sharply looked
after, as the work here will doubtless be by the
judges— the same as already named for the cultivators ;
for a good surface, as stated above, is often made by sim-
ply abrading the tops of the clods, or by shoving some of
them bodily along till they meet a depression, or hollow,
into which they are crushed ; while at the same time the
bodies, or bulks, of the clods remain unbroken. The con-
dition of the ground certainly afforded an excellent op-
portunity to show what could be done, as well as what
could not be done, by an implement in this class. The
following were the competitors : (1.) Cambridge and Co.,
of Bristol ; (2.) The Beverley Iron and Waggon Com-
pany, Beverley; (3.) Woods, Cocksedge, and Co., of
Stowmarket, Suffolk ; (4.) Barford and Co., of Peter-
borough ; (5.) Crosskill and Son, Beverley ; (6.) Ball and
Son, of Kettering, Northampton ; (7.) Ashby and Jeffrey,
of Stamford (Paterson's patent) ; (8.) Hunt and Picker-
ing, of Leicester ; (9.) Coultas, of Spittlegate, Grantham ;
(10.) Lewis, of Shrewsbury, Salop; (11.) The Reading
Iron Company ; (12.) Boby, of Bury, St. Edmunds.

The subsoil ploughs began to be tried on the forenoon
of Saturday, and were continued throughout the afternoon.
The foDowing is the list of competitors for this class, with
the number of the plots or the order of their working, for
all did not go in at once, as in the other trials. (1) Messrs.
Ransome and Sims, of Ipswich ; (2) Messrs. Hornsby, of
Grantham ; (3) Messrs. Coleman and Morton, Chelms-
ford ; (4) Messrs. Ransome and Sims (2nd entry) ; (5)
Messrs. Howard, of Bedford ; (6) the Reading Iron Co. ■
(7) Mellard, of Rngeley; (8) Messrs. Howard, of Bed-
ford (2nd entry); (9) Bentall, of Maiden, Esses;
(10) Messrs. Hunt and Pickering, of Leicester. Each
plough was to get the depth in one round, and then to take
one at 6 inches and the other at 7 inches. These depths
were of course below the sole of the work of the ordinarr
plough which ran over the ground in the first instance,
thus giving ultimately a depth of 13 inches. All the
ultimate depths were to be measured from the surface.
Several of the ploughs exceeded the stated depth, some
going to a depth of fifteen inches.

156

THE FARMEB'S MAGAZINE.

The harrows were also tried on Saturday, on the ground
ploughed by the general-purpose and light -land ploughs
on the days previous. We say "tried," but we can
scarcely dignify what was done with the title of "a trial,"
as nearly every practical man present will agree with us.
The competitors for the " drags" were : (1) The Cana-
dian "Working Company ; (2) Messrs. Larkworthy and
Co., of Worcester; (3) Page, of Bedford; (4) Messrs.
Howard, of Bedford; (5) Love, of Northampton;
(6) Love, second entry; (7) Johnson, of Leicester;
Bentall, of Maiden ; Cooke and Co., of Leicester.
We shall return to this class, and meanwhile may
proceed to note that the special feature of Saturday's
work was the trials of the steam cultivating apparatus.
These were carried on in a field excellently adapted for
the purpose, and the competitors were as follows, with
the number of the plots they drew : (1) Messrs. Aveling
and Porter, of Rochester ; (2) Messrs. Howard, of Bed-
ford ; (3) Messrs. Tasker, of Andover ; (4) Messrs.
Fowler and Co., of Leeds; (5) Mr. Hayes, of Stoney
Stratford ; (6) Messrs. Fowler and Co., of Leeds (second
entry). Numbers 1, 2, and 4 began working first, and off
their plots before the work was resumed by the Judges
after luncheon. Nos. 3, 6, and 5 entered the field after
luncheon.

No. 1, Aveling and Porter's apparatus, was on the
roundabout system, working one of Fowler's cultiva-
tors, and with one of their well-known traction-engines
as the moving power. No, 2, Messrs. Howard's, was
also upon the roundabout system, working their own
cultivator, and the engine made by Messrs. Clayton,
Shuttleworth, and Co., of Lincoln. No. 3, Messrs.
Fowler's clip-drum engine and self-moving anchor. All
the exhibitors had to remove their apparatus from the
field in which they were placed to the field in which they
were worked, and to set them in the field ready for
starting. AU the time taken for this was marked. No. 1
(Aveling's) left the field at 9.40, entered the trial-field 9.45,
and commenced work at 10.27. No. 2 (Howard's) left
the field at 9.45, entered the trial-field at 10.20, and com-
menced work at 10.40. No. 3 (Fowler's) left the field at
10.15, entered thetrial-fieldat 10.20, and commenced work-
ing at 10.40. The length of the plot of No. 1 (Aveling)
was 273 yards and the breadth 23, and they finished the
surface contained in this space at 15 minutes past one
o'clock. The length of the plot No. 2 (Howard's) was 250
yards and breadth 43, and it was finished at 3 minutes
past one. The length of the plot No. 3 (Fowler's) was
162 yards and the breadth J41, and the whole was finished
59^ minutes past 12. We shall in our next give the re-
sults of the trials of the other competitors.

We are glad to be able to add the last work of this
day, when the relative merits of the respective appa-
ratus were tested by the weight per square yard of soil
lifted by each, and which tests we here tabulate : —

1 Aveling and Porter, Rochester ..,. 29 4

2 J. & F. Howard, Bedford 30 6

3 Tasker, Andover 22 4

4 Fowler, Leeds 33 5

5 Hayes, Stoney Stratford 13 0$

Messrs. Aveling and Porter worked a Fowler's cul-
tivator; Hayes and Messrs. Tasker a Woolston cul-
tivator ; and the Messrs. Howard and Fowler their
own special implements.

Of implements there are 340 stands against 282 last year
at Bury St. Edmunds ; the number of entries being 6,869.
The number of implement sheds is 36, 23 of those being
300 ieet long each by 20 feet wide ; the remainder 200

feet long. There will be in addition eight sheds for seeds
and models 160 feet long by 13 feet wide, and the machinery
in motion in two sheds 1,050 feet long by 20 to 25 feet
wide.

Amongst the steam-cultivating apparatus set to work
on the afternoon of Saturday was Fowler's No 6, Double
Winding Drum Apparatus, No. 3, being one of the second
lot which entered the field — the three being No. 4,
Fowler's Clip-drum and Self-moving Anchor ; No. 3,
Tasker' s, of Andover; and No. 5, Hayes, of Stoney
Stratford— both working a Smith's of Woolston culti-
vator. Hayes took up so much time in setting down
that by the time when the day's work of the other com-
petitors was over, he had scarcely commenced; and what
he had done was anything but satisfactory. However,
on the Monday morning he returned again to his plot,
and was, when we were at the field, doing excellent
work. The form of windlass which Hayes has invented,
presents many features worthy of special notice. Let us here
gather up such facts and suggestions as have been brought
out by the trials of steam-cultivating apparatus on Satur-
day. As to the quality of the work, looking at it as it
lies, there wiU be of com-se divided opinions, but with
the decision of the judges resting between the work
of the Messrs. Howard and the Messrs. Fowler, if
not altogether in favour of the latter. Both did some
fine work, , and the mere weight of soil moved by
each was something very striking. It is scarcely ne-
cessary to say that in consequence of the extreme drought
which lias for so long a period prevailed, the ground
was in a very hard and baked condition, and the
clods turned up were in many instances more like
stones than arable soil. Still, this condition of cir-
cumstances enabled one to judge of the splendid power
steam places at the disposal of the fanner. The diffi-
culty of a decision is increased by a variety of circum-
stances, such as the state of the soil, and the burnt dried-
up condition of the herbage, which has had the curious
effect of making the smashed-up plots look, when viewed
at some distance, as if they had not been smashed-up at
all. This of course necessitates a close inspection over
the plots themselves, and this again, in many respects,
cannot give the same effect as looking over the plots as
finished performances ; as the French say, there is no
coup d'ceil by which the whole can be taken in at a
glance, at least our eyesight did not enable us to do so.
There will also be divided opinions as to the merits
of the respective tackle. Messrs. Fowlers' alone was
on the "direct" system, all the others working on
the "roundabout" plan. As in other departments, so
in this, there is really much to be said on both sides,
while debating upon the respective merits of the two
systems. Mechanically, the " direct" system is much to
be praised ; but then the mechanical considerations are
not alone those which should be taken into account, as
the agricultural points must also be considered pari
passu.

In gathering up the practical details of the work done
on Saturday we shall give statements, showing
first the extent of each plot ; second, the amount
of work done, or the weight of soil lifted, on each plot ;
third, the time occupied in doing the work, including
setting the tackle ; fourth, the number of people and
horses employed in setting down and working the tackle ;
fifth, the depth which the implements worked, and the
speed at which they worked— that is, the time they took to
traverse each bout or length of the plot. We shall, after
giving these, show the power of the engines doing the
work so detailed ; and so, by means of all these heads,
afford a fair and, we believe, accurate account of what
was done.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZmE.

FoUowing up the above arrangement, we find that the
extent of each plot was as follows :—

IS?

No. of
Plot.

Name.

No. of
Plot

Name.

Howard ..

Tasker ......

Fowler's clip-
drum and
self - mov
ing anchor

iHayes

Fowler's dbl.
winding-
drum

Breadth.
Yards

24
46
45

Length.
Yards.

46

43

259
231
221

194

145

Square
yards.

Area in
|acres and

in frac-

|tionsofan

acre.

6216 1.28
10626 2.19

9945

8924

6090

3.05

1.84

1.36

Aveling

Howard

Tasker

Fowler, clip drum

Hayes

Fowler, double wind-
ing drum

)le wind- \

Time set-( Time
ting down working.

h. min.

0 48

1 5
0 44

0 33

1 45

0 25

Total.

h. min. h. min.
3 48 I 3 36

23
31

50

28
15
23J

20 1

The fourth point takes the number of people and horses
employed:

We now come to the second head, the amount of work
done, or toeight of soil lifted, on each plot:—

No. of
Plot.

Name.

Aveling ..

Howard ..

Tasker

Fowler's clip-
drum

Hayes

Fowler's dbl
winding-
drum

Weight
of ground

moved
per sqr

Area of |
work per
hour in

yard iu sq. yards
pounds

427i

411

316

430
182

502

2200
4458
2826

4866

Weight
in pounds

Weight

moved

per hour

and horse

power.

949050

1832240

893016

2043720

4566 I 239213 229213

94905

183234

89303

355406

No. of
Plot.

Name.

Men.

Boys.

Horses.

1

Aveling „

5

1

2

Howard

6

2

e

3

Tasker

6

2

2

4

Fowler, clip drum

3

3

none

5

Hayes

6

2

g

g Fowler, double wind- ■>

mgdrum j|

3

2

none

The depth at which the implements worked, and the
time they took to traverse the length of bout, are shown in
the following :

No. of
Plot.

The results in the second column were obtained by en-
closing, by means of a box of the requisite dimensions
one square yard of the land ploughed by the competing
implements, and then by a spade shai-ply cutting down the
soU all along the edges of the enclosing-box. And
further, by liftmg the soil clean out to the depth to
which the implement worked ; this being carefully
done so as to expose the bottom as much as
possible in the same condition in which the
implement had left it : and so securing a two-fold result in
the weight, and the state of the sole or pan left by the
implement in passing over the ground. As regards the
latter test, however, we do not place much value upon it
the area of the sole exposed being far too limited to admit
of any accurate conclusions as to the average condition
of the sole left by the implement over the whole plot cul-
tivated. An examination of the column of weight of soil in
pounds lifted per square yard, will show a discrepancy be-
etween that given in the table at the end of our last
week's report, so far as regards the relative weight
lifted by Howard and by Aveling, but it may be ex-
plained thus : Mr. Aveling objected to the decision or
result arrived at by the first trial of weight ; or at all
events, if he did not object he expressed a wish to have
his weight still further tested as compared with
Howard s ; the result, we bcHeve, of five weighings
having the effect of almost practicaUy transposing
the positions of the two. We come now to the third point
namely, the^me occupied in doing the work including the
aetttng of the apparatus :

Name.

Aveling
Howard
Tasker
Fowler (clip)

Fowler (dou-
ble drum).

timetaken
to do the
bout, in
minutes,

3

3 5-6th
3 5-6th

2 l-ath

Length of
bout, in
yards.

Speed per Depth of
minute, in working,

7 to 9
6 to 8
6 to 7

8 to 9
3 to 4

10 to 11

The power of the engines and length of stroke and
character of cylinder are given in the following :

No, of
Plot

Name.

Aveling

Howard

Tasker

Fowler (clip drum)

Hayes

Fowler (double ii ,„
drum) jl 10

Diameter of [Length of
cylinder, in stroke, in
inches. inches.

11

7i 3 cylinders

lOi

12

13i

12

12

16

12

Nominal
horse-
power.

10
10
10
8
10

10

On Monday the fine weather still continued as in last
week, but not so the heat, for that simply had in-
creased ; and no easy work was it to go through with the
labours of the field. The great feature of the day
was the trials of the steam cultivators under the dy-
namometer. A very long time was spent in getting
the dynamometer arranged for work, a task of no
smaU difficulty, if one might judge from what wc
saw. The result was that it was approaching evening
before the trial began, at least it was far on in the after-
noon— and it was late, in the evening, before work was
concluded. The following affords a glance at what was

io8

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

done by the judges, Messrs Bramwell, Cowper, Coleman, 1
aud Rooke; while the experiments instituted had for aim
the power which each implement took to work it, the
period of trial being two minutes. The first implement
tried was Howard's two-furrow plough, No. 1,199 ; but in
consequence of the state of the laud only one breast was
used. The time taken in going 111 yards was li minutes,
and the index of the dynamometer registered 31.03. The
second bout was 113 yards ; the time 2 minutes, and the
index registered 36.05. The third bout showed distance
123 yards ; time 1.59 minutes ; register of index 4 5.09.
The second implement put under trial was Messrs.
Fowler's two-furrow plough, Kent breast. The length of
the bout was 87 yards ; the time Ih minutes, and the
register of index 47.02. The second bout was 51 yards
in length; the time 1;^^ minutes, and the registration
of index 34.11.

The third implement put under ti'ial was Fowler's
four-furrow Kent breast, the first bout of which was 103
yards in length ; the time taken 2 minutes, and the re-
gistration of index 60.98. The second bout was 119
yards in length ; the time taken 2 minutes, and the index
registration 67.49.

The fourth trial was Howard's four-furrow plough : the
length of the bout 84 yards, the time 1^ minutes,
the registration of index 30.61. The second bout : 117
yards ; time 3 minutes, registration 52.95:

The fifth trial was of Messrs. Fowlers' five-fm-row
digger, the first bout of which was 107 yards in length :
thetime taken, two minutes, and registration 63.62. The
second bout was in length 108 yards: the time taken,
1 J minutes, and the registration of index 63.95. . The
following gives, in another form, the results of this
day's trials : —

Breadth
Depth ...

Leugth

Section of ground moved per
trip, in square inches

Draught of implement ....
Draught required to move one
square inch of soil

(a)

in.

16

12

yds.

Ill

192
lbs.
1345

Average

1

Fowlers

1

Fowlei

rd's 1-fixrrow

2-furr'w

Kent-

furrow

plough.

plough.

breast.

Kent-b

(i)

(c)

(")

(i)

(«)

m.

in.

m.

m.

m.

16

16

30

30

40

13

14

m

141

9^

yds.

yds.

yds.

yds.

yds.

113

123

87

51

102

208

224

435

435

380

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

1635

2465

2591

3882

3425

7.8

11

5.9

8.9

, 9

plough,

breast.

(i)

ill.

40

H
yds.
119

3S0

lbs.
3224

Howard's 4- Fowler's 4-
furrow plough.'furrow digge

(a)

in.
40
6

yds.

84

240
lbs.
1900

(i)
in.
40
6
yds.
119

240
lbs.
2407

(«)

in.

50

8

yds.

107

400
lbs.
3307

—• V —

8.6

10.0 8.4

;,v

(6)

in.

50

8

yds.

108

400
lbs.
3423

8.45

7.4

9.0

8.45

The work going on in the other parts of the field was
(he trial of clod-crushers, with selected implements for
final decision from (1) Beverley Iron and Waggon Com-
pany ; (2), Amies, Barford, and Co. ; (3), CrosskiU and
Co., Beverley; (4), Cambridge and Co. The general-
purpose-ploughs trial selection of implements for final

The sixt/i trial was with Fowler's five-tine cultivator,
which with a breadth of 50 inches, and an average depth of
5i inches, took an average draught of 11.951bs. to move
one square inch of soil.

The scoeath trial was with Howard's four-tine cultiva-
tor, with a breadth of 40 inches, and, taking an average

decision was carried out in another part of the field, the depth of 6| inches, took a draught of lO.Slbs. to move
following being the chosen competitors : (1) Howard, | a quare inch of soil

(2) Hornsby, (3) Ransomes, (4) Cooke and Co., (6) Ball
and Son, (6) Lewis.

On Tuesday the dynamometer trials of the various
ploughs were commenced, the ploughs being dragged by
one of Messrs. Fowler's engines ; the trial of the
" windlasses," of the straw elevators going on in another
field ; while the trials of the cultivating implements for
steam were conducted under the same arrangements as
yesterday. The following gives a general view of the
results of these last and most important trials :

Tas, first trial was made with Howard's one-furrow breast
deep plough, which took an average depth of 12 inches,
with a total width of 16 inches, and the draught of which
5.61bs. to move one square inch of soil.

The second trial was of Fowler's two-furrow deep
plough, with Kent breasts or mouldboards, and which
with an average depth of 14i inches had an average
draught of 7.41bs. to move a square inch of soil.

The third trial was of Fowler's four-furrow plough,
with Kent breasts, which with a breadth of 40 inches took
an average depth of 9 \ inches, and required a draught
(average) of 8.51bs. to move one square inch of soil.

llVt fourth trial was with Howard's four-furrow plough,
which taking a width of 40 inches, and an average depth of
6 inches, required a draught of 91bs. to move one square
inch of soil.

The fifth trial was with Fowler's five-furrow digger,
with a breadtb of 50 inches, and an average depth of
8 inches, taking a draught of 8.451bs. to move a square
inch of soil.

The eirjhth trial was with Smith'(of Woolston's) three-
tined cultivator, worked by Tasker and Sons, of Andover,
which taking a depth of 6 inches,aud a breadth of 36 inches,
required a draught of 5.61bs. to move a square inch of
soil.

The nhilh trial was with Howard's four-furrow digger,
taking an average depth of 5^ inches, with a breadth of 40
inches, and required a draught of 131bs. to move a square
inch of soil.

The toith trial was of Fowler's four-furrow digger,
which taking a breadth of 40 inches, and a depth of 9
inches, required a draught of 9.31bs. to move a square
incli of soil.

The eleveiilh trial was of Smith's (of "VVoolston) five-
tine cultivator, worked by Hayes, of Stoney Stratford,
which taking a breadth of 33 inches, and a depth of 4
inches, took an average draught of 16,81bs, to move a
square inch of soil.

The twelfth trial was of Fowler's nine-tine turning
implement, which taking a breadth, in one case of 70,
and in a second that of 90 inches, with a depth of 3
inches, took a draught of 9.51bs. to move a square inch
of soil.

The thirteenth trial was with Howard's nine-tine im-
plement, tvhich took a depth of 4^ inches, with a breadth
of 90 inches. We have no record of the draught of this
implement.

We have previously alluded to the magnificent dis-
play of steam-cultivating machinery exhibited on the
field by the Messrs. Fowler, of Leeds. This firm had five

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

159

different systems at work iu one field, in connexion witli
the working of which the following statements will, we
are assured, be of great interest to our readers.

1st system : Two ten-horse power doiible steam
engines with single winding-drums. This worked a
five-tined cultivator, taking a breadth of fifty inches,
and moving over the field at a speed of forty -six yards per
minute : this did, at the depth of from ten to twelve
inches, an amount of work equal to 3,870 square yards
per hour.

2nd system : Two ten-horse power double engines with
single winding-drums, working a seven-tined cultivator,
with only six tines however working, and which took a
breadth of sixty inches. The speed was forty-two and
a-half yards per minute, and the work done per hour was
4,212 square yards, at a depth of eight inches.

3rd system : Two ten-horsepower double engines with
single winding-drums, working a four-furrow plough with
digging breasts, taking a width of forty inches, a depth of
from eight to nine inches, and going at a speed of sixty-
one yards the minute, doing work per hour equal to 3,900
square yards.

4th system : Two ten-horse power double engines
with double winding-drums, working two implements,
being five and six-tined cultivators, taking respectively
breadths of fifty and sixty inches, with depths from seven
to nine inches. The work done was in this case 8,742
square yards.

5 th system : One ten-horse power double engine with
self-acting anchor. This worked a four-furrow plough
with Kent mould-boards, taking a breadth of forty inches,
a depth of nine inches, and doing per hour 3,360 square
yards.

The work done in more than one instance was really
something remarkable, that by the Messrs. Fowler specially
so ; this was very deep, witb a good flat sole, and the clods
were thrown up in that style so well calculated to aid the
atmospheric influences, or rather to allow them to operate ;
for these, when allowed to act, form the best cultivators.
Nor must the work done by the Messrs. Howard be over-
looked, this being also very good.

As the Leicester is probably the largest of all the meet-
ings of the Royal Agriridtural Society, so also it has suc-
ceeded in obtaining the best possible site for carrying
on the operations of the stock and implement shows.
On an open plateau overlooking the plains below, and
over which the breezes blow freely, and most welcomely,
an area is enclosed not far off fifty acres in extent, over
which the various stands are laid out. One excellent fea-
ture is that the implement stands, containing what may
be called the passive department of machinery, are
arranged in two parallel rows ; and, ou each side
comes the machinery in motion — which may be called
the dynamical department, in such positions that
each stand of the exhibitor who exhibits machinery
in motion is exactly opposite the end of the
implement stand where the machinery at rest is exhibited.
This simple arrangement enables the visitor or purchaser
at one stand to go at once to the other if he so desii-e. At the
termination of each row of the implement stands are placed
the words " Shed A," " Shed B," and so on : but these
give no indication of the;["icatchword " of the catalogue
so to call it, which goes by the number of the stands.
Such, therefore, as are desirous to go to some particu-
lar shed, and who does not care to hunt up the index, or
do not know how to do so — for the index and its cata-
logue are not arranged in the best possible way — would
most heartily welcome some such placard at the end of
the shed as this : " Sheq A — Stands No. 1 to 20 in-
clvsive." The more trouble one takes the more trouble
is saved.

PRIZES FOR IMPLEMENTS.

Judges -.

Steam Cultivators: J. F. Bramwell, C.E., Great George
Street, London ; J. Coleman, Escrick Park, York ; E. A.
Cowper, Great George Street, Loudou ; J. Herasley, Skel-
ton, Newark ; J. Rooke, Weldon Grange, Wansford.

Tile Machines and Miscellaneous : 11. B. Caldwell, Moncton
Farleigh, Bradford, Wilts ; J. Thompsou, Badinington,
Chippenham ; E. Wortley, Ridlington, Uppingham.

Ploughs : T. P. Dods, Anick Grange, Hexham ; G. M. Hip-
well, Elmore Lodge, Sutton, Surrey ; J. Wheatley, Neswick,
Driffield.

Cultivators, Clod Crushers, Rollers, and Harrows: T. Cham-
bers, Jnn., Colkirk Hall, Fakenham ; W. Roberts, Thor-
neyhobne, Burnley ; P. Sherborn, Bedt'ont, Middlesex.

STEAM CULTIVATION.

Special prize of a silver gilt cup and six di-inking
cups, offered by the Pasha of Egypt, " for the steam cul-
tivating apparatus combining strength with usefulness,
with the least amount of repairs, which cannot be readily
executed in foreign parts" — Messrs. Fowler, Leeds, for
their " double-engine set of tackle with single winding
drum."

The best application of Steam Power for the cultivation of
the Soil : First prize of £100, J. Fowler and Co. ; second of
£25, J. Fowler and Co., for one double drum traction engine
working with a travelling disc anchor, and £25 for one trac-
tion engine working with clip drum and travelling disc anchor.
The best application of Steam Power adapted for occupa-
tions of a moderate size : First prize of £50, J. and F. How-
ard ; second prize withheld.

Implements for Steam Cultivation, including Ploughs for
Steam Power, Cultivators, Harrows, Windlasses, Anchors,
Rope Porters, &c.: £12, J. Fowler and Co., for four-furrow
balance plough fitted with Kent breasts and convertible into
digger ; £12, J. Fowler and Co., for seven-tine balance culti-
vator (large occupations) ; £12, J. and F. Howard, for five-
tined cultivator (occupations of a moderate size) ; £15, J.
Fowler and Co., for light land cultivator single acting (new
implement) ; £8, J. Fowler and Co., for frame for harrows,
rollers, &c. ; £7, J. and F. Howard, for harrows ; £10, J.
Fowler and Co., for disc travelling anchor ; £8, J . Fowler and
Co., for double disc windlass on engine ; £8, J. Fowler and
Co., for clip drum windlass on engine ; £8, J. and F. Howard,
for double drum windlass on frame; higlily commended, J.
Fowler, for three-furrow balance French plough (deep work) ;
J. and F. Howard, for two-furrow plough (deep work).

Tile and Brick Machines : £7 10s., J. Whitehead, for brick
machine ; £7 10s., J. Whitehead, for tile machine ; £5, J. D.
Pinfold, for brick machine.

Draining Tools : Silver medal, Hunt and Pickering.
Wheel Ploughs : (general purpose) £1), J. and F. Howard ;
£5, Ransomes and Sims ; (light land) £6, J. and F. Howard ;
£4> Ransomes and Sims ; (deep land) £6, Ransomes and Sims ;
(general purpose) higldy commended, R. Homshy and Sons ;
(light land) R. Hornsby and Sons ; (deep land) J. Cooke and
Co. ; (deep land) commended, R. Hornsby and Sons.

Swing Ploughs : (general purpose) £8, J. and F. Howard ;
£4, Ransomes and Sims ; (light land) £5, J. and F. Howard ;
£3, Ransomes and Sims ; (general purpose) commended, J.
Cooke and Co. ; R. Hornsby and Sons ; Ball and Son ; (light
laud) R Hornsby and Sons.

Subsoil Ploughs : £6, J. and F. Howard ; £4, Ransomes
and Sims ; (digging ploughs) highly commended, R. Hornsby
and Sons, J. and F. Howard, Ransomes and Sims.

Paring Ploughs: £6, Ransomes and Sims; £4, J. and F.
Howard ; highly commended, Ball and Son.

Cultivators: £13, E. II. BentaU ; £7, C. Clay; highly
commended, Hunt and Pickering.

Clodcrushers : £11, Beverley Iron Works Company; £9,
Amies, Barford, and Co. ; highly commended, W. Crosskill
and Sons ; commended, E. Cambridge and Co.

Rollers: £6, Amies, Barford, and Co.; £4, Beverley Iron
Works Company: highly commended. Amies, Barford and
Co. ; conmiended, WiUiam Lewis, Hohnes and Sons.
Harrows: £13, J. and F, Howard; £7, Ransomes and

160

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Sims ; highly commended, Ashby and Jeffery, W. F. Johnson,
H. Denton, Holmes and Sons ; commended, E. Cambridge
and Co.

Miscellaneous : Silver medals, Ransomes and Sims, for
turnwrest ploughs with patent wheels ; Hunt and Pickering,
for collection of draining tools ; Amies, Barford, and Co.,
Peterborough, clod crusher and roller; The Beverley Iron
Company, Beverley, pair of patent wrought iron wheels;
Bryan Corcoran and Co., London, diamond millstone dressing

macliine ; J. Lee, Norton, London, tube well and pump, also
nine-inch revolving Archimedian screw ventOator ; Clayton
and Shuttleworth, Lincoln, patent combined revolving liquid
manure and drop drill ; H. R. Marsden, Leeds, steam stone
breaker ; W. Smith, Kettering, grindstone frame for grinding
reaping macliine knives ; W. Coleman and Peter Lowe, North-
ampton, combined 6-in. trough with self-supporting action ;
and Aveling and Porter, Rochester, patent road locomotive
crane engine.

THE BEET-SUGAR QUESTION.

BY THE OLD NOKFOLK FARMEK.

The history of the discovery of sugar in plants of European
growth forms an important era in the annals of European
commerce. It has led to the creation of a manufacture of a
material that is at once a luxury and a necessary of life, a
healthful condiment and an agreeable and universally accept-
able auxiliary to the minor delicacies of the table. Like salt,
its moderate use assists to purify the blood and materially pro-
motes the digestion of food, imparting warmth to the system
and favouring the acquisition of fat. Prom being in the first
instance a luxury of so costly a kind as only to be obtained
and enjoyed by the wealthier classes, it has now become so
cheap as to be within the means of the working orders, and
is in constant use in the cottages of the peasantry. Such is
sugar in the domestic economy ; and we propose tracing its
history from the earliest period to the present time.

It is well known that, until a comparatively recent period,
the only plant from which sugar was obtained was the sugar,
cane, a native of tropical climates, and was undoubtedly indi-
genous in the East Indies. It was unknown to the ancient
Greeks and Romans until the time of Alexander the Great
when it became known to the former through one of their
generals — Nearchus — about the year B.C. 325. It was, how-
ever, used by the Hebrews, being mentioned by the Prophet
Isaiah under the name oikene, or " sweet cane," and the extract
from it was termed sachar, or sheker, which is synonymous
with the Greek word for sugar, and signifies intoxication. We
may trace the knowledge of this plant and the extract obtained
from it from the time of Alexander, through the writings of
most of the extant ancient authors. Strabo mentions its in-
troduction into Europe by Nearchus; Varro (B.C. 66) describes
a liquor pressed from the cane " as sweet as honey." Dios-
corides (B.C. 35) mentions a kind of honey brought from the
East Indies, " like salt, and brittle when chewed." He de-
scribes it as possessing highly medicinal qualities. Galen also
prescribed it as a medicine ; and Lucan, in the first century,
speaks of the juice as being used as a common beverage ;
Arrian, as an article of commerce between India and the
countries bordering on the Red Sea. ^lian, Tertulliau, and
Alexander Aphrodiensis describe it as " a kind of honey ex-
tracted from the cane."

Marco Polo, the first Eastern traveller of comparatively
modern times, found manufactured sugar in abundance in
Bengal. This was in the middle of the thirteenth century ;
and at the close of the fifteenth, Vasco de Gama, having
doubled the Cape of Good Hope, found that a considerable
trade in sugar was carried on in the kingdom of Calicut.

It is, however, certain that before the time of either of
these two last-named travellers, the cane had been introduced
by the Saracens into Western Europe. Albcrtus Amiensis, a
monk who wrote at the time of the Crusades, states that the
soldiers in those expeditions derived both refreshment and sup-
port from the juice of the cane, which was then introduced
into the Morea, the Island of Rhodes, and Malta, and from
thence into Sicily, where it was cultivated and manufactured
into sugar about the beginning of the 12th century.* It was
soon after taken to Spain, and, in the 15th century, to Ma-
deira, the Canaries, and the Cape de Verd Islands ; and thus,
at the period of the discovery of the New World by Chris-

* In the year 1166, WiUiam II., King of Sicily, made a
aonation to the Monastery of Saint Benoit of a mill for
grmdmg the sugar-cane, with all its rights, memtaerB. and
appurtenances, &c., &c.— ia/?to».

topher Columbus, it was cultivated in every part of Europe
where the climate and soil were favourable to its growth.

We come now to the question respecting the introduction of
the sugar-cane into the New World, on which there appears
to have been a great deal of controversy. If we are to believe
those eminent writers Peter Martyr and Cardinal Ximines,
who were contemporaries of Columbus, we must admit that
the sugar-cane is an indigenous production both of the
American Continent and of the West Indian Islands. The
first of these writers asserts that it was certainly found by the
Spaniards at Hispaniola upon their arrival ; and the Cardinal,
in a " Treatise on American Plants," asserts that the sugar-
cane grew there without cultivation to a very large size, es-
pecially on the banks of the river La Plata ; and this state-
ment is confirmed by Jean de Lory, the chaplain of the Dutch
garrison at Port Coligny in 1556, who also tound the cane on
the banks of that river, " where no European had ever before
penetrated" ; and the accounts of these three writers are
further confirmed by the absence of all direct evidence that
Columbus conveyed it thither, and the certainty that upon his
second voyage to the " Indies" the Spaniards were cultivating
it at Hispaniola.

On the other hand, Professor Humboldt, after a most elabo-
rate literary research, both in the Old and New Worlds, has
come to the conclusion that the sugar-cane is not indigenous
in the New World, and that the natives both of the continent
and of the islands were entirely unacquainted with either the
sugar-cane, rice, or any of our cereal plants, except maize ; and
that the first of these was most probably conveyed thither by
Columbus himself. It certainly appears a confirmation of this
opinion tliat the cane was not cultivated in Barbadoes and the
British West Indies until the middle of the 15th century, or
about 150 years after the discovery of America.

With such a contrariety of opinion amongst men of the
most extensive learning and research, it would be impossible,
even if necessary, for us in the present day to arrive at any
satisfactory conclusion on this question. It is, however,
enough for us to know, that from the time of the occupation
of the West Indies by Europeans, the best and most abundant
supply of sugar has been brought to Europe from that quarter ;
and that up to a recent period the sugar cane has been the
only plant from which it has been extracted. The experiments
of science have thrown additional light on this subject within
the last few years ; and it is to the discoveries thus made, by
which the property of yielding this most useful substance, is
found to be possessed by many, if not all, other plants, that
the attention of the reader is now requested.

Before, however, entering more immediately on this subject,
it may be proper to state that there are two kinds of sugar,
possessing different characteristics, and requiring different pro-
cesses in their manufacture. The first and best of these is
extracted from the caue, the Silesian beet-root, and the maple.
This species of sugar crystallizes into oblique four-sided prisms,
terminated by two-sided summits. The three species named
are identical in their properties and composition, when simi-
larly manipulated, except that the product of the beet-root is
said to be the strongest in saccharine power, and forms the
finest crystals. The manufacture of sugar from these plants is
entirely a mechanical process, requiring no chemical additions
or changes except the condensation of the juice, th6 natural
effect of the heat employed.

The second kind, which is termed " a factitious" sugar, i«
produced from the grape and other ripe fruits, and starch or

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

161

farina, such as is produced from our cerea] plants and the
potato. This kind is more like the East India sugar, not
forming regular crystals, but settling into tufted concretions,
like the head of a cauliflower. The farina being itself a re-
siduum, obtained by a mechanical process, is converted bodily
into sugar by the addition of a chemical agent. In fact, there
is a considerable increase in the weight of sugar produced over
that of the farina employed, so that one cwt. of the latter will
yield one and a quarter cwt. of the former. This, which ap-
pears anomalous at first sight, is easily accounted for, when
the process by which the transformation is effected is ex-
plained. The farina is necessarily higbly dried, and it re-
quires the addition of a large quantity of moisture to convert it
into sugar ; and a considerable portion of that moisture remains
in the sugar when the process is completed, which constitutes
the excess in the manufactured article. With regard to the
grape and other ripe fruits, they contain large quantities of
saccharine matter, or its bases, but in this country they bear
too high a price to be employed in its manufacture. Both
these factitious sugars prove, upon analysis, greatly inferior to
the first kind, bearing a proportion of saccharine power of not
more than 60 to 100. It is evident that, as the sugar maple does
not grow in the United Kingdom, as fruits are too scarce and
costly, and as the potato also has for some years borne too
high a price to make its manufacture into sugar feasible, we
are, with our present knowledge of the saccharine properties of
plants, restricted, so far as regards home-grown sugar, to the
use of the Silesian beet-root, to which we shall now address
ourselves.

It was in the year 174?7 that a celebrated German professor
of chemistry (M. Margraaf), having found in the course of
his experiments, but quite by accident, a portion of sugar in
some plants, determined to make a general analysis of all
plants of domestic growth. By following up this resolution,
he ascertained that the Silesian beet-root yielded the largest
proportion. Having made this discovery known, the beet-root
began to be cultivated for the purpose in various parts of Ger-
many ; and was also introduced into Prussia by M. A.chard,
who in 1799 puhlished his method of manufacturing the sugar
from the Silesian beet-root, the product being then estimated
at 3J per cent., and the cost at 3d. per lb.

The particular kind of beet-root from which the sugar is
obtained is a species of the Beta vulgaris. It has a white or
pinkish outside, and presents the appearance of a cellular tube,
replete with a clear, transparent juice, in the large proportion
of 95 or 96 of liquid to 5 or 4 of solid ligneous fibre. The
physical properties to be sought for in the beet-root are firm-
ness and brittleness of texture, perfect soundness of inside, and
sweetness of juice. On being cut across, a good root wiU
emit a creaking sound under the knife, and a slice, held up to
the light, will appear semi-transparent.

So far as any practical result is concerned, the discovery by
M. Margraaf remained a dead-letter, and the fact itself of the
existence of sugar in the plants of European growth was looked
upon rather in the light of a scientific curiosity than as pos-
sibly leading to any practical consequences. It was upwards
of fifty years, and up to the close of the last century, before
the possibility of turning it to account was entertained;
when the necessities of a neighbouring nation led to an at-
tempt to make the discovery available. At that period the
war which was raging between England and several of the
continental Powers had greatly interrupted the trade between
France and the West Indian Islands, those belonging to France
having been taken by the British fleets in the course of the con-
flict. France had also lost St. Domingo, from whence she had
previously obtained her largest supply of sugar ; and thus her
entire supply of West India sugar and other produce was
cut off. In this dilemma the French Directory, and after-
wards the Imperial Government, were induced to encourage,
by premiums and other means, the cultivation of the beet-root,
and the manufacture of sugar therefrom. In consequence of
this, large establishments were formed for the purpose in
France, Belgium, and other of the continental States. The
price of sugar indeed — especially when the Berlin and Milan
decrees were enforced, when it rose to 4f. or 5f per kilogramme
— was of itself a sufficient stimulus ; and the manufacture was
accordingly prosecuted with extraordinary vigour and success.
Great improvements were also made in the processes, by which
the product of sugar was increased to 5 per cent, and the
quality somewhat improved.

It was by this means alone (if we except what was smuggled
into the continental ports, which could not be absolutely pre-
vented) that France and the nations she had conquered ob-
tained their supply of sugar until the restoration of peace in
1815. By the treaties tlien entered upon, some of the islands
taken from France were restored to her, by which means the
beet-sugar came into competition with cane-sugar ; and the
superiority of this latter gave it such a preponderance in the
market that the manufacture of the beet-sugar declined, not-
withstanding a heavy protective duty was imposed upon the
cane-sugar of foreign growth. It is true the beet-sugar thus
made was wretched stuff — such as nothing but absolute neces-
sity would have led to its use — consequently, as soon as it
came into competition with the West India product, the manu-
facture declined, and in 1827 was reduced to so low an ebb
that it became doubtful whether it would be worth any attempt
to uphold it. In 1827-8, only 4,800 tons were produced in
France.

From that time, however, efforts were made to improve the
processes employed in the manufacture and in the machinery.
These efforts were so successful, that not only was the pro-
portion of crystallised sugar obtained increased from five to
seven, eight, and even nine per cent, in some instances, but
the quality was brought up to that of the cane-sugar, the
West India Muscovado. The progress of improvement has
gone on continually ; and now the process of manufacture,
which formerly occupied many days, has been so much
shortened that the beet-root taken into the factory in the
morning may have its juice converted into excellent raw sugar
before night. We may add that most, if not all, the beet-
sugar consumed on the Continent is loaf or refined sugar ; but
a large quantity of raw sugar in an imperfect state is exported
from France and Belgium to this country for refining purposes,
one house alone importing 300 tons per week. In fact, a consi-
derable proportion of the sugar consumed in the United King-
dom is beet-sugar ; and the quality of the refined portion is
so far equal to that from cane raw sugar, that no consumer
would be able to tell the difference. By a pneumatic process
invented by Mr. Crosley the flavour of the beet-root, which
formed an objection to tlie sugar, is now got rid of, and the
refined sugar is as free from the flavour as possible ; and by
the employment of the centrifugal machine the syrup is sepa-
rated in the most complete manner. AVe have ourselves seen
the black mass of saccharine matter put into this machine,
and in five minutes converted into pure white raw sugar.

Many other important improvements have been of late
years introduced into this manufacture. Thus in 1757 Dr.
Hales discovered that, by the injection of streams of atmo-
spheric air into liquids in a state of ebullition, whilst re-
ducing the temperature, the evaporation is at the same time
accelerated. This important experiment and its result were
lost sight of for nearly a century, not being considered ap-
plicable to any useful purposes. But in 1818 Messrs. Crosley
and Galsworthy, the manufacturers of sugar-works machinery,
applied it experimentally in a sugar refinery, but in the first
instance did not succeed. They, however, renewed the expe-
riment in 1835 with more suitable apparatus, and with the
most complete success, discovering at the same time that, by the
process, the sugar was divested of whatever impure or offensive
taste or smell it might possess, as was formerly the case with
the beet-sugar, which was the greatest obstacle to its being
used as raw sugar. The principle of this process is illus-
trated by the daily effect of atmospheric air, agitated by the
wind, in evaporating the moisture from the earth or any sub-
stance exposed to its influence ; and it is by the same means
that deleterious and obnoxious gases of every kind are taken
up and dispersed, so as to render the air next the earth,
where alone it is applied to the subsistence of animal and
vegetable life, pure and salubrious.*

* This principle of pneumatic evaporation is applied in a
very simple but efficient way, during the winter months, by
the Northern Tartars, in the preservation of milk. They
place it in shallow pans, and expose it to the cold winds
during frost. In a short time a dry, white, crispy substance
is found on the surface, which is carefully scraped off and put
into bottles. This process is repeated until the whole of the
aqueous portion of the mUk is evaporated, and a sweet white
substance, which is essentially sugar of milk, is thus obtained,
which may be kept any length of time, in any climate, if kept

m

THE PARMER'S MAGAZINE.

This process was tested by Mr. Crosley iu 1838, upon ;i
(juantity of syrap made in the month of June, from beet-
root iu a state of decomposition, and vegetating, i'roui it he
produced raw sugar of pure quality, and as strong in saccha-
rine as tlie best cane sugar. In fact, when it was exhibited to
some of the principal beet-sugar manufacturers at i'aris, by a
gentleman attached to the British Embassy, tliey would not
believe but that it was cane sugar, and that the party was
practising an imposition upon them; consetjuently they rejected
the statement altogether.

Auother important discovery was made, to the effect that by
a peculiar process, retined sugar (loaf) may be made as well
and as speedily from the syrups as from the raw sugar, which
latter had previously been the practice. By this invention
both expense, time, and labour are greatly economised, for the
process has now for many years been in fuU operation at the
best sugar factories on the continent, where, as we have already
stated, loaf-sugar is much more generally used than in the
United Kingdom. So greatly have the processes been accele-
rated by this and other discoveries, that refined sugar is now
produced from the raw syrup in -iS hours. Those persons,
therefore, whether in the United Kingdom or on the Con-
tinent, who embark in this manufacture, will have the ad-
vantage of the sixty years' experience, experiments, and im-
provements of the Continental sugar manufacturers, both in the
adaptation and the application of machinery and utensils, in
the immediate adoption of the most efficient processes, and in
the general economisation of the entire routine of manufacture.
This is no mean or trilling advantage, for vast sums have been
expended and sunk in the acquisition of that Icnowledge on
which alone the manufacturer can depend for maintaining a
successful competition with the West and East India planters,
but which is now open to any one who will take the trouble
to acquire it.*

In consequence of these improvements in the manufacture,
the large increase in the proportion of sugar produced, the
superiority of its quality, and the evident advantages the beet-
sugar manufacturers possessed over the West India planters
(wliicli will presently be described), the French government a
few years since considered the time was come when the former
was enabled to dispense with the protection that had been
hitherto given it, to enable it in its infant state to encounter
the competition with cane sugar. Accordingly, in 1848, the
differential duty previously levied upon imported sugar was
annihilated, and the imposts on the two productions were
equalized. Of course, the beet-sugat manufacturers complained
heavily of tliis measure, and predicted the ruin of the trade.
Ear from this, however, they exerted themselves with increased
energy both in devising means for increasing the proportion of
sugar by more perfect methods of crystallisation, and the gene-
ral economising of the expenses of manufacture.

In addition to the improvements enumerated above, the
continental manufacturers have largely increased the power of
their bvdrauhc jjresses, by which they have been enabled to
obtain a greater proportion of the juice, and thereby also to
compress the pulp so effectually, that it will keep for any rea-

dry. This plan, although not practicable here, might be ap-
plied to the evaporation of the sap of the maple in Canada,
and would produce excellent sugar at a trifling cost.

* A singular fact has been elicited in the progress of this
manufacture, namely, that the beet root in a frozen state yields
more sugar than when not frozen ; but if suffered to thaw
again it yields less than the usual average. It is well known
in Canada that, when drawing off the sap from the sugar-
maple, if the roots are bare of snow, the sap is weak in
saccharine power, and the settlers have learned from the
Indians to cover the ground with snow around the tree, and
as soon as this begins to melt they draw off the sap, which is
then sufficiently sweet. It would appear from this result, that
a more definite and extensive formation of saccharine occurs
under the influence of congelation, and a more perfect arrange-
ment of the constituents of sugar, which are given as follows
by the different chemists named :

Gay Lussac. Berzeliue. Prout. Ure. Kane.

Oxygen ... 50.63 49.856 53.35 50.33 11

Hydrogen... 6.90 6.879 6.66 6.29 11

Carbon ... 42.4'7 43.265 39.99 43,38 12

100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

34

sonable length of time, if placed in pits sunk in the earth.
Carbonic acid also is employed in clarifying the juice, and the
passing of steam from one evaporating boiler to auother faci-
litates and cheapens the process of evaporation. The manu-
facture, therefore, in all its various manipulations, is now
arrived at a point of perfection that admits of but little fur-
ther improvement.

It will perhaps be supposed that the complete pressure of
the pulp will divest it at the same time of the entire propor-
tion of saccharine matter it contains , but this is an error.
It is found, upon analysis, that the pulp still contains at least
5 per cent, of sugar, after the hydraulic press has performed
its office in extracting the last possible drop of juice. It is
therefore quite as valuable for feeding purposes as the whole
root itself, and as such, is in constant demand with the conti-
nental farmers at 14 or 15 francs per ton. When the manufac-
tory was established in Ireland (at Monntmelick), the farmers
refused to purchase the pulp, alleging that it must be worth-
less after the extraction of the sugar ; but a merchant of the
town, in order to set an example, fed a large number of hogs
with it, and found it a very profitable speculation. The ques-
tion of its value for feeding purposes has long been set at rest
on the continent, where it is as regularly returned to the farm-
ers at the price named as the root is sent to the factory.

We shall next proceed to consider the question of the pro-
priety or safety of introducing the manufacture of beet sugar
into the United Kingdom, and its influence upon the system
of agriculture practised, more especially in England. Before,
however, going into this subject, we shall refer to those at-
tempts that have already been made to effect this purpose, and
state the causes that led to their failure.

The first of these attempts was made about thirty years
since, when three establishments were formed for the purpose.
One of these was near Chelmsford in Essex, the proprietors of
which were the well-known firm of Marriage and Co., millers.
A second was fixed in the south of Ireland, and a third in the
north of that country. At the time when this took place
there was no duty on indigenous sugar, for the simple reason
that the Legislature had never contemplated the possibility of
its being manufactured in the United Kingdom. The duty
then upon West India produce was about 3d. per pound ; con-
sequently the home-made sugar, although, through the imper-
fection of the machinery, of an execrable quality compared
\Wth that of the colonial sugar, found purchasers at 4d. per
pound, and paid the manufactures a handsome profit. But at
that period tlie " West India interest" was stiU powerful in the
House of Commons, and had to be propitiated on the question
of emancipation. Under the clamour, therefore, raised by
that body, a very heavy differential duty was laid upon indi-
genous sugar, which at once stopped the works of the three
factories ; at the same time, acting upon an equitable and im-
partial principle, the Government intimated to the proprietors
that, under the circumstances, if they sent in a fair estimate
of their loss, they would be indemnified for it. Accordingly,
Messrs. Marriage, and one of the Irish proprietors, received
the full amount of their estimates; but the third, having
made a claim of £15,000 for what had cost him not more than
£5,000 or £6,000, it was at once returned to him, with a re-
fusal to entertain his case at all ; and he never received a shil-
ling of remuneration.

The last case was that of the establishment at Mountmeliek
in Queen's County, Ireland, in 1851, which was commenced
under circumstances in every respect calculated to render it
both profitable to the company to which it belonged, and most
valuable to Ireland, as opening up a new branch of manufac-
turing industry calculated to benefit all classes of the com-
munity.

It would be useless to go into the causes of the failure of
this unfortunate attempt, which has tended to discourage those
who were desirous of introducing so promising an enterprize into
Ireland, where such sources of industry are so much wanted.
That the failure of the Beet Sugar Company was in no re-
spect owing to the soil or climate of Ireland not being adapted
to the cultivation of the root was abundantly proved by the
investigation undertaken by Sir Robert Kane, director of the
Museum of Irish Industry, by order of the Chief Commissioner
of Works in Ireland, and presented, by command of her
Majesty, to both Houses of Parliament. This report, which
occupies fifty-four pages, contains, amongst other interesting
matters, the analysis of 118 specimens of Irisli-grown beet-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

163

roots, carefully conducted, the beet being grown in different
parts of the country. The quantity or percentage of sugar
they contained ranged from 3.523 (or about 3|) to 14.551 (or
1-i^), the low average beiug from large and the high from
small roots. Tliis perfectly agrees with the results of analyses,
and also with those of working on the largest scale, on the Con-
tinent, where it is so well understood that the smaller the root
the larger the proportion of saccharine, that the beet is planted
at ten inches in the rows aud about fourteen inches between
the rows, in order tlius to produce a dwarfed root. We select
the following as specimens taken from the tables in Sir R.
Kane's report :
Weight of root.

lbs. 07,.

Sugar.

per cent.

13 11.3-5

Oi Ui

1 13.V

2i 13 4-5

1

dk

9 4-5

111
20 2-5

n

Weight of root,
lbs. oz.

4 12^ ...

5 13| ...

Sugar,
per cent.
.. 9
.. 7 1-5

7i

5i 6 1-10

144-
7f

3*

3 3-5
Si-

It should be observed that the condition and quality of the
soil have much to do with the proportion of saccharine, which
will account for any discrepancies in the proportions of sugar
iu some of the above specimens ; but, on the otiier hand, the
very small proportion of sugar in the large roots compared
with that of the small ones is too palpable to admit of a doubt
as to the fact of the superiority of small roots for the purpose
of producing sugar.

Now, by way of comparison, the report contains also the
analyses of seven specimens of roots from 15elgium, the results
of which are as follows :

Weight of roots,
lbs. 07..

1 3

3 5

3 14^

3 3i

Sugar,
per cent.
10|

n

8i

Weight of roots,
lbs. oz.

3 8i

3 14

5 7^

Sugar.

per cent.

8 1-0

7 4-5

If the two tables are compared, it will be found that the pro-
portions of saccharine in the Irish beet, without any previous
preparation of the soil, is, on the whole, quite equal to that in
the Belgian, where the peculiar mode of cultivation (with
liquid manures) and the greater coldness of the climate give a
decided advantage to the root, in regard to the proportions of
sugar it contains.*

But Sir R. Kane and his coadjutors did not confine their
investigations to the analysis of single roots ; they'also under-
took to apply a more practical test, by an actual manufacture
of sugar — on a comparatively small scale it is true, but suffi-
ciently large for the purpose. They were supplied with the
necessary apparatus by Mr. Crosley (formerly of the firm of
Crosley and Galsworthy), capable of operating upon from
30 to 25 cwt. of root. The first experiment was a failure,

' The following are the entire results of the 118 analyses :
12 contained above 12 per cent, of sugar.

9 ,, between 11 and 12 ,, „

19 „ „ 10 and 11 „

32 ,, „ 9 and 10 ,, „

18 „ „ Sand 9 „ „

16 „ „ 7 and 8 „ „

2 „ ,. 6 and 7 „ „

under 6

118

This will compare favourably with the results of the analyses
of 62 specimens of Belgian beetroot, in which were —
4 roots which contained above 12 per cent, of sugar.
4 „ „ U

9 ,. „ 10 » ..

14 „ „ 9 „ „

13 „ „ 8 „

8 „ „ 7 „

6 „ ., 6 „ „

_4 ,. „ 6 „

62

t In the evidence given before the Committee of the House
of Commons in 1847 it was stated by planters that the aver-
age product of crystallized sugar was not more than 6 p»r
rent,, with about an equal quantity of njolasses,

owing to circumstances it is unnecessary to state here. The
second was eiuployed on ten cwt- of beetroot, and the result
was as follows : 30.17 percent, of pulp or residue, 0.51 of
raw sugar, and 1.63 of molasses— in all, 8.14 of saccharine
matter. There is no doubt that with proper machinery, on a
large scale, and after much experience, a larger and better pro-
duct \vould be obtained. It is the general opinion of the
chemists that the whole of the saccharine matter is crystalliz-
able, under favourable circumstances, and tliat tiie molasses
are the result of extraneous matters in the juice, which to a
greater or less extent counteract the ciystailizatiou : much iu
this respect depends upon the manure employed, both as to
the per-centage of saccharine aud its purity. We sliall have
occasion to refer to this part of the subject when speaking of
the cultivation of the beetroot.

The clamour raised by political economists against the
manufacture of beet-sugar in the United Kingdom is liut a re-
iteration of what was expressed a few years since against the
same object in France. Mr. M'CuUo'ch, in his Commercial
Dictionary, published in 1847 (p. 1250), makes the following
observations. Speaking of the plan adopted by the French
Government of ruisiug annually the duty on beet-sugar until
it became equal to that on sugar from the French colonies, he
says: " This system came into operation ou the 1st August,
1844, and in August, 1848, the equalisation of the duties will
be etfected. The probability is that, if fully carried out, this
project will go far to annihilate the growth of beet-sugar iu
France ; and if so, there will be, between the present period
and 1849, an increased demand in France for tropical sugar,
equivalent to a part, at least, of the supply which is now de-
rived from beetroot. Tiie same cause which has extended the
growth of beet-sugar in France — viz., its exemption from all
duty, while it comes into competition with an article loaded
with a heavy duty, has introduced its culture in Belgium, Ger-
many, Prussia, aud even Russia. Beetroot plantations have
increased most in Silesia and Saxony, aud supply a consider-
able portion of the sugar made use of in those countries."

Now, how has this bold prediction been verified by the facts P
So signally has it failed of accomplishment that the equalisa-
tion of the duty, instead of annihilating the manufacture, has
not been suificient to protect the tropical sugar in competition ;
and the French Government has inflicted a dillerential duty of
5 francs per cwt. upon beet-sugar above what the tropical
sugar pays, in order to enable the latter to meet the competi-
tion. And so far is the manufacture from having been anni-
hilated by this increase of duty that it has increased to double
its amount in 1850, as the following statement will show :

Produce of Beet-Sugar JVLinuf.vcturk in France.

Year. Tons.

1847-8 51,716

1850 100,000

1864-5 147,000

1865-6 275,000 (a very fine season)

1866-7 315,000

1867-8 310,000 to 315,000 tons expected.

This statement, which is taken from the published accounts,
settle the question of the ability of the beet-sugar manufacture'
to stand a competition with the produce of the tropical
countries, and to beat it too in the contest. The reason for
such a result is obvious, when we consider the disadvantages
under which the latter labours. In the first place the cane
ripens all at once, and must be cut and pressed immediately,
otherwise it will become too ripe ; and it is equally necessary
that the juice should be instantly boiled down, otherwise it
will ferment and become acid, wliich would materially lessen
the product. The cane contains about 18 per cent, of saccha-
rine matter ; but the ditticulty in expressing the juice is such,
that not more than 10 or 13 per cent.f is obtained, a consi-
derable portion of it being frequently in a crystallized state in
the cane, which cannot be extracted by pressure. The neces-
sity for tlius concentrating the manufacture into a short space
of time renders the harvest labour expensive, and the average
cost of all the West India Islands (English) in 1847 was 21s.
3d. per cwt., classed as follows : Jamaica, 32s. 7d. ; Guiana
and Trinidad, 25s. ; Barbadoes and Antigua, 15s. 4id. ;
St. Kitts and Grenada, IGs. 3d. ; St. Vincent, 19s. 3d. ;
Tobago, 17s.

There is no doubt that a great improvement has been
effected in the West Indies since 1847, by the introduction ot

164

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the new processes employed in the beet-sugar manufacture in
Europe, and that the expenses have been greatly reduced
thereby. The following statement was given in before the
Committee as the actual result of the sugar crop of that year :

Cost of cultivating and manufacturing the

crop of sugar of 1847 £3,390,086

Freight to Europe, at £4 per ton 638,328

Brokerage, insurance, landing, &c., at £3 per
ton ..:. 478,671

£ 4,506,985
. 4,336,930

159,557 tons of sugar sold

Loss £ 170,055

If to the expense of cultivating and manufacturing we add
the loss of 16 per cent, of the produce, on the voyage to
Europe by drainage, on the sugar, and 20 per cent, on the
molasses, with the frequent loss of a hogshead of sugar by
its bursting from fermentation (in which case the contents are
pumped up with the bilge-water), the result, as above stated,
is accounted for ; and, whatever improvements the West India
planters may have introduced into the manufacture the last
few years, the beet-sugar manufacturers will still have the
advantage of being on the spot of consumption, with that of
being able to make an immediate return of their capital,
without the losses and expense attending a long voyage. In
order to show the difference in this respect between colonial
and beet sugar, we give the following account of the manufac-
ture and product of the latter on a large scale. It was com-
municated to Professor Sullivan, of the " Museum of Irish
Industry," by the manufacturers, Messrs. Serret, Hamoir,
Duchesne, and Co. (the largest manufacturers of beet-root
sugar in Valenciennes), about three years after the statement
of the West India planters, as given above :
Expense.

Cost of 60,000,000 kilos, (or 61,607

tons) of beet at 16f. (13s. lid '

per 1,000 kilos, (nearly a ton)

Cost of desiccation

General expense of manufacture

F.
960,000

300,000
690,000

F. 1,950,000

38,400

12,300
27,300

£78,000

[d.)per'|
Jos. (or >

2,700,000

90,000

60,000

2,850,000
1,950,000

108,000

3,000
3,400

Produce.
Estimating the per-centage oC

sugar obtained at only 4J the

60,000,000 kilos, would give

2,700,000 kil. (about 2,700 tons)

of sugar, which, duty deducted,

would be worth about If. (or

9Jd.) the kilo, of 21bs. 3^ oz., or

about 40s. per cwt. ... ^

Molasses, estimated at 3 per cent.,

1,800,000 kilos, (or 1,800 tons)

at 5f. (4s. Oitd.) per 100 kilos.

(or 3201bs.) "

Kesidue, or pulp, at If. (9f d.) per

100 kilos., 6,000,000 kilos '

58,933 tons) ...

Deduct expenses (as above)..

Net balance to cover rent, taxes, &c. F. 900,000

Any one acquainted with the present method of manufacture
of beet-sugar will know that the present product of crystallized
sugar averages much more than 4^ per cent. ; that, in fact, it
is nearer 7 per cent., and in some cases 8, and even 9 per
cent., while the expense of manufacture is considerably re-
duced. Experience has also taught the growers that the
quantity of saccharine in the beet may be increased by a cer-
tain and more careful cultivation. This has been a main
object of the continental growers and manufacturers, and they
have succeeded beyond their expectations. One of these (M.
Koechlin, a Bavarian) has even obtained as much as 17^ per
cent, of saccharine, which is quite equal to the average quan-
tity in the sugar-cane, and, if generally attained, would settle
the question of competition with the lattet, if the Governments
did not interfere. If Messrs. Serret, Hamoir, and Co., had

114,000

78,000

£36,000

obtained that per-centage in the above account, instead of
4,500 tons they would have had 10,781 tons of sugar and
molasses.

There is no reason whatever for the supposition that this
manufacture should not succeed in the United Kingdom as well
as on the Continent. The question, in point of fact, rests
wholly with the agriculturists, and whether it would pay them
— not as well as wheat, for it must not for a moment be sup-
posed that the cultivation of sugar-beet would supersede that
of wheat — but whether selling the roots would pay them as well
as consuming them on the farm, or as growing common man-
gold or turnips for the purpose ? To this question we shall
now address our attention.

It is notorious amongst agriculturists that the cultivation
of root crops, of whatever kind, for fattening purposes is only
profitable as a raw material in the manufacture of manure,
and that, as such, they cannot be valued at more than eight
or ten shillings per ton ; the profit on the cattle not being
greater than the capital employed in their purchase, and the
necessary expenses of attendance, &c., entitle them to. It
is a well-known practice with many, if not most, of the
farmers, in making up their accounts, to charge the expenses
attending the cultivation of the roots to the cattle and sheep
account, without reference to or calculating their estimated
value ; aud thus, whatever profit or returns may accrue from
them is included in the increased value of the cattle. This
mode of lumping together in one amount the proceeds of
animal and vegetable produce is not, it is true, a strictly
business-like process, but it helps the farmer over a difficulty,
which is more likely to result in error than to give a correct
view of the profit and loss of such species of produce. For
instance, if the turnips or mangolds are consumed by cattle
under cover, and the dung from that consumption is valued at
ten shillings per ton of roots, how much ought to be deducted
from this for the straw used in their conversion, for they can-
not be made into manure without straw P The estimate of
ten shillings per ton must necessarily be an arbitrary one,
because it is impossible to calculate the effect of the manure
upon the crops to which it is applied, the success, or other-
wise, depending as much, or even more, on the season than on
the manure.

This question of the value of a root crop is perhaps the
most intricate and perplexing in the whole routine of agricul-
tural accounts ; and the plan of charging the cost of those
crops to the debit of the cattle account is the readiest and
most conclusive plan of dealing with them, however illogical
the system may appear in the eyes of a regular accountant.
By it, the roots being given to the cattle, which are charged
vfith the expenses attending their cultivation and other ex-
penses, the profit or increased value of the cattle will con-
stitute the value of the roots relatively with whatever other
food — as hay, cake, straw, &c. — may be given to them.

But it is otherwise with the crops of roots grown for sale,
as in the case of the sugar-beet, for which a debtor and
creditor account of the most exact and conclusive kind may
be kept, and the profit or loss exactly defined. This, like all
agricultural crops, will depend on the season in a great mea-
sure, but quite as much on the treatment they receive. Some
of the more intelligent beet growers on the Continent have
succeeded in raising fifty, sixty, and even more, tons per
hectare (2a. Ir. 35p.) of small roots ; aud one farmer who
cultivated them by planting instead of sowing produced 106
tons per hectare, or about 42^ tons per acre, which, at 18s.
per ton, would pay far better than any crop of cereals that
can be grown. Even at the moderate produce of from 15 to
20 tons per acre, the return of from £13 10s. to £18 would,
when the smaller expenses are taken into the account, be quite
as remunerative as a cereal crop. For instance, if we take a
crop of wheat at an average rate of 4 quarters per acre, and 50s.
per qr., which may be reckoned the extreme average, of both
produce and price, we have 4 quarters of wheat at 50s. = £10.
If, again, we take the produce of sugar-beet at 15 tons per
acre, and 18s. per ton, we obtain 15 tons at 18s. = £13 10s.,
leaving a balance in favour of the beet of £3 10s. per acre.
The wheat requires nearly twelve months to mature and har-
vest, besides sometimes the loss of a previous season by a
fallow. The beetroot matures in five or sLx months, requiring no
fallow, and can be turned into money as soon as it is raised,
without any additional expense except cartage from the land.
We have estimated the average produce "of beet at the lowest

THE FABMER'S MAOAZINE.

165

that is grown in this country ; and the probability is that,
with extra care, it may be raised to 20 or 25 tons per acre.

But it is not in competition with wheat or any other grain
that we wish to place the cultivation of the sugar-beet ; for it
has been found that around Valenciennes and other places
where the manufacture of beet-sugar is carried on, the produce of
wheat has largely increased, both in respect to the breadth of
land sown and the yield per acre. So much, in fact, has the soil
been improved by the culture, that wheat and beet are alternated
with the very best effect, and the farmers have increased in
wealth wherever the system has been introduced. The land is
manured for the beet-root, but requires none for the wheat,
and the cleaning of it when under that crop is an excellent
preparation for the wheat. The cultivation, therefore, of this
grain is rather promoted and increased than diminished by the
introduction of the manufacture of beet-sugar. The question
of comparative advantage to the farmer lies between the value
of the root crop consumed by cattle and its sale to the sugar
manufacturer, with the option of buying the residue at a fair
price for fattening purposes, for which it is better fitted than the
entire root, being all solid food divested of much of the water it
contained, and still holding from 4) to 5 per cent, of saccha-
rine matter. This is another feature of the question whicli
we have not yet touched upon, but it is a very important one.
On the Continent the sale of the residue is a regular branch
of the manufacture ; but in some of the large manufactories
in Germany and Austria it is consumed by the animals — which
to a large extent are pigs — on the premises. The composition
of the pulp is thus stated by Mr. SuUivan, in two cases, as
worked at the Laboratory of the Museum of Irish Industry.

A SPECIMEN OF NO. 2

PULP

CONTAINED, AS IT CAME TROM

THE

PRESS,

Albumen ...

... 0.652

Pectine, &c.
Sugar

::: SoJ^-ses

Woody fibre

... 6.444

Ash

... 1.206

Water

... 83.335

100.000

WHIN DRIED AT 312 DEGS. IT CONTAINED

Albumen 3.915

Pectine, &c 19-878 •),„ lof?

Sugar 30.305 j ^^--^S^

Woody fibre 38.670

Ash 7.232

100.000

NO. 3 PULP, MOIST.

Albumen 1.335

Sugar 4.945

Pectine 6.487

Woody fibre 11.923

Ash 1180

Water 74.130

}"

,482

100.000

DRIED AT 213 DEGS,, IT CONSISTED OF

Albumen 5.167

Sugar 19.1131

Pectine 25.075)

Woody fibre 46.084

Ash 4.561

•44.188

100.000
Dr. Sullivan has given a tabular statement of forty speci-
mens of the composition of the beet-root in its natural state.
We shall give analyses of the best and the worst of these as
examples : —

BEST.

Water 80.623

Supar 13.185

Nitrogenous substances 2.970

Cellulose 1-326

Pectine, organic acids, fat, &c, ... 0.960

Ash 0.936

100.000

WOIST.

Water 93.054

Sugar 3.127

Nitrogenous substances 1.047

Cellulose 0.827

Pectine, organic acids, fat, &c. ... 0.735

Ash 1.210

100.000
The average of these in sugar is 8.155 per cent., and when
the amount of other solid substances in the residue are added
to the sugar it contains, it will be seen that it amounts to as
much fattening matters as the root in its natural state. This,
in fact, is Dr. Sullivan's opinion as expressed relative to the
tables of the analyses of both as given above. " A com-
parison," he says " between these numbers and those given at
page 40 of the preceding report, leads to the singular result
that pulp is as nearly as possible of the same value as raw-
beet, one constituent merely replacing another. In the raw
beet the sugar forms the preponderating constituent belonging
to the class of non-nitrogenous substances capable of being
assimilated by animals. In the pulp, a considerable part of
the sugar is replaced by pectine, which fills the same office as
food."

These analyses are very important as settling the question
of the feeding properties of the pulp after the juice has been
extracted. The proportion of pulp in beet, according to the
same authority, is about 30 per cent, of the entire weight, so
that nearly one-third of the crop of beet is thus returned to
the land when purchased by the grower. The difference in
the amount of sugar in the two specimens given above is to
be accounted for by the difference of soil, manure, and general
treatment of the crop. But where these important matters
are more strictly attended to, with the view to the cultivation
of the root expressly for manufacturing purposes, there is no
reason to doubt that the result will be quite as good and
as uniform as in France or any other part of the Con-
tinent.

We have hitherto confined our remarks on the working of
the beet-sugar manufacture to that of France ; but it has ex-
tended itself into all the continental states with quite as much
success as in that country, as the following statement will
show:

QUANTITY OF BEET-SUGAR MANUFACTURED IN GERMAMY.

The Zollverein.

Tons.

1864-5 170,000

1865-6 185,000

1866-7 200,000

1867-8 estimated at 165,000

Austria.

1864-5 85,000

1865-6 70,000

1866-7 90,000

1867-8 estimated at 95,000

Russia.

1849-50 1,620

1851-52 3,833

1854-55 5 4,24

1855-56 4*924

1856-57 6,864

Coarse sugar, not included above 6,087

1858-59 ; 15,000

1866 80,000

The most extensive sugar-works of the Zollverein are those
at Waghausen, in Bavaria, at which 80,000 metrical quintals
(of 3 cwt. each) are manufactured annually ; and the number
of men in constant employment is 500, wliilst during the busy
season it is increased to upwards of 2,000. This establish-
ment belongs to a company, and is a very flourishing concern.

In Russia the beet-root sugar manufacture is continually
increasing; and new and extensive works are rising up in
every part of the countrj-. Enough sugar is now manufac-
tured to nearly supply the whole population. The consumption
has been more than doubled within the last few years, and
now averages two pounds per head of the whole population.
There is an abundance of capital ; and new companies are
continually being formed, and are much encouraged by the
Government, whose main commercial policy is to exclude as

166

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

much as possible foreign importations, by rendering the
couulry iudependeut, manufacturing as much as possible at
liome, and imposing heavy duties on foreigu productions

In Austria, sugar-making from beetroot and distilleries
from the potato are conducted on a large scale in the aggre-
sate although in the first instance the sugar-works were
fmal'l The introduction of both these industrial employ-
ments" took place in 1830, and between that time and 1840
115 suo'ar- works were erected ; but it was iound not to yield
a profit°on a small scale, and many of them were consequently
stopped, reducing the number at work to 108, although some
iar^'er establishments of the same kind had been erected.
Still the manufacture is not so extensively earned on as in
France the agricultural distilleries, of which there are upwards
of sixteen thousand in Austria, being preferred. A few years
since, the e.xtent of land employed in cultivating the beetroot
was about 32,000 acres, producing about nine tons of beet per
acre or in round numbers, 300,000 tons. This yielded 438,380
cwts. of crystaUized sugar, 182,000 cwts. of molasses, and
upwards of 30,000 tons of megass* or residue. The latter is
employed in feeding cattle and swine. Upwards of 20,000
persons are employed in this manufacture during the live
winter months, when all agricultural work is suspended in
Northern Germany. It is therefore so far a great boon to the
rural population ; and as Aiistria has no sugar colonies, such
an indigenous manufacture is beneficial to the country at large.
It was feared when the beet-sugar movement first com-
menced in France that the occupation of so much land as it
would require would materially interfere with and reduce the
cultivation of cereal produce and the rearing of cattle. So
far, however, is this from having been the result, that the
product of both has largely increased— in proof of which, an
inscription is to be seen over the gate of Valenciennes to the
effect that since the introduction of this manufacture into
that and the surrounding districts the production of wheat has
increased from 123,500 quarters to 146,180, and the number
of cattle reared and fattened from 700 to 11,500. Not only
so, but wherever this branch of industry has been introduced,
the agriculturists have become wealthy ; while, by the employ-
ment of so many hands during the five winter months) which
were fornierly idle ones, or nearly so), the condition of the
rural populations is greatly improved ; and this is the case
throughout the continent wherever the manufacture has been
carried on with spirit.

No reason or cause whatever exists to prevent this manutac-
ture from succeeding in the United Kingdom as well as on the
Continent, if entered upon with spirit by the manufacturer,
and well supported by the agriculturists. This latter, in fact,
is the pivot upon which the question of success chiefly hinges ;
and when the farmer becomes convinced that his interest is
concerned in its promotion, and that instead of its impoverish-
ing it will enrich tlie soU, and afford him a living profit and
something beyond it, and that he can fatten more stock with
the residuum of the roots with a portion of artificial food than
he now does, there is no fear that he will hesitate to second
the enterprise with his utmost efforts, esteeming those who
engage in it as the farmers' true friends.

THE GRASS.

The grass, the grass, the beautiful grass,

That brightens this land of ours,
Oh, why do we rudely let it pass,

And only praise the flowers ?
The blossoms of spring small joys would bring,

And the summer-bloom look sad.
Were the earth not green, and the distant scene

In its emerald robe not clad.
Then sing the grass, the beautiful grass,

That brightens this land of ours ;
For there is not a blade by nature made

Less perfect than the flowers.

* This will give not more than ten tons of roots to every
ton of saccharine matter, or one ton of chrystallizecl sugar to
every VA\ tons of roots, and one ton of molasses to about 33
tons of roots. This is a very large proportion of saccharine,
amounting to nearly 10 per eenti The account is qffiQialt

The grass, the grass, the feathery grass,

That waves in the summer wind.
That stays when the flowers all fade and pass

Like a dear old friend, behind ;
That clothes the hills and the valley fills,

When the trees are stripped and bare ;
Oil, the land would be like a wintry sea,

Did the grass not linger there.
Then sing the grass, the bonny green grass.

That to all such a charm can lend ;
For 'tis staunch and true the whole year through.

And to all a faithful friend.

The grass, the grass, the bountiful grass.

Oh, well may the gift endure,
That never was meant for creed or class.

But grows for both rich and poor.
Long may the land be rich and grand

Where the emerald turf is spread ;
May the bright green grass, when from earth we pass,

Lie lightly o'er each head.
Then sing the grass, the bountiful grass.

That stays hke a dear old friend ;
For whatever our fate, it will kindly wait,

And serve us to the end.

SONG OF THE HAY-MAKERS.

BY ELIZA COOK.

The noontide is hot, and our foreheads are brown.

Our palms are all shining and hard ;
Eight close is our work with the wain and the fork.

And but poor is our daily reward.
But there's joy in the sunshine, and mirth in the lark.

That skims whistling away over liead ;
Our spirits are light, though our skins may be dark,

And there's peace with our meal of brown bread.
We dwell in the meadows, we toil on the sod.

Far away from the city's dull gloom ;
And more jolly are we, though in rags wc may be.

Than the pale faces over the loom.
Then a song and a cheer for the bonny green staak ,

Climbing up to the sun wide and high ;
For the pitchers and rakers, and merry hay-makers,

And the beautiful Midsummer sky.

Come forth, gentle ladies— come forth, dainty sirs,

And lend us your presence awhile ;
Your garments will gather no stain from the burs.

And a freckle won't turnish your smile.
Our carpet's more soft for your delicate feet

Than the pile of your velveted floor ;
And the air of our balm-swathe is surely as sweet

As the perfume of Araby's shore.
Come forth, noble master, come forth to the field.

Where freshness and health may be found ;
Where the wind-rows are spread, fram the butterfly s bed.

And the clover bloom falleth around.
Then a song and a cheer for the bonny green stack.

Climbing up to the sun wide and high ;
For the pitchers and rakers, and merry hay-makers.

And the beautiful Midsummer sky.

" Hold fast '. " cries the waggoner, loudly and quick.

And then comes the hearty " Gee-wo ! "
While the cunning old team-horses manage to pick

A sweet mouthful to munch as they go.
The tawny-faced children come round us to play.

And bravely they scatter the heap ;
Till the tiniest one, all aspent with the fun,

Is curled up with the sheep-dog, asleep.
Old age sitteth down on the hay-cock's fair crown,

At the close of our labouring day,
And wishes his life, like the grass at his feet.

May be pure at its " passing away."
Then a song and a«heer for the bonny green stack,

Climbing up to the suu wide aud higu ;
For the pitchers and rakers, and merry hay-makers,

And the heaiUiful Midsummer sky.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

16;

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.
THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS.

The usual meeting of tlie members of the Society was lield
on the Saturday in the show week on the ground. Lord
Berners presided in the absence of the Duke of Riclunoud
who was unavoidably detaiued in town. '

On the motion of Lord Bridport, seconded by Lord
Chesham, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Jlayor and
Corporation of Leicester for their reception of the Society.
On the motion of Col. Kingscote, M.P., seconded by Mr!
Sanday, a vote of thanks was also passed to his Highness the
Viceroy of Egypt for the gold cup presemed by his Highness
for competition among the makers of agricultural implements
Mr. Shuttleworth moved and Mr. Millward seconded a vote of
thanks to the railway companies for the facilities given by
them in the conveyance of stock and implements to the show
Mr. Brandreth Gibbs moved and Mr. Cautrell seconded a vote
of thanks to the local committee for their exertions to promote
tlie success of the meeting.

Sir G. Jenkinson wished to call attention to a speech
made by Mr. C. S. Read at the Chamber of Agriculture
dinner on the previous evening— a speech which he thought
was very detrimental to the interests of the Royal Agricultural
Society, although he did not suppose that Mr. Read would
have said what he did without considering that he had some
good ground of complaint. Mr. Read said in substance that
the tenant-farmers of England were not in sutiicient numbers
supporters of the Society, and he was not surprised at this
being the case, considering the treatment they received and
the management of the council. Mr. Read further said that
the council was a close borough, that how he got in he did not
know, and how soon he got out he did not care. Mr. Read
also said that members of the council voted against the
interests of the agricultural classes instead of supporting them.
These were heavy charges for a member of the council to
make, and as they would go forth to the world it was very im-
portant that they should not remain uncontradicted or un-
explained if possible.

Mr. Samuel Sidney was not prepared to endorse all that
had been said by Mr. Read. It could not be said that the
council was a close borough, as there had been a constant in-
crease in the number of members representing the tenant-
farmer interest. Since the Society met at Salisbury it had
made changes of a very important character ; but althougli it
had done that, he believed in the opinion of persons much
more influeucial than himself, there was a great deal more
change wanted. Nine years since, when the council elected a
secretary and an editor of the Jonrnal, they disappointed the
whole agricultural body ; and as the council was now aljout to
elect another gentleman, who was to combine the offices of
secretary and editor, it was to be hoped that tlie same mistake
would not be repeated. One of the most important things
the council had to do was to publish its Jouriud, which
ought to be one of the most popular hand-books of tlie kind
in the kingdom. The other day the chairmau of the Journal
committee — a body which he (Mr. Sidney) thought ought not
to exist at all — expressed himself perfectly satisfied with tlie
Journal. It was an* old saying, that every monkey
admired its own maunikin (laughter) and this must
be the case with Mr. Thompson, for although in the
Journal there were occasionally valuable papers ; stUl, as a
general rule, the papers were unquotable. Mr. Thompson
might be valuable as a railway director, and would probably
be a member of the next House of Commons ; but he did not
know how to make the Journal of the Society useful and in-
teresting at the same time. However, Mr. Thompson made
the person who was under him do as he liked, and that was
one reason why the Journal was dull. Mr. Acland, who also
exercised a great deal of intluence in the manageninut of tlie
Journal, took a double first-class at Oxford ; but if Mr. Acland
had his living to get as a writer, nobody would think of em-
ploying him ; for, although his lauguage was good, and his
grammar perfect, he wanted style. The Society would not
get a first-rate man to be editor of its Journal if he was to
liave a Journal Committee sitting over him. Such a com-

mittee might be useful in a financial point of view ; but no
newspaper, no journal, no magazine liad ever succeeded except
it had been managed by one man : he might receive sug-
gestions, but he must not be under orders. To pass on to
another committee— the implement committee— presided over
by Colonel Chailonei-. When Colonel Challoner founded the
Society, thirty years since, he rendered an essential service ;
but if the implement committee now comprised gentlemen
who kept pace with the spirit of the age, we should not have
such absurdities as the Royal Agricultural Society giving
prizes for swing-ploughs— an implement which, if not aban-
doned, ought to be abandoned, being false in mechanical
principles. If the council proceeded on the idea that what
was right in 183!) would do equally well in 1869, it would not
command the confidence of the agricuUural world. He found,
with regard to the appointment of secretary and editor, that
some members of the council wanted a perfect genUeman, of
good standing, who could speak all the European languages,
who was a good chemist, who had a knowledge of mechanical
science, who was a first-rate accountant, and who could write a
considerable number of articles himself. Now, it was the edi-
tor's business to draw out from the tenant-farmers of the United
Kingdom all the good solid information he could get.
Talented contributors might be obtained, and it would
be good_ policy to engage such gentlemen, and pay them
at a good rate— twelve or fifteen guineas per sheet— instead of,
as now, filling up the Journal with bits aud scraps and trans-
la'rions from a Erpucli paper, which nobody cared to read.
The Society had flourished on aristocratic support ; but, if it
were to go on, it must turn to the tenant-farmers to swell its
numbers. If the Society did not advance, it could not live ;
and the merely having a good show, and making a good deal
of money, was not promoting the cause of agriculture.

Mr. T. WiLLSON said when he and the mayor of Lei-
cester attended a meeting of the council, as members of the
local committee, the treatment they experienced quite s lisfied
him that the council was a close borough. Lord Iverners
was kind enough to say that he and the mayor might sit in
the committee-room ; but, afterwarde, a member of the council
came out and peremptorily ordered him and the mayor out of
the room. He (Mr. Wilson) hoped that the gentlemen of the
Manchester local committee would be ^allowed to sit in the
council-room, if they were not allowed to vote. He did not
think the council ought to dismiss the secretary without
calling together the members of the whole Society ; for he
had never seen a secretary who had performed his duties
better than Mr. Hall Dare. The members of the Society
ought to determine whether that gentleman was to be turned
out to satisfy a clique.

Mr. Masfen. of Wolverhampton, generally supported the
course taken by Mr. Read. Mr. Wilson had just used the
word " clique." Now he (Mr. Masfen) thought a clique was
bad in everything, certainly it was a bad thing in the Royal
Agricultural Society of England.

Col. KmciSCOTE, M. P., thought the Society was much in-
debted to Sir G. Jenkinson, for calling attention to Mr. Read's
speech, as unless the accusations of Mr. Read were answered,
the Society could not be otherwise than damaged by them!
But his firm belief was that those accusations could he fully
met, and that it could be shown that there was no favour or
afi'ection in the election of members of the Council. He be-
lieved Mr. Read had stated that no tenant-farmer, who was a
member of the Council, could bring forward any motion with-
out being immediately set on one side. He (Col. Kingscote)
had attended most of the Council meetings ; he could only re-
member one proposition which had been brought forward
by Mr. Read, and his belief was, that it was not rejected. As
regards the election of members of the Council, nothing could
be fairer ; the country was mapped out into districts, to eac
district so many members of the Council were appointed ; and
supposing that any member of the Council died or went out
in rotation, another member was immediately appointed from
that district. Although there might not be many tenant,

N

16'

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

farraei"; on llie Council, still there were mauy independent
tanners upon it-men like Mr. Bowley, Mr. Torr Mr. Ran-
dall Mr. Turner, Mr. Edmunds, Mr. Sanday, and Mr. Rigden.
Tenant-farmers could uot be expected to come up to London
from Northumberland or for long distances ; the Society must
have upon the Council gentlemen who, if not actual tenant-
farmers, were still practical agriculturists. He entirely de-
nied that the Council was a cliciue. It was to be regretted
that tenant-farmers did uot subscribe more generally to the
Society ; but it must be remembered that they subscribed to
county local shows which had sprung from the Society.

Col. CiiAXLOJJER said it had been insinuated that the
Council was a seK-elected body ; but the fact was that the
Council was elected by members of the Society (Cries of " No,
no). He repeated it ; the members of the Society elected
not' only the council, but the trustees, the president, and the
vice-president. At the general meeting the Council recom-
mended such and such names in a list, but if any one present
wished to strike out a name from the list; or introduce another,
he could do so. AVith regard to himself, it was not his fault,
but his misfortune that he had now done the work of the So-
ciety for tweaty-four or twenty-five years. He was quite wil-
ling to resign Ms post as chairman of the implement commit-
tee; his resignation would save him many a journey to Loudon
when he would willingly be doing something else. If Mr.
Sidney went into Scotland and abused swing-ploughs, he would
be abused himself. The management of the Society could not
have been so very wrong for the last twenty years, seeing how
it had increased in numbers, in capital, and in everything else.
Mr. George Turner, as a tenant-farmer and member of the
CouucU, denied that his suggestions had not been listened to ;
on the contrary, they had been received with as much attention
as any made by the Duke of Richmond or any one else.

Mr. Sewell Read, M.P., said some of his remarks appeared
to have been totally misconceived, for when he had attended the
meetings of the Council, any suggestions, which he had made
had always been received with the greatest courtesy, and car-
ried a fair amount of weight with it. He had not said either
that tenant-farmers were not represented on the Council ;
but what he did say was, that the Council was a close borough.
He now learnt for the first time, from Col. Challoner, that the
members of the Council were elected by the great body of the
members. But there was a gentleman, Mr. Robert Smith, of
Exmoor, who was excluded from the Council the other day ;
and who excluded him ? Why the Council, not the general
body of the members. If the members of the Society were to
take an active interest in the election of the Council, voting
papers must be sent round to them. What he said on the
previous evening was not uttered in anger, but in sorrow, and
in endeavouring to account for the small number of members
of the Society, which some years since had 7,000 members, while
it had now rather less than G,000.

Mr. H. S. Thompson said if members would not attend the
general meetings how could they know how the business of
the society was carried on ? He maiutaiued that the election
of the members of the councU was conducted upon sound
principles, for the society did not want to have upon its council
a certain number of farmers living within 50 or 60 miles of
London ; what it wanted was to have members of the council
selected from all parts of England, so as to get at the opinions
of every district. Ajid this was what was now done. As to
the diminution in the number of members mentioned by Mr.
Read, it was rather apparent thau real, as it arose from the
greater stringency with which the payment of arrears was
enforced : there never was a time when the society had more
subscribing members. As to the general result attained, no
one who looked round the show-yard could say that the
management had been very unsuccessful. It was always open
to any member to make suggestions to the council, and any
suggestions so made would be decided on its merits. As to
the management of the Jotir/iul, it came out twice a-year, and
was intended as a work of reference, containing the best
articles which could be olitained upon different subjects ; while
a paper which came out once-a-week, was read and then torn-
up, was naturally made as light and amusing as possible ;
there was a distinction between the two classes of literature.
And where was the work which contained more sterUng
articles than the Journal of the Society— giving as it did
articles from the pens of such writers as Lawes, Playfair,
Way, and Curtis '^

Lord Bridpout thought tliat Mr. Read had not made him-
self acquainted with the rules of the Society. As to the
complaint made by Mr. Willson of a want of courtesy, he
(Lord Bridport) must disclaim all knowledge of Mr. Willsou
and the Mayor of Leicester having been ordered out of any
room.

The discussion was continued by Mr. May, Mr. Bottley, Mr.
Caless, and Mr. Shuttleworth, the latter gentleman remarking
that twenty-three out of the fifty members of the council
were farmers, while three were implement-makers, so that it
could not be said that the farmers or implement-makers were
not represented on the council ; moreover twelve out of four-
teen suggestions recently made by the implement-makers had
been carried out by the council. , , • ^ ^

Mr. Willson moved that voting-papers should in future be

sent out.

Col. Challoner said, by the terms of the charter ot the
society the management was entirely confided to the council.
Any suggestion would, however, have due consideration.

After further remarks from Mr. Masfen, Mr. Thompson,
Mr. H. B. Caldwell, Col. Kingscote, M.P., and Mr. Baldwin,

The Chairman expressed" his belief that the more the
management of the society was discussed the better it would
be found to be.

Thanks were then voted to the Duke of Richmond for his
conduct as president during the past year, and a similar vote
having been accorded to the phaiman of the day, the pro-
ceedings terminated.

COUNTY FINANCE.

The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the present
mode of conducting the financial arrangements of the counties
in England and Wales have agreed to the following report —

1. That it appears by the evidence given before the Com-
mittee by persons residing in various counties of England^

1st. That the administration of the financial business
of counties has been hitherto conducted by the magistrates
with a general regard to economy.

2nd. That, nevertheless, a desire prevails ou the part of
county ratepayers to place the county finance more di-
rectly under their own control, by means of elected repre-
sentatives to be associated with the magistrates in the
expenditure of the rate.

3rd. That this desire appears to arise generally from
considerations of public policy, but also, in some instances,
from a want of sufticiently detailed information as to
county expenditure.

2, That this Committee, judging from the general tenour of
the evidence, believes that a system of financial control, of
which the following shall form the principal provisions, would
l)e satisfactory to the ratepayers : —

1st. That the boards of guardians in counties should
elect representatives, who should be admitted to take part
in and vote at all meetings of magistrates held in such
counties for the consideration of questions of county ex-
penditure.

2nd. That in cases where a Poor-law Union is situated
in more thau one county, a representative may be elected
in each county where there are at least six parishes or
townships ; aud that where there is a less number, the
parishes or townships should be added to the adjoining
union for the purposes of election.

3rd. That committees appointed for the purpose of
managing the finances of separate departments should
consist of an equal number of magistrates aud representa-
tives, each body electing its own members of such com-
mittees.

3, That this Committee is of opinion that the mode of keep-
ing the public accounts should be uniform in all counties ;
that a detailed statement of them should l^e published in some
newspaper of the county at least once in each year, and be
forwarded to each board of guardians ; and that some officer
should be appointed for the audit of public accounts.

4. That the clerk of the peace of every couuty shall be
elected by the court of quarter sessions,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

ja9

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL GOSSIP.

The report of the Marseilles Docks and Warehouses Com-
pany Just issued states that the movemeut of wlieat at Mar-
seilles, which hegaii to make itself apparent in the autumn of
1866, acquired a great extension in 1867. In 1867, the quan-
tity disembarked on the quays of the Arene and Napoleon
basins was 74,373 tons, to which must be added 46,435 tons
which arrived by steamers, making the total quantity dealt
with in the company's docks last year 130,797 tons. Almost
the whole of this wheat was conveyed from the company's
quays to trucks, and out of the whole 130,797 tons, only
33,874 tons went into warehouse. The movement of wheat
has continued on nearly the same large scale during the cur-
rent year. Thus from January 1 to March 31 this year there
were imported iato the docks 13,987 tons by steamers, and
43,833 tons by sailing or steamsliips, making a total of 57,810
tons. It is not perhaps generally known that the French
gentlemen who attended the Leicester meeting of the Royal
Agricultural Society did so as a delegation from the Society
of Agriculturists of France. So long since as June 9, M.
Drouyn de Lhuys addressed the following letter to the Duke
of Richmond, President of the Royal Agricultural Society :
"Paris, June 9, 1868.— Monsieur le Due,— The Society of
Agriculturists of France, which has been just foimded at
Paris, has chosen me for its President. It is in this capacity
that I have the honour to-day to address myself to you, desir-
ing as we do at the outset of our labours to enter on friendly
relations with the eminent Royal Agricultural Society of Eng-
land. We shall be happy. Monsieur le Due, to foUow in your
steps, and all the communications which you may be good
enough to address to us will be of great value. Our object is
the same : we devote our common efforts to the prosperity of
agriculture. It is, then, with eagerness tliat we shall seize
the approaching occasion to strengthen that invisible bond
which already unites us, by sending our delegates to the great
exhibition of July 13th to July 31st, prepared by the Royal
Agricultural Society of England. The secretary-general of
the Society of Agriculturists of France wLU have the honour
to send to the secretary-general of your society the names of
our delegates ; and we feel assured, beforehand, of the sympa-
thetic reception which they will meet with in your great
meeting, — I have, &c., Drouyn de Lhuys." The Duke of
Richmond replied as follows : " London, June 13. — Monsieur,
—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the letter
in which you are good enough to iufonn me that you have been
appointed president of the Society of Agriculturists of France.
Permit me to assure you that the society over which I have the
honour to preside will be very happy to send you all possible
communications, and to put itself entirely at the disposal of
those members of your association who may be able to attend our
meeting at Leicester in July. — I have, &c., Richmond." The
delegation which eventually attended the Leicester meeting
was composed as follows : M. Drouyn de Lhuys, president
of the new society ; Comte Charles de BouiUe, the Comte de
Courey, M. Grandeau, M. Lecouteau (secretary-general), M.
Ronna, M. Tiersonnier, and the Yicorate de TocqucviUe ;
M. DecauvUle, jun., was attached to the commission in
the capacity of secretary. Some other delegates had
been designated by the council to attend the
meeting, but personal engagements detained them at home at
the last moment. Several members of the society also pro-
ceeded to Leicester as simple visitors, the list of these latter
including MM. Albaret, Pilter, Gerard, the Marquis de Leizer,
&c. While the Society of Agriculturists of France has been
thus establishing intimate relations with the Royal Agricul-
tural Society of England, it has committees at work preparing
programmes for approaching exhibitions. One of these com-
missions, presided over by M. Herve-Mangon, has already
completed its projects of organization as regards competitions
of machinery. The date of the next general meeting of the
society will be fixed by the council as soon as possible, but it
wiU not take place until after the close of the now nearly-
completed French harvest. The society is obtaining new
members from day to day. Thus in the fortnight ending July
14th, 18 founder members, 33 ordinary members, and 31 dele-
gate members caused their named to be inscribed upon the

society's books. The society now comprises, taking into ac-
count the new adhesions, 10 perpetual members, 1,069 founder
members, 139 ordinary members, and 30 delegate members —
making a general total of 1,338. The subscriptions which
have been received have been paid over to tlie account of the
treasurer of the society. Baron James de Rothschild, and liave
been employed ia the purchase of French funds. In conse-
quence of the disappearance of the rinderpest, the not very
oppressive restrictions and precautions which remained in
vigour on the eastern and northern frontiers of France, as
well as on the coasts of the Channel, have been entirely re-
moved. Two customs establishments alone in the departe-
ment of the Bas-Rliin have been excepted, and continue to
apply tlie system of preliminary inspection as to tlie sanitary
condition of cattle imported from abroad. These exemptions
have been made since the localities in question constitute the
most easy, the most direct, and the most commonly followed
commimications with the most distant parts of Germany.

It appears that the President of the Republic of Chili, con-
sidering that the date (Dec. 15, 1868) originally fixed for the
opening of the Agricultural Exhibition of Santiago did not
afford European exhibitors sufficient time for the delivery of
their products, has issued a decree postponing (he opening of
the Exhibition to April 1, 1869. — A man whose long career
was entirely devoted to agriculture, M. Charles Lefebvre,
meml)er of the superior council of agriculture, and honorary
president of the Lille Agricultural Committee, has just died
at Paris. — The state of the French crops for the current year
and for the current month is siunmed up by the Jonriud (VAfj-
ricnUure Pratique as follows : " Wheat generally good ; barley
and rye of good quality ; oats leaving something to
be desired ; straw small in quantity ; vines inducing the
I)est hopes ; beetroot and potatoes suffering from
drouglit, like most of the products still in the ground ;
hops, beautiful ; flax, of mediocre quality ; hemp, very fme ;
tobacco, of rather bad quality in the Nord, the Dordogue, and
the Landes."

THE FARMERS' FRIENDS.— A good deal has been said
in North Devon of Mr. Moore-Stevens as a farmers' friend.
We hope that our yeomen friends at Tiverton who have been
thinking so higlily of him in this charaicter will read the report
of the cause of Stevens versus Copp, tried at the assizes yes-
terday. These are the facts of the case in brief : A small
farmer, with a long family, occupies a leasehold farm in Little
Torringtou. Mr. Stevens is the owner. The farm is held on
a lease for lives, and the lease contains an extraordinary cove-
nant, that in the event of the occupier committing an offence
against the game laws he shall forfeit his lease ! The defendant,
in November last, was, by the Torringfon Bench, in the pre-
sence of the plaintiff, convicted of an offence against the game
laws, or of using a gun to kiU game without having a game
licence. On this conviction the plaintiff now grounded an
action of ejectment for breach of covenant, and a verdict was
given for the plaintiff, with leave to the defendant to move the
Court above upon all points that could possibly arise on the evi-
dence. The learned judge who tried the case seemed surprised
at the stringency of the covenant. The lease is old, and there
was no evidence adduced to show that the defendant was aware
of tlie existence of this remarkable covenant. The lease was
running when Mr. Stevens bought the land. He is a barrister,
and on looking over the lease would soon see the nature of its
covenants. We will not remark on this extraordinary case,
which is brought before the county by " A Farmers' Friend" ;
but, it appears to us, that Chambers of Agriculture should
give the case some consideration, and leaseholders should be
admonished to look to tlieir leasehold obligations, lest they find
tliemselves overtaken with law suits which may turn them out
of house and home. Farmer Copp is permitted by the verdict
to take the case to London, and get the opinion of "the Court
above" on all the points of law involved in tliis intricate case.
But how is a tenant-farmer to carry on th^t kind of warfftre ?
m^The Waiern Times,

N 2

170

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE

This is the general harvest month in Britain, as
all kinds of grain crops are cut and carried, ex-
cept in high situations, and in northern latitudes,
in which the next month is the general harvest.
Wheat is best cut by hand and sickle, and tied
into sheaves, and placed in shocks of twelve
sheaves in each. Barley and oats may be cut
by scythe, and lie for some days in the swathe be-
fore being tied into sheaves. When dry, carry the
grain quickly, and build the crops into ricks or
lodge them in barns. In cases of very level and
smooth surfaces of grounds which bear straws of
thickly-planted culms of medium height, the crops
are very conveniently cut by machinery of great
modern ingenuity with very beneficial results.
But the great variety of crops and surface grounds
over the kingdom may ever confine the use of ma-
chinery in cutting grain crops to the favoured
cases of level grounds, and upright standing crops
of a thick plantation and a medium height.

Cut peas by the hand sickle, and lay the crop in
email heaps, which are turned over frequently, and
carried, when dry, into ricks on the top of other
grains, in order to have a light pressure, or very
well over a shed open below, as in a sloping ground.
Thatch the ricks quickly, as the culms offer no
defence against rains. Thatch must be in readi-
ness, and ropes prepared.

In order to save the expense of thatching the
ricks of grain, and to secure the crops from da-
mage by a quick protection from rains, the ricks
must stand along the sides of a railway, over
which is thrown a roof of zinc or corrugated iron,
resting on iron pillars. A light waggon will con-
vey the unthrashed grain along the railway to the
end of the barn, where a travelling carrier will con-
vey the sheaves to the scutching machinery on
the third floor, from which the grains winnowed
from the chaffs fall to the second floor, to be
riddled, and thence descends to the ground floor,
to be bagged for sale ; at the same time the straws
on the third floor are cut into short lengths by
knives impelled by the steam-power, and carried
as litter over the cattle yards by a travelling webb
that rests on temporary legs, and shifted in any
direction. This arrangement would be a mighty
convenience in harvest, and also in the manufac-
ture of the crops. The saving of thatching by
hand will soon repay the cost of railway and its
cover.

Cut grain crops before a dead ripeness has pro-
duced a flinty condition of the pickles ; the straw
will be better fodder, the sample of grain is more
delicate, and the flour will be finer. The husks
being filled, the grain will soon become hardened
after being cut. Barley is thinner in the skin,
and suitable for malting.

Finish the cleaning of all green crops, and earth-
up potatoes with two deep furrows of the double
mould-board plough, drawn by two horses, walk-
ing in distant furrows, with a raaintree of five feet
stretching between them. The cultivation of po-

tatoes requires deep working in every operation ;
the crop grows below ground, and demands
encouragement in that quarter more than plants
that are produced on the surface. A week may
elapse between the two furrows of earthing up ;
pull by hand any tall weeds that may afterwards
arise.

Spread pulverized lime on clay fallows ; cover
by harrowing ; lay the dung on the land, and
spread evenly over the surface, and plough it un-
der, both operations going on together, or as
nearly as possible following each other. The cin-
ders of lime in a small size may be spread over the
surface of the land, and ploughed under at a time
previous to the dung being applied on the finished
fallowing of the ground ; the bursting of the cin-
ders in the moist under-ground will evolve much
heat to penetrate the mass, increase its tempera-
ture, and diffuse much benefit from the damp ex-
halations that are produced. The land may be
formed into drills by one furrow of the common
plough; the dung spread along the hollows, and co-
vered by splitting the ridglets with one furrow of the
plough. This method will cover the dung very
completely, and is less costly than ploughing ; but a
cross-harrowing may be required, to level the drills
for the seed furrow. The lime is well applied in
the above method, and the farmyard dung is well
covered by the drilling of the land

Give to horses and cows in the yards an ample
supply of vetches, which will now be the green
food of the farm, and of much nutriment from
the pods being seeded. Provide litter in abund-
ance ; the manure produced will pay almost any
cost.

Fold sheep on bare spots of poor pastures ; go
on with draining on wet lands; turn over any
earthy compost; burn peaty and vegetable sub-
stances for ashes, to be used by the drop drill ;
keep the liquid tank filled with earthy materials to
be saturated ; carry to the pit refuse matters of
every kind.

Keep the draft ewes on good pasture, in order
to get the animals fattened ; put ewes to the ram
for early lambs. The lambs of the year must be
favoured with good keep. Some farmers, who
have not winter food, nor the means of fattening,
sell at this time the lambs and draft ewes.

Sow on well' prepared grounds, in a warm
sheltered situation, the seeds of drumhead cab
bages, kohl rabi, savoys, and brocoli, for plants
to be used next spring. Sow in the end of the
month rye and winter vetches for early use, as the
first green food of the farm. The seeding must
be a large allowance, not under four bushels on
an acre, as it never can be two thickly done for
feeding crops.

Straws may be reduced into dung during sum-
mer as largely and of the same quality as in
winter, by providing a constant supply of green
food to horses and cattle and milch cows in the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

171

yards, and by cutting the straws into short
lengths by the thrashing machinery, to facihtate
the saturation of the culms by the urinary fluids,
and the covering in the land as dung. Juicy
food is required for the secretion of fluids, and in
a constant abundance, and the yards must be
concreted in the bottoms, to hold the watery
elements. Vetches can be arranged to supply the
green food of the farm from the beginning of

May to the end of September, and the plant is
most fitted for the purposes of food and dung,
from the large quantity of juice for the animal,
and in the refuse leaves and stems decomposing
into an earthy residuum. No plant yet known can
be compared with the vetch in these respects;
and no man will ever do much in farming who
does not provide and apply manures with a
constant, a lavish, and an unsparing hand.

CALENDAR OF GARDENING.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Turnips.— Sow the Early Stone or Dutch varie-
ties, or Red American — a new introduction. Sow
the main crop in drills, with an inch or two of
good manure, and a pint of bone-dust to each
barrow, three inches directly beneath the intended
rows ; and these drills ought to be struck in
ridges formed by taking some of the earth from
the spaces between them. Choose an open plot of
land outside the garden ; for turnips rarely prosper
within it. Hoe and thin the plants as they grow,
till at last they stand at about nine inches apart,
and above two feet from row to row.

Sow, in the first week of the month, the main
crop of next year's Early York cabbage, or Hill's
Dwarf; about London and in its latitude, from
the 7th to the 10th ; a week earlier for colder and
more northern localities. Water the drills before
sowing, if the weather be dry. The early part of
the second week is to be preferred for sowing ;
but experience must guide in this respect. Some
locaUties require an earlier season — even in July,

Sow winter prick'y spinach twice. Choose
mellow soil, moderately rich, like that after fresh-
digged early potatoes. Nitrate of soda has been
proved to be a most fertihsing dress, particularly
in binding, gritty loams— half-a-pound, scattered
over a pole of 30i square yards, digged in, and the
rows a yard apart. Sown as the digging pro-
ceeds.

Sow also a sprinkling of French Horn carrot,
and Scarlett on shallow soils. Salads and Cress :
The Golden or Australian should be added to
those in daily use.

Lettuce : The Paris and Brockett White Cos.
Radish : The Wood's Early and French Breakfast,
early in the month, and again in the second week
or later.

Sow cauliflowers about the 20th, and place the
grown plants under glasses or in frames.

The hardier sorts of lettuce, carrots, and onions
(White Lisbon) for spring use, and all other vege-
tables that may have been omitted in July, are to
be sown in this month, except the legumes.

Dig up early potatoes. Leave some of the
medium-sized tubers of the ash-leaved kidney to
lie exposed and green, for seed store. Transplant
at various times, according to their size.

Start well-formed plants of cabbage, broccoli,
savoys, and Brussels sprouts in the respective
varieties, with the exception of savoys, of Early

York, Hill's Dwarf, and Enfield Market, Early
White and AVinter White, and the Alexandra
variety, late and fine, tall and Roseberry Dwarf,
with larger sprouts. Incorporate a quantity of
good manure with the soil, to which has been
added sulphate of ammonia, half-a-pound to the
square pole. Coleworts for greens in the same
manner, twelve inches apart. Celery for the
latest crop about the 20th, in the best varieties of
Cole's Crystal White and Williams's Matchless.
If the weather be dry, apply water liberally. Never
mutilate the plants by cutting the leaves. Earth
up former plantings timely and carefully. The
spade may be used when the plants are strong,
and have already been twice earthed. Propagate
sweet herbs by slips and cuttings. Take up garlic,
shallots, and onions that are ripe.

Destroy weeds. Leave none to spread the evil
by seeding ; and at this time a very careful atten-
tion is required.

Cut vegetable marrows and cucumbers as they
come on, not leaving any to become ripe. Be
particular to gather French beans and runners ; for
if pods ripen, the bearing of eatable pods becomes
checked at once. " Gather beans, and have beans,"
says the old rule.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Raspberries. — Attend first to cut out the brown
canes that have borne fruit. Then take away
slender, supernumerary, young shoots. Air and
sun will thus act upon those six or seven good
canes which are left to ripen. Burn the dry canes
that are pruned out, and scatter the ashes over the
raspberry beds. Some condemn this burning;
but we like that the earth receive back, as soon as
possible, the inorganic salts thus developed by
fire.

" Spur-bearing" trees on espaliers should be re-
gulated very early, by cutting back or snapping
the wandering breast or spur-wood, one-third of
their length. By snapping, the sap is checked
and diverted to the lower buds, while its course is
not 80 fully and suddenly arrested as it is by am-
putation. The trees are for a time rendered un-
sightly ; but, as all must be cut lower back in a
few weeks, that is a mere trifle, if the benefit
which has been alluded to be taken as a " set-oS"."

Apples, pears, and standard trees, or espaliers,
are to have spring and summer growths curtailed,
excepting the leading shoot, to cause the Bwelling
of tiie fruitful buds at their base.

172

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Attend to the routine directions that have been
often given ; and now repot and dress the auricula
plants, and pot off seedlings. At the end of the
month, transplant or introduce evergreens, parti-
cularly if the weather be moist.

Manure must be collected with constant care.
Tall weeds will now be grown on roadsides, ditch-
banks, and in the borders of plantations, to be
gathered at little cost by children and aged per-
sons, cut into short lengths, and laid in the urine

pit, there to be soaked and rotted by suds and
fluids. Vegetables singly are best rotted by fluids ;
but scourings of ditches and roadsides, with a
mixture of earths, are best mixed in a dry compost
of earths and lime, in which the vegetables are
decomposed, forming a manure of quick efficacy
and a long duration. The droppings of the dung
of animals may be mixed in this earthy compost,
or placed in the urine pit, and mixed with the
moist vegetables. In either way a manure is
produced from two sources, at little cost, and of
certain effect.

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR JULY, j

The weather during the past month has been unprece-
dentedly hot, and almost of a tropical character. Scarcely
any rain lias fallen in any part of the country, and general |
complaints of the long-continued drought continue to reach
us from all quarters. The country for the most part presents
a scorched and blasted appearance, and great evil is resulting
from the prevalent scarcity of water. The brilliant weather
has, however, had a most favourable influence on the wheat
crop, and has brought it to early and good maturity. Cutting
commenced early in the month in the southern districts ; by
tlie second or third week the harvest was almost general, and,
as we write, the majority of the crop has been well got-in ;
only the scarcity of labour has retarded the harvest operations
in some districts. The dry weather has enabled farmers to
secure their crops in excellent condition, and the out-turn is
everywhere favourably spoken of — the weights per bushel
varying from 63 lbs. to 66 lbs. As a rule the quahty is excel-
lent— especially of those samples grown in heavy lands,
although some of the parcels from tlie light and gravelly soils
are somewhat shrivelled from excessive heat, having been
ibrced into too early maturity. Taking into account the
large extra breadth of wheat sown, and the heavy yield per
acre when compared with last year, the total crop will be
much in excess of that of 1867.

Barley will apparently turn out much better than was
expected, although some of the accounts are very discouraging.
We have seen some good yields of oats ; but the crop
generally is below an average.

The yield of beans and peaa will scarcely be equal to last
year.

Rarely have harvest operations commenced at so early a
date as at the present time, or been conducted under such
favourable auspices. Compared vrith the general run of
seasons, wheat-cutting commenced fully a month earlier than
usual, and the crop has been carried with much greater
rapidity. The recent calculations as to the probable amount
of wheat required to be imported will be considerably thrown
out, in consequence of the very early appearance of the new
wheats. The stocks of old wheat, however, are very light,
and a considerable portion of any surplus that may accrue
from this present harvest will easily be taken up in replenish-
ing them.

The sale for wheat has been very inactive, and the trade
has been in a most uncertain state, as usual at harvest time,
when the out-turn of the crops is much disputed. Millers
liave operated with extreme caution, and only to supply im-
mediate wants. The general tendency of prices has therefore
been downwards. The first few parcels of new wheat ex-
hibited at Mark Lane, however, dianged hands at extreme
rates ; but on the arrival of further samples factors were more
moderate in their demauds, and accepted considerably less
money.

Oats have gradually tended upwards throughout the month,
owing to the threatened scarcity of animal food.

Barley, beans, and peas have commanded very full jirices.
With regard to the root crops the accounts received are
extremely unfavourable. The yield of turnips, mangolds,

beets, cSrc, threatens to be exceedingly small, and tliere is
every prospect of a great deficiency in the supply of ammal
food throughout the winter.

The hay crop has been secured throughout the country,
even at this early period. The yield has proved to be ex-
tremely light, although the quality of the produce is fine, and
the crop has generally been carried in excellent condition.

There has been a fair inquiry for most kinds of Spnng corn,
and the quotations have had a gradual upward movement.

There have been heavy importations of oats, but not
sufiicient to depress prices in the face of the great failure ot
the hay and green crops.

The stocks of English barley, oats, beans, and peas are
nearly exhausted. .

The following shows the value of hay and straw m liie
metropolitan markets. New meadow hay £3 10s. to £5 ; old
ditto £4 to £5 10s. ; new clover £3 lOs. to £5 bs. ; old ditto
£4 to £6 ; and straw £1 10s. to £1 16s. per load. There is
still a moderate quantity of last year's hay in stack.

Our advices show considerable discrepancy in the opinions
as to the out-turn of the potato crop, but a most disheartening
feilure seems to have occurred in many districts. This
appears to be owing to the want of moisture, wliich has
retarded growth and induced blight.

The fruit crop is early, and is turning out moderately good,
although a little rain would have improved appearances.
Apples promise well, and those descriptions of fruit which
require great heat have, of course, been greatly benefited by
the present season. . ,

In English wool there has been very little doing, and
holders have shovra conisderable anxiety to effect sales.
Prices, consequently, have continued to give way. ihe
importations of colonial produce have been on an extensive
scale, aud, as they are likely to be even heavier in future
years, they will have a most depressing influence in the value
of home produce. The result of this year's clip is very
favourable.

The accounts from the hop plantations have been most
encouraging, the heat having induced a rapid growth of bine.
The burr looks very healthy, aud the amount of lice has not
been such as to cause any serious apprehensions. The con-
tinued drought, however, has induced an attack of red spider,
which some smart showers would have remedied. Under these
circumstances, the market has been extremely inactive, and
holders have been anxious sellers, even at a considerable
reduction. The first pocket of new Kent hops has been sold
in the Borough at £8 8s. per cwt.

In Scotland, the crops generally are very forward, the
cutting of wheat having beeu commenced in some, distncts.
The yield will be greatly in excess of last season. Barley and
oats are not looking very well, and potatoes, as in England,
are a partial failure.

In Ireland, the potato crop does not seem to have suffered
to the same extent as in the sister island, but the out-turn wiU
be decidedly below the average. Wheat is favourably spoken
of, but the harvest operations ure not so forward as on this
side. The markets generaUy have been inactive, and the
quotations have followed the course of prices in the Lnghsh
markets.

THE FARMER'S MAGA2:iNE.

173

REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE
PAST MONTH.

The present season lias beeu a most unfortunate one for the
breeders of live stock. The great heat has caused a heavy
deficiency in the supply of water, while the failure of grass
and of the green crops has almost prevented animals from
being kept in condition at all. The scorched state of the
country has caused great difficulty to breeders and graziers,
the result of which has been that the stock has been forced to
market in a premature and half-fat condition. The Norfolk
season closed well, and the first arrivals of beasts from
Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire to the metropolitan market
were in fair average condition, but the long-continued drought
soon commenced to tell on the quality of the stock, wliich is
now being sent to market before it is nearly ready for the
butcher. These beasts, being inferior, have changed hands at
a further reduction in values, but the few really good beasts
on sale have commanded late rates. From Scotland the
arrivals have been small, and the quality has not been so good
as usual. Eeally prime Scots and crosses have changed hands
at 'is. 8d, to 5s. per 81bs., but the general prices realised have
been below that figure. The supplies of English beasts have
been in excess of the same period last year, whUe the number
of foreign animals exhibited has fallen off.

Very large numbers of sheep have been on sale, having been
forced to market in consequence of the want of pasture and
water. The quality of most breeds ]vi,s been inferior, and all
but choice animals, which have been very scarce, have changed
hands on lower terms. Prime Downs and half-breds have
realized is. 8d, to 5s. per 8 lbs.— the latter being an extreme
quotation.

Full average supplies of lambs, of which the production
this year appears to have been heavy, have come to hand.
The demand has been fairly active, and the quotations have
been supported, say 5s. to 6s. per 8 lbs.

Large quantities of calves have been on sale, the importa-
tions having been unusually heavy. The animals have been
of fair quality, but no change of importance has taken place
in the quotations, which have ranged from os. 6do to 5s, per
8 lbs.

Pigs have been in fair demand on about the terms lately
current, the top figure being from 4s. 2d. to 4s. 4d. per 8 lbs.

The large quantities of stock now being forced to market in
consequence of the protracted drought, will have a serious
effect upon our future supply of food, and serious apprehen-
sions are beginning to be expressed on the subject. The hay
crop has turned out a failure, and the turnips, mangolds, &c.,
show very little prospects of any renumerative return. The
supply of animal food for the winter is, therefore, likely to be
only moderate.

The total supplies of stock exhibited in the Metropolitan
Cattle Market have been as follows ; — Head.

Beasts ... .. ... ... 34313

Sheep andiambs* ... ... 195^250

Calves 3,938

Pigs 1,360

COMPARTSON OF SUPPLIES.
Sheep.
July. Beasts. Cows, and Lambs. Calves. Pigs.

1867 18,590 380 136,480 3,117 1,755

1866 31,710 130 158,990 3,778 3,420

1865 20,010 580 149,960 5,757 3,480

1864 37,394 560 147,890 4,658 3,140

1863 24,070 535 169,870 3,833 3,683

1862 .... 32,392 508 151,060 2,339 2,637

1361 .... 19,740 560 156,140 3,532 3,340

1860 19,870 490 153,600 3,133 3,428

1859 19,600 476 166,633 3,609 3,430

1858 .. . 20,468 547 154,933 4,262 3,290

1857 19,558 530 142,280 3,830 3,395

The imports of foreign stock into London have been as
under :— Head.

Beasts 0,037

Sheep and Lambs 24,905

Calves 2,282

Pigs 3,316

Total 35,540

The comparison of the arrivals of English, Scotch, and Irish
beasts of various breeds is as follows : —

July. July. July.

From— 1866. 1867. 1868.

Nortliern Counties 3,800 3,860 6,600

Norfolk, Suffolk, &c. . . 3,700 3,500 1,800

Oth.n- parts of England. 3,400 3,370 3,700

Scotland 149 324 96

Ireland 193 80 170

Comparison of Prices.

July, 1867. July, 1868.

8. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Beef from 3 4 to 5 4 ... 3 0 to 5 0

Mutton 34 53... 30 50

Lamb 5 6 6 8 ... 5 0 6 0

Veal 40 56... 36 50

Pork 3 4 4 6 ... 3 3 4 4

Owing to the intensely hot weatlier, the supplies of meat on
sale at Newgate and Leadenhall Markets have been only-
moderale, and the trade has been subject to much fluctuation.
The general course of prices, however, have been as under.
Very little foreign meat has been on sale : — Beef, from 3s. to
4s. 4d. ; mutton, 3s, to 4s. 6d. ; veal, 3s. lOd. to 4s. 8d. ;
lamb, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 4d.; pork, 3s. to 43- 6d. per 81b9, by
the carcase.

EAST GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

The well-known and generally accepted proverb, "A dry
summer never Iirought a famine in Engl;ind," \«iLl afford great
consolation in this trying year. Last year there was abund-
ance of food for the iiiferior anim:Js, but a scarcity for man.
This year the reverse appears likely to be the fact ; for although
wheats on light soils would have been greatly improved by
more moisture, the heavy-land crops are most promising. If
we remember rightly, the summer of 1844 was much drier
than the present, and yet the crop of wheat was good. So far,
then, as " breadstuffs" are concerned, we think there is nothing
to fear. Wheat cutting has commenced on some Talavera and
other early kinds, and the " whitening for harvest" is rapidly
going on everywhere. Of barley we cannot speak so hope-
fully ; for although on highly cultivated lands the early planted
crops are good, yet all the accounts we hear of the later sown
crops are decidedly bad, and it seems doubtful if the long
drought has not entirely spoiled a large breadth both of barley
and oats, together with the clover and grass seeds sown there-
with. The beautiful showers which came on Sunday last may
refresh the young clovers, &c., but can hardly be of much ser-
vice to stunted and suu-burnt cereals. Beans are very short of
straw, and badly podded ; but we have seen them worse ; the
winter variety are best. The earlier kinds of peas were toler-
ably good, and have already been harvested ; the later crops
variable, and some worthless. Vetches do not promise well for
seed, although the crop for fodder was good. Hay is
all secured in first - rate order ; the ricks are small of
meadow hay, but clovers and artificial grasses were quite
an average crop, and as a large quantity of old hay re-
mains on hand the prospect for the winter is not so
bad. Potatoes are sadly injured by drought, and very small ;
the little ones will have to be used for human food, and
cooked in Irish fashion — " with their jackets on ; " but
what will become of the pigs is difficult to say. Happily
there is no disease. The early-plauted mangolds are tolerably
good ; late ones bad. Swedes are scarce, and generally look-
ing very sadly ; they cannot be a crop. Turnips we have
none, but the land is well prepared, and should we be blessed
with a soaking rain within the next three or four weeks we
should not despair of a crop of the quick-growing varieties.
The grass lands are frightfully burned up, and water is very
short, which has driven a large ([uantity of fat and half-fat
stock iuto market ; consequently trade has been dull, and
prices mued lower than for years past. The corn markets, too,
are from 16s. to 18s. per qr. lower from the highest point. The
land is still exceedingly hard, and six strong horses are not
unfrequently seen with difficulty moving a plough. The
ploughmen, too, get a good shaking. Flies and other insects
seem unusually abundant this season, but swallows and martins
remarkably scarce. We are sorry not to hear their usual
cheerful twitter on our houses, and must strongly deprecate

171

THE FAKMEK'S MAGAZINE.

the practice of tliose uiicoiuforttibly clean housewives who iu-
sist upon having " the dirty things' nests" removed from the
overhanging eaves. We woukl give every encouragement to
these and other harmless useful birds and friends of man, wisely
sent by a beneticent Creator as a. wholesome check to the mis-
chievous insect tribe. — July 15.

M I D - K E N T.

" 0 dear ! do you tliink there is any hopes of rain ?" is the
remark usuaUy made when one person meets another. And
some gloomy reply follows, with details of the suffering in-
flicted on certain things, and the still more serious aspect of
the future. Yet now and then we meet with some wlio look
more cheerfully at things ; and their recollection of 1818 and
1826 recals periods not hy any means so bad as some would
make them appear just now, although those seasons resem-
bled the present one very much. But it is not my purpose to
speculate further into the future than is warranted by the con-
dition of things at present ; and in reporting how they stand
now, I may say our pastures, wliich were once green, have
passed through the brown stage, and are now almost bleached
white, with only a little vestige of a green tint under trees or
by the sides of ditches, that it is marvellous how the sheep
and cattle eke out a living. The slieep, 1 may observe, are
doing well wliere it is not too bare, but in most cases some
additional food has to l)e given to the cattle. We being for-
tunate in having a large proportion of last year's hay can get
on pretty well, but those who have to depend on the crop of
the present year must be badly off indeed, and their number is
legion ; and smaU as the quantity was, it does not appear
likely to be supplemented by either the straw or Lent corn or
green crops, for even our lucerne seems to quail with the con-
tinued heat and drought ; clover being still worse ; so that
green food for present use is out of the question. Thus all our
hopes are centred in the hops, which on the whole look well,
and promise to be one of the most abundant crops on record,
and mucli earlier than was ever known before ; and if all goes
on well, we hope this crop will make amends for many of the
shortcomings of the year. Fruit, though also earlier tlian
usual, is not so abundant as was expected, in fact in many
places it is only indifferent ; nevertheless it is a fair paying
crop, and its gathering has given employment to much labour
that would otherwise have been thrown out of employ before
harvest. Now when the latter is going on it is needless to
say there is plenty to do for every one, and the hurrying con-
dition of the weather is such that every one having grain ripe
is anxious to have it cut and secured as quickly as possible ;
and at the time I write much has been so secured, wheat es-
pecially. Oats and barley will, however, be short in straw,
but the sample will be good, and we hope the yield will be
more than its appearance at one time looked likely to be.
Potatoes, liowever, will be small, and are now too far advanced
towards maturity for rain to do them anything 1)ut liarm.
Mangold in some places looks not amiss, and may yet become
a crop ; and we have seen a piece or two of swedes that might
yet do well if rain came at once, but they are exceptions to the
general rule. Of white turnips I may say there are none ; I
certainly have not seen a single piece that gave the slightest
claim to the term " crop." The season, however, is not too
far advanced yet for a moderate crop of these, if the future be
showery and growing. But those who would be our weather
prophets seem unable to tell us what this future is to be, and
appearances for rain have been plentiful enough, but none
follows, so that we are afraid the present summer will end as
it has begun, a Continental or Australian one. And as we
have not had quite one inch of rainfall since '2dt\\ May, it is
easy to conceive the scorched-up condition of vegetation, and
what is equally bad, the deficiency of water for domestic pur-
poses, which most likely has not reached its worse yet.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE,
FAIRS, &c.

BOSTON SHEEP jMARKET.— About 500 fat sheep ;
but a slow trade was done, at from 5d. to 6d. per lb. Lambs,
whicli were somewliat plentiful, were extremely difficult to quit
even at reduced rates.

3R0MYARD FAIR.— There was a good supply of cow

and calves, which, owing to the scarcity of keep, met with a
very dull sale. There was also a large s\ipply of sheep, and
these also from the same cause went at very low prices. Pigs
were likewise very low in price : few horses on offer, with but
little business doing. Altogether trade was very dull.

BURGH FORTNIGHTLY FAT STOCK HLA.RKET.—
There was a good show, prices being a shade lower than
last market, beef ranging from 7s. 6d. to 8s. per stone, and
muttou 5^d. to 5;^d. per lb.

CAWDOll TRYST. — Prices showed a downward tendency ;
but, in consequence of an anticipated favourable change in the
weather, holders of stock generally declined extremely low
prices, notwithstanding the scarcity of pasture, and a good
many lots consequently remained unsold. Mr. Alexander
Frazer sold a lot of two-year-old cross stots at £13 each ; Mr.
Lawrence bouglit a lot of two-year-old stots at £13 each ; Mr.
Duncan Robertson sold a cow for £15 ; Mr. Macpherson sold
two two-year-old queys for £28 10s. ; Mr. Robb sold a lot of
two-year-old cross stots at £14 each ; Mr. Rose sold a lot of
two-year-old stots at £16 each ; Mr. Maclennan sold a polled
quey at £11 ; Mr. Clark bought a lot of one-year-old High-
land cattle at £14 10s. each ; Mr. Macdonald bought a lot of
two-year-old stots at £13, another lot <at £15, and another lot
at £18 each ; Mr. A. Macdonald bought a fat heifer for £13.
In sheep, tlie following are among the transactions : Mr. Mac-
lennan bought a lot of sheep (dinmonts) at £24 us. per clad
score ; Mr. Arnott sold a lot of sheep at 22s. each ; Mr.
Cameron bought a lot of half-bred hoggs at 25s. each.

GRANTHAM FAT STOCK AlARKET.— A good show
of both sheep and beasts. Beef 7s. 9d. to 8s. per stone, mutton
5d. to 6d. per lb. Slow trade.

HORSHAM LAMB FAIR. — There was not so many
sheep penned by about a thousand as there were last year, and
owing to the very limited amount of feed in the country,
trade was remarkably duU. This year there was between
11,000 and 12,000 sheep ; a great many of them were unsold,
and for ewes there appeared to be scarely any inquiry.
There were some very fair lambs. Mr. Bird sold about 80 at
28s. per head. Mr. King made 30s. each of a lot. The
Messrs. Emery, liowever, had the crack lot of the fair, exhi-
biting 300 wetlier lambs, which took the highest price of the
fair, 32s. each.

KIRTON LINDSEY FAIR.— A very meagre show of
beasts, in which the trade ruled very sluggish ; but fair prices
were made, considering the long dry season. Hardly any
sheep, which were generally neglected. A moderate supply of
horses, and a brisk business passing : the prices made ranging
as high as £40.

LEWES FAIR. — The trade ruled very dull, large numbers
being sent home unsold. The highest prices we heard of were
36s. for some wethers belonging to Mr. Kirby, and the highest
for lambs 22s., belonging to Mr. Deadman. The number of
sheep and lambs was between 14,000 and 15,000, an increase
of about 1,000 over last year. Business could only be done at
a considerable reduction on the price of last year, in con-
sequence of the scarcity of sheep feed.

I'ALDY FAIR. — Business was stiff, and tiie prices ruling
may be quoted as a shade lower than last year. For black-
facen ewes from 9s. to 18s, was got ; for wethers from 18s. to
30s. At a late hour a good number of sheep remained un-
The cattle market was well attended. Unlike the previous
day, rain fell heavily at intervals during the day, which
seemed to do the farmers' hearts good. The effects on the
crops was wonderful. Notwithstanding this, business pro-
ceeded very stilly, and the prices had, if anything, an upward
tendency. The figures were 10s. 6d. to lis. per Dutch stone.
Tiic top lot in the market was sold at £20 each.

READING FAIR.— Although graziers and dealers offered
to dispose of stock cattle at reduced value, few sales were
effected. The continued drought lias parched the grass land,
and green cattle food is scarce, and farmers are unable to sus-
tain stock without the assistance of hay. This year's hay
crop being short and the price considerably advanced, stock
keepers are constrained to thin out cattle herds, and the country
markets are glutted with half-fatted beasts, &c. Dairying
cows were in great demand, and large-farmed, well-bred, full
milch cows sold at £20 to £24 a head. There was a large
show of superior class horses, and animals suitable for heavy
draught purposes obtained a ready sale.
SANQUHAR LAMB FAIR. — On this occasion the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

IMP
I/O

business done was far short of any previous market. This was,
however, looked for, because of the long-continued drought,
which is completely baffling rearers of stock, and has, more-
over, upset the intentions of dealers as well as graziers. The
attendance of farmers and dealers was pretty considerable ;
but, while the former were anxious to sell, the latter were
seemingly perfectly indifferent whether they purchased any-
thing or not. Generally, black-faced ewes would be back from
3s. 6d. to 5s. ; black-faced ewe lambs, from 3s. to 4s. ; black-
faced wether lambs, from Is. to Is. 6d. ; Cheviot lambs, from
2s. to 3s. ; half-bred lambs, from 4s. to 7s. ; and crosses, from
3s. to 5s. We can only give a general range of prices : Black-
faced ewes sold from lis. to 14s. 6d. The last-mentioned
price was obtained for a lot which fetched 20s. last year, and
the year before 33s. Black-faced ewe lamhs ranged from 12s.
6d. to 16s. ; and wether lambs, from 3s. to 8s., and l)s. ;
Cheviet wether lambs, from 7s. 6d. to 15s. ; Cheviot mid ewe
lambs, lis. 6d. , and half-bred lambs, from 14s. upwards.

SHERBORNE FAIR.— A small quantity of poor stock,
and a few pens of sheep ; the scarcity of keep and the early
harvest-field keeping back botli sellers and buyers. Business
was something worse than a drug. A line pen of good bred
down lambs moved off at 14s. a-head.

ST. AUSTELL MONTHLY MARKET. — The show of
fat cattle was exceedingly good : average price from 65s. to
67s. per cwt. Cows and calves a very small show and dull
sale. Mutton, very fine, 6|d. to 7d. per lb,

ST. BOSWELL'S FAIR.— For quality of lambs this fair
may be considered tlie principal fair on the Borders, the
lambs in most instances being reared on the crack farms of
Tweedside and Tiviotdale, ?nd are in most instances tliree-
parts bred. The show this year, owing to the dull state of the
other lamb markets, was expected to be a large one ; but these
anticipations were not realized, the number of head being
several thousands less than on the previous year. Notwith-
standing the small supply, the numbers appeared quite
adequate to the demand, and at the close a number of the best
lots, besides inferior ones, left the market unsold. The top
price in the market was got by Mr. Fairbairn, who sold his
lot at 26s., being Is. 3d. less than the price he got last year.
Tlie fall in the prices generally would run from 2s. to 7s, per
head. There was a large number of horses. The attendance
of dealers was also large. There was a want of good hunting
animals ; but there were several good draught animals. For
good animals there was a fair demand, but secondary kinds
were slow to sell.

IRISH FAIRS.— CooTEiilLL : Beeves brought £21 down-
wards, springers and milch cows £17 down, bullocks and stirks
£8 down, weanUngs £2 to £3 ; beef 6|d. to S^lb. ; fat sheep
48s. down, lambs 20s. to 2Ss., wethers and mediums 32s. to
39s. Pigs scarce ; bonhams 12s. to 18s. each, slips 65s. to
75s. each, porkers 57s. to 62s. per cwt. The horse fair was
small ; farmers' nags £8 to £12, cavalry horses .£20 to £32
each. — Ballybay: The prices for cattle rather advanced;
calves £2 to £3 5s., bullocks and stirks £5 to £8 5s., springers
^£17 down ; beef 6^d. to S^d. per lb. ; fat sheep 49s. down,
* wethers and mediums 40s. down; lambs 29s. down; mutton
8d. to 8id. per lb. Pigs scarce ; suckers 12s. to 18s., hoggets
and mediums 55s. to 70s., fat 58s. to 62s. per cwt. Of horses
there was a feir supply ; those fit for the cavalry and high-class
animals exchanged owners at from £20 to £40. — Camlougii :
Two and three year old bollocks of anytliing like promise
brouerht from £7 to £12 10s. per head ; yearlings £4 to £6
10s. ] two year old heifers averaged £8 per head ; yearlings
£4 to £5 ; calves £2 to £3 each ; strippers £7 10s. to £10
each. The show of sheep was an average, aged wethers scarce,
and mutton rated from 5d. to G^d. per lb. Lambs were freely
purchased at from I8s, to 24s. each. Some superior ones
went as high as 26s. to 28s. a-piece. Milch cows and
springers were in fair supply. The best prices for springers
varied from £14 to £10 10s.; secondary and inferior
from £8 to £12 16s. per head; milch cows from
£9 10s. to £15 per head; store pigs from 36s. to 48s,
each; suckers and weanlings from 15s, to 20s, each. No
really superior horses. Spring colts of active stepping action
fetched from £20 to £30 each, draught horses and long tails
to £18, farmers' nags £10 to £16.— Mountmellick : Beef
fit for the butchers fetched 56s. per cwt. Springers were few,
and went from £10 to £16 each. Year old bullocks could be
had from £10 to £13 10s., two years old ditto from £7 5s. to

£10, yearlings from £4 to £7, weanlings from £2 to £3 eaeli-
Heifers rated at about the same figures. The sheep fair was
moderately supplied, and to effect sales the late downward
tendency had to be submitted to, especially in lambs. Mutton
ranged from 5Jd. to 6d. for prime, second-rate 5d. to S^d. per
lb. L.ambs from 15s. to 20s., hoggets 28s. to 36s. each. The
pig fiiir was limited to stores and bonnives. Stores brought
40s. to 60s., slips 30s. to 40s., bonnives 18s. to 25s. each.

PRIZES AT OVERTON SHEEP AND LAMB FAIR.
The competition w^as good in all the prize classes, and
the premiums were distributed as follow : A cup, value
£10 10s., given by the Right Hon. Lord Northbrook, for
the best pen of 100 wether lambs, Mr. John Barton,
Basingstoke ; second, a cup, value £5 5s., given by Mr.
George Sclater-Booth, M.P., Mr. W, Lunn, Whitchurch. A
cup, valne £10 10s., given by Mr. W. W. B. Beach, M.P., for
the best pen of wether lambs, Mr. W. Warwick, Worthy. A
cup, value £10 10s., given by Mr. Melville Portal, for the best
pen of ewes, Mr. John Barton ; second, a cup, value £5 5s.,
given by His Grace the Duke of Wellington, Mr. Schwann,
Houghton. A sweepstake of £1 each, with £5 5s. added by
Sir Henry St. John Mildmay, for the best ram of any age or
breed, Mr. Olding, Ratfin Farm ; second, a cup, value £5 5s.,
given by the Right Hon, the Earl of Carnarvon, Mr. Moore,
Littlecot. A cup, value £5 5s., given by the Right Hon. the
Lord Viscount Eversley, for the best pen of ram lambs of any
breed, Mr. Morrison, Fonthill.

WATERCOMBE FLOCK SALES,— The annual ram
letting on July 2nd attracted a large company of breeders.
Mr. T, Ensor conducted the letting, and nearly 150 lots were
rapidly disposed of at unprecedented prices. The highest
figure reached was 41 guineas. This was a four-tooth ram,
secured by Mr. Olding, of Ratfin Farm, Amesbury. Last year
Mr. Olding liired the same ram for £20. A Hampshire breeder
(Jlr. Hogg, of Cadlands) took a very fine two-tooth sheep for
22i guineas. Mr. Dowden, of Roke, secured a six-tooth sheep
for I82 guineas. For 20 guineas Mr, S. Symes, of Doles Ash,
obtained a four-tooth ram. Mr. R. Genge, of Waterson, ob-
tained four at the prices respectively of 14, 21, 11, and 13
guineas. Mr. Hogg, in addition to the one before-mentioned,
took a ram for 13 guineas ; Mr. J. Symonds, of Monckton,
gave 10|^, 16.V, 17, and 18^ guineas for rams ; Mr. Vincent of
Clifton, Yeovil, 10|, 12, and 22 guineas ; Mr. Tink, of Wira-
borne, 11^ guineas ; Mr. W. Besant, of Roger's Hill, 10| and
13 guineas ; Mr. Dowden, of Roke, besides the ram previously
mentioned, took another at 14^ guineas ; Mr. T. Homer, of
Emsworth, 18 and 16^ guineas ; Mr. Porter, of Wiraborue, 11^
guineas; Mr. Buby, Godmanstone, 15 and 18 guineas; Mr. J.
Homer, Martinstown, 10.^ guineas ; Mr. J. Saunders, Muston,
10^ guineas ; Mr. W. Chick, Owermoigne, 12 guineas ; Mr.
Gale, Nottington, 15 guineas ; Mr. Udall, Chaldon, lOf
guineas; Mr. F. Pope, Kingston Lacey, 13 J- guineas; Mr.
Bartlett, Burwcston, 12 and 12| guineas ; Mr. Paull, Isle of
Wight, 124- guineas; Mr. Hodge, Taunton, 12^ and 15
guineas ; Mr. Rawlence, Bulbridge, 12 guineas ; Mr. Young
Bloxwort, 14 guineas ; Mr. H. Pope, Preston, 14 guineas
The others were let at prices varying from six to ten guineas.
The proceeds of tlie letting amounted to nearly £1,189, and.
the rams were taken by forty-six breeders.

MR. HUMPHREY'S SALE OF HAMPSHIRE
SHEEP. — This sale took place at Oak Ash, when the ram
lambs were first disposed of at an average exceeding £16 each.
Mr, Rawlence secured one at 60gs., Mr. W. King one at
57 gs., Mr, C. Child 56 gs., Mr. Ferris 42 gs., Mr. Waters
41 gs., Mr, Moore 31 gs., Mr. Bennett 29 gs., Mr. Saunders,
of Watercombe, 29 gs., and Messrs. Tanner and Galpin, one
each at 26 gs. The sheep were next disposed of at prices
ranging up to 26 gs., Mr. Galpin being the last bidder for one
at that figure. The yearling ewes were sold at various prices
up to 22 gs. for the pen of five.

MESSRS. CORDEROY'S CHEESE CIRCULAR, (Thurs-
day last.) — The cheese trade here continues to be much
affected by the extreme heat of the weather. It is almost
impossible to keep the soundest cheese in good condition even
in the coolest and best ventilated warehouses, and our custo-
mers naturally shrink from adding more than they can help
even to the smallest stocks. When the temperature becomes

176

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

cooler we look for a fair demand for really prime new cheese
(in good condition) at moderate prices. There is nothuig iu
the aspect of our market, or iu advices from abroad regarding
the make of foreign cheese, to warrant the expectation of
high rates, and we trust our friends will act with due caution.
Scotch cheese of choice quality (in prime order) will com-
mand fair prices. American cheese are only in moderate de-
mand, at 5is. to 60s. for fine to extra ; some very prime useful
cheese have been sold at ils. to 52s. The arrivals since
our last are 22,511 boxes.

READING CHEESE PAIR was inadequately supplied, and
new cheese comes to hand iu bad condition, and the prices
vary from 50s. to 5Gs. and 64s. per cwt.

GLASGOW, (Wednesday last.) — The supply of cheese was
liberal, 1,900 having been laid down. The warm season being
unfavourable for holdiug, buyers operate cautiously. About
27 tons sold. Old Cheddars 51s. to 58s., new ditto 44s. to
53s. ; old Dnnlops 4Ss. to 55s., new ditto 42s. to 46s, ; new
Skim-milk 19s. to 20s.

CORK BUTTER EXCHANGE, (Friday last.) — Ordi-
nary : first quality Ills, to 108s., second quality 107s. to 104s.,
third quality 9Ss. to 95s., fourth quality 93s. to 90s., fifth
quality S3s. to 80s., sixth quality 66s. to 63s. per cwt. MUd-
cured. first quality 117s. to 114s., second quality 110s. to
107s., third quality 101s. to 98s.| per cwt. Repacked and
dairies, 41 ; 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, and 6ths of kegs 4s. per cwt.
less. Currency — ordinary butter 10s. per cwt. less, mild-
cured 10s. ditto, sponged butter 2s. ditto.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKET.
CITY, Monday, July 27.— There is a better feeling in the
market for English Wool, liolders having shown less disposi-
tion to force sales, and prices are rather firmer ; there is, how-
ever, very little doing for export.

CUEBENT PhICES 01' ENGLISH WOOL. S. fl. B. d.

Fleeces— Southdown hoggets per lb. 1 3 to 1 4

Half-bred cUtto „ 1 4i 1 5

Kent fleeces „ 1 3i 1 4

Southdown ewes and wethers „ 1 2^ 1 3^

Leicester ditto „ 13 1 3|

SOETS— Combing „ 1 0 1 ej

Clothing „ 13 16

BRADFORD WOOL MARKET, (Thursday last.)— The
general tone of the market this morning is quiet, although
since our last report some rather considerable purchases have
been made. It is now, however, near the end of the month —
a time when people don't care to enter iuto many new engage-
ments. Then the quietness in the cotton market and the
sluggish demand for Germ*! yarns, taken together with the
large stock of wool in the market, prevent anything like a
general activity. The transactions tliat have taken place have
generally been by the large consumers, who share with the
staplers a growing confidence in the value of wool. The
extreme firmness of most of the principal holders, leading them
sometimes to ask a fraction more money, is itself a proof that
they are looking forward to enhanced prices when the market
shall have become a little relieved of the heavy stocks now
pressing upon it. — Bradford Observer.

BRAMPTON SECOND WOOL FAIR.— The Cheviot
wool ranged from l.s. Id. to Is. 3|d. per lb., a slight increase
upon that of last year. Upwards of 6,000 fleeces were dis-
liosed of before night.

DONCASTER WOOL M^VRKET, (Saturday last.)— We
had not more than 100 sheets brought to market this morning,
the August wool fair being now near at hand. In consequence
of that fair, on the 5th August, there will be no wool market
next Saturday. A good demand was experienced for all that
was shown to-day, and the whole was well sold up at the close
of the market, prices remaining quite firm — viz., all-hogg 42s.
to 44s., two-thirds do 38s. 6d. to 40s. 6d. ; half-hogg 33s. 6d.
to 39s. 6d., all-ewe 32s. to 35s. 6d.

GLASGOW WOOL MARKET, (Saturday last.)— A large
business has not been done in tliis market during the week,
but a better feeling prevails as compared with the week pre-
vious. The announcement of the public sales has in some
measure restricted operations, but rates remain extremely firm.
Laid Highland is in fair demand, and laid Cheviots meet
with a ready sale. Wliite Cheviot and half-bred hoggs are
i?,reque8t, whilst wliite llii^liland is all but neglected,— J". H.
M Zeod,

JEDBURGH WOOL FAIR.— Tlicre was a pretty good
attendance of buyers and sellers. Cheviot wool brought from
32s. 6d. to 35s., half-bred from 34s. 6d. to 36s. 6d. Messrs.
J. Dun and Co. bought blackfaced from 15s. 6d. to 16s. ; Mr.
Scott (Whitton) sold his clip of half-brcds at 36s. 6d. ; Mr.
Hedley (Stobbs) sold his clip of Cheviot at 35s. ; Mr. Steven-
son (Kceldar) got for his clip of Cheviot 35s. ; Mr. Swan
(Bush) got for his half-bred and Cheviot 36s. ; Mr. Turnbull
(Midbum) got for half-bred 31s. 6d., with a 6d. referred up ;
Mr. Telfer (Wolfehopelee) got for his Cheviot clip 34s. ; Mr.
Simpson (Boughtrigs) sold his clip of Cheviots at 35s. ; the
Gowauburn chp was sold at 35s. ; Mr. Logan (Carroust) sold
his cUp of wlute Cheviot at 33s. 6d. ; Mr. Smith (TemplehaU)
got for half-bred and Cheviot 34s. 6d. ; Mr. Snaith (Blaik-
hope) sold his clip of hoggs' at 35s. 3d. ; the Otterstonelee clip
brought 32s. 6d.; Mr. Mein (Broomhills) sold half-bred
at 36s.

LEEDS (English amd Eokeign) WOOL MARKETS,
(Friday last.) — The bidk of the English wool is now iu the
hands of the manufacturers and staplers, and there does not
seem much probability of change in price for some time, es-
pecially as orders are not being given out freely for either yarn
or pieces. There is a fair consumption of colonial and other
wool, but scarcely equal to the supply. A large sale at Ant-
werp last week of South American wool, wliich showed a de-
cline of from 10 to 15 per cent, ou prices obtained there last
May.

LEICESTER WOOL AND WORSTED TRADE.— Prices
of both wool and yarn remain the same, with diiU demand.
Leicestersliire wool rallied slightly last week — say ^d. per lb.
— some purchases having been made by Yorkshire buyers.

LEWES WOOL FAIR.— At the dinner, which took place
at the White Hart hotel, the chair was taken by G. Darby, Esq.,
of Marklye. On the removal of the cloth, the chairman declared
the fair opened. Mr. Filder announced that he had sold his
wool, 800 fleeces, to Mr. Alfred Adams, at 15kl. Mr. Goring
offered his wool, 400 fleeces, to Mr. Breach at 16-j-d. Mr.
Breach : " I wiU give you two guineas a tod." Mr. Goring :
" How much a lb. is that ?" — " 155d." Tlie chairman, amidst
great amusement, proposed that they should toss up whether
Mr. Breach should give 16^d. or 16d. It was agreed ; the
chairman tossed the coin, and Mr. Breach, guessing wrong,
had to give IQ}^^. (roars of laughter). Mr. Paxtou (to Mr.
Adams) : " 530 ewes and 308 tegs at lojd." Mr. Adams :
"I'll give 15 d." — "111 take it" (cheers). Mr. John Verrall
offered 1,520 fleeces at 16id. Mr. Breach : " I'll give 16d. "
(accepted). Mr. EUis, of Beddingham, sold 2,110 fleeces to
Mr. Breach at 16d. Mr. Cane, in returning thanks, ofTered
his wool to Mr. Breach at 16d. (accepted). Mr. Farncombe
oifered 970 ewes' and 340 tegs' to Mr. Adams at ]5Jd.
Mr. Adams offered 155d. (accepted). Mr. Cane offered
Mr. Leigh's wool, 600 ewes and 200 tegs, to Mr. Breach at
Ib^d. (accepted). Mr. Tickner sold his wool to Mr. Breach
at 15fd. Mr. Evans sold 500 ewes and 200 tegs to Mr.
Breach at 16d. Mr. Lovegrove, steward to R. Wilson, Esq.,
sold 100 fleeces to Mr, Breach at 16d, Mr. P, Gorringe solfl
332 ewes, 256 tegs, and three rams, to Mr. Legg at 15|d.

SANQUHAR WOOL FAIR.— There was a large attend-
ance and a considerable amount of business was done. The
prices for blackfaced wool ranged from 12s. Gd. to 14s., and
Che\iot wool from 26s. to 30s., 2Ss, being the average.

ST. BOSWELL'S WOOL FAUl.— There was an exceUent
feeling in the wool market, and prices were considered by
sellers 6d. to Is. up from Dunse. There was no doubt but
the tone of the wool market was greatly improved, and a large
number of clips sold. Among the lots sold were the follow-
ing : Mr. Fleming (Craigsford-mains) sold his clip of all-hogg
at 40s., and all-ewe at 33s. ; Mr. F. Tait (Lindeau) sold his
clip of lialf-ewe and half-hogg at 36s. 3d. ; Mr. Tait (Venchen)
sold his cUp of more hogg than ewe at 37s. ; Mr. Short
(Ilumbledon) sold his clip of half-and-half at 36s. 3d. ;
Mr. Waller (Ammerside-law) sold liis clip of half-and-half
at 36s. 6d.

THE NORTHUMBERLAND AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY,— MEETING AT CORNHILL.— The annual
show this year was, iu respect of the number of entries of all
kinds of stock and implements, the best the society has ever
held. The entries were nearly two hundred more than
at any previous show, and the number of visitors was also

THE FAEMEK'S MAGAZINE,

177

very large. Amongst the shorthorns, some of the aged hulls
would have cut a very good figure even at Leicester, and the
same remark may be made as to at least half a dozen of the
cows. The young bulls were equally good in quality, though
few in numbers. The cows, indeed, surprised many, who
never anticipated finding so good a show in Northumberland.
StUl Mr. Booth seut nothing, having preferred to take
Grantham on his way from Leicester to Wetherby. The
Leicestcrs were particiilarly good, and it is hardly necessary to
say that amongst the Cheviots were to be found some of the
finest animals in Northumberland. Tlie black-faced sheep
were most characteristic specimens, the heads especially being
perfect pictures. The show of horses was very good, iu
respect both of quality and nmnber. The five-year-old
hunters, as a whole, were an exceedingly good lot, and with
no less than 27 entries. The winner was the celebrated bay
mare Lady Derwent. The pigs were few in numbers, but in
every respect first-class animals. The number of implements
was very large. With the exception of one, this department
contained uo novelty of importance. The exception was
Norton's now famous pump. The Duke of Northumberland
presided at the dinner,

WAYSIDE GRAZING.— At the quarterly meeting of
way-wardens for the Wingham division, held at Eastry,
Kent, the subject of wayside grazing came on for dis-
cussion. It seems that the practice is pursued to a consider-
able extent throughout the district, much to the inconvenience
of the farmers, whose occupations in a great measure are un-
protected by hedge or fence, which renders the nuisance more
irksome. Measures have, from time to time, been taken to
reduce tlic number of cattle thus fed, and an order issued
by the Board, that all animals found grazing upon the high-
ways, not in charge of a person, and tethered, would be
impounded. At the meeting on Thursday, however, the chair-
man announced that, by a recent decision in the Court of
Queen's Bench, all highway boards had the power to prohibit
the grazing of cattle along the roads, under any circumstances,
the only exception being where there existed a right to
common or waste land. He read the case, which was an
appeal against a conviction by the Hertfordshire justices, who
held that the offence of ranging had been committed, even
though the cattle were tethered, as they were not upon the road
for the purpose of transit from one place to another. The
chairman, iu announcing that the judges upheld the conviction,
said the settlement of the question was of great importance to
farmers throughout the country, and he suggested that printed
notices should be circulated throughout their extensive district,
warning persons against contiuuiug the practice — this was
ordered to be done,

POTATO MARKETS,
BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS.
LONDON, Monday, July 27.— These markets are fairly
supplied with potatoes. On the whole, the trade has ruled
steady, at about late rates. The import into London last week
consisted of 72 packages, 473 cases, 40 baskets Boulogne ;
2881 baskets Rotterdam ; 864 boxes, 99 tons Barfleur ; 19
barrels, 6 bales, 179 sacks, 3G casks, 250 bags Dimkirk ; 320
boxes 8 tons Cherbourg, and 27 tons St. Malo.

English Shaws ,.. 7s. Od, to 8s. per cwt.

Regents 6s. Od. to 9s. ,,

Jersey 6s. Od. to Ss. „

French 6s. Od. to 7s. „

COUNTRY POTATO MARKETS.— Baunsley (Saturday
last) : Kidneys 18s. to 20s. per load, or 51bs. for 6d., round
ditto 15s. to 16s. per load.— Doncaster (Saturday last) : Not
a large supply of potatoes at market, and these were selling at
from Is. to 2s. per hamper above the rates of last week.
Kidneys 8s, to 8s. 6d. per five-peck hamper, round potatoes
7s. to 8s. ditto.— Malton (Saturday last) ! Potatoes a still
trade, dealers only buying for tabic wants, and there being too
much uncertainty for speculation. Retail Is. to Is. 4d. per
per peck. Crop small, but very sound.— Manchester (Sa-
turday last) : Cheshire 14s. to 22s., Ormskirk 20s. to 26s. per
2621bs.— York (Saturday last) : TJiis market, both with re-
gard to supply and prices, was much the same as the previous
week. Kidney potatoes fetched from Is, Id. to Is. 3d., and
round ones lid, to Is, per peck.

HOP MARKETS.

BOROUGH, Monday, July 27.— During the latter portion
of the past week a better demand has prevailed in our market
at last quotations. Reports from the plantations, although
somewhat conllicting, are on the whole less favourable. In
parts of the Weald of Kent and Sussex drought and attacks of
red spider are much complained of, while in Mid and East
Kent and Worcester the grounds are generally progressing
well ; rain, however, appears to be very much required. Eu-
ropean reports are also less favourable. Bavaria and Bohemia
are doing well ; but the French and Alost districts appear to
be'almost parched up. New York advices to the 8th inst. re-
port no change in the market.

Mid and East Kent £3 10 £4 15 £5 13

WealdofKents 3 10 4 0 4 15

Sussex 3 0 3 5 3 15

Earnham and country 4 0 4 15 5 13

YearUngs 3 10 3 16 3 0

Bavarians 3 16 3 0 3 10

Belgians 3 14 3 18 3 5

WORCESTER HOP MARKET, (Saturday last.)— Con-
sidering the continued absence of rain, the hop grounds of the
district have during the past week made satisfactoiy progress.
The drought has done injury, which is now evidenced from
the blind lateral shoots put forward, more particularly on light
soUs with gravelly bottoms, and liy the Jones' plant, which
stock shows a want of vigour, that at many places the crop can
only be what is termed " a top one." Let it be understood
that we look for a full yield on the average ; but caution our
friends in receiving the reports of some writers, who have
predicted an overwhelming crop this year. The result of the
growth will be much influenced by the weather during the
next few weeks. Irrigation would undoubtedly prove
beneficial, causing the young hops to swell out to a full size ;
otherwise the fruit will be dwarfed in growth, and, further
would tend to cheek red and wliite, wliich at places spreads ;
also lessen the ravages of the red spider. In early gardens,
exceptionally, full-grown hops may be gathered ; but ourr is
only now being generally developed, so that we cannot expect
picking to be in full operation for a mon^i or five weeks yet.
This market is most barely supplied with stock, business being
much checked by planters' indisposition to accept ruling prices,

COVENT GARDEN MARKET.
LONDON, Saiuedat, July 25.
Fruit, both home-grown and foreign, coutiuues to be
largely supplied. AI)imdanceof West India pines may also
still be had. Kent filberts are coming in m very good con-
dition. Potatoes run small in size, and prices for them are
advancing. Cauliflowers and other vegetables are still show-
ing the ill effects of the continued dry weather. Flowers
chiefly consist of orchids, pelargoniums, fuchsias, migno-
nette, and roses.

FRUIT,
s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Apples,'^ bushel i 0 to 8 0 Melons, each 4 0 to 8 0

Apricots, per doz.

Cherries, 'W tb 1

Currants, per % sieve 4

Figs, '^ dozen 4

Filberts, per lb 0

Gooseberries, ^ qrt. 0

Grapes, ^ lb 3

Lemons, ^100 8

10 0

Nectarines,^ doz.

3 0 ; Oranges, new, '^ 100 0 0

Peaches, ^ dozeH ... 8 0

Pears, it3 dozen 6 0

Pine Apples, per lb. 3 0

Plums, per is sieve... 0 0

0 C 0 j Strawberries, ^ lb. 0 0

0 14 0 1 Walnuts, '^ bushel... 0 0 0 0
VEGETABLES,
Artichokes, per dozen 2 0 to 3 0 Mushrooms, ^pottle 3 0 to 5 0

14 0

10 0

6 U

0 0

u u

Asparagus, p. bundle. 0 0

Beans, Kid., '^ Misieve 3 0

Beet, per dozen 1 0

Brocoli, per bundle ... 0 0

Cabbages, per dozen... 1 0

Carrots, per bunch ... 0 9

New, per bunch 0 0

Cauliflowers, per doz. 0 0

Celery, per bundle ... 1 0

Cucumbers, each 0 4

Endive, per score 1 C

Garlic&Shanot3,"#lb. 0 8

Herbs, per bunoh 0 2

Horseradish,'^ bundle 3 0

Leeks, per bunch 0 2

Lettuces, per score ... 1 0

Mint,perbunch 0 6

0 0

0 0

2 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

Must. & Cress, "i^ punn .

Onion.s, ^ bushel 4 u

Pickling, per quart 0 0

Parsley, per bunoh ... 0 2

Parsnips, per dozen... 0 0

Peas, per peck 0 0 0 u

Potatoes, York Ke-

gents,perton 170 0 190 0

Shaws, per ton 140 0 160 0

Myatt's, per ton ...180 0 0 0

Other sorts, per ton 0 0 0 0

Kidneys, percwt 0 0 0 0

Radi.shes, perl2bund. 0 0 0 0

Sea Kale, per punnet. 0 0 0 0

Spinach, per bushel... 2 0 3 0

Tomatoes, per dozen 0 0 0 0

Turnips, new, p. bun. 10 18

CHICORY.
LONDON, Satuedat, July 25,
There has boon a fair demand, on former terms.
Delivbeablb peom Whabf iir Bags, bxolubivb oj Dutx
Harlingen ...£18 OtoJElO 0 I Antwerp ,..,£ 0 Oto£0
Bruges 19 0 20 0 I Hamburgh.. 17 0 19 0

178

THi: FAHMEE'S MAGAZINE.

REVIEW OE THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE PAST MONTH.

A very early harvest has come upon us, as might
have been expected from the long course of bril-
liant sunshine and almost unprecedented heat.
Clouds have often gathered, and here and there
heat drops and slight showers have fallen; but
patches of green have become quite a rarity, and
some fears for the future supply of water and pro-
vision for cattle have naturally sprung up. A
heavy fall of rain in the midst of harvest labour
might do more harm than good, as though there
is happily a fair prospect of a good wheat year,
there is no surplus to spare on any other grain,
which has all more or less suffered by the long
drought. Much new wheat has already been sent to
market, both in London and the country, the quahty
and weight above the average of years; but the
yield will vary from a scanty produceon some light
soils, to a great abundance on the deep well-farmed
loams and heavy lands, 661bs. is no uncommon
weight this year, though many samples scarcely
reach to 62lbs. The first parcel of Talavera
brought the extreme price of 78s. on the second
Monday; but equally good wheat could have been
bought at 63s. on the last, and 60s. can now
scarcely be depended upon, general accounts being
so favourable. But with plenty of it, should it
turn out that we have it, England has long ceased
to grow enough for its inhabitants, and with a de-
chne of 20s. from the highest, 8s. to 10s. of which
must be placed to account of the present month,
we may yet see some reaction. If the rain so long
deferred should make up for lost time in quantity
and continuance, a rise of 10s. on all fine dry sam-
ples would soon be the consequence ; and as we
are about one month early, we ought to have 13
months' provision on the ground to meet our coming
wants with the ordinary imports. Spain has suf-
fered from drought, and other southern countries,
even France, partially, which country, like our-
selves, was pretty well cleared out ; and then prices
in Paris are now so much above our own, that we
may ere long find French orders in London. Bel-
gium, London, and parts of Germany are yet above
us, although for future delivery prices from the
latter are low, and Hungary — that vast European
emporium — is said to have 10 to 15 per cent, above
the produce of last year. American accounts differ
materially. The first reports were favourable to a
large yield ; but the last make this very doubtful,
the South, and some land in the West as well, being
reported as having suffered by heat and other
casualties. In a very little time we shall be able
to form better estimates of our future supplies,
and the necessities of other places ; but let us be
thankful that the dread of high prices and scarcity
has passed away, and the world now has a pros-
pect that its teeming millions will all again be fed
from the fields by the kindness of Providence.
The following rates were quoted lately at the seve-
ral places named : White wheat at Paris 70s., red

63s., white at Bordeaux 65s., wheat in Belgium to
69s., white Zealand in Rotterdam to 708., Holstein
at Hambro' 63s,, Saale 64s., red at Cologne 57s.,
at Berlin 63s., ordinary mixed at Dantzic 63s.
(there being no fine left), red at Manheim 57s. ;
the range of prices for red wheat at Pesth, in
Hungary, 36s. to 50s.; No 1. spring wheat at New
York 50s., No. 2 48s. per 480lbs., spring wheat at
Chicago 1 dollar 84 cents (47s. 4d. per 480lbs.),
at Milwaukie No 1 1 dollar 90 cents (48s. 4d. per
480lbs.

The first Monday in Mark-lane opened on very
scanty supplies of English wheat, but with large
arrivals of foreign. Very few samples appeared
during the morning on the Essex and Kentish
stands. Some picked ])arcels of red realised
former rates; but to sell freely, less money would
readily have been accepted. Millers, however,
preferred to hold back, in expectation of yet lower
rates. Foreign was a very slow sale — indeed,
hardly anything was done; and low sorts were
fully Is. per qr. cheaper. Floating cargoes were
very dull, at unaltered rates. Considerable variety
was evinced in ihe different country advices this
week. Croydon was full-priced, and many places
only down Is. per qr. Others receded Is. to 2s.,
as Hull, Louth, Market Harborough, Chichester,
and Banbury. Many were 2s. to 3s. per qr. lower,
as Bury St. Edmunds, Dunstable, Melton Mow-
bray, Market Rasen, Rotherham, Lynn, Mansfield,
and Thirsk. Liverpool was 3d. per cental dearer
for white on the week, but 2d. cheaper for red
samples. The Saturday's advices noted a general
decline of Is. to 3s. per qr. Edinburgh made no
change in fine qualities ; but Glasgow was 6d. per
boll lower. Dublin and several other places in
Ireland noted no change.

The second Monday had a few more English
samples noted in the weekly returns ; and there
was a heavy supply from abroad. Very little was
exhibited on the Essex and Kent stands ; but a
sample of new Talavera appeared, weighing 64lbs.,
and was sold at a very high price (78s.) to a town
miller, for immediate use; but old qualities re-
mained dull, at a decline of Is. to 2s. per qr.
Foreign also tended further downwards, without
transactions, unless in retail at Is. less money.
Floating cargoes were little in demand, and barely
supported previous values. The heat increasing
in the country to a tropical degree, and dull
accounts coming continually from London, with
the prospect of very early gatherings generally,
prices universally gave way about Is. to 2s. ; and
in a few instances, as at Sleaford, this was ex-
ceeded ; but so scarce were white samples at
Liverpool, that their value was again increased
equal to about is. per qr. Saturday's advices
were generally in keeping with the previous
country reports, most being down Is. to 2s., and
some 3s. per qr. Edinburgh was in calm, and

N \

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

179

Glasgow again down 6d. to Is. per boll. Dublin
and other towns in Ireland remained dull, at
nominally the same prices.

On the third Monday there were only short
^^ngj's^ supphes, but large foreign arrivals conti-
nued. More samples of new were exhibited from
Essex and Kent— say about 600 qrs. ; but, even
with these, the entire show of English was very
hmited. Old was, however, down about 2s. ; and
sales of the new were made at moderate rates, the
best 65lb8. per bushel Talavera not exceeding 70s.
6d., and some very good 64lbs. rough chaflf 68s.
In foreign very little was doing. Some middling
Dantzic brought 64s.; but generally holders would
readily have accepted a decline of Is. to 2s. per qr.
Floating cargoes were down fully Is., with little
demand. The weather continuing very fine all this
week, with improved prospects as to the general
yield of wheat, all the country markets showed a
downward movement, and some went beyond the
London decline of 2s., as Salisbury, St. Ives,
Sheffield, &c., where rates were down 3s. for old
wheat, there not being enough new to make prices
quotable or settled. Edinburgh gave way 2s. to
3s., and Glasgow Is. per qr. Dublin was Gd. per
barrel cheaper, with hardly anything passing.

The fourth Monday had a small supply of English
wheat, but a good arrival of foreign, though not
equal to the previous Monday. There was but a
moderate show of fresh samples during the morning
on the Kentish and Essex stands, more than half
being new, prices of which settled down at from
about 58s. to 6ls. per qr. Old also was down 3s.
to 4s., with scarcely any demand for it. To sell
foreign there would have been a similar decline ;
but we did not hear of any house being anxious to
press at such a large reduction.

The imports into London during the four weeks
were 10,584 qrs. English wheat, 132,556 qrs.
foreign, against 9,635 qrs. English, 118,022 qrs.
foreign for the same period in 1867. The London
averages commenced at 67s. 5d., and closed at 63s.
3d. per qr. The general averages commenced at
67s. 5d. and ended at 65s.

The imports into the kingdom for four weeks up
to 18th July were 2,846,067 cwt. wheat, 213,922
cwt. flour, against 1,994,965 cwt. wheat, 209,704
cwt. flour in 1867. The exports from London
during the month were 910 qrs. wheat, 210 cwt.
flour.

The flour trade has been equally dull with wheat.
The first fortnight prices stood much the same;
but in the third week country sorts were down Is.
to 2s. per sack, and town prices were reduced 2s. ;
while on the fourth Monday there was a further
reduction of about 2s. on Norfolks and other
country sorts, and town millers found it necessary
to make a further reduction of 48. per sack, bringing
the top price down to 54s., thus showinga difference
in flour of only 10s. from the extreme price, while
the reduction in wheat has been 20s. The prices
of French are now lower than they are in Paris ;
but New York may yet import from last advices,
with chance of a small profit. The imports into
London for four weeks were — in country sorts
49,320 sacks, in foreign 7,Sll sacks 5,640 barrels.

against 59,975 sacks English, 8,634 sacks foreign
for the same period in 1867.

The imports of maize have been fair, viz., 24,952
qrs. for the month ; but there having been more
inquiry for this grain since its reduction in price,
there has been a reaction of Is. per qr, in favour of
sellers. Egyptian was worth 34s. to 36s., American
37s. to 42s. There have been fair exports from
New York lately ; but at present we do not anti-
cipate much reduction in prices.

Very little barley of home-growth has come to
hand during the month, the stocks being appa-
rently exhausted ; but there have been fair foreign
arrivals, principally grinding qualities, which range
from 30s. to 32s. per qr., and the better qualities to
36s. Some new English has brought 45s. ; but very
little has yet come to market. Some fine has been
sold in the country at 46s. per qr. The quality is
mostly steely and somewhat thin ; but there is
some stout and of very beautiful colour, whatever
the yield may be. We think fine malting sorts are
likely again to rule high all through the season,
and that even low descriptions will be relatively
dear. The imports into London for four weeks
were— in British sorts 1,032 qrs., in foreign 47,656
qrs., against 1,029 qrs. British, 12,535 qrs. foreign
in 1867. ^ «

The malt trade through the month has been
very steady, without quotable change of values.
There has been an enormous importation of
foreign oats during the month, but they were too
much wanted, from the deficiency of our own crop
and the shortness of stocks, that it has very little
afl^ected prices. Fine qualities have been very
scarce, the bulk of the arrivals being only of the
middling and inferior sorts, which have brought
23s. to 27s.; but good were worth 28s. to 31s.,
and even more when procurable. We believe we
shall again require large imports, and that we shall
have to compete with France as a purchaser, as the
crop of that country is expected to be as deficient
as our own. The few new, however, yet exhibited
have been fine and heavy, where grown on strong
soils. The imports into London for four weeks
were 921 qrs. English, no Scotch, only 420 qrs.
Irish, but 350,162 qrs. foreign, against 1,934 qrs.
English, 216 qrs. Scotch, 110 qrs. Irish, 208,736
qrs. foreign in 1867.

We have had but few English beans and only a
moderate supply of foreign, but it has been
enough to keep the London market fairly supplied,
while the hot weather and high rates have lessened
consumption. During the month prices have
advanced about Is., but they are now checked by
the lower rates of maize and grinding barley.
The imports into London for four weeks were
1,362 qrs. English, 7,500 qrs. foreign, against 966
qrs. Enghsh, 2,149 qrs. foreign in 1867.

For a long period the supply of English peas
has been very scanty, but for the last fortnight
they have rather increased by the appearance of
new samples of very fine quality, though we hear
the yield is reckoned to be very deficient. On the
last week we had a fair arrival of foreign white.
Prices through the month gained about Is. to 28.
per qr. ; but boilers were finally a slow sale at 46s.
The imports into London for the month were

180

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE,

I 054 qrs. home-grown, 0,098 qrs. foreign against
231 qrs. English, 22,382 qrs. foreign m 1867.

The linseed supply during the month has been
18,651 qrs., against 13,776 qrs. last year. The
severe drought, having now lasted with very little
intermission for fourteen weeks, has created a very
lively demand for cakes, which, from the lowest
point, have been about 30s. per ton. ; while seed
itself, being scarce, has risen 2s. to 3s. per qr,
with very little probability of its becoming much
cheaper all through the season. , , , , ,

The little stock of cloverseed on hand has lately
met with a speculative demand, at fully former
rates,from unfavourable reports as to the prospects
in France, where there has been a rise in this seed
as well as in trifolium and lucerne. Our own
crop is now jeopardized by the extreme heat and

drought. , ,. , J

New winter tares of good quality have appeared,
and brought lis, per bushel^ ^^___

OURRBNT PRICES OP BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR

IN MARK LANE. ^ ^

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT, Essex and Kent, white, old 60 63...new 60to63

,, red „ 58 bu... „ 00 03

Norfolk, lAnc, and Yorksh.. red ,, 6S 60... „ 00 00

P!AT?.T-EY 34 to 35 Chevalier 37 45

Grhidtos ...........32 34 Distilling 36 40

MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and_Suffi)lk^6^9 extra 70 75

64 63

;.;„... 40 42

Potato 30 35

Potato 00 00

Fine 28 30

Brown

RYE

OATS, English, feed 26 to 33 ■

Scotch, feed 00 00

Irish, feed, white 23 26 _ ,7 qo

Ditto, black 23 26 mato 27 32

BEANS, Mazagan ...44 46 Ticks 44 46

Harrow 45 48 Pigeon 51 58

PEAS.white,boUers..43 47 Maple 46 to 48 Grey, new43 45

FLOUR, per sack of 2S01bs., Town, Households 50 54

Country, on shore 14 to 46 „ ^9 M

Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore ^ ^*

FOREIGN GRAIN.

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT. Dantzic, mixed 62 to 63 extra 64to67

Konigsberg 61 64 extra 63 66

Rostock 61 65 fine 61 6b

Silesian.red ...63 65.. white.... 61 65

Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermrk. ...red 61 63

Russian, -hard, 50 to 52.. .St. Petersburg and Riga 50 64

Danish and Holstein, red 58 60 American 58 60

French.noiie Rhine and Belgium 00 00

Chilian white 64... Califomian 65 ... Austrahan 64 65

BARLEY, grinding 31 to 32....distilLing and malting 35 40

OATS Dutch, brewing and Polands 24 to 33 feed 23 28

Danish and Swedish, feed 23 to 28. . . . Stralsund. . . 24 28

Canada22to34, Riga24to 27,Ai-ch.24to27,P'8bg. 26 28

TARES, per qr _. Ji ^^

BEANS, Priesland and Holstem 45 4S

Konigsberg 44 to 47. ..Egyptian 44 45

PEAS, feeding and maple.. .41 44.. .fine boilers 44 4b

INDIAN CORN, white 35 43...yeUow 39 43

FLOUR, per sack, French.,50 62...Spanish,p. sack 48 62

American, per brl 29 32...extraand d'ble.33 35

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

For the week ended July 18, 1868.

Wheat 25,6421 qrs. 65s. Od.

Barley 258| „ 37s. 4d.

Oats... 1.024i „ 308. lid.

COMPARATIVE AVERAGES.

WHEAT.

Years. Qrs.
1864... 59,7291 .
1865... 52,131 .
1866... 32,481| ,
1867... 27,3931 ,
1868... 25,6421

8. d.
,42 6
,43 0
. 54 0
.65 1
. 65 0

BARLEY
Qrs.

l,254i .
590| .
3441 ,
6374
258J

:y.

s.

d.

27

10

28

3

33

5

35

1

37

4

OATS.
Qrs. B. d.

3,390J ,
2,604^ .
1.191S ,
1,459 J ,
l,024i ,

.21 7
,23 2
.26 3
.28 4
.30 11

LONDON AVERAGES.

Wheat 1938 qrs. 63s. 3d.

Barley — >. OOS' ^d.

Oats..,,.. „.„., - n Ws. Oa,

Barley. |

B.

d.

42

2

39

2

39

1

39

6

37

4

37

4

39

7

35

I

Oats.

8.

d.

30

4

29

3

30

0

29

6

29

8

30

11

29

11

28

4

AVERAGES

Fob the last Six | Wheat.

AVeeks: 8. d.

June 13, 1868 67 6

June 20, 1868 66 1

June 27, 1868 67 5

July 4, 1868 67 7

July 11, 1868 66 7

July 18, 1868 65 0

Aggregate of the above ... 66 8

The same week in 1867 | 65 1

BRITISH SEEDS.
MusTAED, per bush., brown 12s. to 13s. white 88. tolOa

CAKABY,per qr 783. 848

Cloveeseed, red 563. 64s,

CoBiAifDEB, per cwt 20s. 2l8,

Tabes, winter, new, per bushel Ss. 9s

Tbefoil 20s. 218

Rtegbass, per qr :••■• l°s. 203

Linseed, per qr., sowing 65s.to663.,crushmg 63s. 65s

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 10s. to £12 lOa,

Rapeseed, per qr ^i'®'„„^^®

Rapb Cake, per ton £5 10s. to £6 Os

FOREIGN SEEDS.

COEIANDEE, per cwt ^qft^;*°oa!

Caeeawax „ ••••• *f- i°l

Cloveeseed, red 48s. to 56s., white 668. SOs

Teeeoil I'^l- f^^

Rtegbass, per qr 4;"l"i: Tnl' d.9t'

Hempseed, small 38s. per qr., Dutch .... .... 40s. 42s

Linseed, per qr., Baltic 56s, to 60s...Bombay 63s 648

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 10s.toil2 los

Rapeseed, Dutch W;"iX/lVft na

Rape Cake, per ton £5 10s. to £6 Os

PRICES of BUTTER, CHEESE, HAMS, &c.

CHEESE, per cwt.— 8, s.

Cheshire 66 to 74

Dble. Gloucester 56

BUTTER, p. cwt.— 8. 8.

Friesland 114 to 116

Jersey 92 106

Dorset 116 120

Carlow — —

Waterford — —

Cork — —

Limerick — —

Sligo — ~

Fbesh, per doz., 14a. Od. to
163. Od.

Cheddar 66 76

American 48 58

HAMS: York 84 90

Cumberland 84 90

Irish 84 90

BACON :—

Wiltshire 80 84

Irish, green 72 76

HIDE AND SKIN MARKETS
LONDON, Satubdax, July 25.
s. d. s. d. I
MAtjinrT TTTrnJiS- Horse hides, each

•^6^fo^«Tb^.' .!. :. 0 3V4toO P.vsl calf skins, light 2 0

64 to 721tes 0 3Mi

B. d. s. d.
.9 C to 10 6

72 to SOlbs 0 SVS;

80 to 881bs 0 i

88 to 961b3 0 414

96tol041bs 0 0

101toll21bs 0 0

Full..

, Polled sheep 0 0

„ iV' Half-breda 0 0

0 4% Downs 0 0

0 0 I Shearlings J 2

Lambs ...„ 2 6

3 6

PRICE CURRENT OP GUANO, &0.
Peruvian Guano direct from the importers' stores. £12 53. to £12 10s.

Bonesr«Vto£6 53. 0"*° Crushed, £0 10s per ton
Animal Charcoal (70 per cent. Phosphate) £5 per ton.
cXlute, Cambridge, whole £3, ground £3 lOs.per ton.

SufTollt, whole £2 10s., ground £3.
Nitrate of Soda, £13 10s. to £14 10s. per ton. .

nimaum f\ lOs Superphosphates of Lime,£5 53. to £6 53. peT lOH.
&^cAcJd!concent?ated 1-845 id. per lb., brown l;712 0%d
Blood Manure, £6 5s. to £7 10s. Dissolved Bones, £6 15s. Per ton.
Ltaseedc"kes, best American brl. £U 10s. to £12 5s.. bag £11 to £12.
Cotton Seed Cake, £6 15s. to £7 10s. per ton.

E. PuBSEE, London Manure Company,

116, Fenchurch Street, E.G.

9 10 0
0 0 0

2 4 6

p„!,y,n p<.nivian£12 7 6to£13 0 O'Linseed Cake, per ton— ^ .,„ „ „
«"Dr'?;?erd"oN,0 0 « 00| Ame..tlnn,b.s.£1^2 10 0to£13 00

0 12 3iCotsd.Cake,decort. 9 0 0

3 5 o'Niger 2 10 0

2 12 olBrimstone,2d&3rd 6 5 0

Tallow, 1st P.Y.C. 2 5 G

ttewpercw;,.-.^ -" 2 10 o| „ super. Norths 2 4 0

SAMUEL DOWNES and CO., General Brokers,

No. 7, The Albany, Liverpool.

Agricultural Chemical Works, Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Prentice's Cereal Manure for Corn Crops » per ton £| " 0

Mangold Manure " 6 10 0

Prentice's Turnip Manure......... „ « •• c 0 0

Prentice'.sSuperpho.'iphateof Lime_~~~~~.— "

Bone Ash 4 15 0

Nitr. of Soda, p. ct. 0 11 9
Linsd.Bomby.p.qr.S 4 0
Rapeseed, Guzerat 2 10 U
Cloverseed, N.Am.
red,newpercwt.2 7 fa

Priiitea by Rogerson and Tuxford, 365, Straud, London. W.C.

m

E EAEMEIl\S MAGAZOE.

AUGUST, 1868

CONTENTS.

PI.ATE I,^M OUNTAIN DEW:A Pbizk Hunter.
Plate II,-~THE RETURN PROCESSION,

Description of the Plates

The Milk we Consume.— By Cuthbert W. John'son F r's
Assessment of Woods and Game . '

On the Supply op Moisturr required' by Land
The SeTf^rV'^'' its Contingkncies.-By a Practical* Farmer
Central Chamber op Agriculture
Devonshire Chamber of Agriculture
Agricultural Statistics
Malt-Tax Report . ]

The Cattle-Plague Act
Leicestershire Farming

Essex Agricultural Association : Meeting at* Chelmsford
Birmingham Horse and Hound Show, in Bingley Hali
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Agricultural Society-* Meetinc
Northamptonshire Agricultural Society: Meeting at Oundle
Suffolk Agricultural Association: Meeting at Framlingham
RiPON AND Claro Agricultural Society .

Havre International Exhibition
Brussels International Agricultural" Exhibition
The Supply of Fresh Meat .

Royal Agricultural Society of England : Monthly Counch
Meeting at Leicester

General Meetins . [ [ '

Implement Prizes . . * * '

The Working and Uses of Agricultural Machinery

Poor Rates Assessment

TiPTREE Farm. ..,''"

The Beet-Sugar Question.-By the oLd Norfolk Farmer

.Song op the Hay-makers,— By Eliza Cook

County Finance . . ' '

Foreign Agricultural Gossip .

The Farmer's Friends

Calendar of Agriculture

Calendar of Gardening

Agricultural Reports

Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c.

Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month

Market Currencies, Imperial Averages, &c

AT Newmarket

page.

87, 88
89
92
93
94
95
96
99
100
101
102
103
110
114
118
120
123
12G
129
130
135
13G
137
]44
167
130
140
142
143
160
l66
168
1^9
1C9
170
171
172

174

17s

180

Just PulHshed Price in aoth, 33. Gd. ; Post-free, 3«. 9rf.,

THE SPRING EDITIOK

OF

MFF'S GUIDE TO THE TURF,

UNITED WITH

BAILY'S TURF GUIDE,

(Sontenta :

The No«unatio„s fo, 1868-K„t,ie. fo, tW G,ea. St^es >» !«'>'>-* Couple*. g^'-f^Ll^:? e" L^I'

Queen's Plate Articles, and Weights-Sales of Blood Stock in 1867-8, &c, &c.

ROGERSON & TUXFORD, "SPORTING MAGAZINE OFFICE," 265, STRAND; by all BookseUevs ; and
at the various Railway Stations.— Pice 3s. 6d. ill Cloth.

SCOTT AND SEBRIGHT,

BY

THE DRUID.

Price FIVE SHILLINGS, b.«>,d 1- crimson Cloth. Unifom .Ith " Po.l and Paddock." .nd ■' SUk

and Scarlet."
PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND.

NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF " MANHOOD."
Post Free from the Author, 12 stamps ; Sealed EndiS, 16 stamps.
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|\K. LURlloC) Mrii;iu.rt.i^ vjivjxj^ instructions to the Married and Unmarried of

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both Se.es. for removing the special f^^^^lf^^'^^fl^''^^^^^ M.D., 16. Albemaklk

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MANHOOD . A MEDICAL ESSAY on the Causes and Cure of Premature J^echnem
AlNAlUWi^. .n. iTj-AJ-L' Tk u;iu,, tsr^flrmntnrihfpa ImDoLence, and thosft peculiar infirmities

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Times, 23rd March, 1858. instruct the cmng, without imparting one idea that

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the'^s'ourre o7tb»e Siseie. whfch 'p,»duee'deellne in youth, or „o,e frequently, premature old .... -
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It eradi" Tartar from the Teeth, removes spots of incipient ^ecay and pohshes and preserves the enamel,

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No. 3. Vol. XXXIV.] SEPTEMBER, 1868. [Third Series.

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OF ENGLAND.

LEICESTER MEETING, 1868.

UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS.

THE FOLLOWING PRIZES HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO

J« & F. HOWARD,

BRITANNIA IROW WORKS, BEDFORD.

The FIRST PRIZE for the Best Wheel Plough for General Purposes.
The FIRST PRIZE for the Best Wheel Plough for Li^ht Land.
The FIRST PRIZE for the Best Swing- Ploug-h for General Purposes.
The FIRST PRIZE for the Best Swing Plough for Lig-ht Land.
The FIRST PRIZE for the Best Subsoil Ploifgh.
The FIRST PRIZE for the Best Harrows for Horse Power.
The FIRST and ONLY PRIZE for the Best Steam Cultivating Apparatus
for Farms of Moderate Size.

mf"^ KSo^ ^""^ 9.^^^ ^^^^^ fo^' *^e Best 5-Tined Steam Cultivator.
The FIRST and ONLY PRIZE for the Best Steam Harrows.
S^ K?,?^^^''^ ^^^Y ^^I2E for the Best Steam Windlass.
The SILVER MEDAL for their Patent Safety Boiler.

J. & F. HOWARD thus received

TEN FIRST PRIZES,

AND A SILVER MEDAL.

Carrying off almost every Prize for which they competed, and this after trials the most
severe and prolonged ever known.

(Scale about 100 feet to the inch and quarter.)

BLOCK PLAN SHOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OP STEAM POWER.
The dotted line shows the steam pipe couveyiug steam to the five steam engines. ^Jl— 12 Horse-power. S''^—10 Horse-power. 5^—11 Horse-power. .S*— 10 Horse-power. .S"— 16 Horse-power.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

SEPTEMBER, 1868.

PLATE I.

THE DUKE or GRAFTON; a Prize Shorthorx Bull.

THE PROPERTY OF MR. JAMES CHRISTY, JUN., OF BOYNTON HALL, CHELMSFORD.

The Duke of Grafton, a red bull, calved April 15,
1864, and bred by Lord Penrbyn at Penrliyu Castle,
Bangor, is by Duke of Geneva (19G14), out of
Duchess 1st by Master Rembrandt (16545), her
dam Duchess Nanny by Jasper (11609), — Duchess
Nancy by Second Duke of Oxford (9046), — Nettie
by Second Duke of Northumberland (3646), —
Nell Gwynne by Belvedere (1706), — Northallerton
by Son of Second Hubback (2683), — a Cow of Mr.
Bates of Kirklevington.

Duke of Geneva (19614), a red bull, calved
February 16. 1860, and bred by Mr. J. 0. Sheldon,
Geneva, America, was imported into this country
in 1862, and sold to Lord Penrhyn for 600 gs. He
is by Second Grand Duke (12961), out of Duchess
71st by Duke of Glo'ster (11382), her dam Duchess
66th by Fourth Duke of York (10167), — Duchess
55th by Fourth Duke of Northumberland (3649),
and so back through a whole line of Duchesses to
Belvidere and Hubback.

Duchess 1st was bred by Mr. Barber, of Sproatley
Rise, Hull, and sold at his sale in 1862 to Lord
Penrhyn for 135 gs. She is out of a cow bred by
Col. towneley, the dam of which was purchased
at Messrs. Bell's sale at Kirklevington, 1850, from
whose stock Duchess 1st is descended. She won
two first prizes as a heifer calf in the East Riding of
Yorkshire, and her sire, Master Rembrandt, won
nine prizes in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, including
a medal and cup.

The Duke of Grafton won the first prize at the
Essex County Show at Braintree in 1867, and the
first prize at the same Society's show at Chelmsford
in 1868, in a class of 16 animals open to all
Eno'land. He also won the fii'st prize with Primula
and her heifer calf Potentilla, for the best bull,_cow,
and offspring, against five other entries. Primula
has also taken, on her own account, at the Essex
meetings, first prizes as a calf, yearling, a two-year-
old, and a cow.

We thus spoke of the Duke of Grafton on seemg
him at Chelmsford in June :— " Mr. Christie kept
the prize in the county with a big, long, broad four-
year-old of nice quality, and with some capital points,
beino- especially good in his back and hind quarters,
and well let down to his hocks. Against all this, he
is light in his neck, and has a rather tapering egg-

OtD SBR118.}

sucking head, but is, nevertheless, at all points, a
grand useful bull. He could not take the first prize
class of the county, because he took it in 1867 ; but
the judges held to his line as far as they could.
They made his daughter Potentilla their choice in the
youngest class of heifers, and then took her with
her father and mother as the best family party;
while they got on the vein again with his daughter
Patchouli 4t!>, a well grown, handsome yearling, of
good colour and quality."

Mr. Christy's herd was commenced in 1849 by
the purchase of two heifers at Mr. Barnard's
sale at Gosfield Hall, and from one of these— Cowslip
by Roan Robin (10721)— the main strength of the
stock is derived. From this cow is descended the P
family, members of which have been exhibited, and
always with success, at the Essex County Show
since its commencement in 1858. Cows or heifers
have also been purchased from C. P. Grenfell, of
Taplow Court, in 1857; from Mr. G. M, Tracy, of
Edenbridge, in 1859 ; from Mr. J. S, Crawley, of
Stock wood Park, in 1860; from Mr. W. T. Long-
bourne, of Blackmore, in 1858; from Mr. Jonas
Webb, of Babraham, in 1863, and from Mr. J. H.
Langston, of Sarsden, in 1864.

The farm adjoins Mr, J. W, Bramston's Skreens
estate, and the bulls used on the Bramston herd of
late years have also been used at Boynton. Amongst
these have been Tort worth (10966), and Red
Duke (16798), with much Bates blood, Comedian
(15789) from Mr. Adkins' herd, while the Duke of
Grafton has more recently been the lord of his own
harem.

The herd now numbers 57 animals, viz., 25 cows,
13 heifers, 7 yearlings, 10 bull and heifer calves, and
2 bulls. The cattle are of good medium size, not
coarse, with good ribs and loins. In colour red pre-
vails, and they are generally uniform, more especially
the P family. The stock is not kept high, nor
pampered, but in good healthy condition for use.

The Boynton Hall farm, held from Lord Petre,
consists of 700 acres arable under steam cultivation,
and 100 acres of grass. Although good useful land
it is not of the best quality, but it has been improved
of late years, Mr. Christy being considered by his
neighbours one of the best and most advancing
agriculturists in the district.

0 [Yot. LXIV.— No. 3.

182

THE FAHMER'S MAGAZINE.

PLATE II.
THE FABM BUILDINGS AND KENNELS AT LUTON HOO.

In the year seventeea hundred and eighty-one two
celebrated men joined in drinking the health of his then
Most Gracious Majesty George the Third at the village
inn of Luton, in Bedfordshire, And on that occasion
one of them dictated to the other a letter — written and
sent years before — to " My Lord Chesterfield," which
many a time since has been read with mingled feelings of
melancholy and pride — melancholy that so great a man
who had originally penned it had been subject to the neg-
. lect, if not the contumely, of the " pride of birth and of
place ;" pride that that man could so pathetically, yet
nobly, vindicate the dignity and the worth at once of his
calling as a " man of letters" and of his manhood. One
of these men was the celebrated Samuel Johnson ; the
other, James Boswell — no less celebrated certainly, but
in a much smaller, and quite in another way. We do
not know whether this inn still exists in Luton, or if it
does, whether tradition has marked the room, if not the
very place in the room where those two men sat — one of
whom has written his name in the page of our country's
history ; the other who has written — well, we shall
content ourselves with saying One of the most amusing
books which was ever penned — but if the inn does exist,
and the room is marked in memory of man, the next time
we visit the beautiful neighbourhood of Luton we shall
make a pilgrimage to that inn, and reverentially quaff a
draught of its best ale in memory of one who influenced
his times in a remarkable manner for good — a memory
which all good men bear lovingly in mind.

On the day which preceded the evening we have named
above, Johnson and Boswell visited the magnificent seat
of the Marquis of Bute at Luton Hoe, now written Hoo,
and we can fancy the remarks which Johnson would make
in his grand bow-wow way, with his " Sir" this and his
" Sir" that, and the way in which he would be attended
and, shall we say, toadied by the obsequious Bozzy.
Johnson was so pleased with the Hoe, that he said of it,
" This is one of the places I do not regret having come
to see. It is a very stately place, indeed ; in the house
magnificence ist not sacrificed to convenience, nor con-
venience to magnificence. The library is very splendid,
the dignity of the room is very great, and the quantity *
of pictures beyond expectation — beyond hope." This
fine place was entirely burnt sixty-two years after John-

* We cannot here resist the temptation there is to express
our surprise that the great lexicographer, the eminent
philologist, should here have used the word " quantity" as
applied to precious things as pictures. We apply, or ought to
apply, this term only to things of abundant bulk, as wheat,
sand, &e., &c. We apply, or ought to apply, to precious
things as men or pictures— as in the present instance — the term
"number." So absurdly is the term "quantity" employed
now-a-days, that we hear of a " quantity of men." When we
so hear, we are inclined to ask " How many bushels or gallons
of them?" "

son visited and thus expressed his high opinion of it.
Whether the house which was built to replace the magni-
ficent mansion which thus called forth the praises of
Johnson is the one at present on the estate, we know
not; but, whether or no, it belongs not now to the
" lordly house of Bute " — it has passed from the
aristocracy of birth to that of wealth — and we commit no
flattery when we say — of worth. The estate on which the
present mansion stands is now in the possession of one of
the leading men of " Lordly Liverpool" — that town of
merchant princes — Mr. James Gerard Leigh.

We hear very much just now of the wonders that would
be worked by the introduction, or rather the revival, of
small farms ; but if any one who is enamoured of this sys-
tem— one which is, as far as experience goes, by no means
adapted for this country — will only take the trouble to con-
trast a specimen of it with the lai'ge farms of men of means,
who, by wealth judiciously distributed, and ably aided by
sound practical farming knowledge, carry out extended
improvements, we venture to say that he will begin to
think that his notions as to what can be done by small
farms in the way of furthering, and furthering quickly,
the progress of agriculture, are necessary to be thought
over again, and are very likely to be set aside as the result
of this fresh thinking. And the estate of Mr. Leigh is
precisely one to which we would send the advocates of
small farms to gain knowledge of how wonderfully the
progress of farming, in its highest and most scientific
developments, has been aided by the judicious expenditure
of money and knowledge on large and extensive farms.

Before describing what has been done in improving
the land, or farm proper, we shall take up the build-
ings by which the work of the farm is carried on.
These, as our chief sketch will show, constitute in fact a
" monster farmery, or homestead." We are no believers
in what are called " model" farmeries, inasmuch as the
peculiarities of every well-designed farmery or home-
stead are regulated and brought into existence by the
peculiarities of the farm for which it is designed, and
those of soil, climate, and locality. Hence no farm can
be said to have buildings which are " model" farm
buildings, in the sense in which the term " model" is
generally, we may almost say universally, used, that is
applicable to be taken as a model to be followed in
all places ; but a building may be a model one, as appli-
cable to a farm placed under the like circumstances
in which it is placed, and may, moreover, if it is not
a model one as a whole, possess many features which
are worthy of being followed as models for practical
copying. In this sense, and which we take it is the
con-ect sense of the term, the farm buildings at Luton
Hoo estate are model ones. Certainly, they are most
extensive, ''monster," as we have already termed them,

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

183

and comprise many features worthy of special notice.
TMs notice we propose now to give.

As the buildings in their complete arrangement, and
the component parts occupying their relative positions,
occupy so large a space of ground — some six or seven
acres, including every detail — to represent them all on
one plan, so that aU the parts would be on such a scale
as to make them intelligible, would involve either a larger
drawing than our page could afford space for, or if
brought down in scale to go therein easily, would be so
minute as to reduce the practical value of the whole,
which we propose if possible to give to our drawings :
we have therefore adopted the other alternative, of giving,
in the first place, an isometrical block plan, in which
the relative positions are easily seen ; and in the second
a series of detached plans, drawn to a large scale, from
which the fittings-up of the various apartments can be
easily seen. We believe this plan of illustrating this fine
and extensive series of farm-buildings the best adapted to
place its peculiarities before our readers. We there-
fore give the block plan, shewing all the apartments
in their positions relative to one another, and give
here the general description of the same, reserving the
detailed description of the various apartments tiU we pre-
sent our detached plan. Beginning at the upper end of
the block plan in the Plate, we find first the open corn-
shed — for storing the corn in sheaves as brought direct
from the fields, in place of having it open stacked — the
length of which is 450 feet, and the width 36. At the
end of this are two "loose boxes," numbered 16 and 17
respectively. The whole of the central part of the farmery,
at the upper part, is occupied with places for the stock,
the upper line next the corn-shed being occupied by the
top bullock-shed, on the lower side of which are the
manure-yards. The open yards (Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10) are each provided with good store-rooms, as
2' 2', »»' m\ n' n\ At oue end of the piggeries
there is a boiling-room for preparing the food at j\, j2
being a privy. The lai-ge root-store has at one end an
oilcake room (i), and the steam-engine room (S3) ; at
the other end, the slaughter-house (Z). The milk -cow
house ranges with the bottom buUock-shed. Separated
by a wide cart-road, paved with granite, from the milk-
cow house and bottom bullock-shed, is the range of
buildings which contains the boiler-house (B), the
steam-engine and mill-room (SI), the chafi'-house, the
coal-house, the hen-house (</')> the plough-iron stores {6'),
and the saddler's shop (c). Below this range are the
stables for the work-horses, with granary and coach-
house (Z), and shed (^1). Facing these, and lower down,
are a range of loose boxes (Nos. 1 to 11), with apart-
ments at one end, as follows : t — bedroom belonging to
the house and offices, of which a detached plan will
hereafter be given ; w — a tool-house ; v — a mess-house
for the workmen; w — coach-house; z — a nag-stable.
The other end of the range of loose boxes (Nos. 1 to
11) is the boiling-room for calves' food (y the
calf-pens being adjoining, and divided as follows:
a a a being the pens, with feeding troughs b b b, passages
c c, and hay -racks d d; the dimensions of the central

range of pens being 22 feet square, of the upper range
being 23 feet by 21 feet, of the lower range being 22

•b

a

Q

a

b

Q

a

@

c c

I D

a

! D

J [^

a

t

n

U

c c

a

a

a

.1

■h

0

(Fig. 1.)
feet by 18 feet, of the end range 17 feet by 16 feet, the
width of passages c c being 6 feet. Next to the calf
pens are the little stables for the cart-horses, with a har-
ness room at one end and a loose-box at the other, not
shown in the plan, but in the position el and/1 respec-
tively. Above the upper range of stables are the sheep
pens ; these being boundedt)n the side with the shepherds'
granary. In a line with this, and further up, are four
loose-boxes, Nos. 12 to 15 inclusive; above which is a
shed ; then a steam-engine room, for working the bone
crusher ; and above this, the implement shed.

Taking now the other side, or left of the block-plan in the
Plate, we find first, as next to the cattle yards, the range of
barns, as the oats, the wheat (with steam engine S4), and
barley barn ; pi and q\ being seed rooms. To the left
of these, divided by a granite-paved road, are the various
workshops, these being placed round the central timber
yard. The upper part of the timber yard is surrounded
with a shed {b b b) 20 feet wide, c is the bricklayers',
d the iron store, e a store, /smiths' shop, with shoeing
house g, h the wheelers' shop, i mess-house for workmen,
j position of stairs leading to the painters' shop above,
k fire-engine house, I carpenters' and painters' stores, «
carpenters' shop, with store room^, o the saw room, S5
the steam engine for working the circular saw under shed
b,rr the cart shed, with store u for grains at one end.
We have thus described the arrangement and position of
the various parts which make up this vast building, and
are now prepared to enter into a somewhat detailed de-
scription and illustration of some of its most striking
characteristics.

And the first of these which claims our attention is
the distribution of power and of machines for performing
the various operations of the farm. Unlike the system
which may be said to be universally adopted, we find
here no concentration of power, and of the machines
which that power is designed to work ; on the contrary,
we find a division of the power, and of the atteadant

o2

184

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

machines, these being spread over various parts of the building, as indicated by the position of the steam en-
gines, not fewer than five in number, as indicated in the block plan in the Plate, by the letters SI, S2, S3, S4, S5.
Some points of essential importance concerned in the economy of performing the labom- of a farm, especially of
a large one, are involved in the system here illustrated, which to the reader practically interested in the working
of a farm will be interesting if explained somewhat in detail. But before doing so it will be well to give here our
detailed plans to a larger scale, about 23 feet to the inch-and-a-half, showing the arrangement of tiie power, and the

machines in the various parts of the building.
In fig. 2, we illustrate the arrangements in the
range of buildings next the work-horse sta-
bles, in which a a is the steam boiler house,
containing ttoo foriy-liorse 'power steam
boilers, on Howard's recently introduced prin-
ciple. We shall presently explain why there
is such an exceptionally — an apparently ex-
ceptionally large amount of boiler power given
here ; meanwhile we proceed to describe the
other arrangements illustrated in fig. 2. The
boiler house a a a ah separated by a covered
way 6 b from the mill house c c. This has at
one end the apartment d, which contains a
tivelve -horse steam engine e ; this works by
means of the shafting ff and g g the various
machines as follows : — h the grindstone, i the
chaff-cutter, both of these being placed in the
chaff-room j j, the shafting g g being sus-
pended by " hangers" from the ceiling, and
receiving motion from the shaft ff by the
pulley//-, and belt /. In the room c c, m m
are corn mills, and n an oat-crushing mill.
The machines here do the work which is re-
quired chiefly for the horses, the stables and
loose-boxes for which are all in the immediate
. vicinity, and can therefore be supplied with
^>, all despatch.

** Coming in like manner to the preparation of
.SP the food for the cattle, we find our way to the
fe- " root store," where the open yards Nos. 8
and 9 (see block-jilan in Plate), in which we
find another steam-engine (marked S3 in fig. 1)
together with another set of machinery, all of
which are illustrated in fig. 3, in which a a\%
the oilcake store, h the steam-engine room,
containing 4t-horse power steam engine, driv-
ing the various machines by means of the shaft-
ing del: these machines are ee the oilcake
breaker, and/ the root cutter, the roots being
stored up in the shed g g (see block-plan in
Plate). The oilcake and the roots there
broken and sliced are ready to be delivered to
the stock in the various cattle yards adjacent.
Returning to the right-hand side of the
building we come to the implement shed (see
block-plan in Plate), and there find another
steam-engine placed to prepare the manure of
the farm, as illustrated in fig. 4 ; the steam-
engine a in room h being of \^-horse power,
working the bone-crusher c. On the opposite
side of the building, that devoted to the bams,
we find the fourth steam engine, as indicated
by the detached plan in fig. 5, where a is a
steam engine of IQ-horse poiver, Ar'w'mg the
thrashing machine b, and a powerful hay cut-
ter in the room above, access to which is had
by the stairs c. We now come to the fflh
steam engine employed in this monster building, being that employed in the workshop department, and illustrated in
fig. 6, in which a is the carpenter's store, and b saw room (see o and^j block-plan in Plate), c steam engine of 16-
horse power, driving by the shafting d and belting d' the saw mill e.

In finding, as the result of our detailed examination of the plan of this large farmery that both the power and the
machines employed are not concentrated in one place, but distributed in several places, the question naturally opens
itself up, why should this be, and how should a plan so opposed to that ordinarily, we may say universally em-
ployed, be adopted in preference, and what are likely to be the advantages arising from its adoption? It is worth
while to devote short space and brief time to some of the points involved in the answer to these questions.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

185

Some twenty years ago, or thereabouts, when called
upon to examine the disastrous effects arising from a
" break-down" of the gigantic steam-engine, which alone
drove the machinery of a still more gigantic factory in
the manufacturing districts, we were very forcibly led to
speculate upon the whole circumstances of the case, and

to ask ourselves, why should the whole work of a mill be
stopped, and all the hands employed in it be thrown out
of employment by the sudden stoppage of power which
drove the machinery ? We did not, indeed could not,
possibly ignore the fact that steam engines, like men,
would sometimes break down— a most expressive phrase

(Kg. 3.)

by the way — either through over-work, organic weakness,
or functional derangement. But then it appeared to us
that if by some means or another we could cease concen-

trating the power of the factory into one gigantic engine,
and break up or subdivide that power into a number of
small eagines, we would at least lessen the ratio of loss

::::::a::

(Fig. 4.)

arising by a break-down. " Divide and conquer" was in
fact the ruling principle we thought of, which could be in
the present instance illustrated by other metaphors — " it is
not safe to put all one's eggs into one basket," " all one's
cargo into one boat'" We therefore advocated the prin-

(Fig. 5.)
ciple of so laying out the power necessary to drive the ag-
gregate number of machines, that one steam engine would
drive one set, a second steam engine drive another set, and
so on ; and we maintained then, as we maintain now, that
as the chances were that at no time would all these steam.

186

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

n

^— §■

engines be broken down — that if one did break down its neighbour would be at work ; that then all the ma-
chines would not be stopped. We even went the length of advocating that for each heavy or large machine we
would appropriate its own special engine. This extreme extension, as we may call it, of the principle was consi-
dered as altogether unlikely to be ever carried out ; yet although not so carried out in factories, it is now being
carried out in machine shops for the working of machines. The principle in other words may be said to be

the taking of the steam engine to the work, wherever
I ] that may be, and is most conveniently performed —

thus, of course, multiplying the number of the en-
gines as you multiply the sources of the work.
You not only thus obtain a concentration of direct
power precisely where it is wanted, but you get
rid of the necessity of employing heavy gearing,
and long ranges of shafts, and numbers of driving
pulleys and belts ; all of which are costly, and all
of which absorb a large percentage of the power in
merely driving them ; whereas you want to do the
■work as directly and economically as possible. AU
this heavy gearing and shafting being absolutely
essential where you employ one central source of
power, and lead this off to various places at varying
distances where it is required to do certain work.
In saying that we advocated this principle of
dividing steam power, and placing it exactly where
it is required to do the work, many years ago, we
by no means wish it to be inferred that the prin-
ciple was thought of by no one else or advocated :
the reverse of this ; although at the time we advo-
cated it few, very few, had done so, and many
more were opposed to it than in favour of it ; as,
indeed, may be said to be the case even now, except
in the cases of the most advanced engineers of the
day. But our opinion of it having been so formed,
and so long ago, we were therefore quite prepared
to endorse the application of the principle to large
farm buildings, as propounded to us by Mr. James
Ross, the highly-intelligent and active agent of the
Luton Park estate, to whose abilities nearly all of
the improvements both in the estate and in the
buildings on it are due. Yet, strange to say, or
rather from what we have above said by no means
strange, Mr. Ross, in talking over his plan of dis-
tributing the steam power over the building where
wanted, by no means met with the encouragement
which the "common-sense principle," as he very
graphically and truly calls it, seemed to his mind
so well calculated to secure. At last, in Mr. James
Howard, of the iirm of Messrs. James and Frederick
Howard, of Bedford, Mr. Ross met with one who
not only at once heartily and fully entered into
his views, but by the application of his prac-

■uj •?.—

(Fig. 6.)

tical knowledge was able to realize the plan which we now see embodied in the block-plan in the Plate, and in
the detached plans in fig. 1 to 6 inclusive. The essential feature in this plan is the establishment of a central source
of steam supply in the buQding marked B in the Plate and a a fig. 2. This being given in the form of two forty-
horse boilers, hereafter to be described. From these boilers the steam is led by pipes to all the steam engines, the
positions of which are shown in the block-plan in Plate, at SI, S2, S3, S4, and S5, and in detail in figs. 2 to 6
inclusive ; the range of pipes is shown by the dotted line in the Plate proceeding up from boiler-house B, between
the ranges of cattle-yards, and then branching off right and left to the implement shed on one side, and to the
work-shop on the other. This steam-pipe is indicated in the various detail plans in figs. 2 to 6 by the letters 0 0.
The pipes are laid in trenches in the ground, and all loss by radiation is prevented by contrivances which will here-
after be described.

At first sight the question may be raised as thus : If it is a good thing to take the steam-engine to the place where
the work is to be done, not only because you get it thus directly to its work, but because you save the chances of loss
arising from the break-down of one large central engine, does the same principle not apply to the steam boilers ? If
it is wrong to have a central steam engine, is it not wrong to have a central steam boiler ? If this breaks down, or,
what is just as likely, or perhaps more likely, blows up, what becomes of yom- steam engines ? There is great force, at
first sight, in the objection which these questions involve ; but certain considerations come into play in the case of the
steam boiler which do not operate or exist in that of the steam engine. The main consideration is that in a place like
a farm-steading, where so much combustible matter is lying, and, in windy weather, flying about, it is not safe to
multiply the chances of fire, which would be done by multiplying the number of steam-boiler furnaces ; for let it be
noted here that while by having only one central boiler you may place that in the safest position, and be able to make
special provisions by which the danger from the furnaces is isolated, you moreover get rid of another source of
danger by having a large and tall chimney, from which sparks, as a rule, never issue ; but, on the contrary, if you

THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE.

18?

place here and there a humher of steam-boiler furnaces
where the steam engines are placed, you put these furnaces
in the'position which is precisely the most dangerous, for
you place them near dangerous materials ; and, moreover,
where the power of the boiler is small, and not judiciously,
as is sometimes the case, engineered (if we may use the
expression), the chances of sparks arising from the chim-
neys are greater than in the case of larger flues. Further,
it is more economical of fuel to raise steam in, say, two
large boilers, than in five smaller ones placed under differ-
ent circumstances. Moreover, by having thus centrally
raised steam, you can turn it to any one steam engine at a
moment's notice, and work it, if it should only be required,
for half-an-hom- ; whereas, to raise steam in a separate
boiler for only this short duration of working would be
evidently a loss. At the same time we by no means are

disinclined to admit that where the circumstances of the
farmers will permit of it, it would be better to distribute
steam-boiler as well as steam-engine power over the farmery
where the power is required, thus both in steam and engine
lessening the chances of losses by either the one or the
other breaking-down or blowing-up, as the case may be,
in the one case, to put the point in rather involved fashion.
The arrangement, however, as indicated in the plan, has
been, in the case of Luton Hoo Farm, well thought over,
and only carried out after mature consideration. As car-
ried out, it is a perfect success. We saw the system in
full operation, under circumstances which could not pos-
sibly be more disadvantageous to its successful working,
and yet it worked in every way successfully : it is still so
working. What have been the means by which this suc-
cess has been attained we shall describe iu our next.

(To be continued.)

WARM SUMMERS.

BY CUTHBERT W. JOHNSON, F.R.S.

The effect of varying temperature upon our cultivated
crops is a theme of considerable interest to my readers.
An unusually warm summer, like that of 1868, naturally
suggests to us more than one branch of the inquiry. To
avoid, howevei", taking into consideration matters which
would lead us far beyond our assigned limits, let ns on
this occasion confine our attention to the effects of a high
summer temperature upon the wheat plant.

We need hardly remind ourselves that the best wheat
is grown in climates where the mean temperature is high,
and the rainfall very small. At Madrid the annual rainfall
is only about 10 inches : in Egypt there is hardly a
shower.

Then, with regard to the average temperature of Eng-
land, Madrid, and Cairo, during May, June, July, and
August, it is as follows -.

May. June. July. August.

England... 56 59 63 62

Madrid ... €f3.10 71 78 78

Cairo 78,26 83 85 85

Some years since the farmer's attention was drawn to
this inquiry by Mr. Whitley, in a very valuable prize
essay, and to this he has recently added another report
(Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc, vol. xi. p. 1; vol. iv., N. S., p. 38).
Now as he well remarks in one portion of his Essay :
" As a general rule, we find that where the mean tem-
perature of a district is high, that there the corn produced
is excellent. The mean annual temperature of Edinburgh
is 47.7 ; Keswick, 46 ; London, 51.9 ; Philadelphia,
52.5 ; Cairo, 73. The effect, then, of increase of mean
heat is to improve the value of the corn ; but there are
many causes which modify and vary this general rule.
The great heat of a Polish or Russian summer, for
instance, more than compensates for its shortness. The
length of the days of a northern summer, by giving the
extra stimulus of light, also materially aids the rapid
maturity of the crop. Amongst retarding influences
must be classed the elevation of the land. From the
observations of Schubler, in Saxony, he drew the con-
clusion that every 98.26 feet caused a delay in the harvest
of wheat, barley, and oats of 2.2 days. In our climate, all
other things being the same, we think that nearly a similar
rule of retardation is observable ; but here, again, many
circumstances cause a deviation from the rule — such as
the nature of the soil, and more especially the subsoil,
and the more or less rapid rate of elevation. The
harvests on gravelly or silicious soils are much earlier,
and those of clay soils much later, than our calculations

with regard to the climate or elevation would justify.
The harvests, for instance, on the gritstone or moorlands
of Yorkshire, at an elevation of BOO feet above the level
of the sea, are always later than on its Chalk Wolds at
800 feet. We may, perhaps, take it as a general fact,
that all land in England, at an elevation of 1,000 feet
above the sea, can only be profitably employed in pastures.
The line of extreme cultivation rises gradually as we
approach the equator. In some of the Steppes of the
Himalayas barley is successfully cultivated at more than
14,000 feet above the level of the sea ; wheat up to
12,022 feet — the height of our highest mountains is only
about one-third of this — Helvellyn is 3,055 feet ; Ben
Macdui, 4,148 ; Macgillicuddy in Ireland, 3,410. The
result of Mr. Kirwan's observations was, that in moderate
rates of elevation above the level of the sea, such as at
the rate of 6 feet per mile, for every 200 feet of elevation
the mean annual temperature would be reduced i of a
degree ; that if the rate of elevation was 7 fet t per mile,
i of a degree must be allowed; if 13 feet, then 4-lOths
of a degree ; and if at the rate 9of 1 5 feet or upwards,
then i a degree must be allowed. In rising above the
level of the sea, the mean temperature gradually de-
creases, until at length we arrive at the line of perpetual
snow."

Temperature, we all know, materially influences the
system of cultivation adopted even in different districts of
our islands. It may be useful, then, if we examine the
records kept in 1847 and 1848 at three stations in corn-
growing districts, viz., London, Thwaite in Suffolk, and
Thetford in Norfolk, and contrast them with the register
kept at Falmouth, Exeter, Manchester, Whitehaven, and
Durham (all pasturage localities), and note the mean
monthly temperature of these places during the corn-
maturing months of June, July, and August. The fol-
lowing are the results :

Corn Districts. — 1847.

London

Thwaite

Thetford

Mean of three stations

London

Thwaite

Thetford

Mean of three stations

1848.

June.
58.5
59.1
62.5

July.
66.8
65.9
72.0

August.
63.7
64.3
69.5

60.0

63.6

65.8

59.76
60.37
64.5

61.54

63.98
63.97
70.00

65.4

59.71
62.39
63.00

61.7

188

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Pastukage DisxRicTiS. — IS-ty.

18^8.

June.

July.

56.9

61.9

58.9

03.9

58.4

6i.9

57.7

63.2

55.7

61.5

57.5

63.1

57.64

60.35

58.42

60.76

59.48

61.44

57.56

59.87

58.96

59.14

58.4

60.3

Falmouth

Exeter

Manchester

Whitehaven

Diirliam

Mean of five stations

Falmoutli

Exeter

Manchester

Whitehaven

Durham

Mean of live stations 58.4 ( 60.3 57.3

The mean temperature at Greenwich, on an average of
35 years, from 1815 to 1849, was (Belcille on Thermo-
meter, p. 50) :
January ... 36.
February. . 38.
March ... 43.

April 46.

The mean temperature of the seasons, in periods of five
years during that portion of time, was as follows: Spring,
including March, April, and May ; Summer, June, July,
and August ; Autumn, September, October, and Novem-
ber ; and Winter, December, January, and February
(ibid, p. 52)

January ...

36.47

May ....

. 53.74

September.

57.30

February. .

38.78

June

. 59.74

October ...

50.41

March ...

43.04

July ....

. 63.47

November .

43.63

April

46.78

August .

. 61.90

December .

39.41

Spring.

Summer.

Autumn.

Winter.

1815

to 1819..

...47.93

.. 61.99

.. 50.49

.. 38.36

1831

„ 1834...

...47.93

.. 61.01

.. 51.49

.. 37.96

1835

„ 1839...

...47.86 .

.. 63.16

.. 50.41

.. 38.91

1830

„ 1834...

...48.35

.. 60.93

.. 50.53

.. 38.28

1835

„ 1839...

...45.23

.. 61.35

.. 49.41

.. 37.64

1840

„ 1844..

...48.58

.. 61.00

.. 49.87

.. 37.95

1845

„ 1849...

...47.39

.. 61.56

.. 50.73

.. 38.67

35 years' mean ...47.55 ... 61.43 ... 50.43 ... 38.23
Mr. Whitley has carefully and laboriously examined
the effect of the temperature of the seas which sm-round
us upon our climate [ibid., vol. iv., iV.<S'., p. 55. Similar
observations upon this great influence of the sea early
attracted the atteution of mankind. Camden quotes
several ancient authors ta this effect. Thus Minutius
Felix observes (in the third century) : " Though Britain
enjoys not so much the aspect and influence of the sun,
yet, instead thereof, it is refreshed and comforted by the
warmth of the sea which surrounds it." And Cicero re-
marked : " The seas, tossed to and fro with the winds,
grow so warm, that hence it may be reasonably inferred
that there is a certain heat that lies concealed in that
vast fluid body."

Mr. Whitley has given the following table of the re-
lative amount of heat at the places mentioned during the
■winter months : —

Places.

Scilly Isles

Cork

Sandwick (Orkney)

Penzance

Exeter

Greenwich

Edinburgh

Montpellier

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Deg.

Deg.

Deg.

48.0

46.3

45.8

43.8

43.9

44.5

41.0

39.6

38.4

45.2

43.6

44.9

43.3

41.0

41.1

39.8

36.9

38.7

39.7

37.4

38.3

45.7

42.1

44.8

Mean.

Deg.
46.7
43.7
39.7
44.3
41.5
38.5
38.4
44.3

We find from this table, as he observes, that during the
three winter months Penzance has a temperature precisely
the same as that of Montpellier ; Cork falls short of it
by only half a degree ; and the heat of the Scilly Isles
exceeds this noted winter resort by 2|- degrees.

At this season Edinburgh has the same amount of heat
as Greenwich, although 350 miles further north; and
yet 200 miles farther, at Orkney, the winter temperature

exceeds that of Grecuwich by oue degree. But figures
do not represent so vividly the geographical distribution
of heat as lines of equal temperature, which show at a
glance that our winter-warmth comes from the sea on the
west. The lines cluster on our western coasts, and truly
represent the waves of heat which in winter sweep in
from the Atlantic, each wave being warmer than that
which preceded it. These lines of equal temperature
(isothermals) are given in an excellent meteorological
work by Mr. A. Buchan, the Secretary of the Scottish
Meteorological Society. He thus describes the effect of
the Gulf Stream on our winter temperature : " The Gulf
Stream leaves its impress unmistakably on the tempera-
ture of each of the months, as shown by the position of
the monthly isothermals. In winter the deviation from
their normal or east and west direction is greatest. In-
deed, as regards Great Britain, the lines are then at right
angles to this normal direction, and lie north and south.
In Ireland they seem to envelope the island with their
folds, which increase in warmth from the centre of the
island outward to the ocean. This points out clearly
that the great source of heat from which the climate of
Great Britain derives its warmth is in the west ; in other
words, it is regulated by the ocean,"

This winter warmth is first suffused along the western
coast-line, and then sweeps up the valleys which open on
the south-west to the sea. A glance at a geological map
will show that all the older rock- formations have in these
islands a general strike from the north-east to the south-
west, and thus govern the direction of many open valleys
and mountain chains. This is particularly the case in
the south-west of Ireland, where the valleys and bays
open funnel-like to the sea ; and on the west of Scotland
the firths and lochs have a similar arrangement. In
England the beU-mouthed Severn opens up a passage for
the warm wind to the middle of the country.

The flat surface of the middle of Ireland enables the
westerly wind to have a clear sweep over most of the
island ; it afterwards sheds its heat on the plain of
Cheshire, and deluges the Cumberland mountains with rain.
The hills which constitute the backbone of England
form a dividing wall of climate, which may be traced from
the Cotswolds northward along the crests of the Pennine
range to the Cheviot hills. On the west of this line we
have the warmth and humidity of the ocean, on the east
the dry air and greater summer heat of the Continent.
It is a wall which, so far as climate is concerned, divides
the arable field from the grazing lands of England : on
the one side there is a preponderance of corn-growing
power, on the other of meat-producing capabilities.
The texture of the soil and the demand at the market
may modify this conclusion ; hut other things being equal,
submission to the teaching of climate will in the long run
be found the safest and most profitable course for the
farmer to pursue.

After the end of April and during the summer months
the British Isles receive no warmth from the surrounding
seas ; but the wide ocean on the west then produces a
contrary effect. As the great wave of summer tempera-
ture sweeps northward over Europe, it is retarded by the
cooler air from the sea on the western coasts, where the
isothermals are bent southward along the coast-line from
Denmark to Belgium.

The amount of heat which in July rests on the south
of England is on the Contineut extended further north
than St. Petersburg ; and in this month the summer heat
is as great at Tornea and Archangel as at Edinburgh.

The comparatively low temperature of the water of the
German Ocean in summer tends also further to reduce
the influence which the high summer temperature of
Central Europe would otherwise exert on the eastern
plains of England ; but any defect of our climate due to

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

189

this cause is more than compensated for by the equality |
of temperature and steady downfall of rain which we en- 1
joy, and which give a capability of productive power to
the soil of England far greater than the dry summer heat
of the Continent could bestow. ]

The temperature of the surface of the Atlantic Ocean j
during every mouth and at every 10 deg. of longitude 1
from the south coast of Ireland, crossing in our way the
Gulf Stream, to the Banks of Newfoundland, has been !
given by Mr. Whitley in the following table : —

In passing through a brilliant warm summer like that
of 1868, we are naturally inclined to compare it with
other years. Now, we find that more than forty years
have elapsed since, in 1826, we had a summer resembling
in its dryness, and mean temperature, that of the present
year. If we compare the rainfall of these summers we find
"that in the neighbourhood of London the amount recorded
was as follows : — 1826. 1868.

January 0-3 inches 3-69 inches.

Months.

On the
Banks.

Degree
40.

s of We
30.

st Long

20.

itude.
10.

Deg.
30
31
32
34.
34
40
43
50
52
47
4i
33

Deg.
57
54
54
57
55
60
60
61
59
59
58
55

Deg.
54
53
55
55
55
58
58
60
60
56
58
54

Deg.
54

53
54
54
55
58
60
60
60
57
57
54

Deg.
51

50

March

51

April

53

May

53

June

57

July

59

August

59

58

October

55

November

53

December

52

Mean of Year

39.3

57.2

56.2

56.3

54.2

February 1'7

March I'l

April 1-0

May 2-5

June 1-0

July 2-4

1-06
0-81
1-73
0-78
0-26
1-16

This table shows the extreme coldness of the water on
the banks of Newfoundland for half the year, from
December to May inclusive, when it is but little above the
freezing point (32 deg.) The Arctic current, owing to
its greater velocity at this season, and the icebergs with
which it is then loaded, impinges with great force on the
upper limit of the Gulf Stream, and presses it down full
200 miles to the southward ; but this powerful current
cannot thus be subdued ; it first bends eastward, and then
its northern edge curves up in a mighty eddy, like river-
water below the piers of a bridge, along the eastern edge
of the cold current, and folds it in its warm embrace.
This remarkable eddy stands like a wall of fire on the
eastern side of the cold current through which the icebergs
cannot pass to chill our summers, or depress the genial
warmth of our winter months. It has in January a
temperature of 57 deg., which is higher than that of the
air in the month of INlay on the south coast of England.

Fi'om this part of the ocean eastward, for at least a
thousand miles in extent, the temperature of the surface
water in January is about 54 deg., it reaches its minimum
of 52i deg. in February, and its maximum of 59J deg.
in September, having a yearly range ot only 7 deg.
Over this thousand miles from west to east the heat dis-
tributed through the water is in the various months re-
markably uniform.

10'6 „ 9-48 „

Then as to the temperature these years, Mr. G. J.
Symons has furnished us with the following record of the
mean, maximum, and minimum temperature of each month
in«1826 and 1868 :— 1826. 1868.

Max. Min. Max. Min.

April 61 40 59 41

May 64 41 70 48

June 78 51 76 52

In the month of July the comparative temperatures during
the first twenty-four days were as follows : —

Date.
1 .
3 .

3 ,

4 .

5 .

6 .

7 ,

8 ,
9

10 ,

11

13

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

34

July,

1826.

Max.

Mm.

81

56

88

52

89

52

86

60

87

53

87

66

85

63

83

64

83

54

80

56

78

63

78

64

75

55

78

60

75

54

73

49

79

51

78

•58

74

54

73

59

73

49

74

50

76

54

70

55

July, 1868.

Wax.

Min.

75

53

77

55

86

57

73

56

72

48

73

53

79

53

84

54

86

56

83

54

85

54

83

56

86

55

88

54

88

58

91

61

84

64

86

62

83

62

90

55

93

63

93

64

78

66

77

49

Mr. Symons has added in another table the subjoined
abstract of high temperatures at Camden-town, near
London, since the year 1857, during the months of May,
June, July, August, and September.

May. I

June.

July.

August. 1

September.

Yeae.

Max.

in
shade.

Days
reaching

Max.

in
shade.

Days
reaching

Max.

in
shade.

Days
reaching

Max.

in
shade.

Days
reaching

Max.

in
shade.

Days
reaching

70=

80°

90«

70"

80'

90'^

70^

80°

90°

70°

80«

90°

70° 80°

0 °

1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
.1864
1865
1866
1867

80'6
78'4
76-1
80-8
81-1
79-4
84-5
81-0
73-2
84-0

3

10
5

10
9
7
9

20
5
9

1

"s

1

"4
1

"4

93-6

80-8
71-9
83-6
76-8
80-9
78-3
88-3
86-1
82-5

29
33
4
17
10
13
19
34
16
14

15

3

"3

"i

"7

6
3

1

87-4
91-9
75-9
76-8
80-3
85-0
86-6
85-3
86-6
76-9

24
30
17
25
18
23
27
29
31
32

2
17

"1

7
11
10

7

"3

84-5
87-1
70-3
89-5
78-1
83-8
89-4
78-7
80-0
88-2

24
34
1
27
18
25
21
23
30
35

5
6

6

*4
8

"3
4

85-0
76-6
71-0
82-0
74-2
71-8
74-9
85-0
74-0
79.0

13
5
3

23
6
2

10

25
6

10

3

—

Mean

79-8

8-7

1-3 1 ...

82-3

16-2

3-6

0-1

83-3

23-6

55

0-3

83 0

20-7

3-5

0-0

77-4

10-3

1-3

0.0

1868

87-6

16

3 1 ... 1 87'8

27

8

93-3

24

16

4

.—

190

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Like that of tlie present year, the harvest of 1826
was very productive : there was therefore little need of a
foreign supply of corn. In 1826^ only 314,851 quarters
of foreign wheat and flour were entered for home con-
sumption, and only 405,255 quai'ters in 1827 ; the im-
port dnty per quarter in 1826 being lis. 3f d., and 21s.
4jd. in 1827. In the experimental plots of Mr. Lawes,
at Rothamsted, where wheat has been grown continuously
for a quarter of a century, the produce of seed in each
year has been found to pretty closely represent the ave-
rage produce of the Kingdom. Now the average produce
per acre on these plots has been as follows —

Average of sixteen years 36| Bushels.

Produce in 1868 44f „

or more than 20 per cent, above the average.

The amount of wheat and flour imported in any year
pretty clearly indicates the amount grown in our islands
during the preceding summer. Mr. Caird has con-
structed the following table, which shows very clearly
how, during five years, the supply of foreign wheat tas
nearly uniformly supplied the amount of the deficient pre-
ceding harvest : —

.i^-i I 1 ( . .C4-1

0 .

0

If

Foreign

§^-

1^

supply

55 S?

'§

Is.

Total

Estimat'd

received

t>3

Total

S
0

05

home

require-

during

supply.

0I

produce.

ments.

succeed-

43

ing year.

^

Qrs.

Qrs.

Qrs.

s. d.

Qrs.

1862

291

13,700,000

7,100,000

7,205,000

1863 44 9

20,905,000

1863

351

16,300,000

4,500,000

6,727,000

1864 40 2

23,027,000

1864

321

15,000,000

5,800,000

6,029,000

1865 41 10

21,029,000

1865

29

13,400,000

7,400,000

6,850,000

1866 49 11

20,250,000

1866

251

11,700,000

9,100,000

7,283,000

1867

64 4

18,983,000

33,900,000

34,094,000

20,800,000

average of

1 1 II

five years.

It is evident, then, as Mr. Simpson remarks (Jonr.
Roif Ag. Soc, vol. ii. p. 650), that the warmest and driest
seasons are the most favourable to the yield of wheat.
But though wheat requires heat and dryness to ripen and
perfect its seed, yet being one of the grasses, it requires,
for the development of its stalk, &c., moisture and warmth
during its growth as a grass ; and its fibre wiU be defi-
cient, unless the season be favourable from April to June.
Thus in the very fine warm season of 1846 the south-
eastern counties had rather light crops; yet in moist
situations never were the wheat crops better than in that
year. In Ireland, with its moist climate, the wheat crop
of 1846 was very fine.

We find, then, that the efi'ect of warm dry summers,
like the exceptional seasons of 1826, 1846, and 1868, is
to ripen our cereal crops, and produce an abundant supi)ly
of fine seed : of course, the result produced upon our
root and grass crops is injurious, and perhaps never more
so than in the present year. To meet this present defi-
ciency of winter food for our stock, great and, we trust,
successful eS'orts are making, and have already been made,
by late sowings of green crops ; so that there is a rea-
sonable expectation that, by God's blessing, when we
arrive at the year of grace 1869, we may still concur in
the truth of the adage of the English farmer, that " a warm
dry summer never yet was injurious to Old England."

GROWING CLOVER SEED.

There are several reasons why farmers should grow more
clover seed ; not the least important is to have plenty of seed
to sow. Few farmers wiU sow as much clover seed, when it
is bought at a high price, as when they have raised a good

crop ; either some field or part of a field, that ougk to be
seeded, will have to lie over, or if all land in proper condition
is sown, there is often a rather light seeding — " it costs so
much for seed." The great need of improving the soil, and
the well-known value of clover as a renovating crop, show
that this is poor economy. There is more or less lost in the
quantity and quaUty of the crops grown from such seeding ;
so that, to save one dollar in seed, ten dollars in products are
often sacrificed. The best remedy for this is to grow plenty
ol seed; then, when disposed to seed liberally, the farmer will
not be prevented by any draft on the pocket-book.

Another good reason is that clover seed, if well managed,
is a profitable crop — more so, in fact, than most farmers
appear to be aware of. They do not seem to consider that
usually two crops are grown in the year — one of hay and one
of seed ; and that these crops are often of considerable value
— say an average of 1| Ions of hay, worth, at lOdols. a ton,
15 dols., and 2j bushels of seed, at 6 dols. a bushel, also
15 dols., making 30 dols. an acre in one season. And these
are only ordinary crops ; often two tons of hay and four or
five bushels Of seed (seven bushels have been grown in this
way in this county) are grown to the acre, while prices are
often much higher, giving from 40 dols. to 50 dols. per acre
for hay and seed.

This is the usual way of growing the small kind. The
other variety, being a larger and later plant, requires different
management. There is not so much of this kind grown, but
the price being higher, now and then a farmer makes it
profitable. A friend of the writer is quite successful with
this variety, his general average being five bushels per acre.
Last season he grew forty-three and a-half bushels on
eight acres — nearly five and a-half bushels per acre. This
seed has probably sold for some 8 dols. or 9 dols. a bushel,
wliich, witli the pasture — it is fed close up to the 10th of
June, and tlie seed comes off early in September— makes it a
very profitable crop ; and this, too, it should be remembered,
is grown without any expense for fitting the land or other
cultivation.

How many farmers do a large amount of work, in fitting
and cultivating land for grain crops, that do not return half
the money ! And how few are the farmers that make their
grain crops realize better returns ! The one referred to is a
full better farmer than the average, and grows more or less
wheat, barley, corn and oats ; and it is very doubtful whether
any one of these grain crops averages as much money per
acre, one year with another, as his clover seed. And yet,
while all the grain crops are expensive for cultivation and
seed, clover seed, in reality, costs nothing for either, the clover
giving a considerable profit in the second year's crop, and
improving the soil over all expense for seed and use of land.
There is, in fact, no cultivation required ; making the land in
good condition for wlieat or barley is the best for^clover seed.
And then, there is no great difllculty in growing clover
seed, although many fail, or come short of the best results,
because the different operations are not attended to in their
proper season. Farmers are careful to harvest wheat and
other grain crops in the proper season ; but leave clover
standing until it is convenient to attend to it. But there is
often great loss in tliis way. Not that the seed that is left is
injured, but that a large part is shelled off the heads. The
cimff shells off very easily ; and when the farmer may think
it best to wait a little for some of the later heads to ripen, he
may lose a considerable share of the earliest and best seed.

If a good crop of seed from the small kind is desired, the
first cutting must be early. When it is as soon as the first of
July, there will often be double the seed grown in the second
crop, that wiU be secured if the first cutting is ten days later.
Still, but few farmers take pains to cut clover hay early.
Often, to save hiring a week or two, the clover stands untd
the tenth or fiftetnth of July, when, of course, the following
crop of seed must be light. Although the farmer thinks little
about it at the time, yet he has sacrificed a large part of his
crop of seed — perhaps made it so late that it wiU not be
thought worth saving, and lost from ten to twenty dollars per
acre to save a few dollars for liired help. Each year's
observation proves that this is often the case ; and no doubt
thousands of farmers in Western New-York lose, or fail to
realize, hundreds of dollars each every year by such mis-
management with clover and clover seed. — AiHerican Countri/
Gentleman,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE;

191

ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE SUGAR-BEET.

Events of various kinds, agricultural and economical,
as well as political — with the former of which we have
alone here to concern ourselves — have given a large
and prominent, and time alone can show whether
it will be or will not be permanent, interest to the
affairs of Ireland. Amongst the points thus raised, all
of which are interesting, many of them most important,
is one connected with the improvement of the agricultm-al
prospects of the island, bearing upon the introduction of
what is called a " new industry," or what would be moi-e
properly called a new development of agricultural labour
— this is the cultivation, of beetroot for manufacturing or
industrial purposes ; these being mainly the making of
sugar, if not that of the distillation of spirits. This, in a
recent correspondence, with which our readers may be more
or less familiar, has been opened up with considerable
spirit, but time will show whether this spirit is to be main-
tained or not. Meanwhile we may here note that, if in-
troduced into Irish farming, it will not, as many seem to
think, be newly introduced ; for it so happens that the
plan has been tried before, and with what success we shall
see as we proceed. It further happens that the writer of
the present paper was called upon, during the period
in which the cultivation of beetroot was carried on
in Ireland, for the special purpose of aiding
the introduction of sugar-making into the list of
her manufactures, to visit the factory at that
time set up near Portarlington (at Mountmellick), and
to report not only upon its working and its prospects, but
also upon the general features of the cultivation of the
root itself, with a view to its uses for sugar-making. He
therefore deems it possible that by giving here a rapid
resume of what he there learned, he may be able to throw
around a subject which possesses in itself many points of
practical usefulness that degree of interest which is likely
to be of some service to those connected with agricultural
pursuits. For it is very suggestive that whatever be the
result of the extended increase in the use of beetroot for
sugar-making purposes, one result of its cultivation must
be the " bettering" — to use a graphic, if not strictly
grammatical word — of the farming of the districts in
which it is adopted, for bad farming and good beetroot
crops are quite incompatible. Hence, there will, in the
consideration of the subject, this good come out of it, inde-
pendently of its immediate interest as an Irish question,
that many hints useful in root culture generally wiU be
obtained ; as what is applicable to the cultivation of beet-
root is more or less directly applicable to that of other
roots used by the farmer. This much, therefore, by way
of not altogether unnecessary preamble. But before
going from its "preamble" into the body of the "Act,"
so to say, it will be interesting to glance very briefly at
the historical points connected with the subject of the
application of beetroot to sugar-making purposes.

We have to go back for nearly a century and a-quarter
to find the first record of the use to which beetroot was
proposed to be put as a source from which to obtain
sugar. In 1747, Margraff, a then much celebrated
chemist, investigated the root in this aspect, and as the
result of his investigations showed that from white beet
he obtained six and a-quai'ter per cent, of sugar, and
from other varieties four and a-half. As showing the in-
fluence of good culture in the increase of the saccharine
properties of the root, we may here point out that the
average percentage of roots now cultivated in Germany

is ten and a-half, which often rises to twelve and a-
half. By the time Margi-aff commenced his investiga-
tions, several varieties of beet were in cultivation ; but for
the period of introduction of the root itself as a farm
product we have to go back to a stiU earlier period, and
we find that in France it was first introduced in the reign
of the celebrated Henri Quatre ; and it was highly re-
commended as a food for cattle by the well-known Oliver
de Serres, then the great agiicultural authority of the
day.

Although, in view of the high price of colonial or cane
sugar which then prevailed, and which almost rendered
its use a prohibitive, Margraff at the date named above
(1747) strongly recommended its introduction in the
manufacturing industries of Germany, nothing came
either of this or of the investigations which he had made.
The project, if project it could in this undeveloped state
be called, lay unproductive — quite, in fact, out of sight —
till the year 1796 ; when the still high, if not higher,
price of cane sugar caused an apothecary of Berlin, of the
name of Achard, to commence practically the manufacture
of beet-root sugar. The process introduced by Achard
resembled in its main features that of the cane sugar, and
it resulted, as may be supposed from this fact, in the giving
of a very inferior brown sugar only. There is " nothing
new under the sun," and the proverb appears to be verified
in this direction; for we find that Achard drew very
special attention, in a letter which he published, on the
value of the pulp — one of the residues of the process — as
a cattle-feeding material, a material which of late years
has been much written about of late as something " quite
new." The eff'orts of Achard, although not very pro-
ductive in his own case of valuable practical results,
had the effect to draw the attention of the then Repub-
lican government of Fi'ance to the subject, which was to
it one of vast interest, chiefly because it was a point of
great interest with the nation to do all possible to destroy
the monopoly which Great Britain enjoyed in the manu-
facture of sugar through her colonial possessions. Two
small factories, therefore, were established near Paris, at
the end of the last century ; they, however, languished,
and were far more the object of the witty sarcasms and
sayings of the lively Parisians than of that interest which a
practical people like ourselves take in new things, having
a practical object in view. But a master-spirit was about
to take the matter up ; and, like everything else to which
he directed his mind, it was no sooner within his ken
and care than a sudden development of its capabilities
took place, and one which has been — under circumstances
more or less favourable — maintained till now. We refer
to Napoleon, and the introduction of his celebrated
"Colonial System," pi'omulgated by decrees at Berlin and
Milan, by which he proposed to be independent of every-
thing produced by, or obtainable through, the medium of
his hereditary enemy. Great Britain. The question,
then, was not whether the beetroot sugar could be made
at a cheaper rate, but whether it coidd be made
at all ; for the question of price was very
easily decided, so far as the consumers of sugar were con-
cerned ; for with them it was Hobson's choice — " this, or
none;" for the use of all other sugar was prohibited.
Under the fostering care of Napoleon and his colonial
system, the trade grew rapidly, and the attention of the
most celebrated chemists were closely directed to the
perfecting of its details ; and so successful were these,

192

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

tliiit in due course of time tlie process was a paying one;
the great invention wliich brought about this happy
result being the discovery of M. Figuier, of the
means of rapidly discolouring the syrup by the use of
burnt boues or animal charcoal. This was brought out
.in the year 1812, and by the year 1814 the trade could
command a very important character, and in 1820 it may
be said to have been permanently established. It will
serve little practical purpose — practical, so far as our
readers are concerned — to go into the commercial and
fiscal history of the manufacture and trade ; sutiiee it to
say that, in France alone, the year 1847 saw 303 factories
in work, yielding a produce of nearly sixty-two millions
of kilos. — or say one hundred-and-fifty millions of
pounds avoirdupois ; and throughout Continental Europe
in the year 1851 the annual produce was no less
than 162,000 tons. As regards the agricultural develop-
ment consequent upon that of the mauufacture, take the
following fact as most suggestive of the points of interest
in which our readers are chiefly concerned. In one of the
towns of the department du Nord of France the follow-
ing inscription is placed upon the gate : " The growth of
wheat in this district before the introduction of beetroot
sugar was only 122,500 quarters — the number of oxen
700. Since the introduction of the sugar manufacture
the growth of wheat has been 146,180 quarters, and the
number of oxen 11,500." Which we may thus para-
phrase in the words of the well-known farming maxim :
"Many roots, much cattle; many cattle, much manure;
plenty of manure, abundance of grain." It will be well
then, in view of the importance of the agricultural as
well as those of its commercial aspects, to glance at the
features of so important a cultivation as that of beetroot.

V pom prima facie view of this subject, it may be
supposed that the treatment of the soil for the production
of a crop of sugar-beet would be exactly similar to that
practised in the cultivation of its congeners, the various
types of the mangold wurzel, for fattening cattle. It is
very true that the same mode of culture will in both
cases succeed, so far as to produce large and small crops
of roots, according to the degree of labour and expense
for manure bestowed upon them. But, independent of
this, there are questions respecting the production of the
sugar-beet that render it necessary to deviate from the
ordinary culture of this class of plants ; and we think we
cannot do better than to follow the instructions and ob-
servations given in the appendix to Sir R. Kane's report,
which embodies the mode of cultivation practised on the
Continent, where the experience of sixty years has been
modified by a series of experiments of highly scientific
men, by which the saccliarine properties of the beetroot
have been greatly increased, and its quality improved.

The soil best suited to this plant is a rich loam, in-
clining to a clay rather than a sand. No peat soil is tit
for it, and it should be fi-ee from lumps of clay or stones.
The subsoil should be neither a stiff clay (unless subsoiled
and drained) nor a sharp gravel ; and the soil itself should
be deep, well cultivated, and thoroughly pulverized.
Land newly reclaimed is unfitted for culture of the sugar-
beet. The bulb should be as much covered as possible
during its growth, because those portions above ground
and exposed to the atmosphere contain no sugar. Perfect
cleanliness from weeds is essential to the weU-being of the
crop ; and the benefit of keeping the soil open by fre-
quent hoeing or stirring has been found to be very
great.

With regard to manure, it is better that none should
be applied immediately to the crop ; but if rich nitrogen-
ous manures — such as farmyard manure, guano, &c. —
are used, they should be applied to the previous crop, so as
to be well decomposed and incorporated with the soil ; or

it may be laid on in the previous autumn or winter, in
which case, by lying in the soil during the winter months,
it would undergo the same process. No salt or soluble
saline substances should be applied, nor nitrates that
would form them. Ashes from wood, peat, coal, &c.,
may be employed, and bone-earth as well. Lime is
always good, and calcareous soils seems to be the best
adapted for this and all other roots. Green manuring is
always attended with success. In this case the land
should be heavily manured in the autumn, and sown at
once with rape or some other plant, and ploughed-in
in the sjwing.

We have referred to M. Koechlin's method of raising
crops of beetroot, by which he not only obtains a large
produce, but the proportion of sugar or saccharine is
greatly increased. Koechlin's plan is to sow the seed in
March on a highly manured seed-bed, sheltered from the
frost ; and at the latter end of April or the beginning of
May to plant them out in rows, twelve or fourteen inches
from each other, and ten or twelve inches from plant to
plant, by which means he obtains double the weight of
small roots, and an immense increase of the per-centagc
of saccharine matter. We believe that M. Kocchlin has
attained the large amount of saccharine he announces
(17i per cent.) both by an attention to the quality of
the manure applied, and by the reduction of the size of
the root. Strong manuring increases the nitrous ele-
ments of the beet, and renders it much more difficult to
extract the sugar, whilst the juice is deteriorated in
quality.

"The influence of manures," says Mr. SuUivan, "on
the quantity of nitrogen is strikingly exemplified in these
tables [inserted in his work]. Farmyard manure and
guano appear, as a general rule, to increase the quantity
of albuminous substances. This is especially remarkable
in beet grown upon loamy soils, but is not so apparent

in those grown upon heavy clays , the eftect of the

manures being masked by the influence of the soU. The
beet grown upon clay soUs grows to a large size, and is, as
we have remarked already, more watery than that grown
upon rich loams. The effect of this is, to lower the per-
centage of nitrogen and sugar in the raw beet ; but the
per-centage in the di'ied is, to a great degree, uninfluenced
by these causes ; and accordingly we find that in such
cases also, the effect of heavily manuring with farmyard
manure and guano is to inci-ease the proportion of nitro-
gen. Sulphate of ammonia appears to have the same

effect ; nitrates, on the contrary, do not appear to

affect the per-centage of the organic nitrogenous consti-
tuents, but are rapidly absorbed by the plants, and will be
found in the juice, along Avith the sugar. The composi-
tion of beet grown upon * red bog' is curious, as showing
that beet grown under such circumstances, or indeed in
all land abounding in organic matter of a peaty character,
appears to extend its energies in the production of cells,
containing an exceedingly dilute juice. Saline manui-es
are not proper, because the presence of saline substances
in the juice lessens the proportion of crystaJlizable sugar.
Beet grown near the coast, when it is exposed to the
saline exhalations of the ocean, is less profitable for sugar-
making than that grown more inland. In all cases,
autumnal manuring is superior in effect to spring manur-
ing, whether it be for beetroot, turnips, or any other
crop."

M. Blanquet, as quoted by Dr. Sullivan, states that
" beetroot grown under such circumstances, although they
may yield sugar in abundance in the commencement of
the season, are worked with difficulty after being kept a

short time We think we are justified in saj'ing

no good farmer ought to manure his land with fresh
manure in spring, whether his object be to sell his roots

THE FARMER'S IMAGAZINE,

193

for the manufactiire of sugar, or employ them for feeding
cattle."

With regard to the cost of cultivating the sugar-beet,
the entire process is so similar to that followed for the
mangold wurzel, and this is so familiar to almost every
English farmer, that it is scarcely necessary to refer to
the particulars. Mr. SiiUivan took great pains to ascer-
tain this point, both as relating to Ireland and to Eng-
land ; and he found that, with one exception (that of the
estimate of Lord Talbot de Malahide, which was £10 Is.
8d. per acre, after deducting £2 for the tops*), the
amount in the two countries is nearly the same — say,
from £5 10s. to £7 10s., exclusive of rent and taxes.
The process followed by Kccchlin — that of planting out
by hand — would be much more expensive ; but the large
increase of the weight of roots and their superiority in
point of the proportion of saccharine matter would far
more than make amends for the excess. Another advan-
tage would accrue from that method in the earlier ma-
turity of the crop, from having the plants ready to be
set out at the time when on the common plan the seed
is generally being sown, by which the young plants have
the full benefit of the spring showers, and become strong
before the dry season comes in. The advantage also of
having the crop matui'ed at an early period of the season
enables the manufacturers to commence operations earlier,
and gives the grower the return for his outlay long before
the roots raised in the ordinary method are ready. The
planting-out of the young plants can be managed by
women and young people, provided the latter have a
careful and competent person to superintend them.

The cartage of the beetroots to the factory will not
be much more expensive than the ordinary carting to the
homestead, and it can be performed when the other work
of the farm is slack. Mr. Sullivan obtained considerable
information on this part of the subject ; and from the
opinion of experienced men both in Ireland and England
he came to the conclusion that 6d. per ton per mile was
a full average expense attending the delivery ; or, if the
factory is five miles distant, at 2s. 6d. per ton. The
entire expense therefore ofr supplying beet root at the
factory, if five miles distant, would be from 8s. to lis.
per ton, according to the amount of the produce.

The tops or foliage form an important item in the
value of the crop of beetroot. If consumed by cattle on
the spot, it is estimated at about 20s. per acre on a crop
of 20 tons, or Is. per ton. In France and other Con-
tinental countries the tops are preserved in pits like those
for potatoes, salt being sprinkled plentifully over the
layers as they are deposited. In this way they will keep
any length of time, and are eagerly devoured by cattle.
It is said that cows fed on them give a large increase of
milk. There are few English farmers, however, who
would take the trouble to preserve them in this way at
the time when so many other operations of the farm are
pressing upon their attention. Otherwise, the salt ap-
plied to them is certainly useful, as well as necessary, and
promotes the health of the animals that feed on the tops ;
but salt can be given to them in other forms ; and the
difference in the value of preserved tops and those con-
sumed on the field, or ploughed in as manure, is so small
as not to form an object of attention. The raw leaves
are estimated at 3s. 4d. per ton ; and as a portion of the
bulb (that part not covered by the soil) is cut off witli
the foliage because it contains no sugar, the weight will
be greater per ton of roots than from the mangold wurzel,
according, however, to the quality of the soil and the

* It ought to be stated that in this case the produce was
50 tons per acre, and the land was manured with 45 tons of
stable-yard dung.

species of the beet, some having a larger amount of foliage
than others.

With regard to the comparative profit of cultivating
beet against wheat, a very slight statement will show that
on an average of years the former is superior to the latter
as a remunerating crop. In his estimate on this head,
Mr. SullivaTi reckons that of beet at 15 tons per acre
and 15s. per ton, and 4| tons of tops at 7s. 6d. per ton,
making together £12 ISs. lOd., from which he deducts
£5 6s. for expenses of cultivation, leaving a profit of £7
12s. lOd. The wheat he estimates at 6^ barrels of 20
stones each, at 22s. per barrel. This is equal to 30
bushels at 37s. per quarter, or £7 3s., to which he adds
\\ ton of straw at 15s., or 18s. 9d., giving an aggregate
of £8 Is., from which is deducted expenses £2 7s., leav-
ing a profit balance of £5 14s. 'Jd. Deducting this
again from the pi-ofit on the beet of £7 12s. lOd., it
gives a balance in favour of the latter of £1 18s. Id.

This estimate is evidently too low in every respect for
the present time and for England, and we shall therefore
take the beetroot crop to be 15 tons per acre at 18s. per
ton, and the wheat at 3i qrs. at 50s. per qr., which is
probably what the average price will be in future Thus,

£ s. d.

13 10 0

1 13 9

15 tons of beetroot at 18s. per ton
4^ tons of tops at 7s. 6d. per ton...

From which deduct expenses
Balance for rent, taxes, and profit

2>\ qrs. wheat at 50s.
Ix ton of straw at 15s.

Expenses ...

Balance for rent, taxes, and profit

This leaves a balance in favour of beet

15 3
5 G

9
0

9 17

9

8 15
0 18

0
9

9 13

2 7

9
0

7 6

9

... 2 11 0

and when we take into the account that wheat requires a
whole twelve month to arrive at maturity, and frequently
a previous fallow which adds the expense of another
year's tillage without an additional crop, there will be no
question of which is the most profitable to the grower.
But this consideration is not regarded by the continental
farmers, as they grow beet and wheat alternately, and
find the root crop an excellent preparation for the wheat,
especially when the tops of the beet are ploughed-in as
manure, which is sometimes practised. The beet, too,
arrives at maturity in four or five months, and, if pro-
perly tilled, so as to give it a deep seed-bed well com-
minuted, is less liable to tiie casualties of the season than
either cereal or turnip crops. It will be understood that
the seeds or plants should be cultivated on the flat, the
object being to obtain numbers rather than size of roots :
ridges would require much more space, and would frustrate
rather than promote that object.

But we have stated the crops of beet very low at IG
tons per acre. If we suppose that the plants will be
planted out, say the rows at 16 inches and the plants iu
them at 12 inches apart, there being 43,560 square
feet in the acre, and the four inches in the rows
taking off oue-sixth,. there will be 36,300 plants ou
the acre, supposing again there is a full crop. If, again,
we assume that the average weight of roots is 31bs. each
the weight of the crop will be 36,300 x 3 == 108,4001bs.,
or nearly 48. i tons. Or if we estimate the average weight
at only 21bs. the return will be one-third less, or 32 2-5th
tons. This calculation will show the ereat importance of

194

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

paying tlie utmost attention to the planting of the seed or
the roots ; the latter plan being by' far the best and most
certain plan of putting them in, and the extra crop being
amply sufficient to cover the extra expense of planting.

Even the average of 15 tons per acre, which an English
farmer may safely calculate upon, is much more than
is obtained on the continent. In France the official
statistics gave the average of the whole country at
1089 ; but M. Boussingault makes it for several years
10"50, and M. RoviUe, for seven years, only 7"16. This
latter, however, was taken as the average of Lorraine and
Champagne, the most sterile provinces in France. In
Northern Germany the average is 10'50 and in Southern
Germany 9'30, according to the report of the Prussian
Government in 1847. The following table, however,
by a French statist, M. Moreau Jonnes, gives a more
liberal view of the product in France : —

Average produce of sugar-beet iti various Departments.

Nord tons 1676 Rhone tons 11-29

Finisterre 16-52 Herault 10-69

BasEhin 13-81 Aisne 9-43

PasdeCalais 12-89 Haut Rliin 8-66

Seine 12-69 Cher (Boussmgault) ... 15-60

Ardennes 11-79

We come now to the question of the probability that
the introduction of this manufacture into England will
be attended with advantage, not only to the agriculture
of the country, but to the mannfactm-er as well, because
as purely philanthropic motives are out of the question,
that of profit to the latter party embraces the whole ob-
ject in view. It is, therefore, of the first importance to
weigh well the circumstances by which the question is
surrounded, in their bearing upon the subject of profit and
loss to the manufacturer.

In an economic point of view manufactm'ers are divided
into two classes — those which are employed on raw ma-
terials of foreign production, and those employed on
articles of native produce. In the former we may reckon
the cotton and silk, in the latter the linen, woollen, and
many other materials, both textile and otherwise. It
requires no argument _ to prove that the latter must, as a
general principle, confer a much greater benefit on a coun-
try than the former, provided the raw material can be
produced as good and as cheaply as it could abroad, and
the manufactured article itself can also be produced equally
good and cheap as it could be supplied by the foreigner.
With regard to the raw material in the case of beet-
sugar, enough has been shown to prove that English agri-
cuitm-e by its advanced position, its intimate knowledge of
the peculiar cultivation it involves, the adaptation of the
soil and climate, is perfectly adapted to supply it of the
best quality, and at a price to meet the requirements of
the manufacturer, without throwing the land out of course
or in any other way interfering with the regular routine
of the farm. We have, therefore, only further to con-
sider the case of the manufacturer in regard to the com-
petition he wiU have to encounter and his power to pro-
duce an equally good article at a price to meet it.

It is well known that hitherto our supply of sugar has
been obtained from the West and East Indies, the Mauri-
tius, &c. The first of these includes a large amount of
slave-groivn sugar, which our legislature most iniquitously
allows to be admitted at the same duty as that from our
own colonies. This is a glaring dereliction from all the
moral principles hitherto maintained on the subject since
1832, and which ought to have been specially maintained
as against Spain, who has cost this country at least thirty
millions sterling to prevent her carrying on the slave
trade, for which she was paid a large equivalent in money.
This, it is true, has no further to do with the question before
us than that it increnses the amount of competition which
the manufacture of beet sugar will have to meet. In

I other respects, we wiU never omit a favourable oppor-
tunity of exposing the injustice, and, we will add, impolicy
of thus pandering to the base and inhuman practice of
slavery and the slave trade in foreign countries, after
abolishing it in our own colonies. The claim that Spain
had on England, not of sympathy and encouragement,
but of indignation and disgust at her perfidy and mean-
ness in accepting a large sum to give up the trade, and
then, so far from fulfilling her engagement, continuing
the inhuman practice with increased activity up to the
present moment, condemns the Spanish Government to
everlasting infamy and contempt, and our own Govern-
ment is deeply involved in the same condemnation. We
shall say no more, except that we will never omit to ex-
press our sentiments on this national crime whenever our
subject naturally leads to it.

The competition then, that the manufacture of beet
sugar will have to encounter, is chiefly that of the British
and foreign West Indian colonies ; the question, therefore,
to be solved is whether the beet sugar is able to sustain
this competition both in respect to quality and expense
of cultivation as an indigenous against a foreign pro-
duction ?

We should be justified in saying that this question has
akeady been fully answered by the progress of the manu-
factm-e on the continent, and especiaUy in France. In
this latter country, so far from being compelled to sus-
tain it Jby a protective duty on foreign-made sugar, the
Government gradually transferred the protection from the
beet to the colonial sugar, by removing it from the latter
and imposing an equal amount (5 francs per cwt.) on the
former ; and so far has this change been from destroying
or injuring the manufacture that it has largely increased,
say from 51,110 tons in 1847, to 275,000 tons in 1866,
and 215,000 tons in 1867 and 1868 ; and the same in-
crease has taken place in other countries, more particularly
Russia, We have already referred to the above statistics,
and if we repeat them it is with the view of showing
that the success which has attended the manufacture in
France with all the aids of Ifcience and skill has had a
reflex action upon the West India planters, who have been
compelled by the force of circumstances to adopt similar
methods of extracting the juice from the cane and re-
ducing it to crystallised sugar ; but that with these addi-
tional aids and a greater spirit of enterprise, the natural
efl'ect of comjjetition, the indigenous article is in the
ascendant. The reason of this is obvious : thei'c is the
freight and other expenses of transit, the brokerage, the
leakage on the passage (15 per cent, on sugar and 20 per
cent, on molasses), with a variety of other drawbacks
from which the beet sugar is wholly exempt. In the
West Indies the canes must be cut and operated upon
without a day's delay, as soon as they are ripe. If not
cut then, the juice hardens and it is difficidt to be ex-
tracted ; and if the juice is not instantly boiled down it
is liable to ferment and turn acid, which prevents the
proper crystallisation, and thus injures the quality of the
product. This circumstance renders it necessary to em-
ploy a great number of hands, at extra wages, rendering
the manufacture exceedingly expensive compared with
what it was during the existence of slavery, although the
men work harder. On the contrary, the beet-root can
be stored, and by that means the manufacture may be
spread over at least four or five months, and if dried, as
is practised on the continent, can be continued throughout
the year if the quantity of beet is large enough. But if
the evidence given by the West India planters before the
Committee of the House of Commons in 1847 is to be
depended on, the average expense of all the British
colonies in the manufacture of cane sugar (Muscovado),
was 19s. 2d, per cwt., classing them as follows;

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

195

Jamaica
Guyana...
Trinidad
Barbadoes
Tobago ...
Antigua
St. Kitts
Grenada
St. Vincents

s.

d.

22

7

25

0

25

0

25

i^

17

0

15

4f

16

2

16

2

19

2

19 2

And this account was confirmed by that in p. 17,
giving the statement of the whole crop of the West India
Islands in the year 1847, which involved an aggregate
loss of £170,000. No doubt, in most of the islands, the
planters have both lessened the expenses and increased
the product of sugar by the adoption, so far as was use-
ful as adapted to the cane, of the mechanical and other
inventions of the French beet-sugar manufacturers ; but,
owing to the hard, woody nature of the cane, there is an
insuperable difficulty iu applying an equal and continuous
pressure in the extraction of the juice ; so that, although
the cane contains eighteen per cent, of saccharine matter,
not more than seven or eight per cent, is obtained, which
is about the quantity obtained by the beet-sugar manu-
facturers from that root. There is also no difficulty in
the extraction of the latter, its soft, watery, and pulpy
nature allowing it to yield to an equal pressure of the
hydraulic press. The expense of labour in the case of
beet-sugar is estimated at £10 10s. per ton, exclusive of
rent, interest of money, insurance, and duty.

Nor is it the least advantage in favour of the beet-
sugar manufacturers that there is no delay in the realisa-
tion of their returns. They may receive the roots in the
morning ; and by the next day the sugar may be ready
for the market, if necessary ; for such is the improve-
ment in the processes, that what formerly occupied many
days can now be effected in one day. We have seen loaf-
sugar, the product of the factory at Mount Melick, in
Ireland, which was made from the juice that had been
pressed from the root the same day. The separation of
the molasses from the crystallised sugar is effected in a
few minutes by the centrifugal machine. The black,
semi-fluid mass is put into this machine, which is then
made to perform seven hundred revolutions per minute.

By this rapid movement the mass is thrown against the
wire-gauze with which the machine is lined, with such
violence that the molasses are forced through it, and
leave the perfectly white sugar in the machine. We have
seen this effected in less than five minutes. Another im-
provement is the introduction of a cm-rent of atmospheric
air into the evaporating-pans, by which evaporation is
artificially kept up at a low temperature, and greatly
accelerated ; whilst, as a collateral effect of the same pro-
cess, the sugar is divested of the flavour of the root, which
previously was the principal objection to it.

We have referred to these improvements in the manu-
factui'c without any intention of going into the general
processes, but to show the increased facilities for sugar-
making that have been discovered, and that those who
may embark in the manufacture in this country may have
the full benetit of these discoveries, without the trouble
and expense attending the experiments by Which they
were perfected. Vast sums have been expended, and
years of reflection and experiment employed by scientific
men, iu bringing such improvements to bear, of which
the new-comers may at once avail themselves. All the
processes in this manufacture are mechanical, nor is
there anything relating to it but what any person
of common imderstanding may readily make himself
master of.

It now, however, remains for the intending growers of
the beet-root in different parts of the country to make
their experiments in regard to the applicability of soil
and climate for the production of a sufficiently sacchari-
ferous root, which, in fact, is ai vital question. At the
same time, deep tillage— subsoiling if possible — thorough-
draining, and a complete pulverisation of the soil are in-
dispensable operations for the production of a first-rate
crop of sugar-beet, as they are also in the case of all
other root-crops. Small roots (under three pounds)
rather than large, numbers against individual weight,
must be the aim of the growers ; and, by extra care in
planting, instead of sowing, it is certain that not only a
more valuable, but as heavy, a crop may be obtained, as
is done on the Continent. Following these rules, which
are nothing new, though too much neglected, in the
United Kingdom, there is no reason whatever for sup-
posing that the soil, climate, and other natural pheno-
mena ai'e not as favourable to this manufactm-e with us as
those of any part of the Continent.

THE POTATO CROP— ITS PRESENT STATE.

BY A PRACTICAL FAEMER.

Now that this unexampled early harvest is pretty nigh
secured, the interest of the country is mainly centred in
the potato crop, and not without reason. I am very re-
luctant to sound an alarm, but truly our somewhat
promising crops are just now in a peculiarly anomalous
condition. The early plantings obtained the advantage
of the fine growing season we had fi"om March and April
up to about the middle of May, when the drought began
to teU upon the crops ; a few hopeful showers fell, but
from the 30th of May to the beginning of August we
were without scarcely a drop, and the months of June
and July probably the hottest months ever known in the
country. Of course, nearly all the potato crops ceased
to grow, or progressed very slowly, and the latter planted
crops were badly moulded up, owing to the cloddy state
of the soil ; this stiU farther retarded their progress,
letting the drought into the very tubers, Everything was

done that could be thought of, to promote their growth,
but to no purpose, and many crops succumbed on the
heavy loams and clayey soils ; so much so, that the rows
could not be discerned on passing, and upon every crop
throughout the country, at least every crop with which I
am acquainted or have heard of, the drought and heat have
had the disastrous effect of prematurely maturing the
tubers, and particularly in what few tubers had made
material progress iu the late planted crops. The late
beautiful rains have caused them to put forth abundance
of fibres, from which young potatoes are growing most
luxuriantly, and the haulm has the appearance of a first
spring growth, growing rapidly and luxuriantly. The
early planted crops were never more promising up to the
middle of June, when they also nearly stopped growing.
Up to that time tbcy had made excellent progress, and
many fine tubers are now to be found ; but unfortunately

196

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the same premature maturity took place very extensively,
and the late fine rains are now producing the like disas-
trous effects as upon the late plantings. I have this day
(August 19th) spent some time in examining various
crops of both early and late plantings, and all alike, if
not in equal degree, have commenced a second vigorous
growth, and young tubers from the size of a pea to that
of a large walnut or even an egg are to be found every-
where, and from all varieties of potatoes ; at least I found
it so in those I examined, i. e.. Regents, Flukes, Rocks,
and Kerry blues. The haulm in almost all cases presents
the most healthy and prosperous growth. In one or two
fields that I have seen where the haulm has pai'tially de-
decayed the tubers are in a much better state, and are
good in quality. Our potato growers are aU iu fear and
consternation ; the expensive growth of this season is
unexampled ; the cost of seed, the culture, manurings,
and planting amount to nearly £20 per acre (a grower
this very morning assured me his cost was fully that),
and then to have a failure is very trying. There are
many speculators iu the market, and all are looking out
for the best early-planted crops, for which they are giving
high prices, providing they are fairly matured in haulm
and tuber, and can be harvested immediately ;• l;30
per acre appears to be the current price. The great
fear is that this second growth will greatly injure, if not
totally destroy the tubers of this summer growth, in like
manner as the original set or planted tuber. This is one
of my fears ; and I feel assured that if they are not de-
stroyed, they will be greatly deteriorated in quahty, and
much reduced in weight. I am a grower of about eighty
acres this season, and my anxieties have been much
aroused by my examination to-day. I have conversed
with several growers, and no one can suggest a desirable
course. Some are trying to harvest their crop in all its
full luxuriance. This can only be locally and partially
done. Others are cutting off, or pulling up the haulm.
This may be right in some early planted and matured
crops, but woeful waste in the late ones. It may retard
the growth, but it will not stop it, any more than the
tuber first plauted in the spring. The tubers arc, in fact,
as planted, and are growing, and will no doubt put
forth fresh haulm ultimately, or decay in the ground.
Others are disposed to let all alone, and await the result.
I am inclined to the latter course; in fact they won't keep
in grave if they are taken up, and all cannot go into con-
sumption at once. For the main crop thei-e is no alterna-
tive ; growers must wait patiently. Better decay in the
field than spoil in the grave. Each man must judge for
himself. If a portion can be harvested without great
risk, it may be desirable to take them up. Undoubtedly,
the more young tubers produced, and the larger growth
they attain, must be at the loss of the present crop. It
is a very trying and perplexing diflSeulty. I trust that
our agricultural and other papers will take up the case,
and that all the information that can be gathered upon
a matter so vitally important, not only to the grower, but
to the consuming public, will be at once diffused through-
out the country, so that something may be done either to
mitigate the evil or suggest what should be done. I hope
men experienced in such matters will at once take the
subject up, and give us their views and suggestions. It is
unquestionably a matter of vast importance to our coun-
try, and I wonder it has not been brought more pointedly
or earlier before the public. I abhor panics, and fear
anything leading thereto ; but everything that can pos-
sibly be done to allay fears, ought to be openly discussed,
and the conclusions promptly acted upon. There is dan-
ger in the potato crop — great danger I How can it be
averted or provided against V It cannot be otherwise than
a partial failure, as it now stands. The drought and
second growth of the crop determines that. The great

question is the best manner of securing the imperfect
ci-ops we have. My object in the main is to engage all
parties to aid in this important question, as every day
adds to the country's difficulties as respects food for the
population. We need the collective wisdom of every one
versed in potato management. At all events, we have a
good wheat crop ; plenty of bread. That's one of our
greatest and best blessings; but here we must, with
trembling, stop. "We have no other substantial resources,
or indeed average sources of food for the substance of our
people. Our spring corn and pulse crops are bad ; our
root and green crops for cattle and sheep are bad ; our
supply of cattle and sheep for meat is very short and de-
ficient in condition, and no winter food to fatten them ;
our markets are partially closed against the introduction
of foreign stock ; meat has considerably risen in price ;
our potato crop is in a most precarious state, and at best
bad ; our garden produce is eaten by fly, &c., and very
bad. I have before me the testimony of 198 competent
judges of the state of the potato crop in July last
throughout England and Scotland : 93 give an average
crop, 101 under average, and 4 over average. I have
also the testimony of 81 competent judges throughout
Ireland, just published : 39 speak favourably, 42 speak
unfavourably, and scarcely any of the returns allude to
this second destructive growth ; indeed, it had scarcely
been developed when the 198 returns were sent in, but
one or two of the Irish returns allude slightly to it. I
have not seen returns from the Continent, but I have no
doubt that all crops in a similar latitude to this country
are also afl^ected. My hope in penning this paper is to
excite universal attention to a subject so important.

FODDER.

The Rev. Mr. Vicary, of Wexford, writes as follows to the
Times :

In consequence of the failure of the hay crop, owing to
the unprecedented season we are passing through, the burut-
up state of the pasture, and the light yield that the mangold
and turnip must give this year, it becomes a question of much
importance to know how the agriculturist may be able to
supplement his slender stock of fodder.

There has been a plentiful supply of rain, and in a month
or six weeks the pastures may be expected to supply some
food, but iu very dry lands the herbage can hardly do more
than re-establish itself.

In these circumstances it should be extensively known that
we possess in our woods and hedgerows a food of which all
cattle are extremely fond, upon which they fatten and flourish
wonderfully, and the gathering of whicli forms one of the
regular crops of the northern countries of Europe. I refer to
the common ash tree, Fraxinns excelsior, of our woods and
coppices.

In Sweden, Finland and Denmark, before the advent o
cold weatlier, which impairs the succulence of the leaves'
every frond and leaf is collected from the boughs of the ash>
of which some are immediately used as food for the cow.
horse, and pig, and of which aU eat with avidity. Tlie
remainder of the leaves — the main crop — is placed in empty
houses, a little salt being scattered among them, or placed
upon slightly elevated stands in the rick-yard, using also the
stipulated quantity of salt, which are then securely thatcliod
over as security from the rain. Thus treated, the ash fodder
lasts through the winter and spring, and at this period, if
deemed requisite, is boiled or steamed with the addition of
some bran.

Every farm may not have its ash coppice, but those who
possess this tree should know, under present circumstances,
its valuable properties, and proceed at once to utilize it for
present and future use.

Thousands of tons of this esculent could be collected
through the country, and the present time, when the sap is
vigorous in the leaf, would be desirable for harvesting the
crop; but it can be used as required, care being taken to
collect the main crop before frosts or cold winds have set in.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

LEICESTERSHIRE FARMING

Kirby Mallory was the earliest home of pure Short-
horns in the county. Mr. Wetherell, a banker iu the
North, came there in 1813, and sokl off in 1820. Job-
iins's Rockingham (560), Ueutou (198), North Star
(460), a son of Comet's (155), and Robert Colling's
Major (398), were his chief bulls. Mr. Smith of Dishley,
a joint owner with the Hon. J. B. Simpson of the bull
Lancaster (360), was another early improver; and so
were Mr. White of Cotes and Mr. Raine, who both used
Kirby Mallory bulls. In later days. Lord Berners kept
a large herd at Keythorpe Hall, and won several prizes-
more especially with Hassan (9,193) — at the county
shows. His lordship's herd was derived principally from
the Marquis of Exeter's, Mr. Dodd's, and Mr. Budding's
blood ; and was sold off in the August of 1852, when
Mr. Packe, M.P., pm-chased lai-gely. Earl Howe has
stood for neai-ly 30 years on a rare milking tribe — the
Bright Eyes — the ancestress of which (Belle) he pur-
chased from Mr. Moore of Appleby. His lordship has
had several other cows and heifers from Rose of Gotham,
Wilkinson of Lenton, Parkinson of Leytields, Crosland of
Burbage, and other well-known herds. Second Duke
of Oxford (9,046) was bought at the Kirklevington
sale ; and Lord Exeter's Simon (5,135), Mr. Parkinson's
Vanguard (6,633) and his Duke of St. Albans (6,944)
— both of the Gwynne tribe — Col. Kingscote's Guards-
man (14,656), Lord Fevershara's Duncombe (11,402),
and Mr. Langston's Lord of the Herd (20,204), have
all been at Gopsall, and left many useful bulls among
the tenantry.

Mr. Stokes of Kingston's large herd, which was prin-
cipally descended from Kirby Mallory and Lenton tribes,
was sold off a few years before Lord Berners', and much
of it was taken out of the county. Mr. J. S. Crosland,
a large local winner with his Selim (8,545), Salisbury
(10,779), and Mazeppa (10,520) stock, had a good herd
at Burbage, near Hinckley. It was also at the sales of
Mr. George Townshend, in this neighbourhood, that the
Duke of Devonshire, Mr. David Al'Intosh, Mr. Chai'les
Howard, and Mr. R. W. Saunders laid the foundation of
their Princess, Gwynne, and Blanche tribes. General
Sale (8,099) and Old Rowley (15,020) were his most
celebrated Princess bulls ; and his " Old Leicester breed
of cart-horses," headed by Iron Duke, brought him not a
few show honours.

Mr. Bosworth of Dishley's Red Cross Knight (20,037),
Stanley, and Ermine — all winners at the Sparkenhoe
Show, where The Knight took the prize for the best
Shorthorn in the vard — were bv bulls bred by the late
Mr, Packe, M.P. 'Messrs. W. and H. Gill of Burton-on-
the-Wolds, Mr. E. Power of Barleston Manor, Mr.
Shipman of Walthara, and Mr. Saodin of Stonesby have
all "gone in for pedigree." Mr. Herrick of Beaumanor
ia seldom without a well-bred bull, and Thorndale Trout-
beck (22,307) has been in residcaee ; while Col. Arthur
has introduced Young Friar (19,797) and St. Patrick
(20,776) ; and Mr. Ivens — one of the very few men who
have bred Southdowns in the county — takes his stand on
Earl of Lancaster (21,648).

The late Mr. Packe, M.P., began to form his herd about
1851, chiefly from Lord Berners' stock ; and by using
good bulls, his steers were soon highly spoken of by the
butchers, and p'roduced a paying bull-calf trade. In
1860 some of the inferior sorts were drafted out ; and
new blood was used—tQ wit, Mr, Wetherell'? Stanley

(1703G), Mr. Carr's Don Windsor (195S5), and Conni
of Windsor (21498). At Christmas, 1860, Mr. Packe
was first in the old class at Smithfield with a white ox ;
and after his death the herd was sold. It mustered 84
head, of which 34 were two-year-old, yearling, and calf
steers, with good jjedigrees on both sides. The cows
were mostly descended from Lord Exeter's, Mr. May-
nard's, Mr. Torr's, Rev. T. Cator's, Mr. Marjoribauks',
Mr. D. Smith's, Sir C. Kuightley's, Mr. Surtees', Sir C.
Lambert's, Mr. Cruickshank's, and Col. Towneley's
herds ; and the Warlaby bull England's Glory (23889)
was in residence. The 84 head averaged £37 lis. lOd. ;
and the highest prices were, for cows, &c. : Wharfdale
Butterfly (Col. Towueley) 110 gs.. Auricula (Mr. Macin-
tosh) 71 gs. ; bulls, Towueley Butterfly (Col. Towueley)
130 gs. ; and Windsor Duke (Mr. Jordan) 110 gs. ; while
the capital three-year-old steer Fortune made 52^^ gs.

Mr. E. H. Cheney, of Gaddesby Hall, has only begun
very recently with pedigreed cattle, and previously
bought cattle for feeding from Ireland and the fairs all
round. At the last Burghley sale, in 1867, he first
" smelt blood," and bought, with his friend Mr. Anger-
stein, M.P., two or three heifers apiece. At Havering
Park he went in for General Napier, of the Princess
blood, at SO gs., which has grown into a very fine bull ;
and dui'ing tiie following fortnight he bought five at
Messrs. Bland and Barber's, including Bouquet (66 gs.),
of the Foggathorpe, and Bright Eyes 2nd (61 gs.), of
the Wild Eyes tribe. At Mr. Sheldon's, the same
autumn, he bought Lady Blanche (56 gs.), and also added
to his store Princess Helena (75 gs.) and Autumn Rose
(60 gs.), of the Chrisp's Duchess line, from Mr. Bramp-
ton's. Then followed a few private purchases, including
Maynard's Rosamond, which had been sold at Bui'ghley,
and another of the Foggathorpe tribe. General Napier
satisfied him so well, that at Mr. Adkins's last sale he
gave the top price (345 gs.) for Princess, of the same
biood, and followed it up with 145 gs., at Rowfant, for a
daughter of Fancy. At Mr. Clayden's he also gave
120 gs. for Brilliant, of the Blanche blood ; and in fact,
for some time past, Mr. Stratford's best sales have seldom
lacked his commissioner.

All these efforts to introduce and keep good blood in
the county have hardly been met with corresponding
.spirit, and there is, we fear, too much truth in a complaint,
which we heard more than once, that "a half-crown bull
flourishes while a crown bull starves." Black noses are
plentiful euough ; but, taking the dairy cows all round,
they are superior in their looks to the Cheshire ones, as
far as breeding goes. Some of the large dairy -farmers
get rid of the calves they do not want, at £1 a-head when
a week old ; while others keep them and run them over
the seeds. The Duke of Rutland's property is not cheese-
land ; but tlie farmers make butter and keep their calves
till two ofi", and then sell them at Grantham and Melton
Mowbray to be finished oft'. Those who don't mow, and
have no plough land, are either obliged to purchase
beasts at the latter end of the year, and send them out
for the winter to straw with cake and turnips in Lincoln-
shire, or trust to buying what they require in the spring
of the year. Others have no hay, but only straw and
turnips. Barley-meal is very much used, and so is palm-
nut-meal, which is mixed with chaff for the beasts and
ehaft' and corn for the horses. It has also been found
very \\mM in keeping sheep up to the mark in the

— ^198

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

wiuiep," -but, like the beasts, they " look at it twice," and
never seem ro t-ike to it with hearty good will. Bean-
meal and oats are a great article of consumption in some
dairy herds ; but oil-cake is rather eschewed, as it is
thought to injure the pastures for cheese-making.
I'armers like to have their dairy-cows and bullocks tied
up by December, and like it all the better if they get
their notice to quit by a fall of snow, which sweetens the
ground and lets hounds run.

A constant draft goes on in the dairy-farmers' byres,
and many of the heifers are dried off and stall-fed for two
or three months before going to the Leicester, Derby, or
Fazeley markets, where " a neat cutting one," as at New-
castle, is always sought after. On the Hinckley and
Bosworth side these dairy drafts pretty nearly supply the
wants of the feeders, and the drape cows which are fed
off round Melton Mowbray nearly all go to London.
Towards Loughborough the farmers generally make up
their winter lots from the Derbyshire dairies, and West
Highlanders from Brough Hill, Yorkshire cattle from
Derby and Northampton fairs, and " Lincoln reds" from
over the Ouse help to swell the ranks.

We found the union of beef and mutton admirably
exemplified at Mr. Everard's, of Narboro' Woods, who has
one of the largest milk dairies in the county, and very
spacious and excellent outbuildings. He can tie up one
hundred cows, and has open yard room for forty store
beasts as well. Prom seventy to eighty cows are always
in milk, and the rest are either feeding oft' or coming in.
Mr. Everard picks np most of his cows and heifers in-calf
about home, and the rest in Leicester market. His gene-
ral plan is to keep them for one season, and dry them oft'
for two months, during which they are prepared for the
butcher with light corn, flour, barley, cake, or oats for
variety, along with barley-straw, cabbage, pulped turnips,
and mangolds. Palm-nut meal was once in very general
use, but it has been discontinued. Great stress is
laid on brewery grains, which not only force the
milk-veins, but produce beef as well. These grains are
carted about five miles from Leicester, and are then stored
in six large pits, nearly nine feet deep, and capable of
holding from five to six hundred bushels a-piece. A
layer of spent hops is put over them, and they are her-
metically sealed with layers of sand and clay. By such
management, they will easily keep for twelve or fourteen
months. They are given to the cows when the grass is
done, or fails in summer ; and the usual allowance to
each cow is a bushel at twice. As much as 600 bushels
of them, 10 cwts. of cake, and 10 qrs. of corn have
been consumed weekly inter alia by the sheep, cows, pigs,
and horses on the farm. Mr. Everard has about 450
acres in hand, through all of which he has put the plough
at one time or another. He dresses his pastures for
the dairy cows with half-inch bones, and uses all his
liquid manure on the mowing ground. His practice is
to mow clover, instead cf vetches, and he devotes about
twenty acres to it. Rape and mustard are not in his
rotation, as the land is too heavy to tread witli sheep ;
and he relies most on his drumhead cabbage, which does lull
justice to its very heavy manuring. His flock consists
of about a hundred ewes, of which sixty are put to the
Leicester, and forty to the " Shrop." The hoggs begin
with cake in October ; and when no roots are to be got,
they have brewery - grains, and ground corn as well ;
and he sold out his fourteen-month cross-breds, one
year, at 58s. 3d. each.

Stilton and flat or new milk cheese form a great
staple of Leicestershire farm produce. The manufacture
of the former is confined to a small district round Melton
Mowbray, and a portion of Top Leicestershire ; while
that of the latter is spread far and wide, and more
especially over the south-west side of the county, with

Hinckley, Bosworth, Ratclift'e, and Cadeby as its strong-
holds. The balance of evidence is in favour of the belief
that this part does not make so much cheese as it did for-
merly, and that the high prices of wool and meat have
induced farmers to graze more. Sheep districts suit
cheese-making better than the rich bullock land, as the
latter has too much fatty matter in it, and the cheese will
consequently not unite. The attempt to salt tainted beef
would not be one whit more discouraging than to try for
truth of texture and colour in cheese, where too much
artificial manure has been used. In truth, it woidd be
dear at twopence a-pound, and the factors would throw
it up. Again, if cows are put upon clover, it pluft's the
cheese, and makes it quite unsound. A little bonedust or
compost may answer upon the pastures ; but some dairies
have been quite spoilt by over-improving grass land, aud
there is much truth in the Arley Hall lyric : —

" A bull fed on rushes, depend upon that.
Is worth more to the dauy than two that are fat."

We find from the records of the Leicester October
Fair of 1807, that only 200 tons were pitched, and that
it was " sold from 58s. to 60s. per cwt. plain and 62s. to
63s. best coloured." The general average was 60s. for
new milk cheese, and the county was then considered
quite equal to 1,500 tons a-year. At the last May fair
Mr. James Cooper, of Hoo Hills, near Market Bosworth,
and Mr. Charles Clarke, of Lindley, near Hinckley, took
the highest price — 88s. per cwt. Other dairies made
83s. and 84s., and several 70s. to 80s. For a long
time the price ranged from 60s. to 65s., but now it
pretty nearly touches 80s. for " all useful things."
Skim milk cheese has been made in the Stilton
dairies, but the American Factory cheeses, which are
901bs. weight, and very similar to Cheddar, have nearly
beaten it out of the market and interfered seriously
with new millc cheese up to 75 shillings. About four
of these cheeses go to the hundred-weight, which is
1121bs. in Warwickshire aud 1201bs. in Derbyshire and
Leicestershire, The cheese of the year is divided into
two weighs. The first, which is pitched at Leicester on
or about May 12th, seldom exceeds 500 tons, and includes
the produce of the dairies from about August to the end
of the season. The second weigh, which is superior
from the fact that it has no fodder cheese iu
it, and represents the make from May morning
up to August 27th, comes out to the amount of 1,000
to 1,200 tons (not reckoning in Stilton) at the Leicester
October fair. Of course, the Birmingham and Leicester
factors have been busy with their tasters long before
them ; and hence a great weight of cheese is never
pitched in the fair at all. Several Lincolnshire and Nor-
folk dealers come to Leicester, and so do some of the
Scottish ones, and London and the Continent have their
full share. The tastes of the different counties vary on
one great point. For instance, Yorkshire, Derbyshire,
and Scotland like their cheese colom'ed ; and Norfolk,
Essex, and Suffolk prefer it plain.

Mr. Nuttall, of South Croxton, generally pitches about
12 tons, two-thirds of it in October and a thii-d in May.
His farm, which his late father entered upon in 1835,
contains 300 acres in grass and 130 under plough. It is
rather cold land and not a kindly soil for roots, and 20
tons per acre of yellow globe mangold is a satisfactory crop.
About ten acres of it are grown, eight are kept for swedes
and common turnips, and two for drumhead cabbage.
These crops have no stint of good farmyard manure, in ad-
dition to top-dressing and phosphates, as the cattle eat all
the corn, except wheat, grown on the farm ; and 60 tons of
cake as well. The pastures are simply sweetened with a
little bone-dust.

Brewers' grains are used for the cows, and of bean-

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

199

meal there is no stint during cheese-time. Mr. Nuttall
brings up a tew queys calves each year, and buys
in his cows or heifers so as to calve down on the
grass. They are kept out night and day till Christ-
mas, and then tied up entirely until the middle of April.
From Old May-day tUl the end of .Tune the eighty cows
will be making seven full-milk cheeses, or 2401bs. -weight
per day. The cheeses are made up morning and evening,
and the family likeness is always maintained of five inches
high by seventeen across. The principal features of the
dairy are the five stone, and the two lever presses, and
the cheese must be in the press, and in salt for a full
week. All the cream bowls are of Penrhyn slate, which
is considered much sweeter for the purpose than lead.
About one pound of whey butter per week is made fi'om
each cow, and 240 gallons of whey are sometimes sent daily
through the pipes to a large underground cistern into the
yard. It is pumped out of this for the pigs, of which
about seventy are fed off each year. Mr. Nuttall's prac-
tice is to buy them, at an average, for £3, or about 10s.
a-score, and to keep them under high pork pressure for
four or five months.

The inhabitants of StUton refer to Pope, and " A Tour
through the whole Island of Great Britain, written by a
gentleman," as far back as 1725, to prove that they were
the earliest makers of our " English Parmesan." In
Leicestershire the honour of being its foundress was
awarded by some to a Mrs. Pick, of Withcote, and by
others to a Mrs. Orton, of Great Dalby. The supporters
of the first good dame, who died, we believe, about twenty-
four years since, setat ninety-six, maintain that it was
always known by the name of " Withcote cheese," and
that the Huntingdonshire town had never any part or
lot in the matter, and merely substituted a better cheese for
their own " old original," and bestowed on it their name.
Be it Stilton or be it Withcote, the two Dalbys, Skef-
fington, Tugby, Tilton, Kilby Thorpe, Twyford, and As-
fordby are among its great Leicestershire strongholds. It
requires so much " fadding," that the largest dairies do not
care to make it. Sweet-milk cheese makers are wont to
compare the process to having a troop of infants at nurse.
There are seldom more than two dozen cows in a Stilton
dairy ; but Mrs. Emslie, of Asfordby, has nearly forty on
ninety acres round home, and at Grimston, and turns out
about sixty dozen cheeses of about ISlbs. each in a sea-
son. Once upon a time, from lOlbs. to 121bs. were the
average weights, but they have gradually gone up. The
factors generally begin to inspect the dairies about the
middle of August, and take so many dozen " at Time's
price," which is guided by Loughborough fair.

Stilton, like new-milk cheese, requires an immense deal
of management on rich land, which is apt to make it
" slape-coated," and to generate mites. Poor land does
not give half the trouble, and entails far less draining in
cloths. It is made with the full morning's milk, half the
overnight's milk (of which a portion is sometimes heated),
and all theovernight's cream, but it doesn't always get treated
so well. The whey makes good cream, and the salt is
taken off it by filling up the cream bowl with hot water.
Many makers like to keep their rennet in salt, as it is
keener, and binds the cm-ds better. The curd so formed
is pressed in strainers for the day to make it firm, and then
placed in hoops and bound round with cloths, till it be-
comes dry .and coated. The cloths are changed twice-a-
day, so as to let the coat form naturally, and the outside
is also smoothed with a knife. If it is warm weather,
the cheeses will acquire that nice melon-like rind in four
or five days. Some of them will lose 61bs. in drying.
For choice they should be kept eight months, though the
green mould will appear in three or four. With a warm
summer, they ripen much faster, but great attention to
atmosphere is required, as the flies will strike them as they

do meat, and the mites must be kept away by assiduous
brushing. There is in truth nothing that requires more
unweared attention than a cheese dairy, as new-milk
cheese failures are almost uneatable, and some Stiltons
are painful to look at, sinking down on one side,
as if the whole fabric had given way from below, or de-
generating into rusty cannon balls, which have been half
flattened against a fort. Anyone who has been through
a large cheese warehouse, and seen the taster put into
their " frightful examples," can never forget it.

The first "draw" or "weigh" of Stilton cheese in
August is generally for shipping, and India is a capital
customer. For fresh samples it is difficult to make more
than 9d. ; but cheese which has been kept for seven
months will reach lid. or a Is. ReaUy good mellow
Stilton should have a smooth, velvety feel in the hand,
and a creamy and yet rather sharp taste in the mouth, as
the tendency ofcreaminess is to make them unduly sweet.
After all, the late Mr. John Moore of the Old Club at
Melton Mowbray described the real article best, when
he requested the house steward to procure him " a ripe,
red, rusty, and rotten one."

Eddish or aftermath cheese is a sort of aristocratic
Stilton, and the undisputed honour of its invention seems
to rest with Mrs. Heeley, of Little Dalby. The makers
generally begin about the first week of September ; but
not more than a ton of it is made in the whole county,
and that principally round the Dalbys. It is circular in
shape, and seldom above 8 or 10 lbs., of a light creamy
character, and rather more expensive than common
Stilton. When well made it is tasty, but sadly hazardous
and breakable in the making, and apt to waste very much
as well.

As regards "improved pigs," records point to Mr.
Honeybourne of Dishley, whose breed earned the curious
recommendation from one writer of "appearing to be
crossed with the wild boar." Mr. Buckley of Normanton
and Mr. Astley of Odstone were also among the earliest
Leicestershire pig-fanciers. Chinese and Berkshire were
the Odstone cross ; and it was also the practice of the late
Mr. Beale of Frolesworth, who was quite a Midland Coun-
ties Wainman in his day, to cross the short and thick
Chinese, or " Tunkey," as it was called, with the Large
Leicester or the Middle-sized Yorkshire, which produced
a first-class pig of great weight. Mr. Breedon Everard
feeds pigs on a still more extensive scale than Mr. NuttaU ;
and the whites are kept more or less at every farm-house,
which seldom lacks a home-made pork-pie in the season.
The pig-jobbers buy porkers of six weeks and upwards,
about Hitchin and Bedford, &c , and take them round
to the farmers, as there is no pitched market worth
speaking of at Leicester. They were once kept to
fifteen or eighteen months ; but the farmers prefer to
realize quicker, and they suit the curers better. Derby
is a great curers' market for fat hogs, which are fed
by the Derbyshire dairy- farmers, and are rather sandy-
colom'ed, like the Staffordshire sort. Northampton-
shire pigs are generally black-and-sandy ; and large
supplies are drawn by the curers in Leicester (which
is gradually becoming a great provision-warehouse for the
midlands) from Mr. Wallace of Kettering, Mr. George
of Bythorn, and other extensive breeders.

In a good milk-district the pigs get whey and skjm-
mdk, when the cheesemaking is over, along with light
corn, barley-meal, beans, and plenty of potatoes. A
great pork-pie maker was wont to say that, if he wanted
a very special pie, he should feed the pig on baked pota-
toes. About five hundred pigs are slaughtered weekly in
Leicester during the height of the cm'ing season ; and a
large portion of the legs, loins, and other loose meat is
used for pies, both by the Leicester and Melton Mowbray
makers. One great ham and bacon firm in Leicester

p 2

200

THE FAllMEK'S MAGAZINE.

occasioimllj'' kills more than 200 pigs a week on the
American principle, which consists in hauling them up
by pulleys head downwards, cutting their throats, and
then sliding the carcases, by means of an iron rod, along
the ceiling, through the scalding-tub, and other processes,
until they are iinally cut down in the curing-house. In
Leicester the curing does not cease in April ; but after
that date the ham is split, and is cured as part of the
flitch.

Those who may have been leaving Melton Mowbray by
the early train cannot have failed to notice several pork-
pie hampers at the station. Mr. Adcock began this trade
here about forty years ago, and it is still confined to five
or six, and ratJier fewer in Leicester, at least of any im-
portance. November to April is the season, correspond-
ing, in fact, to the " Cumberland ham and bacon-cimng
term," and some of the makers fill up the intervening
months with veal-and-ham pies. A few of them do not
content themselves during the season merely with buying
legs and loins, but kill pies for themselves and cure the
flitches. The pies are made of all sizes from lib. to 201bs.
The smallest ones are principally consumed at railway
stations, and the 21b. and 31b. pies are destined for
higher class customers, and go to the Universities and all
over the kingdom, for breakfast and luncheon. Some of
the makers turn out from 400 to 500 pies a week, and
calculate the rate of baking in a fast oven at one hour for a
lib. pie, and 2^ hours for a 31bcr. The late Mr. Colin,
who acted for eleven years as cook to Sir Harry Good-
ricke, was the leading maker for many years.

The sheep which bear the county name and had Bakewell
for their " inventor" alone remain for notice. Mr. Cres-
well's father, who died at a patriarchal age two years since,
was almost the only man left who remembered him (with
his straws or bag of figured marbles on letting days) by
sight. Of the Bakewell Ram Club, Mr. Breedou, o*f
Rotherby, was the latest survivor. Mr. Bakewell was
buried in the church at Bishley, which has been
dismantled for more than one-andtwenty years, and it is
no light task to discover his grave in the chancel, where
the pigeons roost and the birds make their nests with
impunity. His flock descended to his nephew, Mr.
Honeybourne, and was gradually dispersed among the
Messrs. Stubbins, Stone, Barford, Paget, Baker of
Elemore, and Philip Skipworth the elder. Mr. Bosworth
is now the tenant of Bishley, and nearly everything has
suffered change since then. ' The Stubbins flock passed
over to the Burgesses of Holmpierrepont and Cotgrave,
and was sold off when they died or retired, and "much
of the blood came into jMr. Sanday's and Mr. Torr's
hands. Mr. Buckley's descendant has parted with his
flock, and the Stones of Quorn and Barrow, to whom
the late Sir Tatton Sykes paid his annual visit amongst
others, are known as " shepherd kings" no longer.

The late Mr. Creswell and his father bred from Stone
and Stubbins, and Mr. Creswell still keeps a small flock
on his paternal acres at Ravcnstone, and has won firsts at
the Royal with rams at Newcastle, Plymouth, and Bury,
besides meeting Mr. Borton successfully at the Yorkshire

show. His Plymouth ram was Black-knee, purchased
for sixty-two guineas at Mr. Sanday's sale. Messrs.
Spencer, of Saarestone and Whiptoli;, also breed pure
Leicesters, and for three years past Lord Beniers has
taken the Smithfield gold medal with his wethers, which
have a strong dash of the Sledmere blood.

It is not a county of large flocks ; but of late years,
more especially on the Market Harborongli and Lough-
borough side, farmers have broken up their land and kept
more sheep. The blue-headed Leicester is quite the
favourite. The great Leicester sheep fair is on October
10th, and is continued for hoggs for several subsequent
Saturdays. The rams have generally been purchased be-
fore the fair, and Lincolns, Shrops, and Half-breds have
" their claim allowed." The Duke of Rutland's tenants
use the Lincoln pretty deeply ; but the Shrop is the great
favourite, both from his sureness as a server, good consti-
tution, and the value of " the black foot" in the butcher's
eyes. Shropshire cull ewes are sometimes bought, and
used, more especially round Melton Mowbray, for breeding
fat lambs.

Until eight or nine years ago, when Lord Berners and
some of his brother-agriculturists established one at
Leicester, there was no wool fair in the county, and the
wool staplers simply went round. That practice has by
no means dropped through, and a great weight of wool is
never pitched in the Bell Yard ; but still the fair sets the
market-price, and the farmer is not left, as he once was,
to draw his bow very much at a venture. The fair has
become a very important one ; and the telegram of its
proceedings this year made its mark on the Edinburgh
auction sales, which were going on the same day. The
following are the regulations of the fair, which is held on
the last AVednesday in June :

" No wool will be received later than nine o'clock on the
morning of the fair.

" The stewards will be in attendance from ten o'clock until
four the day previous, to receive the wool, and it is particularly
requested that all parties will send their wool on that day ;
but it will be admitted from five o'clock to nine on the morn-
mg of the fair.

" A ticket must be sent with the wool, stating the quantity
of each sort the lot contains.

"That the wool be weighed by the agents authorized by the
stewards on its being brought into the yard.

" The slieets will be numbered, and the weight of each en-
tened into a book ; tiie buyers have the option of having it
weighed over again if they think proper.

" That twopence per tod be paid by the seller on all wool
sold at the fair.

" That the wool be weighed by the sheet, and half-a-pound
per tod be allowed for draughts upon the wool, and no further
reduction be recognized by the lules of the fair ; and it is re-
quested that no money or fee whatever by given to any of the
attendants.

" Should any dispute arise between the buyer and seller, it
shall be referred to tlie stewards, and the person they may ap-
point shall decide the matter in dispute, and liis decision shall
be binding upon both parties."

H. H. D,

SMOKING ON THE FAEM.

A correspondent wishes to caution farmers against
the danger of fire from the practice of smoking
either in the barn, the stack-yard, or the field,
especially during the intense drought under which
the country is now suff"ering. Two cases to which
he refers, as having taken place under his own
eye, arc enough to appal any person liable to the

same circumstances. On miles of railway the stacks
or fields of corn have been destroyed, and several hundred
acres of a park by a supposed lucifer ; while these are not
by any means the only conflagrations that have occurred
from the same cause during this summer. Several heaths
and commons have thus been set on fire, and immense
damage sustained thereby. Indeed, so universal has the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

201

practice of smoking the sliort pipe become amongst the farm
servaats and labourers during the working hours — for
which practice they can too often plead the example of
their employers — that the wonder is, not that such results
do take place, but that they are not of far more frequent
ocenvrence. So reckless are those who acquire the
habit, that they are perfectly indifferent as to where
the lighted Inciter match, or the sparks from the pipe
fall, as likely to be thrown upon combustible
matter as not. From observation, we are of opinion
that a very large proportion of the fires that take
place in London arise from the same cause. Valuable
business premises, with lai'ge stocks of goods, have been
destroyed by a lighted match being thrown down an area
grating in which was some straw. On the farm at the
present time there is ten-fold danger of tire, from the ex-
cessively dry state both of the standing corn and the pas-
ture land where there is any grass left, and farmers
would be perfectly justified in establishing a rule prohibit-
ing their men from smoking during working hours ;
a practice which, independent of the danger of fire, con-
sumes no little of the time of labour. We know one in-
stance in which an employer of several men, finding that
they were in the habit of smoking while at work and that
this led to a great waste of time, announced that any one of
them found smoking when he ought to be at work would
be dismissed. He only detected one man who trans-
gressed the rule, and him he found drunk with a lighted
pipe in bis hand amongst some straw in the stable. It is a

question not yet settled whether the disastrous fire that
took place a few days since in Kent, by which property to
the amount of five or six thousand pounds, including two
homesteads, were destroyed, was occasioned by a smoker
or by sparks from a railway engine. In that case some
fields of standing corn were destroyed ; for the ripe straw
this season is as combustible as tinder, and so also arc the
heather and furze on the commons, which have been fired
in many parts of the country.

In relation to the same subject we would mention
another most reprehensible practice of street-smokers,
namely, throwing the lighted lucifer-match as well as
the ends of an exhausted cigar on the pavement. We
have, in our own experience, known of four cases in
which ladies have been set on fire by such a reckless and
dangerous habit ; for which there is not the slightest ex-
cuse whatever. It would seem as if the very practice of
smoking superinduced in some persons a degree of selfish-
ness that renders them perfectly regardless of the welfare
of others, whether male or female ; otherwise they woidd
see the impropriety of endangering the lives of the
passers-by. So common is the habit of street-smoking
become, and with it the danger, that it is positively unsafe
for a lady in a muslin dress to walk about ; for you may
constantly see men fling down their lighted matches
without any thought of, or care about the consequences.
In such a season the farmer should use every precaution
to prevent accidents from fire in the field and the
homestead.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT GLOUCESTER.

The Herefords were iu tolerably good force at the society's
annual show, reaching to J4 entries.

In the class for bulls above two years old, Mr. J. R. Para-
more, of Dinedor Court, takes first prize with Dinedor ; Mr.
Duckham, of Baysham Court, second, with Reginald ; while
Mr. Taylor, of Showle Court, gets a first-class commeudation
with Triumph. In the class for bulls above one and under two
years old, Mr. Paramore is agaiu first with Chancellor, and
Mr. Bradstock second ; Mr. Prosser, of Broadway, being com-
mended.

Amongst the bull calves, three in number, Mr. Paramore
was first, and Mr. John Baldwin second.

The class for bull, cow, and offspring had three entries, with
the first prize to Mr. Thos. Rogers, of Coxall ; the bull being
the Leicester prize winner, Battenhall ; the cow, Gentle Anne.
Mr. E. J. Morris, of Stanley Pontlarge, takes second prize
with Memento.

In the class for breeding cows Mr. J. Baldwin is first with
Venus 6th, a Mouaughty cow. This cow was shown at Bing-
ley HaU last year, and was destined for the butcher ; but Mr.
Baldwin was persuaded to keep her, as she was then in calf,
and having gone on very well she again appears in public.

Both prizes lor heifers uuder three years old fell to Mr.
Prosaer, without competition ; and there was virtually no com-
petition in the class for heifer calves, in which the prize is
taken by Mr. John Wigmore, who is also highly commended
for three dairy cows.

The Shorthorns are, of course, in much greater force than
the Herefords, numbering 106 entries ; and some of the ani-
mals are excellent representatives of their breed. The chief
prize-takers are Mr. Richard Stratton, Wall's End ; Mr. Joseph
Pulley, Lower Eaton, Hereford, who is second in the aged bull
class, with Royal Buck, bred at Maindee, Newport ; Viscount
Sudeley, Earl of Radnor, Mr. Charles Hobbs (Maisey-
harapton), Messrs. Game aud Son (Northleacb), Mr. Geo.
Game (Chipping Norton), and the Rev. W. H. Beever, Pen-
eraig Court, Ross. Viscouut Sudeley takes tlie prize for the
best Shorthorn bull in the yard, an aristocratic-looking white
of rare quality ; but many would prefer the bull which stands
near him, belonging to Earl Radnor. For breeding cows, Mr.
George Game (Chipping Norton) took the first prize, as

well as the second for heifers. The Rev. W. H. Beever
takes second prize iu the breeding cow and heifer calf classes;
aud in the latter class Mr. Stratton wins with a splendid animal ;
perhaps the best Shorthorn in the yard.

With sheep, 190 in number, the Cotswolds predominated, and
there were many grand specimens shown by the most noted hill
breeders ; the aged prize ram of Mr. J. K. Tombs being an
animal of grand scale and form. Tlie Shropshires, very few
in number, are good, the chief exhibitors being Mr. E. Hol-
land, M.P., and Mr. Charles Randell, of Chadbury, each of
whom takes prizes. In the other short-wool classes tlie Duke
of Beaufort aud the Earl of Radnor are prize-takers.

The pigs, numbering 80, were principally of the Berkshire
breed.

The horse department was a large and attractive one, the
entries reaching to 103. That good horse Ivanhofl", the pro-
perty of Mr. E. Griifiths, of Marie Hill, near Chelteahara, was
first in the class for thorough-bred stallions, and Mr. Henry
Brown, of Monkton, Swindon, was second with a handsome
dark bay by Artdlery. In the class for entire cart-horses, Mr.
Wynn, of Alcaster, repeated his Birmingham and other victo-
ries with his grand grey A 1 ; and Mr. Wm. Allen, of Hart-
pury, was second with a young roan. The classes for cart-
horses, hunters, aud hacks were good.

Three prizes were awarded for implements — to Nalder and
Nalder (Limited), Challow, Wantage, for a thrashing machine ;
to Savory, High Orchard, Gloucester, for a corn mill ; and to
Waites, Northgate-street, Gloucester, for a cbaft'-cnlter.

The judges for cattle were Mr. J. Knowles, of Wetherly,
Yorkshire, and Mr. H. Higgins, of Woolaston Grange,
Lydney. Sheep and Pigs : iir. T. Porter, Bauntou, and Mr.
P. Burnett, Kiugscote. Cart Horses: Mr. W. Richards,
Dursley, and Mr. W. Curtis, Femhara, Faringdon. Hunters
and Roadsters : Mr. J. 11. Raymond-Barker, Fairford Park ;
Mr. A. Harrison, Edgbaston ; aud Mr. J . E. Bennett, Hus-
bands Bosworth, Rugby. Implements : Captain de Winton,
Wallsworth Hall ; Mr. W. Glover, Warwick ; and Mr. J. T.
Harrison, Maida-hUi, Loudon.

The annual dinner of the society was held on Thursday in a
large marquee on the ground ; Mr E. Holland, M.P. for
Evesham, iu the chair.

202

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW AT ABERDEEN.

The forty-first annual show of the National Agricultural So-
ciety of Scotland was opened on July 29th, at Aberdeen, this
being the ifth show which has been held by the Society in that
City. The site of the showyard was The Links, about 14-
acres of which had been hoarded off, with stalls and shedding
suitable for the display of stock and implements to the best
advantage. There is a slight drawback in the undulating
character of The Links, the surface not being so level as is de-
sirable, but, notwithstanding this the Society may well be con-
gratulated upon the site, and on the arrangements of the pre-
sent exhibition. The most prominent feature of the cattle
classes was the display of Polled Angus, which were shown in
considerable numbers, and several very superior specimens were
in competition. These included tlie famous Forth, now in the
herd of Mr. Cruickshauk, and Heir of Englishman, first here,
and, as many would liave it, the second-best at Leicester.
The Galloways were also very good. It was also considered
by several eminent judges that never at any previous exhibi-
tion of the society were there so many superior Sliort-
horns brought together in competition. In the aged hulls the
judges had apparently much difficulty in placing the animals.
The class for two-year-old l)ulls was also good, but not equal
to the aged class as regards uniformity and general excellence.
Yearling bulls were a good class, but the cows were not very
equal in point of merit. Owing to a misunderstanding be-
tween the directors of the Higliland Society and the railway
directors as to the returning free of charge of cattle in horse-
boxes, some of the Ayrshires entered for exhibition were not
sent forward; and, from the same cause, not content with
simply not sending their horses to Aberdeen, a number of dis-
satisfied intending exhibitors arranged a show of Clydesdale
liorses and of Ayrshire cattle in Glasgow on the same day as
the national show was being held at Aberdeen ! The Society
having oftered the handsome prize of £100 for a thorough-
bred horse to serve in the district, a number of well-bred ani-
mals were brought forward ; the greater number of these, how-
ever, were better adapted for breeding carriage-horses and
horses for the saddle. There was a fair show of roadsters and
ponies, and as these were shown in action they attracted con-
siderable attention. It was generally admitted that the Leices-
ters were the best show that has appeared north of the Tay.
The Cheviots also were particularly good, but the competition
was somewhat restricted ; and there were very good specimens
of the blackfaces. In the pig classes there was a very limited
competition.

JUDGES.

CaHle. — Shorthorns: li. C. Crisp, HawkliLU, Alnwick;
Joseph Culshaw, Towneley Park, Burnley ; Andrew Mitchell,
Alloa. Polled Angus: Robert Hector, Montrose; James
Leslie, The Thorn, I31airgowrie ; George "Williamson, Shemp-
ston, Elgin. Polled Galloway: Thomas Gibbons, Burnfoot,
Esk, Longtown, Cumberland; A. C. Pagan, Innergeldie,
Comrie ; James Shennan, Balig, Kirkcudbright. Highland :
John M' Arthur, Acurrach, Inverary ; Donald M'Intyre, Tigh-
nablair, Comrie ; Duncan Mtchell, Blairvockie, Luss. Ayr-
shire : H. D. B. Hyslop, Tower, Sanquhar.

Horses. — Draught Horses : John Dickson, Saughton MainS)
Edinburgh ; Alexander Young, Kin Mains, Dunblane ; John
Young, Eulwood, Houston. Thorough-breds : George A.
Gray, Millfield Hill, Wooler ; Nicol Milne, Ealdonside, Mel-
rose.

Sheep. — Ayrshire: H. D. B. Hyslop, Tower, Sanquhar;
Hugh Kirkwood, Killermont, IMaryhiU; John Waugh, of St.
John's Kirk, Biggar. Fat Stock : Stewart Johnstone, Perth ;
D. Smith, Leyshade, Dundee. Leicester and other Long-
woolled : William Purves, Linton Burnfoot, Kelso ; John
Wilson, Edington Mains, Chirnside. Cheviot : William
Henderson, Langbeford, Wooler : John Scott, Drynock, Broad-
ford, Skye ; AViUiam Thompson, Ryle, Alnwick. Blackfaced :
James Coubrough, Blairtummoch, Campsie ; George Howie-
son, Rannagulzion, Blairgowrie ; Donald M'Intyre, llghna-
blair, Comrie. South Down and other Shortwoolled : George

A. Gray, Millfield Hill, Wooler ; G. A. Thompson, Eannine
Hall, Carlisle.

Pigs.— izmes Deans, Dalkeith Park, Dalkeith ; A. C.
Pagan, Innergeldie, Comrie ; James Shewan, Balig, Kirkcud-
bright.

PRIZE LIST.

CATTLE.

[Note. — All the third prizes received silver medals.]

SHORTHORN.

First prize bulls at former shows.— Gold Medal, Amos
Cruickshank, Sittyton, Aberdeen.

Bulls calved before 1st January, 1866.— First prize,£20,Geo.
Barclay, of Keavil; second of £10, James Cochrane, Little
Haddo'; third, James White, Little Clinterty.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £20,
George Marr, Cairnbrogie; second of £10, David Ainslie,
Costerton; third, John Copland, Mainshead.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1867.— First prize, £10,
George Robertson ; second of £5, William S. Marr, Upper-
mill ; third, George Robertson.

BuU calves calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £6,
John Copland ; second of £3, Alexander Bruce, Wealthiton.

Cows of any age.— First prize, £15, George Shepherd,
Shethin ; second of £8, Amos Cruickshank ; third, Charles
Bruce.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £10,
David Ainslie ; second of £5, the Duke of Buccleuch ; third.
Lord Kinnaird, K.T.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1867.— First prize, £8,
David Ainslie ; second of M, Lord Kinnaird, K.T. ; third,
David Ainslie.

Heifer calves calved after 1st January, 1868.— First prize,
£6, Robert Scott, Manbeen ; second of £3, William A. Mit-
chell, Auchnagathle; third, Henry A. Rannie, Mill of Boyndie.

Prize cows at former shows. — First prize, Gold Medal, the
Duke of Richmond, K.G.

POLLED ANGUS OR ABERDEEN.

First prize bulls at former shows.— Gold Medal, Alexander
Paterson, Mulben.

Bulls calved before 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £20,
and silver medal as breeder of best buU, Alexander Morison,
of Begnie ; second of £10, William James Taylor, Rothiemay
House ; third, Robert Walker, Portlethen.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £20,
William M'Combie, of Easter Skene ; second of £10, WiUiam
M'Knight, Boghead ; third Robert Walker.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1867.— First prize, £10,
George Brown, Westertown ; second of £5, the Earl of Dun-
more ; third, Robert Walker.

Bull calves calved after 1st January, 1868.— First prize, £6,
William M'Combie, TiUyfour ; second of £3, David RaitLyall
Grant, of Kingsford, Alford ; tliird, Robert Walker, Menthlet-
ton, Banff.

First prize cows at former shows.— Gold Medal, Trustees of
the late J. H. E. Wemyss, Wemyss Castle, Kirkcaldy.

Cows of any age.— First prize, £16, Col. Charles Fraser ;
second of £8, and third, William M'Combie, Tillyfour.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £10,
James Skinner, Drumin ; second of £5, the Earl of Southesk ;
third, William M'Combie, Tillyfour,

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £8,
and second of £4, William M'Combie, Tillyfour ; third, the
Earl of Dunmore.

Heifer calves calved after 1st January, 1868.— First prize,
£6, second of £3, and third, Wm. M'Combie, Tillyfour.

POLLED GALLOWAY.

Bulls calved before 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £30,
and silver medal as breeder of best bull, James Cunningham,
Tarbreoch ; second of £10, James Graham, Parcelstown.

BuUs calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £20, Jas.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

203

Graham, Braidlee ; second of £10, James Curinmghani; third,
John Cunningham, Whitecairn.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1867. — First prize, £10,
John risher, Knells, Carlisle ; second of £5, John Cunning-
ham.

Cows of any age. — First prize, £15, and second of £8, Jas.
Cunningham.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1868.— First prize, £10,
James Cunningham ; second of £5, the Duke of Buccleuch ;
tliird, James Cunningham.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1867. — First prize, £8,
aud second of £4, James Graham, Parcelstown ; third, the
Duke of Buccleuch.

First prize cows at former shows, — Gold Medal, James
Graham, Parcelstown.

HIGHLAND.

Bulls calved before 1st January, 1865.— First prize, £20,
aud silver medal as breeder of the best bull, John Malcolm, of
Poltalloch ; second of £10, the Duke of Athole ; third, Alex.
Fraser, Faillie.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1865.— First prize, £30, the
Duke of Athole ; second of £10, Donald M'Laren, Corry-
chrone ; tliird, J. Gordon, Manar.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £10, and
second of £5, John Stewart, Duntulm ; third, the Hon. Lady
Menzies.

First prize bulls at former shows.— Gold Medal, Kobt. Peter,
Urlar.

Cows of any age.— First prize, £15, John Malcolm ; second
of £8, John Stewart, Duntulm ; third, the Duke of Athole.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1865.— First prize, £10,
Robert Peter ; second of £5, John Malcolm : third, Robert
Peter.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize £8, the
Duke of Athole ; second of £4-, and third, John Malcolm.

First prize cows at former shows. — Gold Medal, the Duke
of Athole, K.T.

AYRSHIRE,

Bulls calved before 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £10,
and silver medal as breeder of the best bull, Wm. Buchanan,
Coxithill ; second of £5, John Stewart, Burnside Cottage.

Bulls calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £20,
Robert Wilson, Forehouse ; second of £10, John Stewart.

Cows in milk of any age. — First prize, £15, Robt. Wilson ;
second of £8, John Semple, Dunbarrowj third, John
Stewart.

Cows in-calf of any age. — First prize, £15, A. Morton,
Bickerton Hall; second of £8, John Stewart; 3 Robert
Wilson.

Heifers calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize, £10,
Robert Wilson ; second of £5, and third, John Stewart.

i'irst prize cows at former shows. — Gold Medal, the Duchess
Dowager of Athole.

FAT STOCK.

Polled oxen calved after 1st January, 1865. — First prize,
WUham M'Combie, Tillyfour ; second, James Stephen, Con-
glass ; third, James Skinner, Drumin.

Polled oxen calved after 1st January, 1866. — First prize,
Wm. M'Combie, Easter Skene ; second, Wm. M'Combie, Tilly-
four ; third, Robert Bruce, Kinloss.

Oxen of any pure or cross breed calved after 1st Januarv,
1865.— first prize, Thomas Ross, Hill Head ; second, Richard
H. Harris, Earnhill ; third, John Frost, Delab.

Oxen of any pure cross breed calved after 1st January,
1866.— First prize, Wishart and Wisely, 92, Gallowgate, Aber-
deen ; second, William M'Combie, Tillyfour ; third, Robert
Moir.

Highland oxen calved after 1st January, 1864<.— Erst prize,
J. aud W. Martin, Aberdeen; second, George and J. G.
Smith, Minmore, Ballindalloch ; third, the Duke of Suther-
land.

Higliland oxen calved after 1st January, 1865.— First prize,
Georgeand J. G.Smith; second, Alexander Mitchell, New-
burgh ; third, Thomas Knowles, Aberdeen.

Cross heifers calved after 1st January, 1865.— First prize,
Robert Bruce, Forres ; second, James Reid, Graystone ; tliird.
James Skinner, AuchmuU.

Cross heifers calved after 1st January, 1866.— First prize,
Alexander Cowie, Cromleyhank ; second, Harry L. L. Morri-
son, Guise ; third, J. and W. Martin.

EXTRA CATTLE.
Silver medals have been awarded to James Stephen and
Walter Scott.

Silver medals have been awarded to Alexander Morrison,
Bognie ; Robert Walker ; J. and W. Martin ; and Harry L.
L. Morrison, Guise.

HORSES.

FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.

Stallions foaled before 1st January, 1865.— First prize, £30,
James Hall, Aberdeen ; second of £15, Murdo Bethune ; third,
John Thomson.

Entire colts foaled after 1st January, 1865. — First prize,
£20, Samuel Clark, Manswrae ; second of £10, John Macdo-
nald, Duntocher ; third, John Walker, Isaacstown.

Entire colts foaled after 1st January, 1866. — First prize,
£15, The Earl of Strathmore ; second of £8, Peter Beattie,
Dunnydeer; third, Wm. Wilson, Balquharn.

Entire colts foaled after 1st January, 1867. — First prize,
£10, Jos. Tait, Portsoy ; second of £6, Alex. Milne, Corse of
Kinuoir ; third. The Earl of Strathmore.

Mares (with foal at foot) foaled before 1st January, 1865. —
First prize, £20, Alexander Sim, FaweUs, Keithhall ; second
of £10, Murdo Bethune, Dreim of Highfield, Beauly ; third,
Adam Gray, Harestoue.

Mares (in-foal) foaled before 1st January, 1865. — First
prize, £15, and second of £8, Alex. Milne ; third, Andrew F.
Williamson, Caskieben Mains.

Fillies foaled after 1st January, 1865.— First prize, £10,
John Kerr, Mid-Calder ; second of £5, James Murray, Fauch-
faulds ; third, John Taylor, Coldstream.

Fillies foaled after 1st January, 1866. — First prize £8,
Jamess Freeland, Broadgate, Strathblane ; second of £4, The
Duchess Dowager of Athole ; third, Patrick Davidson, Inch-
marlo.

FiUies foaled after 1st January, 1867. — First prize, £6,
James Moir, Wardhouse ; second of £3, Thomas MUne, Insch ;
third, WiEiam RiddeU, HUlhead.

Extra Section. — Thorough-bred stallions, to serve in the
district. — Prize of £100, Robert Paterson, Birthwood, Biggar.

Extra Horses. — Roadsters. — Silver medals were awarded
to Alex. Brown, Pitcaple; James Hay, jun., Little Ythsie ;
and James Lumsden, Braco.

SHEEP.

LEICESTER.

Tups not four-shear. — First prize, £10, George Thomson,
Pitmcdden ; second of £5, Lawrence Drew ; third, John
Hunter.

Dinmont or shearHug tups. — First prize, £10, David Ains-
lie ; second of £5, Adam Smith ; third. The Earl of Southesk.

Ewes not above four-shear. — First prize, £8, Lawrence
Drew ; second of £4, David Ainslie ; third, George Simson.

Shearling ewes or gimmers. — First prize, £8, George Sim-
son ; second of £4, David Ainslie ; third, George Torrance.

CHEVIOT.

Tups not above four-shear. — First prize, £10, Thomas El-
liot ; second of £5, James Brydon, Klnnelhead ; third, Tho-
mas Elliot.

Dinmont or shearling tups. — First prize, £10, John Archi-
bald, Glengelt ; second of £5, Thomas Elliot ; tlurd, John
Archibald.

Ewes not above four-shear. — First prize, £8, John Archi-
bald; second of £4, Thos. Elliot; third, John M'Gregor,
Bellridding.

Best pen of Lambs. — Thomas Elliot.

Shearling ewes or gimmers. — First prize, £8, James Brydon ;
second of £4, Thomas Elliot ; third, John Archibald.
blackfaced.

Tups not above four-shear. — First prize, £10, John Archi-
bald, Overshiels ; second of £5, Thomas Aitken, Listonshiels ;
third, John Archibald.

Dinmont or shearling tups. — First prize, £10, second of £5,
and third, John Archibald.

Ewes not above four shear. — First prize, £8, John Archi-
bald ; second of £4, Allan C. Pagan, Comrie ; third, the Hon.
Lady Menzies.

Best pen of lambs. — Silver medal, John Archibald.

Shearling ewes or gimmers. — First prize, £8, John Malcolm ;
second of £4, John Inch, Mitchellhill ; third, John Archibald,

204

THE FARMEK'S MAGAZINE.

SOI rnuowN.

Tii])b uot above four-shear.— First prize, £10, Joliu (Jordoii,
rarkliill; sccoud of £5, Robert Scot Skirving; third, John
Garland, Cairnton.

Ewes not above four-shear, or giniraers. — First prize, £8,
Robert Scot Hkirving; second of li, Alexander Kiuloch
jiin., Gilmertou ; third, Sir W. G. Gordon Camming.

LOXG-AVOOLLED OTHEl! THAN LEICESTEU.

Tups not above four-shear. — First prize, £10, John Gibson,
Woolmet ; second of £5, and third, Walter Reid.

Ewes not above four-shear, or gimmers. — First prize, £8,
Walter Reid ; second of £4, John Gibson ; third, Walter Reid.

SHOKT-WOOLLED OTHER THAN !50UTHD0^VN.

Tups not above four-shear. — First prize, £10, John Gibson ;
second of £5, and third. The Earl of Strathmore.

Ewes not above four-shear, or gimmers. — First prize, £8,
The Earl of Strathmore; second of £4, John Gibson; third,
James Walker, St. Ajidrews.

EXTRA SHEEl'.

Cheviot wedders not above three-shear.— F'irst prize, £6,
Thomas Biggar ; second of £3, Richard Heath Harris ; third,
James M'Gill, Kotchell.

Blaclcfaced wedders not above four-shear. — First prize, £6,
Wm, M'Combie, Tillyiour; second of £3, James Stevrart,
Aberdeen ; third, Andrew Wilson, Alford.

Cross-bred wedders not above three-shear. — First prize, £6,
James Stewart; second of £3, John Hunter ; third, Richard
Harris.

SWINE.

Roars, large breed. — First prize, £S, Thomas D. Findlay,
Easterhill; second of £4, John Laing ; third, James Dyce
Nicol, M.P.

Boars, small breed.— First prize, £8, 11. E. Duckering and
Sons ; second of £4, Thomas D. F'ijidlay.

Sows, large breed. — First prize, £'i, Thomas U. Findlay ;
second of £3, James Skinner ; third, R. E. Duckeriug and
Sons.

Sows, small breed.— First prize, £6, Thomas D. Findlay ;
second of £3, R. E. Duckering and Sons ; third, James Gor-
don, Manar.

Feus of three pigs not exceeding eight months old, large
breed.— First prize, £4, 'iliomas i>. Fiudlay ; second, R. F
Duckering and Sous, Northorpe; third, William Benton,
Alford.

Pens of tliree pigs not exceeding eight mouths old, small
breed.— First prize, £4, Thomas D. Findlay, Glasgow ; second
of £3, Robert Fhilp, Bridge of Allan ; third, James Gordon.

At the banquet, which took place in the Royal Hotel on
Tuesday afternoon. His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch presided,
and Lord Dalhousie acted as croupier.

The CiiAiRM.vN said the show had been one of the most
successful the society had had. He was informed tiiat of
polled cattle especially the exhibition was one of the finest
which had ever beeu brought together in Scotland. In only
two classes, Ayrshire cattle and work horses, was there a defi-
ciency.

Lord Daihousie said : 1 have been of opinion that the
chair of the Highland Society is the " blue ribbon" of agri-
culture in Scotland, and I think that the " blue ribbon" ought
to be dispensed to those who have a knowledge of, and take
an interest in agriculture, rather than be confined simply to
rank. My Lord Duke, 1 say this in your presence, rather than
in the presence of any other man who has been president of
the Highland Society, because if ever a roan was entitled,
apart from rank, to wear the blue ribbon of the society, it was
yourself. There are others holding the same position in so-
ciety which you do, who have filled the chair of the Highland
Society, without having the same claims that you have to that
honour ; and 1 think it is somewhat of a reflection upon the
Highland Society to say that noblemen, estimable in every
respect in their private characters, are preferred, as president
of the Highland Society, to such men as the Marquis ot
Tweeddale, a man who has distinguished himself through a
long life not only as a great patron of agriculture, but as one
of the most practical of agriculturists, both in tilling the soil
and rearing cattle, that we have ever had amongst us. 1
should like, l>efore the days of tliat noble lord are worn out,
to see him wearing that blue ribbon to which he has such high
and acknowledged title.

SOUTH LINCOLNSHIEE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT GRANTHAM.

The South Lincolnshire Agricultural Society held its
inaugural meeting in the extensive grounds of Mr. H. Brett,
at Spittlegate, Grantham, on Friday, July 24, when prizes to
the amount of about £660 were competed for. In every re-
spect the meeting was. a success. The weather was fine
and genial ; the entries large, numbering 360 horses, short-
horned cattle, sheep, and pigs, 203 poultry, and 42 stands of
implements ; the number of visitors large, and the arrange-
ments complete aud effective.

The horses formed the most numerous class of anything on
the ground, the entries numbering 173. The highest prize of
£50 for the best four-year-old mare or gelding, in riding order,
calculated to make a huuter, was awarded to Brigadier, be-
longing to Mr. J. B. Booth, of Killerby, that was sold on the
ground for the large sum of 400 guineas. Mr. J. W. King,
of Ashby Hall, carried off the prize of £20 for the best
thorough-bred stallion with Ratcatcher.

Amongst the Shorthorns, the first prize of £20 for bulls and
the cup were carried off by Commauder-iu-Chief, belonging to
Mr. T. C. Booth, AVarlaby. It was also a somewhat remarkable
animal, too, that took the highest prize for the bull exceeding
one and not exceeding two years old. This was Lady Pigot's
Rosolio, which has been seven times exhibited, and has been
successful on every occasion, taking first prizes four times,
and second three times. The bull-calf which took the
prize of £10 belonging to Mr. G. S. Foljambe, of Osberton
Hall, has uot been shown before. It was got by the same
bull as a couple of calves which took first aud second honours
at the Royal Show, out of the same cow as Rosa Windsor
aud The Archduke.

Perhaps of all the classes of animals tlie sheep presented the
most formidable dilficulties for the judges, because of then-
being uniformly good ; while of pigs there was only a small
show, but the deficiency was amply compensated for by the
quality of the animals exhibited.

The show of implements was an imposing one, the whole
county being well represented, but, as might naturally have
been expected, with Grantham taking the lead in the number
of entries, and also doing great things in the way of taking
prizes.

LIST OF PRIZES.

HORSES.
Judges : Of Riding-horses, Lord Kesteven, Mr. H. Chaplin,

and Mr. C. Nainby ; of Cart-hoises, Mr. J. H. Wood, Mr.

Smeetou, and Mr. T. Colton.

Thoroughbred stallion, for getting hunters (to serve, half-
bred mares at not more than £5 5s.)— First prize ot £20, J.
W. King, Ashby HaU ; second of £10, Thomas Game, Wil-
loughby Heath Farm. . r,,. „-

Stallion for getting draught horses— First prize ot £15, W.
Welcher. Upwell ; second of £5, J. BeU, Sturton Retiord.

Stallion for getting roadsters.— Prize of £8, Captain F .
Barlow, Castle Donington.

Mare for breeding hunters.— First prize ot £10, John
Byron, Kirkby Green ; second of £4, R. Hornsby, Grantham.

Mare for breeding draught horses.— First prize of £8, Wil-
liam Tennant, Barlow, Selby ; second of £4, B. Padgett,
1 Muston.
I Weight-carryiug hunting gelding or filly, the property of a

THE FARMBK'S MAGAZINE.

205

farmer or trudebUiau.—First prize of jLlo, W. Steplienson,
Bushy Hil], ISewbold ; second of £5, W. Dudding, Howell.

Horse or mare vyhicli can jump the best to the satisfaction
of the Judges — Prize of £10, J. Greeuhaiu, Blankuey Pen.

Pour-year-old luare or gelding — Pirst prize of £50, J. B.
Booth, Killerby Hall, Catteriek (given by Mr. H- Chaplin) ;
second of £10, E. Paddison, Ingleby (given by the Associa-
tion).

Hunting gelding or lilly, Ihrcc years old.— Pirst prize of
£10, \V. K. Brockton, Parndon ; second of £1-, R. Ilorusby,
Grantham.

Hunting gelding or filly, two years old — Prize of £10, J.
W. Gardom, Butterton Park, near Newcastle-

Poal by a thoroughbred horse — Prize of £3, R. Johnson,
Westborough.

Cart filly, two years old — Prize of £4, Jolin Brewster,
Denton Lodge.

Cart filly, one year old — Prize of £3, C. Lister, Coleby
Lodge.

Cart colt foal — Prize of £5, W. B. Brockton, Parndon

Cart filly foal,— Prize of £3, T. Sills, Billingborough.

Pair of cart-horses (mares or geldings), not more than
seven years old— Prize of £10, J. C Woolhouse, Wellingore.

Mare or gelding, for harness purposes, under seven years
old.— Pirst prize of £-1, J. Horusby, Grantham ; second of £2,
J- AV. Palethorpe, Harlaxton-

Weiglit-carryiug cob, not exceeding eight years old — Prize
of £5, J. Hornsby, Grantham.

Pony, not more than thirteen hands in height. — Pirst prize
cf £4, W. Bedford, Grantham ; second of £2, A. Guv
Eaton. ' J =

SHOllT-HORNED CATTLE.
Juj)GES : Mr. W. Sandy, Mr. Torr, and Mr. W. Bartholomew.

Bull, exceeding two years old. — Pirst prize of £20, T. C.
Booth, VVarlaby; second of £10, J. Lynn, Stroxton.

Bull, exceeding one, and not exceeding two years old. —
Pirst prize of £10, Lady Pigot, Branches Park ; second of £5,
G. S. Poljambe, Osberton Hall.

Bull calf, not exceeding one year old. — Pirst prize of £10,
G. S. Poljambe, Osberton Hall ; second of £5, J. Lynn,
Stroxton.

Bull, exceeding one and not exceeding four years old. —
Pirst prize of £15, John Lynn, Stroxton ; second of £5, P. W.
Brook, Brauncewell.

Cow, in-calf.— Pirst prize of £10, T, C. Booth, Warlaby ;
second of £5, James How, Broughton.

Heifer, in-calf.— Pirst prize of £10, Lady Pigot, Branches
Park; second of £5, J. Lynn, Stroxton.

Heifer calf, not exceeding one year old. — Prize of £6, Thos.
C. Mayfield, Hagnaby.

Cow or heifer in any of the classes, exhibited by a ienant-
farmer residing in South Lincolnshire.— Prize of £10, John
Lynn, Stroxton.

cottagers' I'EKMirSIS.

_ The best milch cow. — Pirst prize of £3, Joseph Ripley,
Nornianton ; second of £1 10s., John Nix, llopsley ; third
of 10s., John Hack, Little Ponton.

Heifer, under two-and-a-half years old. — Prize £2, W.
Bullimoro, Belton.

EXTRA STOCK.
Pair of bullocks.— Prize of £5, Wra. T. Lamb, Welbourne.

A c'iiallenTtE cup, -value twenty guineas.
Bull of any age.— T. C. Booth, of Warlaby.

LONG-WOOL SHEEP (not being Leicesters).
Judges : Mr. L. Borraan, Mr. W. Chatterton, and Mr. J,
Painter.
Ram of any age.— Prize of £20, John PL Casswell,
Lauglitou.

^ Shearling ram.— Pirst prize of £10 and second of £5, Chas.
Clarke, Scopwick.

Two-shear ram.— Pirst prize of £10 and second of £5, John
H. Casswell, Laughton.

Pen of five gimmers.— Pirst prize of £10, C. Clarke,
Ashby-de-la-Launde ; second of £5, Charles Lister, Coleby
Lodge.

Pen of five ewes.— Pirst prize of £10, C. Clarke, Ashby-de-
la-Launde ; second of £5, P. Sardeson, Cranwell.

LEICESTER SHEEP.

Ram, of any age.— Prize £10, John Lynn, Stroxton.

Pen of five ewes or gimmers.— Prize of £5, John Lynn,
Stroxton.

EXTRA STOCK.

Pen of five shearling wethers.— Prize of £5, T. R. Cass-
well, Quadring.

PIGS.

Judges: Mr. L. Bormau, Mr. W. Chatterton, and Mr. J,

Painter.

Boar of the large breed.— Pirst prize of £5, R. E. Ducker-
iug and Son, Nortliorpe ; second of £2, Thomas Cant,
Barkston.

Breeding or suckling sow, of the large breed.— Pirst prize
of £4 and second of £2, R. E. Duckering and Son.

Boar of the small breed, not exceeding eighteen mouths
old.— Pirst prize of £5, R. E. Duckering and Son ; second of
£2, W. Bartholomew, Waddington Heath.

Breeding or suckling sow of the small breed.— Pirst prize
of £4, G. P. Watson, Londonthorpe ; second of £2, R. E.
Duckering and Son, Nortliorpe.

Boar of the Berkshire breed, not exceeding eighteen
months.— Pirst prize of £4, W. Dudding, Howell.

Boar of any breed or age.— Krsi prize of £5, R. E. Ducker-
ing and Son.

Three breeding pigs of one litter, exceeding three and not
exceeding six months old.— Pirst prize of £5, R. E. Ducker-
inj? and Son.

DRIFFIELD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Driflleld, renowned as it is for its show of horses, move
especially its hunting classes, has not kept pace with the
times as to the management and conduct of the show-
yard, for a more primitive exhibition in that respect we
have seldom come across. Witli the animals left without
the slightest protection iVom sunshine or rain, the
public, although supplied with a catalogue, if not
possessed of the determination, sagacity, and stoutness
of a foxhound to run each horse to his lair, and read the
parcel-like label with which he was ticketed, was left totally
in the dark as to what he was or to whom he belonged.
Beyond this, for some cause unknown to anyone but
the layer-out of the ground, a fair-sized ring, that would
have allowed the horses to get into something like a
stride, was divided in half by a rail, cither to
bring it down to the confined dimensions of the Halls

of Islington or Birmingham, or to make use of an extra
stock of labour, timber, and ingenuity. Then at mid-
day the judging was stopped an hour or two for luncheon,
Hear, hear. Bravo! and so forth; the consequence
being that the visitors became wearied out, and took their
departure long before the roadster and coaching stallions
were judged; while the string of hunters sent for ex-
hibition, though not for competition, by Mr. President
Hall, stood all the day clothed in a corner of the field,
and were never paraded at all ! Mismanagement iu these
parts IS more to be Avondered at, as the Society has such
a model to go by in its big brother— the "Yorkshire
Agricultural Society. The show of horses was good, but
the great attraction was the hunting-classes, the first
to come before the judges being the hunting brood-
mares. Of these, four in number, the first was a

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

206

v,P«t little mare, by Sleight of Hand, bred by the late
S?r Tatton Sykes, whose weU-known stud-groom
Snarry was in the flesh, leading a hunter of the present
baronet's about the ground. The second mare, Annie by
Robinson, showed some hunting character, with we 1-
formed limbs; while Mr. Holtby's The Nun was remark-
able for her large frame and faulty forelegs ; and the
best two-year-old huning gelding, or at least the picked
one, was anything but perfect in his tobacco-pipe-Uke pins.
Mr. Danby, of Beverley, had a good-looking youngster
by Defender, quite a model if in a coaching class ; and
Sir George Cholmley a couple, by Angelus, the gelding
being remarkable for his size and coarseness while the
liUy was passable. Amongst the yearlings Sir George was
iii-st, with a leggy, flat-sided, soft-looking one, by the
same horse, beating, among others anythmg but a bad-
made filly, by Piccador, of Mr. Hudson s, of Beverley
For the silver cup, given by the President, a dozen out of
an entry of seventeen, came before the juages, makmg a
fair-looking class, the mug eventually going to Mr.
Booth's Brigadier, the first four-year-old f Leicester,
and who has since been gathenng honom-s at Louth and
Grantham, beating Honesty, a nicely-put-together stylish
horse, bv the Cardinal, of Mr, Stephenson s, of Brough ;
Julius by Orpheus, another overgrown one, with any-
thing but symmetrical looks, of Sir George Cholmley s
although he took first four-year-old honours at
Bridlington, on the Tuesday-a Society, i'^. ^^s thirty-
third year, that for management is, if anything, lathei
behind Driflield. Mr. Barkworth's Hidalgo by Cavendish,
a shortish, powerful '.horse, with his head set on throaty
went very oily and well; Mr. Harrison exhibited a
nice-looking bay by Napoleon, and Mr. HoUday one by
Srngton^ The silvel- cup, for three-year-old hnutmg
gddiugs or fillies, went to Syriuger by Orest a fine-grown
bay -elding, of Mr. Lambert's, of Welton, a well-
known Min^f rider in Yorkshire ; the commended
being a chcsnut filly of Mr. Danby, of Louth, and rather
back at her knee, while a deep, short- legged black mare
by Walkington, dam by Orestes, with length, breed, and
good ends, just recovering from the f Jf sl«\;!^« ^f^
Worthy of notice, if not the pick of the basket. The
All England silver cup for mares or geldings of any age
with an entry of forty-one in the catalogue brought
twenty-five into the ring, the principal absentees bemg
the General and blaster of /^rts. The former we think,
might have taken the cup; while the latter, that Trojan
horse and prize glutton, we saw passed, as he always
ouijht to have been, unnoticed in the showyard at
BrldUngton. Of those present were Lady Derwent who,
with all her good looks, does not strike us as a hardy one
or a stayer, and we are much mistaken if she is not more
iu her element in the show-yard than she would
L in the hunting-field. Sprig of Nobdity, a
taker of a hundi-ed at Islington one year and as
handsome as ever, had not his chance improved by the
assistance given him by the gentleman up, and ^^o if we
juistake not, did not show him to advantage at ihusk,
and never will. Then the popular candidate tor Parlia-
mentary honoui-s, Mr. C. Sykes, had l^aK-a-dozen very
useful weight-carriers; but they were not duly elected
although a heavy weight in search of a horse to represen
him at the end of a run, may trot some miles about the
country before meeting with such likely animals as The
Colonel, Eta, and Gardener. Mr. Johnsons (of Lowes-
thoq^e) chesnnt by Canute was a ^^f ^al f «>P « ho J
with power, length, quality, good ends, and ^hoi'^^^^'i^^t-
looking limbs, and he moved quick, strong and well
without fuss. If we mistake not, he would leave Lady
Derwent and many others the other side of Jordan in a
long thing. Sir W. L. Hudson's Highthorn, with some-
thing of the General's cut about him, but not so grand, is

a very taking animal, but rather light below the knee ;
whUe Emperor, of Mr. Stephenson's, though com-
pact, weU-set, strong, and hardy-looking, has a
temper of his own, or his eye belies him. Garland
belonging to Mr. Snarry of Malton. was a light corky
gentleman ; Mr. Smith's Two per Cent , and Mr. Bow-
man's bay by Lancewood, are nice-looking ones ; while
Trident pleased us best of the Orpheus get, but more so
when standing still, as he is not a strong goer. Alter
some sorting. Lady Derwent, Highthorn, and Emperor were
picked out and ridden by the judges ; the cup after some
deliberation being given, as it had been before by some
of the bench, to Lady Derwent, Highthorn and Ejnperoi
being decorated with the green riband. We should have
much liked to see the President's string stripped, as
there was some geuuine-looking metal amongst tHem,
many being stamped with the Hall mark in the shape ot
scars or the irons. Wrangler, a thoroughbred in his six-
teenth year, though penitent about the knees, was a var-
mint, active, wiry-looking old feUow, of a rare stamp ; as
was the lengthy short-jointed Doctor, who was full ot
character. Then Straight Stick, the Oqihan and seve-
ral more were worthy of being seen, as they would
have been if the show had been properly conducted and
the time not taken up in guzzling and turning a show-
yard into a Cogers Hall for spouting at mid -day. People
don't go to Cogers HaU to see horses, or come to a horse
show to hear speeches ; at least we don't. _

The eight pounds for thorough-bred huntmg staUions
brought the weU-known Angelus, who took the royal
hundred at Leicester, where we gave a description ot liim,
that we had often given before. He is a favourite with
many of the Yorkshire farmers, because he is such an eye-
full. He was looking much better for his sweat at
Leicester, having got rid of a deal of unnecessary flesh.
Theobald, a chesnut horse, weU put together, and, it as
crood in his forelegs as he is in his hmd ones and
elsewhere, would be^difiicult to beat— and he is now any-
thing but a bad one-was well worthy of second honours,
and of first at Bridlington, where he beat the lengthy,
good-ended, short-limbed, though lightish-middled Stra-
them. Theobald is by Stockwell, dam by Red Hart, but he
uever did anything on the Turf. He was christened after
the sporting old hosier of Snow-hill, and breeder of Stock-
weU, whose blue coat and brass buttons, bulky, saffron-
coloured leathers and roomy tops must have been familiar
to many. Then came the long, hoUow-backed, rather
grand-looking Cathedral by Newminster, out of Stolen
Moments by ^Melbourne, and who, when on the iui-t,
scored thi-ee races out often, winning the Great Northern
Handicap at York ; the fo-ii'th being the rather neat,
good-limbed, little Schuloff by Cossack, but whose stag-
serin? hind-leg action put him out of the bout.

Th'e Coaching and Roadster Classes were weU-repre-

sented, both in the staUion mares and young horses ; the

good-looking Inkermann beating the well-known Blondin,

who in a smaller class was first at Bridlington. Among

the Roadster Stallions were many well-known stagers,

including the winner, AU-Pours, renowned for his

neatness and his movements, although ordered out

of the ring at Thirsk last year before he had got

fairly once round! The second horse is more cobby

with less quality-the thick-set, low short-legged

St. Ives, the first roadster at Bridhngton. Mr.

Smith's old mare Venture, as active-looking as ever

though in her twentieth year, and the taker of forty-

three prizes, added another to her long score; while

Mr. Johnson, of Driffield, exhibited a very fine mare

The first three-year-oldcoacher was well made on a short

leg, and had a very fair match by his side, both being by

Blondin- while the second prize was a leggy one, and not

well put'together. Polly, an old and a great aversion of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

207

ours, a heavy-shouldered hammering coh, was the first
roadster mare. There were several nice ponies, and the
agricultural classes — all local prizes — were weU-filled with
the thick-set black active-looking cart-horses of the county.
There was but a poor show of Shorthorns as to numbers,
though there were some weU-bred ones among them, the
all-aged buU here being first at Burlington also, as weU
as one of Lady Pigot's breed. He is an animal of great
size, and good to the touch. In the extra-stock the prize
went to a pair of black Aberdeen Scots. There was but
a handful of sheep, but little and good, Messrs. Borton,
Riley, and Sharp opposing one another for Leicesters ;
while Mr. Dickson, of Naflerton, with a very good-
looking pen, beat Mr. Foster, of Southburn. The Leeds
pigs, with more prizes than pigs, had it all their own
way, and they calculate beating the Leicester big boar at
Wetherby, with Royal Oak.

PRIZE LIST,
JUDGES.

Short-horns, Sheep, and Pigs : R. Jefferson, Whitehaven,
Cumberland ; T. Harris, Ulceby, Lincolnshire ; G. Smart,
Aberford, St. Mllford.

Horses (Thoroughbred and Hunters) : J. E. Bennett,
Husband Bosworth Grange, Rugby ; Edward Paddison,
Ingleby, Lincoln ; Charles M. Nainby, Great Grimsby.

Coachers, Roadsters, Cart, &c. : G. Wightmau, Fulwood
Park, Preston ; R. P. Hamilton, Asenby, Thirsk ; T. Pot-
ter, TroweU, Nottingham.

SHORT-HORNS.

Bull of any age. — First prize of £10, William Linton,
Sheriff Hutton (British Hope) ; second of &5, WiUiam Linton
(White Windsor).

BuU calf imder twelve months old. — Prize of £3, John Catt-
ley, Stearsby, York (Prince Leopold).

Cow in-calf or milk. — First prize of £5, William Linton
(Lady Valentine) ; second of £3, Executors of the late F.
Jordan, Eastburn (Cucumber).

Two-year-old heifer for breeding. — Second prize of £2, T.
Dawson, Poundswortli (Snowdrop).

Heifer calf under twelve months old. — Prize of £2, T.
Dawson (IMiss Flyte) .

Fat ox of any age or breed. — Piize of £3, Executors of the
late F. Jordan.

SHEEP.

Shearling ram. — First prize of £10, and second of £5, John
Borton, Barton House, Malton.

Pen of three shearling rams. — First prize of £5, Edmond
Riley, Kipling Cotes, Beverley ; second of £3, J. W. Sharpe,
Ulrome, Lowthorpe.

Aged ram. — First prize of £5, Edmond Riley ; second of
£2, John Borton.

Pen of five breeding ewes, bred in the Riding, haviug had
lambs in 1868, and suckled them up to the time of showing;
the lambs to be shown with the ewes. — First prize of £5, John
Dickson, Nafferton ; second of £2, J. W. Foster, Southburn.

Pen of five shearling wethers, bred in the Riding. — First
prize of £4:, and second of £3, Executors of the late F. Jordan.

HORSES.

Stallion for thoroughbred hunters. — First prize of £6, Sir
G. Chobnley, Bart., Boynton (Angelus) ; second of £3, H. S.
Constable, Wassand (Theobald).

Stallion coach horse. — First prize of £6, F. Richardson,
York (Inkermau) ; second of £2, M. Medd, Filey (Blondin).

Stallion for roadsters.— First prize of £6, H. R. W. Hunt,
Dunnington, York ; second of £3, J. Crompton, Thornholme,
Lowthorpe.

Stallion for agriculbrral purposes. — First prize of £6, W.
Simpkin, Burton Agnes ; second of £3, G. Lampleugh, Naf-
ferton.

Mares and foals for hunting. — First prize of £5, Mark
Leaper, Sledmere Field ; second of £3, G. C. Jarratt,
Harpham.

Two-year-old hunting gelding or filly. — Prize of £3, W,
Brigham, Beverley.

Yearling hunting gelding or filly.— Prize of £2, Sir G.
Cholmley, Bart , Boynton.

Mare and foal for coaching. — Prize of £5, John Smith,
Marton Lodge, Bridlington.

Coaching mare without a foal. — Prize of £3, F. Richardson,
Moor Town, Beverley.

Three-year-old coaching gelding. — First prize of £5, J.
Milner, Middledale, Kilham; second of £3, S. Simpson,
Dringhoe.

Two-year-old coaching gelding. — Prize of £3, G, Walmsley,
Bridhngton.

Yearling coaching gelding or filly. — Prize of £2, John
Johnson, Brigham, Driffield.

Coaching fiUy under four years old. — Prize of £4', J. Ste-
phenson, Winstead, Hull.

Roadster mare and foal. — Prize of £5, William Major
Sledmere (PoUy).

Roadster nag or mare. — First prize of £5, F. P. Newton,
Norton, Malton ; second of £2, G. Gale, Atwick, Hull.

Three-year-old roadster nag or mare. — Prize of £3, A.
Cranswick, Thornholme, Lowthorpe.

Ladies' pony under I'i hands. — Prize of £3, L. Logan,
Lockington, Beverley (Dandy).

Pony not exceeding 12 liands. — First prize of £1, J. E.
Moore, Cowden, Hornsea (Joe) ; second, a wliip, J. W. Top-
ham, Bainton.

AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.

Mare and foal.— Prize of £5, J. W. Sharp, Ulrome (Jet).

Three-year-old gelding or fiUy — Krst prize of £5, George
Chatterton, Coniston ; second of £2, John Crompton, Thorn-
holme.

Two-year-old gelding or filly — ^Prize of £3, Executors of
the late F. Jordan.

Yearling gelding or fiHy. — Prize of £3, W. Ullyott, Great
Kelk.

Pair of horses of eitlier sex regularly worked up to the time
of showing. — Prize of £5, John Simpson, Hunmanby.

PIGS.

Boar, large breed. — Prize of £3, John Dyson, Leeds (Royal
Oak).

Sow, large breed- — Prize of £3, John Dyson, Leeds (Morn-
ing Star).

Boar, small breed. — Prize of £3, John Dyson, Leeds.

Sow, small breed. — Prize of £3, Jolm Dyson, Leeds (Dew-
drop).

Store pig, the property of a labourer or working mechanic.
—Prize of £3, Thomas Dawson, Westgate, Driffield.

SPECIAL PRIZES.

A silver cup, value £35, four-year-old hunting mare or
gelding, the animal to possess not less than three crosses of
blood (open to all Yorksliire), to J. B. Booth, Killerby Hall,
Catterick (Brigadier).

A sUver cup, value£35, all-aged hunting mare or gelding
(open to aU England), to E. Hornby, Flotmanby, Ganton,
York (Lady Derwent)

A silver cup, value £10, three-year-old hunting gelding or
fiUy (open to all Yorkshire), to H. Lambert, Wauldby, Welton
(Syringa) .

A silver cup, value £10, yearling bull (open to all England),
to W. Linton, Sheriff Hutton (White Windsor) ; second, £3,
to J. S. Jordan, Elmswell (Jerry).

A sUver cup, value £10, pen of five shearling gimiuers, bred
in the Riding (open to the East Riding), to E. Riley, Kipling
Cotes, Beverley.

DRY SUMMERS.— In 1818 wheat was brought into mar-
ket, in the south of England, on the 12th of July, and there
was no rain until the 6th of September. In 1833, corn was
cut and carried on the 5th of July, and the rainfall com-
menced on the 15th of August. In 1836, the straw of the
oats was so short that it could not be reaped : it had in many
places to ^be pulled up with the roots, yet there was never,
perhaps, seen a heavier sample.

208

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THUNDER ST OEMS

The effects of thunder-storms on arable and grass lands are
very various, heavy showers of rain often doing an immense
harm in cue field, but good in another. A.iid besides their
direct action, they also teach tlie agrieultuiist lessons of an
indirect character, which ought not to be lost sight of at a
time when the public mind is, from the one end of the king-
dom to the other, deeply engrossed with the utilization of
town sewage.

Tlioroughly drained land, either naturally or artificially,
swallows up the heaviest shower of rain as tast as it falls upon
the surface of a newly or recently cultivated field, as a field of
potatoes, mangolds, or turnips. In this way all superfluous
water percolates through the staple into the subsoil below.
We have seen very lieary thunder-showers thus removed from
clayey land, such as that which fell on the 29th IMay, in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis; but in other examples,
where the land was also under-drained equally close, we have
seen sad havoc played, not only to the newly-brairded crops,
but also to the land itself; and the difference in the eifscts
thus produced gives rise to many important questions in the
raising of green crops, of which the following may be taken
as special illustrations.

Thus the question is raised as to whether broadcast or drill-
ing on the flat is less subject to harm from thunder-storms
than growing green crops on the ridge system now generally
practised ? And as thunder-storms are more common in our
southern provinces than in our northern, wliether they had
any effect in determining the growth of green crops on the
flat, generally practised by our ancestors in the former, and on j
the ridge system in the latter ?

Generally speaking, land when raised into ridges for drilled
green crops is more liable to be washed away than the same
quality of land when lying on the flat. This arises from the
ridges collecting the water into currents, so that whenever
such take place much harm is done. But, on the other hand,
when by proper subsoiling the rain-water can l)e filtered off
as fast as it falls into the drains, thereby preventing currents,
less harm is sustained under the ridge system than under the
flat system, clayey land disposed to run together being less
consolidated in examples of the former than of the latter.
Again, on steep inclines the prevention of currents will be
less or more determined by the direction of the ridges.

Another question arises for solution, one too, which de-
mands special attention, viz. : Is the manure in the land less
liable to be washed away under the ridge system than under
the flat system? Now that so many artificial manures are
being used of a soluble nature, this is a very important c|ues-
tion, and the odds, if any, we aver, are here again in favour
of the ridge-system when it is properly carried out. The
greatly increased breadth of land now being cultivated on the
ridge-system may be taken as experimental evidence in sup-
port of this conclusion.

With regard to the harm sustained by young mangolds. Sec,
they are perhaps more at the mercy of the storm than the land
on which they grow or the manures on which they feed.
When they strike their roots deep into the soil, and are other-
wise healthy, they sutter less than when the roots creep along
the surface as it were, a fact which forms a practical argument
in favour of growing green crops upon half farm-yard manure
and half bones, orotlier artificial fertilizer, for under this method
the young mangolds, swedes and turnips not only strike their
roots deeper, but otherwise acquire a greater hold of the land
during that period of their growth when thsy are most at the
mercy of the thunder-storms, and the blistering action of
scorching suns, when their tender leaves are less or more plas-
tered over with soil.

Heavy thunder-showers also, less or more, earth-up young
corn plants, and wash away the soil when the rain-water is
allowed to collect into currents, but owing to the nature of
such crops a less degree of harm is sustained than is the case
with green crops. Peas and beans, however, often suffer
much harm. Hoeing often grants much relief; and if the last

hoeing has been given under ordinary calculation, an extra
turn of the hoes may do more than cover the extra expense
incurred. Wheat and rye crops, and indeed all corii crops
when far advanced in growth, are very apt to be laid and
battened into the ground in such a manner that the portion
thus beat down flat to the surface never rises u)) again, conse-
quently the subsequent vertical growth which takes place forms
what is in some districts technically termed " a knee." The
portion thus lying flat is more liable to disease, and, in point of
fact, is almost invariably less or more diseased, and in wet
weather mucli of it is even rotted. In other examples, the
crop thus laid nearly all rises up so as to preserve health ; but
as tlie stalks are all bent towards the ground they thereby
acquire more strength in one direction than in the opposite
one, consequently they become twisted and laid in all directions
by subsequent storms, from different points of the compass.
In many seasons both these effects are produced in one and
the same field, giving rise to no cud of ditficulties in the har-
vest-time in the removal of such crops from the ground, either
bv the scythe or reaping-machine.

' Hay crops are similarly liable to be beat down flat to the
surface of the ground, and to be rotted or twisted about in
every direction the wind blows. The rank, uneven stubble in
inowmg-time is mostly attributable to the kneeing of the
stalks towards the bottom, owing to the grass having been
laid by heavy rains when in a young succulent state. When
ryegrass is not very thick upon the ground, the heavy thunder
shower raises the earth so as to soil the lower portion of the
stalks in a manner very injurious to the edge of the scythe, if
the soil is not washed off by gentle showers afterwards, or is
otherwise removed by the action of the wind. When im-
perfectly drained, or not drained at all, tenacious clay-lands
seldom absorb a thunderstorm as fast as it falls : hence, less
or more washing takes place. In such cases a twofold effect
is produced ; for the crop is not only laid flat, but washed in
a manner injurious to its present and future health, generally
speakiug. In some exceptional cases of bad health, washing
may do good, as will be noticed under the next paragraph.

On grass lying in permanent pasture, heavy thunder showers
do comparatively little injury, even on sloping clayey ground,
which does not absorb them so fast as they fall. The flowing
water in such cases, especially in unhealthy ground, floats off
not only the small seeds of innumerable weeds, but an amount
of animal life almost iuerediWe to those who have not ex-
amined the water thus carried, under the microscope or mag-
nifier. On comparatively level ground, where the water stag-
nates for a time, but does not flow upon the surface, the small
seeds of weeds, spores of fungi, eggs of insects, and the life-
germs of innumerable " microscopic little bodies " are washed
into the soil, and thus perisli in the form of manure to the
land. A great deal of speculation has been advanced relative
to thunder-showers bringing down from the clouds ammonia
and so forth ; but without deducting one iota of truth from
such conclusions, we do not hesitate to say that a great; deal
too little has been said about the fertilizing properties of
thunder showers as above, either by the washing or rotting
process ; and of the two, the latter is doubtless to be preferred.
Hence the greater benefits experienced by the proper drainage
of pasture-lands, or lands that are uaturally drained, which
permit of all such animal aud vegetable life being washed into
them for manure, during tiie decomposition of which much
ammonia or nitrogenous matter is formed. Heavy thunder
showers also wash into the soil much animal and vegetable
filth of the above nature from other crops besides grass, when
the land is properly drained.

Indirectly, heavy thunder-showers read the farmer a lesson,
which ought not to be thrown away, in the utilization ot town
sewage ; tor what is a thunder shower but liquid-mauuring,
not ouly on the hose-and-jet principle, but also on that of
gravitation, the solid matter being removed in both cases?,
To fallow-lands or stubble-lands this would not be necessary
and so on.

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

g09

REVIEW OF THE PROGRESS OF CHEMICAL AGRICULTURE.

[translated from the TRENCn.]

M. HeUnegel, Director of the agricultural station at
i^atime, in i-russia, recently communicated to the editor of the
Landunrtschafliches Centrall Blatt the results of some very in-
teresting experiments upon vegetation. The author purposed
aetermining by experiments the influence of the bulk of the
'"'■M^ v' 'n """section with roots upon tiie weight of the crops.

M. ZoUer m some researches, of which we shall speak more
particularly at a future time, made known to the public last
year tlie result of some experiments undertaken for the same
purpose. The plant chosen for trial was the haricot, and it
showed that, all other things being equal, a certain quantity
ot earth obviously gives the same weight of crops, whether we
put mto the soil one, two, three, or four plants at a time.

borne jars of equal dimensions, tilled with pure peat, peat
and manure, and garden mould, gave the following crops ex-
pressed in giammes [The numbers 1, 2, 3, and 5 show the
namberol stalks on the haricot in each experiment] —

Soils.

Secoxd Series.— Height of base, 28 to 29 centimetres; dia-
meter above, 14 to 15 centimetres ; diameter below 11 to
12 centimetres ; weight of earth, 6 kilogrammes :—

Total.

No. of stems

per pot.

Grain.

Straw.

1

9.105

8.163

10.130

9.556

4

10.960

9.459

6

11.865

9.917

8

12.769

9.758

13

11.956

9.410

16

11.916

10.402

34

13.409

12.013

17.268
19.686
20,419
31.782
22.527
21.336
22.318
24.423

Pure turf

Turf and manure

Garden earth

I. j 2. : 3. 4.

5.

Av'rge.

Gr. Gr. j Gr. Gr.
24.5 26.4 26.3 29.4
90.4 89.6 92.8 90 1

— |40.1 ,43.4 44.9

Gr.

28.9
93.3

Gr.

27.0
91.6
43.1

M. HeUnegel s experiments were made in the summer of
1864 upon some oats in pots of three different dimensions,
filled with garden mould. The three parallel series comprised
twenty-four experiments each, the pots containing respectively
from 1 to 34 grains each. Tlie following veiy important re-
sults were brought to light by the experiment :—

First Series.— Dimensions of the pot: height, 56 to 58
centimetres ; diameter outside, 15 to 16 centimetres ; diame-
ter luside, 13 to 15 centimetres ; weight of earth contained
m the pot, 12 kilogrammes 500 :—

No, of stems:
per pot.

12
16

24

Grain.

1

1 Straw.

Total.

1-831

! 1.633

3.454

2.036

1 1.911

3.937

3.192

i 1.893

4.084

2.373

1 1.983

4.356

2.554

1 1.951

4.505

3.391

1.S82

4.273

3.383

2.080

4.463

3.482

3.402

4.884

Thikd Series.— Dimensions of pot: height, 13 to 14 centi-
metres ; diameter above, 13 to 14 centimetres ; diameter be-
low, 11 to 13 centimetres; weight of earth, 1 kilogramme

No. of stems
per pot

4

6

8

13

16

24

Crops per pot.
Dry substances in grammes.

Grain.

14.820
15.119
18.786
18.533
20.255
20.807
20.490
21.073

Straw.

18.338
16.193
30.713
20.401
31.590
30.748
20.685
20.583

Total.

33.158
31.313
39.499
38.934
41.815
41.555
41.181
41.654

No. of stems;
per pot. j

Grain.

Straw.

Total.

1
o

4
6

8

4.054
4.645
4.351
4.498
5.316

3.647
4.693
5.051
4.050
4.709

7.701
9.337
9.402
8.548
10.025

No. of stems
per pot

Grain.

No. of stems
per pot. I

Crop per weight, as per kilogramme of
earth.

Grain.

1

2

4

6

8

12

16

24

1.186
1.210
1.503
1.483
1.618
1.664
1.640
1.086

Straw.

1.467
1.296
1.657
1.633
1.737
1.000
1.065
1.G4G

Total.

2.432
2.786
2.610
2.698
3.189

Straw.

Total

3.187
2.815
3.030
2.430
2.825

4.619
5.601
5.640
5.128
6.014

3.653
2.506
3.160
3.115
3,345
3.324
3.295
3.333

It will be seen that in these experiments the weight of the
crops remained the same, as there was the same quantity of
ear h for 8 or 34 stalks of oats. The preceding numbers show
that the constancy of the return takes place, not only for the
total crop, but also for the straw and grain taken separately.
Ihe saine law is observed in trials made with pots of raudi
»mdler dimcnjiong. ^

These numbers clearlyshowthatthe quantity of earth in which
the roots can develop and extend themselves determine the yield
of the soil It will be seen that when we grow lu a given
quantity of earth a number of stalks of a vegetable corres-
ponding to the maximum of the crop, we cannot increase the
yield ol the soil by adding to the number of the plants • the
greater the extent of earth, the smaller is tlie return per
kilogramme. M. HeUnegel thinks the results of these three
series of expenments will be better explained in the Ibllowinjj
words : The produce of a given weight of eartli will be in
inverse proportion to the cubic roots of the size of tlie earth
_ Ihe volumes of the three series of pots used by M Ilel'l
riegel are between them as 7.5, 3, 1; the cubic roots of
these three numbers are respectively 1.93 1 36 1 If we

::e!Ct^'bi^^s^s:Sf i^T^^^fi:

Subsequent expcrimeuts showed the author, and those who
repealed his method, that his report exactly represented the
phenomena. But I must hastenSo say tL^C L only
secondary ; and \vhatsver may be the modillcatiou it is necesl

210

sary to bring to the hypothesis of M. Hellriegel, the very
curious facts his researches have put in evidence vrill not he
the less acquisition to science. Let me add that I was enabled,
during a visit recently made at the station of Datuue, to
estimate the rigour, precision, and great cleverness displayed
by M. Hellriegel in his works. He has, with good reason,
been mentioned as one of the most distinguished chemists in
Germany.

Permit me to say a few words more upon a communication
recently made by the same experimenter, with regard to the
influence of azotized mineral manures upon cereals. Last No-
vember, M. Hellriegel stated, at a meeting of agricultarists
held at Frankfort-ou-Oder, the results of some experiments,
the perfect correctness of which I can guarantee, from per-
sonal inspection. These trials of the culture of cereals m
calcined sand, chemically pure, and added to different doses
of mineral manure, showed most clearly the influence of
azotized mineral matter upon vegetation, and confirmed the ge-
nerally admitted idea of the non-assimilation of azote by plants
from the air.

Some experiments, made prior to those of which I have
spoken, taught M. Hellriegel that 70 parts in weight of
assimilable azote contained in a million parts of earth, is suffi-
cient to obtain a maximum yield of wheat; and it would
require only 63 parts of azote in the same weight of earth to
obtain a maximum crop of rye. If the wetght of azote
diminish, the yield will decrease according to a geometrical
progression.

In the following table the maximum crops are represented
by 100 for wheat, and 90 for rye. The yields obtained in the
trials are indicated by figures representing grammes, on the
opposite side of which are inscribed the theoretical yields
calculated upon the basis previously mentioned :—

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

1,000,000 grammes of
earth containing assimi-
lable azote.
Grs.

70

56

42

28

21

14
7

63

56
42
28
21
14
7

1st, Wheat.

Returns.

Obtained. Calculated.

Grs. Grs.

100 100

77 80

64 60

41 40

30 30

19 20

7 10

90

74
54
43
28
20
9

2nd, Rti.

90
80
60
40
30
20
10

The returns obtained are shown in abstract by decimals, to
render the comparison more easy. The agreement between
the real and calculated yields is so great that we may deduce
the following law • In certain conditions of culture, the returns
in rye and wheat are in direct proportion to the quantity of
assimilable azote contained in the soil. M. Hellriegel adds
that the results of experiments made with barley and oats
were precisely the same ; so that the same law will be appli-
cable to all cereals, without distinction. We resume these
important researches, in the practical knowledge we are con-
stantly gaining on the trial fields.

The prejjaration of fodder is an important thing. The
nutritive properties of hay vary in proportion to the manner
in which it is prepared. Professor Voelcker recently published
a paper upon the rational preparation of fodder, accompanying
his observations by analyses whicli appear to us of real interest
to practical farmers. It is evident that if we could prepare
hay without modiiyingthe composition of the plants harvested,
we should obtain a dry fodder equal in value to the green
grass from which it is made. Under the influence of the rays
of the sun, clover and grass lose nothing but water, and their
constituent elements sustain no injury if the plants are not too
tender and if they are not dried too rapidly : the green colour,
sapidity, and aromatic odour of hay well preserved sufficiently

attest this truth. The preparation of hay does not necessarily
take away the nutritive properties from it ; but many prac-
tical men maintain that there is less nourishment in hay than
clover and other herbaceous vegetables in a green state ; how-
ever, if that be true in nine cases out of ten, it is not absolutely
necessary.

If artificial desiccation could l)e practically applied, or if we
could even thoroughly superintend the desiccation in the open
air, hay would lose none of its nutritive quahties ; the green
colour would be preserved, the watery particles alone evaporate,
whQe the solid elements would remain in the hay just in the
state they are found in fresh fodder.

According to an eminent English agriculturist, the altera-
tion of grass during its transformation into hay may be traced
in most cases to the following causes :

1st. Rainy weather prevailing for a long time after the
fodder is cut ; damp and half-dry grass often remains too long
in heaps before it can be moved and spread.

2nd. Heating, from being put in heaps upon the soil.
3rd. Being cut at the wrong time— either too soon or too
late.

When grass and clover are fit to cut, they contain a consi-
derable proportion of sugar, gum, pectine, albumen, and other
soluble substances, all of wMch may be washed away by heavy
rains. Whilst grass is in a fresh state rain does not injure it,
because the epidermis is clothed with a matter similar to wax
or grease, which forms a sort of mantle against the rain. In
consequence of the existence of this protective envelope, in
may rain for a long while upon grass recently mown without
much injury resulting from it ; but it is altogether different
when the plants have been turned several times and bruised by
the rake. In that case the rain falls upon hay half-made, and
it not only carries away the sugar, gum, and other soluble
principles ; but penetrating to the interior of the vegetable
through the breaks in the cells, it causes a fermentation to
take place, wliich if not promptly arrested may end in a con-
siderable loss of nutritive matter. The sugar and soluble
albumen— two most valuable elements— are destroyed by fer-
mentation. It is therefore necessary in rainy weatlier to turn
grass rrcently cut as much as possible, and in every case all
necessary precautions should be taken during that operation to
avoid tearing the fibres of the plant. Simple as the preparation
of hay appears to be, it requires considerable experience to
know exactly the conditions under which grass should be
mown, turned, and put into cocks. It often happens that a
farmer turns lus hay upon a dull day, when the air being satu-
rated with damp no evaporation can take place. At such a
time it is not only useless but even injurious to turn hay half-
dry, because by bruising it he puts it completely under the
pernicious influence of the rain. It is a well known fact that
liay badly dried in the meadows loses both in weight and
quality when stored ; but the nature of the injuries produced
after it is put in cocks, or housed, through heating and fer-
mentation, is not so well understood. It is principally upon
these two points that Mr. Volcker has directed his observations.
According to Way, the average composition of clover is as

follows ; -r> • J *

Dried to
100 degs.

Water

Fatty matters

Albumen and analogous principles''
Gum, sugar, carburetted hydrogen (readily

transformable into sugar)
Cellulose ...
Mineral matters

Fresh.

16.60

3.18

15.81

34.42

22.47
7.53

100.00

2.53

3.81
18.96

41.27

26.95

9.01

100.00

3.03

*Containing of azote ... ...

These results represent the average of 75 analyses of clover
and some other plants which are generally mixed with it : the
plants accidentally mixed with clover presenting a variable
composition, the figures we give must be regarded as merely
a general indication. We must also bear in mind that the
composition of fodder varies with the nature ol the soil, the
time of the harvest, &c. It is however certain that clover con-
tains a little more water than grass, all things being equal ;

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

211

Fresh.

Dried to
100 degs.

]4.61

—

3.56

2.99

8.44

9.88

41.07

48.09

27.16

31.80

6.16

7.24

100.00

100.00

1.35

1.58

and it is also a little more rich in sugar and carburet of hydro-
gen ; but it differs mostly from grass by its strong hold of the
azotized principles which tend to thej formation of flesh in
animals.

The average of 25 analyses of fodder, obtained from natural
meadows, gave M. Voelcker the following results :

Water

Fatty matters

Azoteous matters*

Non-azoteous matters, sugar, gum, &c.

Cellulose ... ... ... .,,

Mineral substances

^Containing azote

Fodder made from clover or grass contains a certain quan-
tity of sugar, quite formed, or of another soluble carburet of
hydrogen, which, under the influence of ferments, is easily
transformed — first into sugar, then into alcohol, and carbonic
acid. The albiuninous and other azoteous principles found in
fodder, partly iu a soluble and partly in an insoluble state, are
equally important. It is by means of these substances coming
in contact with the air that tiie ferments are developed which
cause the decomposition of hay ; and that explains why fodder
which has been submitted to active fermentation generally
loses its nutritive properties, because the materials destined for
the production of flesh in animals is transformed into sugar,
which destroys itself soon after. Sugar, we know, can only
ferment in a sufliciently concentrated solution. The large
quantity of water existing in fresh-cut clover or grass prevents
fennentatiou, while, on the other hand, the azoteous substances
do not permit the ferments to develop themselves tiU life has
ceased in the vegetable — that is to say, when the cells and
vessels, bruised by the desiccation, enable the liquids they con-
tain to become mixed. In proportion as the plant dries and
loses its vitality, the conditions favourable to fermentation in-
crease. During the process of desiccation, hay contains at a
certain time water and sugar in exactly the proportion required
for fermentation.

The consequence of these facts is as foUows : If through
unfavourable meteorological circumstances the housing of fodder
is interrupted, or the atmosphere remains damp for some weeks,
the half-dry hay begins to decompose on the spot, deteriorates
in quahty, and becomes predisposed to heat in the stack. On
the contrary, if the weather is fine and warm, so that desicca-
tion takes place rapidly, the rate per cent, of damp soon falls
so low that fermentation cannot take place. The hay remains
upon the ground and cannot easily become heated, even though
in reality it contains more water than fodder harvested in bad
condition. The more rapidly hay is turned to the sun the less
it will be bruised, and the greener it is the better it wiU resist
fermentation when it is stored ; nevertheless, it often happens
that a too rapid preparation injures fodder, and in a good year
hay appears to be saved iu fine condition when in reality it is
not. If hay be carefully and completely dried by the sun it
never heats ; a slight fermentation, far from being deleterious,
is often very useful — in fact, we know that in such a case cer-
tain aromatic principles are produced which render fodder
more sapid, and perhaps even sometimes more nourishing. As
long as the green colour remains, the hay has lost none of its
quahty ; when it is much heated it turns brow^n. Some culti-
vators prefer brown to green hay, and it is certain that the
former frequently has more flavour and smell than the latter ;
but, though cattle prefer brown hay, it is not at all desirable
to leave sufficient moisture in the fodder at the time it is
housed to turn it brown, because the loss resulting from fer-
mentation is not counterbalanced by the slight aromatic smell
it acquires.

M. Voelcker says : " Some years ago I had occasion to
examine some brown hay which possessed an aromatic smell
like fruit ; it had a palpably acid savour, contained no traces
of sugar, but a great deal of pectine, some brown matter
analogous to humus, and a small quantity of soluble albumen.
The acidity, I proved by analysis, was due to the presence of
acetic acid. The hay was broken, of a dark brown colour, and
» chemical examiaation gave the following results ;

Water

Fatty matters

Soluble albumen, corresponding to 0.31 of azote
Pectine, gum, extractive matter, traces of sugar
Acetic acid ... ... ... ... ...

Assimilable fibrine

Insolublej^albumen, corresponding to 1.40 of azote

Cellulose ...

Soluble mineral matters

Insoluble mineral matters

... 18.33

... 1.70

... 1.94

... 9.24

... 1.93

... 23.01

... 8.75

... 28.53

... 3.98

... 2.59

100.00

Now we know that the use of such hay as food for cattle
must be injurious. Another time M. Voelcker had occasion to
examine some clover which had heated from the centre of a
cock that they were obliged to puU to pieces. It had been
harvested in bad weather, and made into cocks when it con-
tained too much moisture. When the cock was pulled down,
a vapour escaped of a peculiar smell, which stung his eyes.
The vapour exactly resembled that produced in the manufac-
ture of vinegar, denoting the presence of aldehyde. The hay
presented the following composition :

Water ... ... ... ... ... 38.02

Fatty matter ... ... ... ... ... 0.90

Soluble albumen, corresponding to 0.30 of azote ... 1.88

Gum, pectine, extractive matter, and traces of sugar ... 6.63

Assimilable fibrine ... ... ... ... 15.55

Insoluble albumen, corresponding to 0.30 of azote ... 8.13

Cellulose ... ... ... ... ... 22.33

Soluble mineral matters... ... ,,, ... 3.96

Insoluble mineral matters ... ... ... 2.61

100.00

To complete these interesting observations of M. Voelcker,
we quote the following results obtained by Dr. Beyer. That
chemist analyzed two specimens of clover saved from the same
crop, oue of which had been properly desiccated, whilst the
other had been exposed to the rain for three weeks. A hun-
dred parts of each of these clovers, dried to 100?, contained :

Clover,
not wet, wet.

Fat matters 3.225 1.010

Cellulose 36.200 39.866

Proteinic matters 11.872 8.662

Mineral matters 6.115 4.719

Matters deprived of azote ... 42.588 45.743

100.000 100.000

That analysis showed that rain acts in an imjurious manner,
particularly upon the substances most important as regards
alimentation, since the action of the water destroys the fatty
and other protective matters, such as albumen, &c., which cover
the stalk.

M. Beyer analysed also the ashes of these two specimens
of hay. There was no sensible difference in their composition,
but the rain had carried away a certain quantity of mineral
substances. The potash, lime, and phosphoric acid were dim-
inished one-fourth in quantity, and the magnesia nearly a
third. The insoluble matters, which are certainly of very
little value as food, were sensibly increased.

The preceding accounts show how much care is necessary
in the cutting and saving of fodder. If the cultivator cannot
completely guard against the inconveniences resulting from
bad weather, he may at least draw from the facts we have re-
ported some useful hints upon the accidents to be avoided, and
the best methods of preparing fodder.

Amongst the problems, the solution of which presents the
greatest interest to physiology as well as agriculture, the study
of the chemical phenomena of nutrition occupies an important
position. What influence has alimentation upon the raising
and fatting of cattle ? What transformations do the different
aliments undergo in the bodies of the animals to which they
are given? These are undoubtedly two of the grandest
problems biological chemistry can resolve. The physiological
laboratories at the agricultural stations in Germany have for
the last ten years been the theatre of some most interesting
researches upon this important subject. Voit, Pettenkofer,
Beuuaberg, Stohmann, Kiihn, and many other celebrated ex-

212

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

perimeuters liave already solved some important points of that
complex mystery, nutrition, and tlie formation of fat, fihrin,
&c., in animals.

The aliments introduced into the body of a living being are
submitted to various modiflcatious there, the effect of which
is to render part of their principles assimilable, whilst the
other matters, which are non-assimilable, are cast away under
the form of faces aud urine. The respiratory organs play an
important part in these transformations ; and the analysis of
gas thrown off by the lungs has for a long time been regarded
by physiologists as one of the most important principles to
register correctly.

In spite of the works upon that branch of science, which
we owe to MM. Regnault and Beiset, Beschoff, and Voit,
Planet, Valentin, and others, up to the last few years, there
still reigned much uncertainty upon the fundamental points of
the question. The reason of this is that, before the construc-
tion of the large respiratory apparatus by M. Pettenkofer, to
which we shall refer presentl}', the methods employed by these
savans I have named, were very imperfect. In fact, there
were two grand faults in all the processes in use up to the
last few years, for studying the respiration of man aud
animals.

In the first place, the experiments were made under ano-
malous conditions — that is to say, not in places where the
animals chosen for the study of the phenomenon of respiration
were accustomed to live, lor instance, they were generally
shut up in confined spaces, where the air could only be com-
pletely renewed in summer.

In the second place, another unfavourable circumstance
was that none of the methods employed could be controlled.
The state of our knowledge upon that point, then, required
for the complete solution of the problem, an apparatus into
which the man or animal submitted to experiment could re-
main twenty-four hours or more, without inconvenience — a
chamber ^here they might walk about, eat, and sleep with
ease — in fact, live without constraint, and in their usual con-
dition.

It is also necessary that the air should be suitably renewed,
and that that air be analyzed at its entrance and exit, and
should be measured exactly. By that means tlie dose of car-
bonic acid, vapour of water, and other gaseous products ex-
haled from the lungs and skin could be obtained by takiug
the difference in the quantity of these elements existing in
the air before and after its passage into the apparatus. An
analysis made under such conditions would be very advan-
tageous, as it would remove the causes of error in the dosage
of carbonic acid and water, since those causes, of little couse-
quence otherwise, influence the analysis of gases equally at
their entrance and exit.

M. Pettenkofer's apparatus possesses all these advantages.
With the help of it, immense works have been accomplished
by M. Voit aud other experimenters. We should like to make
known to our readers the important results of these works ;
and in order to do so thoroughly, it is necessary to commence
with a description of M. Pettenkofer's apparatus.

When on a journey through Germany, Professor Henne-
berg, manager of tlie station at Weende, kindly allowed me to
witness an experiment made upon two slieep. I was thus en-
abled to judge the correctness of the method, and hope to be
able to give a clear idea of the apparatus and manner of dosing
the carbonic acid, water, hydrogen, and marsh gas, though
here I am at fault, I'or want of a representation.

It is an important question, and one many times discussed,
without however arriving at any positive solution — to know
in what proportions, and how often, the air in which a man or
animal is kept, should be renewed, in order to enable him to
live conveniently and without disordering his functions. Pirst
let us state that the quantity of air necessary to a man varies
generally with the physical disposition and temperament of the
individual. Conclusions have been drawn relative to the re-
newing of air, from the quantities of oxygen, carbonic acid, aud
aqueous valour contained in the air confined, which our daily
experience and individual impressions frequently deny. All we
know upon that point is, that in order to breathe easily in a
confined space, it is necessary that the air of that space con-
tain a much cjreaier qiumtity of oxygen than is consumed in
the act of breathing, aud much less carbonic acid and vapour
than is exhaled from the lungs and skin. What renders the
ftir of a room crowded with people heavy and disagreeable, ads

upon the nervous system, and produces that uneasiness tii3
effects of which vary from the simple headache to syncope, is
not the heat alone, but the hygrometric state, the carbonic
acid or want of oxygen in the air ; in fact such an atmosphere
seems to us enervating aud poisonous, before being saturated
with steam of water, having lost a quantity of its oxygen, and
containing more than 1 i)er cent, of carbonic acid : the air is
much the more disagreeable to us that it has been respired a
greater number of times, because it is then charged with
organic emanations thrown off by the skin and respiratory
organs. It is thought that many of tlie vapours produced by
the organism possess a very weak tension, so much so that the
air is quickly saturated by it, and thus rendered unfit for re-
spiration.

It is therefore evident that that the experiments made upon
animals in an atmosphere not entirely renewed, but only modified
by the addition of oxygen at difl'erent times, and the absorp-
tion— by any means whatever — of the carbonic acid exhaled
by the animals, does not present the necessary guarantee for
correctness. On the other hand it is not necessary that the
air be renewed indefiuitely : it should be only in certain limits,
as M. Pettenkofer has empirically endeavoured to establish.
He determined what quantity the carbonic acid produced by
respiration and cutaneous perspiration must exceed, in au
apartment sensiljly well aired, the weight of the same gas ex-
isting in the free air, before tlie organic emanations which
accompany the rejection of carbonic acid from the skin and
lungs act upon the sense of smell in an unpleasant manner.
It was found that the proportion of carbonic acid, which in
free air is, as we may say, 6 volumes in 10,060 nearly, may
rise under the influence of the respiration of a man in con-
fined air to 1 volume in 1,000 before that air acquires a dis-
agreeable smell. As I said before, it is not the excess of car-
bonic acid to which we must attribute the deterioration of the
air : we can only use that term comparatively to determine how
many times the air contained in a room has been introduced
into the lungs and rejected by them. In fact we may live
very easily in an atmosphere containing 1 per cent, of carbonic
acid, upon condition that the gas be obtained by chemical
means. On the contrary, stopping in a place, the air of
which contains 1 per cent, of carbonic acid, proceeding from
respiration aud perspiration, would be almost unbearable.
The most infected air of prisons and barracks, &c., rarely con-
tains more of it. Under almost any circumstauces, the volume
of air per hour necessary to a man rises to CO cubic metres.
M. Pettenkofer arranged Ins apparatus in such a way that he
could introduce into his experimental room quantities of air
that might be made to vary from 15 to 75 cubic metres per
hour ; the latter volume is sufficient for the largest animal
that could be subjected to experiment.

I now come to the arrangement of the apparatus that I
saw worked at Weende. The room destined to receive the
man or animal is very nearly cubic ; its volume is 12.7 m.;
the surface of the floor is 5.453 m. The air is renewed by
means of a ventilator, placed in such a manner that the cur-
rent of air resulting from that renewal can never be incon-
venient to the individual placed in the room. In fact it is only
when the rapidity with which the air rushes into a place
reaches 1 metre per second, that we find any unpleasantness
from the current. Now, when M. Pettenkofer makes it 15
cubic metres per hour, the speed of the air entering is only 8
millimetres per second, and it only attains the figure of
0.0~08 m. per second when the ventilator sends into tlie room
75 cubic metres per hour. We can easily estimate the changes
of the volume occurring in the room from the presence of the
man ; in fact the variations due to pressure, temperature, and
the hj'grometric state, maybe measured by the help of a baro-
meter, thermometer, and psychrometer ; besides which, the
water may be collected and weighed.

It is not so easy to estimate directly the quantity of oxygen
derived from the current of air by the act of respiration ; but the
observations of M:M. Reynault and Reiset, Vierordt, Hutchin-
son, and others enable us to form some ideas on that subject,
which at least border on the truth. The greatest part of the
oxygen carried into the air by respiration in twenty-four hours,
is thrown off under the form of carbonic acid ; and, as a volume
of this latter gas is perusely equal to the volume that the
oxygen it contains would ooeupy in the free state, it follows
that there is no change in the volume of air which in the
oxygen of that fluid serves only to the production of carbonic

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

213

acid. We know further that the vohimo of air expelled is
rather smaller than that inhaled, hccause a part of the oxygen
goes to the formation of steam and other oxygenized com-
binations.

If we admit that the mean volume of air introduced into
thelungs by inspiration is equal, with a man, to 5 litres per
minute, or 300 litres per hour, we find, by depending upon the
numerous determinations of MM. Brunner aud Valentin, tliat
the average proportion of carbonic acid in tlie air expelled is
m. q-230 per minute, or 13-8 per hour. By supposing that car-
bonic acid only represents two-thirds of the oxygen that has
vanished, and that the third remaining served entirely for the
production of water and compound oxygen, we have a dimi-
nution per hour in the volume of air inhaled in regard to that
of the air expelled, which does not exceed 6.9 litres. If the
volume of air in which a man has breathed for an hour is only
equal to 10 cubic metres, the mistake committed by not taking
count of that diminution will not be l-19th per cent. It is
therefore entirely negligence.

,.™^- I'ettenkofer, after having thoroughly studied those
different questions, a previous knowledge of whicli was abso-
lutely necessary, agreed upon the following dispositions for his
apparatus: The air is measured at nearly 1-lOOOtli of its
volume, when it comes out, by a gasometer very carefully con-
structed. The ventilator constructed so as to introduce fresli
air into the room at call, is worked by a small steam-engine.
Some currents of air distributed laterally on the walls of the
room enable tlie chemist to collect and analyze any quantity
ot gas tliat he wishes, at any stage of the experiment. The
carbonic acid is dosed by a new process, whicli rests upon the
rise ot a liquor, ciUed " baryta." That method of dosage,
according to M. Pettenkofer, gives results that could not be
obtained with the best scales, and enables tlie experimenter to
discover the presence of l-900tii carbonic acid in a liquid.

The proportion of aqueous vapour is estimated by the help of
sulphuric acid placed in tubes of a peculiar form, which I can-
not here describe. The proportion of hydrogen and marsh gas
contained in the air expelled is found by determiniua: the
excess over the normal quantity of carbonic acid and water
turnished by the gas previously tiirown off from the body and
conducted through a system of tubes lined with platiiia and
heated red hot.

The great advantage that M. Pettenkofer's inetliod possesses
over others is, tliat it enables one to examine by direct experi-
ments the results that it furnishes : the author has tested this
many times.

By burning a certain weight of a fat body for a given time in
the experiment-room— steariue for example— the composition
of which is well known- the quantities of aqueous vapour and
carbonic acid resulting from that combustion mav be dosed, and
compared with the weight of the same bodies obtained in the
analysis of that substance by methods as exact as organic
chemistry now possesses.

The figures I shall presently give leave no doubt as to the
correctness with which M. Pettenkofer's apparatus works.

In five experiments where different quantities of pure
stearme were burnt, in the room of the apparatus, the quan-
tity of carbonic acid produced was dosed. Column 1 repre-
sents the quantities found experimentally, and column 2 the
real weight of the same as given by direct analysis of the
same quantity of stearme : —

1. 2.
Carbonic acid Carbonic acid

Experiments. found. realised

1 2S9.0 296.7

3 229.0 229.1

3 590.0 590.0

4 286.0 288.7

5 606.0 666.0

2000.0

2070.5

The results obtained are between them in the projiortion of
100 to 99.7. Such precision naturally inspires us with 'neat
eontidence in M. Pettenkofer's method ; it proves that his ap-
paratus IS as perfect as possible, and if we remember that to
such exactness in the dosage of gases from respiration the
mode ot experimenting adopted by the author, joins the possi-
bihty of putting a living being under experiment in conditions
altogether analogous to those he encounters in ordinary life,

we may easily judge how valuable this new method will be to
physiology.

I may add that the very extensive dispositions of the appara-
tus enable the experimenter to collect the urine and excre-
ments of the animals under experiment, without any loss. We
see that, thanks to M. Pettenkofer, we can now trace from
point to point the phenomena of nutrition in animals while
they are living in their normal condition. On the one hand,
we can analyze all the products of respiration and cutaneous
perspiration ; on the other, we can collect all the matters not
assimilated, and rejected in the form of fceces and urine. The
animal, weighed before its entrance into the apparatus and
when it is taken out, receives a certain quantity of fodder,
or any other kind of food ; the manger is constructed so that
none of the food can be lost, therefore all the conditions of the
experiment are liiultless.

At a future time I shall be able to show by accounts ren-
dered what great progress has been made in the study of the
raising and nutrition of cattle by the method I describe. At
present I must limit myself to pointing out, in conclusion, the
very curious and unexpected results shown by iOJ:. Petten-
kofer and Voit in their experiments upon the respiration of a
man. These gentlemen discovered, in the gases proceeding
from the respiration and cutaneous perspiration of animals,
notable quantities of free hydrogen and proto-carbonated liv-
drogen (marsh gas) (1).

(1) It may be useful to remark that in order to gain the
full value of that experiment, it should be proved that the
carburetted-hydrogen dosed by these gentlemen did not proceed
Irora intestinal gases.
The results of live experiments are as follows : —

Hydrogen. Marsh gas.

Experiments. Grammes. Grammes.

1 7.3 4.4

3 5.2 6.3

3 7.3 4.7

4 6.4 3.7

5 4.3 4.5

These quantities relate to the products of respiration of the
animals which have been kept a month or twenty-four hours in
the experiment-room. MM. Pettenkofer and Voit have assured
themselves, by certain tests, that these gases are due to the
animals placed in the apparatus, and not pre-existing in the
air introduced into the room by the ventilator. In order to
confirm their opinion, they dosed the carbonic-acid and water
contained in an enormous volume of air not calcined, then in
the same quantity of air previously calcined, when the follow-
ing results were obtained. In the first trial, during which
233,330 litres of air traversed the apparatus, they found in
1000 litres of air, i r . j ^

Carbonic-acid, Water.
Grammes. Grammes.

Calcined air 0.6783 10.9391

Nou-ealcined air ... 0.6776 10.9096

In the second experiment, which, like the first, lasted
twenty-four hours, and carried over 338,510 litres of air 1000
litres of air gave, '

Carbonic-acid. Water.
Grammes. Grammes.

Calcined air 0.0440 10.0609

A'on-calciiied air ... 0.6444 10.6207

This proved that the air introduced into the apparatus did
not contain any appreciable quantity of compound carburet
except carbonic-acid. In fact, in the first case after twenty-
four hours test they discovered the presence of 0.75 grammes
of hydrogen in 232,336 litres of air, or nearly 0.003 grammes
per cubic metre.

In the second ease 238.510 lit res of air gave 1.03 grammes of
hydrogen, or nearly 0,004 grains per cubic metre.

These figures, apart from the very curious result itself show
us how very exact M. Pettenkofer's method is, aud how per-
fect the apparatus employed must be. In order that our
readers may liave an opportunity of learning the methods em-
ployed at Munich aud Weeude, I purpose at some future time
touching upon the experimental results obtained by MM. Voit
Henuebcrg, Stohmanu, and their disciples, in studying the
nutrition of animals; L. Grandeau,

Boetor «f Science and MD,

214

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE ROOK,

The rook, a bird as much abused as if the whole
business of his life was to rob and plunder ; when the fact
is, with the exception of seed-time and a very few weeks
before harvest— that is, when the cora is ripening— he
lives almost entirely upon worms, grubs, and caterpillars.
Anyone who doubts the utility of the rook should con-
sult Richardson on The Pests of the Farm, and he will
soon come to a couclusiou in their favour. This bird has
peculiar instinct in discovering those pasture lands that are
infested, and he will select the tufts of grass under which
those concealed enemies lie. We have frequently seen, in a
dry season, a piece of pasture which looked as if a heavy
pair of harrows had been passed backwards and forwards
over it, so numerous were the tufts of dried grass that lay
upon the surface. But for the rooks there would have been
no grass left ! It was by the withered appearance of the
tufts that the birds were enabled to judge of the pasture
being attacked by the grub ; and only those tufts jvere
pulled up. On the estate of Mr. W. Oliver, the rooks
were destroyed on this very account ; but, on kiUiug an
old rook and examining his maw, there were found
19 large grubs and 17wireworms: and this has been
repeatedly the case where rooks have been shot during
the season when the grain is not ripe. Why, for instance,
does the crow follow the ploughman so industriously at
his very heels, except to pick up the food in the shape of
grubs, wireworms, slugs, with which alone they feed
their young ? The experiment has been tried to de-
stroy or banish these birds, but it has always been a
cause of bitter regret, for the immense increase of the
insect tribes that followed their absence iuilicted infinitely
more injury than the rooks themselves would have done.
Such is the case at this very moment in France, where,
owing to the war waged against the birds, the communes
are paying for the destruction of the cockchafers which
in myriads are now ravaging the fields and woods.

It is true that the rook is a very cunning bird, and
when attacking a corn-field, sentinels are always posted
on the outskirts, to give notice of the approach of a gun,
for he cares for nothing else. A boy, being provided
with a pistol and powder only, was scolded for still al-
lowing the rooks to commit their depredations. " Ye
maun gie me lead," he replied ; " for a wheen o' thae auld
craws would sit on the vera point o' a pistol, gin I would
let them." They must therefore be kept in check, as we
have said, during seed-time and when the crops are
ripening o»7y, for at all other seasons of the year their
food is insects, and tlie amount devoured in the neigh-
bourhood of a numerous rookery is prodigious, while the
good effected far more than makes amends for any other
mischief.

What we have said of the rook may be repeated in the
case of small birds — the larks, sparrows, and chaffinches ;
but for these the smaller insects — caterpillars, wire-
worms, and aphides — would devour all vegetation. Like
the rooks, their young ones are entirely fed with insects,
and until the grain is ripe their own chief food is the
same. Still the sparrows and larks, however, must be
kept in check, as well both to prevent an imdue increase
in their numbers and to guard the crops from their
depredations ; but to destroy them, as was the prac-
tice in France and Germany a few years since,
would be to leave the corn to enemies whose
increase would bid defiance to all other methods for their
destruction. Sparrow clubs are a grand mistake, and, in
this country, can never become an institution, because
science has come upon the farm, and taught the farmers
that the very nature of those birds is conservative of their
crops. The times when both these and the rooks are

most troublesome are precisely those at which, owing to
the plough not being at work and the insect tribes having
executed their commission, their natural and favourite
food is less plentiful than at other seasons of the year.
The larks require looking after at wheat seed-time, being
very destructive just as the young plants are pushing
their stems above ground. But at other seasons of the
year they devour immense numbers of the seeds of weeds,
and insects. Being gregarious they leave the lands near the
coasts in the early winter and congregate in the interior,
where they infest the newly-sown fields, and commit sad
havoc upon the springing wheats. They must, therefore,
be looked after at that time of the year ; while at others,
when they are scattered about the country in pairs, they
are far more beneficial than injurious.

But it is not the corn crops alone that are saved by
the feathered tribe from the depredations of insects.
The orchards and gardens are by them protected from
the same enemies, which never fail to appear as soon as
the summer has tempered the atmosphere. We have fre-
quently known the small birds banished fi'om the gardens
under the charge of being there to devom- the frnit, when
the real object was the caterpillars and other insects
which had made a raid upon the fruit-bushes and trees.
The mischief done by the latter is incalculable, because
the destruction of the foliage of a fruit-tree or bush in-
volves that of the fruit. Nor are the woods themselves
exempt fi-om similar attacks ; and if the woodpecker and
the tree-creeper, with their strong beaks, drill holes in
the bark of the trees, it is to extract the grub that lies
concealed under it, and which would eat into the stem,
and thus promote premature decay.

THE ENGLISH SPARROW.

In the spring of 1866, four pairs of the English sparrow came
to Union Square Park, and there built. Three pairs occupied
tlie trees ; one ejected a wTen from her little house, the only
bird-house then in the Square, and took possession ; a fifth
built in the ivy of Dr. Cheever's church, facing the Square.
The industry of these little fellows in devouring the measuring
^orni — (so great a nuisance that most persons avoided passing
through the Park, preferring to go around during their occu-
pancy, and so numerous were they that they did not leave a
leaf on any tree except the ailanthus) — was such tliat boxes
were provided on almost all the trees for them. They are very
prolific, those hatched in the spring rearing a brood in the
autumn and the old pair rearing four or five broods. In one
year they increased from five pairs to a flock of seventy. The
Park-keeper now estimates them at 600, making over seven-
fold increase yearly. Last summer a reward of one dollar a
head was offered for worms, but the birds had eaten the last
one — they also eat moths, grasshoppers, and many other in-
sects, and they are very fond of bees, which I consider a sinful
appetite. Thus far these birds have benefited the city, and
have extended to about 40 miles in every direction. The esti-
mate that they destroy in Europe one-half milUon bushels of i
grain is probably correct ; but how much, more or less, would ^
the insects they devour destroy ? The question is simply,
which is the greater evil, worm or bird, and which most readily
controlled ? I have somewhere read that in one of the pro-
vinces of France a reward was offered for the heads of spar-
rows, owing to their depredations in the grain fields ; in a few
years the grain was more injured by the insects which these
birds eat, than the birds ever consumed : it amounted to an
almost total loss of the crop. The reward ceased, and in a
few years they had an increase of birds, and a decrease of in-
jurious insects. We can control the number of birds by pro-
tection, poison, or gun, and they can catch worms much faster
than we can, — Correspondent of Comtry Gentleman..

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

215

A WORD FOR THE CROWS.

That the rook may be fairly classed as one of the " pests of
the farm" has long been a settled article of belief among
farmers generally. At certain seasons the most careful watch
is maintained against the supposed depredations of this much-
abused bird ; powder and shot are liberally employed in order
to thin their numbers or frighten them from the locality, and
the old clothes bag is rummaged to provide material for the
purpose of dressing up " something like a man," which when
placed in the field is expected to strike terror into the thievial
breasts of the black-plumaged invaders.

It is of considerable importance to know whether such pro-
ceedings are justifiable or not ; for it is quite possible that in
condemning the rook to destruction we may be guilty of per-
forming the not uncommon feat of jumping at a conclusion,
and depriving ourselves of the survices of a friend, while we
imagine that we are getting rid of an enemy.

That farm crops frequently suffer severely from the attacks
of various insects is a well-known fact, and it is equally well
known that those insects form a description of food very
acceptable to birds of various kinds. Were it not so, our
fields, our gardens, woods, and orchards would soon become
utterly destroyed, and the pleasant verdure which everywhere
greets our eyes would be succeeded by sterility. This is the
result in many parts of the world where vast numbers of locusts
destroy every kind of vegetation, so tliat although " the land
is as the garden of Eden before them," once they have passed,
" behind them is a desolate wilderness. It would just be the
same with us if the depredations of insects were not met by
counter-checks which restrain the destruction caused by them
within due limits, and of these checks birds are the most
efficient. Very striking proof of this has been obtained in
i'rance, where small birds have been almost exterminated, the
sporting proclivities of our Galilean neighbours being amply
satisfied with such small fry as sparrows, larks, &c., and the
result is that the growing crops have suffered to a serious ex-
tent from the attacks of insects, the damage done being per-
ceptibly greater as the destruction of small birds has become
more general and complete.

Now, although such an opinion may appear heterodox to
some of our readers, we must declare in favour of the crow as
the friend, and not as the enemy, of the farmer. No doubt,
crows may become too numerous— but that may be easily pro-
vided for— and some damage may be done by those birds
during seed-time and harvest, especially at the former season,
when they are eager in the search for insects ; but the damage
is more than counterbalanced by their services as insect-
destroyers. Speaking from experience gained in the im-
mediate vicinity of extensive rookeries, we are prepared to say
that the damage done was infinitesimal in amount compared
with the benefits we derived from our noisy neighbours.
Neither in our own case, nor in that of any of the adjoining
farms, do we recollect of injury to growing crops from " grub"
or similar pests, whilst those who were indefatigable in their
exertions to restrain the insectivorous propensities of the
rooks, by frightening them away, had the usual complaints to
make of damaged crops. We have heard it alleged that crows
are such cunning birds that they take good care not to commit
depredations near home; but may not tliis arise from a
scarcity of insect-food in the vicinity of the rookery, causing
them to fly to a considerable distance in order to obtain that
which their diligence has rendered scarce in the neighbourhood
of their roosting and breeding places ? On one occasion we
remember seeing a large tract of outlying natural pasture
literally black with crows, and being curious to know what
was the cause of such an assemblage, we found, on proceeding
to the spot, that the crows had pulled up the fog, which was
plentiful in that place, evidently in search of small grubs, of
which there were considerable numbers where the crows had
not been at work. On leaving tlie place, the crows, which
liad only retired to a short distance while we were examining
the ground, speedily returned and resumed their very useful
labours. We took particular notice of that piece of ground
during the season, and a decided improvement in the pasture
was distinctly visible.

Scientific men who have studied the habits of birds and
insects are unanimous in the testimony which they bear to the
value of rooks as destroyers of noxious insects ; and although
Bcipnce has not as yet made sufficient progress amoflgst farmers

to enable them fully to appreciate the benefits derived from
the existence of a pest police-force like the crows, yet there
are many practical men who do not require to be told that the
crow is their friend, not their enemy. Notwithstanding all
our investigations into the economy of the animal world, we
know but little of the intimate relation of the various tribes
of creatures to each other, and of the general plan of nature.
All the classes of the animal kingdom have so close a connec-
tion with and dependence on each other, that the removal of
any link in the chain might produce results of serious im-
portance to man. Let us, therefore, be on our guard not to
disturb the harmony which exists in nature, and before the
farmer again puts tlie gun to his shoulder, let us ask him to
acquaint liimself a little with the natural history of insects,
which we have no doubt will disabuse his mind of all his
prejudices against the rooks. — Irish Farmers^ Gaxeite.

THE TRIAL OP THE ROOKS.

At a recent meeting of the "East Lothian Agricultural
Club," Mr. DuRiE, Bameymains, in speaking to a motion, of
which he had given notice at last meeting, as to the desirable-
ness of diminishing the number of crows (rooks), said that
he was certain that crows did an immense amount of damage
to every farmer in the county. Mr. Scott Skirving and other
friends of the crows said that tliey killed vermin. No doubt
they did ; but if they could put the amount of damage against
the amount of good they did, the balance would be found to
be on the wrong side for the farmer. He did not want their
entire extirpation, but simply that they should be kept down,
say to about half the number there were at present. He
moved a resolution to the effect that the club was of opinion
that the number of the crows should be diminished, and that
the proprietors should be communicated with, in the hope of
their taking means to destroy them in their districts.

The Chairman stated that many years ago an application
was made to the Earl of Wemyss to allow persons to kill the
crows in Amisfield Park. His lordship gave orders that every
one should be killed, and 30,000 were supposed to have been
destroyed in two days. From that day to this not a crow had
been allowed to build in the Park. He did not think the crows
were so plentiful in the county as they once were, but they
were still too numerous,

Mr, Mill, Lugate, said he reaUy thought that to a large
extent the crows were the farmer's friends. They preserved
the crops from grubs, and he thought it would be for their
advantage if magpies and liaivks were allowed to live, as
they were many years ago, for the purpose of keeping down
the small birds,

Mr, Elder, Bearford, thought crows kept in a limited
number would do good, but not in their present number.
He knew that crows were fond of worms and grubs, but
he also knew that they liked wheat, especially when coming
through the ground. They might sow to the extent of a
bushel of wheat less per acre but for the crows. If those
who spoke in favour of the crows had visits from as many
of them as he had, they woiild have a different opinion.
Mr. Elliot, Abbey Mains, seconded Mr. Durie's motion.
Mr. Jenkinson, Kidlaw, said that the crows " harried" a
great number of the partridges' nests ; otherwise he had never
seen them do any harm.

Mr. Smith, Whittiugham, said his opinion was not con-
fined to this district that the crows were very destructive.
They took up, for instance, seed potatoes when they were
planted. He had known them carry off these potatoes in
their bills, and drop them when pursued. Whatever might
be the natural food of the rooks, he thought it was evi-
dent that they had "a crap for all corn." Whatever mag-
pies did, it was well known that rooks destroyed eggs to a
large extent, so that he did not think it would require much
persuasion to get gamekeepers to promote their view?..
_ Mr, Mill said he never in his life saw crows attacking
ripe grain ; he had seen it many a time, however, de-
stroyed by wood-pigeons. He never in his life saw crows
on a stook,

Mr, Belfrage corroborated Mr, Smith's opinion as to the
damage inflicted by crows in potato fields.
The Chairman said a celebrated naturalist had stated that

ne

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

he would be obliged to any gentleman who could tell him that
he ever shot a crow and found a grub in it, averring that they
did not like the grubs.

Mr. Faton, Standingstaue, said that he would mucli rather
have partridges and small birds increased than the continuance
of the present number of crows.

Mr. Wyllie, Eolton, stated that the crows in seeking the
grubs pulled out the plants. He thought that instead of
looking to crows for the destruction of vermin they should
apply the manures which would accomplish that object. He
had seen thousands of crows sitting on stooks, and found many
of them, wliich could uot be taken in for some days on account
of the wet, reduced to mere chaff.

Mr. Durie's resolution was then unanimously agreed to.

WAR WITH THE COCKCHAFERS.

War ! civil war in France, has begun. War -with lire
and — no, not with sword, nor Armstrong guns, nor needle
rities or revolvers, nor any other of those weapons of war
which the nations of Europe are innltiplylng. The war-
fare here referred to leaves all modern conflicts in the
shade as to the number of lives sacrificed, and contrasts
strangely with these as to the character of the combatants
and the weapons employed. The war is against an in-
vading array of cockchafers (hanadons) with which the
forests in certain of the departements of France have been
infested ; and so numerous have these plagues proved,
that the authorities have determined to pay for their
destruction, at the rate of so many francs per 100 kilo-
grammes (2201bs.), the persons employed being the women
and children. So injurious had these insects become in
186C, that in the Depai'tement of the Seine the damage
was estimated at 25 millions of francs (£1,000,000 ster-
ling), and in 161 Communes it amounted to 2,632,700 fr.
(£105,308 sterling). Not ouly were the forest trees of
every kind, but principally the oaks, subject to their
ravages, but the fruit trees and vegetables and even the
cereal crops have been attacked and in many instances
completely destroyed. In short, if the chafers be left un-
disturbed, they bid fair to be as great a scourge in Western
Europe as the locust is in the East.

The cause assigned for the rather sudden appearance
of these insects is the prohibition of the pasturing of
swine in the forests, which was formerly free to those
who resided in the vicinity. These animals, by their
peculiar instinct aud habits, were enabled to discover and
turn out the white-worms, or grubs of the cockchafer,
which are deposited in the soil, by which means their
numbers were kept under. Their number is also ascribed in
part to the dead leaves being left to decay on the ground,
instead of the farmers and peasantry being allowed to
collect aud carry these away, liy such means the surface
of the ground is kept in a soft state, favourable to the
deposition of the grub, or rather the eggs, of the cock-
chafer. Several of the arrondissements have, by their
agricultural committees, offered prizes of silver and bronze
medals, to be presented to those mayors who have been
most active in promoting the destruction of the cock-
chafers. Some of the farmers are paying at the rate of
20c. or 2d. per kilogramme (of about 21bs. 3 oz.), and one
report from Barbaru states that up to the 4th of May
3,539 kilos, had been destroyed in four days. The num-
ber in each kilo, was 1,200, so that in this one case not
less than 4,240,000 cockchafers were thus killed in four
days. Had these lived they would have produced
30 eggs each, or 127,404,000 grubs, which in time
would have become perfect beetles or cockchafers. There
are only two hours in the morning in which this chase
can be pursued, namely, just before sunrise. At that
T'.mp. the insp.cts are sleeping, and beins* shaken from the

boughs of the trees, fall like lead to the ground, and are
in that state gathered np and thrown into boiling water,
and afterwards on the dunghill or manure-heap. The
number given above as accounted for was in one parish, or
commune, alone ; it may, therefore, be conceived what
must be the immense numbers in the whole of France, for
it appears to be distributed into almost all of the Departe-
ments. We may state that the whole were taken by chil-
dren and women, who thus earned, in English money,
£27 10s. iu four days. Similar means have been adopted
in many other Departements, and with equal success.

There is no doubt that the prohibition of pasturing the
svs'ine iu the forests by the 66th article of the codi'
forestier has largely coutributed to the increase of these
insects. But in addition to this, the destruction of the
small birds in France may have something also to do
with it. The eggs of the cockchafer are deposited slightly
under the surface, if the soil is moist ; and when hatched
by the sun, the young worm buries itself deeper, and
remains iu the ground three years before it comes forth a
perfect insect. It is not difficult to account for the im-
mense numbers that have appeared in France this sea-
son, the weather having been peculiarly favourable to
their production In point of fact, naturalists and me-
teorologists have predicted their appearance in force this
year, and have proved correct in their anticipations. The
Imperial and Central Society of Horticulture of Paris
has requested the Minister of Commerce and Agriculture
to make the hanneionnaye (the destruction of the cock-
chafers) compulsory on the authorities of the different
communes and departements, while a spontaneous move-
ment by a great number of Councils-General have been
instituted for raising the necessary funds to pay for their
destruction. On the other hand, measures will be taken
to reinstate with the occupiers of land in the neighbour-
hood of the forests the privilege of again feeding their
swine in them, as one of the most obvious means of
lessening the evil in future.

The United Kingdom has, happily, been exempt from
this scourge for many years. In the year 1688, one-
hnndred-and-eighty years ago, so immense a migration of
cockchafers took place in Ireland, that the air was
darkened by it for a whole league, and it was difficult to
travel along the road. Our exemption from them is pro-
bably owing to the destruction of the forests and the
more frequent and perfect cultivation of the land. The
white worms, or rather the eggs of the insect, are de-
posited in arable lands as well as in the woods, and when
turned up by the plough are picked up by the crows,
rooks, and other birds. The rooks, however, take the
matter into their own hands in the case of the pasture
lands, which are greatly liable to be undermined by the
grubs. Every tuft of grass that has one under it is pulled
up by the rooks. All the birds of prey are enemies to
the insect tribes ; but the rooks are the most domestic
and numerous, and therefore are the most efticient. In
the meantime the authorities are actively engaged in the
employment in France of the means for destroying the
cockchafer before they have deposited their eggs, which
is a few days or hours after impregnation.

England is still far from being closed against an
invasion. Certain favourable states of the atmosphere
might bring a " cloud" of them, similar to that which
appeared in" Ireland. There is no calculating the power
of insects for flight. The black turnip- fly, one of the
most destructive insects on the farm, is apparently also
one of the weakest on the wing ; and yet, as is well known
on the east coast, they come across the sea in clouds, and,
exhausted by the effort, they lie in heaps upon the land
adjoining the shore until they have recovered themselves
In this casct undoubtedly, they exercise an unerring in*

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

217

stinct, which serves them instcail of actual knowledge, to
avail themselves of a favourable wind to waft them to a
country with which it is impossible for theoi to have any
previous acqnaintancc.

ABYSSINIA AND ENGLISH
AGRIC ULTURE.

When the Roman Empire was ia the zenith of its power
Northern Africa was the chief source from whence Rome
received her supplies of wlieat and other agricultural products,
and at the present time England imports no inconsiderable
portion of lier breadstulfs from the same quarter. Sucli being
the case, the question just now naturally arises, Will our
recent military visit to the capital of Abyssinia produce any
effect in Mark Lane ? The present Viceroy of Egypt lias
done, and is doing, much to stimulate agriculture throughout
liis dominions. Will this enterprise extend itself from the
Mediterranean to tlie Indian Ocean along the lied Sea inland,
as far as the tributaries of tlie Nile drain Eastern Africa, to
which may be added the vast countries recently explored by
Dr. Livingston ? Tiiere are, within the large area of land thus
imperfectly charted out, numerous tribes apparently emerging
from a state of tlie rudest barbarity, who promise at no distant
day to turn their industrious energies to the successful pro-
duction of corn and cattle, flax and cotton, in greater
abundance than they themselves require. Are we justified in
looking to this vast area of the globe for increased supplies of
such productions ? And what influence will such supplies
liave upon English agriculture ?

The latter questiou may at once be dismissed with a single
stroke of the pen. Indeed, the English farmer (if we may lor
the sake of argument suppose an example) who apprehends
any damage to his pockets from Abyssinia is something more
than credulous. At the same time, although no overllowing
rivalry in the English market is ever likely to come from this
source, yet many eyes at the present time are turned to the
agricultural capabilities of this hitherto rauch-neglected region
of the globe.

The subject may briefly be considered under the following
four heads — viz. : 1, Corn, including fruits of every kind, pro-
duced in Eastern and Southern Africa ; 2, Cattle ; 3, Flax,
cotton, and other fibrous material for textile manufacture ;
and, 4, Timber, minerals, &c.

1. Of the first class of articles, Egypt may be taken as
furnishing a parallel example for illustration over a large area
of the country in question. Farther southwards, there must
be added, these productions grow under a more vertical sun,
some of which appear to be pecidiar to Africa. On these
latter, however, we do not intend to say anything; corn and
pulse crops, with flaxseed and other seeds, linseed-cakes and
cottonseed-cakes, being the articles chiefly interesting to the
readers of the Mark Lane Express.

As yet there is not much prospect of permanent peace being
established amongst the Nubian, Abyssinian, and Galla tribes ;
at the same time the recent campaign, from its having been
attended with such singular success througliout, must produce
a movement in this direction ; so that the happy fruits of peace
on a permanent basis may be reaped sooner in Abyssinia than
some imagine. It will also, no doubt, give a fresh stimulus
to agriculture in Egypt and in the whole country drained by
the river Nile, for the inhabitants of the whole of this vast
area of corn-and-pulse-producing land have become sensible to
the potent efficacy of English gold. A thousand prejudices
may erase from their minds the perseverance of the English
Jioldier in cutting his way from the Eed Sea to Magdala, bu'
the sterling money left in the country amongst those engaged
in the cultivation of the soil wUl tell its own silent tale long
after our troops have returned to India and Britain. It may
safely be concluded that, once sliow them that England is
ready to relieve their markets of superfluous corn on advan-
tageous terms, and many times the present quantity of corn
produced will be grown.

The proposition is fully sanctioned by the experience of the
British army in that part of the country through which it
marched — a part not the most favourable to the growth of

corn ; but the carrying out of the proposition into general
practice is another and a totally diU'erent thing. What corn-
mercliant, for example, would, as yet, think of taking up his
residence at any of the military stations of the British array,
or market-towns visited by it, between Zoulla and Magdala F
But this question may be summarily disposed of; for the work,
begin when it may, must proceed inwards from Egypt and tlie
Red Sea by degrees, as Time and Progress lead the way.
AVere the chiefs of Shoa and Tigre to shake hands to-morrow,
and peace to be established on a permanent basis, Egypt
vi'ould not send us one quarter more wheat, the produce of
next harvest, on that account. But were peace thus firmly
laid on a solid foundation, more wheat would actually be
grown in Abyssinia next year ; and the surplus would even-
tually find its way, through Egypt, either by the Nile or Red
Sea, to the English market ; for the British corn trade has
its emissaries throughout the whole of Egypt, accessible by
the Nile and Red Sea ; so that, were they to find supplies on
easier terms farther up the country, or farther inland, the
upshot may be taken for granted, however inconsiderate in
magnitude suppHes may be at the commencement. Com-
pared with much of Russia, Turkey, and America, the pro-
spects of trade are every whit as promising eventually.

Oil-producing seeds, and roots and feeding materials for
cattle, are in great request in the English market ; and
articles of this kind could obviously be obtained in much
greater abundance from the southeru or upper provinces of
Egypt than is now imported ; and this trade could be ex-
tended to Abyssinia and to Southern Africa, via the Zambesi,
in the course of time. There is no use in grumbling at the
high price of oilcake, so long as the supply continues short of
the demand; but if the imports from Eastern and Southern
Africa can be increased — as doubtless they may — the com.
mercial balance would turn in favour of the English farmer.

2. Although mauy of the tribes of Eastern and Southern
Africa are pastoral in their habits, it is nevertheless problem-
atical if they can ever send through Egypt either live fat
stock or dead meat to the English market. At the same time
it must be borne in mind that the country is more accessible
than either Australia or South America, from both of which
we now begin to receive supplies of preserved meat in tins. In
the present transition state of things it would therefore be
premature to specidate as to what the future may produce A
part of the country is infested with the " tsetse" fly of Dr.
Livingstone. The tsaltsal, or Abyssinian spear fly of Bruce,
very emphatically alluded to by the prophet Isaiah (xviii. 1) :
" Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond
the rivers of Ethiopia ;" a passage which has been trans-
lated, " Woe to ths land of the tsaltsal fly, which is beyond
the rivers of Ethiopia." So destructive is this fly to horned
cattle, that they cannot be bred in the districts infested by it,
so that were it to extend its ravages the consequences are not
easily estimated. And, besides, it is very questionable if the
quality of African meat would suit the taste of the English
consumer. True, Australian and South American meat liave
each the peculiar flavour of the herbage eaten by the cattle,
and with which the English taste promises soon to become
famihar, and the same acquired taste would no doubt also
relish in the course of time African meat.

3. Flax, cotton, and several fibrous products peculiar to South
Africa, could no doubt be grown, and doubtless, in the course
of time, will be grown in surplus abundance for the supply of
the English market. The realization of this appears from the
concurrent testimony of travellers to be only a work of time,
so that it may be left in the hands of Progress for maturation.
The growth of flax and cotton involves the production of
oil-cakes, hence the connexion of this head with the first.

4. On timber and minerals little requires to be said. That
the country abounds in both may be taken for granted; but
with the march of improvement the probability is that the
former will be required and consumed at home ; while dis-
covery has done comparatively nothing as yet to reveal the
latter, which up to this date may be said to lie half-coucealed
in the bowels of the earth, only cropping out here aud there
in evidence of their existence.

The general conclusion from these desultory observations is,
that results are more hopeful for Abyssinia and Eastern
Africa than first thoughts may in many instances suggest, and
that progress will, upon the whole, be in favour of English
agriculture. Thebhs.

218

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.

MEETING AT LEICESTER.

THE IMPLEMENT DEPARTMENT.

The display of machines in motion and of machines
and implements at rest, to be met with, is indeed some-
thing very striking, and cannot fail to be, to the thinking
mind, highly suggestive. The contrast which this for
example, forces one to make, should not be lost sight of —
the contrast between what agricultural engineering, taking
this term in its widest acceptation,now is, and what but a
decade or two it was. Scarcely a generation has passed
away since agricultural machinery might have been gene-
rally, as it was literally in special districts, represented by
the three primitive, or, as we shoidd rather say, the three
primary implements of cultm-e — the plough, the harrow,
and the roller ; and when such limited motive powers as
the limited work in which power was required by the
farmer were represented by the oldest of all,manual labour ;
or, if a further extension were demanded, by the wind-
mill and the water-wheel, both in their most simple
stages of mechanical development. But the generation
which has succeeded can now witness, at such a show,
a remarkable exemplification of what the engineer
and the mechanic have done — the one in inventing, the
other in carrying out practically — to aid agriculture in all
its depai-tments, at once and equally useful in the field
and in the fold — a condition of matter so extensively
complete that any one thirty years ago could scarcely have
believed it to be possible of realisation.

Another point which must strike even the most care-
less observer, in walking through the alleys and surveying
the contents of the stands on either side of such an ex-
hibition as that held this year, is the enomious influence
which such a display of objects used in the practice of
agricultiu-e must have upon the vast body of visitors — an
influence of the most beneficial kind; all the more, that in
consequence of the custom which the Society has of
visiting different districts in diiferent years, it ultimately
embraces within its limits the whole of England. It is
not possible for even the most obtuse mind to come here
and to go away without some useful impression having
been made upon it ; or the most prejudiced man taking
home with him something which wiU overcome in some
measure the erroneous notions as regards his daily prac-
tice, or touch stolid indifference and careless ignorance.

We find the crush and crowd most dense round the
machines at work ; here we find the eager faces and the
still more eager inquiries of the interested. This was
wonderfully exemplified at Leicester.

Let us take up first the novelties of the machinery-in-
motion department ; and here is the " rotary steam-
engine," made by Mr. Robert Co wen, of Nottingham, the
invention of Mr. Hall, and which attracted great attention
from the simplicity of its general arrangement, and the
ease and smoothness with which it worked even when
run at very high velocities. In view of the dis-
advantages, or presumed disadvantages, attendant upon
the ordinary reciprocating steam engine, with its some-
what complicated mechanical arrangements, the at-
tention of a class of inventors, has through a long
course of years been directed to the discovery of a
form of steam engine in which these disadvantages and
this complicated mechanical assemblage could be over-
come. In the reciprocating engine, as is well known to

our readers, the motion of the piston made in one direc-
tion has to be stopped at the end of its stroke, and then
moved in the opposite direction, at the end of the stroke
of which it has again to be stopped, and again moved in
a contrary direction. It is obvious, from these alternate
movements and stoppages, which, although not observable
in engines which run quicldy, still exist, a loss of power,
more or less in amount, results ; for, to use a familiar
mode of illustration, you set a train in motion, and as
soon as you get it at full speed you stop it, not because
you wish to stop it — on the contrary, you wish it to go
on — but you have to stop it in order to get the next
move in the train of its operations. Then, again, the
great majority of operations are performed by the aid of
circular motion, so that the alternate rectilineal motion
of the piston of an ordinary steam engine has to be
ehanged into a continuous circular one, and this again
hag to be re-changed into an alternate rectilineal move-
ment to work the valves of the engine ; so that, to meet
all these exigencies of the mode of its operation, an ordi-
nary steam engine, even in its simplest form, is so com-
plicated, that we need scarcely wonder at the desire there
is to introduce a steam motive in which the power is ob-
tained directly by continuous circular motion, without the
intervention of the mechanism we have above alluded to.
But it is not to be supposed, whatever sanguine inventors
may say, that a rotary engine, although theoretically, is
practically better than a reciprocating one ; on the con-
trary, the difficulties attendant upon the realization of a
good rotaiy engine — as, for example, the keeping of the
rubbing surfaces tight — are such that up to the present
time no form of this class of engine has been able to com-
pete with the reciprocating engine, which is so efficient
and so economical in work and in the few demands it
makes to keep it in repair, that it holds its own ; and we
must say that we believe that for a long time to come
it will hold its own in the face of aU competition. One
may really buy gold too dear, and although one may have
a rotary engine which is possessed of few working parts as
compared with an ordinary reciprocating engine, it may in
practice be found to be of such a delicate organization, so
to say, that the cost of keeping it in repair is a formid-
able item ; or it may be found that out of it you do not
get anything like the full economy of the steam, which
you would obtain in the ordinary engine. At the same
time while saying all this, which under the circumstances
of our duty it is right to say to our readers on the general
subject, we are equally bound to say that the form of
rotary engine, which we already alluded to as working at
Leicester, struck us as being possessed of so many features
of practical value, that we think it very possible it will
have a " futm'e of request " which has not been granted
to many engines of its class. "We shall now endeavour to
describe the engine as clearly as can be done by words
without drawings. The cylinder is placed horizonally
at one end of the frame, and is provided with a steam-
chest, which ruus along the whole length of the cylinder
at its upper part. In connection with the steam-chest,
in the centre of its width or breadth, there is a chamber
provided with an equlibrium cut-off valve, wliich regiUates
the admission of the steam to the steam-chest. The
steam of the valve is passed through the stufling-box of
the chamber, and the lower end works in contact with a

THE FARMER'IS MAGAZINE'.

2i9

circular cam, which slides upon the central axis or shaft
of the engine, and is controlled by a horizontal governor.
The motive power is obtained by the revolution of an
eccentric piston, which is in fact a cylindrical roller round
the interior of the main cylinder, the centre of the piston
being the central axis of the engine. To maintain the roller
or piston steam-tight, the part which is in contact with the
interior surface of the cylinder is provided with spring-
packing, and, further, with metallic springs at each end,
these working against the turned surfaces of the end
covers of the cylinder. The steam is made to move this
roUer or piston by a simple form of valve, which is raised
into the space of the steam-chest above the cylinder,
through the slot or spring made in the upper part of it
and along its whole length, by the revolution of the
piston or the roller itself, in rising from its lowest to its
highest position in the cylinder ; the retui'u motion of the
valve being effected by the pressure of the steam in the
steam-chest upon its upper portion, which keeps it in
contact with the piston as it moves round again to its
lowest position. The valve is hollow, and the steam
passes fi'om it always on one side of the piston, or rather
one-half of the roller's circumference ; the exhaust steam
passing out by a pipe on the other side of the cylinder.
Diagrams shown us by the inventor indicate a very good
distribution of the steam.

We now come to another novelty amongst the prime
movers in the yard — namely, a hot-air eiigine. The ob-
vious economy of the method of utilizing heat, by the
direct application of it to air or other permanent gases,
so as to get their expansive powers directly developed, has
for long been recognised, and numerous inventors have
endeavoured to realise it in practice. The difficulties
however have been so great in the way of its realisation,
that attempt after attempt has been made with the un-
fortunate result, as a rule, of failure more or less complete.
Generally, the plans attempted had for aim the expanding
of the air in a separate vessel or receptacle, the result
being that, in consequence of the high temperature neces-
sary, this vessel very rapidly decayed. Other difficulties
moreover were met with, the chief of which was that of
keeping the stuffing boxes and the piston tight, under the
high temperature of the air used, and which also pre-
vented the use of ordinary lubricating materials. Messrs.
Edwards and Co., Oxford-street, London, who ex-
hibited the form of hot-aii- engine above alluded to,
claim to have overcome, by these arrangements, all these
and other defects of hot-air engines hitherto introduced
into practice ; aUd to have succeeded in bringing out a
highly-efficient form, and one which is very economical.
A close inspection of this engine inclines us to believe
that the inventors are, to a large extent, entitled to claim
these advantages, and we now proceed briefly to explain
by what means they secure them.

The first, and perhaps the most essential feature to be
noticed, is the heat generation, which is combined directly
with the air expander, or, in other words, the air is ex-
panded by the direct action of the fuel in the generation ;
the air so expanded being forced into the genei'ator or
furnace by means of an air pump, which is worked by the
engine itself. The cylinder is placed immediately above
the furnace, and the air forced into it by the air pump
gets heated by direct contact with the fuel, and rises up
into the cylinder, pressing upon the piston and raising it.
The piston is a hollow plunger, after the trunk engine
principle, and the packing is placed around its upper cir-
cumference ; which, being at some distance from the
under part with which the hot air comes in contact, is
comparatively of low temperature, and therefore enables
the piston to be well lubricated. The furnace in which
the fuel is consumed is lined with fii-e-clay, so that it is
not subjected to the heat of the consvuning fuel, and

therefore lasts a long time. When the engine is working,
both the ash-pit door and that of the furnace are closed
hermetically, the only air passing in being through the
agency of the air pump. The engine can be started in a
few minutes after the fuel is lighted, a few turns of the
fly-wheel working the air-pump. The air-pump is placed
at the back of the furnace and cylinder, and is worked by
two rods passing down from and jointed to the cross-bar
which connects the ends of two short working beams
which are connected at their other extremities with the
piston rod. The speed of the engine is regulated by
dampers, which pass the air either through the burning
mass of fuel in the furnace, or over the same, according to
the amount required. These dampers ai'e regulated
through the agency of the governors, and are worked by
cams from a small eccentric in the main driving shaft.
One of the sources of economical working of this engine
is the utiHization of the gases which arise from the com-
bustion of the fuel ; these in all other forms introduced
having been passed ofl" into the chimney, the ordinary air
alone when heated forming the source of motive power ;
but, in the engine now under notice, the permanent gases
of the fuel are utilized as well as the ordinary air.

Not far from or rather close to the place where Ed-
wards and Co.'s hot-air engine was working, a rival form
of novel motive power was to be seen in operation —
namely, the "HugonGas Engine." Although this is not
so universally applicable to farming districts, inasmuch
as on many farms gas is not obtainable, while the hot-air
engine can be worked wherever fuel can be had ; still, it
will interest our readers to have before them a brief de-
scription of its peculiarities. In its general features this
engine resembles closely that of a horizontal steam-engine,
with, however, a greater size or bulk in proportion to its
power, this arising from the space required in the cylinder
to admit of the necessary space for the expansion arising
from the explosion of the gas. The gas which works
the engine is not passed into the cylinder in its pure or
ordinary condition, as this would not give ignition the
necesary explosive power ; but is mixed with common
air, in the proportion of nine parts of air to one of gas.
In the first forms of this engine the gas was exploded in
the cylinder by means of electricity ; but this necessitated
the use of so large a quantity of grease, that it seriously
impeded the working of the piston, while in addition the
complicated and delicate arrangements of the battery
were such as to militate greatly against the introduction
of the engine, as careful and accurate supervision is by
no means generally met with in places where power is
required. In the engine now used slide valves are
used, which carry gas burners supplied at pressure with
gas, and the gas is lighted and explosion caused by its
coming in contact at the right time with a small jet of
gas. This lighting jet, as it may be called, is blown
out at each stroke of the engine, in consequence of the
explosion ; but it is immediately relighted by means of an
ordinary jet, which is kept constantly burning outside.
When the gases explode in the cylinder, a very fine spray
of water is introduced into it, which, coming in contact
witli the heated surface of the cylinder (about 1200 deg.
Fahrenheit being the temperature), is formed into steam,
which at once reduces the heat, lubricates the working
parts, and equalizes the pressure throughout the stroke.
The valves work against orifices in the cylinder, so as to
open or close them, bringing the burners to and from the
orifices at certain intervals, thus admitting, intercepting,
and regulating the supply of gas to the cylinders, and
also permitting and shutting off the escape of gas there-
from after the explosion. When the gas is admitted to
the cylinder through the induction part, the valve at the
required moment brings the flame of the burner or light-
ing jet in contact with it; ignition and explQsiea take

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

•220

place instantly, which presses upon and moves the piston
along the cylinder, the eduction part opening at the
proper time allowing the remaining gases and steam to
escape into the atmosphere. Nothing can exceed the
great ease and simplicity with which this engine is set
to and taken out of work, this heing done as easily as
the lighting of gas jets in a room. The engine works
very smoothly with little or no noise ; it is absolutely
safe, and almost the only objection which can be made to
it — for the peculiar positions which we think it is best
adapted — is the price. A reduction of this would, wc
believe, be greatly to the interest of the makers.

Messrs. Rustou and Procter have one of their portable
steam engines, with Chapman's eccentric, for securing a
variable expansion. This is a very simple mode of giving
an advantage of expansive working, so as to enable the
engine to give off exactly the power required— a matter of
the greatest importance ; because, at times, the engine
which is calculated to give off when required its full
power, as in thrashing and the like, may at other times
be required to give out only a portion of it. as in the case
of straw and root cutting, &c. The forms of apparatus
generally introduced by which all the advantages of ex-
pansive working have been sought to be obtained, have,
as a rule, been complicated to a greater or lesser extent.
In this form— the invention of ]Mr. Chapman — the parts
are reduced to the minimum of simplicity, being in fact
the same as in other engine valve gear, namely, one slide
valve and one eccentric. How this simplicity is obtained
may be seen from the following brief description, which
will of necessity not be quite so clear as it would be if we
had diagrams ready to illustrate it. To the crank shaft of
the engine a circular plate or disc is keyed, and is concentric
with the shaft — that is, has no eccentric motion, but re-
volves uniformly with it, as does the fly-wheel. This
disc is provided with a slot or a^jperturc passing from side
to side. Close to the side of the disc, and hung or sus-
pended, so to say, on the shaft, a crank axle is the
eccentric for working the valve. The eccentric is con-
nected with the disc by means of a bolt and nut ; and
this bolt can be secured at any point desired in the
slot of the disc, and, according to its position in this,
so will be the degree of eccentricity in the path of
the eccentric, and by consequence the rate of travel
of the valve rod and valve, and also the degree of
expansion. The degree of expansion at any point
of the slot is marked by graduated points on
the side of the slot. This arrangement, like
the curved, slotted link of an ordinary locomotive, is,
like it, capable of being worked as a reversing gear, but
the engine must be stopped before the reversing can be
effected ; whereas in the locomotive this is done with-
out stopping the engine. This objection also holds in the
case of altering the degree of expansion ; but this is
no great objection after all ; the stoppage and adjust-
ment take up very little time ; while, once adjusted, the
probability is that the degree of expansion obtained will
be that required for the work of hours. jNIoreover, this
apparatus is not costly — indeed, in the case of purchasers
of the engines of Huston, Proctor, and Co., it is costfirss,
as they apply it to all the engines they send out free of
charge. In other instances we believe the charge is £15
only.

In the way of boiler novelties two examples were in the
Show-yard; one of the Messrs. Howard's, of Bedford,
the other that of Mr. 11. Cowen, of Nottingham, on
Fild's patent tul)e principle. The boiler of the Messrs.
Howard we have already described in these columns ; we
therefore pass on to the boiler exhibited by Mr. Cowen,
which, although in one sense is no novelty — having been
worked by JNIr. Field some three years ago — but in
another is, for we believe this is the tirst time the prin-

ciple has been exemjditted at auy of the Royal Society
meetings. The arrangements of the boilers depend upon
the kind of boiler to which the principle is applied, but
which is in all cases similar, and may be briefly described.
The water space is provided with a number of tubes, these
being closed at the lower ends and open at their upper
ends to the water space, these upper extremities being
some inches below the nominal level of the water in the
boiler. These tubes are therefore filled entirely with
water, and if left thus there would be little or no circu-
lation'of the water within their interiors ; but to insure
this circulation, each tube is provided with an internal
tube, open at both ends, the lower end of which is carried
down to within a short distance of the bottom of the outer
tubes ; while the upper end is carried some distance above
the Icval of the upper end of the outer tube. The inner
tube is suspended by means of fenders, and its upper end
is finished off with an expanding funnel-shaped top,
the wide end being uppermost. The arrangements here
described is found in practice to bring about a remarkably
quick circulation, and to reduce materially the tendency
of the water to form deposits in the boiler or pipes.

AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE EXHIBITOES

OF

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS,

AT 1 HE

LEICESTER MEETING, in IS{i8.
AraiicuLTUR.vx a:\d Hokticultural Association, 2D,
Parliament-street, Westminster.— Variety of wire fence and
hurdles, poultry court, palisade, wire netting, gates, tree-
guards, cages, coops, archways, troughs, rollers, manure and
linseed cakes, with samples of agricultural seed and artificial
manure.

Allcock, Thomas, Eatcliff-on-Trcnt.— Cultivators, grub-
bers, and scarifiers ; chaffcutters, horse hoes, horse rakes, one-
horse manual-delivery reaper; back-delivery reaper, and
improved carriage lifter.

Allcuin and Son, Northampton.— Nine, eight, seven,
and three horse portable steam engines; portable corr
grinding mill, and set of six iron screwjaeks.

Alway, VVm., 37, Chapel-streot, Peutonville, London.—
Milk cooler, tin barrel churns, field churns, pails, and milk
kettles. '

Amies, Barford, and Co., Peterborough.— Presswheel
rollers and clod crushers, water-ballast rollers, straw elevators,
horse-gear works, corn and oilcake mills, steam cooking
apparatus, portable boiler, stiles, hurdles, and garden seats.

AiTLEiiY Brothers, Eramerson-street, Sfcuthwark, — Steam
lift and force pump ; steam pump, donkey, or fire engines ;
lift pumps witli rotary motion ; other lift and force pumps,
rock boiing and tunnelhng machines, and motor for working
the diamond rock borer.

Armstrong, John, Penrith.— Swing and ridging ploughs,
horse hoes, grubbers, drag and otlicr barrows, aud set of
chain harrows with improved dividers.

AsHBY AND Jeitery, Stamford.— SoUd-axle haymakers,
balance-lever steel-tooth horse rakes, patent wheel hand-rake,
chaff cutters, oilcake breakers, turnip cutters, rotating and
chain harrows. Tinkler's churn, one-horse gear work ; three,
four, six, and eight horse portable steam engines and com-
bined thrashing machines ; portable stone grinding mills,
saw bench, crank shields, clod crushers, and field roll.

AvELiN(; AND Porter, Rochester.— Set of steam plough-
ing and cultivating apparatus, ten-horse winding engine ;
agricultural locomotive of ten-horse nominal, but will work
up to forty horse ; locomotive crane engine for roads ; set of
patent travelling rope parters.

Aysuford, T. B., Walham-green, 1 ulham . — Village
phaetons, Edinburgh dogcart, and canoe wngonette.

Baker, John, Wisbeach.— Corn-blowing, screening, and
dressing machines, and patent rakes on Samuelson's reaper.

Baker, Thomas, Newbury.--Liquid manure and water
carts steerage horse-hoes, cidtivator, two-horse gear, and
liquid manure distributor.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

B.\XL, George, Kettering.— Wrought-iron cultivators, iron
Ploughs, waggons, and one and two-horse carts.

Ball a.^d Son, Rotliwell.— Collection of iron plouo'hs
scanhers, rollers, harrows, carts, waggons, corn-drills, horse-
rakes, cliali -cutters, horse-hoes, and two-horse °-ear

B.uiLETT A. C, Thirsk.— Two-horse grass-mower, com-
pound [combined ?] reaper and mower, one-horse manual-
delivery reaper, and stand for holding reaper-knives.

Baknaed, Bisitop, and Barnards, Norwich.— Noiseless
lawn-mowers without gear wheels, cliains, or levers • ditto
with gear wheels and improved side-tipping delivery • 'single
3nd double cylinder garden-rollers, worm-cast distributor and
ioose-leat gatherer, swing water-barrow, garden and park
cliairs and folding-stools, tables, &c. ; wire netting, cattle and
poultry troughs and fountains, field-gates, and stable reciuisites
and lurniture.

Barrow and Son, Borrowash, Derby.— Transplautiu"-
machine, for the removal of large trees.

Barrows and Stewart, Banbury.— Three and five-tined
steam cultivators ; four-wheeled windlass, iron anchor, three
and two-wheel rope-porter, stationary ditto, snatch-block-
doubk-cyhnder portable steam-cultivating engine, eiglit-liorse
power, portable steam-thrashing engine, five-horse portable
steam-engine, single-blast thrashing machine, thrashing and
linishiug machine witli dressing apparatus, double-blower
thrashing machine, corn-mill, conical burr-stone mill, lifting-
jacks, endless driving bands, and waterproof covers. °
Barton, William, Boston.— Cooking ranges and stoves
roasting-screens, hot closets, steam-kettles, and roastino--iack •
also SIX improved tea-kettles. '
Bayliss, Jones, and Bayliss, Wolverhampton.— Field
entrance, and hand gates ; cattle and other hurdles and fences'
tree-guards, garden-roUers, heating and sack barrows, chain-
harrows, vermin-proof rick-stands, carriage-jack, sheep-
troughs, cisterns, pails, and skeps.

Beach, Joseph, Dudley.— rarinaceous food for cattle, sheep
and pigs ; and condiment for horses.

Beadsmore, Thomas, Loughborougli.— General-purpose
wood and iron ploughs, cultivators, and chaffcutter

BE.VRDS, Thomas, Stowe Park, Bucks.— A two-furrow
plough hung on an iron frame, mounted on four wheels.

Belcher, Gee, and Co., Gloucester.— Slate tanks and
coolers for milk and whey ; slate manger, cattle trough, and
shelving ; plain and enamelled face mantelpieces ; and'ena-
melled table top, inlaid with imitation marljles and flowers with
iron (bronze) stand, for the dining room. '

Bentall, E. H., Maldon.— Subsoil plough, broadshare and
cultivator, angle iron harrows, chafl'cutters, root pulpcrs, tur-
nip cutters, root slicers, oilcake mills, corn and seed crushers
bean and oat kibblers, and horsegears. '

Beverley Iron and Waggon Company, Beverley.—
Clod crushers, plain field rollers, grass mowers and reapers
carts, waggons, liquid manure and water carts, wheels and
axles, railways and trucks for farm purposes, root washers, pin-
troughs, bonedust and compound action mills. ' "
Bigg, Thomas, Great Dover-street, Borough.— Sheep-dip-
ping apparatus on wheels, and with iron liar drainer.

BiLLSON AND SoNs, Leicester.— Collection of rick covers,
waggon and cart covers ; ropes for hoists, cranes, and pulley
blocks ; sacks made from jute and from hemp ; waggon and
cart ropes, fence netting, plough reins, halters, thatching- cords
and clothes lines. ° '

Blow and Son, 23, Commercial-street, Whitecliapel, Lon-
don.— Endless leather strap, iudiarubber bands and hose
leather hose pipes, double strap for heavy macliincry, strap
butts and screws, donkey pumps, oat bruisers, cottagc'rano-e
and corn mill. ° '

Bloxsom, John Martin, Gilmorton, Leicestershire.— Six
horse portable and 2|^ horse stationary steam engines, double-
blast combined thrasher, circular-saw dcnch, chaffcutter, sis-
-row steerage corn drill, and one-horse reaper.

BoiiY, Robert, Bury St. Edmunds.— Iron and wood-beam
ploughs, plough-wheels, ribbed rollers, barley-rolls, haymakers
horse rakes, corn screens, barley havellcr, corn dressers, chaff
sifter, horse power, aud malt plough.

Bonnall, Hempsted, and Co., Grantham.— Eight-horse
portable engine, treble blower, finishing thrashing-machines
straw elevators, chain corn-drills, horse hoe and turnip'
thinner, weighing machine, cylindrical hearings, screw jacks
chilled plough-shares, hay forks, and portable grinding mill on
travelling wheels.

221

Boulton, W. S., Norwich.— Swing water barrow and
liquid manure carts, garden engines, portable pump and
suction, garden chairs, and wire netting.

BoYALL, R. J., Grantham.— Stanhope phaeton wagonette
with reversible seat, village phaeton, Alexandra car, Dagraar
car, and light medium-sized brougham.

Bradford and Co., 63, Fleet-street, London.— Vowel
washing, wringing, and mangling machines, drying closets,
linen press, mid-feather and counter-current churns, portable
boilers, riddling apparatus, and " Eclipse" cinder sifter.

Braggins, James, Banbury.- Park, entrance, field, and
other gates, iron work and posts complete-

Bratnsby, Thomas, Peterborough.— Very light Oxford
dog-cart, village phaeton for six persons, Taunton dog-cart on
eighteen-spoke hickory wheels shod with steel, and Maxwell
car to carry two or four persons.

BR.VNFORD and Son, March.— Draining, splitting, and
ridging ploughs ; diamond, Tweedside, and revolving horse-
hoes ; barley haveller, " international" washing, wringing, and
manghng machines.

Broughton, J. AND J., Leicester. — Lever washing,
wringing, and mangling machines combined.

Brown, Benjamin, 39, Charlotte-street, Blackfriars Road.
—Samples of improved steel spring lever oil-feeders, needle
lubricators, belt fasteners, vent-peg on hydraulic principles,
glass lantern for stables, and patent egg-testers.

Brown Lawrence, Leicester.— Lancewood shafts, broug
ham fronts, wheel rims, phaeton wings, carriage fulchells
bottom sides for basket phaeton, and ash cart shafts.
^ Brown and Lock, Shrewsbury.— Eight and nine-liorse
Economic" portable steam engines, and two-horse gear
works. °

Brown and May, Devizes.— Eight, six, and 2i-horse port-
able steam engines; combined thrashing, winuowinff and
riddling machine.

Burgess and Key, 96, Newgate-street, London.— Grass-
mowers, combined reapers and mowers, sheaf aud swathe de-
livery reapers, sausage machine, churn, corn-bin, and garden-
seat.

BURNEY AND Co., Mill Wall, London. — Wrought-iron
cisterns, water-cart bodies, tanks, drinking pans, cattle-trouehs
and corn-bins. '

Cambridge and Co., Bristol- Rollers, chain harrows
excelsior tiae harrows, laud pressers, one-horse gears with iu-
terraediate motion, two-horse gear and thrashing machine
liorse rake, and turnip cutters.

Canadi-vn Washing Machine and Agricultural Im-
plement Company, Worcester.— Sets of " Paragon" harrows
washing, wringing, and mangling machines, clotheshorses, and
a double-action steam power washing macliine.

Caer, Thomas, Richmond Road, Moiitpclier, Bristol —
iulverizmg disintegrator, for artificial manure works.

Carson and Sons, Belle Sauvage Yard, Lud-atc Hill
London.— Samples of the "original" anti-corrosi've paint'
pure linseed oil, drying oil, turpentine, varnishes, paint bruslies'

pots, &C. 'i >

Carson and Toone, Warminster. — Cliaff and turnip
cutters, horsehoes, horsegear for driving chaff cutters &c
oilcake crushers, garden roller, and assortment of cheese
presses.

Carter and Co., 237, High Holborn, Londou.-Samples
and specimens of wheat, barley, and oats ; samples of
mi.xed grasses, and of agricultural and garden seeds, and col-
lection of ornamental terra cottapots, vases, S:c.

Chapman, Wm., Apethorpe, Northamptonshire. — Two
horse waggon, two and one-horse carts, and light sprin- brrv
or dray. o i o j

Cheavin, Geo, Boston. ~ Stone and iron self-cleaning
rapid water filters " lor removing lime and other impurities
out ot any kind of water."

Churchill, Charles, 16, Lawrence Pountney Lane
London.-Anti-freezing American pumps ; champion, pitcher-
spout, and deep well pumps ; hydraulic ram, hand, rotary and
double-discharge force pumps with air chamber, hay and
manure forks, grindstone, American corn-sheDer, parallel vice
Coe s screw vrrench, broad-cast seed sower, pivot borino-'
machine, axes, &c. °

Clark, James, Lincoln.— Plat rollers, dressers, corn driUs
turnip drill, cliam Uarrows, shaking screen, and -Hssortment of
malleable castings.

222

THE FARMEB'S MAGAZINE.

Clakke and Son, Brackley. — Complete set of draining
tools, adjustable garden and other scythes with tubular iron
sheaths.

Clay, Chakles, Wakefield. — Cultivators, chain harrows,
horse-hoes, and grubbers.

Clayton, Siiuttlewoeth, and Co., Lincoln. — Ten-
horse power, double-cylinder portable steam-engine, eight and
six-horse single-cylinder portable engines, and ten-horse hori-
zontal fixed engine ; double-blast finishing thrashing-macliines,
portable straw-elevator, sack-lifting barrows, set of adjusting
blocks for choking tlie wheels of an engine or thrashing-
machine, revolving liquid manure and drop drill for turnips
and other seeds, and self-acting circular-saw bench.

CoLEMAJ>j AND LovE, Northampton. — Lever cultivators,
horse hoes, cultivating harrows, bin and trough with hay-rack,
horse hoes, and oil-cake breaker.

Coleman and Morton, Chelmsford. — Yarrow and
Hilditch's steam-cultivating apparatus, three-furrow steam-
plough, subsoil plough, variety of cultivators, clod-crusher,
Hanson's potato-digger, manure and water carts, com screens,
oil-cake cutters, horse gears, rope porters, and samples of
shares.

CoocH, John, Harlestone. — Corn dressers, and small seed
apparatus.

Cooke and Co., Lincoln. — Wood and iron swing and wheel
ploughs, drag, harrows, vi^aggon, one and two horse carts.

CoRBETT, Thomas, Shrewsbury. — " Eclipse" combined
blowing, winnowing, and screening machines, and " Excelsior"
seK-cleaning corn screen.

CoRBETT AJJD SoN, Wellington, Salop. — Cultivator, four
horse portable steam engine, root pulpers, mills for feeding
purposes and for breaking and grinding oilcake, hand miU for
grain, chaff cutter for power, turnip slicer and scuffler.

Corcoran and Co., 48, Mark Lane, London. — Samples of
French runner and bed millstones, Golay's new patent diamond
millstone dressing machines, vfheat-cleaning and fiour dressing
machines, aspirator with riddles, weighing machines, maho-
gany stone staff, jack stick, sack trucks, mill bills and
handles, flour brushes, mill brooms, flour scoops, smut wire,
malt-kiln floor, shovels, measures, chrondroraeter, sample-corn
receiver, woven wire, broadcast seed-sower ; gut, leather, gutta
percha, and indiarubber driving bands ; oilcans, pulley blocks,
mineral sieve, and deckle strap.

CoRT AND Paul, Leicester. — Cooking apparatus and boUer
ranges, Rumford stove, oven and sham, variety of other stoves,
flower guards, stable furniture, pig and poultry troughs,
hurdles, fences, gates, and kitchen requisites.

CoTTAM AND Co., 3, Winslcy-strcet, London, W. — Large
assortment of ctable furniture, cattle troughs, corn bins, and
dog troughs.

CouLTAS, John, Grantham. — Clod crushers, general purpose
and manvire drills, artificial manure distributors, corn and seed
drills, carriage steerage, horse hoe, horse rake, and two-horse
self-raking reaper.

CowEN, G. E,., Nottingham, — Eight-horse power horizontal
engine, eight-horse rotary engine, two-horse ditto, and ten-
horse boiler with patent tubes.

Cox, Wm. Penn, Leicester. — Newspapers.

Cranston, James, Birmingham. — Patent conservatory,
highly commended by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Crosskill and Sons, Beverley. — Clod crushers, field
rollers, carts, waggons, liquid manure carts, portable pump,
cart wheels and axles, Archimedian root washers, portable
farm railway, trucks, and turntable, three-horse and self-acting
sheaf-deUvery reapers, improved single-roller bone mill.

Davis, Alfred A., Royal Polytechnic, London. — Lacto-
meters or milk tests ; mechanical and scientific gyroscopes,
and model steam traction engines.

Day and Sons, Shavington, near Crewe. — Drifiield oils,
drenches and draughts for cattle, horse powders, and medicine
bests.

Day, Son, and Hewitt, 22, Dorset-street, London. —
Stock-breeder's complete medicine chest, with " Key to
Farriery ;" various drenches, condition balls, gaseodyne, and
sulphuretted extract ; lecture on sheep, and essay on calves.

Death and Ellwood, Leicester. — Eight-horse and IJ-
horse fispd steam engines, steam pumps, two and four-horse
works, circular-saw bench, bolt-head and nut-shaping machine,
fourteeu-inch centre screw-cutting lathe, lOJ and 6| ditto, and
drilling machine.

Dell, Wm. R., 73, Mark Lane, London. — Four-horse power
vertical fixed engine, wheat cleaner and separator for flour
mills; "Paris Exhibition," "Eclipse," "Unique," and
"Paragon" smut machines ; Golay's diamond millstone
dressing machine ; French burr runners and bedstones, eye for
stone for grinding cement, portable crane for lifting millstones,
swivel carriage, iron worm creeper, lifting jacks, straps, pulley
blocks, weighing machines, and sack lifter.

Denton, Henry, Wolverhampton. — Chain harrows, horse
gear, rib roller, slide valve for steam engine, and stand for
reaping machine receiver.

Dixon, Adam, 11, Adam-street, Adelphi, London. — Thirty
steam and vacuum gauges, eight double diaphragm steam
gauges, seven single ditto, four glass or water gauges.

Dodge, George P., 79, Upper Thames-street, London. —
Assortment of vulcanized indiarubber machine bands, suction
hose, tubing, waterproof cover, guttapercha driving baud,
indiarubber bucket and deckle straps, ditching and malting
boots, tarpaulin, and asphalte roofing felt.

Driffield and East Riding Pure Linseed Cake
Company, Great DriSield. — Pure linseedcake manufactured
by the newly patented process.

DuFFiELD, Henry, 60, William-street, Regents Park, Lon-
don.— Variety of butter prints for farm and private houses,
boxwood butter beaters and slices, butter curlers, boards,
trainers, skimmers, laders, and specimens of fancy woodware
for ladies' use.

Eastwood, John, Blackburn. — Two to thirty-gallon com-
pound action churn, the latter with pulleys.

Eaton, John, Thrapston. — Rack bar, lever, and screw
jacks ; sack elevator, and circular sheep cribs.

Ellis and Everard, Leicester. — Quantity of Markfield
granite blocks as quarried, granite paving setts, curbing, and
small-sized stones ; quantity of blocks of stone from Bardon
Hill ; specimens of coal and limestone ; linseedcake, cotton-
seed cake, manures, and articles used in adulterating them.

Ellis and Sons, Leicester. — Samples of blue has hme in
stone, burnt in shell, and ground ; gate posts in Groby slate,
salt troughs for cattle, milk slates, window siUs, roofing slates,
kerbing, and sink stone.

Evans, James, Liverpool. — " Viceroy" hansom cab,
" Alexandra" drag, " Stanhope" phaeton, and " Dennet" gig.

Evans and Stafford, Leicester. — Specimens of Ameri-
can cheese made in the state of New fork, weighing from
300 to 1,135 lbs; each cheese.

FiSKEN, Wm., Stamfordham. — Set of two-anchor windlasses
for steam culture, and steam boiler " of immense strength
and heating surface."

Foster and Co., Lincoln. — Eight and ten horse portable
steam engines, combined portable finishing thrashing machine,
fixed corn mill, 2i horse fixed steam engine, portable circular-
saw and boring bench.

Fowler and Co., 71, Cornhill, London. — Twenty-horse
power double set of steam ploughing machinery, eight and
ten-horse hauling apparatus for steam culture, balance ploughs,
cultivators for light or heavy sand [land P], sets of harrows,
subsoil ploughs, Norwegian harrows, seed drill with harrows,
revolving pulverizers, balance five-tine hevel beam cultivators ;
steam drain digger and mole plough ; van to carry the spare
parts of the steam plough, fitted with six beds for the men ;
traction waggon, water carts, horse ploughs, aud traction engine.

Fox AND Son, Doncaster. — Assortment of jute, flax, and
hemp sacks and bags, wool sheets, canvas, beddings, ticks,
paddjngs, and sackings.

Freer and Co., Rothley, Leicestershire. — Grain and seed
dibbling machines, fitted with dibbles at the periphery of four,
five, and six hollow iron serrated wheels.

Gardner, Wm., Gloucester. — French runner miUstones and
bedstones, cast-iron millstone prover, flour bolter, mill staff,
pick, miUbill handles, machine wire and brushes.

Garrett and Sons, Saxmundham. — Six and ten-horse
portable engines, agriciltural self-moving steam engine of
eight-horse, power, combined thrashing and dressing machines,
French burr stone grinding mill ; corn, seed, and manure drills ;
horse hoes, artificial manure distributors, fore-carriage driU
steerages, straw elevators, corn dressing machine, hay and corn
rick ventilators, patent grain ventilators.

Gaywood Agricultural Implement and Machine
Co., King's Lynn. — Eight-horse power patent combined
locomotive thrashing and dressing machine.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

223

Gibbons, Philip and H. P., Wantage. — Seven-horse
power portable steam engine, and portable combined finisbing
and thrashing macliine.

GiBBS (Thomas) and Co., corner of Half-moon-street,
Piccadilly. — Collection of dried specimens of natural grasses
used in forming permanent meadows ; specimens of English
and foreign wheats, barleys, and oats in the ear ; samples of
permanent and other grass seeds, and clover, mangold wurtzel,
turnip, and carrot seed ; agricultural roots, and growing speci-
mens of agricultural seeds.

Gilbert, Josepu, Evesham. — Combined thrashing machine,
fitted with Clayton and Shuttleworth's patent beaters, and
Coulson's spring hangers.

GooDALL, Henry, Derby. — Domestic kneading macliine,
dash churn, and butter powder " for extracting all impurities
from the cream."

Goss AND Son, Plymouth. — Zinc stencil plate letters for
marking millers' sacks, branding figures for marking sheep's
wool with paint, letters for branding brewers' casks and bul-
locks' horns and hoofs, moulders' letters for ironfouuders and
engineers, silver electrofaced types and blocks, and specimens
of persons' names cut out of solid steel.

GoucHER, John, Worksop. — Collection of drum beater
plates, model of a thrashing machine, and working model of
a swimming machine consisting of wings secured to a central
back rib, to be worked by the hands and feet.

GowER AND Son, Market Drayton. — Corn and seed drills,
two-furrow drill presser, manure drills for ridge and fiat, ridge
drills for turnips and mangold, twenty-three coulter driU for
clover and rye grass, Plymouth prize medal broadcast machine,
patching drills, and horsehoe and scuffler.

Grant, John, Love-lane, Southwark. — Portable railway
without cross sleepers, ballast waggon, and portable turn-table.

Grantham, Charles, Peterborough. — Dressing and blow-
ing machine with elevators, and combined dressing and blow-
ing macliine.

Green and Sons, 54<, Blackfriars-road, London. — Pour-
horse power steam-engine, lawn-mowing machines, garden
rollers, mincing sausage machine, and Rotterdam chairs.

Green, John, Newtown, Worcester. — Digging, pulverising,
or cultivating plough ; rollers, clod crushers, harrows, horse-
rake, and scarifier.

Grieein, Morris, and Griffin, Wolverhampton. — Sam-
ple bags of manure ; corn, fiour, and malt sacks ; rick sheet,
cart and waggon covers, and sheet for portable engines and
thrashing machines.

Grover and Baker, 150, Regent-street, London. — As-
sortment of double-lock-stitch sewing machines,

Hancock, P., Dudley. — Machines for making butter and
pulping potatoes ; also for pressing juices from fruit.

Hancock, Jas. L., Sutton Coldfield. — Haymakers, butter
purifiers, tincture presses, spring and wool mattresses, and
newly-improved carriage wheel.

Hancock and Poden, Sandbach. — Combined reaper and
mower with endless chain of double cutters and double-
fingered bar, and six-horse horizontal fixed steam engine.

Handley, R. G., Birmingham. — French runner millstones
and bedstones, mahogany millstone staif, box mill chisels and
handles, needle lubricators, Derby Peak grey runner millstone,
metal prover, mUlstone-face gauge, spiral beater for dressing
mill, machine wire and brushes.

Hardon, Edwin, Strangeways, Manchester. — Royal patent
cake and " original " condimental food.

Hare and Co., 31, Essex-street, Strand. — Illustrations
of implements, engines, and machines ; list of British and
foreign prize medals.

Harratt, Charles, Nottingham. — Patent steam spade,
" urged into rotary motion by a ten-inch steam cylinder, with-
out crank or flywheel."

Harris, John, 53, Long-lane, Bermondsey. — Moveable
letters and brands " to prevent oxydization of marking inks,"
sheep and sack marks, stencU plates, steel letters, and per-
permanent marking inks.

Harrison, Thomas, Lincoln. — General purpose, Hquid
manure, ridge, cup corn, and barrel corn drills, and small
seed distributor.

Harrison and Brother, Leicester Porest East. — Pour-
and-a-half inch waggon, and four-inch cart,

Harrison and Son, Leicester. — Collection of agricultural
and other seeds, roots, plants, flowers, coloured plates, &c.

Hart, David, 344, Whitechapel-road, London.— Fixed and
portable macliines for weighing bullocks, sheep, pigs, wool,
leatlier, hides, roots, goods in sacks, and for general purposes.

Harwood, Wm., 36, King WiUiam-street, London Bridge,
— Sheep scales, scythe sharpener, edge tool and table cutlery
sharpener ; step chair for gardens, Ubrary, halls, &c. ; at-
mospheric churn, carpet sweeper, and small goods for various
domestic purposes,

Hawkes, Spencer, and Co., Tiverton.— Eight, eleven,
and thirteen-row patent chain corn drill,

Hayes, Edward, Stony Stratford. — Ten-horse portable
steam engine, patent self-acting windlass, combined cultivator,
iron anchors, snatch blocks, rollers, levers, crow bars, and steel
rope.

Hayes and Son, Stamford. — Waggons, carts, lorries, van,
private omnibus, phaeton, and seaside sociable.

Hays and Son, Elton, Hunts. — New patented straw ele-
vator, to work at any angle, and with patent vibrating boxes,
to secure the waste corn that escapes the combined shaker.

Haynes and Sons, 229, Edgeware-road, London. —
Hydronette for watering gardens, greenhouses, and conserva-
tories.

Haywaud, Tyler, and Co., 84, Upper Wliitecross-street,
Loudon. — Horizontal high pressure steam engines of £^-liorse
power, rotary tank and other pumps, horse wheel for high
speeds, lubricator, carbonator, garden engines, stock valve,
hydrant, and stand pipe for fire mains.

Haywood, J. and G., Derby. — Sets of draining tools,
chaffcutters, two-horse gears, cheese presses, curd mUls, grass
mowers, field rollers, haymakers, horse rakes, carts, ploughs,
harrows, cultivators, scarifiers, corn dressers, drills, mills, root
pulpers, turnip cutters, harrows, mangles, vases and pedestals,
washing machines, and a variety of garden requisites and do-
mestic utensils.

Headly and Son, Cambridge. — Nine and seven-tine cul-
tivators, water cart, drag rake, cattle troughs, mangers, reapers,
gapping drills, garden pumps, corn bin, school desk and form
combined, weather vanes, garden chairs, and flower stands.

Henton and Son, 268, Westminster Bridge Road, London.
— Elastic side and other saddles, and Melton saddle stands.

Hill and Smith, Brierley. — Skim plough, cultivator,
rollers, harrows, horse hoes, chafi' cutters, racks and troughs,
barrows, varnish, forge, work-bench, garden seats, tree guards,
rollers, rick stands, gates, hurdles, fences, netting, stable
fittings, sheds, and dog kennel.

Hill, AVm., 57, Aylestone-street, Leicester. — Disc washing,
vvTingiug, and mangling machines ; single and double wood
and wicker perambulators and farmer's benzohne lantern.

Hind, H., Nottingham.— Self-acting double-geared slide
and screw-cutting treadle lathe, four-jaw chuck, vertical bench
drilling machine, strong iron saw bench, double-purchase crab,
punching bear, traversing lifting-jack, ratchet brace, stocks,
dies, drop-through taps, and stops ; jump-jointed brewing pan,
belting, shafting, and pulleys.

Hitcuc0(;k, Thos., B., Bury St. Edmunds. —Leather
machine-driving bands, convex thrashing machine driving
pulley, adhesive composition for leather bands, and white
leather thongs.

Hitherley, Thomas, Thrussmgton,— An assortment of
iron and wood ploughs.

Hobbs, Philip, Basingstoke. — Three and four-beamed
harrows with whippletrees, corn, bean, and oilcake mills, sack
cart and elevators, sheep cribs, wheelbarrows, liquid manure
pump, and corn screen.

Holmes and Sons, Norwich. — Rotary harrow, land roUer,
eight and seven-horse portable steam engines, thrashing
machines, straw elevators, saw tables, clover and trefoil seed
sheUer, corn and seed drills, fore-carriage steerage, seed and
manure drills, roller ridge drill, handbarrow drills, and corn
dresser.

Holyoak and Sons, Crosby, Leicestershire. — An assort-
ment of best picked wood drag rakes.

Hope, Wm. Ash, Wellingborough. — Cattle food condiment"

Hornsby and Sons, Grantham. — Wrought iron ploughs,
eight and ten-horse portable steam engines, combined thrashing
machines, corn screens, turnip slicers and root pulpers, corn
and seed drills, horsehoes, " Paragon " mowers and reapers,
" Premier," " Governor," and other semi - manual, back
delivery, swathe delivery, and self-acting reapers; washing,

224.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

wringing, and mangling machines, and indiarubber clothes
wringer.

liowAKD, J. AND F., lipdlord. — Steani-ciiltivating ma-
chinery, donblc-aclion steam cultivators, traction waggons,
ploughs, harrows, clodcrushers, snatchbox sliugs, rope-porters,
liquid manure and water carts ; ridging, subsoiling, digging,
paring, and potato-raising bodies ; iron colonial, swing, and
other ploughs ; plough sledges, dynamometer, harrows,
double-action haymakers, horserakes, reapers and mowers, and
twenty-horse patent safety steam boiler and super-heater.

Howes axd Sojjs, Norwich. — Norfolk shooting carts,
Norwich car, Norwich cart, and basket car.

HowcuTT AND Bakwell, Leicester. — Samples of linseed
and cottonseed cakes, palm-nut meal, agricultural seeds, and
natural grasses of known good variety.

IluDSPiTii, Wm., IlaltwhistJe — A miscellaneous assort-
ment of specifically-named fern and floral "arborets."

Humphries, Edward, Persliore. — Combined double and
single-blast thrashing, shaking, riddling, winnowing, ele-
vating, fiuisliing, and sacking machines; a Clayton and Shut-
tleworth's ordinary portable steam engine of seven-horse power.

Hunt, B,euben, Earl's Colne. — Steampovrer clover and
trefoil seed drawer, liorse-gear with intermediate motion, corn
and seed dressers, oilcake breakers and root pulpcrs, turnip
cutters, and root graters, steerage horsehoe and horserake.

Hunt and Pickering, Leicester. — A collection of iron
and wood beam ploughs ; stubble-paring, subsoil, and ridging
ploughs ; sledge ; cultivators, grubbers, and scarifiers, self-
lubricating, field rollers, cylindrical land pressers, three and
four beamed iron harrows, spike and chain harrows, whipple-
trees ; seed, turnip, mangold, manure, pea, bean, steerage,
and patching drills ; horse hoes, mowers and reapers, knife
bar, horse rake, oilcake breaker, roUer corn crushers, chaff
cutters, root pulpers, cheese presses, grindstones, horse-
powers, rick stands, rakes, barrows, carts, sheep troughs,
churns, steam engines, garden requisites, domestic uten-
sils, &c.

Hydes, Thos., Sheffield. — Wrouglit-iron braced field, en-
trance, and hand gates ; tree guards, deer, sheep, cattle, and
ox hurdles, continuous fence, wire netting, garden seats,
trucks, safes, coops, arches, verandahs, corn bins, water
barrow, vermin-proof rick stands, unclimbable and ornamental
hurdles, and portable tent for picnics.

IsoN, J. AND E., Asliby-de-la-Zouche. — Two-horse com-
bined reaper and mower (Bamlett's), Hornsby's reaper,
Sarauelson's self-acting side-delivery reaper, noiseless lawn
mowers, sheep racks and troughs, garden iountains, vases and
pedestals, garden seats, hat and umbrella stands, bronzed
tables, flower-pot stands, Wheeler Wilson's lockstitch sewing
■ macliines, and Davenport ditto.

Jackson and Foster, Leicester. — Newspapers.

James, Isaac, Cheltenham. — Liquid manure distributors
and pumps, flexible rubber suction pipe, wheel clod-crusher ;
field roller for turf, corn, or clods, water carts, gapping drills,
mortar tempering machine, American clothes drier.

Jeefs and Stevenson, Liddington, Rutlandshire. — Two
24-teeth and two 26-teeth hayrakes ; also two harvest rakes
of 16 and 17 teeth.

Jessop, J., Leicester. — Double-cylinder locomotive steam
crane, with radiating derrick and traveUing motion.

Johnson, T.., Leicester. — Specimens of photographs taken
from implements, machinery, ironfoundery, and carving.

Johnson, W. E., Leicester. — Variety of ploughs, cultiva-
tors, rollers, harrows, whippletrees, horsehoes, drills, manure
carts and pumps, reapers and mowers, liorserakes, drag rakes,
winnowers, carts, oilcake breakers, gear work, chaffcutters,
corncrushers, turnip cutters, root pulpers, lever ciieese presses,
curd-breaker, barrel churns, portable field-vices, lawn mowers,
washing &c. machines, sheep troughs, Chinese gong, corn
bins, hat &c. stands, bronzed hall-tables, whatnots, cast-iron
wall-trophy, door-porter, sets of cro(|uet, garden seats, and
other fittings, ceiling ornaments, ice safes, marble chimney
pieces, stoves, fenders, stack and waggon covers, resisting
safes, rollers, and combined garden seat and roller.

Jones, J. M., Gloucester. — Composition for waterproofing,
softening, and preserving all kinds of leather ; specific for
footrot in sheep, and cattle oils.

Kearsley, H. and G., llipon. — Two-horse grass mowers,
one-horse reaper, and combined reaper and mower, stand to hold
reaping machine knives, two-rowed turnip and mangold drill.

Keites and Sons, Leicester.— Light soriable cart, White-
chapel cart for four or less persons, and cottage pony gig.

Kinder, IIenky, Lciccsler.— Landau wiUi skeleton boot,
circular-fronted brougham, wagonette, and dog cart.

KiNSEY, IL, Nottingham. — Combined vertical engines and
boilers, twelve and four-horse horizontal tanks and foundation
engines, saw bench, steam pump, flour mill, and chaff cutter.

Kittmer, Benj., Eulstow, Lincolnshire. — Six combined
corn dressing and blowing maehiues, with two loose hoppers,
for either dressing or blowing.

Knight and Co., 42, Hanway-street, Oxford-street,
London. — The " Wonder" and " Surprise" .sewing machines ;
also self-acting and ventilating nose or feed bag for horses.

Larkworthy and Co., Worcester. — "Excelsior" iron
wheel and swing ploughs, iron scuffle drag harrows, and three
and four-beam iron liarrows.

Laundon and Co., Leicester. — Chemical manures for
roots, corn, grass, &c.

Law^ and Sons, Leicester. — Three to ten-horse power
horizontal engines, 2^-horse power portable raultibular boiler,
one-horse power works, clay mill, steam hosiery press, seven
and eight-row Leicestershire, corn and seed drills, two-horse
vertical engine and boiler combined, saw-table, garden rollers,
pig troughs, mangers, cooking ranges, hay rack, and cottage
pump.

Le Butt, Josiaii, Bury St. Edmunds. — Self-acting seed
drills, double-action haymakers, sharpening rests, "ever-
lasting" malt screens, and Abercorn chairs.

Lee and Co., Leicester. — Eight-horse power steam engines
portable and flxed ; vertical engines of five and S^-horse power.

Lewis, William, Siirewsbury. — General purpose and light-
land ploughs, lever cultivators, clod crushers and press-wheel
rollers, cast iron land rolls, general purpose and chain liarrows,
two-coulter ridge drill for turnips, turnip hoes, " Governor"
self-raking reaper, " Paragon" combined mower and reaper,
and "Premier" one-horse iron-frame reaper, universal
harvester, cheese press, east-iron roller bracket, improved
holder for sharpening sickles, mowers and reapers.

Lyon, A., 22, AVindmill-strcet, Eiusbury. — Several mincing
and sausage machines, including a inachine for the dinner-
table, for the use of invalids, and to assist digestion ; machines
for shelling green peas, broadbeans, &C. ; cutting and mixing
machine for hounds' food; pulper for fowls' food ; bread cut-
ter; inachine for paring, coring, and slicing apples; egg whip,
suet and parsley chopping board, tobacco knife and board,
cottee and spice mills, set of vegetable cutters, and machine for
cutting Erencli and scarlet beans.

Macnaught and Smith, Worcester. — Tandem and Mai--
vern dogcarts, shooting and Norway carts. Stanhope waggon-
ette, miniature landau and brougham, and village basket cart.

M'Neill and Co., Bunhill row, London. — Asphalted roof-
ing felt, inodorous bituminous felt, dry hair felt, and models in
illustration.

Mancur, E., Agent for Robert Hughes, Birmingham. —
Double and single barrel sporting guns, breech loaders and
muzzle loaders ; rifles, carbines, muskets, pistols, and Colt's
revolver.

Mapplebeck and Lowe, Birmingham. — Chain harrows,
cast steel draining tools, digging, border, and hay forks, spades
and shovels, chaff cutters for hand and power, platform and
other weighing machines, mangles, pumps for water and gal-
vanized for manure, oilcake breakers, scarifier or tormentor,
wood sack carton iron wheels, grindstones, rack and manger,
cast iron stable furniture, portable forge, brewers' hop press,
strand wire fencing, tubular and angle-iron field gates, hurdles,
hand road-scraping machine, single lever cheese press, iron
corn bin, wood tub watering engine, three-row corn drill, gal-
vanized water barrow, vermin traps, and models.

March and Pattison, Leicester. — Cooking ranges and
apparatus, eccentric cutting press, screw and rolling presses,
pricking and skiving machines, hollow iron and block lasts,
bundle of knives, swivel stand and socket, and sample board of
malleable castings.

Markall, J. T., 7, Union-street, Whitechapel. — General
joiner, for sawing, rabbeting, grooving, tenoning, boring, &c. ;
and self-acting cross-cut saw bench.

Marsden, H. R., Leeds. — Second-size patent stone breaker ;
stone, cement, coprolites, and ores crusher ; four-horse power
portable steam engine to drive the above.

M.VRS1IALL, Sons, and Co., Gainsborough. — Nine-horse,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

eight-horse, and five-liorse power portable steam engines,
three-horse power vertical, and two-horse steam pumpiucc en-
gine ; combined thrashing and finishing corn dressers, straw
elevators, and circular-saw benches.

Martin, W., 4, Shepperton-street, Islington, London. —
Corrossa nuts, or vegetable ivory, and miscellaneous lot of ar-
ticles.

Matthews, Sox, and Co., Driffield. — New corn-feeding
cake as a substitute for linseed-cake.

Mattison, Wm., Bedale. — One right-hand delivery and
one left-hand delivery reaping machine, each of one-horse
power.

Maynard, R., Cambridge. — Portable sifting chaif engines,
and spare knife wheels, powerful oilcake crusher, self-acting
horse-rake, and six-horse portable steam-engine.

Mellakd, Southwell, .vnu Co., Rugeley. — Subsoil
plough, lever cultivators, moulding or ridging ploughs, horse
drag rakes, haymakers, pulpers, oilcake breakers, corn crushers,
kibbling mills, chaff cutters, cheese presses, curd mills, malt
mill, garden chairs, pig troughs, horse-power works, portable
corn mill, six-hoise vertical and horizontal engines, and
wooden sheep rack.

Milford and Son, Thorverton, Devon. — Salisbury, Leeds,
and Plymouth first-prize two-horse waggon, and lifting-jack.

Mitchell, W., Brandon. — Anti-diarrhocatic compound
feeding cake, and quantity of seeds.

Mitchell .ynd Burgess, Manchester. — Reaper-knife
sharpeners, and portable stands for firmly holding the reaper-
bar while being sharpened with emery or ordinary file.

Morris and Co., Shadwell. — Collection of leather bands,
fire-hose brass unions and hand branches, leather laces, fire-
buckets, band screens, copper rivets and burrs, Green's patent
fastener ; collection of leather in hides and backs.

MORRiss, C, Leicester. — Five-motion pression and four
and five-motion quadrant action beer engine, beer machines,
shop rail opal and ttint gas burners ; two-light gas pendant in
silver, opal, and ruby ; ditto silver ball, opal arms, and cut
drops ; crystal star gas burner for ten lights, brilliantly cut
with diamonds, and magnifying to 1,000 lights ; also wrought-
iron joiner's cramp.

Morton and Co., Liverpool. — An assortment of strained
wire fence, straining pillars, tie and angle posts, wTought-iron
gates, hurdles, galvanized roofing tiles, stiles, wicket-gate and
sweep, with models of iron buildings.

Moule's Patent Earth-closet Co., 29, Bedford-street,
Strand, London. — Patent earth commodes and urinals, six
sets of pull-up appar.itns, portable iron drying stove, gal-
vanized iron tank mounted on wheels, dustless earth and cinder
sifter, sieve used for sifting the e.irth for the patent earth
closets.

Mulliner,H., Leamington. — Wagonette, Whitechapel dog
cart, basket pony phaeton, light hickory phaeton, sets of pony
and other harness.

MusGRAVE Brothers, Belfast. — Full-sized horse stalls
with all the necessary stable furniture, cow-house fittings, iron
piggery, dog kennel, encaustic and other stoves, &c.

Murton and Turner, Thetford. — Corn-dressing machines,
combined four-row mangold and turnip drill and lever horse
hoe, small-occupation corn and seed drill, twelve-row swing
steerage corn drill, twenty-row barley and seed drill, horse
swathe rake, sample of steel forks, and sample of hand drills.

Nicholson, W. Newzaii, Newark. — Cambridge clod
crusher, land rollers, harrows, various hay makers, horse rakes,
1^ and 2|-horse stationary steam engines, portable steam
engine and boilers, cake breakers, corn dressers, sack-lifters,
patent clipper mower, croquet lawn mower, garden roller for
pony, and double-cylinder rollers, wine racks, malt shovels,
cooking and cottage bed-room gate.

Norton, J. L., 38, Belle Sauvage Yard, Ludgate Hill,
London. — Five-horse high-pressure vertical steam engine,
nine-horse horizontal ditto, tube wells and pumps, apparatus
for driving wells, Archimedian screw ventilators, cliimney
ventilators, silent fans. Hoot's Amencan blower, oil tester,
time and speed recorder for machinery or engines, and pressure
recorder.

Nye and Co., 79, Wardour-street, London. — Mincing,
sausage, and ma.sticating machines ; also variety of mills,
knife cleaners, butt taps witli metal plugs, brushes, conser-
vatory pump, &c.
Oldham .ynp Booth, Kingston'Upori'HuU. '»-' SLvhor^e

power bone mill with two pair of toothed rollers ; also single-
roller bone mill ; two other bone mills, and si.K-horse power
single-cylinder portable steam engine.

Owens and Co., Whitefriars, London. — Horizontal steam
aud centrifugal pumps, Cassiobury fire extinguisher, variety of
other pumps aud fire ensiues with requisite fittings, pulley and
snatch blocks, water wheels, hydraulic rams, Townshend pail
extinguisher, and portable engine tanks.

Page and Co., Bedford. — Draining pipe, tile, and brick-
making machines, leverage brick press, various ploughs, feed
rollers, seed harrows, drag and diagonal iron harrows ; turnip,
bean, steerage, and combined expanding horse hoes; horse
hay, corn, and stubble rakes ; steam, horse, and hand-power
chatt" cutters ; linseed-cake and bean mills, scutters, corrugated
iron sheep aud pig troughs, and bench drilling machine.

Parker, J., Knipton, Leicestershire. — Thirty-eight kinds
of English wool, twenty-sis specimens of planked timber,
twenty transverse sections cut from the root end of trees, nine
patterns of veneer, five rolls of oak and other bark, and mis-
cellaneous collection of wood specimens — all from the estate
of the Duke of Rutland.

Parkes and Co., Birmingham.— Sets and assortments of
cast steel draining tools, digging and other forks, various tools
for agricultural purposes, dung drags, potato shovels, centre
strap, spades and shovels, axes, hooks, hoes, and hatchets.

Parr and Hajishaw, Leicester. — Cosy carts, Ariel wagon-
ette, park phaeton, circular-fronted brougham, wagonette
with moveable head, dogcarts, sociable landau, and ladies'
car.

Peacock and Bdciian, Southampton. — Assortment of
anti-corrosive metallic paints ; also paint brushes, and patent
can opener.

Pearson Brothers, Gainsborough. — Few samples of pure
linseed cake, ordinary cotton-seed cake, ditto of extra quality,
samples of finest Petersburgli linseed, aud of Egyptian cotton
seed.

Peirce, a. F., 109, HattoH Garden, London. — Tubular
wheelbarrows ; rotary general purpose liquid manure barrow
pump, garden or fire engine ; other pumps, self-coiling horse-
reel, perpetual garden engines, corn bins, dust bins, portable
furnace, step chair and expanding step ladders, straight ladder,
tubular counterbalance, cash stand, expanding clothes horse ;
pig, sheep, and cattle troughs ; taper-tail tripod manure pump,
vase and pedestal, sack trucks, balcony chairs, piggeries or dog
kennels, horserake ; shovels, syringes and garden engines,
aquapults, fiour bius, galvanized iron adjusted and stamped dry
measures (from half-a-pint to a bushel), seamless milk cans,
turnip skips, pails, buckets, economic potato washer, cinder
sifter, knife cleaner, carpet sweeper, and box churn.

Penny .vnd Co., Lincoln. — Radiating grain and seed separa-
tor, linseed dresser, adjustable rotary corn screens with blower
and stone separators attached, also combined with winnowing
aud dressing apparatus ; malt, gravel, lime, and coal screens ;
sack lifters witli rack and chains, wire game netting, mea
safes, woven wire, garden seats, arches, verandahs, and fiower
stands.

Pickering, J., Stockton-on-Tees. — Patent pulley blocks
and lifting chain, for raising aud lowering weights from 5 cwt.
to 2 tons.

PiCKSLEY, Sims, and Co., Leigh. — " Excelsior" clod
crusher, collection of chaff-cutters, oat and bean crushers and
mills, corn crushers ; turnip pulper, slicers, and strippers ;
Gardner's single and double-action turnip cutters, horserakes
reaper, mower, and combined reaper and mower, American
horserakes, grindstone and strong iron trough, wringing and
mangling machines, pigtroughs, lawn mowers, garden seats, '
aud rollers, sack trucks, and two-horse combined vertical steam
engine and boiler.

PiNEOLD, J. D., Rugby. — Two brick-aud-tile-making ma-
chines, to make 15,0U0 aud 20,000 solid or perforated bricks
per day ; also self-acting brick cutter, and a brick press.

PocniN AND Son, Leicester. — Variety of sewing machines
and writing desk, bronzed garden seats, arbour work-table,
garden arches, engines, syringes, and seats ; sets of croquet,
meat safe with sliding shelf, birdcages, flower stands, corn
bins, washhand stands, and patent cooking pot.

PocHiN, S. D., Leicester. — One hundred draining pipes,
twenty roofing tiles, aud six manger blocks.

Porter and Co., Lincoln. — Comstock's rotary spader for
digging between hop-vows, and ns 3 cultivitor for lighti

226

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

soils ; ditto for strong soils, and doing the breadth of four
ploughs.

Powis, James, and Co., York Road, Lambeth. — Seven-
horse power combined vertical engine and boiler ; spoke-
maker ; four-cutter moulding and planing machine ; steam-
power tenon- cutter ; endless-band sawing machine ; circular
and frame saw sharpener ; noiseless disc fanblower ; improved
general joiner ; self-acting circular-saw bench ; hard_ or soft
wood mortiser ; mortiser, tenon-cutter, and borer ; and mitre-
cutter.

Powis amd Co., 51, Gracechurch-street, London, E-C. —
Hand power mortising, tenoning, and boring machines ; band-
sawing machines ; self-acting circular-saw bench, and improved
joiner's saw bench ; universal joiner, trying-up and planing
macliine, saw-sharpener, three-eutter moulding machine, and
ten-horse power portable steam engine.

Pridmore, Geo., Syston, Leicestershire. — Machine for
vrinnowing all kinds of grain, and corn-dressing macliine.

Priest and Woolnough, Kingston-on-Thames. — four
lever corndrills, grass-seed drill for horse power, manure dis-
tributor, drill for turnips and manure on the ridge ; patent
lever horse hoes, for light, mixed, and heavy lands ; beam
horsehoe for hoeing grain and root crops at any distance
apart ; three and five-tined horsehoes for wheat, turnips, man-
gold, &c.

Proskauer, H., 69, Great Chart-street, Hoxton, London. —
Transferable centres, corners, and borders, for ornamenting
leather, papier-mache, and japan goods ; ditto landscapes and
views, for flower-boxes and vases ; bousquet [bouquets ?] and
flowers for transferring to glass windows ; animals and their
heads, for japan goods ; ornamental plain and fancy covering,
for carriage bodies ; and miscellaneous sheets, for glass, &c.

Ransome and Co., 10, Essex-street, Strand, London. —
Weston's quick motion, triple-sheave, and other differential
pulleys and chains ; two and three-sheave " London pattern"
rope pulley blocks ; Haley's lifting jacks, hydraulic and agri-
cultural ditto ; Wilson's patent spanners, SchwartzkopfTs self-
acting spanners, automaton ditto, crank spanner, ratchet brace,
freegrit grindstone, portable vice bench, roller punch, steam-
pressure gauges, Schaffer's counting machine, Ransome's anti-
friction metal, portable forge, wrought-irou parallel vice,
sample of bolts and nuts, oxygen fire bar, needle lubricators,
leather belting, driving band links, liquid manure pump, annu-
lar boiler, atmospheric churns, sack trucks, carriage setter,
corn and flour bins, hothouse engine, garden engine, edge-
cutting machine, garden seats, scales, traps, cooking apparatus,
mincers, egg testers and beaters, knife cleaner, &c., and
Long's Non-poisonous specific for sheep and wool.

Ransojies and Sims, Ipswich. — Pony and one-horse
ploughs, iron beam wheel and swing ploughs, digging and
paring ploughs, double furrow ploughs, turnwrest and ridging
or subsoil ploughs, potato raising, and other ploughs, iron
plough sledge, new and improved plough wheels and irons,
whippletrees and pomeltrees, liarrows, horaerakes, haymakers,
bean cutters, various mills; root-pulpers, turnip and chaff
cutters, iron gear for two horses, rotary corn screens, lawn
mowers, pig troughs, pans, single-slide expansion steam en-
gines, doublp, and single-blast steam thrashing machines, eight-
horse power self-moving traction steam engine, improved straw
elevator, patent caloric engine.

Ravenscroet, E., 150, Fleet-street, London. — " The
Fanner" newspaper, " Journal of Agriculture," and " Country
Gentleman's Magazine."

Reading Iron Works Company. — Read's subpulverizer
plough, Spencer's roller and clodcrusher, six-horse high-
pressure and condensing engine, seven-horse portable steam
eugiue, 5i<-iuch single-blast combined thrashing machine,
horse-power thrashing machine and gear, American " clipper"
mowing machine, saw bench with boring apparatus, double-
action Jiay machine, lever horserake, thirteen-coulter chain
corn drill, gorse-bruising machine, and oilcake mill.

Reeves, R. and J., Westbury. — Liquid manure, corn, and
seed drills, broadcast manure distributor, water carts, barrow
pump, and delivery pipe for water barrels.

Reid and Co., Aberdeen. — General-purpose lever corn
drill, and combined with horsehoe, horserake, barn weighing-
machine, deer and cattle strained fence of galvanized strand
wire and intermediate standards and straining pillars, witli
>!elf-fixing wire straining post.

Kendle, W. E., 68, Welbeok-street, London,— IVuit-tree

and plant protectors, collection of agricultural and garden
seats, and collection of agricultural and horticultural books.

Riches ajvd Watts, Norwich. — Two-horse-power port-
able steam, engine, two-horse American heated-air engine, im-
proved American grist mill on traveUiug carriage and another
on low stand, also one to be driven by horse power ; " Eureka"
grist miUs, " Domestic" and " Universal" grist mills and flour
separator, aspirator for hand-power and one of greater capacity
arranged with a riddle ; " Excelsior" grain separator, American
cradle washing and wringing machines, and carriage jack.

Richmond and Chandler, Salford. — A variety of chaff-
cutters and corncrushers, horsegears, rootwashers, turnip-
cutter, steaming apparatus, bread-kneading machines, four-
horse steam engine, chaffcutters, and corncrusher.

Ride, Joseph, Leicester. — Four-horse-power horizontal
high-pressure steam engine, eight-horse Cornish boiler, port-
able corn mOl on wooden frame, line of wrought-iron turned
shafting, bearings, and pulleys ; wrought-iron cyhnder, stop
valves, 18-inch pulley, man-hole lid for steam boiler, wrought-
iron ring for joining boiler flues.

RoBET AND Co., Lincoln. — Eight-liorse-power portable
steam engine, thrashing and finishing machine, single-dresser
thrashing machine, three-horse vertical engine with single
cylinder, straw elevator, circular-saw bench, eight-horse
traction engine, and fixed or portable corn mill.

Robinson, Alfred, Leicester. — One-horse-power gas
engine, requiring neither boiler, chimney, fuel, nor stoker;
and steel-roller corncrusher or grinding rail].

Rollins, J. G., Old Swan Wharf, London Bridge. — Ameri-
can pumps, suction, force, pitcher-spout, and yard ; American
aquarius, hydraulic rams, hay and manure forks, hayrakes,
Nova Scotia grindstone, India pond extra scythe stones, horse
rakes, thermometer churns, small American implements for
farm and household use, weighing machines, &c.

Rowell and Co., 9, Victoria Chambers, Westminster. —
Improved fence, and also with gate combined, and an assort-
ment of improved patent straining fence.

RusTON, Proctor, and Co., Lincoln. — Portable steam
engines, of six, eight, ten, and twelve-horse-power ; double and
single-blast thrashing and finishing dressing machines ; im-
proved straw elevator, and circular-saw benches.

RyljVND, Alfred, Birmingham. — Assortment of Cam-
bridge's patent firebars, steam pump, white metal for journals,
malleable iron castings for agricultural implements, steel cast-
ings, and patent block composition for prevention and removal
of incrustation in steam boilers.

Salmon, Tomlin, and Co., Kettering. — Eccentric treadle
and strong screw presses for cutting out boot and shoe soles,
single and double ; rollers for leather, and wrinkhng press ;
pricking machine for sprigging, split lift cutter, skivers for
stiffeners, strip header for uppers, six men's punches, iron lasts ;
assortment of thirty-six sickles ; sheep shears ; reaping,
bagging, and bean hooks ; hedging hooks, &c.

Samuelson and Co., Banbury. — Self-raking reapers, one
and two-horse " Eclipse" reapers, grass mowers, combined
reapers and mowers, turnip cutters, and lawn mowers.

Sawney, Wm. (Trustees of) Beverley. — Winnowing, blow-
ing, screening, and cliver machines, onehorse manual delivery
reaper, sack elevators, hay collectors, sheep racks, garden
seats, treadle grindstones, diamond swing for two children, and
improved riddler.

Shand, Mason, and Co., 75, Upper Ground-street, London.
— Steam fire-engine as used by the metropolitan and other fire
brigades, the British Admiralty, Russian, and other govern-
ments ; also volunteer brigade fire-engine.

Sharman, Warren, Melton Mowbray. — Several bundles
of hay and corn rakes, drag rakes, twitch, couch, and stubble
rakes, scythe sheatlis, corn and flour bins, sack trucks, strained
wire fence, meat safes, garden chairs, scuttle measures, &c.

SniLLiNGTON, T. F., Belfast. — Reaping and mowing ma-
chine with continuous cutting parts for saving nearly half the
draughts and fitted with patent platform.

SiiUTTLEWORTii, J., Hathcrsage, Derby. — Pair of Peak
millstones of the best description.

Silvester and Co., 16, St. James's Walk, Clerkenwell,
London. — American knife sharpener and scale, patent bull-
ring; stop valves, hammer, and steel measure or tape with side
spring.

Simpson and Hutton, Northampton. — Seven horsepower
portable steam ensfine.

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE,

227

Simpson, A., Westmoreland Walk, CMswell-street, Londou.
— Assortment of cattle spice, farinaceous food, case of silver
cups and other prizes.

Sketchley, W., Weymouth. — Six-horse portable steam
engine, universal joiners, Betty saws, and mortising machine.

Smith and Co., Harbury, Warwickshire. — Combined
mowing and reaping machine, horse rake and general drill, and
general purpose horsehoe.

Smith and Grace, Thrapston. — Grist mills for any kind
of grain for hand or horse power, several chaff cutters, com-
bined turnip cutter and root pulper, bean and cake mills, horse
rake, turnip tliinner and horsehoe combined.

Smith, J. H., Congleton. — Two-wheeled traps, termed
" The Elect or Ladies' Dog-cart," and new windlass for re-
moving carriage head.

Smith, Wm., Fostou, Yorkshire.— Self-feeding sheep racks,
suited to all kinds of food, hayrack and shepherd's hut.

Smith, Wra., Kettering. — Horse-hoes with steerage, and
made with lever to lift at land's end, and to travel from
field to field ; winnower and blower, grindstone with a V
edge, selfraking reaper with Smith's patent scraper, sugar
choppers, currant and raisin dressing machine.

Smith, W., Royal Polytechnic, Eegent-street, London. —
Moveable letters, anti-corrosive silver-faced, for marking linen,
and warranted not to oxydize.

Smyth and Sons, Peasenhall. — Small-occupation corn-
drill, nine to fifteen-row " Eclipse" corndrills, a fifteen-row
and fourteen-and-three-row corn drill, seven-feet manure dis-
tributor ; turnip, mangold, and manure drill, and general-pur-
pose driU.

Spencer, J. AND T., Leicester. — New Guide to Leicester
andniap of the town ; Guide to Charnwood Forest, Bradgate
Park, Sec, and stereoscopic slides.

Sponcj, J. 0., 104, Fulham Road, London. — Revolving
blow pipe ; sausage and general mincing machine.

Starey, T. R., Nottingham. — Light wagonette to form
small omnibus for one or a pair of horses, phaeton in fine
osier-work, framed cart, built of steel and liickory, and Queen's
pattern basket-carriage to hold four persons.

Startin and Co., Birmingham. — Village cart, park phae-
ton, mail wagonette, miniature broughams and barouche, and
side-light landau.

Staynes and Sons, Leicester. — Leather and gutta percha
endless driving bands, suction and delivery hose, waterproof
covers, and indiarubber washers.

St. Pancras Ironwork Co., Old St. Pancras Road,
London. — Loose boxes and stalls with all necessary stable
fittings and furniture, sheep and cattle hurdles, wicket and
field gates, tree guards, garden seats, galvanized cast-iron
sashes for cottages, pig trouglis, feeding trucks, and turntables.

Summerscales and Son, Keighley.— Collection of wash-
ing, wringing, and mangling machines, on the dash-wheel
principle.

Sutton and Sons, Reading. — Large coUection of 100
specimens of dried grass plants, and samples of grass seeds ;
complete assortment of the principal kinds of agricultural,
horticultural, and floricultural seeds ; collectiou of the leading
varieties of agricultural roots, and growing samples of various
kinds of seeds in pots.

Swain, R., Braunston, Northamptonshire.— Four farm or
poultry-yard gates.

Tang ye Brothers and Holm an, 10, Lawrence Pount-
ney Lane, London. — Special steam pumps with duplex boiler-
feeder, four-horse portable steam-engine with cannon pump,
differential pulley-blocks, hydraulic lifting and pulling jacks
and punching bear, " Niagara" and other force pumps with
hose, pails, hoisting crab, haley and screw jacks, rope blocks,
and " Britannia" tank fire-engine.

Tanned Leather Company, 81, Mark Lane, London. —
Samples of driving straps and endless bands, with strap laces.

Tasker and Sons, Audover. — Twelve-horse power double-
cylinder traction engine (Clayton's make) ; windlass, with
ropes, rope porters, and anchors complete for steam cultivation ;
Smith of Woolston's wrought-iron cultivator ; apparatus for
scarifying and drUling corn and other seeds, harrowing, and'
rolling in one operation, and to be worked by steam ; harrow
to be worked in conjunction with Smith's cultivator ; set of
three four-beamed trussed frame iron harrows, water cart, six-
horse power portable steam engine, single-blast combined port -
able thrashing machine, improved portable straw elevator.

corn-dressers, two-horse portable thrashing machine, and screw
jack.

Taylor and Co., Adelaide Place, London Bridge. — Chaff-
cutters, corn crushers, weighing machines, barrow Californian
lift and force pumps, farmer's boiler, grindstones on iron and
wooden frames, portable forge and bellows, bench and vice,
corn bins, American churns, lawn mowers, garden seats, tables,
arches, flower baskets, stands, chairs, and stools, also self-
adjusting scythe.

Taylor, E., No. 1, Sussex-street, Manchester. — Eccentric
churns, washing, wringing, and mangling machines.

Thomas, C, Stratford-on-Avon. — Flexible side and other
saddles, safety stirrup, Pelham curb and gag roller, variety of
bridles and noseband.

Thompson, R. W., 3, Moray-place, Edinburgh. — Road
steamer traction-engine on vulcanized indiarubber patent
wheel tires, with vertical pot boiler.

Thorn, Charles, INorwich. — Shooting carts, village
phaeton, wagonette, Norwich car or ladies' carriage and suit-
able for children, silver nnd brass mounted single cob harness.

Tinkler, R., Penrith. — Churns of various sizes.

Tipper, B. C, Birmingham. — " Medicated mystery ;" and
scab and tick ointment and powder.

Tomlinson and Hayward, Lincoln. — Butter powder for
improving the quality and increasing the quantity of butter,
making it eweet and firm in the hottest weather.

Topham, C, Colemau-street, Londou. — Regulating ma-
chine for cutting food for poultry, suet cutter, sausage mincer,
masticator, sausage filler, Canadian oilstone, screw wrenches,
digging forks, self-expanding boiler-tube-cleaning brush and
metal scraper, spiral wire and solid tube brushes.

Turner, E., R., and F., Ipswich. — Portable steard
engines of four to ten-horse power, five-horse improved trac-
tion engine, and ten-horse fixed steam-engine; combined
thrashing and dressing machines, straw elevator grinding and
crushing miUs, oilcake breakers, chaffcutters, malt mills, maize
slieller, circular-saw bench, and gear work with intermediate
motion.

TujCFORD AND SoNS, Bostou. — First-prize eight-horse-
power portable steam engine, ten-horse improved horizontal-
cylinder engines, sixteen-horse ditto with two cylinders, eight-
horse steeple engine ; one, two, three, four, six, and eight
horse improved horizontal portable steam engines ; prize ten-
horse fixed steam engine ; combined portable single-blast
thrashing, shaking, and winnowing machines for four and six
horse power engines, fitted with Coulson's spring hangers,
Goucher's beaters, and improved riddles and shakers ; com-
bined thrashing, shaking, and perfecting machine ; patent
straw elevator to work at any angle, with self-feeding table
and twenty-eight feet spout ; double grinding mills, witli one
pair of French and one pair of Peak stones ; portable single
grinding mill in metal case and frame ; Appold's centrifugal
pump to throw 350 gallons per minute, and improved circular-
saw table with parallel fence plate.

Tyler, William, Melton Mowbray. — Wagonette, light
dogcart painted blue, light varnished dogcart, and improved
varnished Whitechapel.

Underiiill, W. S., Newport, Salop. — Five, seven, and
nine-tine cultivators ; six-horse power portable steam engine,
traction engine, and thrashing, dressing, riddling, and finish-
ing machines ; blast elevators, Honnington scarifiers, twin-
harrows, horserakes, two-furrow turnip drill, patching drill,
ryegrass and cloverseed drill, hoes, grubbers, chain and Bed-
ford harrows, cow crib, hand cart, sheep rack, cheese press,
varnish-heating stove, and patent fences.

Unite, J., 291, Edgware-road, London. — Model of thirty-
load rick cloth, yeUow and black and white cloths, water-
proof and woollen trace and shill [thiU ?] clotlis, corn
sacks, white anti-friction wheel grease, nosebags, sack tyers,
horsecloths, tarred and white collar reins, web head halters,
head stalls, hay rope, kersey horsecloths, hemp sheep netting,
Arcliangel mats for fruit trees, and netting for same.

Upton, John, Atherstone. — Spring waggon for agricultu-
ral and miller's purposes, and 41 inch cart for general pur-
poses, with harvest gearing.

Varty, Nathan, Royston. — Six patent self-cleaning horse
hoes, fitted with lifting apparatus for light and uneven land,
and also for heavy land ; two self-cleaning root-hoes.

ViCKERS, Snowden, AND MoRRls, Doncaster. — Wheel
and swing ploughs, two-row combined mangold and turnip

228

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

(Irill, turuip cutters and slicers, and self-expanding horsehoes
for liglit and heavy land.

VVa.de, Wm., Leeds. — Several revolving barrel churns,
making from 2 to SOlbs. of butter, with electroplated air-
discharge valves ; also two tub churns.

Walker, W., Tithley, Notts. — Fourteen-rovv corn, man-
gold wurzel, and turnip seed drill, with steerage ; 24-row clo-
verseed and ryegrass drill, with steerage, and easily worked
turnip cutter.

Wallis, Haslam, .VJ\"D Steevens, Basingstoke. — Eight-
horse-power portable steam engine, and S-t-inch double-blast
thrashing and finishing machine.

Warner and Sons, 8, Crescent, Cripplegate, London. —
Annular sail wind engine ; a variety of lift and force pumps,
fire engines, garden engines, swing water barrows, syringes,
aquajects, fountains, iirebells, steam fittings, sluice valves,
" Noria" water lift, and chafl' cutter for wind engine.

Webb'and Co., Worcester. — Bags of dissolved bones ; bean,
pea, and vetch manure ; wheat and potato manures, bone
superphosphate (jf lime, nitrophosphate, turuip aud mangold
manure, hop manure, concentrated bone manure, ground bone
ash, shoddy manure, Angamosand Peruvian guano, and palm-
nut meal.

Webb, L., Stowmarket. — Leather machine bands in great
variety, fire buckets, delivery and suction hose, leather laces
for lashing liands, cut soles from English butts, tan sheep
leather, wool lamb skins, strap butts, and tanned calf-skins.

Weik, E., li'2, High Holborn. — Washing, wringing, and
mangling machines ; indiarubber wringers and starchers,
mangles, gofi'erers, clotheshorse, chair and steps, lawn garden
seat, portable wardrobe, ladies' work holders, sabots, Norwe-
gian self-acting cooking apparatus, " lightning" apple-parer,
fruit -press, mincers and sausage makers ; mills for grinding
coffee, pepper, spice, rice, &c. ; egg and butter [batter ?]
whisks, zinc syringes, burglar alarm, portable folding lad-
der, &c.

Wheeler, Benj., Nottingham. — Simple, plain, well made,
and portable conservatory, and two garden chairs.

Wheeler and Son, Gloucester. — Collection of farm seeds.

White, Josei»h, 15, Trinity-street, Southwark. — Speci-
mens of oil-feeders and needle lubricators, artificial dams,
save-all pyramidal oilcans, barn lanterns, leather bands and
straps, lashing laces and thongs.

Wkiteiiead, J., Preston. — Ilandpower drain pipe, tile,
and brickmakiug machines ; double-box steam-power ditto ;
improved hand-power brick pressing machine, solid brick
maker, and six-horse-power portable steam engine.

WiiiTMEE AND Co., 103, St. John-street, Clerkenwell,
London. — Several corncrushers, three sicel flour mills, also
mills with Derbyshire Peak andPrench burr stones for power,
domestic flour mills for haudpower, linseed and malt mills,
flour-dressing machine, and sausage makers.

WiLKiNS, T., Ipswich. — Two, four, and five-horse portable
steam engines ; mills for grinding corn aud pulse of every de-
scription, charcoal, spices, drugs, &c.

Wilkinson and Son, Ely. — Lever self-adjusting horse lioe
adapted to all the prevailing metliods of drill culture.

Williamson Brothers, Kendal. — Six-horse power por-
table steam engine, vortex turbine wheel, whirlpool certrifugal
pumps and blowing fau.

Wilson and Co., 210, Regent-street, London. — Hand and
treadle sewing machines of various descriptions, plain and
handsomely finished.

W^ilson and Co., 5, Lime-street, London. — Twelve-horse
double-cylinder portable steam engine ; one-horse portable
pumping and driving steam engine ; donkey steam pump for
feeding boilers ; universal steam engine of one-man's power,
and specimen of impregnable iron fencing.

Wilson, J., Penrith, Cumberland. — Bottles of " The
Preservative" and " Perfect Cure" sheep bathing, " Improved
sheep-dipping powder" and " Dipping Composition."

WiNDOVER, C. S., Huntingdon. — Huntingdon wagonette
made of hickory and steel, Hilton dog-cart, park phaeton,
Dagmar pony cars, Stanhope phaetons, miniature circular-
fronted broughams, boat-shaped barouche ; other dog-carts,
phaetons, and sociables, American buggy, and Southern
Brett.

Wood, Walter A., 77, Upper Thames-street, London.—
t^rass-raowerx, and one and two-horse reapers ; also a Nova

Scotia grindstone for sharpening the knives of mowing
machines.

Woods, Cocksedge, and Warner, Stowmarket.— One,
two, and four-horse vertical steam engines ; 43-incli and
3G-ineh portable Prench burr corn-grinding mill ; 30-inch
Peak stone portable corn-mill ; two-horse power portable corn-
mill, " universal" mill, crusliing roller mills, pulpers, turnip
cutters, oilcake breakers, horse-works, two-liorse thrashing
machines, saw tables, poppy and weed extirpator, zigzag roU,
improved one-horse carts, perfect pig-troughs, asphalting
iipparatus, root pulper, double barley rolls, Cambridge's press
wheel roller, three-cylinder field aud pasture roll, ditto with
four cylinders, eight-horse double-cylinder vertical engine,
large chaff cutter ; line of shafting, with pulleys, blocks,
standards, &c. ; two-horse mower and reaper ; model drying
apparatus for agricultural produce.

Woolley, Joseph, Allestree, Derby. — Derbyshire waggon,
strong oue-liorse cart, light ditto, market cart, and tandem
Scotch cart.

AVright and Son, Great Bently, Essex. — Grass seeds and
specimens, aud agricultural seeds and roots.

Wright, IL, Boston. — Straw elevators aud stacking ma-
chines, also portable horse works.

THE RECEIPTS AT LEICESTER.

Brick and Tile Yard (one day, 408 persons, £102.)
Sale of Catalogues about £600.

First day (5s.) 3,052 persons £763 18 0

Second dav (2s. 6d.)... 10,290 „ 1,291 5 3

Third day"(2s. 6d.) ... 5,987 „ 813 2 8

Fourth day (Is.) 52,462 „ 2,629 3 10

Fifth day (Is.) 24,538 „ 1,226 18 0

96,329
The following Comparative Returns were issued on Monday
night : —

BURY ST. EDMUNDS, 1867.

First day (5s.) 910persons £227 15 0

Second dav (2s. 6d.)... 4,465 „ 557 11 0

Third day'(2s. Gd.) ... 7,886 „ 985 8 6

Fourth dav (Is.) 33,126 „ 1,657 15 0

46,387
PLYMOUTH, 1865.

First day (5s.) 1,063 persons £265 16 0

Secondday (2s. 6d.)... 4,767 „ 595 1110

Third day (2s. 6d.) ... 17,269 „ 2,150 0 0

Fourth dav (Is.) 24,943 „ 2,147 14 10

66,042

It win be seen that the one bad day at Leicester was on the
Saturday, attributable to the end of the week and the incon-
venient arrangement of cutting the Show time in two.

SHORTHORNS AT THE COUNTY OF CORK SHOW.
— ^Tlie annual show of the County of Cork Agricultural So-
ciety was held on Thursday, July 24, in the City of Cork Corn-
Exchange. The exhibition of Shorthorns was a good one, as
may be inferred when we find Mr. Smith, of Islandmore, in
the field with his prize-taking bull Lictor, from the MuUina-
bro" herd, and also " Chief of Lothian," from the Ardfert
pastures, whith stood first and second respectively, against five
others which formed the section of aged bulls. In the year-
ling bulls. Photograph, bred by Mr. AVelsted, took the Meade
and Garde £50 cup as the best yearling bull in the yard, Mr.
Henry Barry, Ballyadam, coming in second with Ali Murad,
a Soubadar bull out of a cow, Sally, also from Mr. Welsted's
herd. Mr. G. Colthurst got highly commended for Knight of
Lothian. Of fourteen bull calves' Mr. Smith, of Islandmore,
with The Governor, bred by him, by Lictor, took also the
Welsted Challenge Cup, as the best bull calf in the yard. Mr.
Welsted had won this cup twice in succession ; Mr. H. Massy's
unnamed calf was the second ; J. Downing's Pasha and Mr.
Welsted's Royal Knight were highly cominended In th<i

THE FAEMEIi'S MAGAZINE.

229

cow section Mr. Welsted's Rosette led tlie way, Mr. Barry's
Sally, a Welsted cow, taking second ; Mr. Meade's, of Bally-
martle, and Mr. H. Massy's commended. In two-year-old
heifers Mr. Welsted's Princess Primrose was first, as also the
winner of tlie prize for the best two-year-old heifer bred in
the county, Mr. George Ronaldson coming in second. In the

yearling heifers. Colonel Fisher took the first prize, and the
Meade and Garde Challenge Cup, Mr. Welsted's Rosanna
second, and also the prize tor the best yearling heifer bred in
the county. Mr. II. Massy's Wood Rose highly commended.
Mr. J. Downing, Ashfield, Jermoy, tQQk the prize for tlie best
Shorthorned heifer calf.

EOYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.

Monthly Council, Wednesday, August 4, 1868. —
Present : His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, K.G.,
president, in the chaii- ; Viscouut Bridport, Lord dies-
ham. Sir A. K. Macdonald, Bart., Mr. Bramston, Mr.
Cantrell, Colonel Challoncr, Mr. Clayden, Mr. Druce,
Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Brandreth Gibhs, Mr. Hassall,
Colonel Kiugscotc, M.P., Mr. Rausome, Mr. Shuttle-
worth, Mr. Ton-, Mr. Wells, Professor Siaionds, and Dr.
Voelcker.

The following members were elected :

Addison, J., Brookfield, Gretton, Uppingham

Best, James, jun.. Hill Top, Tenbury

Booth, John, Shenstone Hall, Lichfield

Bowen, James Bevan, M.P., Llwyngwair, Haverfordwest

Bramley-Moore, J., Gerrard's Cross, Bucks

Burnham, Robert, Leicester

Butler, Richard, Radcliffe-on-Trent

Carding, Frank, Combs Farm, Famsfield, Soutliwell

Coatsworth, John, West Wickham, Bromley, Kent

Cresswell, Mrs. Gerard, Appleton Hall, King's Lynn

Galley, George, Fowberry Tower, Belford, Northumberland

Dowdeswell, Arthur C, Pall Court, Tewkesbury

Gray, Edward, Moscow Works, Sheffield

Hamel, Alfred John, Lancaster Place, Leicester

Harris, Charles T., Knighton House, Leicester

Harris, John Dove, Ratcliife, Leicester

Harrison, Colonel B., Kynastone, Ross

Harrold, G. A., Leicester

Islip, Francis W., Collegiate House, Leicester

Jarrow, Joseph, Leicester

Johnson, T. F., Stoneygate, Leicester

Jones, John, Mars-y-pandy, Tan-y-llyn, Merionethshire

Judkins, Mrs., 4, Ludgate Hill, London, E.G.

Lamiu, William, Bestwood Park, Nottingham

Lewis, Samuel, Audley, Newcastle-under-Lyne

Mannington, Wm., Laughton Place, Hurst Green

Meakin, Henry James, Shobuall Grange, Burton-on-Trent

Moore, George, Whitehall, Wigton

Oakley, Christopher, 10, Waterloo Place, London, S.W.

Ord, George, Brixton Hill, Surrey

Petre, Edward, Whitley Abbey, Coventry

Richardson, Francis E., BrurashaU, Uttoseter.

Rosling, Edward, Drosford, Southampton.

Rosslyn, The Earl of, Easton Lodge, Dunmow, Essex.

Slee, Henry H., Leicester.

Stamper, Thomas, Highfield House, Oswaldkirk, York.

Stone, Samuel Francis, Eldon House, Leicester.

Summerfield, Joseph, Green Barn, Lichfield.

Taylor, Thomas Swift, The Frith, Leicester.

Thompson, James, Leicester.

Thorold, Sir J. A., Bart., M.P., Syston Park, Grantham.

Tinkler, Henry, Holmfirth, York.

Townsend, George, Oulton Cottage, Lowestoft.

Walker, Frederick T., 39, Harley Street, London, W.

Warner, Thomas, Tlie Abbey, Leicester.

Webster, Charles, Waltham Abbey, Essex.

Finance.— Major-General Viscount Bridport, Chair-
man of the Committee, presented the Report, from which
it ai)peared that the Secretary's receipts during tiie 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 July 31 was £7,288 10s. 9d., the sum of
£2,000 remaining on deposit. Cheques to the amount of
£6,596 4s. Id. were ordered to be drawn. This report
was adopted. The half-yearly audit of the Society's
accounts to the 30th June, 1868, took place on the 4th
instant.

CoiiMiTTEE OF SELECTION. — The name of the Earl
of Lichfield, who resides in the same district as the late
Earl of Shrewsbury, was recommended to fill the vacancy
in the Council, and having been proposed by Colonel
Challoner, and seconded by Viscount Bridport, his lord-
ship was unanimously elected a member of Council.

Mr. Brandreth Gibbs having moved that a committee
consisting of the stewards and honorary director be ap-
pointed to consider and i-eport on the means to be
adopted in future to eusm-e the awards being issued in
due time, the motion was agreed to. Mr. Torr gave
notice that he would bring on in November his motion
that the Society have a special reporter at the Couuci
and other meetings. Viscount Bridport moved that a
committee consisting of His Grace the Duke of Rich-
mond, K.G., Earl Cathcart, Viscount Bridport, Lord
Chesham, Sir A. Macdonald, Bart., Mr. Bramston, Mr.
Dent., M.P., Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr.
Wren Hoskyns, Mr. Randell, Mr. Thompson, and Mr.
Wells be appointed to consider the testimonials of candi-
dates for the office of Secretary and Editor, and to re-
port the result of their investigations to the Council in
November.

Manchester Meeting. — The following noblemen
and gentlemen were appointed a Committee for the So-
ciety's Country Meeting in 1869 :— Duke of Richmond,
K.G., Chairman; Duke of Rutland, K.G. ; Earl of Powis,
Viscount Bridport, Lord Chesham, Lord Kesteveu, Lord
Portman, Lord Tredegar, Lord Vernon, Lord Walsing«
ham, Hon. H. G. Liddell, j\I.P. ; Sir E. C. Kerrison,
Bart.; Sir Henry R. Vane, Bart.; Sir- Watkiu W.
Wynn, Bart. ; Mr. C. E. Amos, Mr. Charles Barnett,
Mr. Edward Bowly, Mr. Charles S. Cantrell, Colonel
Challoner, Mr. John Clayden, Mr. D. R. Davies, Mr J
D. Dent, M.P. ; Mr. B. T. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. e!
Holland, M.P. ; Mr. Richard Hornsby, Mr. C. Wreu
Hoskyns, the Mayor of Manchester, Mr. Richard Mil-
ward, Mr. Thomas Pain, Mr. Charles Randell, Mr. R.
C. Ransomc, Mr. C. S. Read, M.P. ; Mr. William San-
day, Mr. Joseph Shuttleworth, Mr. N. C. Stone, Mr.
William Torr, Mr. James Webb, Mr. William Wells,'
Major Wilson, Mr. Jacob Wilson, the Stewards.

The Agreement with the j\Iayor and Town Clerk of
Manchester having been read and considered, the com-
mou seal of the Society was affixed by the secretaiy,

R

230

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MEETING AT WETHERBY.

Notwithstanding that the material of the Yorkshire
Show is mainly supplied from the county itself, the meet-
ing at "Wetherby came very much in echo or rather in
commentary on the doings at Leicester. Almost all the
great winners in all the great classes, such as the Short-
horns, the riding horses, the long-wools, and the pigs,
were here again ready to try further conclusions ; and as
any man who had acted as a judge at the one meeting
was declared to be ineligible for the other, a certain
additional interest was thereby attached to the proceed-
ings. And, certainly, these second " sets" appeared by
no means inclined to be influenced by any ruling of any
other learned brethren ; an independence of action more
particularly observable in placing the cattle, or in other
words the Shorthorns, for no other kind of beast is ex-
hibited in Yorkshire. With, in aU its chief features, pre-
cisely the same competition, seconds were put first, firsts
were put third, while some were put out and others left
in, on the inexorable axiom that every man may have an
opinion of his own. There was not so much to do at
Wetherby as there had been at Leicester, neither was
this altogether so well done, and at the very outset the
award over the old bulls created something like a sensation.
Amongst those that met here again were Mr. Booth's
Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Peel's Knight of Knowlmere,
Mr. Lynn's Prizeman, and Mr. Pawkes' Priar Bacon, some
of which in the interim have been on their travels, the Com-
raanderand Prizeman winning at Grantham, and the Knight
of Knowlmere at Heslington. Still, even the very hot wea-
ther had not told much on any of them, and the four may
be taken as entering the ring in much the same form in
which they did at Leicester. However, after a long con-
sultation, during which Mr. Stephenson seemed to be hold-
ing out, the Royal award was reversed, and the white put
first and Mr. Booth second. Commander-in-Chief, as we
have already written of him, may not be at all points a
perfect animal, but he is surely superior to Knight of
Knowlmere ; and shoidd the two come together again
before a fresh lot of judges, we doubt if the Wetherby
decision can ever be confirmed. The Avhite is in reality
not much of a show bull ; for he is ungainly in his action,
drooping in his carriage, and his chief recommendation a
certain masculine character, associated with a deal of
coarseness and plainness. The Commander-in-Chief, on
the contrary, is a very handsome, stylish, "taking" bull,
with, as we have said, his weak place or two ; but the
decree, grounded more on a butcher's than a breeder's
estimate of value, was pretty generally disputed by the
connoisseurs outside. Prizeman and Friar Bacon were
highly commended as at Leicester, and a very good-look-
ing lengthy bull of Major Stapylton's put in for third
prize, as, indeed, had he been more made up, he might or
should have beaten the other white, whose good luck has
more than once brought him a little too forward. In a
really bad lot of two-year-old bulls, Charles le Beau, the
only one in from Leicester, had a long lead, neither the
second nor third being really prize animals, and the
judges discreetly withholding any further compliment.
On the other haud, the yearling bull was comparatively a
strong class, and a still stronger illustration of the differ-
ence of opinion which exists amongst Shorthorn judges.
Lady Pigot's Rosolio third here, was second at the Royal
Leicester and first at Grantham ; while Mr. Poljambe's

Knight ot the Thistle first at Wetherby, was second to
Rosolio at Grantham ; and Mr. Pawkes' Lord Belmore
merely commended at Leicester, second at Wetherby.
Then Mr. Lynn's Grand Sultan, the best of his class
at Louth against some of his " betters" here, got now no
higher than a commendation ; and Captain Oliver's smart
Cherry Butterfly, the best yeailing at Oundle and the third
at Louth, was now never noticed at all. By this, we should
lay down the lines for judging a Shorthorn, or according
to such a system, or rather the want of a system,
it would seem to go very much on the toss-up of
a halfpenny. However, the winner here is a light,
lengthy, well-shaped animal, with more quality than
substance; while the capital coat of Lord Belmore
must have had a deal to do with getting him so forward,
as it served to cover more than one weak place. Rosoleo
is now as well known as his trusty squire John Ward
himself; but a very good class was made out by some
fresh entries nearer home, including a couple of terribly
high-bred ones from Scaleby Castle.

It will be remembered that a deal of discussion took
plaee at Leicester as to which was really the betterof Mr.
Poljambe's two bull calves, then placed first and second ;
and it would have been interesting enough to have seen
them out together once more. But in the exercise of some
very neat diplomacy the Royal first will not be brought
out again this season ; and so the second best was left to
do battle at Wetherby. Such as upheld his merits at
Leicester would now seem to have no cause to qualify
their admiration, for Knight of the Ci-escent not only
took the first prize of his class, but the cup as the best
of all the bulls, as his half-brother Robin did at the same
age at Doncaster. AVe are inclined to doubt the policy
of thus distinguishing very young animals, but this is
certainly a capital calf, long, deep, and square, of a good
whole colour, with a handsome roundish head, and very nice
and kindly in his quality; so that it was thought he would
have even beaten Commander-in-Chief " on their merits."
Mr. Poljambe was also third with another son of the
Knight of the Garter, on a heavy but plain scale, and with
bad drooping quarters. The couple were separated by a
particularly nice young buU of Mr. Cattley's, that was
immediately put in price, and Mr. Smith, of Wetherby,
commended for a white, with only half a pedigree, by
second Duke of Wharfdale, out of nobody knows what.

Of that " sweetest, straightest, and altogether most
charming cow " Lady Pragrant, how shall we say more
than we have said? save that she was, of course, the best
of her class, and the winner of the cup as the best of all
the cows and heifers. It was stated that a hundred to
one was actually laid on Mr. Booth's buU, but still greater
odds might have been given over his cow. Her second at
Leicester, JoUy Queen, was not at Wetherby, but Queen
of Rosalea, the third at Leicester, and that might have
been second, was now passed by, in favour of the " gaudy-
vulgar" Miss Parewell. We can but repeat our own
words, as we register perhaps the most faulty decision of
the day. Putting Lady Pragrant out of any question, the
judging of this class was saved by the placing of the
second cow, a white, from Osberton, merely commended
at Leicester, but worthy of more notice. Cherry Blos-
som begins with a nice cow's head and a fine forehand,
has well sprung ribs, a capital back, and great bread! Ii over

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

231

her loins ; but she is growing a little gaudy about ber tail,
auil is rather hard iu her touch — a point which must go
greatly against her, with those who judge with their eyes
shut. A good deal was thought of Sir Walter Tre-
velyaxx's Princess of Yetholm, the best cow at the recent
Northumberland meeting, but she did not fulfil her pro-
mise, and was neither fancied inside nor outside the ring ;
while Mr. Dugdale's entry had more merit, and would be
selected amongst the three or four really good cows in an
otherwise moderate class. There were only four two-
year-old heifers, over which the three premiums were
reluctantly awarded, as Mr. Dugdale's Cherry, was the
only one with any pretensions to a place on a prize-list ;
but the yearling heifers, like the yearling bulls, were nu-
mM^ous enough and good enough to furnish some fm'ther
example of " the eccentric movement" by which Short-
horn judging seems to be regulated. At Leicester Mr.
Howe's Lady Anne was first, Mr. Booth's Patricia se-
cond, something else third, and Mr. Booth's Lady Gaiety
highly commended. At Wetherby, where the three named
also met. Lady Gaiety was first, Patricia second, and Lady
Anne third ! It is only fair to say that this is the third
time iu succession since thcKoyal Show that Lady Gaiety
has been preferred by other judges to Patricia ; and Lady
Gaiety, be it remembered, is own-sister to Lady Fragrant ;
but it is hard to understand how, with her great growth
and fine deep frame. Lady Anne could have been put aside.
It is true, as Ave have previously pointed out, that she
shows to some advantage on the score of age ; but as long
as she was in the class she was at the head of it. We
believe that she has never before been beaten ; and
full of promise as are Mr. Booth's pair, with Lady
Gaiety for choice, the allowance for age — always a difti-
cult matter to adjust — was surely made too much of at
Wetherby, and such leading points as size and symmetry
hardly put at what they are worth. Sir George Womb-
well's high commendation was very fairly earned with a
pretty red roan, purchased at the late Lord Peversham's
sale ; and the entry, with Mr, Tenuant, Mr. Dugdale,
and Lord Londesborough in it, was pretty generally good.
In a small class o£ heifer calves Mr. Foljambe was
iirst again, with a capital straight, stylish roan, with well
laid shoulders, and a line of beauty running along her, in
very striking contrast to the light mean second, bad be-
fore and behind, and with nothing but her hair to re-
commend her, although Mr. Douglas was supposed to
have gone for this one, with much vehemence ! There
were four dairy cows entered for two prizes, which
having been duly awarded, the owner of the commended
cow, as also of the second prize, felt it to be his duty to
enter the ring and inform the judges that the commended
one had beaten the other two whenever they had pre-
viously met. And this brought the business to a climax,
the Wetherby trio having upset everything they well
. could, even to the placing of two or three Milk-maids
aud Dairy-maids.

The Show, belt said, was held in Mr. Gunter's grounds ;
but this gentleman is very much above exhibiting his
Duchesses, although rumour ran riot as to a yearling
heifer still to be seen all alive, and just sold for 1,000 gs.,
to go to America, on the exjiress nnderstanding that she is
never to come back again. This rather reminds one of
the story of the master's instructions to his man, touch-
ing the sale of a favoui-ite horse : " You take him to the
fair to-morrow, Will, and mind you don't bring him back
again !"

Amongst the horses that entered the ring at Wetherby
there was a capital muster of the right sort in many of
the classes, even for Yorkshire ; and, with dealers from all
parts iu search of something with form and Jashion equal
to the bulky dimensions of Daniel Lambert, down to
that diminutive bit of humanity. General Tom Thumb,

prices were high, but not so exorbitant as to stop
business. The two sets of judges commenced their duties
about half-past nine in adjoining rings ; but they were
not well handicapped, as the cart and coaching bench
were very cpiick in coming to their decisions, while the
thorough-bred and hunter ti"io were the reverse, and the
former might have been entrusted with the roadster
classes without even then a chance of making a race of it.
Among the thoroughbred stallions, nine in number, there
were the first and third at Thirsk last year, Angelus and
Volturno ; the latter a fashionable-looking horse, with his
toes out as if he had been dropped at Almack's, and hocks
none of the cleanest, was nowhere here ; while the neat,
good-topped, short-jointed, hunting-like horse of the class.
Grand Master, though nowhere at Thirsk, was placed third
here ; the long-necked, hoUow-backed, dishing King Brian
taking the second rosette. Then, the lengthy, good-
limbed Windham, with hocks not quite in a line, and the
useful Scaramouch, by Touchstone, with the brilliant-
coated, over-topped, short, light-armed Laughing Stock,
a taker of the Royal Hundred at Newcastle, aud who still
bent his knee, were no where. The other two were Schuloll'
and Cathedral, the one spoilt by straggling, and weak hind-
leg action, and Cathedral with quite enough of him,
and quality for anybody, if in better form. Young Ebor, in
the coaching stallions, a six-year-old, and never shown
before but as a yearling, was a fine lengthy horse, with
good ends and short legs ; and General Johnson not
deficient in appearance or limbs. The roadster stallions
were very well represented by a class of eighteen, many of
them being well-knov/n, iu the ring, and, as is customary
Avith this class of horses, some wearing necklaces, and one
a breeching of local prizes printed on brass plates. Fire-
away, the first horse, is of good form and great character,
and he was picked out for honours at York three years
ago, but disqualified by the veterinarian for lameness. The
second, Edwin Landseer, a son of Fireaway is a stylish-
looking trotter, and a black, like his sire, but not so com-
pactly made, nor with the old one's character. The third,
or commended, for his number was posted as a winner, was
All-Fours, renowned as a prize-taker and for his neat
form and merry-going, white-stockinged legs ; indeed, he
would have been asked to take a higher place if it had
not been for his poor feet, which have been bi-ought into
their present form by some British remedy. Among the
others was Young Pretender, with a good top and well-
set limbs, as well as being a grand mover, who took
second honours at Thirsk last year, and who, many
thought, ought to have been presented with the first. St.
Ives, the second at Drifiield to All-Fours, that we noticed
last week, was also here, and Captain Barlow's handsome
cob Lucifer, together with Bucks, Princes, Liberators,
Performers, and Pretenders, as well as other well-known
high-stepping names. The hunting brood mares with
foal at foot, or, as " the model Secretary" loves to put it,
"with foals sucking" but they are not always imbibing
like ourselves, were very well represented, the grand
topped Lincolnshire lass and prize lady of Leicester,
Maid of the Heath, having to make way for three others ;
one of these being Goahead, that was placed third to her
at Leicester, and, which tliough of smaller dimensions, is
more symmetrical. Then Slippers, who, after considerable
deliberation and sundry di-enchings iu the heavy storms
that occurred at Thirsk during the holding of the prize-
com-t, was placed first, and Goahead nowhere ; but here
the tables were reversed, with Goahead second and Slippers
nowhere. But of all the old dames there are none
like the varmint, rare-made, short-limbed, one-eyed Sally,
a prize-taker when the Eoyal was held at canny New-
castle. There were several other nice ones ; but we find,
if Ave enumerate all with good-looks, we should
be as long iu summing up as the judges were

232

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

in getting at their decisions. British Queen, picked
out as the queen of beauty from the Leicester roadster
brood mares, was here fain to accept of second
honom's to The Maid of all Work, a mare in her
twenty-second year, and whose beauty, if she ever had
any, must have left her in the years of hard toU, or be-
come soured by the too common badgering accompanying
the not over-paid services of the iU-fated sisterhood.
Polly, a defonnity, came in for the third rosette, with a
model of whose heavy forehand and faulty forelegs the
judges ought to be presented by the Society as a memento
of their services, and if the designer could add her
hammering action, so much the better. Brunswick,
a short-quartered leggy chesnut by Angelas, was first in
anything but a grand class of two-year-olds, the second
being a good-limbed, fine-framed bay by King Caradoc ;
while the third, Jordan, was of a good form, but of no
quality. Then a fair-made filly, with four white legs,
and the usual accompanying blaze of white in the face, by
Angelus, was first, and Britannia, a Laughing Stock, rather
high on the leg, second, a position she also fiUed at Birming-
ham ; while Mr. Burton's The Star by Cain, from Thirsk,
was a fine- looking mare. In a well represented class of
three-year-old hunting geldings, Don Juan by Angelus,
a great quartered chesnut, that drew liis hind legs after
him as if he were ashamed of them, was placed before
The Sultan, a gelding of some form, but light of bone and
back at the knee, and who had a knack of bringing his
flat feet in rather too close proximity With his shins ; and
the third. Bullfinch, we considered the best, a deep, com-
pact, short-joint brown, with his hocks well under him.
Mr. Stapylton's Solferino was very handsome, though
there was not much of him ; while Mr. Botterill's
General Napier had a good forehand but short quarters,
and Mr. Beilby's brown by King Brian had something
more pleasing about him than his sire.

The roadster three-year-olds were fairly represented,
though not strong in numbers, Dudee being a nice one,
but rather long from the knee to the ground ; while Rifle-
man looked like making either a clever hack or light hunter,
a rare but excellent combination; and Mr. Gunter's
Pioneer and Mr. Davis' roan gelding were the next that
attracted our attention. Although only four in number, the
three-year-old hunting fillies were anything but a poor
lot, the first, Eleanor, being a fine-shaped mare, with
good limbs, by Volturno, and the second, Nelly, by
Pioneer ; the others, a grey, Sadowa, by Pontifex, of
Major Stapylton's, and a chesnut, by Anderby, of Mr.
Clarke's, of Thirsk. The four years old, seventeen
strong, out of an entry of twenty-six, made up a very
good class, the chief honours going to Brigadier, who
now leaves the nursing and good things of Killerby Hall
for active service with the Holderncss. But putting
him alongside old Wrangler or The Doctor will not im-
prove his looks, as he has somewhat of a coarseness about
him, more especially in his hind-quarters, besides a
flourish with his oft' fore-leg, that denotes anything but
pace. Then he has feet the size of a fly flapper, which,
certainly, may be of use to him in crossing a
slushy country, or in case of a swim, should
he happen to di-op his satchel rump into a bumper in the
shape of a dyke. The second horse, Harry by Bond-
holder, dam by St. Bennett, was far more taking, and we
thought more the cut of the Holderness stud, with length,
middle, capital ends, and first-rate limbs, as well as being
full of quality, and throughout trussed with muscle, but
free from lumber, so that we shall look out this nag
again, as there is something genuine in him, or we are
much mistaken. The third, a bay by Fugleman, could
step, but was light about the knee. Mr. Brady Nichol-
son's The Baron, with length, was of fair form, and Mr.
Robsou's The General by King Caradoc of good shape :

but Julius by Orpheus, a prize-taker at Bridlington, is aa
overgrown one that looks higher than he is, a fanlt that
Bpeaks for itself. Amongst the four-year-old hunting
fillies there was nothing to brag about, and from the
glimpse we had of them Bird of Eve is rather nar-
row, but Mr. Borton's Gem had some shape ; Car-
nation was wiry, and wearing-looking, and Mr. Darrell's
Princess neat and light. Of five-year-old hunters by a
thorough-bred horse, up to 14 stone, there were five
— Lady Derwent, Emperor, Borderer, Mr. Brady
Nicholson's Beeswing, and Mr. Cattle's Royal Oak. The
tug of .war was with the three former, the first prize
going to Lady Derwent, who as some think is scarcely up
to the weight. She cantered prettily, but is anything but a
strong goer; while the second was the sour-eyed Em-
peror, second to her in the all-aged cup at Driffield, and
though compact and truly built, he does not bring his hind
legs well under him in his gallop. The third was the
grand hunting-like weight-carrier Borderer, who would
have stood more chance in sticky grovmd than on that
neai-ly equal to the turnpike-road. In the twelve-stone
class, also by a thorough-bred horse, there were twelve
competitors. Highthorn, a nice-looking horse, but light
below knee and a trifle leggy, goes rather high and round
for a hunter, as well as carrying his neck very stiff and
ewed when set going. The second. Errand Boy by
Fugleman, dam by Muley Moloch, is a very handsome blood-
like horse, of beautiful symmetry and capital stylish action,
bringing his hind legs under him in his canter in elegant
style, that would make him, with his looks, more valuable
as a park hack than a light hunter. The Princess is a
nicely-formed mare, bai'iing a slight thickness in the
shoulder, but with manners for which Ilumberton is
noted. Peach, a handsome chesnut mare of Mr. Wright's,
of Nottingham, would neither walk nor trot, or do any-
thing but bound about like a grasshopper, making it
anything but pleasant diversion for the gentleman up, if
we are at all acquainted with physiognomy. Tallyho, a
chesnut of Mr. C. Harrison's, has something grand in his
looks ; but, as he cannot move, he did no more than he did
at Driffield — come in at one end and go out at the
other. Mr. Brady Nicholson has a horse in Bacchus,
that when on he never need fear soUiug his boots or charg-
ing anything short of a windmill, as he is a capital fencer ;
and Mr. Pawcus, of Darlington, had a very hunting-
like horse in the Baron, by Orphod, dam by Pitzambo.
In the six-year-old hunters. Sprig of Nobility put in an
appearance ; but Master of Arts, who stood next on the
list, shirked it, as his coat begins to shine, after the pains
we have taken with him, and the dressings we have given
him to get him into tip-top show condition ; and a judge
who once gave him honours, not only abhors the very name,
but won't stop in a yard with the chesnut. Mountain
Dew was here too, and, after a heavy thunder-storm,
which made horses, judges, and lookers-on skedaddle
for shelter, and the turf much better going, the
black galloped in his old form, that gained him
the first rosette at Manchester. He steps very high
in his trot, and a little so in his gallop ; but he
has a sweeping stride, and goes and feels like a hunter
under you, bringing his hind legs well under him. This
has always been our opinion of him, which was con-
firmed by Mr. Brady Nicholson, a good horseman, who
rode him at Manchester, as well as judged him; then
Captain Skipworth, who rode and judged him there also
and again at Wetherby, is no novice in crossing a country,
and still sticks to him in preference to the wooden ones
that used to sweep the decks. Tyrconnel, the second
Islingtonian to Mountain Dew, came to try his luck again
before his shoulders bring him to grief ; and Mr. Jacob
Smith rode in on a good-looking chesnut, who could go,
;iiid who was one of tlie half-dozen picked ones ; but

The FARMEH'S MAaAZINE.

233

wliilc we were having a glauce at somelliiiig else,
Tranby had vanished. Cavendish, a horse by Oxford,
that struck us at a first glimpse as more like harness,
has a thick neck and a coarseness throughout, as well as
being light of bone, but a good mover. Among the others
were several good-shaped ones ; and Iris, who beat Lady
Derwent at Peterborough, as he ought to have done, or
she ; for, if our eyes did not deceive us, he was a horse,
and if the name do not, she must be a mare ; but he,
she, or it. Iris is a clipper of surprising beauty. He
is a model of a hunter, for symmetry and power, with
quality throughout ; besides this, he is a strong goer,
bringing his hind legs under with such powerful but
even strokes, as he goes sailing away, with his head
pointed, as true as the needle to the north. We have
seldom seen a horse as a hunter that we have been more
pleased with, and we took him for sixteen hands only,
so beautifully is he made ; but Pye, the Captain's stud
groom, who has hands, and showed his horse well and
quietly, assured us that Iris is within an ace of sixteen-
two, and one of the best, which is saying a good deal,
that Mr. Anstruther Thomson ever crossed. He is a
bay with a wall eye, which had a most comical appear-
ance, when with quite an old lady's night cap in the shape
of rosettes pinned to that side of the head he paraded
the ring full of honours, for he beat them all, and car-
ried off the president's silver cup, for the best hunter
exhibited in any of the classes, which included Lady Der-
went, who in action for a hunter or power was but a neat
hack by the side of him, Brigadier, Highthorn, Eleanor,
Don Juan and other winners. In the hackneys up to
fourteen stone there were several very nice nags, old
Crafty playing second fiddle to the Malton bay, while
Thorngumbald's Pride, the Birmingham lass, was no-
where. Garibaldi, who was first last year at Thirsk,
where we sang his praises, was again at the head of the
poll in hacks up to twelve stone ; but The Duchess of
Athol we did not see out, nor any of this class. Captain
Barlow's clever little hack Piccadilly, with plenty
of bone, who it will be remembered was second to
Mr. Millward's The Steward, at Thirsk last year, in
the ponies above twelve hands and imder fourteen
hands, has greatly improved, and now heads the list.

In the agricultural stallions, Lincolnshire is a grand and
well-made horse, of size, but with not the best of heads,
which, with a small eye and only one ear, is not improved,
the other ear being injured by a twitch, and withered ; but
in other respects, there is not much to find fault in him.
The second, Young Sampson, is a useful, active, good-limbed
horse, who took the third ribands at Leicester. Mr. Bell's
Emperor was a good-looking sample of the Clydesdale
breed, but rather light in the middle ; and Mr. T. Child's
Royal, somewhat of a heavy roadster of the Norfolk
type. The well-known Jet, first at Leicester, carried all
bifore her here. Bonny the second being a deep, cobby,
active, short-legged mare, of good stamp; and Mr. Aitkin's
Rose, a good-framed one on short legs, but with a big head.
In the two-year^'old geldings and fillies there was no en-
try, and in the three-year-olds but three came into the
ring ; the first. Topper, being an active, light, calf-kneed
stepper, and the second thick and useful. In the pairs of
four-year-olds and upwards, Dick and Charley, a hand-
some light pair of greys, from Myton Hall, beat a heavier,
good-looking couple, with more power in Punch and Toby,
or as the paper lads at Doncaster station love to pronounce
that great individual's name, Poonch and his rival Phoon.

With the exception of the Leicesters the show of
sheep was not very imposing, and the three Down or
Short-wool men had not much to say over what they saw.
There were no Southdowns proper, and amongst the
Shropshires there was not a sheep nor even an owner
•who had taken a prize at Leicester. Lord Wenlock and

Mr. Horton were the chief winners, and the Escrick ewes
were a fair useful pen, Mr. Horton's second being, as we
believe, the lot disqualified at Leicester. Mr. Peel had
as usual all the honours to himself with his Lonks in the
mountain or black -faced class ; and there was in reality
no competition amongst the Cotswolds. Mr. Lynn made
a few entries under the condition of " other long-wools,"
but Mr. King Tombs took all the prizes with his famous
200 gs. sheep and others in, or put out at Leicester.
Although the Lincolns have here the honour of a recog-
nized rank, the entry beyond the prize sheep was not
equal to the front offered at the Royal in a more general
class. The shearling rams were altogether the best lot,
with Mr. Wright first with the sheep, also first at Leicester ;
Mr. Marshall being now second with the third at Lei-
cester, and Mr. C. Williams' second prize Royal sheep now
not noticed. Amongst the old rams Mr. Marshall stood
precisely as at the Royal meeting, with the same sheep
first and second, the judges only adding one commendation
in a class of some numerical strength. Mr. Cartwright's
first-prize pen of gimmers at Leicester took nothing at
Wetherby, Mr. Wright's third prize at the Royal being
now put over them as first, while Mr. Lister's second-
best here were not at Leicester. We can only repeat that
the Lincolns are very deservedly making way on the show-
ground for a combination of good wool and good mutton ;
but the proof at Wetherby, so far as the prize-Kst be con-
cerned, is little better than negative, and, as with the
Shorthorns, a man must study the two returns very care-
fully if he should not feel strong enough to judge for
himself.

The Leicesters were, as we then said, very good at
Leicester ; and they were very good at Wetherby, although
with Colonel Inge, Mr. Sanday, and Mr. Turner weU out
of the way, Mr. Borton had, beyond his own county, only
Mr. Cresswell and Mr. Marris to beat ; and, with one
exception, he took all the prizes. His first-prize
Shearling was third at Leicester, the second was not at
Leicester, and the third sheep was highly commended at
Leicester ; so that the one award goes to confirm the
other. Amongst the old sheep, however, the decision
was reversed ; the " reserve " of the Royal being now
first, and the second Royal again second. The judges
of Leicesters, though they spoke well of the general
show of the breed, were somewhat chary of their com-
mendations, despite such exhibitors as Mr. Cresswell,
Mr. Riley, Mr. Marris, and Mr. Brown bringing their
sheep on, many of which had been previously and de-
servedly noticed.

The competition in the pig classes was pretty generally
limited, although the quality of even the big Yorkshire
pig is evidently being amended. Amongst the large
white boars there were only four entries for three prizes,
Messrs. Duckering's best Leicester pig getting no nearer
than third, and then only under protest, as he was very
lame. The best large white sow — a wonderfully good
one — was also first at the Royal meeting ; but Mr. Dyson
here again interfered with the previous decisions, and the
Northorpe sow was consequently only third, instead of
second. In the boars of a small breed, Mr. Mangles'
white, never noticed at Leicester, took first, and Mr.
Eden's Suffolk, then first, was now put second ; and so
on. The mixed breeds were very bad, as going for
neither one thing nor the other, and the three store
pigs, even with Mr. Mangles' first and third, not much
better ; but in the pigs under twelve months Mr. Eden
had a capital boar of the large white breed; and the
small boars of the same age made up a very good class.
There have been larger shows of pigs in Yorkshire, but
never better ; and for very visible advancement in the
bi-eeding of this kind of stock, Wetherby will offer some
very satisfactory proof.

234

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Mainly, as it would seem, for the amusement of two
gentlemen appointed to act as judges, a variety of fan-
tastic premiums were oflnered for implements in the yard,
all of which were duly awarded, and all of which will be
found duly eha-onicled in our prize-list. It would be im-
possible to offer any further commentary ou so harmless
an occupation.

The Hound Show, as we have long insisted it should be,
was this year made a show of itself; but inconsequence
of the tedious plan of extending the horse-judging into the
second day, very few people had time to visit the hounds,
and as a speculation the affair could not have paid. Nei-
ther were the hounds so good as we have seen them ; while
the success of the thing was seriously damaged by a bit of
official absurdity which went to prevent the judges an-
nouncing their awards as they made them. Only imagine
the public watching half-a-dozen horse-classes out and in
agaiu, without any information as to what was going on !
Mr. Parringtou, however, if we remember aright, did once
attempt something of the same sort with a horse show,
under the notion that people would attend at some dinner
to hear the awards announced and the speeches made. Let
there still be dinners and speeches by all manner of means,
and vicw-halloos and hurrahs and so forth, for those who
like this kind of business ; but let the world run and read,
and then eat its dinner in quiet, assuming that it should so
desire to do.

PRIZE LIST.

CATTLE.
JuflOES.— J. Douglas, Athelstaneford, Drem.
C. Howard, Biddenhani, Bedford.
M. Stephenson, Fourstones, Hexham.

SHORT-HORNS.

Bulls of any age above three years old. — First prize, £20, J.
Peel, CUtheroe (Knight of Knowlmere) ; second of £10, T. C.
Booth, Northallerton (Commander-in-Chief) ; third of £5,
H. M. Stapleton, Myton Hall, Yorkshire (Lord Wetherby).
Highly commended : J. Lynn, Grantham (Prizeman) ; E. H.
Pawkes, Otiey (Priar Bacon).

BuUs above two and not exceeding three years old. — Pirst
prize, £20, Lady Pigot, Newmarket (Charles le Beau) ; second
of £10, J. W. Botcherby, DarUngton ; third of £5, T. D. Jef-
ferson, York (Lord Waterloo).

Bulls above one and not exceeding two years old. — Pirst
prize, £20, G. S. Poljambe, "Worksop (Knight of the Thistle) ;
second of £10, P. H. Fawkes, Otley (Lord Belmore) ; third of
£5, Lady Pigot, Newmarket (Rosoleo). Higlily commended :
J. Lynn (Grand Sultan)

Bull calves above five and not exceeding twelve months old.
— First prize, £10, and cup value £20 as best of all the biiUs,
G. S. Poljambe, Worksop (Knight of the Crescent) ; second
of £5, J. Cattley, York (Prince Leopold) ; third of £2, G. S.
Poljambe, Worksop (Knight of the Tliistle). Highly com-
mended: A. Dugdale, Burnley (Duke of Brunswick). Com-
mended: J. Smith, Wetherby (Yorkshire Hero).

Cows of any age above tliree years old, in calf or milk. —
First prize, £20, and cup value £20 as best of all the cows
and heifers, T. C. Bootli, Northallerton (Lady Fragrant) ; se-
cond of £10, G. S. Poljambe, Worksop (Cherry Blossom) ;
third of £5, R. Tenuant, Leeds (Jliss Farewell). Highly
commended : Lady Pigot, Newmarket (Queen of Rosalea) ;
A. Dugdale, Burnley (Lady Fortunate).

Heifers not exceeding three years old, in caK or milk.—
Pirst prize, £15, A. Dugdale, Burnley (Kent Cherry 2nd) ; se-
cond of £7, J. Smith, Tadcaster (Silverspring 3rd) : third of
£3, E;. Houfe, Wetherby.

Heifers not exceeding two years old. — First prize, £15,
T. C. Booth, Northallerton (Lady Gaiety) ; second of £5,
T. C. Booth (Patricia) i third of £3, J. How, Huntington
(Lady Anne). Highly commended: Sir G. O. Wombwell,
Bart., Easingwold (Georgina) ; R. Tenuant, Leeds (Rose of
iork).

Heifers calves above five and not exceeding twelve months old
— iirst prize, £10, G. S. Poljambe, Worksop (Flora) ; second

of £5, R. J. Hudson, Burley-in-Wbarfedalc (Acbievcment) ;
third of £2, A. Dugdale, Burnley (Kirkleavington Rose).

Cattle of any breed. — Cows for dairy purposes. — Pirst prize,
£10, R. Brogden, York (Milkmaid) ; second of £5, J. T.
Robinson, Thirsk (Milkmaid). Commended: J.T.Robinson,
Thirsk (Dairy-Maid).

EXTRA STOCK.
First prize, first-class silver medal, C. Wright, Tadcaster
(Shorthorn ox) ; second, second-class medal, Lieut-Colonel
Markham, Aberford (Bramin).

SHEEP.
Judges. — Lougwools —

W. Bartholomew, Waddington Heath, Lincoln.
G. Game, Churchill Heath, Chipping Norton.
R. Woods, Osberton, Worksop.
Judges. — Shortwools —

H. Pookes, Whitchurch, Blandford.
E. W. Moore, Coleshill, Highwortli.
C. Randall, Chadbury, Evesham.

LEICESTERS.

Shearling rams. — Pirst prize, £15, J. Borton, Malton ;
second of £7, J. Borton ; third of £3, J. Borton. Highly
commended : J. Borton.

Aged rams. — Pirst prize, £10, J. Borton ; second of £5,
J. Borton. Highly commended : J. Simpson, Wetherby.

Shearling gimmers. — Pirst prize, £10, J. Borton ; second,
T. Marris, tjlceby. Highly commended : S._ Wiley, York.
Commended : E. Riley, Beverley.

LINCOLNS.

Shearling Lambs. — Pirst prize, £15, R, Wright, Nocto n;
second of £7, W. P. MarshaU, Branston ; third of £3, J. W.
Richardson, Kirton Lindsey. Highly commended : Pi.
Wright.

Aged rams. — First prize, £10, W. P. Marshall ; second of
£5, W. F. Marshall. Highly commended : J. W. Richardson.

Shearling gimmers. — First prize, £10, R. Wright ; second
of £5, C. Lister, Colely Lodge, Lincoln. Highly commended :
T. Cartwright, Dunstan Pillar, Lincoln,

• COTSWOLDS OR OTHER LONGWOOLS.

Shearling rams. — First prize, £15, J. K. Tombs, Langford,
Lechlade ; second of £7, J. K. Tombs ; third of £3, J. K.
Tombs.

Aged rams. — First prize, £10, J. K. Tombs ; second of £5,
J. K. Tombs.

SliearUng gimmers. — Pirst prize, £10, J. K. Tombs ; second
of £5, J. K. Tombs.

SHROPSHIRE DOWNS.

Shearling Rams. — Pirst prize, £15, Lord Wenlock, Botir-
ton. Much Wenlock, Salop ; second of £7, T. Horton, Har-
nage Grange, Shrewsbury ; third of £3, T. Horton. Com-
mended : Lord Wenlock, Escrick Park, York.

Aged rams. — First prize, £10, T. Marris, The Chase,
Ulceby ; second of £5, Lord Wenlock, Bourton. Com-
mended : D. R. Davies, Mere Old Hall, Knutsford.

Gimmers. — First prize, £10, Lord Wenlock, Escrick Park,
York ; second of £5, T. Horton. Commended : T. Hortou.

MOUNTAIN OR BLACKPACED SHEEP.
Shearling rams. — Prize, £10, J. Peel, ClitheroCi ♦

Aged rams. — Prize, £5, J. Peel.
Ewes. — Prize, £5, J. Peel.

EXTRA STOCK SHEEP.
Pirst silver medal, J. and E. Tindall, York (Leicester
ewes) ; second silver medal, G. Wright, Malton (Leicester
ewes). Highly commended: J. W. Sharp, BridUngton
(Leicester ewes), and W. Brown, Holme-on-Spalding Moor
(Leicester ewes).

PIGS.

Judges. — Large breed —

W. Bartholomew

G. Game

R. Woods.
Judges. — Small breed —

H. Pookes

E. W. Moore

C. Randall.
Boars, large breed.«*-i?irst prize, £5, J. Dyson, Leeds ; se-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

235

cond of £-2, G. Cliapman, Scarborougli ; third of £1, R. E.
Duckering and Son.

Sows, large breed, iu pig or milk. — First prize, £5, P. Edeu,
Salford ; second of £2, J. Dyson, Leeds ; third of £1, E. E.
Duckeriug & Sou, Kirton Lindsey.

Boars, small breed. — First prize, £5, G. Mangles, Ripon ;
second of £2, P. Eden, Salford ; third of £1, W. Sagar, Brad-
ford. Commended : E. E. Duckering & Son.

Sows, small hreed, in pig or milk. — First prize, £5, P.Eden,
Salford ; second of £3, C. H. Dawson, Ottey ; third of £1,
11. E. Duckering & Son. Highly commended : J. Dyson,
Leeds ; W. Sagar, Bradford. Commended : G. Mangles.

Boars, of any hreed, not qualified to compete in large or small
classes. — First prize, R. E. Duckering & Son; second of £3,
W. Sagar ; third of £1, P. Eden.

Sows of middle breed, in pig or milk. — First prize, £5, R.
E. Duckering & Son ; second of £2, E. Harrison, Leeds ; third
of £1, P. Eden. Commended : R. E. Duckering & Son.

Three store Pigs, of any breed, and of the same litter, from
four to nine months old. — First prize, £5, G. Mangles ; se-
cond of £2, H. Routledge, York ; third of £1, G. Mangles.

Boars of large breed, not exceeding 13 months old. — First
prize, £3, P. Eden ; second of £1, J. Dyson.

Sows of large breed, uot exceeding 12 mouths old. — Krst
prize, £3, R. E. Duckering & Son j second of £1, G. Chap-
man, Scarborough.

Boars of small breed, not exceeding 13 months old. — First
prize, £3, W. Sagar ; second of £1, S. Blakey, Otley. Com-
mended : J. Dyson.

Sows of smaU breed, not exceeding 13 months old. — First
prize, £3, W. Sagar ; second of £1, J. Dyson. Higlily Com-
mended : R. E. Duckering & Son ; commended, T. Nichol-
son, York.

Extra Stock.
First-class silver medal, J. Dyson (boar).

HORSES.
Judges.-— Riding Horses —

E. M. Burbidge, Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbiay.

C. Garfit, Whitegate, Northwich.

J. Skipworth, Plowsham, Brigg.
Judges. — CoacMng and Cart Horses —

J. Outhwaite, Bainesse, Catterick.

A. Turnbull, Cresswell, Morpeth.

W. Young, Norwood House, Beverley.

Stallions, thorough-bred, for getting weight-carrying hun-
ters.— First prize, £30, Sir George Chohnley, Bart., How-
sliara, York (Angelus) ; second of £10, Earl of Harewood,
Harewood House, Leeds (King Brian) ; third of £5, J. R.
Dennison, Minsthorpe, Pontefract (Grand Master).

Stallions for getting coach horses. — First prize, £30, T. and
J. Reynolds, Carlton, Selby (Young Ebor) ; second of £5, 1.
Hairsine, Broomfleet, Brough (General Johnson).

Stallions for getting roadsters. — First prize, £30, P. Triffit,
Home-on-Spalding-Moor, York (Young Kreaway) ; second of
£5, P. Triffit (Sir Edwin Landseer). Commended : H. R. W,
Hart, Dunnington Lodge, York (All F"'ours).

Stallions for getting agricultural horses. — First prize, £30,
M. Strickland, Headley Hall, Tadcaster (Lincolnshire) ; sec-
ond of £5, J. Edmondson, Entwhistle, Burnley (Yoting
Sampson). Commended : T. Child, Seacroft, Leeds (Royal
Oak).

Brood mares for breeding hunters, with foals at foot. — First
prize, £15, J. Brown, Wiggonby Wigtou, Cumberland (Sally) ;
second of £5, J. T. Robinson, Leckby Palace, Thirsk (Go-a-
head). Commended: G. and C. Lancaster, Morton Grange,
Northallerton (Chesnut).

Brood mares, for breeding coach-horses, with foals at foot.
— First prize, £10, W. and F. Coulson, Gaterley F'arm, Castle
Howard, York (Venus).

Brood mares for breeding roadsters, with foals at foot. —
First prize, £10, H. R. W. Hart, Donnington Lodge, York
(Maid of All Work) ; second of £5, F. Cook, Thixendale,
York (British Queen). Commended: W. Major, Sledracre
(PoUy).

Brood mares for breeding agricultural horses, with foals at
foot.— First prize, £10, W. Tennant, White House, Bariow,
Selby (Jet) ; second of £5, R. W. Eddison, Headingly Hill,
Leeds (Bonny).

Two years old hunting geldings. — First prize, £10, Sir G.
Cholmley, Bart., Howsham, York (Brunswick) ; second of £5,
W. and B. Muzeen, South Holme, Slingsby (bay). Com-
mended : T. S. Cundy, Hall Orchards, Wetherby (Jordan).

Two years old hunting fillies. — First prize, £7, Sir George
Cholmley, Bart., Howsham, York (Britannia) ; second of £3,
J. W. Gardom, Butterton Park, Newcastle, Staffordshire
(Flirt).

Two years old coaching geldings. — First prize, £10, L.Man-
field, Thirkleby Barff, Thirsk (bay) ; second of £5, T. Robin-
son, Wingate Hill, Tadcaster (brown).

Two years old coaching fillies. — First prize, £7, L. Man-
field, Thirkleby BariF, Thirsk (bay) ; second of £3, J. Donald-
son, Great Ayton, Northallerton (Topsy).

Three years old hunting geldings. — First prize, £15, Sir G.
Cholmley, Bart., Howsham, York (Don Juan) ; second of £10,
S. A. HaU, Kiveton Park, Sheffield (Sultan) ; third of £5,
Viscountess Downe, Baldersby Park, Thirsk. Commended : 11.
BotterQI, Garton, Driffield (BuUtincli).

Three years old hunting fillies. — First prize, £10, R. Wise,
Field House, Sewerby, Bridlington (Eleanor) ; second of £3,
J. Moor, Scalm Park, Selby (Nelly).

Three years old coaching geldings. — F'irst prize, £15, J.
Casson, Burgh-by-Sands, Carlisle (Comedian) ; second of £10,
G. W. Appleyard, Angram Hall, Easingwold (brown) ; third
of £5, Haigh and Sons, Bramham College, Tadcaster (Kur-
nool).

Three years old coaching fillies. — First prize, £10, W. S.
Robinson, Thormanby, Easingwold (bay).

Three years old roadster, geldings or fillies. — ^First prize, £10,
R. Nelson, Barton Hill House, York (black brown) ; second
of £3, R. Emmerson, Over Dinsdale, Darlington (Rifle-
man).

Three years old agricultural geldings or fillies. — First prize,
£7, W. Tennant, White House, Barlow, Selby (Topper) ; second
of £3, T. H. Preston, Moreby HaU, York (black).

Pairs of four years old and upwards agricultural geldings
or mares, regularly worked up to the time of the show. — First
prize, £7, H. M. Stapylton, Myton Hall, Boroughbridge
(Dick and Charley) ; second of £3, Crawshaw and Blakeley,
Dewsbury (Punch and Toby).

Four years old hunting geldings. — First prize, £25, J. B.
Bootli, Killerby, Catterick ; and also highly commended for
the President's Cup (Brigadier) ; second of £10, T. Clayhills,
Dariington (Harry) ; third of £5, AVm. Kendall, East Ness,
Oswaldkirk (bay).

Four years old hunting fiUies. — First prize, £15, J. B.jBooth,
Killerby, Catterick (Bird of Eve) ; second of £5, J. W. Clarke,
Guisborough (Carnation).

Five years old hunters, geldings or mares, by a thorough-
bred horse, up to 13 stones and upwards. — First prize, £35,
E. Hornby, Flotmanby, Ganton, and also highly commended
for the President's Cup (Lady Derwent) ; second of £10, W.
Stephenson, Bush Hill, Brough (Emperor) ; third of £5, J.
A. Thomson, Brixworth, Northampton (Borderer).

Five years old hunters, geldings or mares, by a thorough-
lired horse, and up to 13 stones and upwards. — First prize,
£20, L. Hodgson, Highthorn, Easingwold (Highthorn) ; sec-
ond of £7, H. Jewison, Raisthorpe (Errand Boy) ; third of
£3, J. Smith, Humburton, Boroughbridge (Princess).

Hunters, six years old and upwards, geldings or mares.—
First prize, £25, and the President's Silver Cup, value £35, as
the best hunter, gelding, or mare exhibited in any of the classes,
J. A. Thompson, Northampton (Iris) ; second of £10, E. N.
Heygate, Buckland, Leominster (Mountain Dew) ; tliird of £5,
George Steel, Workington (Cavendish).

Gentlemen's hackneys, of any age or sex, up to 14 stones
and upwards. — I'irst prize, £10, F. P. Newton, Norton,
Malton (bay) ; second of £5, H. J. Percy, Howsenrigg, Aspa-
tria (Crafty).

Gentlemen's hackneys, of any age or sex, up to 13 stone
and upwards. — First prize, £15, H. Milner, Harrogate
(Garibaldi) ; second of £5, H. Rouudell, Queen's Head, Otley
(Ducliess).

Ladies' liackneys, of any age or .sex. — First prize, £10, Sir
G. Cholmley, Bart., Howsham, York (Belinda) ; second of
£5, G. Whitehead, Riccal Hall, York (Nizza).

Ponies, above 13 and not exceeding 14 hands high. —
i'irst prize, £10, ¥. Barlow, Castle Donington, Derby (Pic-
cadilly) ; second of £5, J, Backhouse, Weston, Selby (Jessy).

236

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ToiiiRs, not oxeeedmg 13 hands high. — First prize, £10,
W. F. Fox, Uevvsbiiry (Pretty Jane) ; second of £5, Mar-
cluoness of Hastings, Castle Uonuington, Derby (Bobby).

EXTRA. STOCK— HORSES.
First-class silver medal, R. W, Eddison, Headingley HiU,
Leeds (Brown) ; second-class silver medal, S. Wirabush, Finch-
ley, London (Young Ellington).

CHEESE.
Judges (and for butter).— A. Robinson, Upperhead Row,
Leeds.
W. Wilson, Coney Street, York.
Cheese, not less than 1 cwt., made since Oct. 1, 1867, the
produce of one dairy. — First prize, £5, G. Gibbons, Tunley
Farm, near Bath ; second of £2, G. Gibbons.

BUTTER.
Fresh hatter, 61bs. in single pounds. — First prize, £3, Mrs.
Taylor, Harewood, Leeds ; second of £2, J. Hatfield, Oswald-
kirk, York ; third of £1, J. Abbey, Crimple, Knaresborough.

WOOL.

Judge. — J. Clayton, Ripley.

Five hogg fleeces, long- wool. — First prize, £3, M. Tom-

linson, Cowthorpe, Wetherby ; second of £2, C. Barroby, Bal-

dersby, Thirsk. Highly commended : C. Wright, Tadcaster.

Five hogg fleeces, short- wool.— First prize, £3, T. Horton,
Shrewsbury ; second of £2, T. Harris, Ulcehy.

IMPLEMENTS.
Judges. — T. P. Dods, Anick Grange, Hexham.
T. C. Johnson, Chevet, Wakefield.
First-class silver medals lo :

For waggon for farmeis' use, the Beverley Iron and Wag-
gon Company.

Cart, the Beverley Company.

Market cart, Firrain and Co., Retford.

Chafl" cutter, for power, Pieksley, Sims, and Co., Leigh,
Manchester.

Oat bruiser, for power, Ransomes and Sims, Ipswich.

Portable saw bench, Marshall, Sons, and Co., Gainsborough.

Stand of saddlery, M. Cooper, York.

Collection of weighing machines, Mrs. Mason, Alford, Lin-
colnshire.

Collection of churns, W. Warde, Leeds.

Collection of washing machines, T. Bradford, Manchester
and London.

Collection of land tools, H. Hall, Wetherby.

Stand of waterproof covers for stacks, waggons, carts, &c.,
G. Mudford, Retford.

Stand of iron hurdles, T. Hyde, Sheffield.

Stand of wire work, T. Hyde.

Collection of pulleys and hoists, J. Pickering, Stockton-on-
Tees.

Stand of varied descriptions of food for cattle, Matthews
and Co., DriHleld.

Stand of artificial manures, H. Richardson, York.
Also recommended for first-dass silver medals :

J. Fowler and Co., Leeds, for steel traction engine.

Beverley Iron Company, for improvements in clod crushers.

H. R. Marsden, Leeds, for stone breaker.

Driftield Cake Company, for samples of cake.
Second-class silver medals to :

Fer turnip cutter for cattle, Ransomes and Sims.

For sheep, E. H. Bentall, Maldon.

Oilcake breaker for cattle and sheep, W. N. Nicholson,
Newark-on-Trent.

Oat bruiser for hand power, Pieksley, Sims, and Co.

Bean splitter, Ransomes and Sims.

Sheep rack for hay and cake, Wm. Smith, Foston, Drifiicld.

Field gate, T. Hyde.

Also recommended for second-class silver medals :

H. Wilks, Bramham, for improvements in pumps for deep
wells.

Ashby and Jeffery, Stamford, for improvements in haymaker.

Vickers, Snowden, and Morris, Doncaster, for self-expanding
horsehoe.

HOUNDS.
Judges. — Viscount Galway.
Lord Herries.

Mr. J. Parrington (Cleveland).
Mr, D. R. Scratton (Essex).

Two couples of entered Hounds, dogs, no hound being older
than a seven-season hunter. — First prize, £20, Lord Kesteven,
Stamford; huntsman, J. West, £5. Second prize, £10, Earl
of Yarjjorough, Ulceby ; huntsman, N. Long, £3.

Two couples of entered Hounds, bitches, no hound being
older than a seven-season hunter. — First prize, £20, Lord
Kesteven ; huntsman, J. West, £5. Second prize, £10, Earl
of Y^arborough ; huntsman, N. Long, £3.

Un-entered Hound, dog, pupped since the 1st December,
1866. — First prize, £10, Sir C. Slingsby, Bart., Knaresborough ;
kennel huntsman, W. Orvis, £5. Second prize, £5, Lord
Hawke, Pontefract ; huntsman, E. Owen, £2.

Un-entered Hound, bitch, pupped since the 1st December,
1866.— First prize, £10, Sir C. SHugsby ; huntsman, W.
Orvis, £5. Second prize, £5, Sir C. Slingsby; huntsman, W.
Orvis, £2.

Stallion Hound, not less than a three-season hunter, and
certified to be the sire of living puppies. — Prize, £10, Earl
of Yarborough ; huntsman, N. Long, £3.

Brood Bitch, having reared a litter since the 1st December,
1866.— Prize, £10, Earl of Yarborough; huntsman, N.
Long, £3.

At the Council Meeting on Thursday it was resolved lo hold
the Show in 1869 at Beverley.

AGRICULTURAL MANUAL LABOUH.

Mr. H. FrampTON, of Watership, read a paper before the
Newbury Farmers' Club. The following are extracts : — The
subject of " Agricultural Manual Labour" is one of importance,
and in the absence of any other paper, I have consented to in-
troduce it ; but having had only a short time to prepare it,
I must beg you to excuse a hurried and imperfect paper, still
I trust by bringing forward some of the principal points, a
really good and animated discussion will ensue, so that in the
end some lasting good may result. It will be my object to
treat this subject as fairly and openly as possible, remembering
the golden rule, " To do unto others as I would they should
do unto me," feeling assured that it is a question of such mo-
mentous importance as to require the most careful and candid
consideration of all those concerned. Before entering into the
general subject of this question, I would pause to say a few
words in reply to those would-be philanthropists who appear
to delight in making us (the employers of agricultural labour,
in short the farmers of England) the " butt" at which to cast

their darts. We hard-hearted mortals are made to appear, to
those who are not acquainted with the real facts, as tyrants ;
but I say it behoves all who make a charge against others to
search and see if they are founding those charges upon a right
foundation — upon the truth — and, if not, to pause ere they
speak words which cannot be recalled. Mr. Frampton then
referred to an account of a testimonial recently presented to
Canon Girdlestone, from a number of labouring racn, "in
grateful remembrance of his successful efl"orts to raise their
wages." The assertions made by Canon Girdlestone, that the
agricultural labourers were unjustly treated by the farmers, he
contended, were without foundation, and that most of those
gentlemen who found fault with the employers of agricultural
labour were utterly unacquainted with the real condition of
the British farmers as to the question of whether they were
ahle to raise the price of wages. He continued :— I distinctly
say that under present circumstances we cannot raise the
wages of our labourers to the extent required by these gentle

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

237

nleu ; we cannot afford it. Fanniag is not suflTicicntly profit-
able, and if we are made to do so the loss must fall upon the
landlords ultimately ; it is useless to pay more than we shall
ever see again, and the plain unvarnished fact is that the profits
derived wiU not admit of our paying higher wages. I am
quite sure and convinced farmers are not adverse to paying
higher wages, provided they can make those wages remunera-
tive. I think there is not a right-minded employer of labour
but would quite as soon pay his men 203. per week as 10s.,
provided they can make themselves worth it ; it would be bet-
ter, as the master would not require so many labourers, con-
sequently have fewer to look after and to find work in wet and
bad weather, when you can make scarcely any return for their
labour. I am not writing with the idea of keeping down
wages ; that I do not desire ; but under the circumstances I
ask, can farmers afford to pay higher wages ? I distinctly say
they cannot, and ultimately this must become a landlord's
question. But we find these sentiments of Canon Girdle-
stone's shared by others much nearer home. Mr. "Iramptou
then referred lo some correspondence that took place early
last year in the E-eading papers on the " price of bread," in
which " Miller" states that farmers " had better try, if pos-
sible, to mend the condition of the poor farm labourer, whose
wages are regulated most unjustly ;" until they do this they
will continue to be " the butt" of the benevolent portion of
the community. Mr. Framptou then continued : — I empliati-
cally assert it is not and cannot be our wish to keep down the
price of labour ; we are willing to pay all we can afford if men
will make themselves worth it, but I cannot and will not assent
to this false assertion of " Miller's" that agricultural labourers'
wages have not advanced. I distinctly say they have, and of
course they must while others advance in trades, and there
has been a gradual and considerable rise for many years.
Neither will I believe, tUl it is more convincingly proved to my
satisfaction, that our men are paid so much worse than towns-
men ; and when we take into consideration tlieir liouses, gar-
dens, and perquisites in the shape of firing, beer, and many
other things, in short, I know we pay all they are at present
worth ; and if these interfering gentlemen wiU not believe it,
let them enter into our business — let them turn farmers for a
few years, and then let them speak with authority : we will
confidently await the verdict, and probably we thould then
have some farmers with a spark of benevolence in them. From
a most careful calculation I made last year I found that my
men's earnings amoimted to about 13s. or lis. per week, rain
or shine. We in no way object to any improvement that can
be made in the condition of our men — far be it from us, but
would further any good and practical object having that in
view ; but we do object to those ill-founded assertions, which
are almost beneath our notice. But taking leave of these
gentlemen, we will now consider the practical relations be-
tween employer and employed. We shall, I think, find many
errors in each of our systems, accompanied, as a rule, with
faults on the part of both master and man. We all, I con-
elude, acknowledge that there is but one grand rule by which
we should be guided, if we desire a successful issue to our un-
dertakings, viz., that one golden rule given to us by die Master
of us all, wliich I have before quoted — " To do as we should be
done unto," and by which our actions with each other should
be entirely guided. If it were more deeply implanted in the
heart of every master and servant, there would then arise a
greater reciprocity of feeling, and that mutual interest for the
welfare of each whicli is so absolutely necessary to make all
things go pleasantly and beneficially, and which is, indeed, the
jirst and foremost thing required, in order for both parties to
reap the reward ; this accomplished, we have a good founda-
tion to build upon. If education can do it by teaching those
in ignorance what are the duties required of them towards both
their heavenly and eartlily Master, then " welcome education."
For my own part I am not at all adverse to education, provided
it is befitting their station, founded upon religious teaching ;
for without that I believe any education they may receive will
prove disadvantageous to tliemselves and the country at large.
If they are not taught their duty to God, how can we expect
them to do their duty to man ? If no morality is instilled into
them, there will be no real moral principle to guide and coun-
teract those evU tendencies of the flesh, which make a man
who lacks this great principle feel that it is no matter what
unjust advantage he takes of others. We all know the effect
upon children if no moral religious principle is instilled into

them ; and what will be the result if the whole country is
abandoned in this way ? I must, though rather out of place,
solemnly protest against the wholesale attempt now being
made to secularise everything in this country, and bring old
Christian England down almost to the level of a heathen land.
In bidding adieu to education, I would merely add, I should
like to see all our labourers able to read, write, and sufficiently
taught in arithmetic to be able to calculate the money due to
them for any work they may have done. In the two former
they will find something to fill up spare time, which might be
less profitably employed ; and a knowledge of the latter will
enable them to know how to get their due, and remove any ill-
grounded feeling of being cheated from their minds, which at
present men are very apt to entertain. I trust also education
wiU make them feel a greater respect and regard, not only for
their superiors, but also for themselves and their own character
— a greater feeling of decency and morality in their every-day
life, in which we often find them sadly lacking. In this dis-
trict we have three principal systems, namely, day work, piece
work, and the hiring system. Day work, so called from the
men being paid by the day of from nine to ten hours (less in
winter), is the system most carried out with us, because they
are available in the generality of cases, but it is one fraught
with evils, the greatest in my opinion being that we pay men
by the day instead of according to their worth. I call it a
degrading system, calculated to reduce the best man to the
level of the worst, and to bring them again lower, having a
continually degrading effect. As an able-bodied, industrious,
trusty, persevering man, with a good liead upon liis shoulders,
able and willing to turn his hand to anything, is only paid the
same amount as an idle and slothful labourer who does little
or no work. This, I consider, a system the very reverse of the
one we want to instil, and one that must have a great tendency
to keep down the price of labour, because rendering it of so
little worth. We want a system that wiU cause emulation,
a striving each one to do liis best, with a knowledge that his
efforts will be rewarded. But how is tliis to be attained ? I
confess I know not the remedy. Individually I believe nothing
can be done except in exceptional cases, and collectively it was
a great undertaking. Could any kind of class system be intro-
duced ? I am fuUy aware that the opposition to any great
change would be great, but I most sincerely wish some system
better than the present might be found. Some, perhaps, will
say meet it with piece or task work. But this you cannot en-
tirely do. Ton may in many cases, but not wholly. There is
a good deal of work to which you cannot conveniently apply
it, particularly during the winter half of the year ; but on the
whole, I consider it a more equitable and advantageous system
than the former. It has the advantage of enabling the master
to apply his labour most profitably to himself, and of giving
liis men the chance to earn what they can, thereby paying them
according to tlieir worth, and rewarding the best. Taken on
the whole, when available, I consider it far preferable to the
day system. We come now to the hiring system yearly and
monthly. In our own immediate district, where we lack cot-
tages, the former is the only system we can witli safety rely
upon, as far as regards carters, shepherds, boys, and aU having
charge of stock, because without it, when summer comes, we
should often be left in the lurch, as we constantly prove ; but
it is full of evils, one of them being continual change, an almost
complete revolution year after year, which would seldom be
thought of were it not for IMichaehnas. No sooner do tii e
master and servant get into the knowledge of each other's
ways, and the latter to understand the master's methods and
his land, than Michaelmas comes and unsettles all again, and
generally the same thing occurs year after year. But where
we lack cottages there is also the greater evil consequent to
lodging six to eight or ten boys and young fellows together,
free from all restraint from their parents, and, as the law now
is, almost all from their master. You may get the greater
proportion of these steady and well-intentioned, but the chances
are you will get at least one bad one, and, as we know " that
a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," so we may easily
imagine that one bad unprincipled servant amongst them will
have the consequent ill effect upon the others ; and this I con-
ceive to be one reason why the relations between the employer
and his hired servants are so often unsatisfactory. Were it
practicable with us, and could we feel assured of being treated
fairly, I should prefer the monthly hiring system, month's
wages, month's warning ; but this will not do ; the generality

238

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

who liave tried it will find tlic servant generally docs it witli tlic
intention of taking an unfair advantage wlieu summer comes.
Another evil attendant upon the hiring system is, I con-
sider, the way in which we hire ; it is a perfect lottery.
You go into a fair and hire several servants of whom
you had not the slightest previous knowledge, or they of
you. How can the generality of cases be expected to turn
out well P Certainly you make an application for charac-
ter, but how vastly you get deceived even in that! And
coming to characters I wish it were made incumbent upon all
masters to give all their hired servants, whetlier good or bad,
upon leaving, a just and written character which they must
produce on seeking anotlier situation. We should then have
them more mindful of that inestimable tiling, a " good charac-
ter," and should be enabled to choose those likely to suit, added
to wliieh those of bad character would be the sufferers. Some,
perhaps, will raise the objection that these would not produce
their vvritten characters ; if not, we could speedily guess the
meaning of it. Having entered thus far into this question of
labour and its faults, let us consider what are likely to be the
remedies. First and foremost on the part of the landlords, I
think it is absolutely necessary that they should provide a suf-
ficient number of good cottages, on or in close proximity to
each farm for the labourers working on it, to be let with the
farm. This must, I believe, be the first step. The men
would then be near their work instead of having to walk a
mile or two every night and morning (one of mine formerly
walked seven miles every day to and from his work), and
would also feel a greater interest in that farm, being on the
spot. The master must endeavour to do justly (kindly and
fairly, and yet firmly) to all, showing no unjust favour, willing
to pay his men tlieir full value, ever remembering " The la-
bourer is worthy of his hire ;" be punctual in the hours of
labour (as a failure in tliis respect is not only unjust to his
men but also to his neighbours), and take that interest in the
welfare and prosperity of his men, which is his duty ; by so
doing he will do his part in endeavouring to establish that
good feeling and understanding which is so necessary for the
welfare of each. Till this is accomplished things will not be
as they ought. The men must also on tlieir part endeavour
to do their duty, and make it worth their master's while to
pay tliera well, showing a desire to do their best on all occa-
sions, feeling it their duty to consider their master's interest
and welfare in all things — their general indifference to the
interests of their masters and distrust of them being, I believe,
one of their greatest faults. They must also remember that
it is written in Scripture, " If a man will not work neither
shall he eat." There appears also to be an entire lack of fore-
thought or any provident spirit in them. Could we only get
a better state of things accomplished in this respect, we should
then remove one of the greatest drawbacks and blights to
farming in the present day.

Mr. Darke opened the discussion by reading certain reso-
lutions adopted at the meeting lately convened at Willis's
llooras, at which Canon Girdlestone was present. He believed
such movements as that set on foot l)y Canon Girdlestone would
fail in securing the object in view. He regarded Mr. Framp-
ton's suggestion with reference to the classification of labour
as a very practical one ; but there would be difficulties to be
overcome in carrying out such a system. For instance, some
labourers might be disposed to say they would not trouble to do
much because they were not placed in the upper class. Piece
work liad for years been considered most satisfactory in Nor-
folk. Hiring had a strong hold upon people in this district,
because it tended to cheapen labour. The interference on the
part of the public with such matters as Canon Girdlestone had
taken in hand would, in his (Mr, Darke's) opinion, drive
capital from the soil.

Mr. EvEKETT followed, and in the course of his remarks
characterised Canon Girdlcstone's meeting as a most insignifi-
cant one. The parties who took part in that meeting were
similar to those members of Parliament who session after ses-
sion brought forward certain measures, and delivered long
speeches, dogmatically stating what ought and what could be
done, without knowing in the least degree by reliable informa-
tion whether their proposals could be carried out by practical
men. He believed it was in the power of the agricultural body

to say the annual hiring fair should not be lield. Other points
in the Paper were also alluded to by Mr. Everett.

The Chairman also made some practical remarks upon the
various questions introduced. With regard to hiring fairs, he
conceived that the poor people who frequented them should be
considered. Those fairs afforded them an opportunity of meet-
ing together and exchanging friendly words, as they would not
otherwise be able to do. There was no reason why such fairs
should be aljoUslied because they were abused. If they acted
on such grounds they might apply the rule to higher tilings,
and put an end to race meetings, and so forth.

Mr. S. Wentworth said that one of the remarks made at
the meeting in Willis's Rooms was that they were badly fed.
He did not think such was the case, and that their condition
would bear very favourable comparison with the state of me-
chanics and artizans in towns. He felt that as a rule agricul-
tural laljourers were better fed, better clothed, and better
housed than many mechanics. They certainly had not heard
of such distress among the agricultural labourers as had pre-
vailed in the east end of London and other parts of the coun-
try. He also believed that there was a better feeling existing
between the farmer and the labourer than between the manu-
facturer and the artizan. Though obliged to hire several ser-
vants yearly he should be glad to see the system entirely done
away with. If they could go to a register office for their ser-
vants they would be able to satisfy themselves much more fully
than at present as to the characters of the persons they were
taking into their service. If labourers were more provident,
and did not come so much upon the poor rates as at present,
farmers would be in a position to give more wages than at
present. It would be a great advantage if they could induce
their labourers to invest what they could in some friendly
society, instead of spending their money in the beer-house.
He felt confident that anything in the shape of trades' unions
in the agricultural districts would be the greatest curse possible
to the labourers. He had no fear of that movement extending
to the agricultural labourers.

The Rev. C. W. Everett considered the remarks made at
that meeting showed most clearly that the farmers reaUy did
take an interest in their labourers, and if those persons who
endeavoured to excite heartburnings and jealousies would in-
quire more carefully into the things they spoke of, they would
find there had been much misunderstanding on the subject.

Several members expressed an opinion that Mr. Framptoii
had understated the amount of wages paid to agricultural la-
bourers. One gentleman said that in nine cases out of ten in.
tliis neighbourhood, agricultural labourers were paid 15s. per
week. Another farmer said he had given from 19s. 4d. to
19s. lOd. per week. Mr. James Palmer and Mr. J. G. Went-
worth also expressed their views on the subject, after which a
vote of thanks was presented to Mr. Frampton, who returned
thanks and replied to some of the observations made. The
whole of tlie speakers concurred in complimenting Mr. Framp-
ton upon the able paper he had written, and each expressed their
personal thanks for the trouble he had taken in bringing the
subject under the notice of the Club.

TOP-DRESSING SEED LANDS WITH
LONG MANURE.

Sir, — This plan of top-dressing grazed seed lands at this
season of the year is very much adopted on the thin heath-
lands of Lincolnshire, as a preparation for wheat. In a dry
season, like this, the manure in a few days seems to have be-
come straw in appearance again. If any practical chemist
will explain how this mode can benefit either tlic manure or
the land, he will enlighten myself, and, I dare say, many other
farmers. The old notion of top-dressing was invariably at-
tended with the idea of the manure being well rotten before
being laid on the land. The question is, does this exposure
to the sun's rays exhale the goodness of the manure ?

Yours,

Aii^Ksl G/k, 1368. T. B.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

239

THE FARMER'S FRIENDS AND FOES.

Rooks, congregating as tliey do in large mimbers, and feed-
ing heartily, must exert a very decided influence for good or
evil on the labours of the agriculturist ; it is, therefore, a
question of considerable importance to determine whether these
birds are friends, or, as some assert, the farmer's greatest
plagues. There can be no doubt that rooks will pilfer newly-
set potatoes, will consume the freshly-sown corn, and that
they sometimes indulge in the eggs or young of pheasants,
partridges, and fowls ; but that tlie balance is decidedly in
their favour we consider a fact beyond dispute.

Mr. St. John has very fairly contrasted the amount of good
and evil done by the rook : " This well-known bird is common
in all this district (Gordonstown), sliifting its quarters at dif-
ferent seasons in search of food ; and immense must be the
supply to feed the tens of thousands which are sometimes seen
together. Their usual habits are known to most people ; but
it is an often-discussed question whether the rook is hurtful or
advantageous to the agriculturist. With regard to the mischief
done by the rook, the greatest destruction of grain made by it
is just as the corn ripens, and before it is cut ; where the
grain is lodged, and at the edges of the fields, it consumes a
considerable quantity, and destroys more. It also attacks the
potatoes, digging up those roots which are the least covered
with earth. In severe weather and snow it attacks the turnips,
and its powerful bill enables it to break easily into the root.
It is mischievous also if allowed to attack the stackyard, spoil-
ing the stacks by pulling out the straws to get at the grain.
The rook is fond of eggs, too ; and in some rookeries egg-
hunting becomes their common habit, when, from their great
numbers, they scarcely allow a pheasant or a partridge to
hatch a brood. This Inrd is also fond of cherries, strawberries,
&c. To counterbalance this long list of evil, for many months
of the year the rook lives wholly on grubs, caterpillars, &c. ;
in this way doing an amount of service to the farmer which is
quite incalculable — destroying his greatest and most insidious
emeray. In districts where rooks have been completely ex-
pelled, this has been seen by whole crops of wheat and clover
being destroyed by the wireworm and other enemies which can
only be effectually attacked by birds. When we consider the
short time during which rooks feed on grain, and the far
longer season during which they live wholly on grubs and
such like food, it will be believed by impartial lookers-on that
the rook may be set down rather as the farmer's friend than
his enemy. On close observation, when the rook appears to
be following the harrows for the purpose of feeding on the
newly-sown wheat, it will be found that it is picking up a
great quantity of large white grubs, leaving the grain un-
touched. Amongst its misdemeanours I forgot to mention
one— namely, that in severe weather * it often digs up the
young wheat just as it begins to sprout above the ground.
Where rooks or any other birds increase to an inordinate ex-
tent, no doubt they ought to be kept dowu by destroying
part of their eggs or young. When the farmer is much an-
noyed by their attacks on any particular field, a few shots at
them soon drives them elsewhere. But very bad would be
the effect of entirely banishing them from any district."!

Although rooks do occasional damage, they are often the
means of preserving whole crops. The caterpillars of the
turnip saw-lly— popularly called " niggers" in some counties
—not unfrequently destroy the entire crop of swedes. Mr.
Marshal! states that on one occasion, when these pests were
busy in the neighbourhood, a large piece of turnips lying in an

* Whether the season be severe or mild, rooks are often to
he seen stocking up with their bills the newly-sown grain, but
their attacks last only for a short time. Soon after the corn
is up they cease their depredations, for the grains become de-
composed and no longer woiih seeking. An occasional gun-
shot, and the employment of one or two hoys to drive the
rooks away, will prove a sufficient remedy against their attackE.

f "Nat. Hist, and Sport in Moray," p. 62.

open field had escaped in a remarkable manner. It lay near a
rookery, and was a general rendezvous for these birds.=^

Probably no farm pests more thoroughly deserve the name
than the numerous species of the larvas (wireworms) of the
click beetles ( Elateridct) . In the farmer's zoology almost
every vermiform creeping thing is a wireworm ; but the real
wireworms are the larvre of the afore-mentioned family of
beetles.

Now let us liear the opinion of Mr. Curtis, a writer who,
from long practical acquaintance with the subject of injurious
insects, must be considered a very high authority : " Amongst-
the birds, that which stands first and foremost in the ranks is
the rook. Wary as he is on most occasions, he follows the
plough fearlessly, to feed upon the wireworms and other in-
sects, and here his services are most invaluable ; for if you dig
up the wireworms and other insects, and lay them upon the
earth, they will often burrow down and disappear in a few
seconds. Many, therefore, of the feathered race have little
chance of catching them in the ploughed field ; but the form
of the bill, combined with the strength and assiduity of the
rook, is well adapted for detecting them in their hiding-places.
To pick them from the growing crops is likewise the occupa-
tion of the rook, when we see him gravely surveying a turnip
or corn crop, and with astonishing sagacity selecting those
plants only which have a few yellow leaves outside— the sure
indication of the presence of the wireworm and other insects."
A gentleman in Norfolk, who well understands the subject,
says : " The rooks carry the first tidings of the presence of
this formidable enemy by hovering over a field in flocks, and
actually pulHng up the turnips by the roots to search for them ;
and I cannot but believe that this sagacity directs them to
the infested plants, which are distinguished by their drooping
leaves and dark unhealthy aspect."

Again, Mr. Clitheroe thus writes : " In the neighbourhood
of my native place, in the county of York, is a rookery belong-
ing to W. Vavasour, Esq., of Weston, in Wharfdale, in which
it is estimated that there are 10,000 rooks ; that lib. of food
a week is a very moderate allowance for each bird, and that
nine-tenths of their food consists of worms, insects, and their
larvre ; for although they do considerable damage to the fields
for a few weeks in seed-time and a few weeks in harvest, par-
ticularly in backward seasons, yet a very large proportion of
their food, even at these seasons, consists of insects and worms,
which (if we except a few acorns and walnuts in autumn) com-
pose at all other times the whole of their subsistence. Here
tlien, if my data be correct, there is the enormous quantity of
408,0001bs., or 309 tons of worms, insects, and their larvae
destroyed by the rooks of a single rookery in one year. By
everyone who knows how very destructive to vegetation are
the larvte of the tribes of insects, as well as worms, fed upon
by rooks, some slight idea may be formed of the devastation
which rooks are the means of preventing."

The following is Mr. Groom Napier's list of food found in
rooks' crops throughout the year :

January, February, seeds, worms, grubs, mice.

March, worms, grubs, larvae, grain.

AprU, grubs, grain, seeds, worms.

May, young birds, mice, insects.

June, July, insects, young birds, mice.

August, September, insects, mice, slugs.

October, November, carrion, vi'ornis, moUusca.

December, carrion, worms, grubs.

That the rook is by no means tlie farmer's enemy is a lesson
our friends in some of the colonies are learning, for live rooks
have been imported into New Zealand and Australia, at (we
believe) 153. a pair. Several other lioys, also are there in
request, which in this country are commonly persecuted with
nets, traps, poison, and guns. — Quarterly Bevietv.

'''' Curtis' "Farm Insects," p. 53.

240

T^HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CHEAP WATER-FILTERS FOR FARM USE.

Of the growing necessity of filtering water for cattle little
requires to be said, and as we progress in our acquaintance
with the microscopic world, animal and vegetable, less and
less will be needed to turn the attention of the agricultural
public to the importance of the subject. In this paper, how-
ever, we do not propose going into the physiological question,
the construction of cheap filters and the filtration of water for
cattle being tlie topic for discussion.

As in the parallel case of filtering water for towns, two
kinds of filters are required — the one a fixture under ground
for filtering water into wells and reservoirs, and the other
for filtering tlie water when drawn from such wells,
&c., into water-trouglis for immediate use. In some cases the
former only may be required, in others the latter, and in not
a few both ; but even when both are required, as in the warm
weatlier of summer, their expense need not put those who re-
quire them very much about, if economical means are properly
attended to.

The several methods of filtering now in use give rise to a
corresponding difi'erence in the construction of the filter ; of
these three are cheap, and adapted for farm purposes. In the
first the water enters upoa the top of the filtering medium,
passes down tlirongli it by gravitation, and is discharged be-
low. In the second the water enters below, rises up through
the filtering medium, and passes off from the surface. In tlie
third the water enters at one side of the filtering medium and
passes out at the other.

In each of these three kinds of filters there are numerous
natural and artificial examples in operation, whose principles
of construction and action require to be examined before it
can fijially be determined what is best to be done in the digging
of the well or reservoir, in the conveyance of the water, or in
its filtration into the well for future supply or into watering
troughs for immediate use.

Wliere rain water has to be collected into deep wells (surface
ponds and stagnant rivers being out of date), numerous exam-
ples will be found where such water may be filtered through
beds of sand in the subsoil, or be found ready filtered in such
beds, if tiie Mell is dug in the proper place and to a sufficient
depth. We ourselves, in the course of our own individual
experience, have met with several examples of this kind on the
Oxford and London clays, and also on the Wealden clays of
Kent and Surrey, where beds of drifted sand are common ; and
doubtless many similar instances will be found in other locali-
ties. Indeed, most of our spring wells and pumps are familiar
examples of this kind of filtration.

These natural reservoirs in the subsoil are generally large
basms, which had originally been scooped out in the clay,
chiefly by oceanic action. By a similar cause sand and gravel
have been drifted, into them at a subsequentjperiod. Over tlic
sand and gravel the subsoil and staple at a still later period
have been drifted often in varied strata. Through this upper
drift the rain-water percolates, or is filtered into the basin
below, where it can be pumped up for the use of cattle directly
into watering tro\ighs without auy further need of filtering.
We have seen an ample supply of water obtained all the year
round from a pump-well only about twenty feet deep. In
other examples three and four times this depth had to be sunk
before water was found. But the expense of boring— an
operation which should always precde the sinking of the
well — is not great, so that it is easy to determine the actual
depth, and into the hole an Abyssinian pump may be sunk.

In some cases, pump-wells of this kind go dry in the
summer-time, when they are most needed. In the winter-
time we have seen an ample supply of water for the liorae-
stead obtained from a pump ; but tor a month or two in dry
summers it was of no use to the cattle in the pastures imme-
diately adjoining, which were watered by ponds directly over
the gravel Ijed below. How far the bottom supply could have
been augmented by boring and allowing a greater surface-
supply into the basin below, is a question which we cannot
answer, as nothing of the kind was tried. It is only where
there is a great tliickness of a retentive clay subsoil that the

sinking of water in such cases would be necessary ; and, even
then, the more advisable course would be to collect the rain-
water and filter it directly into a deep well dug in such a soil ;
for if such a well is dug at the intersection or point where four
fields meet, it would supply each or all of them with water.

It follows from the last paragraph, that a dry summer is
the best time for boring in . search of natural wells of water
in the subsoil. The same rule holds good in order to find a
continuous flow of spring-water passing from a higher to a
lower level by gravitation. Where a series of gravel beds are
drifted in basins scooped out in the clay — at different levels —
there is sometimes a communication between the higher and
lower by means of a thin stratum of gravel or sand through
which the water is filtered. Where tlie flow is continuous all
the year round, tapping will procure a regular supply of spring-
water ; and when the flow is not continuous, it may be drained
into a deep artificial well in the winter and spring months,
when it does flow to supply the dry season of summer and
autumn. In some cases the flow of water from the higher
subsoil basin to the lower is so near the surface as to be in-
dicated by the growth of rushes. But into details of tliis kind
we need not go, as in practice they generally speak for them-
selves in most localities, by the nature of the ground.

'Wlien several grass-fields adjoin each other, one well and
filter may be made to serve the whole. In some eases one
well and filter may serve the whole of the farm, fields at a
distance being supplied by means of pipes. Should the well
be at a lower level, a force-pump may be required ; but if the
distant fields are at a lower level than the weU, such would be
unnecessary. In these latter cases the water may even be
drawn from the well on the principle of a syphon, so that by
turning a cock the watering trough may be filled. When the
farm is wholly dependent upon rain-water, tlie well must ne-
cessarily be on a lower level than the coUectiug grounds ; and
between the two levels provision requires to be made for the
filtration of the surface-water thus collected by gravitation,
which wiU further add to the depth of the well below the
higher grounds. Practically these are simple questions, of
easy solution generally speaking; but they require to be
closely attended to, as they determine the position of the well
and filter.

The size of the well and filter will also be easily determined
on the spot. From ponds the amount of evaporation in the
summer time is great ; but from covered wells it is nil, or
next to nil, so that the capacity of the latter would not re-
quire to be equal to that of the former. In the winter time
the daily infiux wo'old be equal to the daily eftluS in open
weather, and even in the summer time tliere might be a
copious influx at times, so that the difference between the
influx and cffliLx determines the capacity of the well. In the
summer time clay soils are thirsty, and drink up all the water
that falls upon them ; but there are many exceptions, when a
large supply could be got from a heavy thunder-storm or con-
tinuance of rain in the summer months ; and to filter such in
the short time allowed, large filters would be required, as a
large amount of animal and vegetable matter, in the form of
insects, with their ova, seeds, &c., is washed from grass-
lands on such occasions, unless when the water is filtered into
drains through the staple. In short, to filter summer water
properly will in many cases be found an expensive process,
while the reverse is tlie case with winter water, for two
reasons — first, because the influx is continuous and uniform,
comparatively speaking ; and second, because the water is
nearly free from organic matter in the winter time. The
difference, therefore, is very great, in a practical light ; for a
small filter, in the winter time, would make better work than
a large one in the summer time, so that the more economical
course would be to build a large underground well, or reser-
voir, so as to collect and hold suflicient water for summer use,
and for such a reservoir a small cheap filter, as subsequently
described, is all that would be necessary. To this rule there
will, no doubt, be many exceptions, but where farms are wholly
dependent upon rain-water and artificial filtration it has much

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

241

to commend it to general practice, both on the score of
economy and usefulness, when a suitable supply can be ob-
tained free from the organic matter which always superahounds
in summer floods.

filtering material may be either charcoal or sand, or a mix-
ture of the two. The filter may be a long narrow box or
drain, buUt of brick or stone, in Roman cement ; or box-tiles
might be made for the express purpose, with a moveable lid
for each tile. The transverse sectional capacity need not be
large to pass a sufficient flow of water to fill a large well in a
definite space of time ; but as the purity of the water would in
some degree depend upon the quantity of filtering material
passed through, the length should be considerable. The filter-
ing material should be rammed hard, and the lid forcibly
pressed down by a sufficient weight above. The efilux may be
upwards from the surface, at a somewhat higher level than the
surface of the box, in order not to wash out filtering material.
The influx should first be upwards, the better to keep out silt,
and to permit washing and cleaning the filtering material in
the mouth and tliroat of the fiher by reversing the flow of
water at the inerress, and for which provision should be made
by shutting off the water from the general body of the filter,
and allowing it to flow past the well altogether during the
washing of "the ingress portion of it, wliich may technically
be termed tbe mouth and throat of the filter.

The filter, according to this design, would be composed of
three parts, viz., (1), the mouth with the throat; (2), the
body ; and (3), the vent. The former or ingress portion
should be of greater transverse capacity than the body, but it
need not be of greater length. The quality of tbe water will
determine the dimensions in both cases. The object of this
part of the filter is to remove silt and all matters held in sus-
pension, so as to keep the body or middle portion clean and in
successful working order, and so constructed as to be easily
washed when it gets foul and does not pass a large enough
flow of water. In the majority of cases twice the capacity of
the body would perhaps pass the water sufficiently fast. Be-
tween the tliroat and body there should be a sluice for shutting
off the water from the latter, and at this sluice tliere should
be an auxiliary mouth for the purpose of admitting water to
wash out the foulness which collects in the filtering material
that fills the throat. The body and vent of tlie filter may be
of one capacity and piece, the vent or discharge portion being
merely a bend upwards for the purpose of more effectually
preventing the efflux current washing out the filtering material
as already stated. Below the mouth there should be a cess-
pool for sediment, with a sluice in the bottom for draining off
the water during the process of washing the throat. Out of
this cesspool stones, gravel, and the like may be kept by a
grating, but into minute details of this kind it would be super-
fluous to go in a general notice.

In examples where cattle are watered from rivers or their
tributaries, a small current from such could be diverted into a
filter of the above kind, there being a small well at the effluent
end capable of holding a sufficiency of water to fill the water-
troughs.

When tributaries cease to flow, in the warm weather of
summer, as they often do, a large well would be required for
tliis period ; and it should be filled in the winter season. In
some places bottom-water is abundant at a short distance be-
low such tributaries, either in rock or gravel, from which a
plentiful supply, naturally filtered, could be obtained at all
times by means of a pump-well. Such examples are numer-
ous ; and it is truly liumbling to see oattle forced to drink out
of the stagnant pools in tributary streams, green and thick,
and stinking from decaying animal and vegetable matter, when
fine pure water could be got in the middle of the field, under
twenty feet below the surface, in a few minutes, by the Ame-
rican tube- weU and pump ? That the proposition would pay
is already proved by experience ; for we might quote numbers
of cases where pump-wells and draw-wells have now been in
use for many years, and where the value put upon them falls
Little short of the rent of the land. In point of fact, practi-
cally speaking, the pastures without them would be worthless
to any farmer or grazier.

Wlien the filthy water of rivers has to be stored in a well
or reservoir, a second filtration of such water would often be
necessary ; and the second filter may require to be a moveable
one, either at a distance from or adjoining the watering-
trough. In this respect the filter and process of filtration

would resemble in principle those now in use by some dairy-
men and private families in the Metropolis and other large
towns. In those examples which have come under our notice
the filter is placed between the cistern filled by the water com-
pany and the watering-trough of the dairyman, or a second
cistern for holding water for the use of the family, cows, and
horses.

In these examples the filters and processes are patent ones,
the peculiar filtering material occupying a portion of the
water-pipe, so enlarged as to hold it. In principle there is,
however, nothing patentable in the mechanism of such a pipe ;
so that any country carpenter who can make a watering-
trougli can likewise make a cistern and a fiher. Thus, if a
water-butt is placed at one end or side of the watering-
trough, the filtering material may be placed in the bottom or
lower portion of the barrel or butt, so that the filtered water
could flow into the watering-trough. All, then, that the
cattle-man would have to do in his daily rounds, under such
conditions, would be to fill the water-butt, either by a pump
or with a bucket from a draw-well. Should a simple filter of
this sort not prove sufficient to purify the water, another plan
may be adopted by placing a long filtering-box under the
watering-trough. In this case the water-butt or cistern may
be at one end of the watering-trough, as in the previous
example, the vent or discharge-pipe being at the opposite end.
The bottom of the watering-trough may be the lid of the body
of the filter, which woidd be similar in principle to the under-
ground one already noticed, only wanting the throat, for
which there would be no use, so to speak. The watering-
trough may be of the same length as in ordinary cases, so as
to permit of an equal number of cattle drinking at the same
time ; but it may he of less depth and breadth, as the process
of filtering from the cistern would keep up a continuous sup-
ply of water. The expense of such a filter, therefore, need not
be a deadly sum, if common-sense economy is at all attended
to in its construction. Instead of being adjoining each other,
the cistern-filter and watering-trough may be placed separate
from each other, and in some cases the water from rivers may
be filtered directly into the watering-trough, at a lower level
than the head ; but into tlie great diversity of such details
which practical circumstances may suggest we do not enter.

X. y. z.

THE DUBLIN" HORSE SHOW.

This show was opened on July 38th, under the auspices of
the Royal Dublin Society, which offered £1,000 in prizes. The
first prize, £40, for thorough-bred sires, was awarded to Mr.
J. M'Mahon, Mountrath, for Roman Bee, by Artillery, out of
Queen Bee, by Harkaway ; and the second, of £20, to Mr. W.
Hatch, Ardee, for Cellarius. In the second class, for sires
calculated to get carriage horses, troop horses, or roadsters,
Mr. L. M'Court, Dublin, was awarded the first prize of £25 ;
and Mr. W. St. George, Tyrone House, county of Gal way, the
second prize. For heavy-weighthunters,Mr. T.Butler, of Bally-
carron, was awarded the first prize of £20 ; and Mr. W. Mere-
dith, of Derrylough, Queen's County, second. In the section
for hunters not less than five years old, Mr. D'Arcy, of Athy,
received first prize, and Mr. T. Teague, Thoraastown, second.
The young horses, especially the three-year-olds, were very
good, and far superior to the aged hunters. In tracing the
pedigrees of many prize winners, it was distinctly evident,
from the sire who gained the first prize, down to the mere
pony, who so excelled in fencing power, that Birdcatcher
blood was predominant. The sires and the young horses
formed the prominent characteristics of the show. Some few
animals of merit were to be seen among the cobs and ponies.
Thirteen hacks and ladies' horses were dismissed without a
prize being awarded by the judges. The cart-horse sires
shared the same fate, although one of them had won endless
trophies in England. The trooper classes did not fill, and may
be dispensed with another year. There were several sales
efiected at remunerative prices. Mr. Ilartigan bought Mr.
Butler's first-prize weight-carrier for £300, and Mr. Tennant
is said to have refused £200 for his light-weight hunter, £400
being his lowest selling price. The horse is certainly a little
wonder.

242

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

THE VETERINARIAN VERSUS THE FARMER.

Tliere should be no more useful commentary on the
proccediugs of an agricultural association than that to be
supi)licd by the veterinary profession. It is precisely the
kind of science that should be brought to bear upon a
cattle-show. By the exercise of careful observation on
such occasions, the Professor should be able to tell us how
far the constitutions of animals are injured by their being
prepared for exhibition, where the line against excess
should be drawn, and how much or how little hereditary
disease developes itself in the breeds of stock just at pre-
sent more partioularly enconraged. It is comparatively
outside criticism of this order, if ably and boldly advanced,
that would carry so much good inliuence, both with ex-
hibitors and directors ; and it is accordingly satisfactory
to see in the new number of the Veterinarian an article
called a " leader" in the table of contents, and " editorial
observations" in the body of the magazine, on the country
meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society. The paper
thus comes with aU-sufficient authority, and only the
more when we find that the work is conducted by Pro-
fessor Simouds, assisted by Professor Varnell, both of
whom were professionally engaged at Leicester. The
proniscs, as a consecpxence, could not be better laid, and
we turn with some interest to a study of those examina-
tions and deductions which the heads of the College organ
enjoyed such peculiar facilities for making ; as, indeed, it
is not too much to say that from the time the animals
were in their places, the Royal Show was at the service of
the ivispectors. The report — or rather, perhaps, as it
should be, at two or three weeks after date,
the review — opens promisingly enough: "The meeting
has proved in every respect a most successfid one." — " The
number of persons entering the showyard, and the sums
received for admission, place the meeting very high in
the scale." — "Bury St. Edmunds is completely eclipsed."
And thence we are gradually led onto some consideration
of the actual merits of the show : " Subjoined is the
award of the stock prizes at the Leicester meeting. Its
perusal* will show that the several classes were well
represented. The competition was strong, and only first-
class animals carried away the honours. The show was
grand in every division of.it. By far the larger number
of the horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs, for their purity of
breed and beauty of symmetry, were never surpassed,
although in some of the classes the entries have been
more numerous." And this is aU ! The prize-list, to be
sure, runs to some twenty pages, although, with a little
pulling together, it might easily have been included in
half as many ; and then, of course, we have the old
absurd excuse that " Our space will not allow of indi-
vidual, or even class criticisms, to be made. Indeed,
where all was so good, there is little occasion for this
being done, and more especially in a journal like ours,
which is devoted more immediately to the science of medi-
cine than to the science of agriculture." The latter part
of this paragraph is really rich ; for what in the world
is the use of the science of medicine — of veterinary
medicine as here implied — if it be not brought to bear
upon the science of agriculture ? What is the use of the
Royal Agricultural Society paying so much a year to the
Veterinary College, and so much in fees and expenses to
the veterinary professors, if their science is to be so
religiously kept to themselves ? As well might Professor
Voelcker say that the science of chemistry is not tbe
science of agriculture, and that he must therefoi-e decline

to off'er any criticism on individual experiments or class
kinds of cultivation. An improved beast is as much an
experiment as a new manure for turnips ; and before we
go too deeply into one or the other, it may be as weU to
hear from science how far we should be justified in
doing so.

The Veterinarian has not " the space," nor does it see
the " occasion," for offering any such advice ; but if the
Veterinarian can tell the farmer nothing about his stock,
it can tell him something about himself. In this very
paper, on the country meeting of the Royal Agricultural
Society, the editor, with even so little space at his com-
mand, can still find room to say that " Farmers themselves,
as a body, are woefully behind the rest of the community.
The views of many are so contracted that they only look
upon an animal out of health as of a plough out of repair."
Taken singly, and bearing in mind the quarter from which
it emanates, all this can be regarded as little less than im-
pertinence ; but it may be as well to ascertain the reasons
giveji for this wholesale attack, made under cover of
the Royal Agricultural Society. Farmers, then, are woe-
fully behind everybody else because " much more is needed
to give a status to the veterinary-surgeon in rural dis-
tricts. His means of living are frequently frittered away
by the cowleech and the farrier, and often he receives but
little assistance from the resident members of the Society."
— Because "these men (the farmers) are the supporters of
cowleeches and farriers, and ever will be until they be-
come better informed ;" and so on. "We shall be very
ready to join issue here, and be quite content to take the
Professor's own words in doing so. The veterinary sur-
geons, then, ai-e as a body woefully behind the rest of the
community. The views of many are so contracted that,
beyond the horse or the dog, they look upon any other
animal out of health as a plough out of repair, and know
no more about mending it. Again, we say very em-
phatically that much more is certainly needed to give a
status to the veterinary surgeon in the rural districts.
Let us only turn to the history of the recent cattle plague,
and gather from this the gross ignorance aud hopeless in-
capability of the veterinary surgeon, not merely in the
rural districts, but in our cities and large towns. "The
Royal Society," says the Veterinarian, with a sort of
patronizing encouragement, "has much work before it,
and it must keep its shoulder honestly to the wheel. It
has laid the foundation of a better education of the
farming classes, and year by year it must build thereon."
If the Royal Society should keep its shoulder honestly to
the wheel, and if it continue to vote grants to the College,
we do trust that the Council will try to get something in
I'cturn, and at least endeavour to lay the foundation of a
better education of the veterinary classes. The experience
of the last three or four years has shown nothing more
shifty or unsatisfactory than the action of the V. S. over
the diseases of cattle, and the paper wc have under
notice comes well in point of such theory and
practice. The writer, who appears to have been
at Leicester, cannot find space for individual
or even class criticisms on the stock, although he can
manage to fiud plenty of room for criticism on, or a rather
unwarrantable abuse of, the exhibitors. "Know thyself !"
says the old Greek proverb, and ere the Veterinarian
begins to talk too fast of the farmer being so Avofully
behind the rest of the world, let him look at home.

Professor Varnell, if we remember aright, is in Iho

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

243

habit of supplying to the Journal of the Royal Agricul-
tural Society a brief but pertineut paper on the horses
which come under his notice at the annual Show ; but is
there any companion article on the cattle classes ? If
not, care should be taken that Professor Simonds do not

languish from any lack of space. Mr. Bowley, as the
senior stewai'd of stock, has, we are glad to hear, deter-
mined to dispense with any wretched cobblering, and to
prepare the Report himself ; and to his attention we com-
mend " the science of medicine."

OUR GRASS LANDS.

Is the management of our meadows and pastures keeping-
pace with the progress of things ? Practically speaking, the
question is a plain one, meadows and pastures each returning
its own siguiftcant answer in every province and corner of the
kingdom ; and, although there are many praiseworthy excep-
tions to the general rule, the general rule itself, we fear, must
be pronounced a negative answer to the question. At all
events, there is much room for improvement in this important
branch of farming.

Seasons develop their own peculiarities in our natural
meadows aud pastures, and tlie present one is uo exception to
tlie common rule. It is highly interesting to examine grass
lands at any season of the year, as to how the different grasses
are being affected by the weather ; but about tlie middle of
May it is doubly so, owing to the stage of growth the various
plants have attained — more especially in meadows that have
been laid out for mowing and yielding hay. To the superficial
observation of the mere passer-by, this or that field may appear
different from wliat it does in the eye of the farmer ; and there
is perliaps no other branch of farming in which farmers them-
selves see things so differently as they do in their meadows in
be mouth of May, and in which experience confines their
knowledge to their own individual farms aud neighbourhoods,
owing to the normal peculiarities in their geography, geology,
and botany. True, all are familiar witli the proverb, " It is
May that makes the hay," and also with the facts on which
this old proverb is founded ; but a more extensive knowledge
than this old rule involves is needed to examine grass lauds at
tliis season with a view to determine whether or no they are
keeping pace with the times.

At first sight, the question for solution is no doubt one in
physiological botauy relative to the kinds of plants growing,
their healtli and constitutional vigour, together with the pro-
gress which this or tliat class of plants have made and are
making towards maturity, and how other classes of plants
have fallen or are falling behind in the competitive struggle
for subsistence. When a litter of young pigs falls to sucldng,
each laying hold of its own teat, it does not require a very
deep acquaintance with natural pliilosophy to comprehend
the propriety of the whole, and how needful it is for a prolific
sow to teach her offspring the regularity they so conspicuously
preserve, in order to enable her to give eacli its own fair share
of the means of life. The example is homely but familiar, and
full of characteristic truth ; and, although plants are said to
suck old Mother Earth in a somewhat similar manner, yet in
the meadow there is no such regularity preserved as in the
pigsty, the vegetable family being obviously fighting a
pitched battle for the supremacy in the majority of seasons ! —
a state of things which ought not to be (?).

Fairplay is a golden rule, no less in the vegetable kingdom
than in the animal kingdom ; and when farmers see weeds and
inferior grasses milking old Mother Earth dry, therel)y leaving
the finer kinds of grasses to starve, other questions than bo-
tanical ones introduce themselves for solution. There cannot
be tvro opinions as to the golden rule being equally applicable
to both families, the animal and vegetable. The difficulty lies
in the education of the latter — the grasses ; and as that difficulty
disappears in rich meadows, where the finer grasses all grow
luxuriantly, to the exclusion of weeds and even the inferior
grasses, it affords a key to the solution of the question.

The practical aud progressive question hinges upon the
normal dietary of different plants. Thus, when the farmer
sees weeds growing luxuriantly in his meadow, and the finer
grasses every day becoming more and more sickly, and that
this state of things is in a greater or less degree peculiar to
tlie season, or to some specific mode of management, he con-
cludes that what would otlierwise have been the food of his
finer grasses has become the food of weeds — that the land,

under existing circumstances, is adapted for the growth of the
latter, but has become inimical to the production of the for-
mer ; aud as this general conclusion is fortified by the facts of
the case, so far as ol)servation can determine, the physical
data by which such results are produced resolve themselves
into secondary questions relative to the nature of the improve-
ments requisite to effect a healthy statj of the land in like
seasons for the future.

Much diversity of opinion yet exists amongst farmers re-
lative to the conversioi\ of partially-fertile meadow-land
into a permanently-healthy state, analogous to rich meadows
over whicli the vicissitudes of seasons have little or no in-
fluence beyond the mere weight of crop, some arguing that
judicious manuring wiU make up for aU natural deficiencies ;
others advocating drainage, or the admixture of soils not
usually included under manuring ; while a third class believe
in nothing else but the breaking-up to aration .aU such lands
that are not naturally adapted for lying permanently in grass,
without deterioration, beyond what can be supplied by ma-
nures in the ordinary way. To enter upon the details of the
several plans thus advocated is far beyond the limits of a short
pajier like this, all that we can do being to turn attention to
the several lines of argument, viz., the manurial theory, the
admixture of soil theory, and the aration theory.

That manure will cover many faults is a truism which may
safely be granted ; but those who have annually to pay long
bills for artificial maniires have long since arrived at tlie con-
clusion that before such manures will pay, the land must be in
a proper state to receive them ; and our practical readers will
perceive how seldom this rule applies to a very large area of
the grass lands in question, whether they are in meadow or
pasture. No doubt in wet seasons artificial manure may be
applied in a dry form, and in dry seasons in a liquid state.
But such reasoning amounts to nothing more than fireside
fanning, more especially if the staple and subsoil are both
mechanically defective ; for if either or both are so, then the
solution of the question is not a manurial one, apart from the
pounds, shillings, and pence problem at issue.

The proposition of laying clay, sand, gravel, chalk, and the
like on some grass lands to give them a permanent richness of
fertility, although it has proved very suecesstul in many cases
has failed in others, and for obvious reasons — sometimes me-
chanical, sometimes chemical, but more frequently both. That
the practice has much to commend it, is almost too manifest to
require acknowledgment ; but to lay it down as a general rule
is beside the question. It is even more limited in its applica-
tion than the manurial theory. It will no doubt be said, in
reply to the comparative question thus raised, that the admix-
ture of soil theory is only intended as an adjunct to the manu-
rial theory, aud doubtless both theories thus conjoined are of
more general application. But granting this, they neverthe-
less fall short of supplying the mechanical requirements of
such grass lands.

Such being the shortcomings of the first and second plans,
viewed either severally or conjunctly, it naturally brings us to
the third line of argument, viz., the proposition of the plough,
or rather all the three plans conjoined, for the mere breaking-
up of such grass lands to aration would not of itself solve
the practical problem at issue. And we need hardly add tliat
the advocacy of this conjunct view of the subject is becoming
more aud more general as we progress in chemical and me-
chanical appliances. More practically viewed, the permanent
improvement of such grass lands resolves itself into one of
profit ; and thorough drainage, artificial manures, improved
imiilements, and the application of steam-power to all agricul-
tural purposes are rendering the breakiug-np of such grass lauds
to arable husbandry more profitaljle than before their intro-
ductiou, Nemo,

Q44

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE CLOVER CROP.

There are few questions connected with agricultural
l)ractice which give rise to more interesting research than
the peculiarity so frequently observed respecting the
growth of a second cutting of clover, and its intluence
upon the succeeding corn crop. The speculations which
have been advanced, and the explanations which have
from time to time been given, appear to contradict so
many well-established opinions, which have generally been
accepted as undeniable, that the question still appears
shrouded in mysterious doubt. It is held, and we see
no reason to deny Its accuracy, that any crop grown upon
the laud, which may be cut and carried away,must of neces-
sity have a tendency to impoverish tlie soil from which it is
produced. It is true, that if such produce be removed
to the homestead or fed oil; upon other land, the farm
remains uninjured ; for this process then simply resolves
itself into a transfer, from one part of the farm to some
other portion, of a bidk of vegetable matter, which being
consumed by stock, is partially appropriated by the
animals feeding thereon, iind the residue again reaches
the soil as maiiure. The peculiarity so frequently no-
ticed in the growth of clover chiefly consists iu the
act that land from which a second crop of clover has
been cut and cai-ted away is in better condition for the
growth of wheat than when the same clover is consumed
upon the field on which it is grown. Indeed we may go
so far as to say that even when such clover has been
•illowed to stand for seed, it is not uncommon for the
same result to be observable.

This, we readOy acknowledge, conflicts sadly with many
established rules of agriculture ; but these facts are none
the less correct on that account. It is placed beyond
all doubt, that the removal of a crop of clover— and still
more so with a crop of clover-seed— must of necessity
withdraw from the land much valuable fertilizing matter;
and it foUows as a natural consequence that the "soil can-
not be as rich iu fertilizing ingredients as it was prior to
its growth. And yet we have the paradox existing in the
shape of an improvement in the crop of corn upon that
portion which has had the clover taken away, as compared
with that part on which the clover was fed on the land ; or
in other words, a diminished degree of fertility is attended
by an increase in the crop of corn.

It is clear that there must be some compensating in-
fluence to explain this result. It has been maintained by
many that when the land is depastured there is a con-
siderable exposure of the soil to the scorching influence of
the sun, and thereby the natiu-e of the soil is said to be
drawn out and its quality injm-ed. We have little oppor-
tunity of knowing what is really intended by this expla-
nation, and, indeed, it can only be received as exceedingly
indellnite. It is easy for any one to understand that
manure exposed to the sun may lose some portion of its
volatile constituents; but we have no corresponding
loss taking place by the action of the sun upon the soil
—so far, at least, as any trustworthy researches have
hitherto led us to believe.

We must rather seek for an explanation from some
other inlluence more deflnite in its character, and more
capable of accurate proof. In the luxuriant growth of
clover we have one of the best illustrations known, in the
entire scope of agricultural practice, of a crop gathering
nutriment both from the soil and from that which is the
cominou property of all-thc atinos])Iiere above it. Its
i-oots peuetrate into and lliroiigli the soil, gathering

therefrom the nutriment the crop requires, moulding it
into new forms, and preparing it for being assimilated in
the growth of the crop. This vigorous growth below the
surface is accompanied by an equally luxuriant develop,
ment of foliage above, which very powerfully co-operates
in promoting the general increase of the crop • the
activity of the roots has a fitting counterpart in the
vigorous action of the leaves, which abstract from the
atmosphere much valuable fertilizing matter ; and thus,
by the co-operation established, we have an accmnulation
of a rich mass of vegetation, valuable either as food or
as manure, but its growth has been the result of an active
development both above and beneath the soil. Any
circumstances favourable for promoting vegetable growth
would in such a case act favourably ; and, on the other
hand, any condition unfavourable thereto must tend to
diminish the produce.

If we now notice the growth of a crop of clover which is
being depastured, we shall observe that many of the con-
ditions of luxuriant growth are wanting ; and, as a con-
sequence, we cannot have an equally extensive formation
of vegetable matter. The irregular manner in which such
clover is eaten not only destroys much valuable food
which has been produced, but by the sheep eating into
the centre of the plant its further growth is frequently
effectually stopped, and thus much of the clover perishes,
and leaves the soil exposed and in an unproductive con-
dition. Further than this, the crop has no opportunity
of making a bulky growth, the practice being generally to
eat it as it is growing, rather than let the crop advance
towards maturity, and then be fed off.

It is iu the latter stages of growth that the two prac-
tices offer the greatest contrast. When a moderate
growth has been secured, the one portion may be set aside
tor feeding, and the other part reserved for mowing ; but,
from this moment, the one is subjected to a process of a
destructive character, and the other is permitted to
accumulate, with a constantly increasing force, vegetable
matter of the richest character. Instead of the plant
bemg plucked in its point of growth, the development
goes on uninterruptedly: the soil, instead of being
scorched by the rays of the sun, is kept moist by the
overshadowing leaves of the clover crop, and thus the
growth of the crop is encouraged. The growth, and
consequent accumidation of rich vegetable matter, goes
on until the period of fdl-growth has arrived, and then
the whole is cut down and removed. In the one case,
the growth is interrupted during its most important
stages ; and, in the other instance, it is encouraged with
its fidlest luxuriance.

It is perfectly clear that by such a luxuriant growth,
the demands upon the soil have been very greatly in
advance of that removed from the soil by the portion fed
upon the land ; but wc must not lose sight of the fact
that the growth above the ground has been proportionate
with the growth of the roots in the soil, and that a
luxm-iant crop of clover leaves such a rich legacy for the
succeeding crop in the accumulations of vegetable matter
produced by the decay of the clover roots. When the
crop has been fed upon the land the growth of the clover
root has been impeded, and consequently the land is far
from being in equally good condition for the growth of
corn. True, we have removed from the land a consider-
able quantity of valuable fertilizing matter in the clover
taken from the field ; and yet, by the course of manage-

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

245

ment pursuecl, there remain behind in the soil aceumu-
ktions of fertilizing matter of a different nature, but most
valuable for the succeeding corn crop, which more than
compensate for the loss. The advantages appear all on
one side, for most remains where most has been removed ;
but in the one case we have secured an uninterrupted and
luxuriant growth, whereas by the process of feeding the
clover we have kept its growth impeded, and consumed
it in such a manner that the land could not receive
those stores of rich nitrogenized matter which the clover
extracts from the air and adds to the land.

It must be admitted that there are exceptional cases to
the more general ride we have referred to ; but those

variations may generally be shown to be traceable to
other causes, and not in any way to interfere with the
rule. If, for example, the plant is weakly in its character
and habit, or has partially failed upon the land, the
diflference in favour of cutting will be less evident ; the
closer and more abundant the crop may be, the more fully
will the result be in favour of mowing as compared with
feeding ; and conversely, when the crop gives no evidence
of growth, we ought not to look for results of as favour-
able a character as we should otherwise expect. The
secret of the entire difference lies in the fact of an un-
ntprrnpted growth being encouraged until the fitting time
arrives for its prompt removal.

THE NEW FARM.

I must — botheration ! — but yet I must, despite the de-
pressing effect of this fearful electrical weather, for I
have promised that I will write. I really hope that at
last the sky has arrived at its bursting period, for there
has gathered during the evening right above the house a
most matrimonial-looking thunderous cloud, which I
think must needs come down about curtain-time. What
a thing it would be to be young again ! Even at this
sultry irritating moment there is a merry noise from the
roost of the youngster boys, who have bolted the door
against the remonstrance of the only party they fear, their
eldest brother, and are throwing nude somersaults about
the nursery floor. The hand-maidens are weary, and only
feebly expostulatory, for we are going to have a " leetle"
dancing party, and they have been hard at preparatory
work all day. Oneself is angry, but tied hereat, so that
the juveniles have a fair prospect of being ultimately
triumphant. Even as I write, however, there is a con-
sternated close cry of "Eliza! Eliza! Eliza-a-a!" as the
shrewd attendant hath turned the light off, and plentifully
applied " cold pig." Pig ! that recals one to the farm
again, and the thought of water, too, is suggestive. I
have been the main part of this day with a home-made
implement tapping weak spots, in anticipation of a
Norton's pump, that I expect to arrive to-morrow. We
have repeatedly struck water, but as repeatedly been
stumped out. There is

"Water, water everywhere.
Nor any drop to drink."

We strike a sandbed, and the mixture chokes the valves.
We draw forth the pipe by dint of lever, empty it on its
bead of a good thick sedimentary gallon, replace it in its
hole, and, stiU most obstinate, it refuses to yield water.
The pulling up and down hath made a puddle of the
sides, and again suffocating results ! Then we get dis-
mayed and despair of gaining our object from this slough.
So we strike down a crowbar anew, and come thud
thump upon a rock, a soft sandstone layer, through which
we drive the bar without much difficulty ; and then un-
derneath occurs a bed of marl, which fUls the perfora-
tions of the pipe ; and so we are effectually done, as we
have no further length at hand. There is no alternative
but to desist, and await the arrival of the genuine
article by rail from the Birmingham agents.

Here we left off last night, it being positively too pain-
fully sultry to get on with one's writing. Hand and
arm absolutely stuck to the paper, as our ideas stuck
resolutely, too, in the clay pocket of our muddled brains.

But, as the Irish song says,

" 'Twas of a Wednesday night,
At two o'clock in the morning,"
when, glad sound, through the open window I there was a

torrent descending. Good-luck now for the embrowned
pasture, good-luck for the mildewed swede-leaf, good-
luck for the farm in loto ; for now, at this hour of 9 a.m.,
a mist — quite a washing-day mist — covers the face of the
whole earth ; and there will be a luxuriant growth forth-
with. With om- abundant, sweet straw, there may not,
after all, be a dearth of cattle-food, supposing — as there
is every present prospect — that we can put in the breadth
we intend of hybrid turnips.

There is an excellent plan of quaint old Drury's for the
midtiplication of food, the secret of which consists in
soaking wheat-straw. I cannot lay hands on his work
just now ; but, if I remember well, his plan was to cut
wheat-straw of a short length, and then put it to soak
for some hom's in cold water until a thick mucilage be
formed. He then boiled it, stirring in a portion of meal.
By this means he was enabled to keep a large extra quan-
tity of stock. I must look the volume up, and give his
exact words next time.

I have just been called off to inspect a useful new im-
plement which I bought at Leicester, and which, wonder-
ful to relate, satisfies my honest, ruddy-faced old bailiff.
It is an ordinary but excellent plough, which, by the
simple alteration of three bolts, can in a few moments be
converted successively into a potato-raiser, a digging im-
plement, a subsoil plough, a paring plough, and a double
mould-board plough.

Having stumbled upon the mention of the Leicester
Show, let me thankfully acknowledge what a wonderful
opportunity for successful study both of animals and ma-
chinery that tented field afibrded to the young farmer.
From the shilling knife-sharpener and linen-wrapped re-
frigerative dish-cover to Howard's monstrous moorland
l)lough and Owen's cataract-pump, there was something
at every step to attract and instruct. The Southdown
ewes were lovely as ever, with their quiet grey eye and
weighted thigh. The snowy Cotswolds were a picture,
yet suggesting to one the involuntary thought that the
loss of one such individual must be heavy, and that, con-
sidering the precarious life of a sheep, I should prefer
meeting my luck with four small representatives of the
ovine species to staking so many sovereigns in a single speci-
men. There were some grand Herefords, amidst others of
vulgar quality. There were delicious-looking Devons and
a sweet first-prize Aldcrney heifer, that capered about
in her owner's hand as if triumphantly exhibiting her
rosette in gratitude for the indulgence her early youth
received at his hand; but after all, for numbers at least,
the Shorthorns had the pull of the show. Of the pro-
fessional critics there were some who considered this the
best show upon the whole of such kind ever exhibited ;
there were others who compared it disadvantageously in

S

246

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

their mind's-eye with the exhibitions of past years ; but I
must say, in accordance with a very general conclusion of
the practical-farmer-tribe, that the fallow period, owing to
the cattle-plague, if it have produced no wonders, has
heavily accumulated a grand store of the breed. Lady
Fragrant, with her immense frame, her very table-land of
back, her great udder, and most sweet feminine fi'ont, is
(deny it who can) the very perfection of a cow. In old
time we have seen others more tubiUar and beef-
suggestive, but we have never seen a cow before displaying
in so high a degree the characteristics of the milking cow,
with fattening promise for the jperiod when the lacteal
produce naturally shrinks.

Again, was it' not astounding to see Commander-in-
Chief (who in his stall showed" a head too ox-like and a
tail too high) in the exhibition ring di-aw himself up, and
magnificently look around him with an air that reminded
one of old Comet's picture, and which at once placed him
first amidst a numerous assemblage of superb old bulls ?
It was the sight of the show to see these veterans pace
round — rich roan, red, or white.

We were aU glad to find so eminently triumphant the
breeding skill of that rare old man who was so hospitable
at Wariaby, and we heartily trust that his mantle has
descended" on his nephews. " I must not omit to give his

due meed of praise to the retiring, quiet-mannered youth
who had charge of these cattle. A more obliging, civil,
unobtrusive lad I never met. His manner in the ring too
was a lesson to others. There was not on his part, as on
the part of others who repeatedly made the by-standers
indignant, the kicking back of a beast's hoof, the jerking-
up of his head into some pet position, nor was there the
repeated grotesque lugging forth of his charge before the
judge's eyes even when his turn for inspection was past,
and the claims of other animals were being fairly inves-
tigated. He left his animals to exhibit themselves with
their natural elegance, and accepted his fate accordingly.

The great number of new names intermixed with the
old ones shows how the breeding taste is advancing, even
as is an inclination amidst the wealthy for mowing-
machine and steam-plough.

My paper having come to an end, I would only use the
few last lines to remind the beginner that if he wishes for
real satisfactory success in the end, he should climb as far
as he can upon other's shoulders to begin with ; that is,
he should buy only animals of the best of pedigrees and the
best of shape, an opportunity which is offered him by the
continually advertised sales of famous breeders, who are
either overstocked or have fulfilled their term of years.

VlGlI..

GEOLOGY, BOTANY, AND CHEMISTRY.

At the last quarterly meeting of the Logie and Lecropt Far-
mers' Club a paper was read by Mr. Henderson, Stirlmg, on
" What Geology, Botany, and Chemistry have done for Agri-
culture." . , J
Mr. Hendekson said : Whether agriculture is denominated
an art, a science, or a profession, there is at least one point on
which I think most people will agree in opinion, namely, that
in the practice of agriculture, as at present carried on in this
country, a knowledge of many of the arts and sciences is ad-
vantageous to the agriculturist. I do not know of any other
branch of industry, in the prosecution of which tlie attention
reciuires to be devoted to such a variety— such a multiplicity
of subjects as that of the agricidturist's ; and I do _ not know
of any one science or art which may not occasionally be
useful to liim in the exercise of his calling. To become a
thorough practical agriculturist requires from an individual
a very considerable portion of time to be devoted to the ac-
quirement of the requisite skill, and acquaintance with minute
details, in addition to the- knowledge of general business. It
is, therefore, out of the question that the man who has to
earn liis bread by the practice of agriculture cau be able to
devote the period of time necessary to the acquirement of
every science and art bearing thereon, so as to become a pro-
ficient in each ; in fact it would be equivalent to his becom-
ing an adept in all the details embraced in the whole range of
arts and sciences known to man. In other branches of in-
dustry there are greater facilities for a division and sub-
division of labour, both mental and physical— thus enabling
individuals to concentrate their energies on one subject, and
so to attain to greater proficiency, skill, and expertness, in
their particular callings. Although the agriculturist may have
a general knowledge of the arts and sciences, I think it is ad-
visable that, in all important matters requiring scientific re-
search, he should liave recourse to the professional man, and
not depend ou deductions wliich his own acquirements in
science may enable him to make, as these cannot be so reliable
as those of the man who makes the subject his daily study. In
•making use of the words geologist, botanist, and chemist, in
the following remarks, the terms are meant to apply only to
such persons as make tlie study and practice of tlie respective
sciences the business of their lives — men learned and practical
in their own professions, but, it may be, mere theorists and
outsiders in so far as agriculture is concerned. For instance,
put a purely scientific man to stock and manage one of your
farms, give him tiie best of labourers to carry out his instruc-

tions, but withhold all practical advice and assistance, and the
resuhs would probably be more awkward than the first
attempts of the ploughman with the hammer of the geologist,
the portfolio of the botanist, or the retorts and
crucibles of the chemist. Permit me to use the word
agriculture, not in the restricted literal meaning, but in the
broad sense, as that industry employed in the production of
what is embraced in the bold comprehensive saying of " horn,
corn, wool, and yarn" — with the substitution of some such
word as esculent for the latter. I believe the technical defini-
tion of the word agriculturist is, " He who follows agriculture
as a science ;" and of husbandman, " lie who devotes his
attention to the tillage of the ground and management of
cattle." I am taking the liberty to omit these distinctions,
and to include all who employ skill and capital in this branch
of industry under the term agriculturist; for it is evident
these technical distinctions are not very applicable at the
present time, and it is not necessary for our purpose to enter
into elaborate details. Keeping these preliminary observations
in view, I would now proceed to make a few random remarks
on what the science of geology, botany, aud chemistry have
done for agriculture. The first mentioned is geology ._ There
is some difiiculty to discover much direct benefit which this
science has yet conferred on agriculture. Our comitry is
beautifully diversified with hill aud dale, with ravine and glen
and valley, with loch and stream and river, and is bounded by
the ceaseless ocean. Geologists inform us it was not always
so. I do not think they give a description of the appearance
of the world before their fancy began to play upon it, but they
tell of upheavals, subsidences, dislocations and fractures of the
crust of the earth. They tell how these convulsions, with the
combined actions of fire, and frost, aud snow, and ice, and
springs, and wind, and rain, and running water and the
ocean's tidal wave, have scooped out the bed of the loch from
the solid rock, formed the ravine, the glen, the valley, and the
course of the river. They tell how these forces are still in
operation, slowly but surelv crumbling down the rocks ; the
little runnel from year to year eating deeper and deeper into
the mountain's side ; the stream still cutting and deepening
the ravine, and carrying the debris from the higher to the
lower grounds, or into tlie sea heyoud. They give much in-
formation about the district in which we reside— liow the rich
and fertile valley was once a sea bottom ; how the stern rocks
of the Abbey Craig, Stirling Castle, and Craigforth have with-
stood many denuding agencies, and still remain, giving beauty

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

247

and romance to the district, while other rocks of softer
substance liave been dislocated, fractured, worn down, and
great part carried away, leaving only a portion of sediment,
which now forms the rich carse lands stretching so many
miles both to the east and west of these rocks. Geology gives
information as to the deposit of alluvial soils and moraines,
and although, strictly speaking, not altogether a g-eological
question, of peat moss, its growth, and unexplained decay in
some instances. But what is more to our purpose, geology
gives much valuable information about the existing surface of
the earth, and has minutely classified and described the
various kinds of rock of which the crust is composed, and
furnished maps on which the different formations of rock are
delineated. These maps are no doubt subject to much im-
provement, and it is to be hoped no long time will be allowed
to elapse before they are corrected and published in a form
in which more minute details will be given. But even as they
are, much useful information may he got by a careful perusal
of them. By examining one of these geological maps, the
agriculturists can ascertain the variety of rock prevailing in
any district, and in the majority of cases the geological forma-
tion of any estate, or particular farm ; and can thereby form a
more correct opinion of the quality of the land — the general
characteristics of the soil — and the kiud of crops it is most
suitable for producing. Where alluvial or other deposit exist,
the above cannot apply, but in upland districts and on declivi-
ties the case is dill'erent ; there, in general, the soil has been
formed from the denudation of the existing description of
rock, which may either be in a projecting or subjacent posi-
tion ; if in the latter, the nearer to the surface so much the
more correct are the indications to be obtained by geology of
the nature of the soil. Soils formed from different geological
formations do not naturally produce exactly the same kinds of
herbage, or, if of the same order of plants, there is a some-
thing different in their component parts — a something which
gives a characteristic difference to animals of the same breed
which have been reared and fed on the respective pastures,
other circumstances, such as climate and exposure, being
similai-. In sheep stock this difference is most obvious in the
wool ; and in herds of cattle, such as the West Highland
breed, the most marked difference is in the horn. The agri-
culturists may thus derive much advantage from the study of
a geological map when judging of, or selecting land for any
particular purpose. Here, we stand on an interesting geolo-
gical position, being within a few yards of the point where
these maps represent no less than three geological formations
to meet, the carboniferous to the east and south, the old red
sandstone to the west and north, and the spur of the Ocloil
range jambed into the angle between — the three meeting not
far from the bridge. Again, a mile or two to the south, the
spur of the Campsie Hills separates the former two, coming
into the angle on the south-west in like manner ; the lines of
junction being covered over by a thick coating of clay, and
presenting a plain level surface admirably adapted for the pur-
pose of agriculture. The next subject proposed for considera-
tion is botany. The agriculturist has something or other
to do with plants every day, from the one end of the
year to the other. Without having some shght
knowledge of botany, it is difficult to distinguish
a growing stem of oats from that of barley until
it approaches the time when the ears are about to
shoot out. I do not mean to say that tlie agriculturist
should be so conversant with the science as to be able to give,
offhand, the technical name, &c., of every plant he may meet
with ; but to possess some knowledge of the information the
botanist has recorded, is a very useful acquirement. The
botanist, after describing the structure and functions of a
plant, and the order, &c., to which it belongs, proceeds to in-
form as to its habits and the uses to which it is, or may be,
applied ; as also in what latitudes, altitudes, situations, and
descriptions of soil it is to be found growing naturally in the
greatest perfection, and, likewise, of the effects which may
be produced by culture, &c. The science also explains the
method of impregnating one plant by another, and thereby
producing new and useful varieties, and has contributed
valuable practical information regarding the plants which im-
pregnate each other when growing in close proximity. By
paying attention to the information imparted by botany, and
examining the natural products of the land, the agriculturist
has the means witliiu his power of forming a more correct

opinion of any soil and climate of which he has not had
practical experience, than he possibly could do without having
recourse to the indications to be obtained by this science.
This is of great importance to an agricultural settler in a new
country, where the vegetable products to be found growing
on the land are probably the surest — possibly the only — indi-
cations of the quality of the soil and climate which at the
time he may be able to obtain. This is a benefit of no mean
order to the agricultural settler in a new country, as his suc-
cess in life will depend greatly on the quality of the land and
climate he may select for his future home ; but it also applies,
although in a less degree, to the removal of an agriculturist
from one district to another in our own country. When the
stock farmer goes to a distance to inspect a pastoral range,
with the view of making arrangements for becoming the occu-
pier, he may or he may not see the stock, or know the number
thereof, which it has formerly maintained ; but he has the
opportunity of examining the herbage (the various grasses,
heatlis, and other plants), and can thereby form a very correct
opmion of the quality and value of the holding. Should he
there meet with plants of which he has not had any practical
experience, botany is prepared to supply the want, and give
all necessary information. Most of the arable land in this
country lias been so long under cultivation that most part of
the indigenous plants are at least temporarily banished or
extirpated, and have, or should have, given place to those
which the occupier desires to produce ; yet, even here botanical
indiciitions are not altogether valueless to the agriculturist,
when he goes to inspect a piece of land of which he has
not had any former experience. I daresay most of you
may have found yourselves occasionally taking advantage
of botany when inspecting a grass park, and, from the
plants you might find growing therein, making some
such remarks on the soil as, " It is wet or dry, deep
or shallow, stiff or light," &c. Or, it the land was
under the plough at the time of inspection, you may have
found yourselves examining the hedges, if any, and
probably poking about the sides of the fences, to ascertain
what natural plants might be growing on the undisturbed
strip of 'land. All of us are aware] of the great benefits
which agriculture has derived from this science, in the pro-
duction of new and improved varieties of plants by hybridiza-
tion, such as in those of the turnip and clover, &c. ; and the
information the science has contributed in regard to the im-
pregnation of one plant by another has been found to be of
great value in the growing of turnip and other seeds. From
these, and many other circumstances wliich could be adduced,
I am under the impression that the science of botany
has been of valuable service to agriculture. The third and
last subject proposed for consideration is chemistry. Chemistry
truly is a magical science, and chemists are a set of clever,
acute, expert fellows. They see farther into a whinstone than
geologists do — they tear it to atoms, and tell of what every
particle of it consists. They discourse of, measure, and weigh
substances which we neither see nor feel — things not obvious
to any of our senses. Seeing that chemistry has performed
so much, agriculture has expected much from the science,
and the inquiry now is. What has it 'done ? Chemistry has
analyzed the various descriptions of rock which geologists
have discovered on the surtace of the globe, and given an
account of the component parts of each variety. The agri-
culturist thus has the means of judging correctly of the
quality of a soil formed from any description of rock — of the
fertilizing substances it may contain in abundance, and of
what it may be deficient. Chemists also analyze the various
descriptionsof soils, and have been successful in detecting the
presence and ascertaining the quantities of numerous ingredi-
ents ; and by comparing the analysis of a fertile soil with that
of a more sterile, have found out for us an approximation for
a proper formula, showing the proportion of each ingredient
which a good arable soil should contain. This, no doubt, is a
great step in advance, but chemists have not yet been able to
satisfy agriculturists that the analyses they furnish are alto-
gether to be relied on, at least in such a degree as to be a sure
test of the productive qualities of land. This may arise from
the presence of a variety of vegetable matters, and substances
which may have been applied to the soil as manures, or other-
wise ; and thus presenting a greater number of ingredients to
be operated upon. Or it may be that some of the sub-
tances are in au inert or dormant state, and consequently not

S 2

248

THE FARMEK'S MAGAZINE.

liable to be so easily detected; or possibly there may be
some substances present or absent, which the researches
of the chemist has not hitherto discovered in any soil.
However this may be, I tliink it is a fact that agri-
culturists cannot rely wholly on tlie chemical analyses
at present obtainable, in judging of the productive
quality of arable laud. In respect to the products
of the laud, agriculture has been much benefited by the
information which chemistry has supplied. It surely is of
much importance to the agriculturist to have the means of
ascertaining correctly what substances are carried from the
land in the various kinds of crops, dairy produce, wool, and
in the bodies of animals, which may be disposed of from time
to time ; as also what substances are returned to the land in
home-made manures and droppings of animals ; and even the
differences in the qualities of the latter, on account of the
ages of the animals, and of the kinds of food on which they
have been fed. All this chemistry has done, and can do, for
agriculture, and can also give a recipe for supplying the waste
occasioned by the production of any particular crop or pro-
duce. This recipe may consist eitlier of substances sinular to
those extracted, but in some other form ; or, if the soil has been
analyzed, it may consist partly of stimulants to act on in-
gredients present, but in a dormant condition. In pastoral
districts, where little or no cultivation takes place, great
numbers of animals, as well as large quantities of wool, are
annually sent therefrom ; and, although no return is made
thereto by the hand ot man, no apparent deterioration of the
capabilities of the pasturage takes place ; on the contrary, the
numbers and qualities of the animals have rather been on the
increase for many years past. Chemistry explains the cause.
In these districts, the portions of the rocks which are eroded
by atmospheric agencies supply mineral ingredients amply
sufficient to supply the annual waste. It is not so on more
level and riclier soils. Even the richest of these, when con-
stantly used for pasturage, particularly by young or dairy
stock, in course of time become exhausted, and refuse to yield
the accustomed pasturage. The chemist can give a recipe for
the proper substauces to apply to restore the pasturage to its
pristine luxuriance. Chemistry explains how many practices
carried out in agriculture produce certain results, such as the
ploughing of the soil, the disintegration of its parts, and the
application thereto of various substances ; also, why it has
been found to be more suitable and profitable to give animals
which are arrived at maturity, when preparing them for the
butcher, a different kind of food from that given to
younger growing animals when preparing for the same
purpose. Chemistry ascertaius for agriculture the component
parts of all substances which are applied as fertilizers or
stimulants to the soil, so that the agriculturist can apply any
particular ingredient which he is aware the land may be in
want of, or withhold that which he knows it may have in ex-
cess, and can apply with some degree of certainty the proper
kind and quantity of specific manure for any particular crop.
Chemistry also has been of great utility to agriculture in
enabling manufacturers to supply special manures made from
substances which might not otherwise have been used for the
purposes ; likewise in detecting adulterations iu substances
vended as special manures; or iu the variations of these
from a guaranteed analysis. The same with substances
used as cattle - food, smearing materials, and such
like articles, which the agriculturist requires to purchase.
Chemistry was of much utility when Peruvian guano was at
first imported into tliis country, and facilitated the earlier
transactions in the article by determining its comparative com-
mercial value. I believe it was chemistry, which, some years
ago suggested tlie application of electricity to the soil as a
means of increasing its fertility, but I am not aware of any in-
stance in which the artificial application of this subtile agent
had any appreciable beneficial influence on the produce of the
land to which it was applied. I have endeavoured to notice
a number of the benefits which chemistry has conferred on
agriculture — and they are not of small importance — and no
doubt have omitted others ; but upon the whole, considering
the great advantages which other branches of industry have
derived from this science, I think there is some cause to re-
gret that its researches and discoveries have not effected some
greater practical benefits for agriculture than it has yet done.
With few exceptions this science has rather been following in
the wake of agriculture, in searching out and explaining how

and why certain causes produce certain effects, rather than in
the discovery of anything new. I am not aware of any one
discovery made by the researches of chemistry, within the
last hundred years, which has produced anything like an era
in the practice of agriculture. No such era as that which
was produced by the introduction of the common farm cart,
or that produced by the invention of the thrashbg machine,
or the more recent invention of the reaping machine. It has
been noticed already that the chemical analyses of soils at pre-
sent obtainable are not wholly to be depended upon, parti-
cularly when these contain much vegetalde matter. A consi-
derable portion of our richest land consists of alluvial and
other deposits, and these also must present greater difficulties
to the chemist than soils of a more simple composition. Ne-
vertheless I think the agriculturist has good reason to bear
liim out in coming to the conclusion that chemistry is behind
the requirements of the day, if it cannot furnish him with a
thoroughy rehable analysis of these, showing the whole of the
component parts of which they consist. That chemistry has not
arrived at a state of advancement sufficient to satisfy the wants
of agriculture, we have a notable instance in the evidence given
by eminent chemists before Parliament some three years' ago,
as to the sterility or fertility of the Mapllnsands. Here,
one would have expected there was no great difficulty to over-
come, and yet the opinions expressed were so opposite as to
detract greatly from the confidence which could be reposed in
the correctness of the opinions of either. I am not aware that
it was the professor of chemistry- who first taught man to ap-
ply dung to the land for the purpose of increasing its fertility.
I am not aware that chemistry taught us the benefits which
the soil would derive from irrigation before the same was put
into practice ; or^ that the suggestions of the chemist were
the means of causing the husbandman to apply marl, or lime,
or shell-sand, or bones, or guano to the land. A substance
sinular to guano, namely, the dropping of sea-birds, found in
the caves on our sea coasts, has long been used, and
highly-prized as a manure m this country; and
the droppings of the hen-house and dovecot did
not require to go into the crucible of the chemist before their
rich manuri;il properties were discovered. Chemistry has not
done much towards an increased application to the laud of the
sewage of towns. Agriculturists have practically shown how
in some instances it can be employed with great advantage in
the irrigation of meadow land ; but chemists hitherto have
failed to discover any economical meaus of separating the
manurlal constituents from the great excess of water which
prevents its profitable application to land under cultivation.
The question of what is to be done with the sewage of our
large towns, is engaging the attention of many eminent
scientific men at the present time. It is one of vital im-
portance to the citizen, and one in which the agriculturist is
much interested. The point desiderated is the separation oi
the fertilising constituents from an excess of water, and the
economical solution of the problem involves the acquisition,
for agricultural puqioses, of matter, the value of which has
been calculated at many millions sterling per annum. The
inducements to Increase chemical research on the subject are
great, and it is to be hoped that, altliough the problem has
hitherto baffled the fclence, some fortunate discovery may
soon be made, and the discoverer have the honour of redeem-
ing the science from its present position of appearing to lag
behind the requirements of the age— give Increased revenues
to the cities, and confer an important benefit on agriculture.
Within the last liundred years the improvements wluch have
taken place in agriculture have been very great. Eras therein
have been noticed as having takeu place. Another ot these is
all but effected, namely, the economical adaptation ot steam
power to the cultivation of the soil. This, and the utilisation
of the sewage of towns to land under cultivation, appear to
be the most prominent agricultural problems of the day. lie
mechanical arts have the merit of what has been done m the
former, and the science of chemistry is confidently looked to
for the solution of the latter. During the current century
other branches of industry have been araajzingly benefited by
the researches and discoveries made by chemistry, and why
this science has not conferred greater benefits than it has done
on agriculture, can be accounted for only on the supposition
that the requirements of the latter are more varied and com-
plicated than those of the former, or that agriculture has
advanced farther on the road to perfection.

I'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

249

ROOTS AS FOOD FOR STOCK.

At the Winfritli Farmers' Club Mr. T. H. Saundeus, of
Watercombe, read a paper ou " The cultivation of roots,
HUd their relative value as food for cattle and sheep," con-
tessing lus ignorance of any new facts bearing on the subject,
which he brought forward rather with a view of gaining in-
formation from the experience of others in the discussion which
should follow. They would agree with him that root growing
was the foundation of all good corn farming, and upon roots
and other green feed they greatly depended for the maintenance
of their increased breeding flocks, as well as for the fattening
of cattle and sheep which was so extensively practised in that
district. The subject was rendered still more important at the
present time from the fact that the turnip crop, which had
become so extensively grown, was beginning to fail in some
soUs, just as its value was being better understood. What
they desired to ascertain was how to grow the heaviest crop of
roots, wJiich should be of good sound quality at the time they
were required for feed at different seasons of the year. Whilst,
therefore, he related as briefly as possible what he had seen
practised, and had generally adopted on his own farm, he did
not ask the gentlemen present to adopt his suggestions without
first weighing them in the balance with their own experience,
so as to determine which was the better plan— always keeping
n view that different localities required different management.
Experience had taught him that the science of root cultivation
and the selection of the best qualities of seed was a subject of
far greater importance than he could convey to them in words on
Ij that occasion, although he felt assured it was the foundation-^
I ' stone of all good farming, particularly on the light soils of
I: tliat district, and the cold hilly lands around ; indeed, he in-
/ variably found his com crops succeed in rotation best after good
roots. The question of the best seeds to sow depended greatly
upon the purpose for which the roots were to be fed off, whe-
ther for wheat in the autumu, or for spring corn; and before
he sowed turnips on his farm he always considered for what
purpose they would be required. With regard to cultivation
he generally sowed the greater proportion of liis turnips and
swedes after a previous green crop fed off the land ; but to pursue
this system their soil must be as free as possible from couch-
grass. If they had a piece or two which were not so clean as
they could wish, they should use Bentall's broadshare or
some such implement as soon as possible after the corn was re-
moved in harvest time, previous to sowing their green crop in
the|autumn ; thus, if the land was pared during the hot weatlier
and it was worked well afterwards, the little couch would soon
be destroyed. But to do this eft'ectually the corn should be
cut close to the land, otherwise the stubble would prove trou-
blesome in the operation of dressing. As soon as they consi-
dered the grass on the surface was dead, it should be ploughed
in, and the land kept constantly stirred until it was perfectly
clean ; then, without further ploughing, rye, vetches, or winter
barley might be sown. The first piece of wheat stubble that
was ploughed and cleaned he sowed to trifolium, as soon as
the corn was off, otherwise he could not ensure a plant ; he
also sowed some Italian rye with the corn in the previous
spring, for early feed before turnips could be obtained ; and
for second feed he invariably sowed some hop and white Dutcli
seed, to feed before turnips, instead of vetches, as lie thought
it answered better on light or sandy soils. He would not
recommend this system unless the land was perfectly clean,
and they had better have no green crop than be obliged to
send a man over the .turnips with a prong and basket to take
up all the grass which was left and growing amongst them —
a process which would involve an expense of from Is. 6d. to
3s. per acre. In the event of the land not being thoroughly
cleaned, it should be well fallowed, or it would be in a foul state
throughout. He was strongly of opinion that autumn clean-
ing was not properly attended to in many instances ; and he
felt sure that as much could be done in one week at that time
of the year as in a month offspring. By cleaning the land
early it got into a forward and better state for the root crop,
particularly when the land was required for mangold, early
in the spring. He could not at present enter into the detailed

process of autumn cleaning, but had said thus much in order
to draw their serious attention to the important question now
under their consideration, by which they would be enabled to
grow a good green crop, to be fed by sheep before sowing the
swedes or turnips, which would very much assist the keeping
of their sheep in the early summer months, up to the middW
of July, and by the extra manure produced by such green
crops they might grow as good a crop of swedes or turnips
as after a bare fallow, in the average of seven years. In dry
seasons the crop miglit not be so good, but after dry weather it
would be better than fallow generally. He recommended them
to sow their first swedes in a bare fallow on high cold lands,
where they could not by early sowing get a green crop up
fit to feed in a fair season to sow trifolium, and allow their
sheep to feed on the green crops in the more favourable
situations ou the farm. On strong clays, it was dangerous to
attempt a green crop before swedes, for if the season was very
dry the seed would not grow till the season had advanced, and
the crop would be lost ; but they might perhaps be enabled to
get a crop of common turnips. The mode of sowing, in the
two descriptions of land to which he had referred, must be left
to tlie judgment of the occupier. He had a variety of soUs on
his farm, but had not found much difference as to which pro-
duced the best roots after a green crop, provided the season
was not too dry, and the land was finely-pulverized to vegetate
the seed. In the event of the season being dry, he foimd the
free working of light, loamy soils vegetated the seed and
carried on the plant best during such dry weather. He had a
small portion of very strong clay land on which he never
attempted to sow a green crop, if he would make sure of
growing turnips. They would greatly forward the green crops
and produce a much heavier yield of turnips by placing seven
or eight loads of yard manure per acre — or more if they could
spare it — on tlie land before plougliing in the autumn. Then,
after tlie green crop was fed off, the land should be ploughed
sufliciently deep to bring all this yard manure again to the top ;
still it shouJd not be so deep as to lose the valuable manure
left by the sheep whilst feeding the green crop, and from which
the turnips or swedes would derive great benefit. By well
working the land the yard manure would become thoroughly
mixed up, and the young turnips would soon discover and feed
on it with a benefit that would speedily become perceptible. If
the land was in fallow, the yard manure sliould be put in before
ploughing the last time but one — he preferred March or the
beginning of April ; tlien it should be ploughed-in immediately.
The land should be kept constantly stirred until required to be
ploughed for so\\ing, when most of the manure would come to
the surface, when it would be mixed by the drags and harrows,
and thus it would speedily come into contact with the young
plants. He spoke of the different results produced from
putting on the manure at the last ploughing, and stirring it up
as he had described, and by the latter plan he had found a
much greater weight than by the former. He was of opinion
that the roots which fed upon the manure were those which
had access to the air, whilst the tap roots descended into the
eartli and supplied the moisture. He also believed that the
manure ploughed in deep was sealed down by the weight of
the furrow, and in a great measure remained dormant till
brought up again ; but land that had only one ploughing was
different, as the farrow lay as it were rather hollow and
admitted the air to the roots, wliich would feed tJic plants with
the manure. Having said thus much on preparing the land,
he then proceeded to state in wliat way he liked to put in the
seed. He generally drilled his swedes with about two or three
cart-loads of compost, per acre, made of pig dung and earth,
and a little dry ashes if he had any— sufl[icient jus't to make it
run well through the drill— with two sacks of bonedust,
ground finely, and about two cwts. of superphosphate, if the
land had had no yard manure ; but if it had, then less artificial
would suffice. Some objected to the expense of drilling com-
post ; but ou his " cridly," chalky land he found it made the
plant start away in early growth much the liest, aud a good
crop was ensured. He did not like to drill the seed immetliately

250

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

after plongliing, as the seed was thus put into the dry surface-
earth tliat had been turned under, and it died away ; hut by
keeping the laud rolled down a day or two the soil became
moist, and it quickly vegetated ; the land should then be
harrowed so as to destroy the annual weeds. They would then
be able to see to hoe the turnips better and the crop would be
clean. An inch was about the depth to sow in dry weather ;
when it was wet the shallower the better. He then stated the
way in which he prepared his land to receive the swede or
turnip seeds after the green crop had been fed off. He never
ploughed the land more than once, and that as soon
after the sheep as was convenient ; it was then rolled down
and dragged over, when it remained for a week or a fort-
night, thus allowiug the sun and atmosphere to pul-
verize the soil. He had often found a better crop when
the seed had been sown a week or two later under
that process than when sown directly after ploughing and when
the land could not be properly worked. He endeavoured to
get as much land ploughed and dragged as he possibly could,
and then, after a middling shower, the drags and chain-harrows
could be brought into use. Some people had failed in endea-
vouring to grow roots after a green crop ; but that failure was
attributable to not allowing time for the land to pulverise be-
fore being worked with the tackle to receive the seed. He
thought it miist have been too tough or too " cridly" for the
young plant to flourish, as he had often found on his own farm
when sufficient time had not been allowed, or his man had im-
properly worked it in his absence, that the crop was bad. He
remembered having a small piece in the middle of a field so
last year, while in the adjoining ridge, wliich had been
ploughed up afterwards and sown a fortnight later,jwlien it could
be properly worked, the roots were double the size. He had
scarcely ever failed by this system in all sorts of soil, and he
thought by his having gained the first prize of tlie Club last
year for the general root crop, in competition with several emi-
nent farmers, who showed fallowed laud against him, that the
system was an advantageous one. That was the seventh first
prize he had won in connection with the Club under the green
crop system, as he scarcely ever had any fallow. He had
three acres last year ; but they were by no means the best,
though the land had been prepared for mangold. His reason for
growing roots after a green crop was to keep his sheep on it,
instea(^ of feeding off any of his regular crop of young clover ;
this give him a good crop of hay to go with the turnips in the
following winter," and afforded his sheep more clover heads
during the summer, after being mown for hay, which was more
wholesome for sheep than stale-fed land. Speaking of club-
root, he thought a remedy would be found in applying chalk —
or lime would do as well, only it would not be so durable in
its effect. If no chalk or lime could be obtained, he recom-
mended extra ploughing, if on fallowed land, and the seed
should uot be put in till the latest season. The time of sow-
ing depended greatly on the soil and climate, and to what pmr-
pose the roots were to he ajiplied ; but this must be left to the
judgment of the cultivator. His hilly cold land required to
be sown a fortnight or three weeks earher than the kindly
warm soils, which, if sown too early, might look well through
middle of summer ;' but in the latter part they became mil-
dewed, and not above half the crop they promised to be in
their eaijy growth. Seasons would beat the best of judgments.
Many of them were in too great a hurry to sow their first field,
which spoiled the autumn growth of the roots when they
were not required for feeding until winter or spring, when the
quality was found to be bad, aud they had no proof in them.
As'many of their farms were particularly subject to mildew, their
great aim ought to be to sow the different crops at such times
that they would become ripe when they wanted to feed them.
As to the best sorts to grow, and their relative value as feed for
cattle and sheep, he thought that was a question which would
be best decided by the superior judgment of occupiers of dif-
ferent farms, who best knew when they would require to feed
them, if for the beast in the stall, or whether it was for wheat
in Jautumn, or for winter or spring-feeding with sheep. That
was a question which he (Mr. Saunders) could not not de-
cide, as different people were of different opinions, and the
varieties of swedes aud turnips were so numerous that
he had not studied to grow tlie sorts which had been re-
cently introduced. His practice had been generally to sow
what was known as Devonsliire greystone, which produced an
eajrly crop of large size, and were very proofy, though they

varied in colour. These he sowed early in June to come in
for his first feed, and he took care to grow as many as he
thought he should require for three weeks' or a month's sup-
ply, lie sowed another piece of the same kind to come in
succession, and about the same time he put in some yellow
tankard or common green round, which would come for feed-
ing in succession. About the first or second week in July he
began to sow the common green round turnips for the winter
after he thought it was too late to continue his swedes owing ;
but he preferred swedes up to that time on all the land where
the green crops had been fed off', and which he wanted to
stand over the winter for spring corn. He began sowiug
swedes in his coldest land, if the green crop was fed off, about
the first week in June, and if he thought they would be re-
quired to be fed early in the winter he used Skirviug's seed, as
they produced the largest root; after them he sowed the
Sussex, or, as some called them, Wyatt's, which, however, did
uot yield quite so heavy a crop, though they could make up
for deficiency in size by plautiug them thicker. The latter
sort, moreover, seldom mildewed, and would be of first-rate
quality if they were to be fed before March, and did not get
injured by frost. He found the old greentop to be most to be
depended upon for feeding after March was in, unless the two
kinds he had named had been pulled before the frost set in.
Though the old greentop swede looked smaU in the autumu
compared vdth the Skirving's and Wyatt's, yet they grew
during the winter, aud he had generally found them keep more
sheep per acre after the middle of March ; and they would be
sound and good aU through the spring if the greens were
mown off as soon as they began to shoot. In order to ensure
getting the different sorts all right he grew from his own seeds,
selling every year those which he did not require for his own
use. With respect to storing the two early kinds of swedes to
wliich he had referred, he found those which were pulled in
November and December, even in case of the winter being
mild, were very superior iu quality to those which had re-
mained in the ground, when they were cut on the same field.
He found the best and cheapest way was to stack them in small
heaps in the same field where they grew; the heaps should be
of an oval shape, about four feet wide at the base, something
in the shape of a potato pit, the heaps to contain about two
cart-loads each. The turnips should be all packed with the
greens on, and with the crowns hanging downwards, so that
the leaves might form a thatch for the heaps ; and he gene-
rally put a little earth to cover just the top lines, as a ridge
wad was to a rick ; but this should be done as soon as the
heaps were formed. By this method he found them much
dryer and better than if they were merely pulled up aud laid
in rows all throughout the field with earth ploughed against
them. If the roots were laid rather thin, it could be done well
for 4s. per acre ; but, if thick, 5s. was a good price. All
should be pulled, and if cut from the heaps care should be
taken that all the trimmings should be well spread about the
field, otherwise the corn crop would be laid down where the
heaps had been trimmed. He had found the roots keep much
better by adopting this method than when put in large
heaps aud covered up ; though he recommended a few large
heaps where it was possible they might require to cut them in
frosty weather, in which case the heaps should be earthed up,
so as to keep out the frost. He attributed the decay of roots
in a great measure to the freezing of the moisture in their veins,
which caused them to burst. He was of opinion that no one
should grow swedes oftener than once in eight years in the sandy
heathsoilsof that locality, wheie theland was subject to club-root
unless chalked. He thought the mangold roots were very much
better adapted for such soils. They should all have a portion
of mangold on their farms for feediug beasts and sheep in
spring time, as it was much preferable to swedes after the
middle of April ; besides, they could grow one-third in weight
more mangolds than swedes, with a very little extra dung, and
he believed about equal value per ton. He held that man-
golds were the most valuable crop they grew, though some
differed from that opinion on account of their not succeeding
so well with the following corn crop ; but he did not com-
plain so much of that. He grew from 20 to 30 acres annu-
ally, and should increase the quantity were it not for fear of
losing his previous green crop for sheep, which he so highly
valued at that season of the year ; and as mangold should be
sown by the first week in May, there was not sufficient time
for getting a green crop before. There were three reasong

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

251

why they should grow mangold. First, because tliey could
produce greater weight ; secondly, it afforded a respite to the
land from swedes uutil the next rotation of the farm, and
would prosper where swedes would get diseased in many soils ;
thirdly, it was not liable to half as many enemies as the
turnip, and should the seed in any way fail, the land would be
in first-rate order to try for swedes. If necessary, mangold
could be kept for feeding all through the summer months.
With regard to preparing the land for it, he invariably fol-
lowed the same method as for turnips on a bare fallow. If he
intended putting his mangolds on the ridge system, he gene-
rally ploughed in about six load of yard dung per acre early
in the winter, and about as much more put under the ridge
just before sowing the seed. When the ridges were open he
sometimes sowed 2 cwt. of Peruvian guano ; but if not, he
sowed the guano when the plant was horse-hoed a second
time, hoeing sufficiently deep to stir it well in. But when he
sowed his mangold on the flat he only put the first quantity of
manure which he had named, and then he usually drilled 3 cwt.
of superphosphate and j cwt. of bones, drilled with about three
cart-loads of compost just as he did for turnips, then he sowed
the guano broadcast and hoed in. He usually ridged 27 in.
apart, because that was a convenient width for the dung-cart
wheels, but 24 in. was suHicient on the flat. He thought the
ridge system was cheapest and best when the farmer had
plenty of yard manure to spare. He preferred, if possible, to
ridge up his laud two or three weeks prior to sowing the seed,
as the small weeds could be destroyed by means of a light
seed harrow. This should be done two or three times, and if
the land was very weedy they should run a double-mould
plough very shallow, which by turning the earth again would
destroy the small weeds ir» the hollow of the ridged land.
He then put in his driU and drilled about 61b. or 71b. of seed
per acre to ensure a thick plant, at about three-quarters of an
inch deep, and this he followed by a light seed harrow. He
did not recommend rolling, as the land was apt to crust after
a hard rain, and in such cases he had found the seed not come
up well ; l)ut if dry he put the seed fuU an inch deep, or rather
more. There was one other reason why he liked the ridge
system, viz., that they could use the horse-hoe early, if their
land was ready, as they would know where the drills were.
They could not use the horse-hoe too early in the season, after
the drills could be distinguished, for they would kUl more seeds
by once hoeing them in their infancy than twice afterwards.
If they were troubled witli chickweed, it could not easily be
destroyed after it had become old. They could not be too
liberal with hoeing, and tlie crop ought to be horse-hoed
twice before they were singled by hand, as they could see how to
go close to the plant a second time. He was not an advocate
for singling the plants to their proper distance until they were
sufficiently strong to stand against the hoe ; and, as soon as
they grew upright, the horse-hoe should be again used, which
would kill the weeds that had been pulled between the drills
by the hand hoe. The hoeing to which he had alluded re-
ferred equally to swedes and turnips as well as mangold.
With regard to the distance between each plant, he related an
experiment wlrich his son tried some years ago. He took the
trouble to plant several drills on the ridge, at 27 in. between
the rows, aU through the field, from 8 in. to 16 in. ; and, upon
weighing the lots when taken up, he found the 10-in. drill to
be the lieaviest, and the 0-in. next. He was in the habit of
drilling aU his swedes and turnips at 18 in. apart ; and as he
grew nearly all after a green crop, and found a thick plant
was the most weight, he generally endeavoured to get those
left from 7 in. to 9 in. between the plants. In conclu.sion, he
invited discussion upon the subject.

Mr. W. Budded thought it was not the best plan to burn
the couch ; but he would rather rafter it soon after harrcst ;
and, by working it about, a greater portion of it could be
killed ; and it should then be ploughed in as deep as possible.
By that system they would get rid of the couch before they
wanted to sow the turnips ; and from the crop he sowed last
year, he did not take a single cart-load of couch. He did not
agree with drilling compost, as the trouble of mixing it was
so great.

Mr. C. BeS;VNT spoke in similar terms with respect to the
couch : he preferred to treat it as Mr. Budden had said than
to burn it. Referring to club-root, he sowed a piece of swedes
for early feeding, after trifolium, and the plants grew well
until after they had been hoed some time, when he found

they had become club-rooted. He could not account for this
in any way.

Mr. W. Longman expressed his opinion that the manure
should be sown broadcast over the land, rather than be drilled
in, as the plants derived greater benefit from it. If a portion
was sown broadcast, and the remainder drilled, it would be
equally distributed over the land.

Mr. Reader observed that frequently, when superphos-
phate was drilled with turnip-seed, the plants grew away ra-
pidly at first ; but, as they attained size prematurely, they be-
came rotten early in the season. If they wanted a good crop
of turnips, they ought to have the manure stirred in all over
the land. He sowed bones broadcast early in the season,
though he should not do so in light lands, because there was
not acidity enough in it to dissolve the manure, as was the
case in most of their sour lands. Mr. Saunders had justly
observed that every person must sow their land according to
the soil. He (Mr. Reader) believed Mr. Saunders was per-
fectly justified in growing a green crop previous to a root-
crop ; but if he was to try that experiment, he should lose
lialf his crop. He knew a gentleman in that room, who tried
it most unsuccessfully some years ago, and had not adopted it
since. If they had kindly soil, and well situated, he thought
they might grow a previous green crop with advantage ; and
in many parts of Hampshire they cau grow better root-crops
by adopting this system than after fallow. He was somewhat
surprised to hear Mr. Saunders advocate mangold as the best
root-crop ; and he maintained it ought not to be included in the
general root-crop. He agreed that it was an advantage to
grow mangold, as the crop produced was of such great
weight.

Mr. ScuTT said this was a most important subject, as a
good root-crop was the foundation of all good farming. It
required a great deal of judgment to grow roots after a pre-
vious green crop. Speaking of raftering after a green crop,
he said he liked the plan, if they had strength enough to
carry it out weU. By raftering behind the slieep, tliey not
only had a chance of securing a better plant, but tlie manure
left by the sheep was mixed with the soil, instead of its being
washed away by the rain. With respect to chalking as a pre-
ventive to club-root, he advised them not to chalk too heavily,
as they might destroy the stability of the soil. If there was
any acidity in tlie soil, by putting mangold into it, instead
of swedes, that acidity would be extracted, and tfie swede-
crop would probably be a good one in the next rotation.
There were many sorts of swedes ; but he thought more de-
pended upon the time of putting in the seeds than the variety
chosen. He did not agree with Mr. Saunders growing his
own seeds.

The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Saunders
for his admirable practical paper ; and, Mr. Saunders having
made a short reply, the proceedings terminated.

SAWING OFF THE HORNS OF CATTLE. — Pro^
fessor Spooner, President of the Veterinary College, London,
on a trial in ] Jublin gave the following evidence : " I have
said that I consider this to be a very gross act of cruelty, and
for this reason, tliat the horns of oxen are unlike those of the
deer species. They have a large proportion of bone growing
out from the bone of the head, and that is surrounded by a
heavy sensitive structure, so that, to cut the horns, they had to
go below where it was simply horny, and the animal had to
sufler great pain. The nearer the operation was performed to
the skull the greater the suffering. That bone was hollow —
that is to say, it had not one single horned cavity — but it had
several cells which extended into the head, though not *^o the
brain, but close to it. These cavities were exposed, by the
removal of the horns, to the air ; and as they were lined with
a delicate sensitive membrane — there being besides a delicate
sensitive covering outside — great suffering must be caused.
The cavities were never intended by nature to be exposed to
the air, which brought on an inflammatory condition. These
cavities were very apt to be inflamed, and the inflammation
was very likely to be extended to the membranes of the brain,
causing madness, lockjaw, or other dangerous results. This
operation is one of the most painful and unwarrantable that
could possibly be performed on cattle."

252

I'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AUTUMN NOTES.

The life of a farmer is popularly supposed to be one of un-
iuterrupted pleasure, enjoyiug as he does all the blessings
which abundant exercise and the purest of air can confer upon
him. By many he is supposed to spend his time in the pleas-
ing contemplation of Nature's beauties, as exhibited in grace-
ful contrast during the recurrence of sunshine and shower and
tlie ever-varying seasons.

As tlie natural consequence of a feeling which has such a
firm hold on the popular mind, every succeeding year finds
numbers of people embarking in the business of farming, who,
having made some money in trade, imagine that they have
only to get the lease of a farm, remove themselves and families
and household goods to the country, and forthwith begin a life
of ease, comfort, and enjoyment.

To such persons the amount of pleasurable excitement and
happiness which they derive from their country life is generally
more regulated by the amount of capital otherwise invested
should they be fortunate enough to have such a reserve, than
by tliat portion of theit fortune wliich they have devoted to
farming.

In reality farming is a business beset with anxiety, and so
much of the year's success depending on the timely and
thorough performance of each operation, his personal energies
are so much taxed and his time so fully occupied as to leave
but little time for relaxation.

Nearly every season is alike to him, as one round of opera-
tions are no sooner completed than another equally important
claims his attention ; nay, so harassiiigly quick do the affairs
requiring almost instant and urgent attention succeed each
other, that he finds it sometimes difficult to decide whether it
were better to begin making preparations for next season's
crop before having finished securing that of the preesnt.

This is often the case when the harvest has been a late or
protracted one, when on certain soils the seeding of the land
with wheat must be proceeded with at all hazards, to delay
being t« risk losing probably the only opportunity that may be
afforded for the entire season of getting this most valuable of
all the cereals committed to the earth.

During the earlier part of the season he is equally engaged,
when Nature in the clear blue sky overhead, the green earth
underneath, the warm soft atmosphere, and trees and plants
in brilliant dress, shows to the most unobservant that summer,
the pleasant season of out-door enjoyment, has anived.
Every one is then bent on pleasure. The citizen hurries with
his family to the country or the coast, there to recruit his
own and their exhausted energies, and bring back a shade of
colour to the pale cheek.

The man of business, who, albeit, devoting himself for the
greater part of the year to his office or desk, is yet a passion-
ate lover of the gentle art, and a life-long admirer and follower
of Old Izaiik, now hastens with railway speed to his favourite
river, perhaps several liundred miles distant from the scene of
his ordinary labours, there, with rod, line, and fly, to enjoy
his brief holiday in his own peculiar way.

Solitary it is to be sure, and often singularly barren of crea-
ture comforts, the rough very frequently predominating over
the smooth; but the pleasurable excitement which is the in-
variable result of even a moderate degree of success, is not to
be bartered for any amount of that yellow dust which ordin-
ary home-staying mortals call " gold."

While others are enjoying themselves in this and other ways,
the farmer is busy in the field, straining every nerve to get the
green crops in in good season ; and long before he lias this
part of the year's business completed, the hay has become fit
to cut, and demands his instant attention.

Wiien this occurs— and it very frequently does — he has two
important processes on hand together, neither of which will
brook delay, every day that passes shortening the season, and
lessening the chance of a full crop on the one hand, and on the
other a day or two's neglect may injure the quality of the hay
very materially, and, in the event of a break in the weather,
greatly increase the labour of saving it.
We thus find ,that the farmer, living on the profit of the

land he cultivates, has but little time for that kind of plea-
sure which consists in absence from the scene of one's daily
pursuits, and exclusive devotion to some species of amusement
for a space of time, however brief; yet, if a contemplative
turn of mind, he can extract a certain amount of pleasure
from the scenes by which he is at this time surrounded.

Vegetation now makes rapid strides, each day almost making
a perceptible difference in the growth of the various crops ;
the fields are clothed with verdure, and the year's food of man,
and the animals he has taken under his care, rapidly ap-
proaches maturity.

There is quiet enjoyment to be derived from the contem-
plation of the crops as they bask and glitter in the sun, or
bend gracefully in miniature waves as the wind sweeps across
the fields. Hope rises high in the bosom of the farmer as he
sees the crops with which he has taken so much trouble, and
gone to such expense, covering the ground, and tillering out
under the combined influence of heat and moisture. The
broad curling leaf, the delightfully rich colour, and the strong
stem gladden the heart of the cultivator, giving him promise
of a remunerative return for all the labour and anxiety under-
gone by him in the preparation of the soil and getting in the
seed. There is a charm in looking at a healthy and promisiiig
field of corn, which we think can only be properly appreciated
by those who have been behind the scenes, and have borne a
share in tlie heat and burden of the day, by taking an active
part in the labours connected with it, or who, although not
exactly having put their hand to the plough, have been present
at all the preparatory operations, and have a pecuniary, and
therefore vital, interest in the success of the crop.

However well things may look during the earlier stages of
growth, and whatever the amount of laudable pride evoked in
the bosom of the tiller of the soil, when regarding the flatter-
ing appearance of his crops, it unfortunately does not always
fall to his lot to realize in harvest the rich reward he antici-
pated.

Last year late frosts injured the wheat crop to such an ex-
tent as to reduce the yield in many cases to half, and scarcely
a district in Great Britain or Ireland escaped without a loss of
at least one-third of what might fairly have been estimated,
from the appearance of the crop when growing.

The present year has been an anxious one, and very many
farmers will suffer heavily on account of the iong-continued
drought, particularly on light land. Not to speak of the tem-
porary annoyance and inconvenience occasioned by the scarcity
of water for live stock and household purposes, the crops have
suffered severely. By the reports published in the Mark Lane
Express, we find that turnips in many districts are either al-
most or altogether a failure ; hay not half a crop ; and corn,
which has arrived at maturity more by a drying off than by
a really ripening process, can scarcely be expected to turn out
such a quantity of clean com as will amount to anything like
an average crop.

Such casualties are unavoidable, and human foresight is
powerless to prevent them. It is utterly impossible for the
most experienced and skilful in agricultural matters to foretell
or even give a close guess at tlie probable yield or outcome
until the season is well advanced ; in fact, scarcely until a
portion at least of the crop has been subjected to the final
and truthful test of the thrasliing-floor. The man whose
heart is in his business, and who not only follows it as a means
of living, but loves it for its own sake, does not become dis-
couraged by even a succession of difficulties ; but, " by no
failure vexed," makes more strenuous efforts to overcome the
natural difficulties by which he is surrounded. He brings in
all the aids which science and practical experience has placed
within his reach, tries new experiments for the purpose of
lessening tlie cost of production and for hastening the growth
of the various crops, and feels always certain to succeed the
next.

Tlicre is one particularly favourable feature in the character
of the present season whicli recommends itself very strongly to
the notice of the agriculturist who is on the watch for every

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

253

opportunity afforded him for promoting his interests. This
consists lu the unusual earliness of tlie harvest, which per-
mitting the tields to be cleared of tlie grain crop in time for
rape, mustard, turnips, and grass-seeds to be sown on the
stubbles, with a reasonable prospect of a considerable
increase in the available amount of food for sheep
and other stock for the spring, thus to some extent
enables him to redeem a portion of the loss sus-
tained by the partial or total failure of the summer-sown
crops. Referring to tlie same authority to wliich we have
already aUudea, the 3[arlc Lane Express, we find that this oppor-
tunity is being made largely available, the example being set
by Jingland steading tenant farmer, a gentleman whose advice
aud example may at all times be trustingly followed. Notwith-
standing the apparent lateness of the season, it is astonishing
how JNature compensates for this drawback, by a quickness of
growth and a rapid approacli to maturity quite unknown at
an earher period. This is accomplished by the high tem-
perature to which the soil has been raised, acting like a liot-
bed upon all seeds submitted to its inilueiice ; the plants are
up at once, and pass through the earlier stages of their
growth with astonishing rapidity, and actually, when well
nourished, get forward in time to have all the benefits of the
maturing months— viz., end of August, September, and October
and even November some years, without having the disad-
vantage of having languished under a burning sun for months
previous, and become hard and cranky in consequence.

It is considered rather discouraging to be sowing late crops,
more, we think, however, from the thought of its being
unusual and out of season than from any well-founded fear of
tlieir not doing well, as when given a fair trial they faroftener
succeed tlian fail. No later than last season we sowed seven
acres of yellow and white turnips after winter tares, at a time
when the soil was in dust, containing apparently not a particle
of moisture ; yet trusting, as we have tiiis year done again on
a more extended scale, even at a later period, that the quick
rush they would make when rain did fall would enable them
to overtake those sown nearly two months before. They
lingered long, and although thinned in August, made no bulbs
until well on in September; but when the bulb-forming
process did begin, they seemed to attain their full size almost
in a few weeks. When lifted in December they were a mag-
nificent crop, the size being large— no blanks in the drills :
(by the way, a most important feature, without which a full
crop is scarcely obtainable), and scarcely a rotten turnip to be
found in the entire break.

It is liighly important that notes should be kept of former
experiments, either of one's own or one's neighbours, which
may have come under his observation ; as former successes
are a great encouragement to attempt certain deviations from
ordinary routine, exceedingly necessary under existini; circumi
stances, but which might hardly be attempted but for'tbe fact
of former experience being noted down, acted upon, and so
rendered useful. j_ g

FARM LEASES IN SCOTLAND.

At the quarterly meeting of the Ayrshire Farmers' Club,
Mr. David Cunninghame, of Chapelton, the President of
the Club, read the following paper :

The subject of leases between landlord and tenant has lately
received a good deal more consideration tlian at any former
period ; still, there are many points of great interest, that
affect both the contracting parties, that have not been con-
sidered with that due forbearance which their importance de-
mands, by those whose duty it was to do so. Many landlords
labour under the impression that it is only by inserting very
stringent clauses in the leases they grant to their tenants, that
they can protect themselves from operations on the part of
their tenants that will deteriorate the value of their land.
But the exercise of a sound discretion on their part, in the
selection of tenants only who are possessed of the necessary
capital and skill, is the best of all guarantees they can obtain
that their land will be both improved and more profitably cul-
tivated by acting in this matter, as here pointed out, than by
any clauses in a lease, however protective they may appear on
paper. One of the most valid objections to fettering clauses
in leases is where a landlord and tenant agree and enter upon
an improving lease on a farm standing in great need of im-
provement. In such cases very often neither the landlord nor
tenant may have formed a correct estimate of what various
portions of the land is calculated for, aud consequently to
hamper, by inserting clauses binding them to a certain course
of cidture, might be highly prejudicial to botli their interests.
In such cases the best plan is to act in a conciliatory spirit,
and if the landlord has been careful to select a proper tenant,
his skill and capital is ample security that whilst he is doing
the best he can for his own interest, he is also acting on the
best course for his landlord. There are landlords — and they
are not a very small minority — wlio think that they are pre-
vented from getting the full value of their land when they
are restricted in their choice. To men possessed of both the
necessary capital and skill, opinions on this subject are various ;
but there is so much competition among farmers, both with
and without the requisite means and knowledge, that it is an
acknowledged fact that land in the West of Scotland gene-
rally is let for all it is worth, and in numerous instances for
more. The greatest obstacle that stands in the way of a
landlord obtaining the very highest value that can be got as
rent for his farm, is the unjust, antiquated, au'' absurd law of
hypothec. Many a well-qualified, industrious man, but who
has not quite the full amount of means necessary to enter upon

a system of culture which he thinks the only one that would
be profitable, is prevented from offering, and simply so from
the greater difficulty that lie has to obtain the necessary ad-
vances from those who would be willing to do so if this rem-
nant of feudalism were wiped out of the statute book.
Nothing can be more prejudicial, not only to landlord
and tenant, but to the general public, who have a clear
interest in its abolition; for whatever obstructs the
introduction of skill and capital into our agricultural
pursuits is a national loss. In many cases now the
means invested by the tenant are so much in excess of
what in former times was the case that it not unfrequently
happens where an active and well-quaUfied tenant enters upon
an improving lease, the capital requisite for the successful de-
velopment of such a farm is at least a third of its value.
vVnother great error very general among landlords is the stock
ot game maintained on their estates. The majority of far-
mers do not object to a fair but limited head of game, so as
to afford a fair day's sport in the sense in which the word
"sport" ought to be interjireted by the true and genuine
sportsman. But a little reilcctiou ought to convince all
reasonable men that a tenant who has to feed and maintain in
excess either rabbits, hares, or winged game, cannot but suffer
a sad waste of all that his industry has placed there— not cer-
tainly for the purpose of maintaining a stock in which there
IS in reality no property until they are in the sportsman's bag,
but for the Iietter and more reasonable purpose of rewarding
him for his skill and industry ; and this injustice presses in a
far more injurious proportion on the tenant who has pursued
a system of culture known as high farming, than on tlie care-
less and indifferent tenant who takes matters in the old-
fashioned manner of his grandsire. The previous part of
tins paper has been mainly devoted to the duties of landlords.
But tenants have duties to perform, and it is as important
they should be well understood and acted upon by them as it
is in the case of the landlords. They should carefully examine
and consider all the clauses in any lease presented for their
acceptance. In many instances there are clauses inserted
totally at variance with the common laws of the land, and
that could not be maintained in a court of justice ; in others
where from insufficient knowledge on the part of either land-
lord or tenant, or, as often happens, of both the parties
covenants are inserted totally destructive of both interests!
Mr. Baird, of Cambusdoon, in his capacity of Chairman of
the Ayrshire Association, at one of the society's dinners lately
after enumerating many good objects the society had been the

251

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

means of disseminating, mentioned that there were still nume-
rous reforms to be ])ointed out and overcome ; and in illustra-
tion of tlie subject now under consideration, stated that he
had lately seen a man struggling with his horses and men to
employ land for a purpose for which it was totally unfit, for
the mere purpose of carrying out some preposterous clause in
a lease foolishly entered into. An extensive proprietor in
this county has lately introduced, in a partial manner, the
system of yearly tenancy, or as it is commonly known in Eng-
land by the term "tenants at will." INlo satisfactory invest-
ment of either skill or capital can he made in land so held.
What has made the agriculture of Scotland what it is but the
almost universal custom of nineteen year leases ? and we can
conceive nothing that would prevent the advancement of suc-
cessful agriculture so much as this Anglicised system, which,
if allowed to take root here, will prove itself of a retrogressive
character, and highly disastrous in its eflects. The mode in
which the attempt to introduce it here has been made is
worthy of remark, as it is of a most insidious nature — viz., to
allow tenants whose leases have expired to continue as yearly
tenants. We trust tlmt the independent tenantry of this
country will set their faces against any such retrograde move-
ment as this, no matter by whom it may be attempted to be
introduced. In its very nature it is a blow at investment in
land by tenants, and also an insidious mode of undermining
their independent action, and ought to be resisted as a most
dangerous innovation. These are a few of the ideas that we
think deserve consideration, but there are no doubt many
others tliat some of my bretliren better qualified will in due
time bring under your notice.

Mr. Wallace (Kirklaudholm) said some very important
points had been l)rought forvi'ard in the Chairman's paper.
One of these was the law of hypothec. He believed that mis-
taken notions in regard to this law existed on the part of botli
proprietors and tenants. Many on both sides thought it was
working for their benefit, whereas it was in reality working to
their injury. He had known cases where the itenant thought
he was being benefited by his landlord's leniency n allowing him
to go on, when it would in reality have been better for him to
have left the farm he was in when he had something left to go
on with in a place he was better fitted for. The proprietor
might think he was doing the tenant a favour, when in reality
he was injuring both himself and the tenant. He had a great
objection to the system of leaving the bargain for a new lease
to the last year of the tack, as he believed it to be a great
barrier to improvement. The bargain should take place at
least two years before the expiry of the lease. They should
endeavour to look at this general subject that had been
brought before them, from a landlord's point of view as well
as from their own, if they were to expect any advantage from
the discussion.

Mr. Murdoch (Holehouse) said no one who had ever seen
a farm lease could have failed to observe that the tenant was
bound by every conceivable and inconceivable manner to per-
form an immense number of certain and uncertain things, and
bound, too, with a legal depth and profundity tliat he perhaps
failed entirely to appreciate ; while, on the other hand, the
clauses binding on the landlord were neither numerous nor
stringent. That some sort of written agreement ought to
exist, no one doubted, though he had known larms held with-
out any regular lease at all, or even any prescribed rotation of
cropping laid down. Notwithstanding this, everything went
on smoothly between landlord and tenant during the whole
currency of the lease, and the farms, so far from being spoiled,
were about the Ijest farmed in the district, though no uniform
system of cropping was maintained throughout. Stringent
leases might be thought necessary to ensure good manage-
ment, but there never was a greater mistake. They would no
more make a man a good farmer than would Acts of Parlia-
ment make a man honest, sober, prudent, or industrious. He
would look well to get a man of practical experience and
capital, and give hira, so to speak, some scope and freedom to
adopt any better system he could devise, or that might turn
up in this ever-progressing age, or to change his system should
circumstances make that necessary — due regard being had at
all times not to deteriorate the condition of the farm. A good
horse might be rendered comparatively useless by being too
much curbed, from a groundless fear that if he was allowed
head-room he would run away and throw his precious rider.
Let not landlords seem sa suspicious of the tenant being a

good man only so far as he was forced ; let llicm trust his
honour a little, for he had to trust his landlord's a good deal.
Surely to bind a tenant to become his landlord's gamekeeper
was as dishonourable to the landlord as it was degrading to the
tenant. Let them give a man a chance to develope his skill
and energy in following out his profession successfully to the
best advantage. Let there be no tight-lacing or Chinese shoe-
pinching, which, tliough done from no bad motive, tended only
to deform and cripple natural beauty and usefulness. Since
the abolition of the corn-laws, the farmers of tliis country
had had to compete even in the home market against all kinds
of foreign agricultural produce. Let them hope the time was
not far distant when aU restrictive and unnecessary laws, such
as the hypothec and game-laws, and also over-binding leases,
would be swept away also. All they asked was fair play, and
no favour. They were not afraid to face any competition,
only they could not do so bound hand and foot.

Mr. Stevekson (Silverwood) thought farm leases should
not be drawn so as to restrict a tenant too much. He should
be at liberty to do with his farm, in the way of rotation of
crops, as he saw would pay him best — due regard being had
to keep the farm up to the proper mark. Some years one crop
might do better than others ; in otlier years, again, what
might have done well before might do very badly. If a far-
mers was restricted to a particular crop, he very often was a
loser, whereas he might have been a gainer had he been at
liberty to alter his mode. Something had been said about
some landlord in this district doing away with leases alto-
gether. There was one landlord, he understood, who was not
granting leases at the present time, but was just aUowiug his
tenants to go on on their old leases ; and as these leases were
not at all bad leases, it would not be very much against
the tenants. Still he agreed that it was a bad thing
to be without a lease, as it did away with the independence of
the tenant very much. He could not speak personally as to
the game clauses in leases, as there was no game in the dis-
trict where his farm was situated ; but it was no doubt a very
bad thing for a tenant to hold a lease under which his crops
might be all eaten up by game and rabbits. One could have
no idea of the loss sustained in this way.

Mr. WiiYTE (East Raws) said this seemed to him to be a
more fruitful subject than he had anticipated. A lease was a
contract between a proprietor and tenant, and he thouglit it
ought always to be as brief and simple a document as possible,
so that each could thoroughly understand how it bore upon
him. With regard to fixing a rotation of cropping, he thought
in the most of cases that was quite unnecessary. If a pro-
prietor was satisfied as to the skill and ability of the tenant,
he ought to grant him a considerable length of lease ; and as
leases in Scotland generally extended to 19 or 20 years, he
thought it would be quite sufficient with a trustworthy tenant
to lay down rules for the last four years of the lease. And
after the first sixteen years, the tenant ought to have such a
knowledge of the farm, and the proprietor ought to have such
a knowledge of the tenant, as that both coitld come to an
understanding to enable them to make arrangements for
another lease. He thought it was always a desirable thing
for both parties that a second arrangement should be made
before the first one was completed ; it enabled the farmer to
manage better, and must keep the proprietor's mind more at
rest. With regard to the game laws, it was generally well
understood by the tenant on entering upon a lease that it was
the law of the country that game had to be preserved. But
for a tenant to sign his name to a paper obliging him to main-
tain an indefinite amount of game, was what he ought not to
do. In some cases, he understood, the lease l)ound the tenant
to protect game to an ordinary amount, and provided that, if
it increased, he should be entitled to damages, to be settled in
case of dispute by arbitration. But he understood it was a
dilficult thing to get any damages off a landlord. It should
be the tenant's look-out to see that he did not bind himself
to maintain an indefinite amount of game.

Mr. Stevenson (Hillhouse) said he had much pleasure in
bearing testimony to the practical and valuable paper which
had been read by the Chairman. It was well worthy of the
careful consideration of all interested in the welfare and pros-
perity of agriculture, and if its principles were carried out
upon the various estates and properties in this county, it would
tend to foster and cement that good will and affection so essen-
tially necessary between proprietor and tenant ; for in reality

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

265

they liad but one common interest. It was tlierefore the in-
terest of the former to give such encouragement to farming as
would induce the latter to carry out the necessary improve-
ments, so that in the end both would be benefited. One could
not but admire the latitude and liberality which were given by
some proprietors and agents in this county to their tenants for
tlie cultivation and improvement of the land, lie considered
that much of the hardships and difficulties that tenants had
to contend with was the result of a too keen competition for
farms. When a farm was to let, a great number of candidates
presented themselves, and as some had extravagant ideas re-
garding the productiveness of the land and the profitableness
of farming, they offered rents which were quite extravagant,
and submitted to leases which were quite unsuited to the na-
ture and requirements of the farm ; and afterwards, when they
obtained possession, they had to submit more to the good-will
and generosity of the proprietor than to ther own common-
sense and prudence. If more care and moderation were be-
stowed in this matter, there would be less reason to complain
of high-rented lands and restrictive leases afterwards. He be-
lieved that the system of granting leases to the highest bidder
had, more than any other cause, contributed to retard tiie pro-
gress of agriculture in this country, for, wherever hind was
extravagantly rented, it soon depreciated in condition. The
tenant, finding that his capital was being unprofitably ex-
pended, and becoming embarrassed in his circumstances, the
land thus became exposed to all the consequences of an im-
politic and beggarly management. But more enlightened views
were beginning to appear and to be acted upon with most
judicious effect upon many properties around. There could be
no doubt that agriculture in Scotland had prospered iinder the
leasehold principle. Men acquainted with the practice of hus-
bandry knew that the chief profit derived from farming was
obtained by a progressive improvement of the land during its
various crops and rotations — all of which required a scries of
years to bring round a fair return for the capital and labour
employed. A man in possession of a lease engaged in the
effective improvement of his farm, because he had the moral
certainty of reaping its benefits during its continuance, and it
was therefore a stimulus to spirited improvement. But he
could not concur in all that had been stated in regard to yearly
tenants, spoken of as adopted on a certain estate in this
county. Under some proprietors the tendency might be as
described, but upon the estate alluded to it had rather lieen
conducive to the interest and benefit of the tenants, as no rise
of rents was demanded, as generally occurred at the renewal
of a lease, and they had the same advantages and encourage-
ment given to exercise their judgment and skill in the cultiva-
tion of the farm as those who were possessed of leases upon
the estate referred to. In England yearly tenancy was the
rule, and leases the exception ; and, judging from the manner
in wliich it worked there, no danger was to be apprehended,
as it seemed to be beneficial to the tenant, both for permanency
of occupation and moderation of rent. The rents were con-
siderably cheaper, and tenants much easier in their circum-
stances, and were as much free agents as the farmers in this
county. If the alternative of their present condition and that
of a lease were presented to them, the majority of the farmers
in England would not desire to change. In granting leases,
no one who had studied the subject would deny that restric-
tions were necessary for the security of the proprietor ; but
they should be made appropriate to the soil, and as few and
simple as possible. While the tenant should be prevented
from doing mischief, he should not be fettered so as to bar im-
provement ; for all undue restrictions cramped the enterprising
and intelUgent farmer, and impeded the progress of agriculture
within our land. A most beneficial resiilt would take place if
leases were drawn out with judgment and due consideration to
the nature of the soil and the requirements of the farm. This
demanded no ordinary degree of knowledge, and could only be
accomphslied by men who were conversant with the details as
well as the principles of husbandry. Such leases as were
drawn out by legal advisers were often harassing to tenants,
because they were inapplicable to the character of the parti-
cular farm. Inattention to this proved injurious to many a
farm, and brought disappointment and loss of capital to many
a good tenant. To a farmer who was known to practise the
approved modes of modern husbandry, the management of the
land might be entrusted with safety during the greater part of
the currency of his lease, for his own interest would teach him

not to misuse it during tlmt period, and it was only towards
the close that restrictions were necessary, and when injury
might be apprehended. The man who did so diminished his
own profits and injured that of the proprietor ; therefore
leases shoidd be renewed some time previous to their expiry.
Were such a conciliatory plan always pursued, and coufided to
men of marked knowledge, it was inconceivable how much
estates might be improved both to owner, the occupier, and
the public.

Mr. Young (Kilhenzie) said his experience of farming had
been very short, and he probably would not have ventured to
speak at all, had it not been for a few remarks of the last
speaker. He totally disagreed with that gentleman on the
subject of yearly tenancy. He had a strong opinion that the
present efficiency of agriculture in Scotland was greatly due to
long leases ; and he thought the tenantry of Scotland were
much indebted to the proprietors for giving them long leases.
Nothing could be more cidculated to strike at the independence
of the tenantry, or to prevent farming being carried on m an
efficient manner, than the system of yearly leases. He as a
tenant would think twice before he laid out £1,000 or £1,500
on a farm if he had no lease. He might think the word of his
landlord good enough so long as he lived ; but life was un-
certain, and that was sufficient reason why no prudent man
would lay out money on the improvement of his farm without
a lease. But he thought there v,ere clauses in most leases
which would be more lionoured in the breach than the observ-
ance. To ensure a good understanding between landlord and
tenant, it was necessary that leases should be put upon an
equitable footing; but many of the clauses in leases at present
were not fair, just, or reasonable. Eor instance, he held that
a landlord was as much entitled to take the highest price he
could get for his land as they were to take the highest price
they could get for their produce ; but after taking the highest
price for his land, he could scarcely see the fair-
ness of his reserving the right to consume all that grew upon
the farm by game and rabbits. They were living in days of
change, and he hoped the day was not distant when there
would be no such thing as a lease in Scotland requiring a
tenant to preserve rabbits. To ask a man to judge as to the
increase of game or rabbits was to ask him to do an impossi-
bility. Rabbits were extremely prolific, and he was per-
suaded that it would be for the benefit of the public, of the
tenant, and of the landlord if there were no such clauses as
those requiring the preservation of rabbits. As to the law of
hypothec, he considered it was a very bad law, and that the
sooner it was swept away the better ; but the practical griev-
ance from game and rabbits was, in his opinion, greater than
from the law of hypothec. Still it was bad enough. There
was a clause in many leases prohibiting the tenant from selling
straw off the farm. Last year many of them could have sold
straw at Is. a stone, whereas by turning it into farm yard
manure it was not worth more to them than Id. or l|d. a-
stone. Clauses like this he held to be detrimental to the in-
terests both of lantUords and tenants. There was another
matter, which perhaps was scarcely within the scope of the
discussion, but to which be might be allowed to refer. It
was embodied in the lease, but it was the custom over the
most of Ayrshire, that when a man took a farm, arbitrators
were appointed to fix as between the outgoing and ingoing
tenant the value of repairs needed on offices, &c. Now a
case came under his notice recently, in which two gentlemen
of great [experience and considerable intelligence were ap-
pointed arbitrators, and in the exercise of their discretion
they allowed oOs. for the repairs needed on some office houses ;
but when the tenant came to put them in repair, it cost him
^20 to do it. The sooner that system was altered the better.
The arbitrators ought to decide between the ingoing tenant
and his landlord, and not between the ingoing and outgoing
tenants.

Mr. Tnos. M'Creatii (grain mercliaut) agreed with Mr.
Young and other speakers in regard to the advantages of long
leases, and the evils that would arise from the adoption of the
system of tenants-at-will. He thought as a rule that leases
were too one-sided ; that they were drawn up to protect the
landlord at the expense of unnecessarily hampering the tenant.
There were clauses in some leases that he was sure landlords
would be ashamed of if they were brought before the public.
For instance, there were restrictions as to the keeping of guns
and of dogs, which were not in keeping with the spii'it of the

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times. With regard to tlie game question, he believed on
some of tlie largest estates in tliis county tliere were clauses in
the lease that enabled the proprietor lo stock tlie farm with
any quantity of game he might think fit, without the tenant
being entitled to one penny of compensation. He maintained
that it was unjust and unfair to ask a tenant to sign a docu-
ment of that kind. He knew it was often said that game
would be kept in moderation notwithstanding these clauses,
and that no hardship would come to the tenant ; but he knew
of eases where there had been hardships. Only a few years
ago a gentleman with whom lie was acquainted re-took his
farm at a considerable advance in rent. There was a consider-
able quantity of rabbits on the farm, and he was told he would
be allowed to kill them, but that it was a rule of the estate
that the clauses regarding game must be put in the lease. He
took the farm on that footing, and in a year or two was told
that they had changed their mind, and that the proprietor
would undertake to kill tlie rabbits that the tenant fed. Tlie
proprietor accordingly pocketed the value of them, amounting
to about £70 or £80 yearly ; and the tenant, who as an agri-
culturist was second to none in the county, felt it to be such a
hardship that he gave up his farm. There should be no
clauses in leases that could not be carried out in practice. A
tenant should not live upon sufferance, but should be in a
position to carry on his farm without unnecessary interference
on the part of his landlord. In regard to cropping, it was a
very absurd thing in a country where systems of agriculture
were changing so much as had been the case here for the last
number of years, that the tenant should be tied down to a
fixed rotation of cropping for nineteen years. This was
making the proprietor the manager of the farm, and not the
tenant. The tenant should have the management of his farm
in liis own hand, and the better he managed for himself, the
better would it be for the proprietor. He agreed witli Mr.
Whyte that the clauses in leases should be very brief. He
admitted that a proprietor was entitled to protection, but if
his farm was managed according to the rules of good hus-
bandry, he did not think he would find much damage done to
his land at the end of the lease. Stipulations might be made
as to the last four years or so of the lease, but for the first
fifteen years the tenant should be left to the freedom of his
own will, llestrictious would not make a bad farmer a good
tenant ; but had made many a good tenant a bad farmer, by
obliging him to practise a rotation of cropping not suitable for
the land he was working. He was much gratified by the senti-
ments expressed by Mr. Baird of Cambusdoon at the last
dinner of the Ayrshire Agricultural Association. These
sentiments, if adopted generally by landlords, would tend
much to the success of agriculture in this country. They
contrasted very markedly with the ideas expressed not very
long since by a proprietor at a meeting of the same Associa-
tion, who objected to the introduction of portable steam mills,
on the ground that the tenant might thrash off all his crop,
and run away and not pay his rent. Proprietors were getting
now to have more confidence in their tenantry, and the more
they did so, the more would they be respected, and the better
would agriculture flourish.

Mr. Brown (Ardneil) might say that neither restrictive
leases nor the game laws had ever done him much harm ; but
he was perfectly satisfied of the evils that would arise from a
tfinant being tied up to an undue extent. His opinion was
that a farmer who had done his best for himself for twelve or
fifteen years, was doing his best for the proprietor and for the
community at large. He did not think it was right that a
man should be tied down by restrictions to any system of farm-
ing, as the party making them might not know whether it ap-
plied to the farm or not. The tenant ought to know in tlie
course of his practice what system was best suited for his soil :
he ought to know what was the best crop to put upon his
land, and if one f;\iled he ought to be at liberty to try another.
As regarded the no-lease system, he would disapprove of it.
It might be that in England the tenants under that system
were very well off, and he supposed in Scotland they were very
well off too. He believed they might be as kindly treated as
the others. It might be that those who had had good leases
were continued on the same favourable terms ; while those
who had had hard bargains would have them still. But, un-
doubtedly, it took away a tenant's independence. It would
not be right to invest £1,500 or £3,000 in a farm without a
lease. He did not speak of improvements at all ; but it would

not be right for a man to invest money to any amount in his
farm when he might have to remove from it in a year. Wliat
was the man in such an eventuality to do with his stock, which
he would suppose might amount in value to about £2,000 ?
Was it likely that he would get into another farm just at once?
He might not, and he might in consequence be exposed to
heavy loss. This was the great objection to the no-lease or
short-lease system. A good deal had been said about game.
It was generally admitted that it was wrong for a man to be
bound to protect game to any extent the proprietor hked.
He had never himself been hurt by game. He had received
damages for injury by rabbits ; but a man might be much
hurt by rabbits — as, for instance, where his land was almost
all in pasture — and not be able to show it. Rabbits were a
great evil, and no man should subscribe a lease binding him
to preserve them.

Mr. CuNNiNGHAME (Shields) said he had heard it said that
the subject they were met here to-day to discuss was one
wluch tliey should not meddle with. On asking the question.
Why so ? the answer given was. Because it might offend the
landlords. Now, he had no patience with those people who
were always going about tormenting themselves and others
with the siUy idea, that if they thouglit or spoke differently
from those who were above them in station, then those people
were sure to be offended. He was quite of a different opinion
and had no such fear. Of course, as in other classes, so
amongst landlords, tliere were doubtless a few who acted im-
periously towards their tenants, allowed them as few opinions
of their own as possible, made tools of them in political par-
tisanship, and even prevented them becoming members of such
clubs as this. Of such landlords he did not mean to speak
further than just to say this, that it was wonderful, nay, pass-
ing strange, that they seemed to have little or no difficulty in
getting willing slaves to farm their lands, and otherwise back
and bow at their bidding. But he was persuaded better
things of the bulk of their landed proprietors, and had yet
to learn that they did not respect the man who thought, and
spoke, and acted, like a man, in an upright, honourable, and
conscientious manner, although he might differ from them on
many subjects. To make good his assertion he would give a
case in point, the truth of which he would vouch for. He
knew two farmers who were neighbours (but under different
landlords), and they were what was termed Liberals in politics.
It so happened at an election time that a proprietor in
tlieir neighbourhood was using his influence for the return of
the Conservative candidate, and called on both these men to
try to induce them to support his Tory friend, and was suc-
cessful in winning over one of them. Well, it so happened
shortly thereafter, that this proprietor and his brother, at their
mother's death, required some one to make a valuation of some
farm implements and other moveables on the estate, and they
agreed to ask one of those two farmers ; and which .did they fix
upon ? The one who remained firm and true to his con-
victions, and voted against them. When his neighbour heard
of this, so mortified was he, that he called and expressed his
indignation thus : " Well, this beats all : I voted against my
mind to please them, and yet they came and took you to do
this valuation business." That clearly sliowed that those
people could and did appreciate an upright character, and he
concluded therefrom that instead of landlords being displeased
at their discussing such questions, they would rather be de-
lighted, if they could in doing so show from their practical
knowledge and experience that there were reforms and im-
provements which, when effected,' would prove not only highly
beneficial to both their interests, but also to those of the
whole community. He would take leave here to say that they
had grievances which he verily believed many landlords were
in a great measure entirely ignorant of, and why ? Just be-
cause they had never been brought under their notice. He
thought he was justified in saying so, from the statement made
by Mr. Baird in his speech at Ayr, viz., that he liad only
lately been made aware that farmers were so restricted that they
could not use their skill or discriminating knowledge as to
putting in what they might consider the most suitable crop for
a certain kind of soil, but were obhged to act in a kind of
mechanical way, and put in such crops as were prescribed
in the lease, although they might be the most incongruous.
It would be vain in them, then, to expect to be relieved of
these grievances, if the parties who alone could grant the
needed deliverance were not made acquainted with them.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Now, lie supposed this was one of tlie purposes for which this
cluh was instituted, and he rejoiced at the opportunity of
making known their wants thus plainly and publicly, where
they might he known and read by all men. With regard to
this lease question, they should try to show that the alterations
asked for would really be for the advantage of both landlord
and tenant (for they could seldom separate the two interests) ;
and he thought there would be little difiiculty in doing that. In
the first place they were all agreed that the lease system was
a good one, for the high position which Scotch agriculturists
had attained to in their profession was attributable in a very
great measure to their having leases of considerable length.
What they wanted now was to improve on that good system
and make it better. There was no such thing as standing still in
this world ; they must either be in a progressive or retrogressive
state. Well, it was his humble opinion that Scotch agricul-
ture was at its height under the present system of manage-
ment ; and if it was to progress further, then it must be freed,
and that speedily, of all fetters and unnecessary prghibitions,
while those engaged in its advancement must have full and
free scope afforded them for bringing to bear all the energy and
skill which they might have acquired in their theoretical,
practical, and scientific researches. And looking abroad into
other countries, and seeing the ever and anon increasing com-
petition they had to encoiuiter, and bearing also in mind the
ever-increasing expenditure on the working of their farms,
they needed helps, not hindrances, to enable them to keep
their ground, not to speak of making progress at all. If land-
lords expected to continue to get the same high rents paid, then
they must themselves come boldly to the rescue, and sweep
away those feudal enactments in the statute book and those
stringent clauses in leases which encumbered and fettered
the enterprise of tenants, and prevented them from making
a practical application of useful discoveries in the science of
agriculture. To prescribe an invariable mode of cropping
was just to render the agricultural practices of the
farm stationary, to stereotype all the usages and ac-
tions of a bygone period, and to prevent the tenant
from applying the powers of his mind and body in de-
vising another and better mode of cultivation. If they were
still to travel on in the van of agricultural progress, then they
must have more elbow-room to enable them to dig deeper,
manure heavier, sow more generously, and thus reap more
boimtifully. With regard to the length of leases, he thought
they should not be less than twenty years, for in general to
make a farm pay it required a large extra outlay to be made
in the first half of the lease in the shape of drainage,
cleaning, and extra mauuriug, so that it took the remaining

ten years to make up the requisite remuneration for former
outlays, if the farm was to be kept up in good condition. A
lease should be brief, and its clauses few and simple. Of course
the landlord should be protected against the deterioration of
the subject let ; but he thought he would find the best protec-
tion in the choice of a good tenant, and giving him full and
free action to manage the land as he thought best, without
prescribing any fixed rotation of cropping more than this, that
there should never be more than a certain breadth of the farm
under white crop in any one year — it might be two-thirds, two-
fifths, or one-half, as the case might be ; and that two white
crops should not follow each other, where the land was suit-
able for green-cropping. He would approve of the farm
being brought into a certain rotation during the last four years
of the lease. He might here state in passing how a certain
unnecessary restriction affected himself. He was prohibited
from growing beans as a green crop, and it so happened that
the harder and colder portions of the different breaks were un-
suitable for the growth of potatoes, so that they had always to
be cropped with turnip ; and having been turniped every fifth
year for a considerable period, the land had become tired for
want of change, and the crop always more or less damaged
from ftuger-and-toe and other diseases. Now, he would just
ask the question whether the land would be in better order for
the following crop after a full crop of beans, well cleaned
during their growth and again after being harvested, than after
a meagre crop of diseased turnips ? He was aware that some
farmers believed in reducing the condition of their farms to-
wards the end of their leases, but it was a grand mistake to
suppose that a tenant could with profit to himself injure the
land. He believed it would be a very nice question to say
when one could hold olf treating land well without hurtiug
himself; and where one wilfuUy deteriorated a subject, he
should be made to pay sweetly for it. On the other hand,
where a man improved land, and was obliged to leave it, he
should be remunerated for such, as well as unexhausted
manures, &c. He thought it would be better for both parties
if arrangements were made at least two years before the ex-
piry of the lease whether the tenant was to remain or go ; and
he agreed with those parties who had already referred to law-
yer factors, who had no knowledge of practical agriculture,
that they were obstructionists to the promotion of the welfare
and best interests of either landlord or tenant.

The Chairman, in closing the discussion, said he ventured
to hope that some little good would come out of it. He
thought they had conducted the discussion in such a spirit as
to convince the landlords that they had their interest as much
at heart as their ovra.

OUR TOWNS AND SEWAGE E X PE R I M E N T A L I S M.

Not a few of our large manufacturing and commercial towns
are sadly bewildered in golden dreams about their sewage.
Although day-dreams ought to have nothing to do with the
practice of agriculture, yet amateur experimentalists in almost
every province of the kingdom are doing their best to make
an exception to this desirable rule ; and perhaps there is no
other branch of the parent art that holds out a more favour-
able opportunity for day-dreams than sewage farming. To be
before the public appears the ruling ambition of the age in
every branch of art ; and, however uuhke the others in many
respects the parent one, it bids fair to be in fashion. It is no
wonder, therefore, if minds Of a thoroughly practical turn feel
disposed to think twice before making a jump in the dark.
The plain truth of the matter is, that sewage farming is at a dis-
count in the market, the supply being greater than the demand.

The question why the landward demand for town sewage
is not greater requires a practical answer. In the imme-
diate neighbourhood of almost all our large towns there are
hundreds, and even thousands, of hungry acres, actually starv-
ing for the want of food ; and yet nine out of every ten

my lauQs reqiure,
This and the other successful experiment, let it be performed
by an amateur professor mostly engaged in some other branch

of industry, or by a practical farmer who has been in harness
from his 'teens, and whose whole time is devoted, day after
day and week after week, in the euterprize, go for nothing in
their estimation, physical diii'erences being so many and great
as to silence all opposition to the contrary.

However vaguely and imperfectly farmers may express their
convictions in such instances, there cannot be a doubt that
such convictions are, generally speaking, based upon fact, and
that the force of fact will, as it has ever done, carry before it
all the argument which science can oppose. Indeed, Science,
with all her powers, may just as well think to change the
wind by force of speech, as to overthrow the couvictions of
practical farmers, so long as those convictions are based upon
fact— such as diversity of soil, incUnation, exposure, and the
like. Well-performed experiments aU successful and practical
farmers can appreciate at their true value. But that appre-
ciation is the very groundwork of their faith — in their own
experience, and the capabilities of their own farms — the
corner-stone, as it were, of their conviction that, because
sewage suits this or that soil, it will not suit their farms, owing
to physical and other differences. That artificial management
may so change their farms as to adapt them for the successful
application of sewage may be granted; but fireside argu-
ments of this kind are, practically speaking, worth something
less thau nothing ; for, until such changes are actually made,

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their practical value cannot be estimated by experiment, i.e.,
they do not reach the convictions of those who base their
judgment upon observation or what they see.

In perhaps ninety-nine cases out of every hundred an ex-
periment upon a farm is but a fireside theorem when taken to
another farm ; and there is little doubt towns will find such
fireside theorems to be the greatest stumbling blocks to the
profitable disposal of their sewage to successful practical
farmers. It is not to be inferred from this that we are esti-
mating fireside farming at one farthing below its real value,
or that, indirectly, we aim at shunting it altogether ott' the
line. Quite the contrary ; for farmers themselves could not
get through the long winter evenings without " much ado
about nothing," if we may so express ourselves. It is not
fireside farming that does the harm, but the substitution of
fireside farming for experimental or practical farming ; for all
such substitution is a species of quackery in disguise ; and
therefore' our large towns cannot be too much on their guard
in listening to the silver tongue of fireside theory.

The really practical (piestion is, how to make the most of
successful experiment here and there, without being imposed
upon? All successful experiments elicit certain important
truths which practical men can fully appreciate. How far
this or that to^Ti can profit by such truths, in the utilization
of its sewage, is another and a very dift'erent question ; for it
would be a'hopeless task to attempt the enumeration of such
truths, or even to give a tithe of them. No doubt, gab-gifted
people may talk fluently of porous soils, gravelly and sandy
soils, clays, loams, and so forth, lying at certain inclinations
to this or the other point of the compass ; but unless they are
or have been brought imder the eye of the practical farmer,
all such talk, to him, is only so much fireside theory. In
other words, the question is a comparative one between two
practices distinct from each other, tivo practices which cannot
be reduced to a common equality, so that each must be its
own rale. In short, apart from the manurial question as to
the fertilising value of the sewage, and the commercial ques-
tion as to fhe value of the produce of the land, each town
must be guided by its own peculiar soil, inclination, expe-
rience, and so forth, in the application of the truths in ques-
tion. In the form of an interrogatory : If this or that to\vn
or sewage-farm produce certain results, what can another
town or farm produce ?

The above interrogatory form is perhaps the most
instructive way of putting the question, as it illus-
trates very forcibly the truth of the old, time-tried maxim,
" Mind your own affairs if you wish to profit by them." Ap-

ply your own sewage to your own land if you wish to realize
its true agricultural value, and let other towns and experimen-
talists do the same. Profit by any practical lesson you receive,
but in making a new spoon take care you do not spoil an old
horn. However different farming may be from the various
occupations which engage towns-people, few of them can mis-
apprehend the weight of such arguments ; for the produce of
one farm under a certain course of sewage-management may
furnish some idea of what another farm may produce, but the
amount of produce yielded by the former ought never in any
estimate to be mistaken for that of the latter, and in every
case towns should never count their chickens before they are
hatched, or disappointments will be experienced. No doubt in
carrying out into practice these time-tried maxims an ap-
prentice fee has to be paid. There is no way yet discovered
for avoiding this ; but this is just' the point where one town
ought to profit by the experience of those a-head in the utiliza-
tion of their sewage, if the necessary caution and circumspec-
tion be observed, relative to the truths which successful expe-
riment teach, as already noticed in the preceding paragraph.
All towns cannot hope to ^profit equally from any one suc-
cessful experiment or practice, owing to diversity of physical
and other circumstances, so that dilFerent experiments and
practices have to be investigated with the view of profiting by
what each may teach ; and the instruction thus afforded may
as often be of a negative character as to what should be
avoided, as of a positive character, relative to what may be
adopted with promise. Practical farmers are perhaps more
familiar with the negative rule than the positive one, and
towns will do well to profit by their experience in this respect.

The sewage proposition of each individual town in the kmg-
dom requires thus to be seen and examined in its own light,
so that the utilization of the whole of the town sewage in tlie
kingdom forms a comprehensive subject. And as it is the in-
dividual cases that constitute the whole, the prudent, and, in-
deed, the only practical and successful courses is to discuss the
former, prior to entering upon the latter. Those who reverse
this order of investigation put the cart before the horses.
Towns are sadly overlooking the force of this argument.
What has the metropolis to do with the farming of the Edin-
burgh sewage ? or the town of Montrose to do with the farming
of the sewage of Croydon ? and so on for other towns which
we could mention, each being engaged in discussing the
farming of the other's sewage, instead of farming its own.
Until this adverse rule is set aside, and the opposite one en-
forced, little progress can be expected in the solution of the
general question. X. Y. 2.

ARTIFICIAL MANURE S — CHEAP AND BAD.

At the last meeting of the North Durham Chamber of
Agriculture, Mr. Gillaet, of Wynyard Park, drew attention to
a very important matter, in order that it might hereafter be fuUy
discussed. There were two ways of dealing with the question.
One was by bringing prominently before the minds of farmers
the great practical advantages which the application of che-
mistry to the cultivation of the soil was calculated to bring
about. This was to be achieved by einployiug practical
chemists to give lectures in the towns and villages of the dis-
trict in which the chamber was established. This, however,
would be a costly mode of introducing the subject, and one
which at present the chamber would scarcely be justified in
incurring. Another and very practical mode of giving to
farmers the benefits of chemical science would be to institute
arrangements for the analysis of artificial manures. The che-
mical constituents of artificial manures were not sufficiently un-
derstood by those viho purchased them, and much loss and dis-
appointment frequently arose frcjm the want of this knowledge.
Very often farmers were tempted to buy cheap or rather low-
priced manures, and the crops not turning out what they an-
ticipated, they became discouraged, and perhaps in future
were led to depreciate and under-value all artificial manures.
This was a doulile mistake ; it was an error in the first in-
stance to purchase without a knowledge of its chemical con-
stituents a manure apparently cheap, Ijut really dear, and it
was wrong to suppose that all artificial manures were equally

unreliable. There were in the market some excellent artifi-
cial manures, and there were others which were downright
impositions. Unfortunately tlie least informed and the poorest
farmers were generally the victims of those who manufactured
and sold these worthless preparations, and it was the more
humble class of agriculturists that he desired the North Dur-
ham Chamber of Agriculture should endeavour to devise
means for protecting from fraud. The better clas of farmers,
from their more extended knowledge and information, were
able to take care of themselves ; but the small farmers were
those who chiefly suffered by spurious preparations such as
tliose to which he referred. He could mention numerous
cases where men had been imposed upon, but he would
adduce a single instance by way of illustration. A person
wanted a respectable dealer in guano to supply him with
the best Peruvian for £13 10s. He stated that he could
not do so, that the article could not be bought in the mar-
ket under £13, and if he was not satisfied he could try
somebody else. The farmer purchased a lower priced arti-
cle, but he was very much dissatisfied with the results, and
on a sample of his purchase beiug afterwards analyzed, it
was found not to be genuine, and was not worth more
than £8. In fact, he had been imposed upon by a spurious
article ; he lost his money in the first instance by paying a
high price for a poor article, and in the second by the inferior-
ity of his crop. Discouragements such as these, and want of

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269

knowledge as to the causes from whence the failures proceeded,
naturally excited a prejudice against artificial maaures, and iu
the end there was a very serious check on the progress of agri-
culture. In a poor county like Durham, where the land was
not naturally very productive, artificial manures were particu-
larly requisite, and it was of the more importance therefore
that they should have confidence in what they purchased.
Many people, unfortunately, from want of due thought,
bonglit from parties of no standing whatever ; and then, get-
ting disappointed, they hecame less and less enterprising, and
poor farms got poorer still. It was of immense heuefit to
knovif what were the right ingredients to apply to land. The
dissemination of knowledge on the principles of chemistry as
applicable to agriculture could perhaps be the most successfully
effected by lectures, but there coidd be no question that
analyses such as he suggested would be of great practical
utOity. Perhaps they could not go so far at present as to
undertake the analysis of soils, but he thought they might for
a very moderate outlay undertake to employ an analytical
chemist to test the fertilising properties of artificial manures.
In the present day, in farming, as in all other businesses, com-
petition was very strong, and farmers could ill afford to waste
tiieir money iu the purchase of stuff which was of no value.
He did not wish to hurry them to any decision on the subject
that day, but he thought it a very proper subject for the con-
sideration of a chamber of agriculture. Shoidd the Chamber,
after the subject had beeu fully considered, appoint a chemist
to conduct analyses such as he referred to, no doubt it would
be of great service to farmers and to agriculture in general.

Mr. T. Wearmoutii said he hardly thought the Cliamber
should be at the cost of protecting those who were so foolish
as to expend their money in these low-priced manures. If
they went to a respectable agent they would get an analysis,
and a guarantee that the manure supplied should be like the
sample. He was surprised thf.t men shoiJd be so foolish as
to purchase the low-priced blood manures, and the mere
sweepings and dirt wliich were sold for artificid manures now-
a-days. If they went to a good man for guano, and to
another for hones, they would get a good article without an
analysis. Cockle-shells and oyster-shells were very largely
mixed with some of these manures, and he had for years tlirown
away £20 a year iu purchasing such rubbish for genuine
manure (laughter). He had given up the oyster-shells now,
for he found that guano and half-inch bones were far more
profitable (laughter). A lot of the artificial manure now sold
was dirty rubbish, against which common-sense should guard
them. They wanted no protection against such stuff as that.

Mr. Holmes : It appears you required it when you bought
oyster-sheUs (laughter).

Mr. GiLLAUT said it was against the practices of men who
had not established reputations as manure-dealers that it was
so desirable to guard the poor man. By plausible pretences
they imposed upon poor farmers who had no means of testing
the value of the articles in which they dealt. The object of
an association like the North Durham Chamber of Agricul-
ture should be to encourage dealers who sold the best manures,
and those who sold the worst they should endeavour to wipe
out. If farmers had the means of testing the qualities of ma-
nures by the aid of an experienced chemist, dishonest dealers
would be deterred from practices so dishonourable as those
referred to.

The CiiAiRMAiM said the subject introduced by Mr. Gillart
was one of very considerable importance. The great difficulty
was to get a certain class of farmers to understand the differ-
ence between low-priced and cheap articles. They were apt
to think more about saving, as they thought, a few sliiUings,
than they were about buying a first-rate article, the purity of
which was known. Tlicy don't think that the value of a ma-
nure consists in the ingredients of it, and they will tlius buy
a low-priced rather than a superior article. The best way of
course waste have a fair sample from the bulk, and to have it
analyzed before it was tried. A great many parties, however,
did not think of purchasing their manure before they wanted
to use it, and there was not then time to analyze it. The only
protection against fraud in such cases was to deal with large
and honourable firms, whose interest it was to supply the best
article they possibly could. Their profits depended upon
showing that their manure was better than their neiglibours'.
It would be a good plan to get farmers to retain samples of
their manures, so that actions could be brought against par-

ties who sold manures which were comparatively worthless.
In Scotland penalties had been recovered from parties who had
sold useless compounds for manures.

Mr. Weaemoutu said he thought the evil would cure itself
iu time.

The Chairman said in the case he referred to, the man lost
liis whole crop of turnips, and he recovered substantial
damages.

Mr. Wearmoutii said the price of Peruvian guano was so
well known, that anybody purchasing an article for less than
that sum must know it was not pure.

Mr. John Purneis said they all knew the price of good
Peruvian guano, but there were other artificial manures manu-
factured which in some measure came into competition with
it, and encouragement of those who made good manures of
this description might bring down the price of guano. Their
object should he not only to put down those who sold
an inferior article, but to encourage those who produced a
good one.

Mr. Watson said if the benefits of analysis, such as had
been recommended, were confined to the members of their
association he thought Mr. Gillarl's project could be carried
out. The idea was a very practical one, and much good might
be efiecled. An instance came before him not long ago, in
the way of business, where a farmer near Lanchester bought
some guano or artificial manure, which was represented to be
of very excellent quality. He tried it, and it turned out to be
almost worthless. Portunately, he retained a sample from the
bulk, and he (Mr. Watson), on being consulted on the subject,
sent the sample to an eminent chemist in Newcastle for
analysis. That analysis he would bring with him to the next
meeting of the Chamber. He might state, however, that the
analysis fully confirmed the farmer's suspicions that he had
been imposed upon, inasmuch as he had received for £10 10s.
a ton an article the outside value of which was £3 IDs. a ton.
If that Chamber could protect its members from such impo-
sitions, he was sure that it would confer a very great practical
benefit ; and he thought Mr. Gillart was entitled to their
thanks for having brought such a very proper subject before
the meeting.

Mr. Wearmouth said he quite agreed with Mr. Furneis
that it would be very desirable to encourage the manufiicturers
of good artificial manures ; but the idea of buying pure guano
at £10 10s. a ton was ridiculous.

Mr. Watson said every man should retain a sample of his
manure.

The Chairman asked Mr. Watson what damages were re-
covered in the case he had referred to.

Mr. Watson said an action was brought against his client
to recover the value of the manure. A small sum was paid
into court, and the manure dealer recovered a little more than
that, but nothing like the sum charged for the guano.

The Chairman said Mr. Watson's chent lost his crop,
which was of a very great importance. Had he brought an
action to recover damages, he beUeved, from the case which
had been decided in Scotland, that he would have beeu suc-
cessful.

Mr. Watson said the question of damages did not arise.

The Chairman said that was made the material question
in Scotland, and penalties were recovered.

Mr. IIewitson said he beUeved the Highland Society had
for a number of years undertaken to analyze samples of
manure.

The Chairman said he believed they contracted for these
things.

Mr. Purneis said the Royal Society had a sliding scale of
charges for analyses, charging so much for analyzing guano,
and so much for analyzing soQ.

The Chairman said such an analysis as they required would
not be a very costly one. They wanted to know the quantity
of fertilizing properties the guano contained. They did not
wish to learn with precise accuracy the whole of the
ingredients.

Mr. Wharam said he had had some conversation with Mr.
George Shaw on this very subject, and Mr. Shaw had commu-
nicated with an eminent chemist in Newcastle, and had pro-
cured from him a scale of charges for quantitative and quali-
tative analyses. He was sorry Mr. Shaw was not present, as

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ho would liave been aljle to give the chamber some useful
information.

Mr. GiLLART saiil it was not a question wliicli he wished to
hurry on at all : even the ventilation of such a subject might
be useful.

The Chairman said anything they might do in the way
suggested should be confined to the members of the chamber,
ami there would thus be an additional inducement to farmers
to band themselves together in an association of that
character.

Mr. Watson said tlie funds of th.e Chamber wovild not

permit them to pay tlie cost of analyzing manures purchased
by those who were not members of the Cliambcr.

Mr. Holmes said he and Mr. George Crofton once had a
joint investment in an " Economical" manure, and it was
so economical that neither of them ever got a turnip
(laughter) .

Mr. GiLLAKT hoped the time had not been expended use-
lessly in discussing a subject which he had introduced without
sufficient notice ; but he thought it would be better to reserve
for future consideration the steps which the Chamber would
take in reference to it.

A DAIRY FARM IN AUSTRALIA.

The estate of Bodalla, consisting of about 14,000 acres, is
situated upon the Tuross Eiver, about 200 miles south of
Sydney (the river runs through the centre of the property, a
length of nearly twelve miles). It consists of rich alluvial
flats, nearly free from timber, backed up by gentle undulations,
terminating in hills, with high mountains to tlie north. The
timber on the river consists chiefly of mahogany and oak, and
on the hills and ridges of blackbutt, box, and apple tree.
The extent of the property at present cultivated consists of
about 2,000 acres, of which quantity Mr. Mort farms 500
acres ; the remainder is let to tenants. On each of the farms
comfortable cottages, yards, milking bails, S:c., have been
erected by tlie proprietor, who also supplies each tenant with a
requisite number of milking cows. The rent they pay is three
days' milk a- week, which is delivered at the homestead : there
are certain conditions as to the rearing of pigs, &c. As this
arrangement has only l)een in existence for a short time, I
cannot say how it will answer, but to my mind a handsome
competence must be the consequence. In no part of the
world could more favourable terms be granted. With a liberal
minded landlord, comfortable homes and appliances, high-class
milking cows, rich English grasses, good prices for their pro-
duce, and with almost a nominal rental, if non-success follows
the fault must be the tenants'. I regret to say some of the
farms visited were not kept in that tidy order in which I am
sure they must have been handed over.

I wish particularly to describe Comerang, the home station,
farmed under Mr. Mort's supervision, and on which the cele-
brated Bodalla cheese is made. It consists of 250 acres of
the river flats, surrounding the house, fenced into four pad-
docks. The land is laid down into prairie, cocksfoot, rye,
timothy, meadow, fescue, alsace, and clovers (more valuable
grasses are now being cultivated). The paddocks are
thorouglily drained liy box culverts (quite works of engineer-
ing skill) ; each paddock has separate watering places, in-
dependent of the river. I cannot describe in too
glowing terms the richness and verdure of the fields,
more resembling the meadow lands of our best Eng-
lisli counties. During my stay, ninety-one cows were milked
twice a day (take 11th December), and gave 190 gallons of
milk, giving 2281b. of green cheese. Tlie cheeses are kept for
four montlis before being sent to the market. A fortnightly
supply is regularly kept up. The cheeses run from 201b. to
1101b. I ought to mention here that no cheese is made on
Sundays, but that day's milk is made into butter on the Tues-
day. The dairy and cheese-making is under the care of Miss
LiUias M'Lean (of long_ experience with Messrs. Hervey, of
Glasgow), whose constant aim and pride is to keep up the
well-merited character of the Bodalla brand, and who seems,
judging from the state of her dairy, cheese-room, &c., to con-
sider " cleanliness next to godliness." Tlie milking-shed and
bails are the most complete I have seen. They consist of four
rows of bails, shingled over and slabbed, eighty in number.
I^lach cow is bailed up in her own stall. By a convenient
arrangement of ropes and pulleys, it is unnecessary to go up
to the head to bail and unbail. A crib is fixed before each,
filled with green stuff, on which she quietly feeds during the
milking. The cows are not unbailed until the last one is
milked. A man precedes the milkers (six in number), who
leg-ropes and washes the udders of each cow. A head-man
follows, whose duty it is to strip the cows, thus causing a
check upon the milking. Silence is strictly enforced during

the time. The milk is poured into buckets placed upon a
car, and run by a wooden train direct into the dairy. Al-
though only ninety-one cows are now being grazed upon the
250 acres of Comerang, the manager informs me (and of this
I feel assured, judging from the quantity of grass after four
months' drought) he could easily carry, and carry well, a cow
to two acres. The cows do not seem of any particular breed.
The Durham appear to be the found^ion of the herd, and
now crossed by the Ayrshire ; but the main rule is " milking"
quantity and quality, and constant culling. The calves are
taken from the cows immediately after calv ing, and fed twice
a day on whey. During the day they run in a well-grassed
paddock, and are housed at night in well-ventilated but warm
buildings, witli boarded floors, troughs, and hay-racks.

The pigs on Comerang (about 200) are the finest I ever
saw, being the Prince Albert and Berkshire. The sows are
drafted a few days prior to farrowing into well-arranged se-
parate sties. They are allowed a couple of hours' run daily
in a small paddock, into which all the sties open by a narrow
lane. For six weeks they are fed on maize, whey, &c., when
they are turned with their young into a large grassed and
well-watered paddock with the general herd, where tliey get
21b. maize daily (a buslicl per month), which keeps them in
high condition. It seems to me Mr. Mort favours the Prince
Albert, although he considers the cross with the Berkshire
the best for store purposes.

A small flock of Lincoln sheep are also kept. I do not
think, for length of staple, good combing qualities, weight of
wool, points, and rapid maturity of carcase, they can be sur-
passed. They kill wethers of fourteen months old regularly,
weighing 481bs., and a lamb I saw killed, of four months old,
weighing 481bs.

The whole farm management seems by the arrangements to
aim at economy of labour. Improved machinery, superior
buildings, tramways, steaming apparatus, stables, sheds, &c.,
all these, combined with the comfortable cottages for the la-
bourers, give an exhilarating English air to the homestead,
breathing of health and contentment.

The climate is truly English. I can only account for this
by the quantity of water upon and running through the pro-
perty, and consequently heavy dews. These dews are increased
by keeping the paddocks well covered with grass, thus at-
tracting the moisture and acting as conductors to the roots.
Much of the verdure exhibited after a four months' drought
must be tlie result of a careful appropriation of the dews,
amounting, at Mr. Mort's estimate, to about one-sixth of the
yearly rainfaU. Therefore the maxim enforced especially at
Bodalla, " keep the grass at a good bite," is one which they
have no difficulty in complying with at present ; while at the
same time it is equally insisted upon that the grass should
not be allowed to get too long and rank, as a flood would be
the death to it in that condition. In that case it is apt to get
laid and rot before the water runs off.

The present system on Bodalla seems to be only to lay out
the current profits in progressive improvements, of clearing
and laying down in English grasses. When the 4,000 acres
are thus laid down it will indeed be a princely property.

Mr. Mort is only what he calls " roughing" the land into
grass at present, as he intends, by degrees, to cultivate the
land to a depth of 18 inches, which, with tliorough drainage
and judicious feeding, will, he considers, enable him to carry a
cow to the acre all the year round, but without these the land

THE FAEMER'S magazine.

261

is comparatively worthless. I would here meution that Mr.
Mort considers he has to outlay £10 an acre upon these rich
flats in order to yield a profitahle return. This cost includes,
of course, draining, fencing, cultivating, and seeding as well
as the necftssary buildings for carrying out his system of farm-
ing ; but this only shows that labour without capital can no
more prosper than capital without labour. Suppose this out-
lay of £10 an acre yield grass for one cow to two acres, and
suppose the cost of the land be £5 an acre (for it must be re-
membered Mr. Mort had to pay Government a large sum for
worthless laud to get ^.OOO acres of good land), it requires to
feed a cow an outlay of £30 ; this cow yields daily IJlb. of
selling cheese at 8d. per lb., thus making £18 a year ; take
from this for expenses of milking, keeping land, fences, &c.,
in order, say £5 a year, and there is a return of £0 lOs. an
acre per annum. Could this be done on a small scale and
without capital ? Certainly not. If so, why is it the free
selector on the rich blocks, which many of them hold, scarce
makes an existence? The Government ought to find the
money to farm with, as well as the laud to be farmed, if they
will have free sfdection.
The above calculations a.re jnostly juiide from conversations

I had with Mr. Mort. I will now give my idea of what may
be done with 4,000 such acres, based upon the return of ninety-
one cows now farmed a Comeraug. 4',000 acres wUl carry say
1,500 cows giving say 2,500 gallons milk per day, making say
18,0001b. of cheese weekly, sold at 8d., or £G0O per week, or
£28,000 a-year ! To this must be added the profits of some
2,000 pigs, and 1,200 calves which have the uncultivated part
of the estate, some 10,000 acres, to run over. I believe £400
per 100 cows yearly is quite suflicieut and ample for the
expenses — say for the management of 1,500 cows, £6,000 per
annum.

I am well aware the above large return, arising from so
apparently small a source, will cause a smile of ridicule and
doubt when some of my fellow-colonists peruse this, and more
especially emanating from an old squatter, who is not supposed
to know any of the minutiw or routine of a dairy farm. I do
admit much ignorance on the subject, so far as my previous
pursuits are concerned ; but I plead in apology that, my state-
ment and remarks have been made from facts, strict perscmal
observation, and the well-tried experience of the proprietor's
very superior manager, Mr. Champneys, to whom I am in-
debted for much valuable information. — The Aiistmlian.

AUTUMN WORK.

Autumn is the farmer's busiest season, being rendered par-
ticularly so on account of the in-gathering of the crops then
taking place, the sowing and culture of which occupied his
attention during the months of spring and summer. Although
this is the most important business requiring attention, still
thore are many other things, which, if attended to, and per-
formed now, will, by-and-bye, richly repay him wlio had the
energy and foresight to make an effort to get them completed.
These operations include the sowing of forage crops, which
will come in for use at an early period of the following year,
supplementing the root crops, and either keeping the cattle
wholly off the pastures until well covered and a full bite can be
obtained, or partially doing so, and also permitting a much
larger stock to be kept than could otherwise be done, if these
crops were not provided. The next set of operations which
may at this time with great propriety be performed are those
which have for their object the cleaning and working ot the
land in preparation for future crops, thus lessening the spring
work; and while actually doing it to better purpose, and
much more economically, the farmer is in a great measure
rendered independent of the weather in spring, his attention
being then mainly directed to the getting-in of the seed, the
heaviest portion of the preparatory work being done.

These various operations now absolutely forcing themselves
on the notice of the agriculturist, we propose shortly reviewing
the best modes of management as practised at the present day,
the best, although probably involving a little more outlay in
the beginning, being invariably the cheapest in the end, pro-
duction being increased, more money made in consequence,
and the farmer's interests generally advanced.

The summer of 1868 having been so unusually dry and warm,
the severance of the corn has already iu a great measure been
effected ; and farmers, instead of being busy with scythe and
machine, as is usually the case in the month of August, have
their attention altosether directed to the securing of the crop.
The high price of fodder, and the almost certainty of its
being yet much higher, ought to be a great inducement to
every farmer to take more than usual care iu having his corn
saved iu the best possible order, so that the straw will be
sweet and wholesome, and capable of being used with good
results as food for stock during the coming winter.

There can scarcely be a doubt that in very many districts
stock-owners will be put to great straits in providing food to
keep the animals on, even iu middling store condition, until
relieved by the growth of grass in spring ; and also that with
hay and turnips either altogether awanting, or available only
in very small quantity, straw must be the principal de-
pendence. The researches of science, and the practical ex-
perience of many of our most eminent agriculturists, have of
late years demonstrated the important position straw takes iu
the foldyard as food for cattle, and not for them alone, but

for horses and sheep in an almost equal degree. The results
obtained from it are not less satisfactory when substituted
for hay, either wholly or in part, for fattening stock,
or when used either by itself, or with the addition of a small
quantity of turnips in the feeding of stores. To preserve the
straw sweet, and in such condition generally as will ensure its
adaptability for cattle food, it is highly essential that if at all
possible, the corn should be cut while slightly tinged with
green, and afterwards allowed suilicient time in the fields un-
der the influence of the sun and wind to become thoroughly
matured. The straw of corn that has been put together too
suddenly is scarcely ever fit for anything but litter, as, if not
positively heated, it seldom fails to contract a mustiuess of
smell and flavour, highly disagreeable to the animals, and
causing them to reject it as food, unless forced to consume it
by actual starvation. Prom a week to ten days in the stook,
even in the best of seasons, is necessary for the proper ma-
turing of both straw and corn, and if grass, clover, or weeds
of any succulent kind is present, a more lengthened period
must be given. Stooks when carefully made are wonderfully
safe, standing a gre.at deal of bad weather without injury if
kept straight. In the case of oats, a wetting and the subse-
quent evaporation are highly conducive to that state of crisp-
iiess so indicative of good condition, both of corn and straw.
Once in proper condition for removal to the stack-yard, every
opportunity should be embraced for getting it conveyed there-
to, the hands employed being encouraged by a little extra or
better food, and increased pay to work on till dark, and even
by moonlight when it answers, so as to make the most of every
favourable turn in the weather. There is so little danger of
wheat heating, that it may be put into stacks of any size with-
out using the precaution of hollow centres, or horizontal flues,
assuming, of course, that a reasonable time has elapsed be-
tween the cutting and the stacking, and that the sheaves are
exactly as they ought to be when carried. Barley is the most
liable to injury of all the cereals, and the utmost caution
should be used in saving the crop, both in the field and stack-
yard, so as to secure the highest price for the season, by
having the grain in colour, weight, and general condition, fit
for the brewer. The smaller the stacks in this instance the
better it is iu most years for the corn ; and however small
they may be, to make assurance doubly sure it is desirable to
have a centre shaft ruuniug up at least to the eave of the
stack, communicating witli the external air by means of a
horizontal shoring. It is an unpleasant thing to see a stack
steaming, the more so as it generally is the result of undue
haste, or, in other words, the neglect of the simplest precau-
tions for the safety of an extremely perishable projierty, and
tliere are but few seasons in which corn may not be saved
without the slightest injury, providing the weather is patiently
waited on, and preservative measures are attended to. Oats for

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luealias purposes must be very carefully managed, both by
permittiug the crop to mature properly in the field, and
by stacking carefully when carried. The slightest mustiiiess
is fatal to its being profitably disposed of as food for man, and
it must necessarily be sold for other purposes at a consider-
able reduction in price. When mealing is not an object, the
same care in ventilation need not be observed, as, if
in good condition when brought in, there will not be
the slightest danger in building on an ordinary staddle
of iron or stone, standing a moderate distance from the
ground, and permitting a free circulation underneath.
It is very desirable to have the stack-yard in an airy position,
where it can be searched by every wind that blows, the stacks
penetrated, and every particle of moisture licked-up. There
are too few conveniences about most farm-steadings for the
purposes of shelter during a break in the weather ; in fact,
there is a good deal left to mere chance, and considerable
injury is often done by heavy rains beating in on the heads of
the stacks before it is possible to get them thatched and made
snug and tight for the winter. We often read of the propriety
of having covered dung-hills, and the immense benefits that
accrue to the farmers therefrom ; but we seldom hear a word
about the necessity of a covered stack-yard, notwithstanding
the saving that would be effected by such a thing. The
expense of thatching hay -ricks and corn-stacks each year
amounts to a very considerable sum, not to take into account
injury from bad weather which occasionally helps to raise the
amount ; but never being calculated there is but little im-
portance attached to it, the temporary inconvenience and
annoyance being all that is noticed, and that too is forgotten
when the weather takes up again and the work is resumed.
'Olien caught in the very middle of in-gathering with a storm
of wind and rain, which lasted probably ten days or a fort-
night, we have often most earnestly wished that we had a
covered stack-yard, so that what was in would at least be safe,
and ourselves spared the misery of looking upon the drenched
stacks that have cost so much trouble to get built-up dry, and
which were viewed with such satisfaction when finished.

About twenty-two years ago, when the duty was taken off
glass, there was much discussion about the applicability of
that material for economical structures in connection with the
farm and garden, and the useful results that were likely to be
realized from its extended use. Now, although for horticul-
tural purposes the use of glass has greatly extended since that
time, some large establishments owning acres of it, we do not
find that it has been utilized in agricultural buildings to any
appreciable extent. A covered-in homestead would be a great
boon, and surely amongst gentlemen-farmers more particularly,
with whom money is often so plentiful as to keep them con-
stantly on the look-out for paying investments, a range of
parallel shedding, roofed on the ridge-and-furrow system, sup-
ported on cast-iron piUars and covered with glass and slate,
would confer so many advantages on its possessor and prove
so generally useful as to pay a fail- interest on the outlay.

The corn all in and secured, the farmer again turns his
attention to the fields, and at this time of year, and this
season above all others for many years past, he can scarcely
employ his men and horses to better purpose than in preparing
the land for those crops of early habit and rapid growth that
will come in for food in early spring, and getting them sown as
quickly as possible. The first we shall notice as useful for this
purpose is the winter tare or vetch, a plant of undoubted use-
fulness, and which we conceive richly deserves a much greater
amount of attention from the British farmer than it actually
receives. When properly treated, an acre of vetches yields an
immense amount of succulent and nourishing food, the
nnimals fed on it not only thriving, but actually fattening ;
all are alike fond of it, and however green and succulent it
may be when placed before them, there is not the slightest danger
of accident from hoveu. On the other hand when sown on poor
land without a considerable dressing of manure, the crop is really
not worth the trouble of cutting, and seed, labour, time and
prospective benefits are all lost. On farms where a good deal
of clover, tares, and rye-grass for successional cuttings during
the summer is grown, and a partial system of house-feedmg
carried out, there is now a fine heap of rich manure, which
comes in exceedingly handy for tliis crop, as the more juicy
the dung, and the thicker it is applied, the better will be the
crop, and the earlier will it be ready for cutting. Sown any
time between this and the middle of September it may almost

be calculated on to come in by the last week in April. In the
southern counties successional sowings may be continued until
the beginning of November, if the weather permits, with
every prospect of their doing cpute as well as those previously
sown, but preserving the greenness so much prized until a
later period of the summer. A little rye or tawny oats mixed
with the seed assists to some extent in keeping the crop off
the ground, but it is also useful, and that in a more eminent
degree, as shelter during the winter months and early spring,
the vetch suffering considerably from severe frosts and cold
biting winds. Trifolium iucarnatum, long known in these
islands, but comparatively little used when its usefulness is
taken into consideration, is for its earliness, feeding quality,
and excellence as a cropper, well worthy of a place on every
farm where an early bite is a consideration. Its culture costs
but little, the stubbles being merely scratched with the har-
rows to redden the surface sufficiently to form a seed-bed : the
seed is sown, rolled in, and the operation is finished. It
affords only one cutting, but being cleared early the land can
be manured and seeded with swedes or other root crops at once,
and a valuable forage crop is thus obtained, without the ordin-
ary rotation on which the farm is worked being interfered
with. This plant has one advantage over the vetch for very
early feeding, as it may be given to stall-fed cattle when the
roots run short, and lowness of price or other reason makes it
desirable to hold them on, without running through them and
inducing that softness of flesh which excessively green vetches
may possibly do when given to cattle in a forward state. Italian
rye-grass sown now on a clean field in good manurial condi-
tion makes great plenty for soiling every kind of stock during
early summer, and if facilities can be had for irrigation or
flushing with sewage, the crop is not only early, but affords
several heavy cuttings. However, the majority of farmers
must trust more to solid than to liquid manure, and there can
scarcely be a doubt but that in the end it pays best. The en-
ormous outlay required in laying down pipes and fixing hydrants
will ever prevent the system of irrigating with liquid manure
from extending, and also make the remuneration at best un-
certain to those who have given the system a trial. Simul-
taneously with these operations now described the cleaning of
the stubbles and the working of the soil for next season's
green crop require to be attended to, and the sooner the better,
as if done while the sun is still powerful the cleaning can be
done so completely that not a root of weed need be left alive.
The implements for this purpose are now numerous, all good,
but still some of them better than others, as the judges' award
at Leicester for improved paring grubbers and cultivators
amply testifies, and no farmer looking out for a grubber with
shares adapted for autumn cleaning will go wrong in purchas-
ing the implement there awarded first honours. The working
of the laud in autumn is great economy and excellent husbandry,
and no other business however urgent should be permitted to
interfere with its tliorough performance. During the spring
of the present year we saw a great deal of couch burning on
turnip land, a circumstance that surprised us much, as the
presence of couch in such qnaq^ity is quite unworthy of the
agriculture of tli£ 19th century, as when the land is gone over
with the proper implement in autumn, or even with a common
plough, with paring sock attached, which does very well for
small occupations, not even a thread of couch need be seen
when the time of sowing arrives. Another valuable feature
of autumn working is the freshness of the laud for the recep-
tion of the seed, a condition very difficult of attainment when
the soil has to be turned over and over under a burning sun,
for the purpose of getting rid of the roots of noxious weeds
with which the land may be infested. J. S.

BANBURY SEWAGE FARM.— The Board of Health
had, previous to 1867, turned the sewage of Banbury into the
river Cherwell, where it became a nuisance to farmers and
millers, and even to the inhabitants themselves. Litigation
followed. The law courts decided against the board, and the
latter, after much expense, which fell upon the ratepayers,
determined to rent about 135 acres of land, a mile from the
town, and to run the sewage over it before allowing it to flow
into the river. The necessary apparatus, including pipes,
tauks, and a pumping engine, had been duly prepared, and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZIKE.

2G3

operations were commenced for irrigating a considerable
portion of the land with the valuable liquid. Owing to a
defect in the engine, which has since been remedied, con-
tinuous pumping could not be carried on during the winter
months, which were highly favourable for irrigating purposes.
February had nearly elapsed before the sewage could be
systematically applied. It may be mentioned that three fields,
comprising in the whole about 35 acres, had been sown with
Italian rye-grass. Tlie remainder of the farm (with the
exception of 18 acres, which have just produced an excellent
crop of oats, realising £198 by public auction) was mowing
grass. The land, it may be stated, had been well drained and
manured before it came into possession of the board, but the
portions of it under rye-grass were overrun with weeds. Not-
withstanding these and other drawbacks which attended the
commencement of this irrigation scheme, the results have so
far been highly satisfactory. The board pay M 10s. an acre,
and during the winter proposed to sublet the farm to tlie
highest bidder. No tender was accepted, and on the 5th of
May rather more than 11 acres of rye-grass, a light crop, for
the reasons already mentioned, fetched only £15 2s. A
second crop off the same field, sold on the 19th of June,
realised £81 15s. A third crop will be disposed of in a few
days, which, owing to the dry weather, will produce a good
round sum, greatly to the relief of the ratepayers. The sales
of rye-grass grown on 35 acres have, up to the Sl-th of July,
produced £379 4s., being at the rate of £10 16s. 8d. per acre ;
and it must be remembered that a third and other crops are
forthcoming. The total amount received from the sales of
rye-grass, mowing grass, lattermath, and oats up to the 24th
of July has been £997 16s. The greater part of the mowing
grass was subjected to irrigation, and where tliis was
thoroughly done the produce has been more than double that
on the adjoining meadows. The lattermath exhibits similar
satisfactory results, and portions of it may be mown and made
into hay. Experience here has shown that the drainage of
the land is not favourable to irrigation by sewage. The
liquid percolates too soon into the pipes, and may thus flow
into the nearest brook without leaving on the surface those
fertilising ingredients which stimulate the growth of plants.
In levelling land for irrigation it is of the utmost importance
that the fertile soil on the tops and sides of the ridges should
not aU be cast into the furrows, as was unfortunately to a
great extent done on the Banbury farm. A ptactical man
acquainted with the water-meadow system so general in many
of our English counties would be found a useful person to any
local authority desirous of preparing a farm for sewage
irrigation. Tlie results of the disposal of the liquid portion
of the excreta of the inhabitants of Banbury (the solid
matter is detained in settling tanks, and sold, mixed with
ashes and street-sweepings), areas follow: The CherweU is
not polluted, and no cause of offence is now given to farmers,
millers, and landowners who formerly complained of a serious
nuisance. Eish in the stream increase and multiply. The
valuable refuse of more than 10,000 people is turned to
profitable account, and a certain portion of land has more than
doubled its produce. The ratepayers begin to feel easy in
their minds, and at last see an end to a state of things which
at one time threatened endless litigation and expense. The
growth of the crops has been watched with the greatest
interest. The predictions of failure were numerous ami
persistent, but Banbury sewage vindicated its potent qualities,
by its results. The public sales of produce have from time
0 time been attended by increased numbers of eager
purchasers, and farmers, dairymen and others have been
greatly benefited by the facilities thus afforded of obtaining,
even at high prices, large quantities of keep for their cattle.
The contrast between the fields of the sewage farm, where
grass may be seen a yard and a-half high, and those of the
surrounding neighbourhood, which unfortunately are bare,
brown, and dusty, is very striking and is remarked upon by all
visitors. Owing to the absorbing power of the soil and the
loss caused by evaporation, it may be mentioned that hardly
a drop of liquid has, during the last sis weeks, notwithstanding
the immense quantity pumped on to the land, found its way
into the river. There may be other ways of dealing effectually
with town sewage, but the irrigation scheme, as now in
operation at Banbury, is surely a great improvement on the
barbarous systems so generally practised of turning it into
rivers or thrusting it into the sea,

THINNma ROOT CROPS.

An obvious truth is often better enforced by a simple en-
graving than even by experience. Year after year men culti-

Eig. 1. — XJnthinned.

Thinned,

vate turnips broadcast, using too much seed, and never thin-
ning out the crowded plants. Turnips almost always do much
better sown in drills than broadcast, and if " mercilessly
tliinned" in the rows, so be it the ground is occupied, the dif-
ference in the erop is very great. This fact we have endea-
voured to exhibit, so that
he who runs may read,
and that he who reads
may be reminded to put
the truth of the statement
to the test. Eig. 1 shows
the turnips growing with
about the relative amounts
of tops and roots upon one
Fig. 2 IS a horizontal section,
showing still better the great difference between tlunned and
unthinned roots,

Fig. 2.
alone, and two close together.

CULTIVATION OF THE POTATO.— Notwithstanding
the peculiar adaptation of the soil and chmate of a large por-
tion of this country to the production of the potato, there is
still an inadequate supply grown to meet the wants of our own
people, as their present scarcity and high price bear witness
Good eating potatoes, at this time (April 25th), reailily com-
mand 2 dollars per bushel in our markets, and many are
unable to obtain them at this price. The average price of
potatoes for the last twenty years, in thickly-peopled sections,
has exceeded the price of corn, although every practical far-
mer knows the cost of production to be much less. It is un-
necessary to enter into a minute exposition of potato culture,
to demonstrate its profitablenees. Every intelligent farmer
will readily admit that no general crop will pay him better,
when it escapes disease, and when he enjoys the facilities of
convenient markets. Yet, with these facts iu view, farmers
fail to grow them sufficiently plentiful to supply the home
demand. Every householder living in large towns or cities
has often experienced the impossibility of always supplying
the table with this favourite esculent. It is true, in seasons of
abundance, potatoes are sometimes a drug in the market, but
such seasons of abundance occur less often than with most
other crops. Wliy is it that farmers neglect to grow potatoes
more plentifully ? Probably many do so from motives of
prudence or self-interest, considering the potato too liable to
failure to prove profitable ; but it is very seldom that the
potato fails when proper precautions are taken. By selecting
hardy varieties and planting upon weU-drained soils with well
fermented manures, the potato will be seldom much affected
with disease. Some neglect to plant from the supposition
that, owing to the increased attention now being paid to this
vegetable, the markets will become overstocked ; but such
fears are groundless. Potatoes have advanced steadily in price
for the past twenty years, and must so continue in time, with
our increase of foreign population and increasing partiality of
our own native-born citizens for this esculent. With such an
assurance of a ready market, and with the new hardy and
productive varieties, and the ease with which it is cultivated,
to what crop can the farmer devote his attention with more
certainty of obtaining- a reward for his labours ? With light
manuring and indifferent cultivation, a fair crop of potatoes
can be growB; under circumstances of neglect, where corn and

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264

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

other crops would utterly fail. We would by no means advi&e
all farmers to rush into potato culture to the exclusion of all
other crops ; but by giving more attention to this root than
heretofore, they will not only promote their own interests, but
confer a benefit upou the community. Plant only the best
varieties ; plant early, manure liberally, if possible, and culti-
vate well, and the result will be satisfactory. Although we
believe it advisable to plant as soon as the ground becomes
sufficiently warm and dry, yet it is better to plant late than
never. The best crops we saw last year were planted in June.

If the potato will endure neglect, no crop will better repay
good culture. Weeds should never be permitted to consume
the food that in right belongs to the tubers, but should be
kept down by the frequent use of the hand or horse hoe.
Even, if few weeds exist, frequent stirring the soil in the
month of June till the blosoms appear, will greatly augment
the crops. Let those who have failed to plant extensively
strive to increase their harvest by better cultivation, with the
assurance that they will not be disappointed in the result. — >
dmei'lcan Farmer,

RENT PER SHEEP ON HILL FARMS.

At the Teviotdale Farmers' Club Meeting, Mr. Aitchison,
Linhope, the president (in the chair), opened the discussion on
the question, " What should be the rent per sheep, of an
average led hill farm, of sixty scores of Cheviot sheep, upon
the prices fixed this day, to enable the tenant to realize the
profit on which he is assessed for income-tax ?" After some
reference to the importance and intricacy of the question, and
the amount of calculation it necessitated, he said : As this
club may be said to be peculiarly connected with the sheep-
lands, I thought this question naturally came out of our last
day's deliberation, when we struck the average value of
sheep produce during the preceding season, and which, upon
comparison, proved within a fractional part of the average
prices that had been obtained at Mr. Oliver's Auction Mart,
which now ranks amongst the leading live stock markets in
Scotland. Many of us are old enough to have seen lower
prices; but I am convinced, at no period of our farming his-
tory did ever such a discrepancy exist between rents and the
value of stock produce. The tenant, however, who does not
derive any income from his farming speculation has his legal
protection from taxation ; for it was long ago conceded by the
present Lord Halifax, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, that
no income-tax could be exacted from the tenant who could
make out a case of no income from his farm. In England,
you are all aware, the farmer is more heavily taxed than we
are in Scotland, where we are assessed to one-third of the
amouut paid by tlie proprietor. This may be the law, but it
is not arithmetically carried out ; for the proprietor does not
pay into the Exchequer three times the amouut paid by his
tenant. To illustrafe this, one case in point is as good as fifty ;
and I find on my farm of Penchrise, last year, I paid £12 3s.
9d. of income-tax, and the proprietor paid £31 10s. 5d. of
property-tax, which is £5 short of three times the amount
paid by the tenant, who is assessed upon the total rent of his
farm, whereas the landlord claims and secures exemption to
the amount of the public burdens upon his property. With
these preliminary remarks, I shall endeavour to answer tlie
question upon wliicli I have invited your discussion, and to
which this club has furnished the prices ; and it ii for prac-
tical men to solve the rest of the problem, as it refers to the
extent of the sales and to indispensable farming expenditure.
I have suggested a led Cheviot sheep-farm of 60 scores of
slieep of average quality, because a resident farm would
greatly mystify the question, inasmuch as everything con-
sumed by the tenant and his family tliat was the produce of
the farm would require to be valued, from the breakfast eggs
up to the lamb leg and the joint of mutton, to properly and
fully solve this question. It is only proper to state that in
making my calculations I have been greatly guided by my
Linhope sales, as I consider it a sheep farm of average quality,
and where I have diverged it has been in favour of a propor-
tional higher return than I obtained. I have assumed that
the number of sheep grazed upon the farm is taken at Mar-
tinmas ; that these numbers are subjected to an
annual death at the rate of one and a-half sheep to
the score ; and also that the farm afi'ords pasture beyond the
60 score to 90 sheep, as the sheep wages of the two shepherds,
all of which I undefstanci to be the use and wont of these
-Border lands. Amount of sales : 1,130 fleeces, weighing at
ioKl^l''°^J^^*"''''P'"' '*°"*' of 24 lbs., at 32s. per stone,
RA^X'' '0 winter skins, averaging 4s. 3d. each, £14 17s.
M. ; 20 summer skins, averaging 9d. each, 15s. ; lamb skins
Rrnoutttmg to say 15s.— total amount received for wool, &c.,

£274 12s. 6d. 11 score top wedder lambs, a. 8s. 6d. each,
£93 10s. ; 4 score mid wedder lambs, at 6s. each, £27 ; 3
score and 15 mid ewe lambs, at lis. each, £41 5s.; 3 score
and 15 thirds and pallies, at 4s. 8d. each, £17 10s. — total
amount received for lambs, £179 5s. 6 score and 10 draught
ewes, at 19s. each, £123 lOs. ; 13 shotts of ewes, at 10s.
each, £6 10s.; 7 fat ewes, at 30s. each, £10 10s.— total
amount received for ewes, £140 10s. Total amount of sales,
in which the sheplierds are not included, £594 7s. 6d. The
following expenses against the farm fall to be deducted : 6
bags of oatmeal, to two herds at 44s. per bag, £13 4s. ; the
general cliarge for two lambing men, £10 ; the extra food and
wages for assistants at clippings, hay time, snow storms, &c.,
not less than other £10 ; the sheep dip, at Id. each for total
number, £5 7s. Gd. I assume the farm will supply itself with
hay, but corn would be required to the extent of 12 bolls, at
24s. per boll, for the weaker sheep in spring, £14 8s. Though
the farm may supply itself with the 16 tups that would at
least be required, yet their winter keep would cost 10s. each —
£8. It may safely be presumed that a Border hill farm of
that extent would have 12,000 roods of open hill drains,
whicli would require to be cleaned out every eight years,
which, .it 9s. per hundred roods, would amount to the rate of
an annual charge of £0 15s. The keeping of sheep stells, keb
parks, water runs, water dykes, and other fences in proper re-
pair would incur at least the same yearly outlay — say £6 15s.
Tlie commission or marketing expenses upon total amount of
sales, at 4d. per pound, would be £9 IBs. Total expenses
against the farm, £84 7s. 6d. ; leaving, after deducting ex-
penses, £510. After appropriating one-third of this £510 as
the tenant's third share of return, you leave £340 as landlord's
rent, which would amount to 5s. 8d. per sheep. I am aware
this mode of calculation is open to criticism, as the tenant is
not assessed upon the third share of the total amount of pro-
ceeds, but upou the third share of the rent paid to the pro-
prietor ; but if this be contended for, you must subtract from
the farmer's third share of profit, as return upon capital in-
vested, which, even at the reduced valuations of the two last
Whitsundays, would exceed £2,000 and to interest upon this
amount, you must give the tenant credit for his public burdens
— for road-rates and poor-rates — which I have not subtracted in
bringing out landlord's right ot rent. I may be further told
that last year represented exceptional low sales. I shall be
happy if this turn out to be the case, though I at present see
few indications th.at prices will be materially higher this sea-
son. Wool brought a fair price, and I have seen both ewes
and lambs not more than half the low averages we lately struck.
1 shall, however, meet this objection by giving the preceding
years' exceptional high sales as recorded iu the Hawick Ad-
vertiser ; and I have no hesitation in saying it will be well in
the long run for both landlord and tenant if we see no more
of some of these extravagant high prices, as they raise land
to an artificial value, which ends in disappointment and pe-
cuniary misfortunes. I slxall confine my calculations to 'the
same numbers and the same charges against the farm, which
at these high prices would of course require proportional in-
crease |of capital to stock it: Amount of sales: 161 3-7ths
stones of wool, at 37s. 9d. per stone, £304 14s.; 70 winter
skins, at 5s., £17 10s.; 20 summer skins, at Is., £1 ; lamb-
skins, say £1 — total receipts for wool, &c., £321 4s. 11 score
of top wedder lambs, at 17s., £187 ; 4 score and 10 mid
wedder lambs, at 12s. 6d., £56 5s. ; 3 score and 15 mid ewe
lambs, at SOs. 6d., £76 17«. 6d. ; 3 score and 15 tliirds and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

265

pallies, at 8s., £30— total receipts for lambs, £350 2s. Qi. 6
score and 10 draft ewes, at 28s. 6d., £188 10s. ; 13 shotts
of ewes, at 15s., £9 15s. ; 7 fat ewes, at 35s., £12 5s. — total
receipts for ewes, £210 10s. Total amount of sales, £884;
IGs. 6d. Amount of expenses against farm, £7-i 9s. 6d. ;
commission or marketing expenses upon total amount of sales,
at 4d. per pound, £14 15s. — total expenses, £89 4s. 6d. ; leav-
ing sum to landlord and tenant, £795 12s. Under my pre-
vious mode of calculation this would produce to the landlord
a rent of 8s. lOd. per sheep ; and if you strike the average
between wliat may be termed the low prices and the high
prices, you wiU find a rent of 7s. 3d. per sheep. As a practi-
cal sheep farmer, this is the conclusion I have arrived at.
There may perchance be trivial incidental errors in the calcu-
lations, and the mode in which I have presumed to interpret
the levying the property and income-tax* may not, as I have
already remarked, meet with general approbation ; but what-
ever may be your mode of calculation, or in whatever light
you may view the question, you must all arrive, I am con-
vinced, at this complexion — that few, if any, hill sheep farmers
in these Border lands were legally entitled to have paid the
income-tax last year. The Chairman concluded by saying the
statement he had laid before the club might not be acceptable
in all quarters, but he saw no reason why farmers should not
inquire into matters into which their own interests were con-
cerned, in a respectful and liberal spirit.

Mr. Oliver (auctioneer) said he could not pretend to such
knowledge of ihe subject as the president had proved himself
to possess by the able paper read by him ; but, thinking it
would scarcely be courteous to Mr. Aitchison if other mem-
bers of the club did not take up the question and devote some
attention to it, he bad made a few calculations which he would
submit for the consideraticn of tlie club, lie assumed, in his
estimate, that of 60 score of sheep 12 score are ewe-hoggs,
leaving 48 score of breeding ewes and gimmers, which might
bring 41 score of lambs, from which, deducting 13 score of
ewes to maintain stock, there would remain 28 score of lambs
to sell. Of tliese, I assume, there may be 20 score wedders.
12 score of (ops, at 8s. 6d., £102 ; 6 score of seconds, at 6s.,
£36 ; 2 score of shotts, at 4s. Sd., £9 6s. 8d. ; 6 score mid-
ewes, at lis., £66 ; 2 score shott ewes, at 4s. 8d., £9 6s. 8d.
total for 28 score lambs, £222 13s. 4d. Then, 8 score of
draft ewes, at 19s., would bring £152 ; and 4,2001bs. of
wool (32lbs. per fleece, 175 stone) at 32s., £275 — total re-
ceipts, £649 13s. 4d. Deduct for casualties, such as death,
&c., £49 13s. 4d., and expense of bathing, clipping, and mar-
keting, stock shepherd's meal, &c., £60 — leaving a balance of
£540. One-third chargeable for income-tax — £180 — leaves
for rent £360 at the rate of 6s. per sheep. Next, take the
cost of stocking. 48 score ewes and lambs, at 40s., £1,902 ;
12 score ewe-hoggs, at 28s., £336 ; utensils, &c., £12 —
showing a capital of £2,250. Interest of this capital, at 5
per cent., is £112 10s. ; and allowing the same amount for
risk and management, they had £225 to deduct from £540,
leaving for rent £315, or 5s. 4d. per sheep. I have confined
myself strictly to the question ; but had I extended my cal-
culations, the prices of last year being exceptionaUy low, I
think they would have brought out on au average, during a
lease, a rent of from 7s. to 8s. per head.

Mr. Amos (Earlside) said he had made some calculations
for the discussion of the question, which had unfortunately
fallen aside ; but they resulted in a figure for sheep very little
above that quoted by Mr. Oliver, but not so high as that of
the president.

Mr. Anderson (Woodburn) considered that the rent of
hill farms during last year should not have been more than
5s. 9d. a-sheep, to leave profit to the farmer, on which in-
come-tax could be charged.

Mr. Grieve (Borthwickbrae-bumfoot) stated that he need
not recapitulate the details so elaborately given by the Chair-
man and Mr. Oliver, and might premise that in the calcu-
lations made by him he had only allowed one to the score for
death, which he was convinced was too low. Deducting the
produce of other thirty from the sum he calculated for rent,
£368, would briug his estimate within a few pounds of that
of tlie Chairman.

Mr. Haddon, Honeyburn, had no practical experience of
the question, and could only make one or two observations on
the principle on which tenant-farmers were assessed for
income-tax. The system of levying for income of tenant-
farmers one-third the amount of rent paid by them had, he be-
lieved, been in general regarded as a boon by them, as the in-
quisitorial process to which other traders were subjected was
thereby avoided ; and he considered the assumption that a
tenant would make a third of the amoimt he paid for rent out
of his land was moderate ; for he was glad to believe the stock
farmer would in general see better prices going than they had
received last year.

Mr. HoBKiRK, Broadhaugh, thought the Club was much
indebted to the President and Mr. Oliver for the trouble they
had taken in making the calculations submitted ; and he
thought it would perhaps have been better for some like him-
self, who had lately entered on stock farms, if they had had
these calculations beiore them ere they listened to the advice
of friends and neighbours. lie had on one occasion appealed
successfully against the payment of income-tax on the third
of his rent, after showing from his books that the tax was not
fairly eligible. A much more correct system of book-keeping
than was generally practised by farmers was, however, requi-
site to satisfy the Commissioners of Income-tax that an appeal
should be sustained ; and it was not very easy to carry this
out, as it was a considerable time before the return for sums
expended on improvement could be ascertained.

The Chairman, in reply, said if Mr. Oliver had deducted
the allowance for death in sheep at the outset of his calcula-
tion, the difl^erence between his and that made by him (the
chairman) would not have been much. He agreed with Mr,
Iladdon that the mode of levying the income-tax on the farmer
was one of which they were not entitled to complain ; and the
farmers of Scotland were more lightly assessed than their
brethren in England, a result in great measure owing to the
exertions of Mr. Jolinstone. He felt the importance of Mr.
Hobkirk's remarks as to an improved system of book-keeping,
and trusted the rising generation would profit by them if
those advanced in years could not get into it. Men were
certainly very foolish if they paid income tax without being
legally bound to contribute by that means to the fund of the
State. The discussion then terminated.

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL GOSSIP.

The Society of Agriculturists of France comprises at pre-
sent 1,285 members, viz., ten perpetual members at £40;
1,067 founder-members at £4, and 208 ordinary or delegate-
members at 16s. The whole siibscribed capital amounts to
£4,838, of which £3,000 has been paid to Baron James de
Rothschild, and placed in great part in French Government-
securities. Thus has been accomplished, in the best possible
manner, the first period of organization. — The rain has come
at last in France, and no one would complain that it has come
had it not been accompanied by violent storms which have oc-
casioned great injuries in several departements. It was time
that the drought should give place to humidity, of which
French soil had been deprived for three months or nearly so.
The grapes have suffered a good deal, especially in vineyards

situated on coasts. Beet-root, potatoes, and roots have de-
veloped themselves without difficulty, and it is to be feared
that they liave not generally attained a satisfactory size.
It is to be hoped, however, that the rain which has fallen
during the last few days wiU much alleviate the effects of the
prolonged drought of the somewhat remarkable summer of
1868. — On the occasion of the fe/e Napoleon this month
several gentlemen were named Officers and Chevaliers of the
Legion of Honour. The gentlemen thus nominated com-
prised M, Victor Rey, President of the Society of
Agriculture of Autun (officer) ; M. Alexandre Becquerel,
Professor at the Conservatoire Imperial des Arts et Metiers,
and Member of the Institute (officer) ; Count Auberjon,
agriculturist in the department of the Haute-Garomie

266

THE FABMEH'S MAGAZINE.

(chevalier) ; M. Beaucarne, Leroux, agriculturist in tlie de-
partemeut of the Nord (chevalier) : M. Briand, agriculturist
in the department of the Orne (chevalier) ; M. Henri Carette,
aericulturist in the departeraent of the Aisue (chevalier) ; Vis-
count de Charnace, agriculturist in the departement of the
Sarthe (chevalier) ; M. Chauveau, professor at the veterinary
school of Lyons (twenty years' service — chevalier) ; M. Fleury-
Lacoste, president of the Agricultural Society of Savoy (cheva-
lier) ; M. Gallois, president of the agricultural committee of
Thiouville, IMoselle (chevalier) ; M. i'rederic Hamot, agi-icul-
turist in the departeraent of the Seine-et-Oise (chevalier) ; M.
Bignon, agriculturist at Theneuille-allier (chevalier) ; M.

Monnot-Arbilleur, agriculturist in the departement of the
Doubs (chevalier) ; M. Sipicre, agriculturist in the departe-
ment of the Herault (chevalier) ; and the Marcjuis de Verdun,
president of the Avranches Agriculturists' Society, Mauche
(chevalier).

The French vines appear to have been a good deal knocked
about by storms of late ; such of them as have escaped serious
damage from the storms will, however, be greatly benefited by
the rains which have followed. The beetroot crops of the
North of France can also scarcely fail to benefit from the
rains, which are at last contributing again to the fertilization
of that empire.

CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE

In late localities the harvest will be prolonged
into this month, which is the general time of that
season in the northern counties of England and
over the whole of Scotland, and into next month
in the furthest northern parts. The crops are cut
by hand sickle with a scythe-edge, and also
toothed as a saw — the old form, and much the
best for making clean work. The sheaves are
tied, and placed in stooks of twelve, and often
with two as hoods, covering the top of the stook
from the middle to the end, with one sheaf spread
out. In the case of greenly-ripened crops, and in
late seasons, the straws in sheaves are loosely tied
at the neck, and placed singly on end, under the
name of " gaetings," where the drying is sooner
done, and the sheaves are firmly tied and carried.
This mode is very useful in highland countries,
and even in the higher lowlands. Machinery may
never be used on the uneven surfaces and hilly
declivities of North Britain, where the chmate
adds to the hindrance by twisting and laying the
crops by storms of wind and rain. The dried
crops are carried, and built into ricks, which are
thatched with straw and ropes, after a few days to
consohdate. A permanent roof of thin iron,
placed on pillars, will be a great advantage in the
harvests of all countries, to protect against damage
from rains, which often happens before being
thatched.

Beans are cut by the hand sickle ; and tie the
haulm into sheaves with straw ropes, or of tarred
twine. Carry the crop when dry, and build into
ricks, which must be immediately thatched, as the
straw is very open to receive rains.

Thatch all ricks quickly. Rake the rickyard
clean, and carry every rubbish to the dungyards.

Finish the dunging of clay fallows. Cart stones
and tiles to drains. Scour ditches. Repair,
widen, and straighten brooks and rivulets; and
mix the materials excavated with lime, to prepare
an earthy compost.

Lay well-prepared earthy composts on grass-
lands eaten bare and on lucerne, the surface being
first scarified ; and then roll it. This preparation
raises the first spring crop.

Gather fruits, as pears and apples.

Pick hops. The flowers are cut from the stalks
with scissors, fall into bins, measured and paid by

a fixed rate ; then carried to the oast and dried,
chiefly with coke, sulphur being added to give the
hops a yellow tinge. The haulm of hops is used
for litter ; and the poles are placed in a cone, with
a thatch of straw on the pointed top, to keep the
stack dry.

Towards the end of the month, sow rye for a
seed crop, and also for being consumed on the
ground as the early green food of the farm, for
ewes and lambs. Sow winter vetches on leys or
stubbles for the same purpose ; and seed the
ground thickly for both crops— not under four
bushels to an acre. Mix a small quantity of rye,
winter beans, or barley with the tares, as the
stems of these plants tend to support the procum-
bent vetch.

In the end of the month, eeed-furrow the clay
fallows to be sown with wheat, and plough grass
leys for the same purpose. Scuffle pea and bean
and tare grattans with a duck-footed grubber, as
Coleman's cultivator. Collect and burn the weeds
and roots of plants, and remove stones and rub-
bish. Plough with one furrow, and lay on a light
dressing of farmyard dung, on any poorer soils.
Good crops of wheat are got in this way on in-
ferior lands.

As a beginning of fallowing, plough the early
soils that are intended for next year's green crops,
as potatoes and swedes, and then common turnips.
This autumnal fallowing can be done only in early
and benign climates, that finish the harvest by the
middle of this month, where it will facilitate and
expedite the spring operations. The potato-
grounds are dunged and planted as in the spring,
the drills being thirty inches wide, and deeply
covered by two heavy furrows of well-wrought
earth. The crops are earlier and more abundant
than in the spring planting. The land for swedes
may be wrought and set up into drills to receive
the dung in May, when the drills are split to cover
the dung, and the seed is sown. Or the seed may
be sown in the spring on the split drills, over the
dunged land ; or in autumn, but on a bed of stale
earth, which in many cases answers very well.
But the working of land may not be so beneficially
performed under declining as under advancing
suns; and soil becoming " sleeched" by rains, from
lying in a comminuted condition of fine particles,
may not be so well fitted to receive seeds and pro-

l^HE FASMBU'S MAGAZINE.

26?

duce delicate germinations. The ground may be
better permeated by air and water in the furrows
of winter ploughing than in the close condition
of a comminuted reduction. But in the south-

ern counties the autumnal months do not appear
to differ much from the spring for the purposes
of cultivation, but may not agree in the use of ve-
getation.

CALENDAR OE GARDENING.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Sow corn salads, mustard and cress twice, radish,
lettuce in frames, and transplant lettuce to stand
on ridges all winter. The golden or Australian
cress should be added to that in ordinary use.
Lettuce may be sown early for winter, and when
grown for transplantation ought to be pricked out
into a roomy frame, where the plants will prosper
and stand the winter. Some of the hardier sorts
may endure the frost, but in general the other
kinds perish.

Cabbage for spring. Plant the main stock in an
open situation, the soil rich with manure, unless it
be new loam. All the brassicas and cruciferous
plants in general thrive amazingly in fresh earth,
and much better than in any old garden soil, how-
ever richly manured.

Spinach : The plants raised from seed should
be thinned out to regular distances of two or three
inches ; the plants will then become stocky, and
may be thinned again, and the plants so removed
used for the table.

Turnips : Thin out the plants, and hoe the
spaces between the rows, for these crops should be
always sown in drills.

Sow salads again, if required.

Continual attention to weeding is required to
exterminate every weed, for now the garden is
liable to be filled with groundsel, chickweed, and
other rubbish. Trench-dig and ridge spare ground ;
manure and prepare plots of ground for artichokes,
asparagus, and seakale, carry off and clear the
garden from haulm, and take all to the rotting
compost heaps. Bring each plot and division of
ground to that state of neatness and order which
renders a garden a sober quiet picture during win-
ter, more beautiful perhaps than that of the rampant
luxuriance of summer.

Dig potatoes carefully, pick out the worthless,
but do not wholly discard, for it will be proper to
ascertain whether or not they will extend the
disease, therefore if there be any full and starting
eyes, reserve such, sprinkling them with lime, and
hereafter try a planting in poor and sandy ground.
Facts have shown that these infected sets do not
in any degree promote disease, also that the land
which produced a perfectly tainted crop is innoxi-
ous to the potato plants of a following year.

Mushroom beds are now prepared. This is the
season for those produced naturally, especially if
the month be showery, and we are led to ask why
are mushi'ooras always cultivated in the "dark"
when nature proves that they prosper in full day-
light ?

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Prune back to within three or four eyes the
projecting shoots of apple, pear, plum, and cherry
trees, so far as to aid the swelling of fruitful buds.
At the end of the month plant young fruit-trees in
nicely-wrought maiden loamy or turfy soil: nothing
retains tre^s in health so high as such grounds.
Mulch them freely over the site of their roots.

Let an early operation be the final planting of
strawberry beds and rows : well-rooted young
plants will rarely fail ; but the best method is to bo
provided with young stock, raised in pots, and
now transplanted v/ith entire balls.

Place nets in front of the wall-fruit trees to
catch the falling fruit. If wasps abound, suspend
bottles half-filled with trench water among the
branches, thus thousands may be destroyed.

Protect grapes and other fruit by muslin or
gauze covers.

Pot strawberries for forcing, and make fresh
plantations in deeply-worked new land.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Remove and re-pot choice green-house plants ;
plant slips of herbaceous flowering plants; give
every portion of the grounds a neat hoeing and rak-
ing to destroy weeds, and bring the surface to that
neat appearance which is so reposing during the
winter. Weeds and rubbish left now remain a
nuisance, for it will soon be too late to work the
ground.

Hawthorn and other fences may be yet clipped,
box edgings planted or renewed, and lawns mown
and rolled. Remove green-house plants to their
winter quarters ; transplant pinks raised from
pipings, and also some hardy herbaceous plants,
then rough digor fork all the vacant parts of borders.

Weed and roll gravel walks when they ax'e in a
damp state.

The gathering of manure must be constantly
employed in all times and seasons. All grassy
herbage from road sides, and with fresh earths
attached, the droppings of animals, the tall weeds
of all kinds, with broad leaves and succulent
stems cut into short lengths before the seeds are
formed, or with the top cut away if maturity has
happened, can be got in most situations, and form
most excellent materials for composts in a liquid
tank or in a dry heap with mild lime in mixture.
These preparations are most essential to the growth
of vegetables, and cannot be neglected without
failures, which are most unfairly attributed to bad
lands and unfavourable climates. No success will
be obtained without dung in quality and quantity,
and no failures will happen when properly pre-
pared and used.

268

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTUUAL REPORTS

GENERAL AGRICULTUilAL REPORT FOR AUGUST.

At the commencement of the month, the weather continued
very favourable for harvest operations, which were proceeded
with with great rapidity. In the second week, liowever, a
break occurred, and genial showers prevailed throughout the
country. These have not been sufficiently heavy, as a rule, to
retard harvest work, and most of the wheat in the north of
England has been carried in excellent condition. The few
patches yet standing will, doubtless, be cut as soon as labour
offers for the purpose. The samples coming forward fully
justify the anticipations lately expressed, the quahty being,
for the most part, very superior, the weights vary from 61 lbs.
to as high as 671bs. per bushel. Some parcels, however, are
steely in consequence of the excessive heat experienced towards
the close of last month, but this is the exception. The season
has been altogether a wheat season, and the out-turn of the
crop must be considered very satisfactorj-. Taking into
account the large extra breadth of wheat sown this year,
we have, we presume, a yield of fully one-tliird in exce'ss of
last year. Prices may therefore be expected gradually to
decUne, especially as the crops in America and throughout
the continent have turned out very abundant, and the
importations will prohably continue on an extensive scale.
We do not look, however, for any sudden or rapid decline, as
stocks both here and abroad, under the influence of several
successive bad seasons, have been greatly reduced, and much
of the present surplus will be required to replenish them. At
Mark-lane, on the appearance of the new wheat in fair
quantity, prices gave way heavily ; but a reaction subsequently
took place, as might be expected under the circumstances, and
a great part of the decline was recovered. On an average, the
reduction that has taken place during the month does not
exceed 2s. per qr. The supplies up to the present time have
not been liberal; but, doubtless, farmers will thrash out
rapidly, in order to take advantage of the present range of
prices. In France and Hungary, and, indeed, throughout tlie
continent, the wheat crop has turned out good, but most
kinds of spring corn show a slight deficiency. Already new
samples of Baltic wheats have been exhibited at Mark-lane,
the quality of which has proved excellent. From America
the accounts are most encouraging, the Californian crops
being stated to be greatly in excess of last season.

New barley has been offered in considerable quantities, and
some of the samples— grown on heavy lands — have been of
excellent quality, but those grown on gravelly soils are
generally light and steely. Prices range from 38s. to iis. per
qr. TVe think, on the whole, that the crop is below an
average, the late forcing weather having induced too rapid a
growth, and the want of moisture having proved a serious
drawback.

There have been heavy importations of Russian oats, mostly
of inferior quality, and for such prices have been on the
decline. Good sound corn, however, has been scarce, and
commanded very full prices. We believe the crop here to be
considerably under last year's.

In regard to the potato crop, the late seasonable rains have
proved of much benefit, and there is a fair prospect now of an
average crop. There have been tew complaints of blight
either here or in Ireland.

The yield of beans and peas, so far as the crops have vet
been secured, has proved under that of last year. Prices,
therefore, have ruled firm. Probably, the crop ofi "* ormer
IS the worst ever known in this country.

The recent prolonged drought has a most pernicious effect
upon the root crops, and turnips, swedes, and mangolds have
proved great failures. With continued heavy rains, however
a change for the better may be expected, but without doubt we
shall suffer severely from the want of food for the stock during
tlie winter.

The fruit crop, with some few exceptions, has turned out
weu ; but vegetables have proved a partial failure.

At the pubUc sales of Colonial wool, the attendance of both
oon nnn" 1 ("''^'P ""V"' '^^^ '^^en limited. Upwards of
~-~U,000 bales have been catalogued. The biddings have
mea very inactive, and the quotations slow, as compared with
^n& average of last series : a decline of O^d. to Id. on good

and of Id. to 2d. on inferior qualities. Considerable parcels
have been withdrawn, owing to the low prices bid. The im-
portations have continued on a most extensive scale, and there
is little prospect of any great improvement in prices. The
stocks of English wool have been on the increase, and the
quotations have gradually tended downwards : possibly, with a
revival of trade in the manufacturing districts, of which, how-
ever, few symptoms have as yet appeared, the demand may be-
come more active.

The crop of hay has turned out very small ; but the quality
of it is fine : hay has accordingly become an article of import
from America, and, at the prices current here, will doubtless
yield the shippers remunerative returns. The quantity of hay
on sale in the Metropolitan Markets has been small, and the
demand having ruled active in consequence of the failure of
the root crops, pi^ices have tended upwards. The closing
quotations this mouth are as follows: New meadow hay,
£HOs. to £5 15s., old ditto £4 10s. to £6; new clover,
£i 10s. to £6 10s., old ditto £5 10s. to £6 15s. ; straw, £1
lOs. to £2 per load. Higher rates, however, were current at
the commencement of the month. Since then the heavy rains
acting upon the hardened and thirsty soil have caused an extra-
ordinarily rapid growth of grass in all quarters.

In Ireland, nearly the whole of the wheat crops have been
secured in good condition ; but there, as in England, the yield
of spring corn is below the average. Wheat has sold slowly
at declining quotations ; but most other kinds of produce have
ruled firm. As might be expected, the potato crop is in a
most backward condition ; but the late heavy rains have
caused a decided improvement in it.

In Scotland, the harvest is well advanced towards comple-
tion, and, on the whole, the yield is stated to be favourable, and
in excess of previous anticipations. Straw, however, will be
scarce. The various markets have only been scantUy supphed
with produce, and the quotations have followed the course of
prices in the English markets.

REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE
PAST MONTH.

Owing to the great scarcity of food in the whole of our
leading districts, large numbers of beasts, in a half-fat state,
were exhibited in the Metropolitan Market during the first
fortnight of the month. Since then, however, as we have had
copious showers of rain, and as grass has grown with great
rapidity, the supplies have fallen off. Prime stock, from its
scarcity, has advanced fully ii. per Slbs., and the impression
in some quarters is that prices have not seen their highest
range. The best Scots, crosses, &c., have advanced to 5s. 6d.
per Slbs.

The numbers of sheep brought forward have been extensive,
but in very middling condition. Most breeds have changed
hands steadily, at about 4d. per Slbs. more money. Downs
and half-breds having sold at 5s. 6d. per Slbs. Some perio4
must elapse ere the sheep can recover from the effects of the
late severe drought. Winter-food will, we apprehend, be very
scarce, as the turnip-crop is a complete failure, and as a
second-cut of hay is wholly out of the question.

Lambs, though in but moderate supply, have moved off
heavily, and prices have had a downward tendency. The
closing figures were 4s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. per Slbs. Very few
really prime lambs have been on offer.

The numbers of calves brought forward have been extensive.
Prime calves have changed hands freely on rather higher
terms ; but inferior qualities of veal have commanded very
little attention.

In pigs only a limited business has been transacted.
Nevertheless, the quotations have been well supported.

During the month the imports of foreign stock into London
were as follows : Head.

Beasts 10,179

Sheep and Lambs 26,112

Calves 1,883

Pigs 3,288

Total

41,463

THE FAEMER'S MAGAi^INE.

269

Comparison of Imports.

ick Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs.

j^b7 8,7« 23,000 1,943 1,057 5,726

1^^? 14.927 37,390 7,176 3,960 4-087

lS6o 16,536 64.,333 6,737 3,287 8 351

]l^* 11.47^ 39,114 2,716 2,786 4,326

1^63 9,503 34,937 4,125 4,337 4 108

1863 5,630 30,652 5,304 2,000 3 297

18^1 6,581 32,210 3,176 1,874 3 718

|S60 6,647 38,349 1,856 2,520 4 075

1859 6,503 29,175 3,308 3,254 1,805

1858 8,293 19,500 2,764 3,513 3 935

18o7 4,692 21,315 1,760 2 661 " 3'i3

18?6 5,677 17,801 1,371 2,301 1^901

18^5 5,341 23,605 984 2,484 3,476

The annpsed figures show the total supplies of stock

exhibited and disposed of : Head.

Beasts ... ,,, ,,, ,.. 3 03Q

Sheep and Lambs 176,030

Calves 3,053

Pigs 1,175

Comparison of Supplies.
Sheep
Aug. Beasts. and Lambs. Calves. TWs

1867 20,030 134,190 2,653 2 205

1866 26,840 153,720 3,630 3'560

1865 39,000 147,530 3,838 2'4S0

1864 39,430 154,300 3,426 3046

1863 26,364 149,430 3,070 2 622

1863 24,072 154,920 2,354 3*013

1861 23,430 159,740 3,952 3'220

I860 33,390 151,500 3,340 3'o70

1859 33,170 165,090 3,323 2320

1858 36,915 151,530 3,137 3*510

1857 30,695 143,758 3,173 2450

1856 21,371 147,350 3,354 2875

1855 30,816 151,870 3,356 4,273

The supplies of home stock thus compared with the three
previous years :

Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug*

From— 1865 1866. 1867. 1868"

Lincolnshire, Leicestershire,

and Northamptonshire 9,820 5,600 7,200 9,600

Other parts of England 3,000 2,000 2,500 1*590

Scotland 730 SO 70 306

Ireland 520 162 310 395

Beef has sold at from 3s. to 5s. 6d. ; mutton, 3s. to 5s. 6d. ;

lamb, 4s. 6d- to 5s. 6d. ; veal, 3s. 6d. to 5s. 2d.;. and pork,'

3s. 4d. to 4s. 4d. per 81bs., to sink the offal.

Comparison of Prices.

Aug., 1863. Aug., 1863. Aug., 1864.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Beeffrom.. 3 4 to 4 10 3 4 to 4 10 3 4 to 5 0

Mutton ... 38 54 36 53 3 10 54

Lamb 5064 50 68 5S68

Veal 4 0 5 0 3 4 4 8 4 0 5 0

Pork 3 8 4 10 3 6 4 6 3 6 4 6

Aug., 1865. Aug., 1866. Aug., 1867.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Beeffrom... 3 0to56 3 8 to 5 6 3 4 to 5 3

Mutton ... 44 68 3 10 60 33 54

Lamb 6O70 6874 46 56

Veal 4 2 5 4 4 0 5 4 4 0 5 4

Pork 4 0 5 0 4 0 5 0 3 4 4 4

Tlie supplies of meat brought forward in Newgate and
Leadenhall have been very moderate. On the whole, the
trade has ruled firm, as follows : Beef, from 3s. lOd. to
4s. lOd. ; mutton, 3s. to 4s. lOd. ; lamb, 3s. lOd. to 4s. Sd. ;
veal, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. ; and pork, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 8d. per 81bs.|
to the carcase.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE,
FAIRS, &c.

ASHBOURN FAIR.— A thin show of stock, which sold
at an advance of lOs. to 20s. per head. Sheep 2s. per head
advance, and all cleared off. Beef 6d. to 7^., mutton 6d. to
7d. per lb.

BANBURlt FORTNIGHTLY FAIR.— There was a good

demand for mutton at improved prices. A large number of
lambs, but the demand was not great. Nothing doing in
cattle. A sale of rams took place, but business was rather
dull in this department, and the quotations were under those
of last year.

BELLINGHAM LAMB FAIR.— A great many lots met
witli purchasers at what was considered fair prices in such a
season. Some lots reached lis. per head ; and Mr. M. Ridley
sold a lot of Cheviots at 9s. 6d. per head. Mrs. Hays sold a
lot of half-breds so low as 4s. 6d. per head. There were also
a few lots of Irish stirks on the ground, which were almost all
unsold.

BOSTON SHEEP MARKET.-Small show, but a brisk
trade, prices being fully O^d. per lb. in advance of last week.
BRLDGNOKTH FAUl was well attended. Sheep were a
drug, .a considerable number being penned, exceeding by far
those of August fairs generally. There was also a fair show
of good cattle. Good wether sheep sold from 6id. to 6fd.
per lb. Fat cows realized 7d. per lb. In the pig market, good
store pigs sold from 17s. to 24s. each.

BUCKINGHAM FALR.— There was a very small attend-
ance, and the supply was short. Trade was exceedingly dull,
and very few changed hands. Cows with their calves, from
£15 to £17, fat beasts from £14 to £18 ; mutton 3s. 8d. to
5s. per stone, lamb 5s. to 5s. 9d.; ewes from 25s. to 35s. each.
BURGH FAIR. — There was only a short supply of stock.
The farmers and graziers of the Marsh were too busy with
the harvest to attend, but there was a large attendance of
buyers, many of whom had come from distant carts. An ad-
vance in the price of stock was the result, and beasts made
from 30s. to 40s. per head, and sheep from 4s. to 5s. more
than at the market the preceding day.

GLOUCESTER MONTHLY MARKET.— Supply of beef
smaU ; mutton of good quality abundant ; an average number
of bacon pigs of good quality offered. Trade was active, and
good prices were obtained for all kinds of meat. Mutton
fetched 7Jd., beeffrom 7*d. to 8d. per lb.

GRANTHAM FAT STOCK MARKET.— A short show
of beasts, but a good supply of sheep. There were plenty of
buyers, and a very brisk business was done. Beef 7s. 6d. to
8s. per stone, mutton 6id. to 7d. per lb. Beasts 35, sheep 780
HEREFORD FAIR.-Of store ewes offered for sale the
number was comparatively small, and trade was dull, the pre-
sent condition of the country— \vith the grass growing very
fast, and there being some prospect of late turnips— niaking
holders and buyers alike hesitate as to the best course of ac-
tion. There was a tolerably fair demand for ht slieep, good
wethers and lambs realising from 6H. to 7d. Tlie trade in
store cattle, of which the supply was limited, was dull. Beef
of the primest qaality was worth 7d. In tlie pig department
there was very little demand ; recent rates prevailed, but little
business was done. The horses were chiefly confined to ani-
mals for draught purposes, and of those some very good ones
were on offer, and exchanged hands at high figures, viz., from
£30 to £40.

KNIGHTON FAIR.— Beef made from 7d. to 7id. per lb.
Cattle were a drug, and very few changed hands." The de-
mand for fat sheep was good, and prices ruled high. Very
few ewes changed hands. There were a great many pigs, and
higher prices being asked for them, a good many were driven
home unsold.

LANARK SECOND LAMB FAIR.-TIie best sale was
for l)lack-faced wether lambs, which advanced in value in
sympathy with the demand. Seconds in some cases brought
nearly as much as tops at the market in the beginning of the
month. Generally, however, there was a clear advance of
from Is. to 3s. a head, and probably in one or two instances it
might be a little more. Black-faced ewe Iambs declined
greatly in value from last year's market— say from 3s. to 4s.
a-piece. On several lots, however, there was a fall of from 5s.*
to 7s., irregularities which originated in last year's market
owing to the extraordinary duluess by which it was charac-
terised.

LINCOLN FAT STOCK MARKET.-A smaU show, and
prices much in advance, mutton being fully l^d. per lb. more
and beef was also dearer. '

LINCOLN LAMB FAIR.-A small show of lambs, and
prices Is. in advance, good useful sorts selling at 16s 18s
and 30s. each. ' ''

ROMNEY LAMB FAIR.-This annual fair for the sale

270

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

of slicf p and lamljs bred upon Uoniney-niarslies was held at
New lioraney on Eriday. About 18,000 sheep and lambs
were penned, the majority of the latter being very poor, owing
to tlie shortness of keep caused by the dryness of the season.
Some of the best flocks were sold at 17s. per head, and others
exchanged hands at from 13s. to 15s. A few wretchedly poor
were got rid of at lower prices, one flock only realizing 5s. per
head. There was a good show of wether tegs, but trade in
these was dull, and prices ranged from 26s. to 32s. Most of
the lambs exchanged hands, but a good many of the other
kinds of sheep on offer remained unsold. There is usually a
brisk trade done in wool at this fair, but on Tuesday there
were few transactions, growers declining to accept the best
offer made by the few buyers present — viz., £15 10s. per
pack for good Kent fleeces.

SAXMUNDHAM LAMB FAIR.— The prices of good
lambs varied from 21s. to 27s., and half-bred Iambs from 13s.
to 20s. per head. The fat sheep sold at fair prices.

SETTLE FAIR. — A large number of lambs, but from want
of keep they were chiefly poor, and for such farmers had to
take low prices. Some sheep and a few calving- cows were
also shown, the latter of which sold pretty well.

THE PRIZES AT BRITFORD SHEEP
PAIR.

Judges : Mr. William J. 13rown, Box.

Mr. Francis Budd, Ilatchwarren.
Mr. T. Compton, Fisherton Delamere.
PRIZES.

A piece of plate, of the value of seven guineas, given by
F. J. E. Jervoise, Esq., for the best 100 wether lambs, bred
by the competitor, and not having been fed on any artificial
food — Mr. J. Fleetwood, Coombe Bissett.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by Lord
II. Thynne, M.P., for the second-best ditto, on "the same con-
ditions— Sir Edward Hulse, Bart., Breamore.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by
Thomas Fraser Grove, Esq., M.P., for the best 100 wether
lambs, without restriction as to feediiig — Mr. James Rawlence,
Bulbridge.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by
General Buckley, for the best 100 wether lambs, from a flock
not exceeding 400 ewes, bred by the competitor, and not
having been fed on any artificial food — ^Mr= H. Woodcock,
Fugglestone.

A piece of plate, of the value of three guineas, given by
the Britford Fair Committee, for the second best ditto, subject
to the same conditions — Messrs. J. J. and W. Flower, Coombe
Bissett.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by F.
Baring, Esq., M.P., for the best 100 breeding ewes, good in
tooth, having been in the possession of the competitor, at
least sis months — Mr. Edward Waters, Stratford-sub-Castle.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by E.
Hamilton, M.P., for the second-best ditto, on the same con-
dition— Mr. Michael Rooke, Amesbury.

A piece of plate, of the value of four guineas, given by the
Britford Fail Committee, for the best 100 wether sheep of any
age, without restriction as to feeding — No entry.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by
Viscount Folkestone, for the best Hampshire Down rams of
any age — Mr. John Moore, Littlecott.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by the
Earl of Pembroke, for the best two-tooth Hampshire Down
rams — Mr. R. Russell, Farringdon.

A piece of plate, of the value of five guineas, given by M.
II. Marsh, Esq., M.P., for the best pen of 10 Hampshire Down
ram lambs — Alfred Mornsson, Esq., Fonthill.

A prize of two guineas, given by the Fair Committee, for
the second best ditto, Mr. R. Coles, Middleton, Warminster-

SALES OF STOCK.

MR. CHARLES HOWARD'S OXFORD DOWN SALE.
— The sad prospect of sheep-keep in the winter, and the uni-
versal harvest, so to speak, deprived Mr. Howard of several of
the accustomed faces at his sale ; and there were only 100 to
luncheon, as against 160 or 170 last year. Mr. John Clay-
den was in the chair. The sixty-three sheep for sale averaged

£10 Is. 4d. ; and the five which were let for the season
reached about 8gs. each. Every sheep which was put up for
sale was parted with ; and the aggregate of the sale and
lettings was £675 13s. 6d. Some went to the Southern
States of America for Mr. Everitt, others to Belgium for
Baron Poers. Sir W. Williams was a Cornwall pur-
chaser; and Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Herts, Esses,
Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon, and Northamptonshire were
not behind Bedfordshire in their appreciation of the Oxford
Down as a sire. Mr. Strafford was the auctioneer.

WEST NORFOLK RAMS.— The annual letting of Mr.
H. Aylmer's long-wooUed rams occurred on July 30t]i, at West
Dereham, Norfolk. The 100 ram lambs offered made £517
10s., being an average of £5 5s. ; the 86 shearlings were let
for £7-1*2 10s., an average of ^9 6s. ; and the ten two-shear
sheep realized £75 6s., being an average of £7 lOs. Count
Eglostein, of Prussia, was among the buyers. Among the
gentlemen present at the luncheon were the Hon. T. de Grey,
M.P., and Sir W. Bagge, M.P.

MR. TREADWELL'S OXFORD DOWNS.— The sale
and let of tliese sheep took place at Winchenden, Bucks, on
July 30th, under the conduct of Mr. Mumford. The first
three rams were put up to be let for the season, but two only
were let, and realized £15 4s. 6d. Forty-three sheep were
then sold, and the amount realized by them was £4'01 12s. 6d.,
lieing an average of nearly £9 10s. each, a less price than
that of last year, which is the case at all the sales this season.
Two ram lambs fetched £7 17s. 6d., and the ewes and theaves
£93 10s. 6d. The whole amount realized by the sale was
£518 4s. 6d.

BULBRIDGE RAM SALE AND LETTING.— The sale
and letting of Mr. Rawlence's rams and ram lambs took place
on Wednesday, July 29, by Messrs. Ewer and AVinstauley,
and, considering the untoward season, the prices obtained were
satisfactory. The highest price obtained for rams let was 57
guineas, at which figure Mr. Morrison, of Fonthill, hired a
ram ; and another at 35 guineas. Others were let at 20
guineas, 15 guineas, 14 guineas, down to 9^ guineas. In the
ram lambs sold at 40 guineas, 26 guineas, 18 guineas, 15
guineas, 17 guineas (for a pair), and at 14 guineas (for a pair) ;
others selling at various prices down to 9 guineas. One two-
tooth ram let at 43 guineas, another at 20 guineas, and a two-
tooth ram was sold to Captain Walter for 31 guineas ; the
other prices for two-tooth rams ranging from 14 to 9 guineas.
THE MARKSHALL RAMS.— Mr. T. Allen's annual let-
ting of long-wool rams was well attended. The biddings
were brisk, considering the season, and the prices were rea-
lised quite equal to Mr. Allen's expectations. The prices
varied from £5 to £12, with an average for 46 shearlings of
£6 14s., and four two-shears of £4 per head.

THE LICHFIELD SALE OF SHROPSHIRE DOWNS.
— Mr. May's and Mr. Bradburne's sales this year were
incorporated with tliat of the Freeford flocks, the pro-
perty of Colonel Dyott, M.P., and his tenant, Mr
Coxon. Colonel Dyott's sheep came first, of which
Mr. R. Lawrence bought two at 8^ guineas and 6j guineas ;
but of the seventeen offered only four or five changed hands.
Mr- Coxon's sheep commenced with Conservative- He was
secured by Mr. W. Kemp Bourne at 20 guineas, at which
figure Mr. Wright obtained Chevalier. Royal Duke, a son of
Mr- Thornton's Duke of Newcastle, was let to Mr. Hamilton,
of Dunboyne, at 42 guineas, the same gentleman also pur-
chasing a shearling, by Sheet Anchor, at 55 guineas. Mr.
May hired a shearUng at 21 guineas, and Mr. Clare bought
one at 19 guineas, the average being nearly £19 each for 25
sheep. Mr. Kendrick bought two of Mr. May's at 6 and 9
guineas, and Mr- Mynors gave 14 guineas for Great Eastern,
the Royal Agricultural Society show ram, which let last year
at 35 guineas ; but the great majority of this lot were also
passed. Mr. Preece, of Shrewsbury, officiated as auctioneer-

At Mr. C. R. KEELING'S SALE, at the Yew Tree Farm,
Penkridge, the highest price was 41 guineas, at which a shear-
ling was hired by Mr. R. H. Masfen- Mr. W. Masfen bought
one at 31 guineas, and Mr. Willoughby Wood a very good
sheep, a son of Lord Weston, at 25 guineas. Mr. Stubbstook
one at 24 guineas, and Mr- Bradljurne liired two at 21 and 25
guineas respectively. The average for the 30 ShropsJiire rams
would be very nearly 13 guineas, and for the 90 ewes about
52s. 6d., the highest price made being 62s. 6d., and the lowest
45s. Mr. Preece, of Shrewsbury, conducted the sale.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

271

SALES OF SHROPSHIRE SHEEP.-Mr. J. B. LythaU
submitted at Birmingham forty shearlings and older rams of
the Patentee blood, the property of Mr. Samcson Byrd. The
sheep were low in condition. Prices ruled low, the highest
being 30 gs. given for the hire of Model Patentee, a
grand four-shear, let last year at £90 6s., and in the previous
year at £45. The next highest figure was 17 gs., and others
followed at 15, U, 13, down to 6 gs. : the average for the
twenty disposed of being £11 13s. 5d. ; the remainder, owing
to the very small attendance, being withdrawn.— Mr. Horley's
Bale : The two best shearlings sold were secured at 30 and
25 gs. respectively, for Mr. J. L. Naper, of Loughcrew, Ire-
land. Mr. Brown hired No. 3, at' 21 gs., which were the
highest figures made. Two or three only were passed, and the
forty sold and let averaged very nearly £11 each. The ewes
ranged from 40s. to 57s. 6d., averaging 50s. each. Mr. W.
Gr. Preece, of Shrewsbury, conducted the sale.— The Shrews-
bury Sale : The breeders of Shropshire sheep held their annual
sale of rams at Shrewsbury on July 28, when some of the ram
breeders put in an appearance. Very few changed hands,
prices ranging from 5 to 10 gs., until the Messrs. Crane's sheep
entered the ring, when Mr. Bradburne gave 41 gs. for the hire
of Crosswood Hero, second prize two-shear at Leicester ; and
Mr. Green, of Marlow, followed with 36 gs. for tlie hire of the
first prize shearling Earl of Leicester : 18 gs. was the highest
figure for any of the others, and several were passed. — Mr.
Henry Smith's first lot was let at 17 gs. The next was secured
by Lord Cheshara at 18 gs.— In Mr. Evans's lot, of which the
first prize shearling at Bury was let to Mr. Masfen at 86 gs. ;
the second at Bury to Mr. Harding, at 36 gs. ; and the highly
commended at Bury, and first at Leicester, to Messrs. Crane,
at 85 gs. One shearling was let at 35 gs. ; another sold at
42 gs. ; and others followed at 19, 18, 14, 13, down to 6 gs.—
Twenty guineas was given by Mr. Alsager for Mr. Thornton's
five years old Volunteer.— Mr. Horton's averaged about 10 gs.
each. Mr. Mansell's lot included three Royal winners, and
three commended sheep, which helped to make up the high
average of £16 8s. for thirty sheep, although no single sheep
went very high, 44 gs. being the top figure, given by Mr. C. S.
Bigge. — Mr. Griflith's higlily-cominended shearling was pur-
chased by Mr. Horley, at 53 gs., after sharp competition.—
Lord Penrhyn's two-shear, also highly commended at the Royal
Agricultural Show, at Leicester, went at 37 gs. The sale was
conducted by Mr. Preece.

THE YORKSHIRE RAM SALES.— In an ordinary year
these meetings would now have been at their full height.
This year, the extraordinarily early harvest and the drought
have caused a scanty attendance at some of these annual ga-
therings. Some of the breeders, too, have avoided a fixed
day of letting, and notably Mr. Borton, of Barton. He has
sold for a long price to Mr. R. Metcalfe, of Malton, two of
his prize sheep for exportation to Prussia. These are the
" Scarborough," the Bridlington, Driffield, and Scarborough
prize shearling; and "Tatton," a descendant of " SirTatton."
On Monday last, Mr. R. Eisher held his annual letting of
rams at his farm, at Leconfield. Considering the extreme
dryness and heat of the weather for many months, the conse-
quent barrenness of pastures, and the scarcity of turnips,
there was a very good attendance. Mr. Coupland, of Cherry
Burton, was the auctioneer. Ninety rams were submitted for
competition. Mr. G. W. Langdale's rams were ofi'ered for
sale at Leckonfield Park House, ou Wednesday, by Mr. R.
Marshall ; and notwithstanding the very thin attendance, con-
sequent upon the forward state of the harvest, and tlie scar-
city of turnips, good prices were realised. Mr. Richardson,
of Arnold, secured the principal ram for £14, and the aver-
age price of the lot was about £8. At the Highfield-house
letting _Mr. Stamper had 30 shearlings, and the upshot price
was £5, Notwithstanding the various drawbacks only five
sheep were turned out of the ring unlet. There was a strong
run for the Bridlington prize sheep. No. 3 at last went to
Mr. Topham, of Rowgate, Wolds, for £13 15s. for the season ;
No. 4 to Mr. Johnson, of Brigham, for £18 ; and No. 6 to
Mr. W. Hall, of Thirsk, for £14. The higlily-commended
shearling at Bridlington went to Mr. Chick, of Whitwell, for
£13 5s. ; and Mr. M'Laughlin, Helmsley, secured a match for
him at £13. Tlie other selected shearlings went to Mr. Leefe,
Fryton, £13 ; and Mr. Lett, Scampston, £9 5s. The shear-
lings on the whole realized an average of about £8 IDs. per
Jiead. The two-shears were not quite so well taken, and the

average did not reach more than £7 5s. ; No. 31, the highly-
commended Yorkshire shearling at Thirsk, went to Mr. T.
Green, of Rookdale, at £16. Mr. Grey, Stonegrave, was next
highest for No. 35, at £10 5s. There were only six of the
aged sheep let, the range being from £5 to £8.

THE ELSTON SHEEP SiVLE.— Mr. W. B. Canning, of
Elston Hill, Shrewton, having resolved to discontinue the
exhibition of stocK, his Hampshire Down flock comes to the
hammer. The sale of the first portion, consisting of 335 ram
lambs and 35 rams, took place on Friday last. During the last
few years Mr- Canning's sheep have taken no fewer than 33
prizes at the exhibitions of the Royal Agricultural Society and
the Sraithfield Club alone. No fewer than 316 lots were of-
fered, but not a single one was passed unsold, and the prices
realised were, on the whole, considered good. The sale com-
menced with the ram lambs, which were sold in singles and
pairs, there being altogether 181 lots of these. The highest
price realised was thirty guineas, which was given by Mr.
Compton for a lamb ; Mr. MiUs gave 20 guineas for one and
13 guineas for another ; Mr. Simpkins paid 19 guineas for
one ; Mr. Brown 16 guineas ; Mr. WooUey bought three, one
at 18, one at 15}, and the other at 14 guineas; Mr. James
Rawlence bought a pair at £37 6s. The other prices realised
varied from about 13 guineas down to about 4 guineas each.
The two-teeth rams were next sold. Of these there were 33
lots, and for one of them Mr. Lawrence gave 40 guineas.
Others were sold at 13 guineas, 13 guineas, 9 guineas, 8
guineas, 7 guineas, 6 guineas, 5 guineas. Two four-teeth and
one six-teeth ram completed the lot ofi'ered for sale. The sale
of the remaining ram lambs, together with 1,900 ewes and
Chilvcr lambs, is announced for Wednesday next.

BINGLEY HALL SALE OF SHROPSHIRE SliEEP.—
Mr. Lythall's annual sale of Shropshire rams and ewes was
held at Bingley Hall on Thursday. Among the buyers were
agents from Dantzic and Australia, who were purchasers of
ewes at a high figure. Of the rams, Mr. LythaU's, of Rad-
ford, near Leamington, averaged from 6 to 13 guineas, Double
X, a four-shear, being let for the season for 13 guineas. Lord
Ducie being among the purchasers in this lot. Of
Mr. Yates's lot of rams, the highest price realized 30
guineas. Mr. Pilgrim, of Burbage, Hinckley, sent about half-
a-dozen shearlings, the prices of which were from 6 to 10
guineas. Mr. Nock, of Sutton Maddock, near Shiffnal, had a
lot, the pick of which was purchased by Mr. Zaccheus Walker
at the sum of 28 gs. Mr. Randell's lot only realised from 6 to
9 gs. each. Ld. Wenlock's stock did not meet with approval, and
no sales were made ; but Lady Willoughby de Broke found ready
customers for her rams, at 36 guineas, 21 guineas, 10 guineas,
and 6 guineas. Mrs. Beech, of The Hattons, sent nine
well-grown animals, which realised from 6 to 13 guineas
each. Mr. King's lot were withdravni. Mr. Parker's lot
averaged from 5| to 15 guineas; and Lord Sudeley's very
useful animals averaged about 5 guineas each. The ewes
were rather diversified in their character. Mr. Yates's lot
realised from 37s. 6d. to 76s. each, Mr. Brawn's from 33s. to
4.3s., Mr. Nock's from 42s. to 52s. 6d. each, Mr. Jenkins's
from 35s. to 40s., Mr. Pilgrim's 64s., and Mr. Beach's from
43s. to 50s.

MR. G. M. SEXTON'S RAM LETTING AND SALE
— Fifty rams and ram lambs (twenty-five of each) were offered
for letting, the upset price being in each case five guineas,
but comparatively few were let. Of the ram lambs only two
were let, but the shearling rams went off somewhat better.
The highest price was £11 5s., another sheep made £10, an-
other £8 10s., and another £7 15s.

Mr. T. BROWN'S SALE OF NORFOLK LONG-
WOOLS. — Seventy ram-lambs were let, averaging five
guineas; eighty shearlings, varying from five to sixteen
guineas, and averaging £7 18s. 8d. ; and four two-shears,
£5 12s. lOd.

HATCH WARREN STOCK SALE.— The second annual
sale by auction of ram lambs, rams, and breeding ewes,
belonging to Mr. Francis Budd, took place at Basingstoke.
The sale commenced with the offer of some shorthorn
heifers, in calf, which averaged about 14 guineas each. Some
ram lambs, to let, averaged about £11 each. Of several two-
tooth Hampshire Down rams one was knocked down to Mr.
Crimble at 95 guineas. The ram lambs realized quite fancy
prices for the season, and one ram was, after great compe-
tition, knocked down to Mr. Pyke, of Dummer, for 33 guineas.

272

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE PAST MONTH.

After one week's continuance of hot and dry
weather, rain has gradually fallen, till towards the
end of the month we had an abundant supply.
Harvest-work was sufficiently forward in the mid-
land and southern counties to be safe from
damage ; but in Scotland many farmers were sadly
hindered by the wet, which occasioned some
sprouting among samples. The whole country was,
however, in such urgent need of abundant rains for
the dried-up pastures, all standing green crops,
and the operations of the plough, that the change
has been of universal benefit, and verdure has
again returned to every parched place. The fear
that the cattle must be forced off for want of keep
has ceased, and vegetables, which had become
alarmingly dear, have a chance of being ere long
abundant and cheap. The drought has disappeared
also in other countries just in time to have a re-
newed growth before winter, and so the threatened
calamity has ceased. Supplies of the new wheat
have become plentiful, and everywhere, excepting
on the light lands, the crop turns out beyond ex-
pectation. But spring corn has suffered generally,
and its extent is not yet ascertained. Commis-
sioners appointed to investigate the harvest tell us
we have grown 100,000 qrs. more wheat than usual,
and that our average this year will be 4 qrs. 2 bush,
to the acre. It may be so, and we shall be glad
to find it is. But one thing is certain, that we
have begun a very liberal use of the new crop one
month sooner than in ordinary years, which is
about equivalent to a claim of nearly two million
quarters, which if lessened by an extra growth of
100,000 qrs. would reduce it to about 1^
million quarters to be deducted from the extra
abundance of this year. And it must be borne in
mind that Spain and many parts of Russia have
severely suffered ; while everywhere, even in Hun-
gary itself, old stocks were brought down to their
minimum. We may therefore have fluctuations
dependent on the greater or less supplies farmers
may send ; but vve do not anticipate those low prices
which some journalists prognosticate, whose sole
object is to please the public. Changes have
occurred this mouth, leaving the balance against
prices Is. to 2s. per qr. A very low rate would
immediately bring speculators into the market, the
keeping quaUtics of the crop being splendid.
France suffering more than ourselves from the
drought, it is doubtful whether that country has
grown above an average, and at any rate the prices
there are beyond a parity with our own. Accounts
as yet from America arc in favour of the crops,
abating heavy losses through rust in the South and
North-west. The following prices were recently
quoted at the places named : White wheat at Paris
638. 6d.,red 58s.; at Bordeaux, white 62s.; red at
Louvain 6ls., at Liege 59s.; Brussels the same;
also Holstein red at Berlin, 57s. ; choice white at
Dauzic, 62s. to 63s.; in Spain, 70s. to 76s.; the
best red at Pesth, in Hungary, 44s. ; soft wheat at

Algiers 59s. hard, 51s.; Behara at Alexandria 36s,,
Saidi, 37s. 6d.; spring wheat at Montreal, 53s.
4d. ; ditto No. 1 at New York 54s., No. 2, 52s.
per 4801bs.

The first Monday opened on a moderate supply
of English wheat, but there was a large arrival of
foreign. The show of samples on the Essex and
Kentish stands was less than expected, but it con-
sisted chiefly of the new crop, in fine order, and of
extra quality. After some demur as to a decline,
factors consented to a reduction of Is. to 2s., when
free sales were made. In foreign there was very
little passing ; but to sell in quantity, it was neces-
sary to give way to about the same extent. "With
few arrivals oflf the coast, prices were about main-
tained. Many places in the country being still
under the influence of former declining markets,
were lower, from Is. to 2s. per qr. ; but some re-
action appeared at Ipswich, Birmingham, Newark,
and Manchester, and these places reported an ad-
vance of Is. to 2s., and Saturday's markets were
generally 2r. to 3s. per qr. dearer. In Scotland
little difference was noted, Glasgow and Edinburgh
making no change. Dublin, however, noted a de-
cline of Is. to 2s. per brl. in new wheat, old being
dull.

On the second Monday there was an increased
supply of new wheat, but a great falling oflf in
foreign arrivals. A fair exhibition, chiefly of new
samples, was made on the Essex and Kentish
stands ; but the influence of the last country ad-
vices was felt, and prompted m.illers, both town
and country, to operate freely, which they did at
an advance of 2s. to 3s. per qr. The business in
foreign was also improved, and all descriptions
sold at Is. to 2s, per qr. more money. "With in-
creased arrivals of floating cargoes, pi-ices were
well maintained. The cheerfulness of the London
advices produced their usual effect upon the coun-
try; and the advance reported, say 2s. to 3s. at the
Metropolis, was realized in most places, though
some were less firm. On the other hand, Newark,
Newbury, and Sleaford made the rise fully 3s.
The heavy rains in Scotland, as well as advices from
the South, were favourable to prices, and Glasgow
noted an improvement of Is. per boll or 2s. per
qr. Foreign wheat at Dublin rose 3d. to 6d. per
brl., but on native produce there was no change.

On the third Monday's market there were fair
English arrivals of wheat, but not of foreign.
This morning's exhibition on the Kentish and
Essex stands was the best of the season, and the
slowness of millers in the early part of the day
gave signs of a reaction downwards. Eventually
about 2s. less was taken for new samples ; and had
there not been buyers from Yorkshire on the spot,
the reduction might have been greater. Foreign
wheat was a slow sale, at about Is. per qr. less
money ; but floating cargoes were firm.

On the fourth Monday there were fair arrivals of
Enghsh wheat, with moderate supplies from abroad.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE,

273

This morning's show of samples from the near
counties was small. The trade had more activity
than on the previous Friday; yet it was found
necessary to accept Is. to 2s. less money. The
foreign business remained retail, with quotations
for the most part unaltered, though some factors
were willing to take a reduction of Is. per qr.
Country advices this week were mostly rather
lower, though Liverpool was up 2d. to 3d. per
cental on Tuesday.

The imports into London for four weeks were
25,498 qrs. English wheat, 68,122 qrs. foreign,
against 11,437 qrs. English, 136,536 qrs. foreign
for the same period in 1867.

The London averages commenced at 62s. 5d.,
and closed at 60s. 7d. The general averages were
62s. 9d. at the commencement, and fell to 55s.
per quarter.

The exports for four weeks from London were
700 qrs. wheat, 279 cwts. flour.

The imports into the kingdom for four weeks
ending 15th August were 2,179,008 cwts. wheat,
191,268 cwts. Flour.

After such a heavy reduction in new wheat, it was
not to be expected country flour would maintain its
price. Norfolks and even the best marks declined
gradually through the month, and finished with a
more decided fall, making a reduction in all of 4s.
to 5s. per sack, fine qualities being procurable at
40s., and fair at 38s. Though the importation of
foreign has only been moderate, it participated in
the decline about 2s. per sack and barrel, excepting
fine Canadian, which were worth about 33s. per
barrel. The imports into London for four weeks
were, in country sorts 56,179 sacks, in foreign
4,959 sacks 4,130 barrels, against 57,960 sacks
English, 10,697 sacks 10,090 barrels foreign for
the same period in 1867. No importations can
now be made to meet English rates, either in Paris
New York, or Montreal. '

Considering the earliness of the harvest, it seems
surprising so little new malting barley has yet come
to the English market, though there certainly is an
increase beyond last season. It is possible the
large brewers may, by their agents, have been
securing for themselves whatever was fine, and so
made short markets ; or, with a doubtful crop,
farmers may be hoping for better prices, though
44s. and 45s. have been paid here. Possibly they
may be right, and eventually realize higher rates.
But grinding sorts have given way all the month,
till stale could be purchased at 28s., and sweet at
29s. per qr., while new 52lbs. fresh foreign has
been oflfering at 33s. The low price of maize has
the eflfect to keep down values ; and when new
foreign comes in greater plenty, we may yet see
some decline. The imports into London for four
weeks were 1,934 qrs. British, 32,094 qrs. foreign,
against 919 qrs. British, 8,515 qrs. foreign in 1867.
Malt has been steady, at about Is. per quarter
decline.

The oat trade has exhibited a strange paradox
in regard to its prices. Successive heavy supplies
of Russian having poured in every week, prices of
that quality have fallen about Is. 6d. per qr. in all,
38lbs. quality being now only worth 23s. 9d., or of

fresh 24s. ; whereas 38lbs. black Swedish were
saleable at 26s. 9d. per qr.; and 40lbs. were hardly
procurable at any price, heavy and fresh sorts
having become so scarce. The new EngUsh,
therefore, find a capital market, from their fresh-
ness and weight, but present high rates are hardly
reliable. No revival generally in oats can be ex-
pected till the cessation of the Russian supplies.
The imports into London for four weeks have
been as follows: 2,195 qrs. English, 1,190 qrs.
Irish, 250,344 qrs. foreign, against 3,085 qrs. Eng-
lish, 110 qrs. Scotch, 83 qrs. Irish, 228,855 qrs.
foreign, for the same period in 1867.

The scarcity of English beans has kept this grain
constantly pointing upwards, and but for the re-
cent heavy fall in maize, this grain might have
greatly risen. But as cargoes are preparing for
shipment in Egypt, and present rates will
draw from all quarters, we may expect as the
English crop comes more freely to market, and
foreign supplies increase, there will be a reduction
in the value of this grain. The imports into Lon-
don for four weeks in English were 1,107 qrs., in
foreign 5,204 qrs., against 2,056 qrs. English, Q,777
qrs. foreign in 1867.

Hog peas as yet have only come to hand in
small quantities, and farmers with a poor crop
may think it will pay them better to use them at
home than incur the expenses of carriage and com-
mission, as the crop runs short and boilers come
into competition with white Canadian, that there
is little inducement to send them at present prices,
say 44s. to 45s. Should contracts appear, these
prices would be likely to improve ; while the value
of old for horse feed, as a substitute for beans, must
prevent much decline. The imports for four weeks
have been 1,688 qrs. English, 4,558 qrs. foreign,
against 883 qrs. English, 15,047qrs. foreign for the
same time in 1S67.

During the month the imports of maize have
been heavier than for a long time past, and there
has been even more than a proportionate decline,
its value having sunk down to 35s. per qr. for
fine-coloured yellow sorts. By this reduction it
has become cheaper relatively than barley and
beans, and we cannot but think, as pig-feeding in-
creases, some reaction will take place in its value,
as there is no corresponding decline in America.
The imports in four weeks has been 37,654 qrs.,
against 14,577 qrs in 1867.

The value of hnseed has scarcely varied througli
the month, there having been a steady demand;!,
with only moderate arrivals, say 29,452 qrs. in four
weeks this year, against 18,508 qrs. in 1867.
Cakes were raised in value by the drought, and'
are now tending downward, in consequence of the
abundant rains.

The cloverseed trade, though necessarily on a
small scale from the scarcity of stock, has been
looking up, the drought in France having pro-
duced orders at New York. Trefoil has also be-
come rather dearer, and trifolium has made rapid
advance. Winter tares have been held at about
lis. per bush. Some new white mustard has sold
at 13s. per bush., but sales were slow, and it was
pointing downwards.

374

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CURRENT PRICES OP BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR
IN MARK LANE.

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT, new, Essex and Kent, white 58to61

„ „ red 56 58

Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire 66

BARLEY 34 to 35 Chevalier 38

Grinding 31 34 Distilling 36

MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk 69 extra 70

Kingston, Ware, and town-made 69 „ 70

Brown 54

RYE 40

OATS, English, feed 26 to 33 Potato 30

Scotch, feed 00 00 Potato 00

Irish, feed, white 22 25 Fine 27

- " 25 Potato 26

46 Ticks 44

48 Pigeon 51

46 Maple 46 to 48 Grey, new43

FLOUR, per 'sack of 2801l)S., Town, Households 50

Country,on shore 42 to 41 „ 45

Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 39

Ditto, black 22

BEANS, Mazagan ...44

Harrow 45

PE AS , white, boilers. .42

COMPARATIVE AVERAGES.

WHEAT.

BARLEY.

OATS.

Years.

Qrs. s. d.

Qrs. s. d.

Qrs. 8. d.

1864..

. 64,7021 ... 43 6

1,251| ... 28 1

2,691|...22 0

1865..

. 45,7521 ... 43 1

922i ... 27 11

2,307i ... 23 10

1866..

. 53,5321 ... 50 2

5911 ... 34 9

l,233i ... 26 6

1867..

. 24,8561 ... 68 4

9761 ... 36 7

l,375i ... 29 7

1868..

. 62,823i ... 55 0

813i ... 42 0

l,437i ... 80 4

AVERAGES

Foe the last Six
Weeks:

July 11, 1868

Jidy 18, 1868

July 25, 1868

Aug. 1, 1868

Aug. S, 1868

Aug. 15, 1868 ,

Aggregate of the above ...
The same week in 1867

Wheat. 1

s.

d.

66

7

65

0

62

9

61

1

57

11

55

0

61

6

68

4

Barley.

s. d.

37 4

37 4

35 8
39 3

41 4

42 0

38 10

36 7

Oats,

e. d.

29 8

30 11

31 4
30 5

29 9

30 4
30 5
29 7

BRITISH SEEDS.
MusTAED, per bush., brown 14s. to 16s. white 12s.tol3s.

CAifAET,per qr 78s. 848.

CLOVERSEED,red 568. 64s.

CoBiANDBB, per cwt 208. 21s.

Taees, winter, new, per bushel 10s. lis.

Teefoil 2l8. 24s.

Ryegbass, per qr 26s. 28a.

Linseed, per qr., sowing 65s. to663., crushing 62s. 6l8,

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 10s. to £12 lOa.

Rapeseed, per qr 568. 628.

Rape Cake, per ton £6 Oa. to JB6 lOs.

HOP MARKETS.
BOROUGH, Monday, August Si. — Our market is steady,
with a fair demand for yearlings, the stock of whicli is now
extremely limited. The quantity of the new growth already
placed in factors' hands must now have reached from 1,400 to
1,500 pockets, late arrivals being of decidedly improved
quality. Plantation reports received up to Saturday morning
agreed generally as to the estimates of the new crop being
unaltered ; for while the good grounds continued to improve,
it was noticed that the infected plantations in some districts
were daily becoming worse. These calculations, however,
have been to a certain extent set aside by the hurricane of the
last two days, wliicli is reported to have done immense damage
in almost every direction, and will certainly curtail the ex-
pected yield. Continental accounts now estimate at half an
average the yield in Bavaria, Bohemia, Alsace, north of
Prance and Belgium. New York advices to the 6th instant
report favourably of the new crop ; trade is very ciuiet.

POTATO MARKETS.
BOROUGH AND SPITALPIELDS.

LONDON, Mo.\DAY, Aug. 24. — The ^supplies of potatoes
on sale at these markets are fairly extensive. IMost descrip-
tions have been in moderate request, at our quotations. The
import into London last week consisted of 1,437 bags, 326
baskets, 5,540 sacks, from Dunkirk ; 11 cases, 142 bags, 50
sacks 13oulogne ; 60 sacks Ostend, 29 bags Harlingen, and
598 bags from Rotterdam,

English Regents ... Gs. to^lOs. per cwt.

Shaws 5s. to 7s. „

Jersey 5s. to Gs. „

Trench ,., ,„ ts, to5s.6d. „

COUNTRY POTATO MARKETS.-Barnslev (Saturday
last) : Prices remained without alteration, round potatoes
selling at from 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. per load, or 51bs. for 4^d.
DoNCASTER, (Saturday last) : A good supply of potatoes on
offer, which met a moderate sale at late rates. Kidneys 7s. a
hamper, round ones 6s. per hamper. Manciiestee, (Satur-
day last) : Potatoes 7s. to 16s., new do. 14s. to 18s. per
252 lbs. York (Saturday last) : There were only moderate
supphes, but prices were lower. Kidneys may be quoted at
Is. 4d., and round potatoes from lOd. to Is. 2d. per peck.

CARMARTHEN BUTTER MARKET, (Saturday last.)—
On account of the farmers' rents faUing due next week there
was rather a large supply of Butter in our market this day,
which sold at Is. O^d. to Is. OJd. per lb. This is only a tem-
porary fall, and we expect to see Butter higher next week, as
it is undoubtedly scarce in the country.

CORK BUTTER EXCHANGE, (Friday last.) — Ordi-
nary : first quaUty 121s. to 118s., second quality 115s. to 112s.,
third quality 109s. to 106s., fourth quality 105s. to 102s., fifth
quality 97s. to 94s., sixth quality 77s. to 74s. per cwt. MUd-
cured . first quality 126s. to 123s., second quality 122s. to
113s., third quality 116s. to 113s. per cwt. 3rds, 4ths,
5tlis, and 6ths of kegs 4s. per cwt. less. Currency — ordinary
butter 10s. per cwt. less, mild-cured 10s. ditto, sponged butter
2s. ditto.

B.

d.

8.

d.

3

iOl

4

4A

6

3^

4

24

3^

3

H

0

ak

2

7

SALISBURY, (Thursday last.)— Owing to the recent hot
weather the supply of dairy produce was comparatively small,
but of fair quality. There was a fair attendance of buyers,
and nearly the whole of the Cheese was cleared off at an ad-
vance of from Ss. to is. per cwt. on the prices current a
month ago.

GLASGOW, (Wednesday last.)— The supply of Cheese
rather less than usual ; the demand brisk, and a good clearance
was effected at improved prices. There were 1,926 Cheeses
laid down, and about 34 tons sold. Cheddars, new 48s. to
54s. ; Dunlops, new 46s. to 52s. ; skini-milk, new 17s. to 21s.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKET.
CITY, Monday, Aug. 24.— The trade in English "Wool,
both for export and home consumption, is almost at a stand-
still, and prices are altogether nominal. Stocks are on the in-
crease, while the large quantities of colonial produce on sale
further tend to depress quotations.

CtTBEENT PeICES OF ENGLISH WOOt.

Fleeces — Southdown hoggets per lb.

Half-bred ditto „

Kent fleeces „

Southdown ewes and wethers „

Leicester ditto „

SOETS— Combing „

Clothing ,,

BRADFORD WOOL MARKET, (Thursday last.)— Busi-
ness in the Wool trade has not increased since our last report,
but there is enough doing to maintain the value, and a healthy
and firm feeling prevails. The better classes of Wool are
chiefly in demand, and for these a steady consumptive trade is
doing at fully recent quotations. Inferior Wools, which are
less in request, are proportionately less firm ; but holders are
stUl looking for a better demand, and even higher prices, and
are neither disposed nor obliged, while country rates remain
as firm as at present, to give way, even though business should
continue restricted. — Bradford Ohservcr.

GLASGOW WOOL MARKET, (Saturday last-)— There is
no improvement to note in tliis market. Matters still remain
in the same quiet state as the previous week. Some few lots
of laid wools have been disposed of at former rates, but white
wools of all classes have only been sold on the most limited
scale. With the upward tendency of cotton, however, it is
expected the demand will shortly improve — P- H- M'Leod-

LEEDS (English and Foreign) WOOL MARKETS).—
There are not many private sales of English Wool taking place,
but stocks are held witli great firnmess, as it is hardly possible to
replace them in the country at former rates. The consump-
tion of most kinds of colonial Wool is well maintained, but
the supply of all sorts is so abundiint that prices are rather
lower, and are not Hkely to improve much.

Printed by Rogerson and Tvuford, 205, Strand, Loudon, W.C.

fT\

ME EAIIMBR\S MAGAZII^E.

SEPTEMBER, 186 8.

CONTENTS.

Plate I.-THE DUKE OF GRAFTON: A Prize Shorthorn Bull.
Plate II.-THE FARM BUILDINGS AND KENNELS AT LUTON HOO.

Leicester.— The
E Exhibitors of

THERBY

Description op the Plates • • . .

Warm Summers. — By Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S. [

Grqwing Clover Seed . . . * ]

On the Cultivation of the Sugar-Beet

The Potato Crop— its Present State.— By a Practical Farmer
Fodder • • . . .

Leicestershire Farming ••..**

Smoking on the Farm . . . * '

Gloucester Agricultural Society: Meeting at Gloucester
The Highland and Agricultural Society's Show at Aberdeen
South Lincolnshire Agricultural Society: Meeting at Grantham
Driffield Agricultural Society
Thunder Storms

Review of the Progress op Chemical Agriculture
The Rook

The English Sparrow.
A Word for the Crows
The trial op the Rooks
War with the Cockchafers
Abyssinia and English Agriculture
Roy'al Agricultural Society of England : Meeting at
ment Department, and Alphabetical List of th
TURAL Implements, &c.
Monthly Council
Shorthorns at the County of Cork Show
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society : Meeting at W
Agricultural Manual Labour
The Farmer's Friends and Foes
Cheap Water-filters for Farm use
The Dublin Horse Show
The Veterinarian versus the Farmer
Our Grass Lands ,

The Clover Crop
The New Farm

Geology, Botany, and Chemistry
Roots as Food for Stock
Sawing off the Horns op Cattle
Autumn Notes
Farm Leases in Scotland
Our Towns and Sewage Experimentalism
Artificial Manures— Cheap and Bad
A Dairy Farm in Australia .
Autumn Work
Banbury Sewage Farm
Thinning Root Crops.
Cultivation of the Potato
Rent per Sheep on Hill Farms
Foreign Agricultural Gossip .
Calendar op Agriculture
Calendar of Gardening
Agricultural Reports
Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c
Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month
Market Currencies, Imperial Averages, &c. .

Imple-
Agricul-

PAGE.

181, 182

. 187

. 190

. 191

. 195

. 19j

. 197

. 200

. 201

. 202

. 204

. 205

. 208

. 209

. 214

. 214

. 215

. 215

. 216
217

218

229

228

230

236

239

240

241

242

243

244

245

246

249

251

252

253

257

258

260

261

262

263

263

264

265

266

267

268

269

272

274

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IMPORTANT TO FLOCKWASTERS.

rPHOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary

Prince Consort % o^°V"'"'"/ *" S'" '^'« ^"^^^ Highness The
prince consort, K.G,, Leicester House, Great Dorer-strpet
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POSITION wi- r'"""'" ^"^^i" ""^ ^^MB DIpS COM-
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tJl^^^^'^u °°^y ^^ Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac-
m7y II SVr"e5re'd!L^<'"'"^^' '''''^'"^ -^ otherTau^
41b. for 20 sheep, price, jar included £0

8 1b.
10 1b.
20 1b.
80 1b.
40 1b.
601b.
60 1b.
80 1b.
100 lb.

30
40
50
100
180
200
250
300
400
500

(cask and measure
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0 10
0 15

be'e'qtfly'e-ffeS.'"'''''' P'^^^'^"'""? theComiioBltion, it will

MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE.

From Ma. Herapath, tke celebrated Analytical Chemist :-

C-, T 1. S"8tol Lal-oratory, Old Park, January 18th, 1881.

antly'si; anrind"?h°"n'f?hl y°" ,?•>««? DiPPing Composition to
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Tffl^.J^^^'J'\v. ¥'l'? "'^"^ according to the directions given!
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?.heTT«-,n^^- ""' " '^^^^'^^^Jhe numerous testimonTals pub!
lished; I am, Sir, yours respectfully,

m tr ^ WiiLiAM Hbkapath, Sen., P.C.8.. &c . &c
. To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of ChemUry

Leicester House. Great DoTewtreet, Borough, London,

rnTjnZ f * 1° l'^?^'^"y <'*" attention to his SPECIFIC, of
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avPrf.«- J/'Z T^^^. SHILLINGS per gallon-sufficient on an
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IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL.
t. Ti "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
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valuable 'Specific for the cure of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep
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to instructions left; but notwithstanding the Scab continued
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r?«.»?li .r'^/n" ''•'"' ^j"" * '"PP^y °' yo"' Specific, which
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^"IIV t^'Zi'^^'"'''l' " P<" JOHN TING EY, Esq ., '

To Mr. Thomas Bigg." « u. RENNE Y

1^ Flockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara-
tions as "Non-poisonous Compositions:" it is only nece«ary to
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Dipping Apparatus r ....dBU, £i, de4,& jBS.

HAIL STORMS.

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No. 4, Vol. XXXIV.] OCTOBER, 1868. [Third Skries.

THE

FARMER'S MAGAZINE

AND

MONTHLY JOURNAL

OP

THE AaRICULTUEAL INTEREST.

TO THE

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PRICB TWO SHILLINGS.

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I ^ .

■■ jn»mj»mii..ii.,ijiii.iLjw..i II ■■wBE^Mai,.Mjiiciwi;i.wMJg»iwap;egpy^MWiiiJWja»iiijjiLBgiBiLi-ii-iUiu;..tAUJ^^

OF ENGLAND.

LEICESTER MEETING, 1868.

UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS.

THE FOLLOWING PRIZES HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO

J. & F. HOWARD,

BRITANNIA IRON WORKS, BEDFORD.

£ ii ill f'lr?if"1'-"'^-"^^^^^^^

ThP m^Vv Imvv ^ li^ S'l* §^^°^ 5°"^^ f^^ Gfeneral Purposes.

S® ll?:E ^^^^^ ^°^ *^^ S«st Harrows for Horse Power.

"'^ TLt ofn'olrS^e'^^ ^'^ ^^^^ '*^^- "^^^ ^PP-^-

Se ™ ^nH ONT V ???^^ ^ 'S^ 5^^* ^■'^^'^ Steam Cultivator.
T?! ?Tpf^ A ^^^rZ J5P^ ^^^ *^^ ^«st Steam Harrows.
^ ?T?IL^''45? J^7 F^^^^ ^^' *^« Best Steam Windlass.
The SILVER MEDAL for their Patent Safety Boiler.

J. & F. HOWARD thus received

TEN FIRST PRIZES,

AND A SILVER MEDAL.

Carrying off ahnost every Prize for which they competed, and this after trials the most
severe and prolonged ever known

^

■A

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1868.

PLATE I.

VICTOR 2nd; a Prize Boar.

THE PROPERTY OF MR. R. E. DUCKERING, OF NORTHORPE, KIRTOX-LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE.

Victor, 2nd winner of a first prize at the Royal
Show at Leicester, in July last, was bred by Messrs.
Duckering, and is by Cultivator, dam Countess of
Leicester. Victor 2nd has been exhibited at
eighteen meetinors, and taken thirteen first prizes
and five seconds, with two Medals. His sire
Cultivator was shown at twenty-seven Shows, and

took twenty-nine prizes including two silver Cups ;
while his dam Countess of Leicester won twenty-
four prizes. Victor is from the Northorpe breed
of Lincolnshire Improved large pigs, which Messrs.
Duckering have shown this season since June
at nineteen Shows, and have obtained 114 prizes
including four silver Cups and four Medals.

PLATE II.
FORMOSA; A Tiiouough-Beed Filly.

THE PROPERTY OF MR. W. GRAHAM.

Formosa, bred by Mr. Cookson in 1865, is by
Buccaneer out of Eller, by Chanticleer, her dam
by Tomboy — Tesane, by Whisker — Lady of the
Tees, by Octavian,

Buccaneer, bred by Lord Dorchester in 185/, is
by Wild Dayrell out of Cruiser's dam, by little
Red Rover. Buccaneer came out in Lord Ports-
mouth's colours, winning as a two-year-old the
Mottisfont Stakes at Stockbridge, the July, and the
Molecombe, and consequently wintering as a lead-
ing favourite for the Derby, for which he finished
well up only. In the year following he won the
Royal Hunt Cup, and some other performances
went further to show that he should have been
about the best horse of his year. In 1863, Bucca-
neer stood at Lord Portsmouth's seat at Hurst-
bourne Park, in Hampshire, and in 1864 and 1865
was with Mr, Cookson at Neasham in the north,
where and when, from being a terrible savage he
was sold to the Austrian Government, before ever
we had a taste of his quality. His stock came out
in 1866, with five two-year-old winners — Captain
Kidd, The Miller's Maid, Pirate Chief, Plunder, and
Tortuga. In 1867, the list was much extended with
Albatross, Banditto, Beatrice, Brenda, Cuckoo, For-
mosa, Michael de Basco, Paul Jones, Retirement,
See-saw, and Yardarm, to be put to his credit ;
while during the present season such running as
that of Formosa and Paul Jones must go to make
Buccaneer the most fashionable sire of the day.

Old Sbrizs.]

Eller, bred by the late Admiral Harcourt in
1856, was in the field for the Oaks; but she was no
great performer, and only once got her head in
front. She was subsequently transferred to Mr.
Cookson's stud, where she threw a dead foal by
West Australian in 1861. Exceller by Newminster
in 1682, missed to the same horse in 1863, dropped
Odd Fellow by Thormanby in 1864, Formosa in
1865, was barren in 1866, had a Punchinella (sold
to Mr. Graham for 250 gs)., by Carnival or Macca-
roni in 1867, when she missed to Lord Ciifden,
and has since been put to Maccaroni.

At the sale of Mr. Cookson's yearlings at Don-
caster, in the autumn of 1S66, eight out of the nine
offered were by Buccaneer, and these eight made
2,130gs., at an average of 266 gs., a pretty good
one for an untried staUion. Formosa was the top
price at 700 gs. ; but nearly all the others have
proved uortlithemoney, and Banflilto(300), Michael
de Basco (300), Brenda (110), Paul Jones (100),
Montbar (60) and Yardarm (51). have all been
winners. Formosa was purchased for Mr. Gra-
ham, a gentleman whose turf career so far has been
chiefly identified with another Oaks winner. Re-
galia.

Formosa, judged by her inches, is but a little one,
for she reaches no higher than to fifteen hands one
and a half, but she is capitally furnished, and full of
muscular power. She has a pleasing head, with a
good breadth of forehead, and a strong, slightly
U . [YoL. LXIV.— No. 4.

27G

THE PARMER'S MAaAZINE.

I

crested neck, reminding one more of a colt than a
filly. She has strong shoulders, a good middle,
famously-shaped quarters, and unexceptionable
legs, upon which she stands as firm as a rock.
When mounted, with her head well up and her
bold carriage, she walks away a very picture.

No mare has ever yet approached Formosa's per-
formances in dividing the 2,000 gs. Stakes, and

winning the 1,000 gs. Stakes, the Oaks, and St.
Leger,

Formosa is trained by Henry Wolcott, at Beck-
hampton, who brought her to the ])Ost for all her
great races in the finest possible condition. As a
daughter of Buccaneer the mare is called after an
island in the Chinese Sea, a very stronghold of
pirates,

THE VALLEYS OF THE TAMAR AND THE FOWEY.

BY CUTHBERT AT. JOHNSON, F.E.S.

The material influence of temperature and the rainfall
upon the agriculture of a district, is nowhere more
marked than in the Cornish valleys of the Tamar and the
Fowey. It is in tliese picturesque valleys that the tourist
sees an abounding amount of grass-land, roots in abund-
ance, but only a very moderate amount of corn. Let us
note the meteorological conditions in which the fine
county of Cornwall is placed, and compare them with
those of other and more corn-growing English counties.

Now the mean temperatui'e of the sea at the most
easterly and westerly sides of our island and of the
Thames, dm'ing the four winter months of November,
December, January, and February, as given by Mr.
Whitley {Jojir. Roy. Ag. Soc, Vol. iv., N.S., p. 41), is
as follows :

Nov.

Great Yarmouth, 46-9

Scarborough 48'0

Thames at Greenwich... 46'0

St. Ives 51-4

Fabnouth 53-0

We thus find that the winter mean temperature of the
sea on the Cornish coast is from about six to ten degrees
higher than on our eastern shores.

Then let us trace with Mr. Whitley the average annual
amount of rainfall from Penzance through Cornwall by
way of London into Norfolk. The average amount in
inches we find to be as follows :

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

41-2

371

39-2

43-5

40'5

41-2

40-5

38-9

40-9

48-5

46-4

46-5

48-0

50-0

48-0

Penzance

Truro ... ...

Falmoutli

Bodmin

Itchen Abbas (Hampshire)

Greenwich

Epping

Norwicli

Inches.
44-5
42-7
41'3
41-0
28 6
24-9
26-3
36-5

With a greater average rainfall by about fifteen inches
than our eastern counties, the agriculturist would reason-
ably expect to find Coi-nwaU a grass-producing land,
which would produce more meat and less corn than was
required for its inhabitants. When he explores this beau-
tiful county he will find these reasonable conjectures fully
verified. He will notice its hillsides well tenanted by
fine flocks of sheep and excellent herds of Devon cattle,
all in thriving condition. He will also speedily remark,
that although the Cornish farms are commonly of a small
extent, yet all looks neat and comfortable. Very few
symptoms of pauperism creep out. There is here an evi-
dently independent, yet respectable, bearing in the labour-
ing classes, which might well be imitated in other pros-
perous localities. The effect of the prevalence in Cornwall
of the warm south-westerly wind, the great rain-bearing
current of our island, has been carefully traced by Mr.
Whitley. The amount of water which it showers over

the county, varied by the elevation of the land, naturally
influences its system of agriculture. The detail, as given
by Mr. Whitley, I need not attempt to vary. We must
consider, as he remarks, that " the rain-bearing wind is
almost wholly from the south-west : the other winds
rather act as condensers to deposit the moisture, than as
carriers to bring it. Thus in Cornwall it very commonly
happens that a heavy but transient rainfall takes place on a
sudden shifting of the wind to the south-east, and on re-
ferring to the register of the weather for the past fom-teen
years, I find that there were forty-five days in which the
amount collected exceeded an inch, and in the majority of
cases the heavy rain was thrown down by a south-east
wind. Only twice during the same period did an inch of
rain fall with a north-west wind, and eleven times with
the wind at the south-west. From this cause, and espe-
cially on our eastern lands, the moisture is often con-
densed so as to fall as rain, not under the direct action of
the wind which brought it, but by a shift of the wind
bringing a current from a colder region. In tracing the
rainfall over the rugged surface of the land, we find great
variation in the quantity — often within short distances—
resulting both from the relative elevation of the land,
and the configuration of its surface. At the Scilly
Isles, and at the Land's End, before the rain-clouds are
much disturbed by land influences, the annual quan-
tity of water deposited on the land is about 31 inches ;
over the varied surface of Cornwall below 300 feet in
height, it is about 40 inches ; driven up the slope of the
granite hills of Bodmin Moors, where the clouds are first
heavQy tolled at heights from 1,000 to 1,400 feet, it in-
creases to 60 inches. The low undulating country from
Liskeard to Tavistock receives about 40 inches. Thus
the rain clouds arrive at the great granite boss of Dart-
moor, rising into hills from 1,000 to 2,000 feet in height,
by which time they are partly drained of their contents,
but still yield from 60 to 80 inches at dift'erent stations
on the moor ; curiously enough the wettest part yet ascer-
tained being at Holme, on the eastern side of these hills.
The low lying, rich, new red-sandstone soil of the Vale
of Exeter is, however, greatly protected from excessive
rainfall by the Dartmoor hills, the yearly amount of rain
at Exeter decreasing to 33 inches. Along the low and
open parts of the north-west coast of Cornwall and Devon,
very much less rain falls than inland, and the barley
grown on these districts is good in yield and quality ;
hence we may infer that, as only from 24 to 30 inches
fall on these parts of the coast line, a few miles out at
sea beyond the influence of the land, the rain is but little
in excess of that on the eastern lands of England.

" Again, tracing the rainfall from the wide, open, and
flat estuary up the Taw, where about 25 inches annually
fall, as the valley contracts at Barnstaple, the quantity
increases to 40 inches, and to upwai-ds of 60 on the skirts
and high land of Exraoor, On the southern slope of

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

277

these Exmoor hills there exists that peculiar combination
of soil and climate which gives origin to the North Devon
breed of cattle. In this district, the amount of rain at
Castle Hill, on the west, is 43 inches ; and at Huntsham
Com-t, on the east, 48 inches. The soil is a friable brown
loam, from the upper beds of the old red-sandstone ; and
the country is moulded into almost continuous hill-side
slopes, and narrow valley flats. lying from 400 to 800
feet above the sea. The climate is not favourable to the
perfecting of the wheat crop, but the steady downfall of
rain produces an abundance of warm, deep-seated springs,
which sujiply the water for the catch-meadows of the
hill-side, and the productive water-meadows of the valleys.
The mountainous structm-e of the country, the abundant
rainiall, the warm winters and cool summers, with the
rich, sweet pasture of the sheltered combes and the hill-
side meadows, give that activity of limb, beauty of form,
soft silky skin, and aptitude to fatten, which characterise
this favourite mountain breed."

From the prevalence of grass land the amount of straw
for the use of the farmyard is by no means copious in
Cornwall, and hence the supply of yard manure is but
limited. And as there is a constant stream of live stock
leaving the county, this would naturally lead to the gradual
impoverishment of the land, if the drain was not restored
from some other source. This is done by the Cornish
farmers to a very large extent, not only by the employ-
ment of artificial manures, but by the use of the refuse
matters of their great fisheries, and by the v/eeds and
calcareous sands of their sea-shores.

The stranger is naturally rather at a loss at first to
^ account for the vast employment of these bright clean-
washed sands by the Cornish cultivators, a dressing for
their land whose use dates from a remote period. The
chemical composition of their soils, and of the sands with
which they fertilize them, serves however to explain in a
great measure the phenomenon. By far the greatest por-
tion of the soils of Cornwall, rest upon, and are composed
of the decomposed rocks of the Grauwacke series. These
in varying proportions are composed of fragments of quartz,
flinty slate, felspar, and clay-slate, with a basis of clay,
slate. From these soils, with the exception of what in a
very small portion exists in the felspar, the salts of lime
are almost entii-ely absent ; and yet, as in some form or
other their presence is essential to the growth of our
crops, the needful supply |,is procured either from the
sands of the sea-shore or from some other source. These
sands usually abound in the finely comminuted fragments
of sea-shells, which are composed with some small amount
of organic matters, chiefly of carbonate of lime, with a
very small portion of its phosphate. This sand, however,
varies in composition in difterent parts of the Cornish
coast ; it is the poorest in the salts of lime in some of
the northern coves of Cornwall ; is much richer at
Padstow, on the same coast, and is perhaps the richest on
the southern shores of the county, as at Falmouth har-
bour, where the sand is almost entirely composed of
powdered shells.

The sand is carried away from the places where it can
be procured, wet with sea-water, for when thus moistened
it is much preferred by the farmers. Tens of thousands
of tons are thus removed from Padstow and other places.
In some situations, where the roads down to the shore are
far too steep for wheel carriages, as around Crackington
cove and Tintagel, the sand is carried in bags up the sides
of the cliffs on the backs of donkeys. In other cases,
where the sand is only to be found in deep water the
dredgers' services are employed.

The enormous amount of this calcareous sand employed
as a manure in Cornwall was, some years since, alluded to
by Sir Henry de la Beche {ibid, vol. 3, p. 35) : " One
large source of the supply," he remarked, "is from the

harbour of Padstow. From a great sand-bank in this
port (the Dunbar) it is calculated that about 100,000
tons are taken during the year, constantly employing
about eighty men, in several barges. A large proportion
of this is transported into the interior of the country
from Wades Bridge, by the Bodmin railway and its branch,
up the canal to Wineford." Notwithstanding the constant
addition of sand thrown up by the sea upon the Dunbar,
this large demand appears to cause its decrease ; and by
old residents we were assured that it had lost from six to
eight feet in height diu-iug the last half century. Besides
the sand conveyed inland by means of the river, large
quantities are also taken away by carts, horses, and
donkeys, from the sand-hills opposite Padstow. If we
consider that Padstow harbour furnishes one-fourth of the
sand employed for agricultural purposes in Cornwall and
]3evon, and estimate the ton as containing about 14 cubic
feet, we shall have about 5,600,000 cubic feet of sand thus
distributed. As may be readily understood, numerous
local causes tend to vary the value of the sands along the
coast. Generally speaking, the harder the coast, and the
less the detritus that can be worn from it, the greater the
proportion of the comminuted shells in a given portion of
sand. On one portion of the Tamar there is an enormous
accumulation of sea-weed, fine mud, and leaves of trees
brought down and deposited by the upland waters of the
river; and here, when we were there in September,
several small vessels were, at low water, aground on the
bank, and loading with their dark-coloured deposit for the
use of the Cornish and Devon farmers. When, also, in
the September of the present year, we made a pilgrimage
to the beautiful little port of Fowey, we found some
stalwart dredgers hard at work filling a barge with sand.
Their vessel was moored iu a spot where there is about
twelve feet of water at low tide — and, by means of a kind
of windlass and dredge, they were laboriously raising the
sand from the bottom. Their vessel held about 15 tons of
sand ; and for this quantity, which they floated up the
Fowey river some six or seven miles, to near Lostwithiel,
they obtain twenty shUlings — about one-third of which, it
seems, belongs to the owner of the lighter. Close by
where these di-edgers were at work are the picturesque re-
mains of the two forts built by Edward IV. at the entrance
of the port, and from whence, in the olden time, a
strong iron chain reached across the water, and closed
the port of Fowey against all hostile vessels. Here the
visitor will remark the same beautiful scenery, noble rock-
bound shores, and hanging woods which adorn so many
of the lovely bays of Cornwall and Devon. Here, too,
are found the fine race of sailors, nursed in their gi-eat
fisheries, who so largely supply the naval service of our
country. These are the descendants of those gallant
sailors who were with the Crusaders iu Palestine ; who
sent from Fowey nearly 800 men to the Siege of Calais ;
and who, in after-times, when the Armada was off their
coast, were so nobly and so victoriously led on by Drake
and Frobisher, and Lord Howard of EfSngham. Here,
on the landing-place, a stone pillar marks the spot on
which our noble Queen landed iu 1846. She notices in
her journal the steepness of the streets of Fowey, and the
beauty of its port. Nature has, indeed, done much for
this estuary ; but Fowey is only now beginning to be
known and visited. A railroad, to connect Fowey with
the Cornwall railway, is nearly completed, and the town
is gradually beginning to recover from its former deplora-
ble wretchedness of being a Parliamentary borough.

It was, to a great extent, for the same purpose as the
calcareous sea sand, that the Cornish farmers formerly
employed lime as a di'essing to their soil, to a much
greater extent than at present. This they had to pro-
cure chiefly from Devonshire, for, as was remarked
by Mr, Karkeek {Jour, Moj/i Jt/, ^qc, vol. vi.; p, 441)>

278

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

" Tlie supplies of limestone in Cornwall are very inconsi-
derable, and of an inferior description. The farmers arc
chiefly supplied with it from the coast of Devon. About
thirty years since it was ascertained that thirty vessels
Avere regularly employed in carrying limestone from Ply-
mouth to Cornwall, and every harbour, nook, or creek,
from the llame-head to the Land's End has had lime-kilns
for the purpose of burning it ; but the consumption of late
has not been so great. The quantity of lime annually
used in Cornwall, in 1843, was calculated to be about —

1,280,000 bushels from Plymouth.
200,000 bushels railed in Cornwall.

1,480,000

Lime is seldom applied in a caustic state except on peaty
soils, but generally after exposure for several weeks to
the air. There is no substance the application of which
has been so much misunderstood as this. Its effect on
onr soils is, first to supply a valuable constituent when
wanting, it being almost entirely absent from a large
proportion of our clay-slate rocks ; and next, to liberate
the silica, the potash, and the phosphates, besides the car-
bonaceous matters produced from the decomposition of
weeds, roots, &c., to be administered to the wants of
vegetation. But by this last operation no equivalent
was furnished to the land for that removed by the crop ;
and hence the continuance of the system of Uming lias
been proved to be nothing else than a rapid method of
removing those ingredients, and thereby of exhausting
the soil. Thus, where a farmer breaks up an old pasture
for wheat, and after burning (which is another means of
exhaustion), applies from 100 to 150 bushels of lime per
acre, the crop is considerably benelited by the lime render-
ing soluble the nutritive ingredients in the soil — not al-
ways the supplying of materials which the soil might
require. For very many years this has been the custom
in Cornwall in preparing for the wheat tillage ; and for
several years it was observed that those who carried the
most lime on their estates raised the greatest crops, but
soon those same parties complained of the impurity of the
lime, because it did not produce the same effect as
formerly — not understanding the fact, that its re-
peated application had exhausted the soil of those consti-
tuents on which it formerly acted."

The districts around the valleys of the Tamar and the
Fowey are also of very considerable importance. Mr.
Karkeek, some years since, described these [ibid.
vol. vi., p. 4l5). As he observed in his prize essay,
(when alluding to the country from Calstock to the Rame
by the Tamer on the east, from Calstock to Liskeard on
the north, to the Looes on the south, bounded by the
English Channel), " The soil is generally light, free-
working, and loamy, resting on red, grey, and variegated
argillaceous slates, which are occasionally intermixed
with sandy beds and with trappean rocks of ' dun-stones'
and compact green-stones. A great breadth of this for-
mation is found at Liskeard and Saltash. Immediatelv
on the banks of the Tamar there is not much depth of
soil, and it is of a clayey character, abounding frequently
in bands of clay, which intersect the slates, making the
land wet and springy in the winter. The farms vary
from 50 to 300 acres ; the majority under 100 acres.
The course of cropping is to break three years' old pas-
ture for wheat, then barley, or oats, followed by turnips
or patatoes, concluded by barley and seeds. Tiie breadth
of green crops averages 15 per cent., and very frequently
a fewacres of rape and potatoes grown antecedent to the
wheat crop, and a few acres of vetches between the wheat
and barley crops. On the best cultivated farms, the
barley or oats after the wheat is frequently omitted, and
there appears an increasing disposition to adopt this

course by the best farmers. On the immediate banks of
the Tamar, owing to the facilities which this river affords
for supplying the metropolis of the district — Plymouth
and Devonport — with vegetables and fruit of all kinds,
the farmer is induced to grow a large breadth of pota-
toes, which in this locality precede and prepare the land
for the wheat ci-op. The corn crops average 1 8 bushels
of wheat, 28 bushels of barley, and 42 bushels of oats per
acre. Where the ' dun-stone' rocks prevail, the ijidd is
full one-tltird more. Permanent pasture in this district
averages from 8 to 10 per cent., and hay varies from 1
ton to \\ ton per acre. Cattle average from 15 to 20
on 100 acres, from 5 to 10 in the year being fattened ;
breeding ewes from 30 to 40, fattening ^from 25 to 30
sheep on 100 acres.

" In the next district on the south coast, bounded
by Liskeard and the Looes on the east, by the Fowey
river on the north-west, and the British Channel on the
south, the intermixture of trappean rocks with the slates
which characterized the last district is absent. On the
higher banks of the Fowey, the soils are partly clayey
and partly loamy, resting upon a subsoil of dsep rubble,
consisting of clay, slate, quartz, and loose yellow clay.
This kind of soil extends to the elevated country inland,
both north and south of the Fowey, and is a very dis-
couraging one to the agriculturist. Further south the
soil partakes more of the loamy character, resting upon
more compact subsoils, and this character may be ap-
plied to a very considerable portion of two or three pa-
rishes. The cliff lands are generally thin, pi'oducing
scanty herbage, but owing to tlie extreme mildness of
the coast district, sheep and other stock may frequently ^^
be seen grazing on the southern slopes, when snow and
the severity of winter has covered and closed up districts
further inland. There is a great quantity of woodland ,
in this district; the Cornish elm, beech, and sycamore ■
are found exposed in very high situations. The farms i
vary from 6(3 to 150 acres. The usual method of drop-
ping is to break three years' old pasture for wheat, bar-
ley, or oats, and seeds, with about 8 to 10 per cent, of
potatoes and turnips antecedent to the wheat crop. The ,
corn crops average from 10 to 20 bushels of wheat, about

24 to 40 bushels of barley, and from 32 to 40 bushels of
oats per acre. On the better-managed farms, where a
greater breadth of green crops, particularly of turnips,
is grown, the yield is full one-quarter more. The cattle
average from 16 to 20 per cent., and breeding ewes from

25 to 30 per cent, ou the acreage."

The agriculturists from other portions of our island will
ponder over these things as he traverses this fine county.
lie may not, it is true, observe ranch of its arable farm-
ing that will interest him; the ploughing is not very good,
the plough-horses rather inferior ; neither will he, per-
haps, much admire the large stone fences which divide
their fields, or the rude construction of their field gates.
But after making all these deductions, he will leave Corn-
wall with regret. He will there remark, amid its noble
hills and mines, and sea coast, nothing upon a small
scale. He will note, too, in the live stock of the county,
a quietude and an air of comfort in its fine breeds of cat-
tle, sheep, and swine, that indicate a well-doing land ;
and if the tourists gives himself time to became acquainted
with the natives of these iron-bound coasts, he will find
them every way worthy of the character for intelligence and
kindliness for which they have ever been remarked, and
he will not confine this observation to any one class, but
apply it to even the far greater number of the Cornish
fishermen, miners, and farm labourers.

THE FAEMEH'S MAGAZINE.

279

THE FARM BUILDINGS AT LUTON HOO.

We concluded our last paper by pointing out the ad-
vantages of the very novel arrangement of a central
steam boiler to supply a nmnbcr of steam engines at work
in localities specially adapted for the work which they
have to do. The great difficulty in thus supplying steam
to various engines at a distance from the source of supply
arises from two causes : first, the condensation of the
steam in the pipes ; and second, the alternate expansion
and contraction of the pipes which are put down to con-
vey the steam to the various points where it is to be used.
The first difficulty in Luton IIoo Farm Buildings is
met by putting down a form of boiler by which a
supply of dry" or superheated steam is certain to be
secured ; this form of boiler being that recently
patented by Messrs. Howard, Bedford. In boilers of
ordinaiy construction a large percentage of moisture
is sent over with the steam in passing from the
boiler to the steam engine. The disadvantages arising
from this moist steam, aud the losses incurred by using
it, were seen by engineers at a very early period in the
history of the steam engine, and various plans were pro-
posed by which to secure a supply of dry, or as it was then
and is now termed superheated steam. The first patent
Avas taken out so early as 1833, and although many patents
followed this, the first, in quick succession ; the subject,
from some cause or another lost its interest, and for a
long period it was much neglected by engineers. Of late

lone penou 11 was luuuu iiugicun^u uj^ i^ugiu^^..^. w. ... — , ,, ,. i u -i™

years, however, they have again turned their attentiou I section of one of the furnaces and boiler,

to it, and much improvement has been witnessed in the
forms of apparatus and their details, by which the ob-
ject in view is to be seciu-ed. Involving as the subject
docs so many points of high practical interest, it is some-
what surprising that no really elaborate investigations
have been made to explain the phenomena connected with
superheated steam. What indeed weonly know in connection
with it is, that by using it we efi'ect a saving of fuel, aud
gain an increase of working elFect in the steam. As a
rule, all the plans proposed for getting dry steain to work
the steam engine have been in the form of adjuncts to
the ordinary form of boiler; but in this boiler all
the practical disadvantage attendant upon the use of
additions in the ordinary boiler arc at once got rid of
by the arrangements of the boiler, wJtirh itself si'pplies
the steam in a dnj or superheated condition. Independ-
ently of other advantages which the boiler possesses, our
readers will at once see that this peculiarity gives a high
value to it. The steam supplied by the boilers at Luton
lIoo Buildings is so dry that, although it has to pass
along a very lengthened range of pipes, very little conden-
sation is found to take ])lace. Of course this condensa-
tion is also prevented as much as possible by the mode
adopted for laying the pipes, which will be described
hereafter; meanwhile we present our readers with a
few drawings illustrative of the boilers put down
at Luton Hoo. Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal

The chief

feature in the arrangement here illustrated, is the appli-
cation of a series of vertical wrought-iron and horizontal
cast-iron pipes, which in point of fact constitute the
boiler. The pipes arc arranged, as shown iu part plan in
fig. i, so that the largest amount of contact of the heated
air and flame from the furnace may be secured. The
horizontal pipes d h, fig. 4, are of cast-iron, and are
placed parallel to each other in line, as shown in fig. 1.
These pipes arc connected at each end to a horizontal
pipe a a, figs. 3 and 4, one of these pipes being placed at

(rig. 2.)

280

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

each side of the furnace, and running from end to end of
the range of horizontal cast-iron pipes. These pipes
are shown at h b, figs. 3 and 4, c c being the vertical
wrought-iron tubes, which are let into caps a a,
fig. 5, and firmly secured there by a very ingenious
form of joint. The vertical tubes b b, fig. 5, are

(Fig. 3.)

(Kg. 4.)

welded at top c c, and the steam from the upper
part d d of the pipe is led by a small wrought-
iron pipe e e fig. 5, which again conveys the steam to a
transverse cast-iron pipe //, which runs along the upper
ends of the vertical tubes as shown in fig. 1 ; from this
pipe/y, the steam is led off to the engines by the pipe y.
The vertical tubes b b figs. 5 and 6 are each supplied with
an interior tube of galvanized iron h h, the lower end of
which i i i rests upon the inner and lower side of the
horizontal cast-iron pipej/j; the lower part i i of the pipe
h h is vandyked, or have angular parts cut out, so as to
admit of the circulation of the water between the inner
and outer pipes. Still fm-ther to aid this circulation
vertical slots k k figs. 5 and 6 arc made at the upper ends
of the tubes h h : the arrows in fig. 6 show the way in which
the water circulates in the annular space between the pipes
b b and /* //, and in the interior of the pipes // h. Another
advantage obtained by the slots k k in the pipes h h, is
that there is a wide range allowed for the Avater level to
vary at, this range being limited by the distance between
the upper and lower ends of the slots or openings k k,
so that if the supply of water is not kept regidarly up
the same danger does not arise as in the case of ordinary
boilers. By inspecting figs. 5 and 6 it will be seen that
the tubes b b extend upwards for a considerable space
beyond the height of the tubes h h, and consequently
above the level of the water; this affords a space for
steam, and by inspecting the section in fig. 1 the reader

(Fig. G.)
win perceive that the flame and heated air from the
furnace A, in passing to the flue B B leading to the
chimney, passes up by C and comes in contact with the
upper ends D D D of the vertical steam pipes, thus drying
or superheating the steam before it passes to the pipes
// and [/ ff fig. 5 and 6 ; by this aiTangement the ad-
vantages to which we have already alluded are obtained.
The whole of the tubes, horizontal and vertical, are en.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

281

closed in a brick chamber, tbe upper part of which is
made of a series of cast-iron plates, and the front is
furnished with a neat cast-iron plate, which covers the
usual boiler appliances, as steam-gauge, &c., &c. The tubes
being of small diameter, they can withstand great
pressures — pressures very far beyond those to which they
will under almost any conceivable practice be subjected.
They have indeed been tested to a pressure of l,2001bs.,
without showing the slightest tendency to give way.
Again, the danger arising from explosion is reduced to a
minimum, even should an explosion take place ; for as
each tube is a boiler, so to say, it is not likely that all the
tubes would burst simaltaneously, and one tube bursting
would not be so dangerous as the bursting of a large
ordinary boiler. The steam is raised with great quick-
Hess, and a large saving of fuel is shown by the use of
this form of boiler.

We have already alluded to the difficulty in conveying
steam a distance, arising from the alternate expansion
aud contraction of the steam pipes. This has been
obviated or reduced to a minimum by the aiTange-
ment illustrated in fig. 7, and by which the ex-
pensive and troublesome system of " expansive joints"
is avoided. The pipes {a), of cast-iron, arc sur-
rounded with felt (5), and this covered with lags of wood,
and the whole are suspended by stirrup irons {d d) from
horizontal bars {e e), which are suspended at the desired
intervals by the side-walls of the brick conduit
or trough in which the pipes are placed. The lower
course of this conduit rests upon concrete iff), the
earth {r/ rj) being rammed close up to the sides,
i The conduit is covered in by a stone covering h h, above
which is placed sand i i, they being topped with the
granite blocks j j, which, constitute the roadways of the

building. The position of the range of pipes will be seen
in the dotted line in the l)lock-plan in Plate.

In addition to what has been already said as to the ad-
vantages of this system of central steam supply, we may

(Fig. 7.)

here add the following, as concisely put in a letter with
which we have been favoured : " (1) Saving of space and
the cost of buildings ; one boiler house, one coal depot,
aud one chimney suffices for all. (2) Saving of labour ;
one fireman is sufficient for the whole, instead of one
being required for each separate engine. (3) The engines
and management are more simple, force-pumps and ap-
pliances being dispensed with. Each engine is simply a
cylinder; and the arrangement for producing rotary
motion and steam being always ready, any one can be
started or stopped without loss of time."

THE FOOD SUPPLY FOR THE WINTER.

Now that it is known to absolute certainty that the
root crop, however much it may yet improve, will be very
much under the average, a considerable amount of anxiety
is beginning to be felt as to how the live stock are to be
got through the winter in anything like profitable condi-
tion. The scarcity, nay in many instances, the almost
total loss of the turnip and mangold crop, combined with
the light crop and consequent high value of hay, will
cause this to be very difficult to manage in many districts ;
and to do so with even a moderate degree of success,
where there is a large number of heads to be kept over,
will require the exercise of much care and ingenuity on
the part of the owner or his manager. Although extra
care and attention will not increase the available supply
of food that has been provided for use during the winter
months, yet it is astonishing how much may be done in
even the apparently small matter of permitting nothing
to be wasted, and utiliziug evei-y substance capable of
being used as food, such, for instance, as straw and in-
ferior hay, which in ordinary years would be looked up-
on as fit for no other purpose than that of being converted
into litter. In its proper place we shall notice the value
of straw for feeding purposes, and the modes of prepar-
ing it, so that it shall become both a palatable and nutri-
tious food for stock. Where the number of animals is
large, and the supply of food but scanty, every beast be-
yond the number that it is calculated the farm will be
able to maintain should be turned into money, it being
better to sacrifice a little by selling at a time when there
is but slow demand, rather than risk the loss of a great
deal by pinching the whole of the stock, or by having

to purchase bulky food in the spring, when the probabi-
lity is that every kind of cattle food will be so high as to
render it absolutely impossible for them to make the
merest shade of profit on the outlay for purchased food.
In particular all weakly or unthrivcn things should be
weeded out and sold (a rather difficult matter just at pre-
sent) ; but still the first loss is the least in the end, as
what a few such animals in a herd would consume with-
out showing much improvement, would go a long way in
supporting the remainder of the stock. The delightful
rains that fell all over the country during the month of
August, gave the pastures a good start, and from the
luxuriance they now exhibit, it may fairly be inferred
that grass will be abundant, and growth continue until
stopped by frost, which change of weather may not oc-
cur until well on in October. This favourable feature in
the character of the season has been a great boon to all
stock-holder^ saving keep, and lowering the price of all
kinds of fodder to at least something near a reasonable
standard. Many men will be disposed to make too much
of the splendid growth of after-grass, and keep their
stock rather long on it, a mistake not unfrequently
made; but the temptation to do so is great during
such a year as the present. Seven months of house-
feeding requires a large store of hay-straw and roots,
and when these are scarce it is almost impossible
to resist keeping the cattle on the pastures longer
than usual, and thereby shortening the winter
by a few weeks. In the case of light stores this can be
done, and no loss or perceptible deterioration of value be
the result, but all animals intended for the butcher, and

282

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

in forward condition, should be removed to the yards
and feeding-sheds the moment the grass begins to lose its
succulence, as one month's house-feeding will scarcely re-
cover the loss of flesh that results from a fortnight's semi-
starvation. If it is not convenient to do so from the
scarcity of house food, a liberal allowance of corn and
cake should be given while they remain out, to compen-
sate for the exhaustion of the pastures. Independently
of the great benefit derived from a little judicious outlay
for these concentrated foods in the superior thriving of
the animals, or even as in the present instance, when it is
given merely to enable them to retain their condition, the
greatly increased richness of the manure, and consequent
permanent improvement of 2he pastures, makes it well
worth while to take a little extra trouble in procuring
the food and placing it before the animals. Although it
is considered by many farmers that sheep pay better for
concentrated food, and effect a greater improvement on
the pastures than cattle, wc think it highly questionable
whether such is really the case ; as although from the
sheep scattering the manure more evenly over the fields,
the general greenness that follows is more noticeable, yet
from our own experience we are strongly of opinion that
the improvement of pastures from the droppings of richly-
fed cattle is more permanent. It may be contended that
in the case of cattle it is impossible to obtain such a
minute and equal distribution of the droppings as is done
by the sheep themselves without the slightest trouble on
the part of the farmer, but by passing the ordinary chain-
harrow at intervals over the fields on which the cattle
are being fed, the manure can be wonderfully well dis-
tributed, and being broken up by the action of the harrow
into the most minute particles, the whole of the surface
receives the benefit of the increased expenditure, aiid will
not fail to show, by a richer and more intense verdure, a
thicker and earlier growth, and capability of feeding a
larger number of animals, that it is grateful for liberal
treatment. In this, as in almost every other department
of farming, generosity on the part of the husbandman is
returned with interest both in the present and in the
future. Notwithstanding the shortness of keep dm'ing
the summer, and the partially, or in some cases altogether
unsuccessful growth of those crops intended for use in
winter and spring, there seldom occurs a year in which
so much opportunity has been given to make up for these
deficiencies, the earliness of the harvest, and the genial
showers and moist heat that accompanied them, giving
abundant opportunity for getting in crops that will in
spring yield a large amount of valuable food, while at the
same time the ordinary rotation on which the farm is
worked will not be interfered with. This has been especi-
ally the case with reference to sheep, and we find that all
oTer the country flock-masters who follow the mixed
husbandry system have been unusually busy, and to a
very large extent indeed have taken advantage of the
opportunity thus graciously vouchsafed by Divine Pro-
vidence, by putting in those crops suited for the season
hardy enough to withstand the vicissitudes of the climate
and be ready for use early in spring. Of these crops
there is considerable choice, and every man, whatever the
character of the land he cultivates, whether light or
heavy, fertile or the contrary, will find some crop amongst
the many now known to modern husbandry and admitted
to be useful, which will suit him. The advantages thus
otfered by the peculiarly beneficent season should induce
every flockmaster to keep up his stock of sheep to the fullest
number he calculates that with care and attention he can
bring through, as from their extremely low value at pre-
sent a large number can be bought in at a small expendi-
ture of capital ; while on the other hand, if he has bred
them the low price at present ruling for stores is a doable
inducement to hold over, as no cheaper stock can be

bought in their place or with a better pros])ect of ultimate
payment. Sound, healthy, well-bred lambs for instance
are now selling freely at from 15s. to 20s. each. Now we
consider that to a farmer who has a moderate
amount of food for the winter and a fair prospect for
the spring, on account of having sown a few acres
of auxiliary crops, there could scarcely be a better in-
vestment. A small quantity of corn or cake given re-
gularly, and a few turnips cut up by Gardiner's machine,
with the addition of a little chaffed hay, will keep them in
excellent store condition, let the pastures on which they
run be ever so bare, and when spring comes round and
the fleece is taken off, its increased weight wiU easily repay
all the extra expense incurred in preparing the food, and
a considerable part of the cost of the purchased food it-
self. Without hand-feeding it is scarcely possible to
winter a large lot of lambs successfully, many deaths
occurring from scour, induced by the watery nature of
the food they are able to collect, and often from sheer
starvation if the spring turns out protractedly severe.
There is a vast difference between these two modes of
management in a pecuniary point of view — the one being
almost sure to leave a profit, even under the most un-
favourable circumstances ; wliUc the other cannot do so
unless under the most propitious conditions — such as par-
ticularly sound land, and a comparatively small number
of animals for the extent of surface they run over. We
strongly advocate the removal of all animals from the
fields during the Aviuter months, with the exception of
sheep — that is their natural habitat, and being light, the
land is not poached, or in any way injured by their
treading, all the otlier stock of the farm being removed
to the farm-yard earlier or later, according to the nature
or exigencies of the season. For young animals, all their
requirements in the shape of pure air, water, and exercise
are fully met in the shedded courts or yards, as they are
variously termed, which should be on every homestead,
and without which no range of farm-oflices can be called
complete. In these the animals are sheltered from the
cutting blast and pitiless rain, and during the coldest days
or nights of winter and spring they can lie snugly rumina-
ting under their comfortable sheds, instead of standing
with their backs up in the form of an arch, perfect pictures
of abject misery. We now proceed to review the most
economical modes of feeding the house and yard-fed stock
during the winter, and, as we observed at the commence-
ment of this paper, that straw is a valuable aid at all times
for this purpose, but pre-eminently so this season, we
shall first notice its value, and the saving efl:ectcd by its
use. Without resorting to chemical analysis, but judging
only from the teachings of experience, no practical man,
who has had opportunities of judging, can fail to be struck
with the great difl'erencc of feeding quality that exists
between the straw of difl'erent varieties of corn, and also
of that grown on land naturally fertile, and that which is
the product of land the fertility of which is solely main-
tained by liberal treatment and good husbandry. Of the
different varieties, the straw of the oat is the favourite,
being highly-relished by both cattle and horses, and all
thriving on it ; that of Avheat is the next valuable ; and
barley the least. So great is the difference in feeding
value of Arm juicy straw grown on land containing a
certain proportion of clay over that of soft flaccid straw
grown on the weaker description of soils, that on the
former store cattle can be kept over during the entire
winter on straw and water only, and come out for the
grass in fine health and as thrifty condition as could well
be desired; on the latter, when this is attempted,
they are mere walking skeletons when the winter
is over; and consequently when straw is to
be the principal part of their food, they must get
either a modicum of turnips in addition to the straw, or

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

283

a few pounds daily of some kind of cake. Not only cau
straw be successfully used iu keepiut^ one's store stock ;
but it may also, witli great propriety and with, excellent
results, be given to fattening beasts during a considerable
portion of the time during which they are tied up. When
a large quantity of turnips is given the straw can be used
with manifest advantage, being of a somewhat more
astringent nature than hay ; and many splendid animals,
under these conditions, are fully finished without getting
a bit of hay at all. Straw being, then, a valuable food in
some cases by itself, but mostly in connection with other
foods of a more succulent or concentrated character, it is
obviously the duty and interest of every man who has
stock to feed to secure his crops as carefully as possible,
taking especial care that the corn shall not be built up
too suddenly iu large bulk, and so cause heating, in
which case the straw becomes utterly useless for food ;
nor yet permit it to become too ripe before cutting, as
then it is sapless and woody, and quite untit to be used as
provender. If from a fear of falling markets or other
necessary causes it may be found suitable to thrash the
greater portion of the season's crop almost immediately
after harvest, every particle of the straw should be care-
fully secured, building up into handy stacks as soon as
thrashed, and thatching at once, so that when required for
use it shall be in the best possible condition. When cir-
cumstances are favourable to the thrashing being done at
regular intervals during the winter, the full value of the
straw for feeding purposes is then obtained, as when
newly thrashed it is much better relished by cattle than
after having lain over for some time, uuless very carefully
stored indeed, Mustiness should be carefully avoided, as
when tainted no animal will eat it unless forced to do so by
hunger. Even if they eat it, it does them no good, and if
given to dairy-stock is almost sure to cause abortion. -
The personal supervision of the master is of great eonsc
quence iu aiding economy of food, as many men are apt
to liil up the racks and mangers, without the slightest
regard to the capacity of the animals, being mostly
animated with the idea of making sure that each shall
have enough. The result, too often, is, that a good deal
of waste occurs, most animals refusing to eat what has
become tainted with their breath, and, when they can
manage it, pulling it down and trampling it under their
feet. In every farmery much care is taken with the corn,
cake, and other concentrated foods, the whole being kept
under lock and key, and, when given out, the quantities
carefully weighed or measured, and usually placed before
the animals by the master himself, or some responsible
servant — particularly in the case of horses. This is as it
should be ; yet how frequently on the same farms do we
see feeding substances almost equally valuable — hay most
noticeably — left altogether to the discretion of the men, to
the manifest loss, in too many instances, of their em-
ployer ! With every prospect of hay being almost as
dear during the spring-months as oats by the ton, and
straw fit for feeding purposes correspondingly high, it will
be well worth while to give increased attention to the pre-
vention of waste, either by exposure to the weather while
in the stack-yard, or when placed before the animals, giving
only such quantities as they wUl be likely to eat up clean.
Liberality then, when it consists in throwing large quan-
tities of food before the animals at one time, is simply
waste, "little and often" should be every man's rule, and
when acted upon the stock will be benefited, and the far-
mers pocket saved more ways than one. For the pre-
vention of loss by waste, for the better economy of
valuable food, and for enabling the beasts to thoroughly
assimilate their food and extract all the nom'ishment it
contains, the machinist has come to the aid of the far-
mer, and by so doing has rendered agriculture a most im-
portant service. First, and probably most important of

all, we have the chatf-cutter, worked by steam, by horse,
or by hand, according as the size or necessity of the occu-
pation requires. It is scarcely necessary to say that the
chatl'-cutter should be one of the indispensable requisites
of every farm, not on any consideration to be done with-
out, and used regularly at all seasons. In practice, how-
ever, this is not really the case, as although of late years
these machines have become very extensively diifused over
the country, they are not nearly so common as Ihey ought
to be, nor so generally used amongst small and middling
farmers as might be expected considering the advantages
to be derived from their use. In conjunction with the
pulper they become eminently useful, as when roots are
pulped they cau be mixed up with chaffed hay or straw
of even middling quality, and when permitted to undergo
a kind of incipient fermentation by being mixed together
for 24 hours or so, the mass becomes so sweetened as to
become extremely palatable to all cattle stores, feeding
bullocks and dairy stock alike thriving on it. Crushed
oats, Indian meal, linseed meal, ground oilcake, or any
other substance in th^ shape of meal can be mixed with
the chaff and pulp, either dry or boiled, and poured on it
so as to form a mucilage, in which state the whole mixtiu'e
is still more highly relished by the animals, and being so
well prepared they can fill themselves quickly, and spend
the greater portion of their time in repose. Thus by the
use of these machines we have economy at the very out-
set, inasmuch as by their use we can utilize food of in-
ferior quality by being enabled to mix it with other
substances which render it palatable, and which could not
possibly be done without its being previously reduced to
a state of comminution. When the dry food used is of
superior quality the animals have all the advantage of it,
and their progress is correspondiugly quick. In spring
and early summei', when Italian rye-grass, tares, &c. are
being given to stock, it is exceedingly desirable to mix
such excessively green and succulent food with hay or
straw, to counteract the looseness engendered by their
watery nature ; the mixing can only be done iu a way
that the stock will eat both, by putting the whole through
the chaff-cutters, as when attempted to be given long,
however well they may be mixed, the green food will be
picked carefully out and the dry left behind. Excellent
results follow this mode of preparing green food, and an
increased number of heads cau be kept by house-feeding, and
increased fertility imparted to the soil by the large quan-
tity of manure so made. There is to be sure the first
cost of the machine, tear and wear, and the expense of
working to be deducted from the profit ; this however
bears no comparison whatever to the beneficial results to
be derived from their use, one season's trial being quite
sufficient to convince any one of their value and the truth
of this assertion. Many feeders who have been acpus-
tonied to supply their fattening stock ad lihitum. with
turnips will, for the present season, have either greatly to
lessen the number of animals they tie up, or resort to the
more extended use of chopped hay, straw, corn-cake, and
meal. It is surprising how well cattle wUl thrive with
but a small proportion of turnips, when supplied with
dry food of nutritive properties in sufficient quantity to
make up the deficiency. So well is this feature in stall-
feeding understood by some of the far-seeing agriculturists
of the present day, that unless tempted by a very high
price indeed, they will not sell their oats, preferring to
give them to their stall-feds, and obtaining a much
higher price by so doing than could generally be
obtained if sold in the grain market. Wheat, bar-
Icy, beans, and peas, when at low prices , can all
be converted to the same use with excellent results.
One of the most successful feeders we know, uses no
kind of dry food but the flour of low-priced wheat ; and
the cattle he turns out are a source to him of both pleasure

284

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

and i^rofit, and a credit to his management. When the
quantity of turnips is so small as not to be able to queuch
the thirst of the animals, water must be allowed ; and,
although they will not drink much, still, for humanity's
sake, if for nothing else, it should be (if not convenient to
have it always within their reach) offered to them once a
day, which will be quite enough to satisfy any beast which
may be getting a quantity of turnips. Young cattle can
be admirably brought through the winter with but a very
small allowance of turnips, when supplied with chopped
straw, or a mixture of hay and straw, with the addition of
a little meal or cheap cake. For this purpose the green
Danish rape-cake is very suitable, and, being so much
cheaper than oilcake, a rather larger quantity can be given,
without so much risk of the cost being greater than the
profit. The results from feeding store cattle with rape-
cake are highly satisfactory, the animals reaching the
grass in fine health and blooming condition ; and, if on
grass of good quality, become fit for the butcher early in
the summer. We think that young cattle should never
be wintered carelessly, or allowed in any way to shift for
themselves -aboiit the pastures, as is so frequently done ;
as a well-wintered beast is half-summered, and will keep
up condition and even thrive and fatten on very indiffe-
rent pastm'e, if put on it well filled inside. A comfortably-
kept store beast, rising two years, will often leave its
owner 20s. a month for its keep. Considering the inex-
pensiveness of its food in comparison vfiih that of stall-
I'eds, the profit is larger, and should be a great incentive
to farmers to treat their store stock with greater kindness
than they do. How often do wc see calves actually worth
more money when they leave the pail than is got for
them — or, than they arc worth — as yearlings, after
having been kejit seven or eight months longer, and all
through neglect, or through the mistaken supposition that
they would be able to support themselves well enough on
the pastures. The poor things are stunted in their growth'
make no profit for their owner, and, if kept on the farm,
take the whole summer to recover themselves. What a
contrast do such animals present during the spring months
to those which have received even a moderate degree of
attention and the shelter of a shed or yard, and how dif-
ferently do they pay ! In connection with the feeding of
young cattle and milch cows, there is another source of
food on corn-growing farms, which we have not yet
noticed, but which is of very great importance, and de-
serves more general attention than it receives. We al-
lude to the chaff, which — when boiled with a small portion
of turnips and a little light corri, or, in the absence of the
latter, sprinlded wdth a little meal — makes excellent food,
exceedingly nom-ishing, and highly i-elished by all the do-
mestic animals. A small pailful of this mixture given when
warm, morning and evening, to young growing beasts, \vith
the addition of a little straw, keeps them in fine healthy
growing conditiion ; and a good feed, twice a day, to
milch cows, enables them to keep up a full flow of milk ;
while the butter is of good quality for winter, the boiling

having neutralized all unpleasantness of taste and smell.
It is surprising that while chaft' is so carefully husbanded
and turned to good account in many parts of the country,
in others it is quite neglected, looked upon as a
nuisance, and turned out to the yards to be trodden into
manure. It is quite possible that this is not done alto-
gether in ignorance of its feeding properties, and conse-
quent value ; but rather on account of some local diffi-
culty in the way of preparing, the most important of
which appears to us to be the high price or long carriage
of fuel. In every district that we are acquainted with,
where coals are plentiful and cheap, a boiler or range
of boilers forms part of the indispensable fixtures on every
farm, and during the whole winter the cooking of chafl'
and roots is carried on, and the farmers and their ser-
vants would positively not know how to bring through
the stock, without the assistance of boiled food. On
the other hand, as we retire from extensive coal or turf
districts, and fuel becomes scarce and dear on account of
the carriage, boiling chalF is either practised on a very
small scale, oris altogether unknown. Whatever the na-
ture or character of the food used in feeding stock for
the coming season, there is one thing certain that it will
be worth a good deal of hard cash, whether raised on the
farm or purchased ; and it will be incumbent on every
feeder, who has his own interest at heart, to see that he
gives expensive food to no ill-thriven, flat-ribbed, tough-
skinned animal, quite incapable from its breeding, forma-
tion, and constitution of giving a profitable return for the
expenditure of time and money entailed in the endeavour
to make it fat. It is in such a season as the present,
when keep is high, that the vast difference between ani-
mals of pure descent from at least one parent is forced
upon the observation of those interested in such matters,
comi)elling them if they have been previously neglectful
to increase their diligence, and spare no trouble in im-
proving their stock by the introduction of pure-blooded
sires. Horses are now in full work, and should be taken
fi'om the grass ; the cold nights that wc may henceforth
expect having an injurious eftect on a hard-working
horse, uiaking the coat stare, besides the extreme apti-
tude to get cold when put out in a heated state after
a hard-day's work. However he may be fed afterwards,
the farm horse should be kindly treated for the first few
weeks after being taken off the grass ; a liberal allowance
of oats mixed with a few beans and plenty of good hay,
warming him, and hardening his flesh and muscle. Af-
ter being accustomed to the stable, the hay may be sub-
stituted in whole or in part by good sweet oat- straw or
bean-straw, on farms where these are grown ; but if the
horse is regularly worked, the corn must be kept up and
given too with no sparing hand. One feed at least of pulped
roots in the day, mixed with a little chafl'ed hay, and
flavoured with meal, is a capital thing for a horse, keep-
ing the digestive organs in good order, giving him a good
coat, and assisting greatly to preserve him in good
health and condition. J. S.

THE DINNER OP THE SOCIETY.

" I wish the characters would leave off talking, and let
the play begin !" Such was the commentary of a critic
as the em'tain fell on the second act of Sheridan's famous
comedy, the School for Scandal. And at the agricul-
tural festivals, just in high season, how often, after
two or three hours of it from the cross-table, does one
feel inclined to echo the remark, " I wish these people
would leave off talking, and let the business begin !"
It has been our hard fate to sit out one of these
dreary entertainments, of which it may be as well

to give some description, if only in the way of a fearful
example. The dinner was called for three o'clock, but
it was an hour later when the chairman took his seat ;
while, as the company liad assembled long previously, the
chief object of the delay would be to allow the game
and venison to get cold, and so to give a certain kind of
consistency to the appearance of the tables. But if Her
Majesty be remarkable for the punctuality with which
she observes the specified time of any meeting she may
honour with her presence, surely it is not um-easonable to

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

285

expect as much from a body of country gentlemen. The
chances are that if three " sharp" were the rule ninety-
five people out of a hundred would be in their places ; as
the great majority of these must leave again by trains
which will wait for nobody. Consequently, the more
time wasted the more the likelihood of a considerable
part of the proceedings being enacted to empty benches.
Our Chairman, when he did begin, seemed to see some-
thing of this looming in the distance, for he dwelt in the
outset on the admitted fact that "brevity is the soul of wit,"
and referred with some very natural consternation to "the
five-and-twentyspeeches"which would have to be delivered!
It never, perhaps, occurred to the honom-able gentleman
that the better way of unravelling this Gordian knot
would have been to cut out a good half of the threatened
addresses, and so he went at once very gamely into his
work. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the chief table was
exalted so much above the others, that the distinguished
guests lived almost in another hemisphere ; and it was
but occasionally that anything they said could be heard in
the regions below. As most of the speaking came from
this very literally high table, the enjoyment of the scene
was of course proportionately increased by the common
people knowing little or nothing of what was going
on. However, according to a very necessary guide,
in the shape of a toast-list, the Chau'man gave "The
Queen," followed by " The Prince and Princess of
Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family;" and then
a very popular old gentleman, who was totally
inaudible, was supposed to propose " The Army, the
Navy, the Yeomanry, and the Volunteer services," in re-
sponse for which two names were set down. But the
lirst off, in utter defiance of the Chairman and his
soul of wit, liaving gone bravely through the Indian war,
the Crimean campaigns. King Theodore's discomfiture,
and the Volunteer crisis, the Yeomanry Cavalry officer
next due discreetly declined to have anything more to do
with it, so that one of the terrible " twenty-five" came
to count for nothing. Then Mr. Smith offered the very
comprehensive sentiment embodied in good health to
" The Bishops and Clergy of the Diocese, and Ministers
of all Christian Denominations," for which an honourable
and reverend gentleman, in evident dread of so great a
responsibility, did uot rise to reply, so that the duty de-
volved on the Parson of the Parish, who said he was old
enough to remember the time when the toast would have
been comprised in the words " Church and Queen" — a
good old fashion that for more reasons it is to be hoped
may be revived. In succession, somebody gave " The
Lord-Lieutenant," mainly, as it would seem, because he
was not present, and another Mr. Smith, " the High-
Sheriff'," with thanks to him for Jds non-attendance ; and
both these toasts having been " appropriately" acknow-
ledged, a candidate for the county undertook to compli-
ment " The Mayor, the Magistrates, and the Corporation
of the Borough," as in doing so he managed to get into
hot water with some of the townsmen, and so providentially
puUed up short. The jMayor having made his speech,
the Mayor's father came in for a turn, and being clearly
an orator of no ordinary pretensions, went on to a run-
ning accompaniment of murmuring and shuffling that he
complacently took for applause, until the demonstration re-
solved itself into a diametrically opposite expression of pub-
lic opinion. By this time the room was rapidly thinning,
but the Chairman, in offerimg " the toast of the evening,"
had contrived to edge in a few words about the cattle-
plague, while the next speaker at the high table in-
genuously confessed his surprise at having heard so little
said about agriculture. Another from below declared that,
had he not been in the secret, after sitting there for some
hours, and seeing the occasion graced with the presence
of a few ladies, he might have thought it some Social

Science gathering for encouraging the breed of silkworms,
or suggesting imi^rovements in the sewing-machine. The
judge deputed to respond for himself and his fellows de-
clined to enter into the merits of the Show so late in the
evening ; and the only man who essayed to speak to the
real business of the day had to mount the tabic, and hurl
his anathema at

Jove in the chair,
Of the sky Lord Mayor.
Is it utterly hopeless to attempt to amend such a state
of things as this ? Is the dinner of an agricultural society
stQl to continue a dismal and unprofitable burlesque?
"Will some little-great man be really offended should his
name be omitted from the list, though the probabilities
are that he is no speaker ; or, if he be, that he knows
nothing of what he is called on to talk about V Is it
really necessaiy for the welfare of such associations, and
the success of such celebrations, that the practical men shall
be kept back, like the game and venison, until they be luke-
warm, and satiety rules supreme? "VVe think not. The case
is not hopeless, or we should not have again reverted to it.
Reform has already set in. The ice has been broken, and
the Rubicon crossed. At the dinner in the Potteries
the other day, Mr. Wise, the chairman, \vith an amount
of moral courage that cannot be too much extolled gave
the Royal and loyal and "customary" toasts in one single
speech. And was any offence created by such a course ?
On the contrary, a I'ight honourable gentleman and a
member of Parliament, who rose to give " The Judges"
immediately after " Success to the Society," said "he was
sure that every one present would share the satisfaction he
felt at the course pursued by their chairman, though he
must confess that, even in these revolutionary days, this
boldness had surprised him. To get through the bishop
and clergy, the army and navy, and, in fact, all the civil,
ecclesiastical, and military institutions of the country in a
word, certainly startled him at first ; but he felt and ac-
knowledged the wisdom of that proceeding, and he hoped
a similar course would be adopted at many future
meetings^" We hope so too, or these dinners had far
better be done away with. As at present conducted they
tend to little or no good purpose, and are rarely more than
negative nuisances to all concerned — to the hapless mag-
nates who have to speak, and the still more unfortunate
people who have to listen.

This is something like what the toast list of an agri-
cultural dinner should be : —
RoYAi: The Queen, the Prince and Princess of

Wales, and the Rest of the Royal Family.
Loyal : The Army, the Navy, and the Ciiurch. The
House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The Lord Lieuten.vnt and the County Magis-
trates. The Mayor ^vnd tile Corporation.

Success to the Agricultural Society.

The Judges.

The Executive — The Stewards, the Commit-
tee, AND THE Secretary.

The Prize-Givers and Takers.

The Chairman and the Vice-chairman.
The advantage of putting the Chairman's health as the
last toast would be that this would tend to hold the meeting
together ; while of course he would " A said whot a owt to a
said" in introducing the three first items on his programme.
A Chairman should be expected to do no more ; and any
other good man, a smart M.P. for instance, might be
selected to propose, and one, two, or even more speakers,
according to circumstances, deputed to respond for the
Judges and the Executive. The business would so pro-
mise to be over in good time, by no means an unimportant
consideration ; and we should be no longer treated to the
melancholy spectacle of an honourable gentleman address-
ing his " few words more" to the remnant of a company
utterly weary of the whole affair. Reform it altogether !

286

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

I'HE DERBYSHIEB AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT DERBY.

It is satisfactory to say, in the outset, that the sugges-
tiens made ia our report of last year's meeting have been
pretty generally adopted ; and that this show is now very
efficiently conducted. All classes appear to take an ac-
tive interest in its success ; while the very fact of the
ground being so conveniently situate, in the very heart of
the town, tends to give the citizens an additional stake in
tne welfare of the Society. This is not one of any great
calibre, the competition being mainly confined to the
county, or to subscribers ; nevertheless, there were few
of the sections but which were well fi.lled ; and, in such
staple productions as milk, butter, cheese, and nag horses,
the entries would have done credit to many associations
of greater scope and pretensions. The judges thought
so highly of the cheeses that they gave some additional
prizes out of their own pockets ; and the awards over a
very good class of hunters were made in the presence of
some thousands of spectators. This, to be sure, is not
exactly the season, as it has happened, for showing dairy
cattle ; but Mr. Vale's first-prize lot of four cows made
up a capital entry, of much the same stamp, with good
milking qualities, although, at the same time, uot so shabby
nor mean in their appearance, as would seem generally
to be a necessity with stock devoted to the production
of milk and cheese. The dairy cattle were drawn either
in four or pairs, a very good plan, as tending to give
something of a uotion as to the principle upon which a
man's herd is cultivated. To the honour of the Short-
horns be it written that the Derbyshire milkers arc chiefly
of this breed ; and in the class of all-aged bulls there was
not an animal without a Herd-book pedigree attached to
his name. There was some discussion as to the placing
of the first and second ; but Mrs. Packman's bull was
very bad about his shoulders, while Washington also beat
him for quality. There were two sons of Duke of Geneva,
a Young Butterfly, and plenty of Booth blood in compe-
tition for these three premiums ; so that fashion is getting
quite its share of fair-play among the dairywomen of
Derbyshire. The Longhorns, through their especial
champion, Mr. Cox, got a turn amongst the fat stock ;
and the .Spondon steer will no doubt be seen again here-
after, although, so far, he is nothing very remarkable
in the way of a feeding beast ; and the best fat heifer, a
very sweet one, exhibited by Mr. Mitchell and bred by
Mr. Faulkner, Mas far better.

The longwool sheep, mostly Lincolus. were only mode-
rate, as in truth some of the prize pens of ewes were
really bad ; but the judges generally commended the class
of shearling rams, running to nearly twenty entries.
The sliortwool judges were also very liberal in their com-
mendations of the Shropshires, more particularly in the
breeding-ewe class, where every entry received some
notice, and the shearling rams, of which there was a very
fair class ; but the first-prize old ram, though bred by
Mr. Byrd, and the third to him from Mr. Masfen, would
neither be worthy of their places, saving in such company
as they kept at Derby.

There were a few good pigs, with the small sort for
choice, in a dairy country where a man should have such
a character as the Fat Boy gave his master for breeding
" nice pork."

There were only three cart-stallions exhibited, and none
of these of any remarkable merit ; nor was the best cart-

marc anything extraordinary. A long class of two-year-
olds, however, was lead off by Mr. Marple's roan
filly, a " Royal first" at Leicester, and a well grown,
active mare, though rather high on her leg, and now
reaching to no less than seventeen hands, under the stan-
dard. There was plenty of blood in the riding-horse
division, the young stock being by Gamester, Diophantus,
the Spinner, Sir Colin Campbell, Gilbert de Gaunt, Grce-
culus Esuriens, Lauccwood, and so forth; while the efforts
of the tenantry in this way receive some substantial en-
couragement from the Duke of Rutland, Lord Chester-
field, Mr. Meynell Ingram, and the gentlemen of his
Hunt. Still the effect is not yet so palpable, for the lot
of hunters in work was far better than any of the entries
in the younger classes. The two chesnuts, placed first
and second, are both clever young horses, Mr. King's
son of Gamester more particularly ; but he wants some-
thing of the power and substance of the other, and hence
his getting no higher. Mr. Mitchell showed a couple of
smart hacks, and Mr, Barron a showy, high-stepping
hair-Arab, that took the prize as the best cob ; but the
two-year-olds were bad, and the class of three-year-olds,
or rather the conditions, clearly caused the judges some
embarrassment. The articles went to declare that the best
filly or gelding must be of the value of £50 ; or, " if in
the opinion of the judges nothing exhibited be worth as
much, the prize to relapse to the society." After due
deliberation, the prize was awarded to a slack straggling
filly, showing some breeding, and by Leamington; but it
is questionable, as times go, whether she would have ever
made her price in the market. It has accordingly been
suggested that, to make this rule really effective, one of
the judges shall take their prize-horse at the sum stated,
in the event no other customer coming forward.

There were companion shows of poultry and flowers, all
on the same ground ; and Messrs. Haywood honestly
earned their reward for a collection of implements,
amongst which were to be found the names of some of
our best makers. Conspicuous amougst the few novelties
was a model of a manure distributor, invented and pa-
tented by Mr. Gilbert Murray, and by which farm-
yard dung can be delivered and spread as the cart tra-
verses the field.

The dinner in the Corn-exchange was well attended, as
graced by the presence of a few ladies ; but the subject of
agriculture was carefully kept at arm's length until the
company had thinned out, or imtil those who remained
had heard so much that they did not care to hear much
more.

PRIZE LIST.
Judges :

CatUc : Mr. C. llelLiljy, Bramcote ; l\Ir. Brougli, Allsop-le-

Dale.
Af/riciil/iiral Horses : Mr. AVright, Hollingtou ; Mr. Ladkiu,

Lutterworth.
Jliiiitcrs and Ilncls : Captain Barlow, Donnington ; Mr. H,

Corbet, Farmers' Club; Mr. J. E- Bennett, Husljands

Bos worth.
Lonif-wool Sheep : Mr. Jolinson, Westbrow, Grantham; Mr.

Marshall, Branston, Lincoln.
Short-wool Sheep : Mr. G. Murray, Elvastou ; Mr. S. Woods,

Clipstoue Park.
/■/> .- Mr. Whitwortli, Measham.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

287

Fonltry : Mr. Hewitt, Bivmingluim ; Mr. Lowe, Comberforcl ;

Mr. W. J. Drewry, Burton-ou-Treut.
Grain and Roots : Mr. T. Clarke ; Mr. S. Robiuson.
Ckeese and Butter : Mr. S. W. Co.k ; Mr. E. Etches.
Wool : Mr. Earp, Melbourne.
Shoebi;/ : Mr. King, V.S. ; Mr. Rossell, V.S.
Implements : Mr. G. W. Baker, Suffolk ; Mr. Campion ; Mr.

W. Hall Abell.

CATTLE.

UAIUY COWS,

Four cows, first, E. Vale, Derby ; second, J. Hodgkinsou,
Allestree ; third, G. J. Mitchell, Newton Mount.

Pair of cows, from members not keeping more than twenty
cows, first, W. Wakefield, Catton ; second, J. Foster, Thulston ;
bird T. Hancock, Dale Abbey.

Shorthorn cow, having had a living calf between January
1st and July 1st, 18G8, first, J. Hill, Bladon Castle; second,
W. Wakefield, Catton ; third, J. Hodgkinsou, Allestree.

Pair of heifers under three years old, first, J. Eailey, Mans-
field ; second, S. Wade, Mickleover ; third, E. Thacker, Am-
baston.

Pair of heifers adapted for dairy purposes, first, T. Carriog-
ton, Eaton ; second, S. Wade, Littleover ; third, T. Hancock,
Dale Abbey.

Pair of stirks under two years old, adapted for dairy pur-
poses, first, Edward Vale, Derby ; second, Geo. J. Mitchell,
Newton Mount ; third, J. Bennett, Little Chester.

Shorthorn bull, first, Richard Blackwell, Tausley ; second,
Mrs. Packman, Tupton Hall ; third, R. Stevenson, Aston-on-
Trent.

Shorthorn yearling bull, first, Samuel Birchnall, Catton ;
second, Thomas Travis, Postern Lodge ; third, Thomas Garratt,
Little Eaton.

Four rearing calves, first, Mrs. Packman, Tupton Ilall,

Bull calf, not exceeding twelve months old, first, George J.
Mitchell, Newton Mount ; second, AVilliam Wakefield, Catton.

Fat ox or steer of any breed, first, W. T. Cox, M.P., Spon-
don Hall (loughorn) ; second, W- S. Woodrofte, Normanton-
on-Soar (shorthorn) ; third, G. J. Mitchell, Newton Mount
(shorthorn).

Heifer or cow of any breed, first, Richard Ratclitl", Walton
Hall (shorthorn) ; second, J. Evans, Alport (shorthorn) ; third,
W. H. Marbrow, Newton Solney (shorthorn).

HORSES.

Stallions for agricultural purposes, two years old and up-
wards, first, James CoUingwood, Oversenl ; second, Ben. Ford,
Locko.

Brood mare and foal for agricultural purposes, first, William
Weston, Burley ; second, James Smith, Thurvaston ; third,
W. D. Haywood, Stauton-by-Dale.

Two-year-old gelding or filly for agricultural purposes, first,
Robt. Marple, Aston-on-Trent ; second, W. D. Haywood,
Stauton-by-Dale ; third, Richard Stevenson, Aston-ou-Trent.

One-year-old gelding or filly for agricultural purposes, first,
William Bull, Eggintou ; second and third, Eggleston Thacker,
Ambaston.

Pair of horses for agricultural purposes, first, Thos. Wing-
field, Dale Abbey ; second, Mark A.udinwood, Weston Grange ;
third, John Porter, Weston-on-Trent.

Brood-mare and foal best fitted for breeding hunters and
hacks, first, W. S. Woodrofl'o, Normanton-on-Soar ; second,
Robert Eeilden, Coxbench.

Best hack or roadster, above four years, first and second,
George J. Mitchell, Newton Mount.

Gelding or filly, of the value of £50, not thoroughbred,
above three and under four years of age, first, Geo. J. Mitchell,
Newton Mount.

Gelding or filly, not thoroughbred, above two and under
three, first, W. J. Matthews, Repton ; second, Robert Fcilden,
Coxbench.

Cob, not exceeding fourteen hands, for riding or harness
purposes, first, William Barron, Borrowash ; second, T, Cox,
Pear-tree House.

Hunter, four years old and upwards, first, A. Tomlinson,
Stenson ; second, H. King, Melbourne; third, J. J. Meynell,
Derby.

SHEEP.

LONG WOOLS.

Five breeding ewes, having had lambs in 1868 and suckled

them up to the 1st of June, first, M. Scorer, Scarcliff ; second,
R. Johnson, Kirk Ireton ; third, A. Bryer, Quarndou. .

Five theaves, first, M. Scorer ; second, R. Johnson ; third,
A. Bryer, Quarudon.

Five ewe lambs, first, R. Johnson ; second, W J. Matthews,
Repton.

Ram of any age above a shearling, first and second, 11.
Johnson ; third and commended, C. Mellor, Atlow.

Slicarliug ram, first, R. Johnson ; second, R. Lee, Kniveton ;
third, M. Scorer. The class commended.

Five lat wether sheep, not exceeding twenty-two months old,
first, M. Tatam, Little Eaton.

Extra stock, commended, \V. S.JWoodroffe, Norraanton-on-
Soar (fat ewe).

SHORT WOOLS.

Five breeding ewes, havijig had lambs, first, W. Baker,
Moor Barns ; second, J, Rose, The Ash ; third, C. Smith,
Langley.

Five theaves, first, AV. Baker ; second, J. Rose ; third, C.
Smith.

Five ewe lambs, first, W. Baker ; second, J. Rose.

Ram of any age above a shearling, first, C. Smith ; second,
W. Baker ; third, W. Wood, Holly Bank.

Shearling ram, first, W. Baker ; second, W. Wood ; third,
W. AVood.

Ram lamb, first, W. Baker ; second, C. Smith.

Five fat wether sheep, not exceeding twenty-two months
old, first, W. Wakefield, Catton ; second, R. Hall, AVilne.

PIGS.

LARGE BREED.

Boar of any age, first, J. Hawkesworth, Barton Blount ;
second, M. Walker, Stockley Park.

Sow of any age, first, T. Garratt, Little Eaton ; second,
M. Wulker, Stockley Park.

Three breeding pigs of one litter, not exceeding seven
months old, first, M. Tatam ; second, M. Walker.

SJIALL BREED.

Boar of any age, first, M. Walker, Stockley Park ; second, J.
T. Poyser, Burton-ou-Treut.

Sow of any age, first, G. J. Mitchell, Newton Mount ;
second, Mrs. Arkwright, Etwall Hall.

Three breeding pigs of one litter, not exceeding seven
months old, first, J. T. Poyser ; second M. Walker.
ROOTS.

Six mangold wurtzel, first and second. Countess of Chester-
field, Bretby-hall ; third, W. Barrou, Borrowash.

The Judges recommended that the prizes for swedes be
given for mangolds.

CHEESE AND BUTTER.

Cheese of not less than 1 cwt., first, J. Smith, Weston ;
second. Rev. H. W Sitwell, Stainsby ; third, J. Smith; highly
commended, J. Greatorex, Stretton; J. Rose, The Ash; G.
Steer, Mickleover; W. Armishaw, Sudbury; J. Harrison,
Brailsford. — Judges' prizes, M. Walker, Stockley Park ; T.
C. Smith, Birdsgrove ; J. Hawkesworth, Barton Blount.

Cheese ot not less than 1 cwt., made by exhibitors who shall
not have made any cheese on the Sunday after the 14th of
June, 18CS, first. Rev. II. W. Sitwell, Stainsby ; second, G.
Steer, Mickleover.

BUTTER.

Milk butter (not less than six pounds), first, W. T. Cox,
M.P., Spondon Hall ; second, A. M. Munday, Shipley Hall ;
highly commended, B. Ford, Locko.

Milk butter (not less than six pounds) made by a farmer's
daughter, first, T. Hancock, Dale Abbey ; second, T. Jerrara,
Bearwardcote ; highly commended, J. Vickcrs, Wiliington.
WHEAT AND BARLEY.

Red wheat, first, R. Stevenson, Aston-ou-Trent ; second,
R. Henshaw, Alvaston.

White wheat, first, W. Wood ; second, W. S. Woodroff'e,
Normanton-on-Soar.

Barley, first, G. Asbby, Marston-on-Dove ; second, G. J.
j\Iitchell, Newton Mount.

Oats, first and second, J. Greatorex.

Beans, first, G. J. Mitchell.

WOOL.

Three fleeces of long wool, first, R. Johnson.

Three fleeces of short wool, first, J. Ash Rose, Etwall.

THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE.

COLLECTION OF IMPLEMENTS.

First, Haywood, Derby ; second, PiatcIilT ; third, Harrison ;
highly commended, Hayward and Hatcliff, for Richmond and
Chandler's improved chaff-cutter.

Silver medals. — To Goodall for mills adapted to agricultural
purposes ; to Woolley for a collection of carts and waggons
constructed and manufactured by himself ; and to Corbett for
an improved winnowing machine.

At the dinner the Chaikma^v, the Hon. E. W. Coke,
could only say, as to the rating of the county, that he, along
with his brother committee-men, had arrived at the one con-
clusion, that there could be nothing more unsatisfactory than
the present system of voting, namely, under tlie County Hate
Assessment Act and the Union Assessment Act. The subject
ought to be dealt with at once by Parliament. He thought
the counties should be rated under one uniform and universal
Act of Parliament. On going into the rating question they
found that the rates on land varied from ten to twelve per
cent., and on buildings from ten to tvi-enty per cent. Was
there any justice in that? He fully agreed that representation
and taxation should go together. Derbyshire would not de-
rive any great advantage from any such measure as that he
had mentioned, as county magistrates had so great a care for
the ratepayers that they acted with tlie utmost discretion in
the disbursement of the county finances. But still, he be-
lieved the principle was right, and therefore hoped it would be
carried out. There was the question of the Cattle IMarket
Bill, and in reference to that he could reckon upon many
gentlemen in the room as his friends, who would be of his
opinion that no county in Englaud is more deeply interested in
keeping out cattle disease than Derbyshire. A question like
the cattle market question should not be a party one, and to a
great extent it was not, but still the Opposition had taken an
unjustifiable course in opposing the Bill, which, recommended
to Government by the Commissioners for the investigation
into the cattle plague, advocated measures that had checked
and stifled it in the country.

Mr. J. G. Cromi'TON, in proposing the health of the Com-
mittees and Secretary, had been surprised that so little had
been said upon agricultural subjects.

Dr. HiTCHMAN said the splendid discoveries of the last
half century, the marvels of locomotive machinery and steam,
by which the fertile prairies of America, the sunny plains of
France, the virgin soils of Russia, the teeming fields of Hun-
gary and the Danube (associated with cheap labour and low
taxation), have been as it were linked to this ranch worn,
over-taxed, and populous island, while they have scattered
untold blessings on toiling thousands, have diminished the
profits of the British farmer, and added a hundredfold, to the
risks to be incurred from pestilential diseases to his Hocks and
herds. Yes, sir, while we do homage to the genius and bene-
volence of such men as Peel and Cobden, who scattered broad-
cast the blessings of free-trade to the artizans of Great Britain,
we must not conceal the fact, that it did, at the same time throw
as it were a heavy chain around the English farmer, and com-
pelled him to run thus weighted in the great race of compe-
tion with the farmers of other lands. We mention this in no
craven spirit ; we want not to return to the past ; we want not

to call back again the legislation of other days ; we know that
we might as well stretch out our hands to slop the chariot of
the sun, to arrest the stars in their courses, or to push the
rolling waves of the Mississippi back again to their highland
birthplace, as to attempt to recall the past. We want no retro-
gression ; but in a pursuit so uncertain as farming in Eng-
land, and yet so momentous in its results] to the well-being of
the community, we claim the sympathy and the support of our
landlords and our countrymen. In a land where seasons
baffle the resources of capital and skill, and effect a difference
in produce greater than can be realised by good farming, and
farming not good, we do ask] that no unnecessary burdens be
legislatively placed on our shoulders. lu an occupation where
no skill however great, no industry however unceasing, no
forethought however sagacious, no economy however wise, can
secure a certain result, we do ask that we should be free to
employ the products of our fields in .the best manner which
skill, experience, and forethought should dictate ; in one word,
ice iisk to he free ; free to employ, as we may think best, the
corn which had been secured by industry and energy. The
Government cannot give us the cloudless skies and the virgin
soils of other lands, but it could, and it ought, to extend to
the British farmer the same privileges which it awards to the
farmers of other lands. And again, it ought to protect us, as
our Chairman has said, from the importation of visible and
tangible poison, which deals desolation to our herds, and fills
whole families with poverty and dismay. On the great prin-
ciple of " Live and let live, " on the still higher principle of
" Bearing one another's burdens," and thus fulfilling the great
law of Divine Love, why should not some concession be made
by the community at large, and the pest cattle be slaughtered
at the port of debarkation, or be made to undergo quaran-
tine on British waters, until their plague-spot be washed away,
and they can no longer spread desolation and death over this
our fatherland ? Let these things be done, and the English
farmer, handicapped though he be by a fickle climate, by a
much worn soil, high-priced labour, taxation, and the like,
will be glad to compete with the farmers of other lands : he
cares not that much of the results of centuries of his skill are
carried abroad in an embodied form by the purchase of stal-
lions, bulls, and rams, for the avowed purpose of competing
with him in his own markets, with his own weapons ; he will
welcome the honourable strife as, in other fields. Ids fore-
fathers and his contemjioraries grappled knee to knee, and
shoulder to shoulder, with the foreigner, with a result of which
Cressy, and Agincourt, Bleuheim, and Waterloo, Alma, and
lukermann are the records, even so, as " Peace hath her vic-
tories, as well as war."

JMr. T. W. Cox said he was glad to see that the cheese was
so good that the judges could not decide who should have the
prizes, and they had been obliged to give three extra prizes.
As to that fearful disease, pleuro-pneumonia, he did not think
they had suffered so bad as many other counties, but still he
hoped every step would be taken to prevent a recurrence of
that fearful plague.

Mr. CoKBET, ill responding for the judges, felt much in-
clined to find fault with the disposition of the toast list, whicli
brought some of the more important toasts to nearly the fag-
end of the list.

WARWIC KSHIEE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MEETING AT WARWICK.

The exliibition of this society, which was established in
1830, was held at Warwick. Amongst the Shorthorns
there were some very good animals and some inferior ones.
The first prize for the best bull was obtained by Mr. John
Lynn, Church Farm, Stroxton, who also took the extra
prize for the best bull in the yard, The Herefords, gene-
rally speaking, were rather an inferior lot, and only small
in numbers. There was, however, one good specimen of a
cow, shown by Mr. J. Baldwin, Luddiugton.bredatMacnaughty.
In the class of Devons there were very few animals shown. In
the loBgUorus a good bull was exhibitea by the Duke of Buck-

inghani, and the cows were of a superior class. The cattle
shown as being the best adapted to dairy purposes were a very
fair class taken as a whole. The number of horses entered was
98. There were 27 agricultural horses, 43 hunters,^ and 28
hacks and ponies entered in the catalogue, but a few were
absent. Several good animals were shown amongst the
hunters, though some of the first-class horses of Warwickshire
were not shown. The sheep exliibited were of a somewhat
inferior kind, the dryness of the season having affected the
herbage so much that the condition of many of them was not
SO good as have been e.\hJbited on former occasions, The

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

289

show of long-woollecl slieep was not good, but that of the
Shropshire ewes as a class were to be commeuded. In a class
for the best pen of five ewes that had sucked lambs to the 1st
of June, where Mr. John Baldwin, of Luddington, was awarded
the first prize, this was " protested" against. Tliere were 28
entries for pigs ; and many of those exhibited were very good.
The Judges — Cattle : Mr. T. Morris, Maisemoor Court,
Gloucester ; Mr. Baker, Kowright, Chipping Norton. Sheep
and Pigs : Mr. R. N. Cresswell, Ravenstone, Ashby-de-Zouch ;
Mr. H. Fookes, Whitechurch, Blandford. , Agricultural Horses
and Donkeys : Mr. J. E. Bennett, Bosworth Grange, Rugby ;
Mr. C. Randell, Chadbury, Evesham. Hunting Horses and
Hacks : Mr. C. Milward, Fox Hollies, Hall Green ; Mr. J.
Shepherd, Watton, Coleshill. Implements : Mr. M. Savidge,
Sarsden Lodge Farm, Chipping Norton ; Mr. J. Hicken, Dun-
church, Rugby. Cheese ; Mr. T. Kemp, Warwick. Grain :
Mr. P. Kench, Warwick.

PRIZE LIST.
CATTLE.

SHORTHORNS.

Best Bull, above three years old, ^glO, John Lynn, Church
Farm, Stroxton (Prizeman).

Best bull, over twenty months, and under three years old,
first, £10, S. C. Pilgrim, Burbage ; second, T. Walker, Berkes-
well HaU.

Best bull, over ten months and under twenty months old,
first, £8, John Lynn, Stroxton ; second, G. Game, Chuicliill
Heath.

Best cow, in milk, above three years old, first, £7, G. Game,
Churchill Heath ; second, Kirby Feuton, Harvey Villa, Lea-
mington.

Best pair of heifers, under three'years old, in milk or in calf,
first, £7, G. Game, Churchill Heath ; second, James Dormer,
Ashow.

Best pair of heifers, under two years old, first, £5, G. Game,
Churclull Heath; second, E. Lythall, Radford.

HEREFOKDS.

Best buU, above ten months and under three years old,
first, £10, John Baldwin, Luddington ; second, Thomas Gar-
rett, Compton Scorpion.

Best cow, in milk, above three years old, first, £7, John
Baldwin, Luddiugton ; second, John Baldwin.

Best pair of heifers, in milk or calf, under three years old,
first £7, Thomas Garrett, Compton Scorpion ; second, John
Baldwin, Luddington.

DEVONS.

Best bull, £8, A. Umbers, Weston Hall.
Best cow or heifer, in milk, first £5, S. Umbers, Wappen-
burj' ; second, A. Umbers, Weston Hall.

LONG-HORNS.

Best bull, first, £8, the Duke of Buckingham ; second,
Thomas Satchwell, Hernfield, Knowle.

Best cow or heifer, in milk, first, £5, J. Godfrey, Wigston
Parva ; second, J. H. Burbery, Kenilworth.

CATTLE EOE DAIRY PURPOSES.

Best pair of cows, in milk, first £10, J. S. Perkins, Leek
Wootton ; second, E. Lythall, Radfoid; third, John Pabuer,
Hampton-on-the-HiU.

Best buU, for breeding purposes, of any pure breed, £3, Sir
J. W. C. Hartopp, Four Oaks Park.

Best pair of steers of any breed, under three years old, £5,
W. EndaU, Henley-in-Arden,

Best bull, for breeding purposes, exhibited either for a prize
or as extra stock on the day of the • show, £10, John Lynn,
Church Farm, Stroxton,

SHEEP.

LEICESTERS.

For the best shearling ram, first, £8, Thomas Marris, Ul-
ceby ; second, Thomas Marris, Ulceby ; third, Francis Spencer,
Wibtoft.

Best two-shear ram. first, £8, Samuel Umbers, Wappen-
bury ; second, Thomas Marris, Ulceby: third.'.Francis Spencer,
Wibtoft.

Best pen of five ewes, that have suckled lambs to the 1st of
June, 1868, first, £7, W. Hurlston, Wasperton ; second, S.
Umbers, Wappenbury.

LONfiWOOLLED SHEEP, NOT LEICESTERS,

Best shearling ram, first, £8, Jghn Lynn, Stroxton ; second,
John Wheeler, Long Compton ; third, Jno. Tombs, Hatherop.

Best two-shear ram, first, £8, John Lynn, Stroxton ; second,
John Tombs, Hathethrop ; third, John Lynn, Stroxton.

Best pen of five ewes, that have suckled lambs to the 1st of
June 1863, first, £7. ;,R. Hawkes, Hunscote ; second, John
Baldwin, Luddington.

SHROPSHIRE SHEEP.

Best shearling ram, first, £8, Ann Baker, Grendon ; second,
C. R. Keehng, Penkridge ; third, W. Baker, Moor Bams,
Atherstone,

Best two-shear ram, first, £8, Ann Baker, Grendon ; second,
Ed. LythaU, Radford ; W. Baker, Moor Barns, Atherstone.

Best pen of five ewes, that have sucked himbs to the 1st
June, 1868, first, £7, Ann Baker, Grendon ; second, John
Coxon, Freeford, Lichfield.

OTHER SUORT-WOOIIED SHEEP.

Best shearling ram, first and second prizes, George Wallis,
OldShifford.

Best two-shear ram, first and second prizes, Thomas Marris,
Ulceby.

Best long-woolled tup, £2, Francis Spencer, Wibtoft.

HORSES.

AGRICULTURAL HORSRS.

Best stallion, first, £20, R. Walker, Broadwell ; second, W.
Wynn, Grafton.

Best mare in-foal or with a foal at her foot, first, £10,
Jolm Cook, Fulbrook ; second, W. Hurlston, Ditchford.

Best gelding under three years old, £5, R. H. Timms,
Braunston.

Best filly under three years old, £5, J. Burbury, Leek Woot-
ton Grange.

Best pair of cart geldings or mares above four years old,
£10, C. Burton, Temple BalsaU.

HUNTING HORSES.

Stallion best adapted for hunting purposes, £15, William
Gulliver, Swaclifi'e, near Banbury (Naseby).

Best hunter that has been ridden in the past season, first,
£15, W. A. Corbett, Dumbleton; second, C. W. Paulet,
Wellesbourne.

Best hunter, four years old and upwards, first, £15, George
Van Wart, Edgbaston ; second, W. A. Corbett, Dimibleton.

Best four-year-old colt or ftlly, adapted for hunting jnirposes,
£10, Thomas AVhittington, Wootton Wawen.

To the farmer, being a resident in Warwickshire, who shall
exhibit the best hunter that has been ridden by himself with
hounds, £5, E. Knott, Fenny Compton.

Best half-bred two-year-old old colt or filly, £3, W. Hurl-
ston, Ditchford.

LOC.VL PRIZE.

To the tenant-farmer, being a resident in Warwickshire,
farming not less than fifty acres of land, who shall exhibit the
best hunter, not more than six nor less than four years old,
£10, W. Wilson, Hmington.

HACKNEYS AND PONIES.

Best hackney, £10, A. Harrison, Metchley.

Best hackney, not exceeding 16 hands high, £10, A. Har-
rison, Metchley.

Best pony, above 13 hands high, £5, J. Spencer, Villier's
HiU.

Best pony, above 13 and not exceeding 16 hands liigh, £5,
R. Singlehurst, Eathorpe.

PIGS.

Best boar pig, of the large breed (except Berkshire), under
18 months old, £3, R.E. Duckeriug, Northorpe.

Best boar pig, of the large breed (except Berkshire), above
18 months old, £3, A. Umbers, Weston Hall.

Best boar pig, of the small breed, under 18 months old, first,
£3, Win. Hemming, Coldicott, Moreton-in-the-Marsh ; second,
Wm. Hemming, Coldicott.

Best boar pig, of the small breed, above 18 months old, first,
£3, R. E. Duckering, Northorpe ; second, E. Umbers, Wap-
penbury.

Best boar pig, of the Berkshire breed, under 18 months old,
first, £3, and second, £2, Jos. Smith, Henley-in-Arden.

Best boar pig, of the Berkshire breed, above IS montjis old,
Jolin Spencer, Villier's Hill,

Best lireediug sow, suckUng pigs of her own farrow, and in-
milk at time of show, of the large breed (except Berkshire) ,
John Wheeler, Long Compton,

290

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

33est breeding sow, of the small breed, suckling pigs of Iicr
own farrow, aud iu-milk at the time of show, lirst, £3, John
Wh«eler, Long Comptun ; secoiid, E. Umbers, Wappeubury.

Best Berkshire sow, suckling pigs of her own farrow, and
in-milk at tlie time of show, first, £3, and second, £2, John
Spencer, Villier's Hill.

Three best breeding pigs, of one farrow oi 18G8, of large
breed, £3,11. E. Duckering, Northorpe.

Three best breeding pigs, of one farrow, of 18GS, of small
breed, £3, R. E. Duckering, Northorpe.

Three best breeding pigs, of one farrow of 18G8, of Berk-
sliire breed, £3, J. Spencer, Villier's Hill.

At the dinner Mr. Newdegate, M.P., said it happened to
be his lot to attend a meeting; of the Farmers' Club at Coles-
liill, and there was an exhibition of roots, at which one far-
mer year after year carried off the prize for mangold wurtzel.
At last he heard those who had the management of the club
saying, " We must disqualify that man." He (Mr. Newdegate)
asked why ? The answer was, " He grows his mangold wurt-
zel on a field that he turns the river over." Well, in a very
humble way, he (Mr. Newdegate) followed the hint thus
given him, and tried the irrigating of mangold wurtzel. He
found that in such a season as this that system, which was the
origin of fertility in India, might be made availaljle not only
for grass laud, but for plough laud where they required the
production of roots. Then he also believed that the present
season, and such a one as that of ISGl-, had taught them an-
other lesson that it would be prudent to follow the example
of Sulfolk aud other counties, where, having been devoted to
the production of turnips and in the growing of root crops,
tliey would find a far larger extent of mangold wurtzel grown
than he could remember when he was a lad, for he spoke but
as a baby farmer amongst those who were infinitely his su-
periors in all knowledge pertaining to agriculture. He
thought it was obvious tlmt if they could sow their mangold
wurtzel in March or April, they might try whether they had
got a plant, aud if it failed turn round and sow their turnips.
Those who had acted upon this principle this year would be
at ease in February and JIarch, when many farmers, like mem-
bers of the House of Commons, might possibly find themselves
in trouble. Such, he believed, were the lessons to be drawn
from the change of climate which they had witnessed.
It was his conviction tliat the extensive drainage which had
taken place had changed the climate of this country, and that
tliere were also circumstances connected with the vast extent
of railways and the consequent exposure of metals, which
probably had the elfect of attracting the electricity in tiie
clouds, which had brought about a state of the atmosphere
causing them to see seasons of more excessive drought and a
heavier rainfall (though at shorter periods) than was formerly
the case. These were, in his opinion, the lessons which their
experience taught them ; but he must be pardoned if he spoke
with diffidence on anything connected with agriculture, as he
was only an incipient farmer.

Mr. Bromley Davenport, M.P., said a subject of great
interest to the farmer at the present time was how^ he was to
feed his stock during the ensuing winter. The farmers had
suffered greatly from drought during the past summer, and
fodder for cattle will be very scarce. It might, however,
teach them the value of certain things, which tliey liad iiitherto
been disregardful of. It had been the habit of the English
farmer aud of the public generally to disregard the value of
straw as fodder. A grea't deal went iuto the manure-yard
which ought to contribute to the sustenance of stock. An-
other subject of paramount importance to farmers was the
utilisation of sewage. On this point he expressed a hope that
what was at present in many instances a nuisance might be
converted into a benefit to the soil. There was also one other
question to which lie wished to allude, and that was a most
important one— namely, that of education. It was a subject
that would be brought before the new Parliament, and he
would merely wish to state his opinion on tlic matter. Far-
mers' sons ought to be taught cliemistry, or, at all events, they
sliould possess a certain amount of chemical knowledge, aud
should also be acquainted with the appliances of steam to
agriculture: and with regard to labourers' sons, they should
be instructed of course in the three ll's — reading, writing, and
arithmetic,, and should also thoroughly understaud everytiiing
that was practical with regard to farming. Furthermore, they

should have a certain amount of knowledge in regard to manual
labour which they would have to encounter in life.

Mr. T. IlORLEY, jun., said he was glad to say that the show
that day was a great success. The cattle plague, he hoped,
had passed away ; but he must say they heard as it were with
fear and trembling that it was continuing its ravages upon
some of the shores on the Continent, lie hoped, however, it
would not reach England again. He thanked those gentle-
men who had given their support to the society, and observed
that it was their w\gh to give every accommodation to ex-
hibitors and hoped that the number of subscribers would in.
crease, and he trusted that " Progress" would be tlieir motto.
Allusion had been made to agricultural labourers, and he
might say that the labourers of England were never in a
more satisfactory way of doing or in a better position than at
present.

EXPERIMENTS AT THE SEWAGE
WORKS.

List month some important experiments were made at the
Leamington Sewage works, by a new process. A curious
circumstance is said to have led to the origin of the inventiou,
viz., a perusal of some of the purifications practised by the
ancient Hebrews, " the ashes of a heifer," denoting animal
charcoal, and blood poured upon the ground suggesting the
use of blood and- clay. Animal charcoal, blood aud clay, are
tlierefore used, with alum, and three other chemicals, which
are at present a secret, but wliich are stated to be of very small
cost, aud to be obtained in any quantity. The three substances
first mentioned have suggested the name of the "A.B.C."
compound as the system is called. The experiments proved
that this compound is capable of precipitating nearly all the
the manurial constituents of se« er water, the whole settling
in a flueculeut mass at the bottom of a vessel in a few minutes.
The water was left almost pure, aud the inventors say that the
residuum when dried requires only simple treatment by an
acid to render soluable some of the constituents for the use of
plants. Those who take an interest in the process are looking
forward with some interest to the publication of the analysis
of the samples taken by Dr. Franklin, at the Leicester experi-
ments. Subjoined is Mr. Wigner's statement of the results of
these experiments : —

" The total quantity of sewage treated was 10,637,000 gals.,
being nearly one-half of the Leicester drainage. The following
table shews the comparative analysis of the sewage before aud
after its treatment by the ABC process. The figures are the
average of IG analyses of as many samples taken at intervals
of one hour :— Sewage. ABC Water.

Grains per Imperial Gallon.

Organic matter 4-3.56 10.30

Mineral matter 68.36 58.4.1

Total solid matter ... 111.93 '68.61

" From this it will be seen that the approximate analysis
which \ias published did not overstate the degree of purifica-
tion effected; on the contrary, these results are considerably
more favourable.

" 'i'hese are the points of most import.ance to the Rivers Com-
mission, but to the towns the nature of the residium has an
equal practical bearing. The actual quantity of the manure
obtained by the process will be ascertained about three week's
hence, when it is thoroughly dry. I estimate, however, that
it exceeds 90 tons, or one ton per 130,000 gallons of sewage.
The analysis of an average sample of it, dried in the laboratory
till fit for sale, is as follows : —

Water l*-00

Organic matter i^

Alkaline salts .■••■■■••• f^^

Earthy salts, containing phosphoric acid i.'il i~./i

Silieia • "^-^^

100.00
" The nitrogen contained in this sample is considerably in ex-
cess of that given in the appoxiraate analysis. Its equivalent in
ammonia is more than 4?. per cent., and the value of manure
will therefore be proportionately increased, while your estimate
of the cost— namely 8s, 7d. per 100,000 gallons— is as nearly
correct as possible."

THU FARMDIi'S MAGAZIND.

291

IMPKOVEMENTS IN NORFOLK FARMING.
AGRICULTURE AT THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION MEETING.

At the Meeting of the British Association in Norwich, Mr.
C. S. Read, M.P., read the following paper: —

When the British Association intimated its willingness to
honour our old city of Norwich with a visit, and especially
when I found that a section would be devoted to Statistics and
Economic Science, I felt anxious that the chief feature of the
county of Norfolk, namely, its Agriculture, should somehow
be brought under the notice of the Society. Early application
was made by your local secretaries to our Chamber of Agri-
culture for a paper on Farming Statistics, but we had none
beyond the few figures anyone could extract from the little
Blue Book, which cost last year the sum of £18,000. But
there was more to be said about the progression of Norfolk
farming during the last quarter of a century, and the secre-
taries appeared most anxious that some such paper should be
produced. All naturally turned to Mr. Bacon, who wrote the
voluminous and exhaustive prize report for the Royal Agri-
cultural Society ; but Mr. Bacon pleaded advanced years and
much pressure of employment. Certainly he is not as juvenile
as he was twenty-five years ago, but his natural force seems by
no means abated, and his ripened talents could have furnished
us with an excellent and truthful review. As no volunteer
appeared in the field, I was most unexpectedly called upon by
numerous friends to perform the task. It was impossible for
me to do more than collect the materials for this short report
till the Parliamentary session was ended, and since then I have
had the harvest, and sundry matters public and private, to
occupy much of my time, so that I have deep need of your in-
dulgent consideration in listening to this imperfectly arranged
paper. I have to offer my acknowledgments to over fifty of
the leading farmers of the county, who have obligingly
furnished me with comprehensive answers to a series of ques-
tions I have addressed to them. I have taken an average of
these returns, and give the result in the opinions I shall ex-
press. It will, therefore, be seen that the information I record
is not the result of my own individual ideas or experience, but
has been collected from many of the best farmers in Norfolk.
It is quite impossible within the limits of a paper to do
more than glance at some of the chief improvements of Nor-
folk agriculture during the last quarter of a century. To
mention all or go into the details of the greatest changes
would occupy the space usually allotted to an agricultural
essay. It will therefore be my desire to record only the most
marked changes, which have recently influenced the farming
of Norfolk. In doing so, I must advert to many improve-
ments which are common to the Kingdom at large. I hope I
shall not be accused of a desire to confine the credit of such
progression to the county of Norfolk. But the general tenor
of these remarks will be to show that Norfolk farming, which
took such a vigorous start, and maintained such a prominent
position during the early part of this century, has not lost
ground during the past twenty-five years, though some other
counties may have overtaken and perhaps outstripped us in the
race. In 1804< Arthur Young wrote his voluminous report for
the old Board of Agriculture. Some eight years previously
Kent also made a survey ; but these eight years were memo-
rable in the annals of British agriculture, for during that
period Thomas WUliam Coke commenced his career as a Nor-
folk farmer. The first Lord Townsend had, thirty years before
that period, introduced the culture of the turnip into Norfolk,
and commenced a better system of agriculture. But it was
reserved for the great Coke of Ilolkham to mature that sys-
tem and fully develope the capabilities of our barren county.
And however much it may be the fashion to exalt our recent
progression, yet all Norfolk men feel that many of their recent
improvements originated with their great patrons, and perfect
as may be the superstructure of their agriculture now, the
chief credit is due to those who prepared so solid a foundation
for their building. Forty years rolled by, and our National
Society asked for a report of what had been done since the

days of Arthur Young and Mr. Coke. Well was that call re-
sponded to. Much was to be recorded : the progress, the hin-
drances, the ins and outs, the ups and downs of Norfolk agricul-
ture during that time could not be summed up in a few words.
They filled a large octavo volume, and filled it well. Strange to
tell, the man who was the theme of Arthur Young's report was
still the burden of Bacon's song. A life of active usefulness,
which was in its full vigour when Young wrote, just closed in
time for Bacon, as it were, to sing its elegy. Gracefully and
truthfully was it rendered — a simple but eloquent record of a
great man's deeds. Time is comparatively young since the days
of the last report, but no similar space of time was ever more
momentous to the farming interest. Externally there has been
Irish famine, the free importation of corn and cattle, the in-
flux of American and Australian gold and the Russian loan,
to say nothing of several monetary panics. Internally, agri-
culture has experienced the potato disease, the new epidemics
among cattle, the small-pox of the sheep, the ruinous agricul-
tural prices from 1849 to 1853, the rise and progress of new
artificial manures, the greater development of the giant power
of steam, the cattle-plague visitation, the wretched corn crops
of 1865, 1866, and 1867, and lastly the unprecedented drought
of the present year. However important the minor accesso-
ries, the abolition of protective duties on agricultural produce
must ever be regarded as the great event of this epoch. Dif-
ferent may be the opinions of the fairness and completeness of
a measure which repealed the import duty on wheat but re-
tained the malt-tax on barley, yet all will agree that one good
was achieved : it has put the farmer in a much better position
with the public and his fellow-producers. Regarded as the
favourite child of government, his protective garb of many
colours was a source of envy and jealousy to the rest of the
community, but he was suddenly exposed to the competition
of the whole world, deprived of his protective shield without
being relieved of an ounce of that weight of taxation witli
whicii in his pahny days he had been saddled. It can readily
be imagined that a corn-producing county like Norfolk would
suffer severely in the early days of free-trade. It manufac-
tures a large quantity of meat, but it is not from the natural
produce of the soil : it is nearly all raised by artificial means,
and the real profit is always looked for in augmented corn
crops. The Norfolk farmer had no neat stock, cheese, or
butter to dispose of, these have all along kept up their prices
pretty well : all his produce was wonderfully depreciated,
and he could not materially lessen the cost of pro-
duction. His rent was a fixed sum, and the seven years'
average made the tithes higher than they ^ had been in
higher times. He knew it would not do to buy less
manure or keep less stock, and he had not the heart to
reduce the labourers' wages to the full extent the prices war-
ranted. Without claiming any special merit for the farmers
of this county, it is no exaggeration to say that they bore their
losses with as much patience as any of their brethren, and ac-
commodated themselves to the altered state of things by rigidly
economizing their expenses and applying themselves with more
than ordinary assiduity and ability to the cultivation of their
farms. I must remember that I am not addressing a body of
Norfolk farmers, but a literary and scientific assembly, whose
knowledge of agriculture is principally confined to its theory,
and who have probably but a slight acquaintance with the
general practice and local customs of Norfolk farming. It may
therefore be necessary to say that the soil of the county varies
greatly, and that while in some parts of the east and north
there are districts that are naturally fertile, there are large
tracts to tlie south and west, which are so thin and poor that
fifty years ago they grew nothing but rye and rabbits, but
which are now so changed by the judicious expenditure of
capital that literally

" Fleecy flocks the hills adorn,
And valleys snjile with \yaTy corn."
X

292

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

It is in these districts that the greatest improvements liave
been made ; it was so in the days of Arthur Youug, it was so
wlien Mr. Bacon wrote his report, and it is so now. In West
Norfolk we find large farms and long leases. In the east
smaller estates and yearly holdings. lu the west tliere are open
fields and thin soils ; in the east, small enclosures, much hedge-
row timber, and a soil more or less fertile. The one is the
country for sheep, the other for stall-fed cattle ; one requires
an extravagant expenditure of artificial food and manures to
maiutaiu the productive powers of the land, and the other re-
quires little more than the oilcake and other purchased food
which are given to the winter-grazed oxen to keep the farm in
excellent condition. And here an observation should be made
as a sort of qualification to the above statement. In talking
of the agriculture of East and West Norfolk, no one supposes
that the electoral division of the Reform Bill of 1833 drew any
sort of line between one description of farming and another ;
neither must it be inferred that there are not in the East in-
dividual farmers as enterprising and successful — and perhaps
more so — than any in the West, and there are also some land-
owners equally liheral as the great and good ones of the
Western Division, nor that all the soil of the East district is
superior to that of West Norfolk ; but, taken as a whole, these
distinctions do exist, and when applied in a general manner
will not convey an impression materially incorrect. It is im-
possible from the statistical returns supplied by the Board of
Trade to give an idea of the number of cattle that are grazed
in Norfolk. These returns are made in July, when tlie farmer
has just cleared his yard of the winter-fed cattle, and having
so little pasture he does not buy in many more lean stock till
late in the autumn. The niunbers returned in 1S66 and 1807
correspond pretty nearly with those collected by Sir J.
Walsham in 1854 ; but when it is stated that more than half
or upwards of 60,000 of that uuml)er are com))osed of cows
and yearling stock, it will be at once seen that the great mass
of grazing cattle are practically excluded. I could add much to
the interest of these statistics if the returns of live stock were
occasionally made in the winter. It would show the amount of
summer and winter grazing that is peculiar to difi'erent dis-
tricts, and I believe that if our returns were made in January,
the number of our cattle would be doubled. A larger quantity
of younger steers are kept than formerly, and are grazed at a
very early age. Polled Scots liave almost disappeared from
our yards, and a very large proportion of the Norfolk-fed
cattle come direct from Ireland. Norfolk must ever be more
of a grazing than a feeding county, but we have a few herds of
improved Shorthorns in various parts of the county. The
Devons that lingered in the west so long after their introduc-
tion at Holkham have almost vanished, even from our show-
yards ; hut as a set-oiT against the loss of the Devons we have
to commemorate a grand revival of the polled Norfolks as a
numerous and distinct breed. The old-fashioned f/ay Ilome-
breds are not recognised as the true stamp of the improved
Norfolks, for the latter are a blood-red ; and while horns and
slugs are studiously avoided, and milking properties well cared
for, they possess a uniformity of character, style, and make
that would do credit to many of our established breeds.
In consequeuce of the high price of store stock an
effort has been made to rear calves sent, when a few
days old, from the dairy districts, but I do not apprehend that
it will he extensively practised, as it will be found cheaper in a
county so destitute of milk to buy yearling steers that liave
been raised on the natural pastures of the Emerald Isle. The
custom of giving grazing but especially young stock pulped
or shredded roots mixed with equal quantities of straw or hay
chaff has prevailed of late, and will be resorted to this winter
where there happens to be any roots for the cattle. A large
admixture of linseedcake, and more recently of cotton-cake, and
all sorts of meal is given to grazing stock, and frequently in
too large proportions ; for it is impossible for the stomach of a
bullock to assimilate seven or eight pounds of linseed-cake and
lialf-a-peck of meal. Even the improved value of the manure
by no means compensates for this loss, as cheaper fertilizers
can be supplied in the shape of guano and other ammoniacal
dressings. Although Hocks of sheep have undoubtedly in-
creased in some parts of the county, especially within the last
two years, it does not appear that the numbers on the whole
have materially altered. More ewes may be kept in some dis-
tricts ; but in many well-farmed tracts of West Norfolk, where
there is no sheep-walk, breeding flocks have been dispensed

with, as there is great difficulty to provide green food in ths
spring, and the reservation of turnips for the flock told preju-
dicially upon the late-sown corn crops which followed. The
chief sheep stock on such farms are the lambs that are bought
in the bummer from some neighbouring farmer, and are sent
fat to the London market when twelve or thirteen months old.
These sheep are mostly supplied with sliced swedes ad libitum,
receiving at the same time hay chaff and oilcake, and some-
times a little corn. Since the visitation of the cattle-plague
sheep have been bred and kept on lands in East Norfolk which
were formerly considered unsuitable for sheep. A great
demand for all sorts of sheep, but particularly ewes, two or three
years ago, caused a wonderfiil rise in the value of this stock ; but
the increased number of lambs that are produced, and the ap-
palling drought we have just passed through, have reduced the
price of lambs to a lower range than has been known for more
than twenty years. The chief alteration that has takeu place
in the sheep stock of this county results from the introduction
of the so-called Oxford downs. These medium-woolled
sheep are most useful animals ; but every half-bred mongrel
passes by the name of an Oxford or Shropshire Down. Half-
bred flocks are now far too common in the county. It requires
a great deal of care and selection to preserve any uniformity
in the produce, and we cannot be too thankful that some of our
noblemen and leading agriculturists still adhere to the South-
downs and other pure breeds. Though our Leicesters of
twenty-five years ago have recently been christened Cotswolds
or Longwools, I believe they are the best style of sheep for
producing a genuine half-bred lamb upon which the supply of
Norfolk mutton must mainly depend. The Norfolk pig is the
same lanky, long-nosed, flat-sided brute it ever v/as, notwith-
standing the enterprising efforts of a few of our leading
breeders to improve the porcine stock of our county. Pigs are
generally bred by small farmers, with whom the sow that will
produce the largest family and afford a bountiful supply of
milk is much more thought of than the quality of the progeny
she rears. The young pigs are sold to the larger occupiers for
shacking their stubbles or straw-yards, and are generally re-
sold as store pigs, comparatively few being fatted by them. In
olden time, when corn was all thrashed by the flail, more pigs
were kept iu the bullock-yards than now, and the same remark
may apply to poultry. The restless pigs disturb the quiet
slumbers of the drowsy oxen, and the cocks and hens are sure
to make free vrith the choicest morsels of meal and cake, as
they find so few stray grains of corn to pick up. The poultry
has certainly improved of late years, though I cannot think
the gaunt and lanky Cochin produced aay benefit ; but the
establishment of improved breeds by many euthusiastio
amateurs has left good marks in many neighbourhoods. The
fruits of the liberal prizes offered by our Agricultural Society
are beginning to be felt in the restoration of our cobs and cart
horses to the proud position they once held. The Norfolk
cart-horse is never what is termed a fashionable animal,
having few distinctive or attractive features ; but he was a
clean-legged, quick-stepping, hardy horse, well adapted for the
light tillage of our Norfolk soil. Years of neglect and an
indiscriminate admixture of Suffolk blood have rendered our
Norfolk cart-horse still more of a nondescript ; but there
are many teams of these useful and most serviceable
animals that contrast well with the petted Suffolk in a show-
yard, and would work them to death if exposed to all the la-
bour and hard keeping of an ordinary farmyard. The old
stamp of Norfolk cob has not been quite regained, but the
long entries of good trotting nags and bold stepping ponies at
our recent shows give good grounds for believing that a great
improvement is taking place in this class of stock. There can
be no doubt that the yield of wheat in Norfolk has greatly
increased during the past twenty-five years. From only one
part of the county have my correspondents intimated that
there is but little change. This comes from some of the best
land in Norfolk, when great crops of wheat were common full
fifty years ago. The repetition of wheat on these soils may
be more frequent, but the yield does not seem to have percep-
tibly increased. And until we discover some chemical manure
— some soluble silica for instance — that will strengthen the
straw in moist seasons and enable it to bear a large and fuller
ear, any increase of yield in these fertile districts must remain
in abeyance, for already the greatest loss is incurred from the
crop lodging at an early period of its growth, and the more
the crop is forced the more this tendency of the straw to go

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

293

down increases. Thin and early sowing, with a thorough
consolidation of the land, may in a measure alleviate this in-
creasing difficulty, but once let the chpmist show us how to
stiffen the straw of our cereals, and then the produce, for aught
we know, may he doubled, unless they should be smitten with
blight and raQdew — diseases which so frequently attack over-
stimulated crops. On the tlun chalks and light lands of Nor-
folk, the yield and extent of wheat are increased. Twenty-five
years ago it was considered that twenty-six to twenty-eight
bushels per acre was the full average yield of wheat for the
county. In IBS*, Sir J. Walsham estimated it at 30 bushels,
and T think we may now put it at 33 bushels or four quarters
per acre, but this is fully 4 bushels an acre over the average of
the last four years — including, of course, the present harvest.
The extraordinary difference of the yield of wheat on moderately
light-land farms, in dry or moist seasons, has been furnished me
by more than one large occupier. I will not give the details, but
simply state that the produce has occasionally nearly reached 13
coombs per acre, and has frequently been less than five, and one
year barely reached 3 coombs, while the money return has been
in a good season fifteen guineas per acre, and in a very bad one
little over £3. The yield of barley is not perceptibly aug-
mented : the estimated produce in ISol was put at over 38
bushels per acre, and that, I am sure, is fully up to the ave-
rage yield of the last ten years. No doubt a larger extent is
grown, but, as to the increase per acre, the same unfortunate
tendency of the straw to lodge hmders even in a greater degree
than in wheat the efforts of the husbandman to grow more
barley. If the crop, in a rank green and rapidly-growing
state, should be laid ilat by a heavy storm of rain, not only is
the yield considerably reduced, but the quality of the grain is
so seriously injured as to be totally unfit for malting purposes,
and the next year's seeds are destroyed. Many years ago the
yield of barley appeared to have reached its maximum in Nor-
folk. Sheep, eating a large quantity of cake and corn, con-
sumed chief part of the turnips upon the land, and as much
straw as could stand, and sometimes rather more, was pro-
duced in favourable years. But on the heavy lands, and in-
deed on all soils, the practice of sowing barley much earlier
than formerly has helped to stiffen the straw and improve the
sample. A vast extent of barley on the clay soils, and on
other medium and well-farmed lands, is now planted, when
practicable, in February, and by this means far better sam-
ples of grain are produced, and land that was considered natu-
rally unkind for barley will, in dry seasons like this, produce
the largest crops of the best barleys. Although a considerable
amount of wheat is grown after mangold wurtzel and early
turnips, yet the extent of barley is more than compensated by
the gradually increasing acreage of this grain that is sown
upon wheat stubbles. I have this year, with a dressing of one
cwt. of guano and two cwt. of superphosphate, grown on a
wheat stubble, that had been dug twelve inches deep with the
steam cultivator in the autumn, the best crop of barley I ever
produced, the land being now perfectly clean, and in the best
possible condition for next year's root crop. And I see no
reason why this extra white straw crop need frighten any land
agent, provided always the farm is in a high state of cultiva-
tion. Oats are but little grown, the quantity remaining
about the same. The extent of beans and peas varies much
with the season. When the small seeds have all perished, as
is the case this year, a much larger growth of pulse next spring
may be expected in Norfolk, llye, that was once the staple
grain-product of our county, is now grown only on the hottest
gravels and the lightest sands. Wherever the land can by any
possiliility grow wheat, that grain is now substituted for rye.
The total acreage of the root-crop has not at all increased, but
a much smaller breadth of wliite turnips and a corresponding
larger extent of mangolds and swedes is grown. The increase
of weight per acre is supposed to be 30 per cent., but this is
obtained at a vast outlay of artificial manures. Some good
farmers reserve the whole of the farm-yard manure for the
wheat, growing their roots exclusively by artificial means,
the dressing costing from 30s. to £3 and £4 per acre.
The Northumberland or ridge system is still the favourite
way of growing roots in Norfolk, but in our arid climate
a return to the old flat work may possibly be desirable.
Hay is certainly a poorer crop in Norfolk than formerly ; this
arises chiefly from the failure of the red clover, but the ex-
tended ciiltivation of the sainfoin on all lands that have a cal-
careous subsoil makes some amends for the loss of the clover.

In some districts the system of cropping has been materially
altered, but in the great majority of farms the old Norfolk
four-course rotation is rigidly adhered to. Where the five and
six-course prevailed 35 years ago there the greatest alteration
has taken place, but on the Holkham estate, that home of the
four-course, an extra corn-crop after the wheat is somewhat
general. I might mention two or three farms that, at the
time of Mr. Bacon's report, were cultivated on the five-course,
two years being in grass, which are now altered to one year's
grass, and followed by two consecutive corn-crops. The pro-
duce per acre of these farms appears to be quite as abundant
as ever ; but the expenditure in artificial food and manure has
increased fourfold. It does seem unreasonable, with all the
advantages of modern science, that the farmer should be tied
down to the same covenants as were supposed to be neces-
sary, and certainly were useful, at the end of the last
century. Already the constant repetition of the same
crop is acting prejudicially to the Norfolk farmer. Clover
sickness is a common complaint, and no chemist can tell us
what it is that the clover extracts from the land which our
manures do not return to it ; nor have they suggested any
treatment which has in the sHehtest degree mitigated the evil.
It is feared that turnips are showing signs of a similar ail-
ment ; anyhow, it is certain that the same dressing of manure
faUs to produce the same weight of roots as it did twenty-five
years ago. This opens up the whole question of artificial
manures. The use of these fertilizers may be stUl in their
infancy, but they have enormously increased of late years.
Superphosphates were almost unknown at the time of the last
report; bones, rape-cake, and the newly-introduced guano
being almost the only artificial manures used. These are still
the most reliable of our accessory manures ; hut superphos-
phate is now generally employed for the production of roots.
The discovery of coprolites has supplied an immense quantity
of new raw material for the manufacturer of phosphatic ma-
nures. Although some samples may be well and scientifically
prepared, I fear the ignorance or selfishness of many manu-
facturers causes them to vend a very inferior article. No one
can estimate the alarming extent to which farmers are victim-
ized in this respect. I have had two samples of superphos-
phate made by two different firms, both of good local reputa-
tion, analyzed, and the chemical report assured me that the
manure for which I paid six pounds was not worth three
pounds ten per ton. I have also lately seen an analysis of
some cheap guano sold at seven to ten pounds per ton which
was pronounced dear at thirty shiUiugs. It is not till farmers
wiU all purchase their manures by analysis that any general
improvement in these auxiliary fertilizers can be hoped for.
When Mr. Bacon wrote, steam-thrashing machines were con-
sidered a novelty ; now there is scarcely a horse machine or
flail in the county, the whole of the thrasliing being done by
steam. Eecently a few steam-ploughs have found their way
Jito our county, but they are not likely to make much pro-
gress in the cultivation of light land unless the cost can be re-
duced. Heaping and mowing machines have become very
general within the last ten years, and the pre^judice that once
existed against the introduction of these and similar machines
seems fortunately dying out amongst the labouring classes.
And so it ought ; for all farm machinery lightens the labour-
er's excessive toil, and there are not a sufficient number of
hands to perform all the work of the farm at the proper sea-
sons by the old-fashioned means. But it is a curious fact,
supported by the unanimous testimony of all my correspon-
dents, that, notwithstanding all this machinery, the increase
of the expenditure for manual labour, on arable land, ranges
from 15 to 30 per cent, and is generally as much as
the rent of the farm, varying from 25s. to 3Ss. an acre,
and in my own case exceeds 40s. The wages of the agricul-
tural labourer have also in the same time been raised by
nearly two shillings per week, and it is quite certain they will
not perform the same amount of work on this increased pay.
This is easily proved by comparing the price of piece-work
with what it was a few years ago ; but, as the agricultural
labourer will form the subject of two separate papers, I will
not venture any further remarks on the subject, beyond ex-
pressing my thanks to you, Mr. President, for the sound and
practical advice you offered in summing up the discussion on
Saturday. You stated, Sir, that in your opinion one great
reason for the unsatisfactory condition of the labouring popu-
lation was their ignorance of political economy, and the chief

X 2

294

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

hope you had of any improvement was their being taught the
groundwork of this great science. In that I most cordially
agree, for I protest against the partial apphcation of scientiilc
theories to agriculture. Hitherto poUtical science has been
applied only so far as it favours the consumer. You have ex-
posed our agricultural produce to the competition of the cheap
labour of the world, and to successfully hold our own, we must
have cheap labour too. In my small way I have done what I
can to improve the condition of the agricultural labourer, and
though I am ignorant of science, I believe my ideas are closely
allied to sound political economy. I contend that the price of
labour must in a great measure depend on supply and demand.
In seasons of great mercantile activity our young labourers
migrate by scores and hundreds to the north and to London,
without the aid of any registration societies, for our great em-
ployers of labour have agents all over the country always look-
ing out for strong active hands. Even our old labourers are
not ignorant of the rate of wages paid elsewhere, but they
know that high wages invariably mean longer hours, more
work, and expensive living. Political economy would also tell
the agricultural labourers that the way to raise their condition
is not by combining together to do as little work as they can
in a day, but to improve the quality of their work, and so earn
more wages. But to tell us farmers that we must give more
wages in order to make the men do more work is about as
reasonable as for me to go to a merchant and complain of his
oilcake being exceedingly bad, and when he says that is the
best he can afford at the price, I should, in order to encourage
him to supply a better article, give him 5s. per ton more for
his adulterated cake than I could buy it for elsewhere. I be-
lieve that every young agricultural labourer has the means of
acquiring the most perfect independence, but he must learn to
rely on his own industry, skill, and frugahty, and not upon
charity, an easy-going master, or the parish, for his support.
Leases have not increased. There may be a few more
agreements for twelve or sixteen years, determinable every
fourth year ; but I fear that the great bulk of the laud
in East Norfolk, and indeed in many parts of the West also,
is held from year to year subject only to a six months' notice
to quit. Tiiere is also no recognised system of tenant-right,
which is common in Lincolnshire and in some other parts
of England ; but on a few estates some liberal clauses are
inserted in the agreement, securing to the outgoing tenant cer-
tain payment for his unexhausted improvements. There are
several estates which are farmed by the same families for gene-
rations without any sort of agreement, and on those estates
the rents seldom vary. The farms are in excellent order :
money is invested by the tenant as if he had the longest lease ;
and the most excellent understanding and the most perfect
harmony prevail between the owner and occupier of the soil.
It is indeed delightful that this mutual confidence should
exist : it is the natural pride of some of our aristrocracy and
those who farm under them ; but iiowever well founded and
laudable this feeling may be, the death of either party may
quite alter it, and to say the least of it, it is an unbusiness-
like way of letting land. The rent of land has risen during
the past twenty-five years from ten to twenty per cent,
in the west, and from five to fifteen in the east division
of the county. The tithes that were not commuted in
1843 have since been apportioned ; and thus one great hin-
drance to improved farming, and a constant source of ill-
feeling between the parson and the farmer has been got rid
of. Tlie assessment of the county to the old property, or great
war tax, was £1,439,977 ; in 1843, the sum was £1,945,558 ;
and last year it amounted, upon schedule A, to £2,395,363.
The county-rate assessment is £1,991,676. Poor's-rates do
not seem to vary much. Some years previous to Mr. Bacon's
report, it was common for these rates to reach £350,000 ;
but they averaged, in the seven years ending 1857, only
£227,582. They are again on the increase, for the poor's
rates, with the receipts in aid thereof, were last year
£245,661. The county and police rates in 1843 were only
£16.200 ; in 1857 they had risen to £37,347 ; and last year
the county receipts amounted to £40,343. Of this sum,
nearly £13,000 was raised by the police-rate ; £14,000
by a general county rate ; the rest came from Govern-
ment and other sources, leaving a balance of £3,895 iu
hand. There can be no doubt that the question of county
rates, and indeed all local taxation, will early oorae under the
jJOt'cc of tbo new Parliament, Jt je (v question so lavcfOj so

absorbing, and so important, that I must be content with
simply mentioning it here ; but I may, in passing, observe that
this great increase of county expenditure in "Norfolk is not
attributable to any neglect of magisterial oversight, but rather
to the new burdens which Parliament continually heaps upon
the real property of the kingdom. A.nd it should also be re-
marked that almost the whole of this increase is borne by the
clergy and tenantry rather than the landowners. The increase
is so gradual, so imperceptible, that no tenant can calculate it
when he hires a farm. So there is no difference made in the
rent, and any increase of the rates falls upon the tenant, while
for similar reasons any saving, which is indeed of rare occur-
rence, finds its way into the occupier's pocket. The drought
of this year is one of the heaviest visitations which has ever
befallen the agriculture of Norfolk. Happily, we grow a full
average crop of wheat, the loams, clays, and fen lands making
up for the deficiency of the sands, gravels, and thin chalks.
But there is only half a barley crop, and not more than a
similar return of other spring corn and pulse. Hay is very
light, and next year's grass seeds are burnt clean up. But the
greatest blow to the Norfolk farmer remains untold : it is the
loss of his root crop. For this nothing can compensate. It is
not simply the value of his turnips, but as roots are the founda-
tion of his course of cropping there is the prospective deterio-
ration of his round of cereals till turnips come again. In no
other county in England have such great results been accom-
plished by the application of the calcareous substrata to the
surface soil. Farmers seem to have hoped that liberal doses
of artificial manure would have prevented the necessity of ex-
pensive coats of clay, marl, &c. But they have failed to pro-
duce the good chemical effects of these dressings, and, of
course, do not consoUdate and improve the texture of the land
in a similar way. Under-draining is not much needed, but
where recently attempted has been executed better and at a
greater depth than formerly. Sometimes the landlord does all
the draining and charges the tenant 5 per cent, on the outlay,
but more generally the owner finds the pipes and the tenant
the labour. Farm buildings were always pretty good and still
maintain their superiority, but in a county where so little rain
falls and there is plenty of straw, covered yards are not much
cared for. Great changes have taken place in the fences, espe-
cially in West Norfolk. Formerly the white-thorn fences were
10 or 12 feet high, but they are now reduced to about 4 feet, and
are kept carefully trimmed. Fields have been made larger by
the removal of useless fences, and much hedge-row timber has
been grubbed on the Holkham and other large estates, but a still
further improvement in this direction is needed in many parts of
Norfolk. Railways have greatly accelerated agricultural pro-
gress. Thirty years ago no part of the country was more
inaccessible than Norfolk. Now we are fairly supplied with
trunk and branch lines, and every portion of the county, save
the N.E. district, has Ijeen benefited by railroads. Perhaps
the farmers of the west are rather more gainers than those of
the east, who had always such excellent and cheap water
carriage at their command. But I think I am fully justified
in stating my conviction that no part of England is so
wretchedly served by railroads as East Anglia ; the Great
Eastern being by universal consent the dearest and worst
railway out of London. However great the benefits which
railroads have conferred upon Norfolk agriculture (and I am
not unmindful of them), the wretched mismanagement of the
whole system has been the means of administering those
benefits in truly homoeopathic doses. The East and West Nor-
folk Agricultural Associations were amalgamated in 184G, and
after holding several meetings alternately at Norwich and
Swaff ham, have recently, with much greater success, held the
annual exhibitions at all the chief towns of the county. The
few farmers' clubs existing at the time of the last report have
all died out ; but we have now a flourishing Chamber of
Agriculture and Farmers' Club, which embraces the whole
county. Through the courtesy of the Board of Trade, I am
enabled to bring down the agricultural statistics of our county
to the present year. We have also in Norfolk the advantage
of an early attempt to obtain these returns, as Sir John
Walsham in '54 collected some very reliable figures as to the
number of our stock, and the acreage of our crops ; and even
a return of horses, which timid governments have never
since attempted. I can, therefore, furnish authentic re-
turns for four years, viz., tliose of 1854 and 18G6, I8G7, aufl
186?-,

THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE.

295

Return of Live Stock ik Noefolk:.

1854. 1866. 1867, 1868,

(in March).

Total cattle 99,000... 92,000 ... 103,000 ... 122,000

Cows, &c 25,000 ... 2:t,000 ... 27,000 ... 27,000

Other Cattle-
Over 2 years old... 59,000... 39,000... 40,000... 69,000
Under a years old 15,000... 28,000... 31.000... 35,000
Total sheep & lambs. 841,000 ... 596,000 ... 776,000 ... 847,000

Old sheep 468,000 ... 405,000 ... 454,000 ... 506,000

Lambs 373,(X)0 ... 191,000 ... 321,000 ... 341,000

Pigs 99,000 ... 115,000 ... 141,000 ... 92,000

Chops.
Corn crops of allkinds 442,000 ... 449,000 ... 455,000 ... 455,000

Wheat 202,000 ... 189,000 ... 195,000 ... 203,000

Barley 173,000 ... 186,000 ... 191,000 ... 181,000

Oats 35,000 ... 34,000 ... 32,000 ... 33,000

Green crops of all

kind 188,000 ... 194,000 ... 200,000 ... 190,000

Potatoes 1,000 ... 5,000 ... 5,000 ... 6,000

Turnips, &c 161,000 ... 134,000 ... 144,000 ... 142,000

Mangolds 16,000 ... 34,000 ... 35,000 ... 29,000

Bare fallow 10,000 ... 8,000 ... 8,000 ... 12,000

Clovers, &c 171,000 ... 147,000 ... 163,000 ... 120,000

Permanent pasture
(exclusive of heath
land) 192,000 ... 208,000 ... 214,000 ... 211,000

Extent of the county, 1,354,301 acres. Pop. in 1867, 430,319.

It would appear from a glance at the live stock returns,
that our cattle are happily inereiising, and we have perhaps
recovered the usual amount of our summer stock previous to
the outbreak of the cattle plague. The sheep, though 70,000
more than last year, are stiU hardly in excess of the returns
of 1854. Pigs were so dear in 1866, in consequence of the
cattle plague and high price of sheep, that they rapidly in-
creased ; but in 1868, tbe low prices of last year have told
upon them, and their numbers have fallen off by nearly one-
third — viz., 4<-2,000. We may reasonably hope that tliese re-
turns now exhibit a trustworthy exactness, as the total acreage
of corn is within a fraction the same this year as last. Wlieat
has increased something over four per cent., and this small
addition will probably astonish tliose newspaper writers who
have stated that a third more land was planted with this grain.
If we take the increased breadth at five per cent, over the
whole of England, that will be about 160,000 acres, and 33
bushels per acre will give a yield which will supply the coun-
try with ten or twelve days' bread. Barley is reduced in a some-
what greater ratio than wheat is increased, and the faUing-
off in mangolds, turnips, &c., is owing to the peculiarly dry
season ; but at the present moment, instead of 14'0,000 acres
of turnips, as stated in the statistics, we fear that the same
weight of roots is frequently grown on 20,000. What has
caused the artificial grasses to fall off 43,000 acres is a mys-
tery ; I wUl venture to predict that the extent will be further
curtailed next year. In 1854 Sir John Walsham stated that
the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk produced 267,000 acres
more wheat and barley than the whole of Scotland, and also
computed that Norfolk alone grew 1,290,373 more bushels of
wheat than all the land north of the Tweed. But compare
the extent of wheat now with that grown ten years ago. In
1857 the acreage of wheat in Scotland was 243,240 acres ; last
year it had decreased more than one-half, and had fallen to
110,609 acres, or 85,000 acres less than we grew in Norfolk.
We liear a vast deal of the decrease of the cereals in Ireland,
but this great falling off of wheat is larger in Scotland than
Ireland. Scotland is rightly held up as an example to the
farmers of England, and in this respect we should do well to
follow her, for she finds that wheat growing will not
answer at the prices current a few years ago ; so she drops it
and sticks more than ever to oats, which suit her cold soil and
damp climate. It is a pleasing fact that very few Norfolk
farmers now object to making these annual returns. I, how-
ever, question their ultimate use beyond strictly statistical pur-
poses. The yearly variations in the acreage of crops will not
cause anything like the difference in the amount of wheat
grown as a week's rain or a night's blight, and I do not be-
lieve that estimates of the yield of the growing crops, even if
given by the farmers, can ever be thoroughly relied upon. My
own impression is, that after the accuracy of the present re-
turns has been tested for a short series of years, agricultural
statistics need only be collected triennially, septennially, or at
any other given interval, to be, in fact, in a sort of stock and
crop census, and might then be made compulsory. We now

come to a somewhat speculative portion of this papef, but still
it is one without which the inquiry would be incomplete, and
it is that from which we may hope to glean the greatest benefit
for the future. I concluded the list of questions to my cor-
respondents with the request that they would name what they
considered " the chief hindrances to the progress of Norfolk
agriculture." One contended that a great evil was the bad
qualities of artificial manures ; otliers were of opinion that in-
creasing expenses and poor and fluctuating returns militated
against the employment of capital. A smaller number suggested
that the increase of local and general taxation fell with crushing
severity upon the occupiers of the soil ; and a body of influential
agriculturists emphatically declared that the " increasing wages
of the labourer and the decreasing amount of work done in
a day by the general run of them," would be the chief
hindrance; but the almost unanimous reply may be
summed up under four heads : insecurity of tenants^
capital — the malt tax — over -preservation of ground
game — and the increase of diseases among our stock.
It is worthy of note that in complaining of insecurity of
tenants' capital, no mention is made of the law of distress — a
subject which, under the queer term " hypothec," creates such
a strong feeling amongst the farmers of Scotland. Norfolk
tenants wish to preserve all the existing rights of the owners
of the soil : they only want some legal protection for their
own property. As a Norfolk man, I much prefer the security
of a lease, and every landlord who wishes permanently to im-
prove his rent-roll would do well to grant them. Let a yearly
tenancy be ever so cheap, the time that the landlord fixes upon
to raise the rent (except when seeking a new tenant) is always
unfortunate. If prices are good, crops are bad ; if meat is
dear, stock are unhealthy ; even should all things be pros-
perous, the tenant hopes that the landlord will not take " ad-
vantage of" him for another year. But, at the end of a lease,
the tenant naturally expects a fresh arrangement, which
usually means an advance of rent ; and, if the increase is a
moderate one, he cheerfully pays it, and enters upon a fresh
lease with the determination to use his skill, energy, and
capital, not only in getting his own living, but in stiU.
further improving his landlord's estate. If landlords object
to grant leases (and I freely confess it is not advisable to
do so indiscriminately), at least there should be compensation
for unexhausted improvements. Most persons connected with
the land are terribly frightened when the term " tenant-right"
is breathed, and they say it might be made a means of extor-
tion, and the landlords would be plundered right and left.
But is it so where tenant-right is the custom of the country P
Look at Lincolnshire. There are no leases on the wolds of
that county, which is as well farmed as West Norfolk ; but
there is an equitable system of tenant-right which answers ad-
mirably, so that when a tenant quits his farm he is paid for the
unexhausted improvements he leaves beliind him. I was
talking the other day to a Lincolnshire landlord, and he seemed
surprised that the system did not exist in other counties : he
said he had never paid a penny for tenant-right himself ; it
was always a question between out-going and in-coming
tenant, and the kndlord knew nothing about it save in
the exceptional case of buildings and other suchlike
permanent improvements. A word or two about the Malt-
tax. We are met by this sort of argument : " Prices are
higher, the acreage of barley increases — leave well alone."
To this we reply, free trade has taught us that we can grow
barley better than any other country in the world ; it is our
speciality in grain ; almost the whole world can produce wheat,
better wheat than we can. Norfolk is not like Ireland and
Scotland. We cannot reduce our tOlage and increase our
grass, and so decrease our expenses, and employ only half the
labourers. We in this dry climate, and on these poor soils,
must grow grain, and we must have a rotation of crops, and
if only one sort of corn really pays, we can produce on our
arable land more meat than if it were all pasture, and grow
all the corn besides, which must be a benefit to the country.
And if the chief part of the world can grow wheat, and only
a portion of it produce prime barley, if there was perfect free-
trade, there is no reason why the price of barley should not
equal that of wheat. But even those who admit the injustice
of exposing the British farmer to the competition of the whole
world, and taxing his barley 60 per cent, in the first stage
of its manufacture, say, " We can't spare the six millions the
Malt-tax brings in." The greater the tax the greater the ia«

296

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

justice, and surely Parliament miglit at least apply the true
principle of all taxation, by levying the duty on the manufac-
tured article, and not on the barley directly it is wetted for
malting. Now to the vexed question of game. Mark, none
of my correspondents complain of the Game Laws, and none
of whigcd game. It is all one and the same cry, the ovcr-
j)rescrcatmt of ground game. There can't be too many par-
tridges, and even plieasants do comparatively little harm, but
no man can farm against hares and rabbits, and no
abatement of rent can compensate him for the loss of his
crops. If a farmer veith his eyes open likes to hire a cheaply-
rented game farm, I don't suppose, however much we may
pity his want of sense, or grieve over circumstances which
may have forced him to this refuge of the destitute, or
greatly as some may deprecate the questionable use the owner
makes of liis land, that there is very much for farmers or
the public to complain of. But when land is let at its
fuU value, and tlien stocked with running game, or if
hares and rabbits greatly increase during the continuance
of the lease or tenancy, then, and it is no use mincing
words, such game preservation, whether practised by the
most mighty prince or the smallest squire, is a wrong and a
robbery. The last cause of complaint is by no means and at
no time the least, and it is at the present moment particularly
forcible. The losses of stock from new diseases during the
past twenty-five years have been mostappalling, and, when they
are fairly estimated, at once account for the enhanced price of
meat. No mention is made in the report of IS-iS of pleuro-
pneumonia, or foot and mouth disease. It will be remembered
that the free importation of foreign cattle commenced in 1812,
and shortly after that date the two diseases I have mentioned
found their way into Norfolk, and continued with varying
severity to ravage our herds and flocks, till they were almost
extirpated by the cattle plague restrictions. There can be no
doubt that pleuro and this epizootic epidemic are foreign
diseases. They have been known in HoUand and France from
time immemorial, and though we have no evidence of the
actual introduction of either of these contagious disorders
into this country, we know that soon after the general admis-
sion of foreign stock, both became prevalent here : and we,
who have attempted to graze foreign cattle, are aware, to our
cost, how singularly subject Dutch cattle are to pleuro-
pneumonia. Small-pox in sheep prevailed to a frightful ex-
tent in Norfolk in 18i8, and we were badly hit by the cattle
plague in 1855. That latter visitation was manfully met in
Norfolk, and though five or six thousand head of cattle were
destroyed, few, if any, cases of individual ruin followed. We
started at the outbreak of the disease the " Norfolk Cattle
Plague Association" and collected by rates and subscription
upwards of twenty-six thousand pounds. The observance of
the orders in Council were enforced on all the members, every
eli'ort was made to stamp out the plague, and though not
completely successful, it was confined within reasonable
limits. After paying two-thirds of all the losses, we
have now a balance of four thousand pounds invested in
the funds to meet a fresh outbreak, or any similar
agricultural calamity. The cattle plague has taught us
many a lesson. Amongst the chief is this: that by bold
and decisive measures, we have not only got rid of
this pest, but we have well nigh eradicated those other
foreign diseases that for a quarter of a century have
found a home in this country. The stoppage of the im-
portation of all stock not intended lor immediate slaughter,
and confining fat cattle to the ports of debarkation, and
the restriction and regulation of tlie sale and transit of our
own stock, have accomplished this, and never were our cattle
and sheep more healthy than they have been for tlie last two
years. True, we have our old complaints and local disorders
to afflict us, and we may expect plenty of disease amongst our
young sheep this autumn, but our stock are in a singularly
good state of preservation, and we believe that the only
way to keep them so is to stop a further introduction of
cattle plague, pleuro-pueumonia, small-pox, foot and mouth
disease, and scab, by the establishment of waterside mar-
kets for the slaughter of all foreign stock. The public
ought to know that healthy slock means, in ordinary
seasons, cheap meat, and, as the foreigner at present only
sends us one-twelfth of the cattle arid oue-twenty-fourth
of the sheep that are slaughtered in the United King-
dom, it is the direct interest of the consumer to keep our home

stock free from disease. Statistics prove that more British
cattle have died from foreign disorders than have been imported
from abroad ; but when we ask for the adoption of the very
best plan for keeping out these diseases, we are charged with
seeking renewed protection by the exclusion of foreign meat.
This one subject of the sale, transit, and slaughter of stock
would occupy more time than is allotted (even by special indul-
gence) to my paper, so I must bring these crude remarks
abruptly to a conclusion, and I will sum up my whole case in
a few words, which, although written ten years ago, are still
more applicable at the present time. " The Norfolk farmers de-
light in the idea of producing large supplies of grain and meat
for the increasing multitude, but their business object in ma-
nufacturing these necessaries is not to feed the public, but to
make farming pay. At reasonable rates this high farming
will answer ; with very low prices of grain common four years
ago, or great mortality amongst stock, it cannot. All the
many leading agriculturists of the county, who have been con-
sulted, declare that farming requires more capital than care ;
but the profits on the money invested are much smaller than
formerly. Farmers' expenses increase, and though of course
their receipts are also more, they have not yet increased in the
same proportion. There can be very little doubt of the truth of
this conclusion — that improved farming means, in other words,
the judicious application of more capital to the cultivation of
the soil ; and as the broad acres of old England cannot be
made broader, it is the duty of every Britiali yeoman to make
them more productive ; but he wants, like other producers, to
live by his occupation, and expects to be paid for his time and
his capital. If the nation require the farmer to produce more
of the necessaries of life, every obstacle which now hinders
improved agriculture should be removed, and every facility
afl^orded for the security of that capital which the tenantry
must now, more than ever, embark in the cultivation of their
farms."

Mr. Wilkinson said he was aware that Mr. Read's paper
referred especially to the improvements in agriculture in
Norfolk ; but as that which would improve the soil in Norfolk
would do the same in other countries, he thought he might be
permitted to say something with regard to agriculture as it
was pursued in the counties immediately adjacent to the
metropolis. In the first plaae, with regard to wheat, his ex-
perience was this : xV part of his wheat was so very thin this
year, that he almost determined to plough it. Instead of doing
so, however, he left it to take its chance, merely applying
about 30 bushels of soot per acre. The result was, he was
happy to say, that he had the best crop of wheat within a long
distance. As to barley, he observed that Mr. Read's paper
stated that it was improved by early sowing. He had adopted
the plan of early sowing with regard to oats, and he found
that this year he had been able to bind his oats in sheaves.
With regard to mangold wurtzel, he had obtained his am-
moniacal liquor from some gas works, and by the application
of that liquor he had raised the largest crop of mangold
wurtzel which he had ever had. He supposed the yield was
from 30 to 30 tons per acre. He would say one thing more in
the way of comment upon Mr. Read's remark in reference to
game-keeping. Mr. Read had very properly said that the
rent of a farm on which game was closely preserved ought to
be diminished if tlie game increased; but for national purposes,
and for social purposes, and for the bare purposes of humanity,
he (Mr. Wilkinson) would say, was it not desirable — consi-
dering that the acreage does not enlarge in this country, while
the population does very materially enlarge — that the gentry
in tliis country should make a sacrifice for the benefit of the
country at large, and have the'game-laws wiped away entirely?
(Loud applause.)

The Rev. J. C. Ebden, of Great Stukely, said he had been
for thirty years tlie incumbent of a heavy clay land parish in
the neighbourhood of Huntingdon, and during the time of his
occupation the agriculture had wonderfully improved, and par-
ticularly so in the last two or three years. Machinery had
been introduoed with great advantage— the steam plough and
reaping machines and others ; but manual labour had not at
all decreased, hut rather increased, especially in one direction :
lie referred to the very great increase whicli had taken place
in the employment of young children of the village. Children
of six years of age and under were employed in the fields under
the eyes of their parents or neighbours for the extirpation of
couch grass and weeds of various kinds that infested the soil.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

29?

He supposed the reason was that these little creatures could
more easily stoop upon the ground for the purpose than their
older relatives. His object in mentioning the circumstance
was to ask Mr. Read whether that kind of employment for
the children did not rather interfere with educational pur-
poses.

Dr. Eade said he was largely concerned in tlie investiga-
tions which were made hy the local committee on the subject
of the cattle-plague ; and he wished to say a few words, be-
cause it rather appeared to him that people were inclined to
let that subject pass by, as less interesting than many of the
other points raised by Mr. Read. He thought he could show
that it was in every sense as interesting as any of the other
points which had been mentioned. One of the first tilings
which struck him in investigating the disease was the very
close resemblance it bore to the eruptive fever known as
scarlet fever. If, therefore, it could be shown that this disease
of cattle-plague, though not identical with, at all events ap-
proximated in character to scarlet fever, it would be at once
apparent that it was most important to every man and woman
present. Unluckily, they had now in this district an epidemic
of scarlet fever sweeping over them ; and, consequently, there
was not a fact or statistic connected with the cattle-plague
which did not concern them aU. He had had the very amplest
opportunities of watching the outbreak in Norfolk. One
point wliich was worthy of remark was the enormous fatality
of the disease. In scarlet fever a large proportion recovered ;
but almost the entire number of cattle attacked died. The
beast got ill, and almost as certain as it got ill it died. The
next point was the intense contagiousness of it. Almost
every animal exposed to it took it : not only os from cow, and
cow from os, but sheep took it from bullocks, and deer from
sheep, and so on. Another point was, that it seemed to fol-
low the same course as epidemics. The sagacity of one of the
worthy vice-presidents of this section (Dr. Farr) pointed out
this. He said that it was, like other epidemics, most malig-
nant, and foretold that it would pass in a certain course over
the country, and then gradually subside. Another gentleman
present pointed out that, in regard to the cattle-plague, we
had to deal with life, but uot with life which was so valuable
as human life ; and therefore the best way was to get rid of
the subjects of the disease, so as to stamp it out. They all
knew tliat that was a most beneficial course. Then the next
thing to consider was the nature of the cure. It was well
known that the eruptive fever called scarlatina was now be-
lieved to be due to the introduction into the system, and its
presence and growth there, of something which was living —
some Living germs which, if they do not destroy the subject
during progress, naturally come to an end, and the patient re-
covers. Well, this, in every sense, seemed to be borne out in
the observations made on the cattle-plague in this district.
Unfortunately, its prevalence was so great that it kiOed a
very large proportion ; but when it did not do so, the animal
gradually recovered, and the disease entirely passed away.
This was aU he thought he ought to take up the time of the
meeting by saying ; but he would impressed upon them the
importance of the reports upon the cattle-plague, as bearing
upon the scarlet fever, because every single thing that was
known of the former might be the means of saving the lives of
one or more members of their own households.

Mr: BoTLEY said they had all listened with great interest to
Mr. Read's paper, and he was happy to find that as to washes
and the payment of wages there was an improvement. What
was wanted was better work and better wages. He would not
draw so gloomy a picture as Mr. Read had done of the failure
of some of the crops. The produce of others being very large
would, he hoped, yield to the farmer sometluug to compensate
for the deficiency. With respect to the root crop, it was no
doubt of the greatest importance to the breeding farmer as
well as to other farmers ; but at the same time he might say
that in the South of England, and also in the West and North,
he saw that wherever there was a great preparation made for
root crops, and those root crops had failed, that preparation

had proved so excellent for tlie land that tlie wheat or barley,
or whatever it was that was sown, afterwards, compensated for
the great amount of labour and artificial manure applied to the
land. Therefore it was not such an evil as Mr. Read thought.
They must all agree in regard to what had been said about
the game-laws.

Sir WiLLOUGHBT JoNES said he had listened to the paper
with extreme pleasure, and he believed when it came to be
read in print it would surprise many persons by the immense
amount of facts compressed within a small compass. Tt would
be felt tliat tlie subject could uot have been in better hands.
He wanted to say just one word upon the subject of tenant-
right. Mr. Read mentioned the desirabihty of leases and of
tenant-right being- recognised. As example was better than
precept : he (Sir Willougliby Jones) was happy to say that in
the part of Norfolk in which he resided leases were the rule,
and tenant-right was not wanted. When a tenant took one of
these leases he paid for the root crop on the land, and for the
manure in the yard. The in-coming tenant paid to the out-
going tenant as nearly as possible one year's rent in addition
to tlie manure in the yard, which was valued at so much per
load. As to the tillages, the only sum which the out-going
tenant had spent in the cultivation of root crops he got back from
the in-coming tenant, but beyond that he did not go. If he did
he would be depriving him of the capital which he would require
for the proper management of the farm. It must be recollected
that the incoming tenant was put in the same position after-
wards, when he gave up the farm. Thereforci it was as broad
as it was long. As long as the actual money out of pocket
was paid for in the shape of root crops, and a good long lease
of fourteen or twenty-one years was granted, the tenant was
tolerably secure, and almost as much so as if the land were his
own. There was one matter which Mr. Read had not alluded
to, but wliich he (Sir W. Jones) was quite sure would make a
great improvement, and that was the alteration in the law
whereby paupers were now made maintainable by the union,
instead of by their own single parish. That alteration would,
no doubt, ultimately prevent the people being driven, as they
had been, into open parishes, and compelled to go a long way
to their work. The evil of that was more than he could de-
scribe. It was a most terrible evil (Hear, hear). As long as
the old law continued, by which the parish in which a man
lived was obhged to support him, there was no hope of breaking
through that system. Now, however, the closed parishes paid
just as much of the rates as the open ones, although they had
not the advantage of having labour at hand. The result was
that they would build cottages. He saw a cottage spring up
here, and another there ; and he knew that the tenants of
large closed parishes were everywhere applying to the land-
lords to get them to build labourers' cottages. That would be
a great benefit. With regerd to analyses of manures, he could
only say that he found some manure wliich he had purchased
to contain a very large proportion of useless matter, and he
returned it, and got his money back. In his own farm, every
single bit of wheat had been cut without a scythe being put
into the ground at all, which, in the recent hot weather, was
very agreeable to the men, who get the same wages as
before.

Dr. F\RR said the county of Norfolk was the first district
which published an account of the cattle-plague ; and the
public were very much indebted to Dr. Eade and others for
being enabled to understand the nature of it. He would ask
the farmers to pay the utmost attention to the sanitary con-
dition of their cattle, and particularly as to their being sup-
plied with water.

Several gentlemen rose to address the meeting, but

The President said the discussion must not be pro-
longed.

Mr. Read, in reply to the question which had been asked
by the Rev. J. C. Ebden, said that when a machine which had
been invented was brought into operation, the couch grass
would soon diminish, and there would be no necessity for the
employment of children for the purpose of extirpating it.

298

THE ]rA"RMBR*S MAGAZII!^I3.

ON STALL-FEEDING.

The following practical paper was read at the meeting of
the Limerick I'arraers' Club by Mr. E. L. Hunt :

Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, it has been said by one of
the wisest men that ever lived, " Behold that which I have
seen : it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to
enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun
all the days of his life, which God giveth liira ; for it is his
portion." The same wise man also said — " Whatever thy
hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Gentlemen, it is a
pleasant thing to enjoy the good of one's labour. What is
more pleasant than after a long day's walking over your farm,
or a toilsome day at a fair, where both mind and body have
been on a strain from an early hour, to find a cheerful and
loving welcome before you, to find a bright fire and brighter
faces to smile upon you, and to find a roast sirloin, well cooked,
smoking on your table ? Talk not to me of your dinners " a
la Russe" at such a moment as that ; they may do to tempt
the worn-out appetite of the satiated voluptuary. Give me
the undercut of the sirloin, that noble joint, that merited
knighthood from the hands of a discerning monarch. And
when it was entitled to the fiat of nobility at such an early
period, now that we have turnips and oilcakes to assist, we in
the nineteenth century should bring it to such perfection of
richness (and fat, I was going to say, your grace) as would
entitle it to the very highest honours that royalty can bestow.
Let us now try to bring it to that exalted position, at least in
theory. At our last dinner a most valuable paper was read by
my friend Mr. Macdonald, and many of you, I make no doubt,
have put in practice what was so ably brought before you that
evening, and arc, I trust, reaping the benefit of doing so by
having (as I have), with God's blessing, the certainty of a
heavy crop of turnips, the foundation stone in ray opinion on
which we must lay the firm basis of all good farming. Let
us come on to the 20th of next October, and have forty or fifty
tons of swedes, heaped and well thatched near as possible to
the turnip house. It would be better to have all the crop
stored before frost; but few will do so, as in such mild winters
as the past, and where the land is not wanted for winter wheat,
the turnips keep far better in the ground, and in my opinion
continue growing in weight much longer than the generality
of farmers imagine. Therefore I say, have forty or fifty tons
well stored, to be only used on wet days, when the land would
be poached by carting on it, and also in case of frosts ; for
nothing is more injurious to cattle in stall than frosted turnips ;
better to feed on hay and cake till the frost is completely
out of the roots than to put back the improving in
your cattle by giving such ruinous food. This is a
matter of the very greatest consequence to stall feeders,
and, indeed, to every farmer that grows turnips. The
next thing, sir, is the house. This is a tender subject,
and at this meeting must be carefully handled. Tar be it
from me to infringe so much on one of our most valuable
rules as to touch even slightly on political questions ; and the
building of farm-houses is now a question which, like most
others, has beeu converted into a poUtical one. It may be a
fashionable and very agreeable amusement to some people to
be constantly bating and abusing in unmeasured terms our
Irish landlords ; but they, in my opinion, are a much wronged
class. I believe that for humanity, sociability, and every other
good quality, the resident landlords of Ireland stand pre-
eminent above those that abuse them, as they do in wealth
and social position. The best house for fattening cattle is by
far the cheapest in every way ; but let no man be deterred
from stall-feeding because his house or houses are not what
they should be. I liave seen splendidly-finished cattle brought
out of very miserable-looking places, but to do so requires
extra care in ventilation and keeping the house and cattle
clean — in fact, it takes much more labour to do it, and labour
is money in its most unpleasant form. There are many old
houses on farms that by a small but judicious outlay could be
converted into excellent fattening houses ; and though I do
not in any way approve of thatch, still one of the very best
and healthiest houses I ever saw was a thatched one. As we
nave architects members of this Dining Club, I shall leave it

to them to write a paper on house-huilding, and they will tell
you that no feeding-house is perfect without a passage before
and behind the cattle. On the length of the house the beasts
should be tied, and the turnip-house at one end ; or, if the
house is very long, the turnips in the middle, and communi-
cating with the front passage by a door, the cutter so arranged
that the sliced turnips fall into waggons, which move on a
tramway, and are given to the cattle with a large shovel, as
the waggon passes along. This saves an immense amount of
labour, and allows all the cattle to be fed so quickly that they
do not become fretful or impatient, as they do when the pro-
cess of feeding is more slowly carried on. A liquid manure
tank, perfectly water-tight, with drains made of tiles running
into it from the feeding-house, should never be forgotten. I
believe timber to make the best troughs. Some prefer flags,
which are, of course, more permanent, but I think not nearly
so pleasant or comfortable for cattle to eat out of. The mode
of tying cattle in stall is a subject on which many feeders
differ. T prefer a chain round the neck, fastened at either side
to upright iron bars, placed 3 feet 6 inches from each other,
the connecting chain fastened to the bar by a ring that gives
the animal great freedom to stand up or lie down. This mode
is objected to by others, who say that cattle are more liable to
getting slices of turnip stuck in the throat when they have
power to throw up their head as high as they please when
feeding. I have not found such to be the case, and I have had
pretty good experience. Of course, there is not a year passes
but some of my stall-feds have got slices stuck very firmly in
their throats, but I never had a beast choked, or lost one by
the inflammation caused in a great measure by the roughness
used in extracting the piece. Some beasts are so formed that
they cannot swallow the smallest slice. If a good thriver,
better feed on hay as a store for the coming year's grass, or
have a pulper and grind the roots. I have, of course, a tube,
but, if possible, I will not allow it to be used. My man always
gets the slice away, up or down, by gentle manipulation, till
he feels that it is loose, and then the beast either coughs it
up or swallows it, by giving a bottle or two of water. Care
should be taken not to give the animal turnips for two or three
days after. I always give cabbage till the irritation in the
throat passes ofl". This mode of treatment would not answer
if it was a small turnip or potato that had to be got away ;
but I never saw a slice that would choke a beast suddenly ;
and I believe ten are kiUed by the injudicious use of the tube,
to the one that is lost by the treatment I have described. We
hear, over and over, from different parties that stall-
feeding does not pay ; but, gentlemen, if you only saw the
description of cattle that those parties try to fatten, you would
not be surprised that they find the speculation a losing one. I
am of opinion that the great question of profit or loss is
generally decided the day the selection is made of the beasts
intended for fattening ; also the condition they are in when
tied-np. The proper time for doing so is the end of October
or early in November. Care must be taken to have them all
housed before the wet, or cold weather tells on them, full-
grown cattle generally fatten quicker than those that are
growing ; strippers, the mothers of one or two calves, are
about the best and quickest to fatten, and leave the most
profit. Fine heifers make, of course, a better, or rather a
more fancy class of beef, and at times are more easily disposed
of ; but the question is — do they pay as well ? I think not.
Three year-old-bullocks, or if they can be got, four-year-old,
feed remarkably well, and make an immense quantity of
valuable manure (which is the friend that pays the tillage-
farmer's rent, and gives him peace and comfort, if he
devotes proper attention to it) ; but you must be very
strong in straw and litter to put in many bullocks, as
they use up much greater quantities of it to keep
them dry and clean than cows or heifers. Avoid
small cattle as much as possible. As a rule, they eat much
more than big beasts in proportion ; and I have seen a small
beast eat as much as one 1^ cwt. heavier. However, no gene-
ral rule can be laid down for the best size, as the feeder must
in a great measure be guided by the market he intends selling

The i^armbR's magazine.

299

at, and the description he can lay in to the greatest advantage.
One thing, gentlemen, you may rest assured of— the more of
the shorthorned improved hlood you have in the stock, the
more pleasure and profit the feeding of them will give you,
no matter whether the food given be turnips and straw or the
highest pampering you can invent. Herefords and their
crosses feed well, but not better than the shorthorn, and in
this county they are scarce. The West Highland are a good
breed to fatten, but they require to come to age, and are often
wicked. The polled Angus is also a splendid beast, but they
are not bred to any extent in this country ; but even if all I
mention were plenty and easily come at, I would still prefer
the improved shorthorn. In selecting your cattle, you should
be most particular as to symmetry, level along the back, and
all the different points that the feeder ought to know fully de-
veloped ; the skin not tight nor hard, and the coat glossy and
soft. The time of feeding should be uniform, early in tlie
morning, mid-day, and late in the evening, so as to divide
the twenty-four hours as evenly as possible. I make every
beast I have to be well curried and brushed once a day, and am
most particular about the cleanliness of the house, its ventila-
tion, to have the light and air increased or diminished when
necessary. At first the turnips should be given in small quan-
tities, and be increased as the cattle get used to them, and the
quantity ruled by the state of each beast's bowels. A surfeit
is, above all things, to be avoided, and more roots should not
be given than the beast can easily eat. Better stint a little
than gorge. The quantity of ground corn, I think, must be
regulated by the market value of the article and the price of
the beef to be made by it, and the feeder must act accordingly.
When barley or oats are cheap — say, at 9d. a stone, better, I
think, to send it to market on your beast's back in the shape
of beef; but when over 9d. a stone, I would substitute some-
thing else — say, linseedcake or rapecake, which give back
in manure so much more of the first cost than home-grown
corn. The following is an extract from Mr. Lawes' table,
showing the estimated value of the manure obtained from the
consumption of one ton of different articles of food, each sup-
posed to be of good quality of its kind : —

No.

Description of Food.

Per ton,

present

market price.

Decorticated cottou cake

Rape cake

Linseed cake

Malt dust

Beans

Peas

Oats

Wheat

Indian corn

Barley

Clover hay

Meadow hay

Oat straw

Wheat straw

Barley straw

Potatoes

Mangels

Swedish turnips

Common turnips

Carrots

Estimated

money value

of manure

from 1 ton of

each kind of

food.

£ s. d.

6 10 0

4 18 0

4. 12 0

4 5 0

3 13 6

3 2 6

1 14 6

I 13 0

1 11 G
19 6

2 5 0
1 10 0
0 13 6
0 12 6
0 10
0 7

One ton of meat (best quality) sells for 7id. per lb., or os.
for 8 lbs. — say that it takes 8 lbs. of com or cake to make 1 lb,
of meat :

Onetouofraeat £70 0 0

8 tons of rape-cake, at £6 10s £52 0 0

Cost of carting, &c., at 6s. per ton ... 2 8 0

54 8 0

£15 12 0
Value of manure , 39 4 0

Pront £54 16 0

Taking tliis estimate as correct, you will see the great ad-
vantage of using cake in addition to turnips ; but it should at
first be used sparingly, say 2 lbs. a day, and increase as the
beast comes nearer to be finished. I think it is a great ad-
vantage to vary the food ; for, like everything else that eats
heavily without taking exercise, the appetite becomes to a
certain extent satiated ; and by mixing corn with the cake, say
at the second month, the cattle enjoy their food better, and
consequently derive the greater benefit from it. One
thing is certain, and every one of us, gentlemen, that
are practical farmers know it, that the manure made
by cattle when fed with linseed cake and turnips is
double the value of that made by cattle when fed ou
turnips and hay only ; and then the immense quantity of hay
and turnips you use, or rather waste, to make your cattle
look commonly respectable. But, though the manure is more
valuable when feeding with linseed-cake, the meat made by
mixed feeding of homegrown corn and turnips is of a far
better quality ; and butchers that are used to meat grown on
oilcake and turnips will not give the price or show half the
anxiety to get it (no matter how soft and silky they handle)
that they wiU for the hard-fed cattle. There are different
ways of giving tlie cake and corn to cattle : some feeders pre-
fer one way, some another. My plan is to distribute the
auxiliary food over the sliced turnips when the cattle are feed-
ing. By that means I can get them to eat more turnips,
without having the injurious effect on their bowels that other-
wise such a quantity of wet food would have. As I before
remarked, better commence with 21bs. of cake or corn per day,
and increase to 61bs. or 71bs. The latter is certainly a great
quantity, iu my opinion, to give of dry food ; but much more
can be given, if cooked, but this would lead us to a totally differ-
ent kind of feeding ; and so we will not touch on it (I mean
forcing cattle for showing, regardless of expense). I like to
teach my cattle to eat while they are curried and brushed ; for
when done carefully, without hurting or irritating them, I
think they enjoy their food better, and great time is saved ;
for two smart men will go over a great many beasts during
the feeding hour. Then they shake up the beds, put in fresh
straw, dry and clean, darken the house, shut the doors ; and,
with a little hay in the troughs before the cattle, we shall
leave them in the enjoyment of that perfect repose which few,
if any, of their masters understand, because they are not, like
them, perfectly innocent, and as perfectly devoid of all eartlily
cares and sorrows. While they are supposed to be sleeping,
we will talk about their sale. In this county there are some
most respectable men that come to our stalls and buy our fat
cattle ; and to me there is a great deal of pleasure in such a
sale, when my cattle are looking their very best, their skins
bright and glossy. They have learned to know me ; and I
have taken the greatest care in their well-being for a length
of time, and it is a pleasant thing to me, when tliinking of my
last lots, how handsome and well they looked as I handed
them over to Jemmy Shaugnessy or to Wm. Nunan, and I do
not see my poor favourites when they are parched with thirst
and hunger, bruised, and often bleeding, as they are landed on
the quay of Liverpool, after a stormy voyage. To avoid such
a scene as that is a great inducement to me to sell at
home. But there are many of you, gentlemen, that have
not as yet circumnavigated the globe, as I have, and
consequently you are fonder of travelling; and you
will be going with your cattle to Dublin, or perhaps
to Liverpool. For your information, therefore, I give the fol-
lowing : Seven fat beasts will fill a truck fairly. The expense
to Dublin and the drover's carriage back will be about £5 on
the seven. Salesman's commission, 2^ per cent., and a night
or two's keep for the cattle in Dublin about 12s., in all 26s.
a-head — about 6s. each will take them on to Liverpool. This
is for cattle whose value is about £20 each. Gentlemen, there
is one other remark I will make on stall-feeding (much more
could be written on the subject, but fortunately for you I have
not done so), and that is the selection of the man you put in
charge of your cattle. Get a kindly disposed, good-natured
fellow, the father of a family if possible ; for hard, indeed,
must the nature of that man be who is not softened by the as-
sociations of his humble home, by witnessing and sharing in
the gambols of his innocent, happy, little children. Get a
man who takes an interest in the cattle, and who will talk to
you of the improvement in this beast or in that. Encourage
him to do so, and if you find him worthy of it, encourage him

300

THE FARMER'S MAQAZmE.

also ill a more substantial manner when you receive the money
that his carefulness and attention have so materially contri-
buted to secure for you. And, above all, gentlemen, take an
interest — a very warm interest — in the well-being of your
cattle. You all know the old saying, " It's the master's eye
that fattens the beast." Believe me, it is a very true saying ;
and if some of you (as I do) like your pipe or your weed after
dinner, instead of returning to your smoking-room, light your
lantern and go out to your cattle : believe me, there is no
smoking-room lialf so pleasant as a well-kept feeding-house of
a cold evening. And while you enjoy your weed, you can
moralise, if you wish, on the things of this life. If, like me,
you, or any of you, gentlemen, were parched by the fiery heat
of a vertical sun in the torrid zone ; or if you almost perished
with cold — ay, and were frost-bitten, too — amid the stormy
seas and the fearfully beautiful icebergs off Cape Horn ; or it

you slept for many a night on the bare earth of the gold-fields
of Australia, with nothing above your head but the bright
blue sky of that far-famed land — if you, gentlemen, or any of
you, endured all this and far more, as I liave, you would puff
your weed most calmly over the fattening favourites ; and you
would come to the conclusion that I have come to — " that
there is no land on earth like our own dear Ireland ;" that
there is more social pleasure and a greater field for enterprise,
which, if persevered in with energy and " with all thy
might," \riU surely bring more success and happiness, more
domestic peace and quiet enjoyment, than the realization of
the warmest dream that ever induced a hopeful and sanguine
youth, as I was, to leave a happy liome and a gold-field in the
county of Limerick to seek for it amid the barren quartz hills
and the fiery plains of the colony of Victoria.

ROYAL AaRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND.

Tlie great annual show of the Royal Agricultural Society of
Ireland commenced on August 26th in the City of London-
derry, and, though small in comparison with some of the pre-
vious shows of the Society, it was considered by many, with
regard to quality of stock, to have been one of the most suc-
cessful shows which tlie Society has held. The show was held
in the Victoria Market, which was admirably adapted for the
purpose. The arrangements were efficiently carried out, and
reflected the highest credit on the local committee and those
acting under them, and the exhiliitors and visitors in general
were greatly convenienccd by being able to go, without much
trouble, direct to any part of the show which they wished to
see.

The entries of cows in calf or in milk, though
not very numerous, were strictly good. The show of
Herefords, for which the prizes are always substantial,
mustered in gi-eat force. The Ayrshire class of cattle,
which in the North of Ireland are liecoraing decided
favourites, was well represented. There are many who con-
sider that Ayrshire breeding is rather unprofitable, but tlie
experience of those breeders in tlie North of Ireland goes to
show quite a different result. Devon cattle, which, for excel-
lence of shape, colour, and handling properties, always com-
mand the admiration of the dairyman, were not so very nu-
merously represented as may be desired, but the quality of the
animals shown was most unblemished. In Kerries the case
was different, as the section was not only well filled up, but the
choicest animals in the country were placed side by side. The
sheep show was a success as regards quality, but not extensive
as regards entries. The prize rams of the lloyal English
shows were very kindly sent forward by their respected owners.

The animals shown by several of the tenant-farmers pos-
sscssed more than average merit, and denoted in the most con-
clusive manner the fact of care and attention of no mean or-
der being exercised by the owners thereof. The swine reached
twenty-four entries. Tlie quality was faultless in the vast ma-
j ority of instances.

At the banquet, which was presided over by the Earl of Erne,
and which took place in the New Corn Market of Derry, the
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland said : My noble friend the Presi-
dent has been pleased to allude in the most kind and friendly
terms to the manner in which I have performed my duties as
an Irish landlord. Such approval, coming as it does from my
noble friend himself, one of the best and most intelligent of
Irish landlords — and let me say, gentlemen, that these good
qualities usually go together — such approval coming from ray
noble friend gives me the highest gratification ; but I may re-
turn and remind my noble friend that when I first, at an early
age, undertook the duties of landlord in Ireland, I found my
noble friend established already, both in this locality and else-
where, as one of the best landlords in Ireland ; and it has al-
ways been my endeavour, as far as I was able, to follow the
exam])lc set by him in a course in which he was so sagacious
a guide. My lords and gentlemen, I confess there is no lo-
cality in which I have greater pleasure in meeting the Agri-
cultural Society of Ireland than the one in which we are now.
I think this district and tiiis province suggests an instructive

'esson, and an example to all who study the great problem of
Irish prosperity, of Irish industry, and of Irish difficulties.
It is true that we do not find those genial skies or that over-
flowing fertility which some countries are blessed with ; but
we do find a population, large in proportion to most agricul-
tural countries, living in peace and harmony, energetically
carrying out their industrial occupations, while a cordial sym-
pathy exists and is cherished between both employers and em-
ployed, between the landlords and the tenants of the soiL It
is not my place to inquire from whence this happy combination
arose, but it is sufficient for us to express our satisfaction at the
undoubted evidence which we have of them, a'satis action not
lessened by the hope that there is nothing essential in them
that might not be applicable to the rest of Ireland. My lords
and gentlemen, with respect to the show of to-day, I think we
have every reason to be satisfied with it. There have
been social causes in Ireland for the last three or four
years, which it might be feared would react unfa-
vourably upon the agricultural as they certainly
have done on the commercial and moneyed interests in this
country. These disturbances fortunately in their outward
elements have disappeared, but it was not impossible to suppose
that the wounds which they might have inflicted on the in-
dustrial occupiers of life might still be scarcely healed or re-
moved, and, therefore, I think that we may congratulate
ourselves that the show of to-day showed no falling off or de-
ficiency in the agriculture of the country, but on the contrary
showed evidence of a sound and confirmed condition of
prosperity. After alluding to the cattle exhibited he said : But
beyond the appearance that the show presented to-day, I think
it is desirable we should go somewhat further into the details
of what the agricultural position of the country in the present
year may be. We have had a season of entirely exceptional
drought, and yet I am happy to say that reliable accounts from
all parts of the country give every confidence that the promised
harvest will be a favourable one. With the exception of
turnips, which, both in Ireland and elsewhere, have unavoidably
been in many places deficient, aU the other crops look well.
The corn crop is above the average, certainly as to quantity.
The potatoes and meadow crop are good, and the flax crop
certainly not below the average. If we go somewhat deeper
into details we sliall find the returns which have been just
issued, that the present year shows an increase of 79,000 acres
of cereal crop over last year, also shows an increase of 33,000
acres of potatoes and 33,000 acres of meadow land. Lookmg
at the meadow land of last year, from which it appeared as if
a large quantity of land was going out of tillage into pasture,
it is satisfactory to find from the returns of the present year
that nearly 150,000 acres are returning from pasture pre-
sumably into rotation of crops and consequently into the right
direction. The returns of the stock show some very small
decrease in horses; a decrease of about 3,000 in sheep,
and a much larger one in cattle and pigs ; the decrease in
cattle being 87,000, and in pigs 573,000. With respect
to the cattle, I confess I am not surprised at it. On the
occasion I had the honour of meeting the Agricultural
Society last year, I took the liberty of calling th

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

301

attention of the members of tlie society to the great
lucrease of sheep and cattle, while there was actually a
decrease in the ordinary means of providing winter food for
them. That the experience of the past winters have led to
some decrease in cattle I am not surprised. As to the decrease
m pigs, unless it be irom something of the same cause, or
a disease which, I understand, has been very prevalent in
swine, I confess I am not able to assign any reason for it, and
I must leave the solution to the more experienced members of
the society. In the article of flax, we find the whole number
of acres in Ireland in the present year is 300,000 ; but, as the
returns of flax have been already issued to the public, I will
not detain you further upon them than to say there is a de-
crease in the present year of 48,000 acres, of which 42,000
are in Ulster. I confess I am not disposed to look upon tliis
decrease as a proof of weakness or deficiency, but rather as a
return to a healthy condition ; and I think that when we find
the present year shows a large increase over every year ante-
cedent to the great outbreak of flax cultivation in 1863, that
opinion is well confirmed. I need not remind you that in this
district, and in this province, the population possesses con-
siderable skill in the cultivation and preparation of flax. I
should be the last person who would venture to detract from
their abilities in that respect, but I may observe that I have
often told my friends in the north that, notwithstanding the
skill they display in this respect, there is still a large increase
of profit that might be derived from a still higher and more
scientific culture and preparation. I think there is also much
to be desired in returning some portion of the crop back to the
soil, and for which some mode of saving the seed, if not for
sowing, at least for feeding purposes, would be very desirable.
I may also allude to the olfactory nerves of some of our
visitors, to testify of the fertilizing powers of flax water.
The number of persons who emigrated during the year ending
June, 1868, was 69,000, or 11,000 less than in the preceding
year, and 33,000 less than in 1866. We also find that the
present year shows a decrease upon any preceding year during
the last seven years, with the exception of 1862, which was
somewhat less than the present year. Connected with the
subject of emigration is one bearing closely upon it, and in
which I feel consequently a lively interest : I mean tlie im-
provement of the dwellings of labouring classes. With this
view, as has been stated by my noble friend, I have begged to
be permitted to give a prize for designs for a labourer's cot-
tage, to be built at a certain price. Tlie price fixed is low,
being £70 for a single cottage, £65 for one in a row, because
in the lowness of the price and consequently the feasibiUty of
indefinitely extending them lies the whole point of the ques-
tion. Nothing is easier than to build or maintain cottages
regardless of cost ; and they form, no doubt, very pretty
adjuncts to the residence of a proprietor ; but what is wanted
are improved dwellings for labourers over the whole country,
and you can only efi'ect this by designs to be erected at a rea-
sonable price, and to be occupied by labourers having reasonable
wages. _ The subject of emigration from Ireland is one which
has received serious consideration botli in Great Britain and
here, and various causes have been assigned for it. I am in-
clined to believe that the Irish peasant is undoubtedly better
off now than he was in former years. We cannot assign in-
creased poverty as the cause of increased emigration, but I be-
lieve that the spread of education and inteUigeuce, and the
better communication effected by railways with the outer
world, has worked in the mind of tlie Irish peasant the feel-
ing that tlie condition in wliich his fathers were content to
live is not one wliich he will be contented with in the present
day. Well, gentlemen, the best way to counteract this evil is
improved houses and better wages — they both go together —
for the labouring classes ; and it is for this reason tliat I re-
joice to see increased wages in dift'erent parts of the country.
There may be a drawback for a time on the landlord, and it
may press for a period hardly on the farmer ; but, rely upon it,
they will certainly bear their fruits in the long run — not only
in improved comfort and content of the labourer, but in im-
proved labour to the farmer ; for I think the most of us know
by experience that there is nothing so expensive in the long
run as cheap labour. No one is more aware than I am
of the difficulty of erecting improved labourers' cottages
on a large scale. I am free to confess that, as an Irish
proprietor, 1 am ashamed of the average dwelhngs of
the agricultural labourers on my own estate, and yet

I am unable to see my way to any change for the whole num-
ber ; but the subject is one which, if properly brought before
the public, is capable of great expansion, and I think, looking
to the improved agriculture springing up all round us, it is
our duty both for the common interest of the country, and
for the interests of humanity, to do all in our power by rais-
ing the Irish labourer into a position of content, of comfort,
and of self-respect in his own country — to apply a styptic to
the heraorrliage of emigration. His Excellency then briefly
alluded to the loss the county sustained in the deaths of two
good landlords, the Marquis of Downshire and Lord f arnham,
and concluded a speech, in which he was greatly applauded, as
follows : We see under the blessings of Providence the pros-
pects of a full and sufficient harvest. We see the seditious
disturbances and disloyal feelings of the Fenian conspiracy
falling away, while a growing spirit of respect for the law
and an inclination to habits of peace and order, to the quiet
and industrial occupations of ordinary life are taking their
place. Looking, then, to the difficulties of the past, now
happily surmounted, and forward to more cheering prospects
of the future, we have no cause for desponding, but, on the
contrary, we have every just and reasonable hope that the day
may come when, under the Divine Providence, the storms and
clouds which lower now around the destinies of Ireland may
be dispelled, and when tlie generous and cordial nature of its
people, now so much over-shadowed by mutual distrust and
disquiet, may show itself in increased sympathy and union
between all classes, and when all those benefits may, and most
surely wiU attend her, that increased capital, internal peace,
and quiet can alone confer upon a great and united, because a
prosperous and contented, people.

Judges. — The following gentlemen ofiiciated as judges in
the general classes : — Shorthorns : Messrs. H. Woods, Thomas
Marins, and Hunt. Herefords and Devons : Messrs. Thomas
Dickham, Game, and Woods. Ayrshires t Messrs. Drew,
Mitchell, and Rogers. Other breeds : Messrs. John Richardson,
Rea, and W. Petherstonhaugh. Horses: Messrs. Thomas Hunt,
George Rochford Boyd, and Major Borrowes. Leicesters ;
Messrs. Woods, Stamper, and Warburton. Border Leicester-
shire and other long-woolled : Messrs. Mitchell, Game, and
Drew. Shropshires : Messrs. J. Moore and Woods. Other
sheep : Major M'Clintock and N. Richardson.

The following as society's stewards : — Shorthorns and other
breeds : Messrs. J. M. Royse and Charles Colthurst Veaey.
Horses : Messrs. J. M. Royse and H. J. MacFarlane. Sheep :
Messrs. D. A. Milward and Richard Challoner. Swine and
poultry : Messrs. D. A. Milward and Sir Percy Nugent, Bart.
Plax, butter, and implements : Mr. Charles Uniacke Townsend.

PRIZES.
SHORTHORNED.

The Purdon challenge cup, value 60 guineas, for the best
shorthorned bull, calved on or after 1st January, 1863. Ed-
ward J. Smith, county Limerick.

The Purdon challenge cup, value 60 guineas, for the two
best shorthomed lieifers, calved in 1867. — Lieutenant-Colonel
Pisher, Castlegrogan.

Best bull calved on or after the 1st of January, 1863, and
previous to the 1st of January, 1866.— Edward J. Smith,
Islanmore, Croom, county Limerick ; second. Major James
Hamilton, Brownhall, Ballintra; third, Joseph Alexander,
Imlick, Carrigans, Londonderry.

Best bull calved in the year 1866.— Richard Chaloner,
Kingsfort, Keils, county Meath; second, Samuel M'Corkell,
Bart, Londonderry ; third, Wilham Archdall, Riverdale, Bally-
cassidy, Omagh.

Best bull calved in 1867.— Joseph Meadows, Tliornville
Wexford; second, J. W. Ellison Macartney, The Palace,
Clogher, county Tyrone.

_ Best bull-calf calved in 1868.— N. M. ArchdaU, Crockna-
rieve, Balhnamallard ; second, Henry M. Richardson, Ross-
tad BaUycassidy ; third, N. M. Archdall, Crocknacrieve,
Ballinamallard,

Best cow, in calf or in milk, calved previous to 1st January,
IbOu.— James G. Grove, Castlegrove, Letterkenny ; second,
same ; third, J. W. EUison Macartney, The Palace, Clogher,
Tyrone. °

T,r^^^\ ^ei'"er. in calf or in milk, calved in 1865.-John
M GUdowney, Clare Park, Ballycastle, county Antrim.

S02

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

Best heifer in milk or in calk, calved in 1866. — James G.
Grove, Castlegrove, Letterkeuny ; second, Samuel Smyth,
Cross, Londonderry.

Best heifer calved in 1867.— Lieutenant-Colonel Fisher,
Castlegrogan, Rathdowney ; second, same ; third, Earl of
Caledon.

Best heifer-calf calved in 1868.— First and second prizes,
Robert M'Crea.

HEREFORDS.

Best Hereford bull calved on or after 1st January, 1863.—
Samuel GiUiland.

Best Hereford cow, in-calf or in-milk, calved previous to
1st January, 1865. — Samuel Gilliland.

Best Hereford heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved in 1865. —
Samuel Gilliland.

Best Hereford heifer calved in 1866 or 1867.— Samuel
Gilliland.

AYRSHIRES.

Best bull calved on or after 1st of January,1863,and previous
to 1st January, 1866. — George Young ; second, Wm. Donnell.

Best bull calved on or after 1st January, 1866. — John
Stewart; second, Stevenson Hall ; third, David Patton.

Best cow, in-calf or milk, calved previous to 1st January,
1865. — John Steward; second, Gavin Craig; third, John
Stewart.

Best heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved in 1865. — Charles A.
Smyth ; second, John Stewart, Bumside Cottage ; third,
David Patton,

Best heifer, calved in 1866 or 1867.— David Patton,
Trynanny, Glasslough ; second John Stewart, Bumside ;
third, same.

OTHER BREEDS.

Best Polled Angus or Galloway bull, calved on or after
1st January, 1863.— Major Tyrrell.

Best Devon biJl, calved on or after 1st January, 1863. —
Charles Boyle.

Best Kerry bull, calved on or after Ist January, 1863. —
Capt. Daniel Bayley, Friarstown House, Tallaght, county
Dublin.

Best Polled Angus or Galloway heifer, calved in 1866 or
1867.— Major Tyrrell.

Best Devon cow, in-calf or in-milk, calved previous to 1st
January, 1865. — Charles Boyle.

Best Devon heifer, calved in 18G6 or 1867. — Charles Boyle.

Best Kerry cow, in-calf or in-milk, calved previous to 1st
January, 1865. — Capt. Daniel Bayley.

Best Kerry heifer, calved in 1866 or 1867.— Capt. Daniel
Bayley, prize and two commendations.

OPEN TO COMPETITION TO TENAJJT-rARJIERS WHOSE POOR-
LAW VALUATION IS UNDER £150 PER ANNUM.

Best cow, in-calf or milk. — Samuel M'Corkell ; second,
Henry Haslett.

Best heifer, in-calf or milk, calved in 1865. — David Patton ;
second, Patrick Quin.

Best heifer, calved in L866 or 1867.— Samuel M'Corkell ;
second, Henry Haslett.

HORSES.

The Croker Challenge Cup, value 50 sovs., with 20 sovs.
added, for the best weight-carrying thorough-bred stallion. — •
First prize, Henry Gillespie ; second, R. S. Moore.

Best gelding or fiUy suited for hunting purposes, and up to
at least thirteen stone, foaled on or after 1st January, 1864,
fifteen sovs. — N. M. Archdall, Crocknacrieve, Balliuamallard ;
second, Henry Danton, Raspberry Hill, Donemana, Strabane.

Best gelding or filly suited for coaching purposes, foaled on
or after 1st January, ISG-t, ten sovs. — James Cunningham,
Londonderry; second, James Browne, BaUyarnett,Londonderry.

Best brood mare, not thorough-bred, ten sovs. — Prancis
Cunningham, Londonderry ; second, Francis EUis, Fecarry
House, Omagh.

Best pony, three sovs. — Sir Frederick Heygate, Bart., M.P.,
Ballarena, JMagilligan, Derry ; second, Samuel Gilliland,
Brook Hall, Derry.

AGRICULTURAL HORSES.

Best stallion, of any breed, for agricultural purposes, foaled
on or after 1st January, 1861, and previous to 1st January,
1865, twenty-five sovs. — Mrs. Mary Mooney, Crumlin, county
Dublin ; second, William Meikle, Bainsford, Falkirk.

Best stallion for agricultural purposes, foaled on or after 1 si

January, 1865, fifteen sovs. — No first prize ; second, R. L.
Moore, Molenan, Londonderry.

To the breeder of the best stallion in the above sections,
the medal. — Mrs. Mary Mooney, Crumlin, county Dnblin.

Best draught gelding or filly, foaled on or after 1st January,
1865, ten sovs. — N. M. 'Archdall, Crocknacrieve ; second.
Major Tyrrell, Foyle Park, Eglinton.

Best draught mare, in foal or with a foal at her foot, or
having reared a foal in the year 1868, fifteen sovs. — Mrs.
JIary Mooney, Crumlin, county Dublin ; second, M. Archdall,
M.P., Castle ArchdaU.

SHEEP : LEICESTERS.

Best shearling ram. — Wm. Owen : second, Thomas Marris ;
third, Wm. Owen.

Best ram of any other age. — Thomas Marris ; second, Wm.
Owen : third, same.

Best pen of five shearling ewes. — Seymour j\Iowbray ;
second, Thomas Marris.

BORDER LEICESTERS.

Best shearling ram. — Earl FitzwUliam ; second, Robert G .
Cosby ; third. Smith Barry.

Best ram of any other age. — Earl Fitzwilliam ; second,
Joseph Alexander ; third. Captain L. M. Buchanan.

Best pen of five shearling ewes. — Earl Fitzwilliam ; second,
Captain L. M. Buchanan ; third. Rev. John B. Frith.

Best pen of five ewe lambs. — Captain L. M. Buchanan.

OTHER LONG-WOOLLED SHEEP, not q.ualified to com-
pete in the above.

Best shearling ram. — Thomas Roberts ; second. Captain L.
M. Buchanan.

Best ram of any other age. — ^Thomas Roberts ; second, N.
M. Archdall; third, Thomas Butler, Priestown House.

Best pen of five shearling ewes. — Rev. John B. Frith, En-
niskillen ; second, Thomas Butler ; third, same.

Best pen of five ewe lambs. — Thomas Gather.
SHROPSHIRE DOWNS.

Best shearling ram. — Smith Barry; second, same; third, same.

Best pen of any other age. — Smith Barry ; second, same ;
third, Thomas Jlarris.

Best pen of five shearling ewes. — Jonathan Richardson ;
second, same.

Best pen of five ewe lambs. — ^Thomas Gather.

OTHER SHORTHORNED SHEEP.

Best shearling ram. — Thos. Marris ; second, Thos. Buller.

Best ram of any other age. — Thomas Marris ; second, same.

Best pen of five shearling ewes. — Thomas Butler ; second,
same.

Best pen of five ewe lambs. — Thomas Butler.

Best Cheviot shearling ram. — Thomas Butler; second, same.

Best black-faced shearling ram. — Thomas Butler ; second,
George Dalziel.

SWINE : COLOURED BREED.

Best boar under 18 months old. — Thomas M'Elroy.

Best boar over 18 months and under 36 months old.—
Thomas M'Elroy, Rossdowney, Waterside, Londonderry;
second. Sir Frederick W. Heygate, Bart., M.P., Bellarena,
Magilligan, Derry.

Best breeding sow nnder 18 months old. — Thomas M'Elroy,
Rossdowney, Waterside, Londonderry ; second, Gavin Craig,
Aughtmoyle, Magilligan, Lnndonderry.

Best breeding sow over 18 months old. — Gavin Craig, Augh-
tymoyle, Magilligan, Londonderry ; second, James Ganly,
Hillsborough, Lucan.

Best lot of three breeding pigs of the same litter, above 4
and not exceeding 8 months old. — Thomas M'Elroy, Ross-
downey, Waterside, Londonderry.

WHITE BREED.

Best boar under 18 mouths old.— John Black, Derrydoragh,
Coleraine ; second, J. L. Naper, Loughcrew, Oldcastle.

Best boar over IS months and under 36 months old. — J. L.
Naper, Loughcrewe, Oldcastle.

Best boar in the above sections. — J. L. Naper, Loughcrew, ,
Oldcastle. |

Best sow under 18 months old. — J. L. Naper ; second, same. 1

OPEN TO TENANT-FARMERS WHOSE POOR-LAW VALUATION IS
UNDER £150 PER ANNUM.

Best breeding sow over six and under 18 months old.—
David Gleun.

THJ] FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

303

ROYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This society held its annual meeting and exhibition at
Ulverston on Tuebday and Wednesday, Aug. 25 and 20, and, not-
withstanding the unpropitious weather of Wednesday, which
was the show day, it was a decided success. The number of
entries far exceeded that of any other previous show of this
society, both for animals and implements, and being well dis-
played, the whole effect, so long as it kept fair, was quite pic-
turesque when seen at a little distance.

Tiie trial of ijuplements took place on Tuesday — a day well
suited for the occasion, as a pleasant breeze was blowing all
the time. Upon the whole there was an excellent display of
implements on the trial field, showing the importance which
machinery has attained, looked at both from an agricultural
and a mechanical point of view. There were tried 23 reaping-
machines, 12 mowing-machines, 18 hay-rakers, and 12 hay-
making-machines.

The show of live stock, implements, &c., opened on Wed-
nesday morning, in Lightbourne Park. There were nearly
2,000 entries, of which the implements absorbed 850. There
were a few good animals amongst the horses, but in this de-
partment the show was in point of quality much inferior to
the Preston meeting. The hunters were a good class, but the
show did not appear to have attracted many first-rate animals.
Amongst the cattle, the classes for bulls two years old and up-
wards, and cows or heifers above three years old, wera equal to
anything that the society had exhibited in former years. Tliere
were 22 entries in the class for cows or heifers three years old
and upwards, and the judges were so long in coming to a de-
cision upon the relative merits of four of the competitors that
it was clear considerable difference of opinion existed. Eventu-
ally Lady Pigot carried off both the first and the second prizes,
after a very close contest with Mr. R. Eastwood, Clitheroe,
and Mr. A. Dugdale, Burnley.

The Judges were : For Implements, Messrs. Boulton, For-
rester, Hartley, and Whalley ; for Cattle, Messrs. T. C. Booth,
Grey, and Torr ; for Horses, Messrs. Hutchinson, Gibson, and
Wilson ; for Sheep, Pigs, Roots, and Seeds, Messrs. Begbie,
Nicholson, and Riley.

Following is the list of awards :

IMPLEMENTS.

Mowing machine. — Silver medal and £5, A. C. Bamlett,
Thirsk, Yorkshire ; second, Picksley, Sims, and Co. (limited),
Bedford Foundry, Leigh, Lancashire.

Reaping machine. — Silver medal and £5, A. C. Bamlett,
Thirsk, Yorkshire ; second, William Mattinson, Leeming Bar
Foundry, Yorkshire.

Winnowing machine. — Silver medal, Thomas Corbett,
Shrewsbury.

Swiug plough. — Silver medal, Christopher Pennington,
Gleaston, Ulverston.

Wheel plough. — Silver medal, Thomas Corbett, Slirews-
bury.

Turnip drill on ridge. — Silver medal, James Deasob, Ul-
verston.

Grinding mill and crusher. — Silver medal, Picksley, Sims,
and Co.

Turnip pulper.— Silver medal, James Deason, Kirby
Ireletli.

Cliatf-cutter. — Silver medal, Richmond and Chandler.

Turnip-cutter. — Silver medal, Picksley, Sims, and Co.

Haymaking machine. — Silver medal, W. Nicliolson, Newark.

Hayrake. — Silver medal, Picksley, Sims, and Co.

One-horse cart. — Silver medal, Richmond and Cliandler.

Churn. — Silver medal, Robert Tinkler, 17, King-street,
Penritli.

Wringing and mangling machine. — Silver medal, John
Whittle, Whitehaven.

Collection of agricultural implements, — £5, Richmond and
Chandler.

Assortment of saddlery ajid hwness.— Silver medal, John
Bojiltoji, Ulverston,

CATTLE— SHORTHORNS.

Bull, two years old or upwards. — Silver cup or £10, Jona-
than Peel, CUthero ; second. Lady Pigot, Newmarket.

BuU, above one and under two years old.— Silver cup or
£5, Lady Pigot, Newmarket ; second, R. W. Ashburner, Ul-
verston.

Bull calf, under twelve months old. — Society's silver cup or
£3, Adam IDugdale, Burnley ; second, Richard Eastwood, Cli-
theroe.

Cow or heifer, above tliree years old, and in-calf or in-milk.
— Society's silver cup or £5, Lady Pigot ; second, Lady Pigot.

Heifer, above two and not exceeding three years old, and
in-calf or in-milk. — Society's cup or £5, Adam Dugdale, Burn-
ley ; second, Tliomas Atherton, Liverpool.

Heifer, not exceeding two years old. — Society's silver medal
or £3, Leonard Cliarles Wood, Kirkhain ; second, R. W.
Ashburner, Ulverston.

Heifer calf. — Society's silver medal or £2, William Ash-
burner ; second, M. J. Crank, Ulverston.

CATTLE OF ANY BREED.

Bull, two years old, and under three. — Silver cup or £10,
Robert Winder, Pilling ; second, Samuel Redmayne, Preston.

Bull, above one and under two years old. — Silver cup or
£10, R. W. Ashburner ; second, James Croadsell, near Ulver-
ston.

Bull calf, under twelve months old — £5, John Woodhouse,
Lancaster ; second, R. W. Ashburner.

Cow in calf or milk, having had a calf, and above three
years old. — £5, George Hunt, Preston ; second, George Huiit,
Preston,

Heifer, not exceeding three years old, and in calf or milk. —
£5, Thomas Atherton, Liverpool ; second, William Boulton,
Dalton-in-Furness.

Heifer, not exceeding two years old. — £4 Leonard Charles
Wood, Kirkhara ; second, R. W. Ashburner.

Heifer calf. — £3, William Ashburner ; second, M. J.
Cranke, Ulverston.

Best bull, cow, and calf ; the latter to be the progeny of the
two former ; all bond fide the property of the exhibitor, ac-
cording to the rules and regulations of the Society (new prize).
— £10 or silver cup, W. and T. Robinson, Ulverston.

Extra Stock. — James Croadsell, near Ulverston.

HORSES.

Thoroughbred stallion.— £50, J. Laycock, Silsden, near
Leeds.

Roadster stallion;— £20, Thomas Shaw, Tarleton.

Dray or agricultural staUion, — £20, John Edraondson,
Burnley.

Thoroughbred stallion.— Cup, value 20 guineas, James Mof-
fatt, CarUsle.

Brood mare for agricultural purposes, being in foal or hav-
ing produced a foal in 1868.— Silver cup or £5, Richard East-
wood, Clitheroe ; second. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire,
Holker Hall.

Mare for breeding hunters, being in foal or having produced
a foal in 18G8.— Silver cup or £5, E. A. Aglionby, Hawks-
head ; second, D. H. Fenton, Kendal.

Brood mare for harness purposes, being in foal or having
produced a foal in 186S.— Silver cup or £5, Mrs. Bell, Bar-
row-in-Furness ; second, Francis Long, Wetherby.

Pair of draught or agricultural horses above three years old.
—Silver medal or £5, Thomas Statter, jun., Manchester; se-
cond, John Hunt, Bariow-in-Furness.

Dray or agricultural mare or gelding, four years old or
upwards.— Silver medal or £2, Thomas Whitaker, Preston.

Three-year-old gelding or filly for agricultural purposes.
—Silver medal or £3, Richard Eastwood, Clitheroe; second,
William Slater, Dalton-in-Furness.

Three-year-old gelding or filly for hunting purposes.-—
Silver medal or J|3, Jlpbert Ashburner J second, John Mwtin,
UlverstOft,

804

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Tliree-year-old geUing or fiUy for harness purposes.—
Silver medal or £3, Jolm Denny, Dalton-in-f urness ; second,
Henry Parker, Kirkhy Treletli.

Two-year-old gelding or lilly for agricultural purposes.
—Silver medal or £2, William Slater, Dalton-in-I'urness ; se-
cond, Jolin Jackson, Ulverston.

Two-year-old gelding or fiUy for hunting purposes.—
Silver medal or £3, John R. Patterson, Ulverston ; second,
Jonathan Kellet, Clverston.

Two-year-old gelding or filly for harness.— Silver medal or
£2, Henry Parker, Kirkby Ireleth; second, William Rigg,
Ulverston. , „.,

Yearling colt or filly for agricultural purposes.— Silver
medal or £3, John Ormandy, Ulverston,

Yearling colt or filly for hunting purposes.— Silver medal
or £2, E. A. Aglionby, Hawkshead ; second, Jonathan Kellett,
Ulverston.

Yearling colt or filly for harness purposes.— Silver medal or
£2, Francis Long, Wetherhy ; second, John Hodgson, Ulver-
ston. „., , ,

Colt or filly foal for agricultural purposes.— Silver medal or
£2, William Slater, Dalton-in-Furness.

Colt or filly foal for hunting purposes.— Silver medal or.£2,

D. H. Fenton, Kendal ; second, E. A. Aglionby, Hawkshead.

Colt or filly foal for harness purjwses.- Silver medal or £2,

Francis Long, Wetherby ; second, William Butler, Dalton-in-

VnxnGSS

Himter, four years old and upwards, and to leap, at the dis-
cretion of the Judges, over hurdles i feet 6 iuches high.—
Silver cup or £10, Eva Fyler, Hawkshead ; second, James
Moffatt, Carhsle ; third, Tliomas Weston, Grange.

Roadster mare or gelding, four years old and upwards.— £3,

]\Iary Wilkin, Holboru Hill, Cumberland; second, John

Clegg, Urswick. , , . , no

Cob above 13^ and not exceeding 15 hands high.— £3,

Joseph Fearon, Whitehaven ; second, John Mason, Broughton-

in-Furness. , , • i ran m

Cob above 12 and not exceeding l^ hands high.— £2, i.
H. Miller, Preston ; second, Mark Whineray, Ulverston.

Pony under 12 hands high.— £1, Alexander Brogden, Ul-
verston; second, James Park, Ulverston.

Extra stock.— Richard Eastwood, Whitewell.
SHEEP.

Shearling ram of the Leicester breed.— Silver medal or £3,
and second, T. H. Hutchinson, Catterick.

Ram of the Leicester breed of any other age than shearling.
—Second, T. H. Hutchinson, Catterick.

\\niite-faced sheep, loug-woolled shearUng ram, not being of
the Leicester breed.- Silver medal or £3, and second, Wm.
Norman, Aspatria.

Shearling ram of the Shropshire Down breed. — Silver medal
or £2, and second, William J, Gariiett, Lancaster.

Ram of the Shropshire Down breed, of any other age than
shearling.— Silver medal or £3, William J. Garnett, Lan-

Shearling lamb of the Lonk breed.— Silver medal or £3,
Jonathan Peel, Clitheroe.

Ram of the Lonk breed, and other age than shearling. —
Silver medal or £2, Jonathan Peel, Clitheroe.

Ram of any other breed, adapted to a mountain district. —
Silver medal or £2, aud second, George Browne, Winder-
mere.

Pen of three Leicester ewes, not to exceed in age four
shears, each having reared a lamb in 1868.— Silver medal or
£2, T. H.Hutchinson, Catterick ; second, Thomas Wilkmson,
Garstang.

Pen of three shearling Leicester ewes.— Silver medal or £3,
and second, T. II. Hutchinson.

Pen of three white-faced long-woolled ewes, not being of
the Leicester breed, not to exceed in age four years, each
having reared a lamb in 1868.— Silver medal or £2, and se-
cond, William Norman, Aspatria.

Pen of three shearling white-faced long-woolled ewes, not
being of the Leicester breed.— Silver medal or £3, William
Norman ; second, Robert Coward, Ulverstone.

Pen of three Shropshire Down ewes, not to exceed in age
four sheers, each having reared a lamb in 1868. — Silver medal
or £2, Wm. J. Garnett, Lancaster; second, Roger BowUng,
Garstang.

Pen of three shearling Shropshire Down ewes. — Silver
medal or £3, Wm. J. Garnett, Lancaster ; second, Wm. J.
Garnett, Lancaster.

Pen of three Lonk ewes, not to exceed in age four shears,
each having reared a lamb in 1868. — Silver medal or £3,
Jonathan Peel, Clitheroe ; second, Jonathan Peel, Chtheroe.

Pens of three ewes of any other breed, not to exceed in age
four shears, each having reared a lamb in 1868, and best
adapted to a mountain district.— Silver medal or £3, George
Browne, Windermere ; second, George Browne,

Extra Stock.— His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, Grange,
and T. H. Miller, Kirkham.

PIGS.

Boar of a large breed, any age. — Silver medal or £3, Peter
Eden, Manchester ; second, Jas. Kendall, Dalton-in-Furness.

Boar of tlie small breed, any age.— Silver medal or £3,
Peter Eden, Manchester ; second, Rd. Batty, Ulverston.

Breeding sow of the large breed, in-pig or milk.— Silver
medal or £3, and second, Peter Eden, Manchester.

Breeding sow of the small breed, in-pig or milk.— Silver
medal or £2, Peter Eden, Manchester ; second, Benjamin Bee,
Preston,

Breeding sow of the Berkshire breed.— £2, George Hunt,
Preston ; second, W, and T. Robinson, Ulverston.

SCARBRO', HACKNESS, AND NORTH AND EAST RIDINGS AGRICULTURAL

SOCIETY.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, this influential local society held its
annual show at Scarbro' under the most favourable circum-
Btances. The display of stock was extensive and excellent in
quality, the attendance of company numerous, and the weather
was fine, with rather a brisk wind from the north-west.

The site was in every respect the best that the society has
ever had.

An interesting feature of the exhibition was the show of
cattle, which altliough not large was yet nevertheless of a most
superior description. The bulls of any age were prime, _ the
class comprising eight as fine animals as ever were seen in a
show-yard. The first prize was carried off by the Earl of
Feversham with Orestes, a magnificent bull between four and
five years old. The cow and heifer classes call for special re-
marks. There were several good beasts amongst the lot, but
the entries, generally speaking, were small, and the competi-
tion, therefore, was not of that spirited character which was
wished.

The sheep formed a section of the show which attracted
considerable attention. Some of the classes filled well, whilst
others were short, and in one instance there was no entry at
all — a circumstance not satisfactory. Upon the whole,i how-
ever, there was a display of sheep, as regarded quality, well
deserving of close inspection.

The display of pigs was highly satisfactory, and it was ac-
knowledged on all hands that the array of horses on this occa-
sion was never surpassed, if eijualled, at the previous shows of
the society.

The following gentlemen officiated as judges :—

For Cattle. — Mr. J. R. Singleton, Givendale ; Mr. John
Kirby, Skirpenpeck ; and Mr. John Boast, North Dalton.

For HDNTI2JG and Nag Horses. — Mr. Wm. Atkinson,
Barrowby Hall, Woodlesford ; aud Mr. John Bennett, Bos-
worth Grange, Rugby.

For Coachimg mb AGRicuwuBAi Horses,— Mr, John

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

305

Kirby, Burton Eield, Stamford Bridge; and Mr. Eichard
Hodgson, Langton Grange, Northallerton.
The following was their award of the prizes :—

CATTLE— SHOIITHORNS.

Bull of any age—First prize, £10, Right Hon, Earl
Feversham, Duncomhe Park; second of £5, W. Linton
Sheriff Button.

Bull above one and under two years old.^First prize, £5,
W. Linton ; second of £i 10s., J. S. Jordan, Elmswell.

Bull calf under twelve months old. — First prize £3, T.
Frank, Fylingdales ; second of £1, J. Cattley, Stearsby.

Cow or heifer above three years old, in calf or in milk. —
First prize, £5, the executors of the late F. Jordan, Eastburn ;
second of £3 10s., &. Rowlay, Ebberston.

Heifer above two years old, in calf or milk. — Prize, £1,
W. Linton, Sheriff Hutton.

CATTLE OF ANY BREED.

Cow or heifer above three years old, in calf or mUk. — First
prize, £3, Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P., Hackness Hall ;
second of £1, T. Frank, Fylingdales.

Two dairy cows. — First prize, £2, T. Walker, Searaer ; se-
cond of £1, J. Stephenson, Seanier Lane, Scarborough.

Heifer calf.— Prize, £1, W. ThirkeU, Spa Hotel, Scarbo-
rough.

Fat ox, cow, or heifer. — Prize, £2, G. and C. Lancas-
ter, Morton Grange, Northallerton.

COTTAGER AND MILK-SELLER'S PRIZE.

Milk fc(jw. — First prize, £2, H. Wilkinson, Seamer ; second
of £1, R, Wilson, Wykeham.

SHEEP.

Leicesters, two-shear or aged ram. — First prize, £5, G. H.
Sanday, Holme Pierrepont, Notts. ; second of £3, J. Borton,
Barton House, Malton.

ShearHng ram. — First prize, £7, J. Borton ; second of £3,
J. Borton.

Pen of three shearUiig rams. — First prize, £5, T. Stamper,
Highfield House, Oswaldkirk ; second of £3, J. W. Sharp,
Ulrome Hall, BriiUingtou.

Penof five slicarliug gimmers. — First prize, £3, J. Rush-
worth, Lotherton, South Milford ; second of £1 10s., E. Riley,
Kipling Cotes Farm, Beverley. An extra prize of £3 was
abo awarded to G. AVright, Broughton, Malton.

Pen of five Leiceeter ewes. — First prize, £3, R. Rowlay,
Ebberston ; second of £1, T. Abraham, East Heslerton.

Pen of ten Leicester ginimer lambs. — First prize, £3, G.
Raper, Hunmanby Field, Scarborough ; second of £1 10s., T.
Dayrell, West Ayton, Sherburn.

Ram, adapted to a moor or mountain district, — First prize,
£3, W. Rudsdale, Dauby Lodge, Danby End ; second of £1,
W. Rudsdale.

Pen of three ewes, adapted to a moor or mountain district,
—First prize, £3, W, Rudsdale ; second of £1, W, Rudsdale,

Fat ewe or wether. — Prize, £2, G. Wright, Broughton.

Extra stock. — J. Eldin, Seamer,
PIGS.

Boar of a large breed. — First prize, £3, J. Dyson, Leeds ;
second of £1, G. Chapman, Seamer.

Sow of large breed, in milk or pig. — First prize, £3, J.
Dyson; second of £1, G, Chapman,

Boar of small breed. — First prize, £3, J. Dyson ; second of
£1, G. Chapman.

Sow of small breed, in pig or milk. — First p rize, £3, J.
Dyson ; second of £1, G. Cliapman.

Tliree store pigs of any breed, of the same litter. — First
prize, £1, R. Wood, Hovingham ; second of 10s., G. Cliap-
man, for boar of large breed.

Sow of large breed. — First prize, £1, G, Chapman ; second,
of 10s., G. Chapman, for boar of small breed.

Sow of small breed, not exceeding twelve months old. —
First prize, £1, J. Dyson ; second of IDs., G. Chapman.
COTTAGERS' PRIZE.

Store pig.— First prize, £3, T. Rudsdale, Danby End ; se-
cond of £1, T. Atkinson, Seamer.

Extra stock. — R. Atkinson, Seamer, for five sucking pigs.
HORSES— HUNTERS.

Stallion, thorough-bred.— First prize, £7, M. Webster,
AUerston Marishes, Pickering ; second of £3, H. S. Constable,
^Yassand, Hull,

Brood mare, with foal at her foot.— First prize, £5, M.
Leaper, Sledmere, Driiiield; second of £3, G. Ringrose,
Flixton, Granton.

Yearling gelding.— First prize, £3, Sir G, Cholmley, Bart.
Boynton, Bridhngton; second of £1, M. Brunton, Howe
HiUs, AycHffe, Darlington.

YearUng fiUy. — First prize, £2, Sir G, Chohnley, Bart.,
Boynton; second of £1, J, Stephenson, Seamer Lane.

Two-year-old gelding. — First prize, £3, J, Robson, Rose
Villa, Old Malton ; second of £1, W. and B. Muzeen, South
Holme, SUngsby.

Two-year-old filly. — First prize, £3, SirG. Cholmley, Bart,,
Boynton ; second of £1, J. B. Robson, AVindle Beck, Gauton.

Three-year-old gelding. — First prize, M, Sir G. Cholmley,
Bart., Boynton ; second of £3, J. Simpson, Field House, Hun-
manby.

Three-year-old filly. — First prize, £4, J. Simpson, Field
House, Himmanby ; second of £3, J. Wright, Kilham, Drifiield.
COACHING HORSES.

Stallion. — First prize, £5, F. Ricliardson, HuU Road, York ;
second of £3 IDs., Wm. Poad, Ruston, Sherburn.

Brood mare, with foal at her foot. — First prize, £4, Messrs.
Coulsou, Gaterly I'arm, Castle Howard ; second of £3, J.
Peacock, South Ings, Kirbymoorsidc.

Yearling gelding or fiUy. — First prize, £1, Mr. J. B. Baker,
Throxenby Hall, Scarbro' ; second of 10s., Wm. Goodwill,
Roe Brow, Scarbro'.

Two-year-old gelding or filly. — First prize, £3, J. W, Coul-
son, Slingsby, York ; second of £1, G. Hopper, West Ayton,
Y^edmandale.

Three-year-old gelding. — First prize, £3, H. Walker, Cres-
cent, Scarbro' ; second of £1, E. Fox, West Lutton, Wharram
Station, Y'^ork.

Three-year-old filly.— First prize, £3, J. B. Baker,
Throxenby Hall, Scarbro'.

ROiYDSTERS.

StaUion. — First prize, £5, H. R. W. Hart, Dunnington
Lodge, York ; second of £3 10s., J, Crompton, Thornhohne,
near Lowthorpe.

Brood mare, with foal at her foot. — First prize, £4, Wm.
Major, Sledmere Grange, Malton ; second of £3, H. Brown,
Strensall, York.

Yearling gelding or fiUy, — First prize, £1, M, Leaper, Sled-
mere, Driffield ; second of 10s., J, Hall, North Burton.

Two-year-old gelding or filly. — First prize, £3, J. S, Darrell,
West Ayton ; second of £1, G. Watson, Newbegin.

Three-year-old gelding or filly. — First prize, £3, R, Eramer-
son, Dinsdale Grange, Darlington; second of £1, W. H.
Cranswick, Thorneholme, Lo^vthorpe,

Mare or gelding, of any age. — First prize, £5, J. Robson,
Rose Villa, Old Malton ; second of £3 10s., W. Major, Sled-
mere Grange, Malton.

AGRICULTURAL HORSES.

Stallion. — First prize, £5, Wm. Simpkin, jun., Burton
Agnes, Lowthorpe ; second of £3 lOs., Joseph Johnson,
Bempton, Bridlington.

Brood mare, with foal at her foot. — First prize, £4, J. W.
Sharp, Ulrome Hall, Bridlington ; second of £2, C. Leadley,
Cloughton, Scarbro'.

Two year old gelding or fiUy. — First prize £3, J. Stephenson,
Town-Mreet, Palsgrave ; second of £1, Executors of the late
Francis Jordan, Eastburn, Driffield,

Pair of horses of either sex, worked during the summer.—
£4, J. Simpson, Hunmanby,

Mares or horses under eight years old, not to exceed 14
hands 2 inches high, — First prize, £3, Wm. Simpkin, juu..
Burton Agnes ; second of £3, John Pearson, Costa Mill,
Pickering.

Mares or horses under eight years old, not to exceed IS
hands high. — First prize £3, J. Medcalf, High-street, Brid-
lington ; second of £3, H. Walker, Crescent, Scarbro'.

Extra Stock.— £2 to Richard Cross, Carlton Villa,
Scarbio' ; £1 to J. S. Darrell, West Ayton, York ; £1 to W.
Waters, Newborough-street, Scarboro'.

SPECIAL PRIZES.
Hunting gelding or mare of any age, by a thorough-bred
horse, open to this district. — Silver cup the gift of the presi-
dent, the Right Hon. Earl Feversham, E, Hornby, Flotmanby,
Ganton.

306

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Hunting gelding or mare, four years old, the property of a
tenant farmer residing within thirty miles of Scarbro'. — Silver
cup, the gift of Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P. for Scar-
borough, J. Eobson, Rose Villa, Old Maltou.

Hunting mare or gelding, five years old.— Silver cup the
gift of J. Dent Dent, M.P. for Scarborough, G. Holmes
Beverley. '

Harness gelding or mare, not less than 15 liands 3 inches
high or above 16 hands, and not less th^n three but under
eight years of age, by a thorpugh-bred horsp, open to district

I

only — SUver cup, the gift of the Vice-presidents. Henry
Walker, Crescent. Scarborough.

Ladies' hackney, gelding, or mare, of any age.— Silver cup.
the gift of FA. Milbank, M.l'., Sir G. Cholmley, Bart.
Boynton, Bridlington. '

LEAPING PRIZES.

Horses of any age, sex, or breed.— Silver cup, J. Cjompton.
ihornholme, Lowthorpe.

Pony of any age, sex, or breed.— Silver cup, J. Medcalf.
IJigh-street, Bridlington. '

BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY AND SOUTHERN COUNTIES

ASSOCIATION.

An amalgamation having been effected between the Bath
and West of England Society and the Southern Counties As-
sociation, a special general meeting of members was held on
August 25, at the " Three Choughs Hotel," Yeovil. Among
those present were : The Most Noble the Marquis of Bath •
Sir J. T. B. Duckworth, Bart.; Sir E. Hulse, Bart. ; the Hon'
and Rev. S. Best ; Messrs. T. D. Acland, M.P., H. G. Andrews
R. G. Badcock, T. Danger, J. T. Davy, J. Daw, E. S. Drewe'
Eras. W. Dymond, W. Farthing, Mark Farrant, H. Fookes, C.
Gordon, John Gray, Jonathan Gray, John D. Hancock ' J
Webb King, J. E. Knollys, Jos. Lush, T. Messiter, H.' G
Moysey, Rev. T. PhiUpotts, Messrs. G. S. Poole, John Samp-
son, H. G. Spicer, R. J. Spires, John Trask, H. Williams, H.
Spackman (official superintendent), W. Smith (official account-
ant), and J. Goodwin (secretary and editor).

In the unavoidable absence of the Earl of Carnarvon, Pre-
sident for the year, the Marquis of Bath was voted to the
chair. The minutes having been read.

Sir J.T. B. Duckworth, Bart., as Chairman of the Amal-
gamation Committee appointed by the annual meeting of
members of the Bath and West of England Society, held at
Falmouth on the 3rd June last, moved that the title of the
Amalgamated Societies be " The Bath and West of England
Society (estabhshed 1777) and Southern Counties Asssocia-
tion, for the Encouragement of Agriculture, Arts, Manufac-
tures, and Commerce." He also moved the acceptance and
confirmation of a code of laws for regulating the affairs of the
society. Of these, however, the following only require to be
set forth in detail :

" The West of England shall be divided into two districts,
to be called the Eastern and Western, and the boundary-line
separating Devon from Somerset and Dorset shall be the divi-
sion of such districts; and the foUowing counties— viz
Hants Berks, Oxford, Surrey, Sussex, and Kent— shall form
a third district, to he called the Southern. The Council shall
consist of a president, vice-presidents, and sixty-six other
members (thirty-three of whom shall retire annually by rota-
tion but shall be eligible for re-election), and shall be elected
by the whole body of members. Eighteen members of the
Council shall be chosen from persons residing or representing
property in the Eastern district, eighteen from persons re-
siding or representing property in the Western district
eigliteen from persons residing or representing property in the
Southern district, and the remaining twelve may be elected
trora the general body of members, without reference to dis-
tricts. Every subscriber of £1 annually shall be a member •
ot £2. a governor, and eligible for election as a vice-president •
and every yeoman and tradesman subscribing lOs. and up'
wards annuaOy shall be a member of the society. Each mem-
ber shaU be liable to pay his subscription until he shall have
given notice^in writing to the secretary of his intention to
withdraw, ihe subscriptions to become due and be paid in
advance on the 1st of January in each year. AU firms of two
or more persons shall subscribe not less than £1 annually
Ihe payment of £10 in one sum shall constitute a member
lor iit», and of £20 in one sum a governor for life. To en-
title a member to exhibit, he must have been a member for
three mouths, and have paid his subscription, of not less than
7^ wr the current year, at least one month previous to the
nay ot exhibition. Members subscribing less than £1, and
non-members, will be permitteil to py.hm stock, agricwltunil

implements or other articles, on payment of such a sum as
tlie council shaU direct." On the motion of Sir J T B
Duckworth, Bart, it was also resolved that the iollowing re-
gulation be withdrawn from the general laws, in order to its
modihcatiou for convenience of exhibitors and the society •
Entries must be sent to the secretary at least sixty-two days
previous to the day of exhibition, who, upon their reception,
shall forward by post printed forms of certificates to each exi
lubitor, which shall be filled up by him, and returned to the
secretary at least forty-eight days previous to the day of exhi-
bition.' Ihe laws having been accepted and confirmed, the
Iollowing noblemen and gentlemen were elected vice-presi-
dents or members of council for the Southern district :

yiCE-PKESiDENTS.-Earl of Abingdon, Wytham Priory.
Abingdon ; H. Barnett, M.P., Glympton Park, Woodstock •
Viscount Barringtou, M.P., Beckett House, Shrivenham • R
Benyon, MP., Englefield House, Reading ; Earl of Carnarvon.
Highclere Castle, Newbury ; Earl of Chichester, Stanner Park
Lewes; George Darby, Marklye, Hurst Green; Earl of
Darnley Cobham Hall, Gravesend ; Sir Henry W. Dashwood.
Bart., Kirthngton Park, Oxon ; Earl Ducie, Sarsden House
Chipping Norton ; Sir P. Hart Dyke. Bart., LuUington Castle
Eynesford; Viscount Eversley, Heckfield-place, Winchfield-
Lord Fitzwalter, Goodnestoue Park, Wingham ; Lord Hylton
Merstham House, Redhill ; Duke of Marlborough KG*
Bleinhara-palace, Woodstock; Sir H. St. John Mildmay'
Bart., Dogmersfield Park, Winchfield ; Lord Monson, Gatton
lark, R«igate; Duke of Northumberland, Albany Park
Guildford ; Melville Portal, Laverstoke House, Micheldever*
Hants; Dake of Richmond, K.G , Goodwood Park Chi-
chester ; Viscount Sydney, Frognal, Footscray, Kent ;' John
Walter Bearwood, Wokingham; Marquis of Winchester.
Amport, St. Mary's, Andover;

T»r97"?T^„*^^*'^-J^^ °^ ^"^ Council.— Colonel Barttelott,
M.P., Hilliers, Petworth ; Hon. and Rev. S. Best, Abbotts
Ann, Andover ; Robert Glutton, Hartswood, Reigate • Lieut -
Colonel Deedes, Sandling Park, Hythe ; Joseph Druce Eyn-
shara, Oxford; Frederick Gill, Beenham, Reading; 'Sir J
Clark Jervoise, Bart., M.P., Idsworth House, Horndean-
l/ieut.-Colonel Lennard, Wickham-court, Bromley, Kent • H
Middeton, Cntteslowe, Oxford; P. S. Punnett, Kent House"
Croydon ; J. C. Ramsden, Busbridge HaU, Godalming • w'
Rigden, Hove Farm, Brighton ; Sir C. Russell, Bart MP*
Swallowfield Park, Reading; George Shackel, Erieigh-court'
Reading; W. B. Simonds, M.P., Abbott's Barton Win-
chester; R.J. Spiers, F.S.A., Oxford; J. R. Stebbing St
Andrews Lodge, Southampton; J. S, Turner, Chyneton
oeaford. ■/ o >

_ With a vote of thanks to the Marquis of Bath for pre-
siding, the proceedings terminated.

At a meeting of the council held on the same day as the .
special general meeting, the stewards and officers for the cur- |
rent year were nominated ; and a letter by Mr. Caleb H 1
Gater, the local honorary secretary, having reference to the
society s meeting at Southampton in 1869, was read from
which it appeared that the authorities of the London and
.boutli- Western Railway have promised the mayor of South-
ampton to give the fullest railway accommodation during the
time of The meeting, ' ' " ■

THE FARMER'S UAGAZmK

THE WINTER FEEDING OF STOCK.

Assuming that the turnip and mangold crops of tlie present
season will not exceed from one-half to three-fourtlis of an
average weight of bulbs in the best-fanned districts, there is the
prospective difficulty to be met — How are the ordinary numbers
of cattle and sheep to be kept, and the usual numbers fattened F
By the exercise of economy in the use of these crops, and of
straw and hay, with the exercise of ingenuity in the selection
and use of substitutes for roots, ranch may be accomplished ;
but all this will involve more than the ordinary expenditure
in the purchasing of cakes and other feeding substances. The
question, therefore, presents itself — Will this increased outlay
pay P The question of repayment involves otiier questions
which it would be well to consider, such as the price of stock,
of hay, and what will be the probable prices of cakes, beans,
peas, tares, oats, barley, Indian corn, carib beans, and of other
articles suitable for tlie keeping and fattening of stock. Tlie
rates ruling in the markets at present for all kinds of feeding
substances are high, and the probabilities are that prices will
still further advance with the increased demand, as the average
supplies arriving at British ports may not be greatly augmented
notwithstanding the enhanced prices. The same heat and
drought which was experienced in Great Britain during the
summer was experienced generally on the continent, and with
great intensity ; therefore the root and spring-sown grain crops
on the continent are, on the whole, deficient. The extent of
this deficiency has not been estimated — tlie exception to tlie
deficiency being the crop of Indian corn and rapeseed. The
import of these may be considerable. Linseed, however, is
under an average, and consequently the exports of linseed cake
from the continent will be restricted. The same climatic
conditions as experienced in Europe prevailed over the greater
part of the United States and British North America. It is
therefore to be inferred that, with the exception of Indian
corn, the supplies of feeding substances from abroad will not
exceed, if they reach, an average. A considerable proportion
of the oleaginous seeds imported, however, come from the East
Indies ; the probabilities are, therefore, that, owing to the de-
mand in Europe, the quantity shipped at Indian ports will
exceed the average of previous years. Having pointed out
the probable supplies of feeding substances from abroad, the
next subject to consider is — Can the extent of land under tur-
nips and rape be profitably increased by seeding a portion of
the stubble lands during the present month ? In the southern
counties of England this can be undertaken with the proba-
biUties of success, as, should the weather prove favourable for
vegetation, a considerable growth of leaves, if not of roots, will
be produced. In the northerii counties of England, and in
Scotland generally, the seeding of land in August with the
earlier kinds of turnips, or with rape, will not prove of mucli
advantage unless tlie season should prove exceptional ; tliere-
fore any advantage to be derived from this source cannot be
estimated as likely to amount to much. Should the weather
prove conducive to the rapid growth of plants, the turnips and
mangolds which withstood tlie drought and heat of summer
will gain in size, and thus become heavier crops than their
present appearance indicates. But after the experience gained
by many farmers last season, they will not again so readily
over-estimate the weight of bulbs from the luxuriant growtli
of leaves. Should the turnips rapidly improve during the three
following months, the apprehended deficiency will be in part
dispelled. Another result will likely arise out of genial
weather — namely, an abundant growth of grass on the stunted
and burned-up pastures.

Should the pasture lands aftbrd a luxuriant growth of grass
from the present time up to December, advantage will doubt-
less be taken of tliis herbage to economise fodder and roots.
But stock in good condition, and which are being prepared for
the shambles, will require a dally supply of auxiliary food.
For cattle, cake proves the most suitable, the allowance being
4 lbs. daily at first, and increased to 6 or 8 lbs. daily. For
sheep a mixture of cakes and grain, beans, peas, lentils, Indian
corn, and other dry substances, prove the most suitable, and
these will doubtless be given. By the judicious use of auxiliary

feeding substances supplied to stock kept at pasture during the
autumn months, both fodder and roots will be economised,
although this niauageraent of feeding stock has little to recom-
mend it except when winter keep is scarce.

For tlie economy of turnips and mangolds nothing proves so
efficient and certain as tlie passing of the bulbs through a
pulping or slicing machine, and mixing the pulped or sliced
bulbs with cut straw or a mixture of cut straw and hay. The
proportions may be 3 lbs. of bulbs to 1 of cut fodder. By the
use of these proportions feeding cattle will consume daily from
70 to 100 lbs. of the mixture when cake at the rate of 4 or 6 lbs.
is allowed in addition. This will reduce the consumption of
turnips or mangolds to about one-half of the quantity eaten by
cattle fed upon cut bulbs and uncut fodder with the same allow-
ance of cakes. The increase of the live weight of the animals
will be about 2 lbs. daily, and in exceptional cases to 2i lbs.
daily. The proportion of pulped or sliced bulbs to the cut
fodder can be still further reduced by the use of gruel to render
the straw more palatable. The gruel may be made of ground
oleaginous cakes, ground linseed or rapeseed, meal of any of
the grains, or of molasses. The relative prices of these articles
should determine the selection. Keeping in view their rela-
tive fattening qualities, linseed is superior to linseed cakes,
and molasses to either of these. The gruel should be so pre-
pared as that the seeds, ground seeds, cakes, and meals are re-
duced to a state of mucilage previous to tlie gruel being poured
over and mixed with the cut fodder. By the judicious use of
cut fodder so prepared, and a liberal allowance of cakes, cattle
can be fattened rapidly, although a very considerable outlay
for purchased food and labour is incurred, which is seldom
met with where the cattle are sold.

Sheep kept on a mixture of feeding substances are usually
healthy, and increase in weight and fatness corresponding to
the kind of food supplied and the quantities eaten. Shelter, as
in the case of cattle, also exercise a certain degree of influence
on the health and progress of tlie animals ; but the common
breeds of sheep in the British Islands do not thrive rapidly
when confined under cover, or when they are too closely
penned. Ewes can be kept in a healthy state ou cut hay suji •
plid in troughs ; these placed in a pasture field, the ewes having
access to water. When high winds occur there is, however, a
certain loss of hay. Aged sheep and hoggets which are being
fattened can be kejit on a mixture of sliced bulbs, cut hay,
drutf, and finely-broken cakts. When the prices of grain
admit of one or more of them being used for feeding sheep,
the grain may be substituted in part for the cakes.

In considering how the ordinary numbers of cattle and sheep
kept on the farm are to be maintained, and the usual numbers
fattened, the question of repayment fur the additional outlay
to be incurred in purchasing feeding substances require to be
duly and carefully estimated. When a straw-cutting machine
and a root-pulping or slicing machine, with horse gear for
their eftective operation, lias to be procured, a certain per
eentagf, say eight per cent., also falls to be added ; but as the
saving effected by the use of such machines is so great, a cer-
tain per centage may be deducted.

In estimating tlie probable returns from the stock kept and
those fattened, the most important points to consider are tlie
estimated prices in winter or spring of the stock kept or fat-
tened, and the probable outlays in the purchasing of feeding
substances to supplement tlie deficient root crops. This is one
side of the question. The ot her is the increased price of the
animals when sold, the enhanced value of the dung produced,
and the all but imperative necessity of converting the straw
of the farm into manure for maintaining the fertility of the
lands. When the whole of the circumstances arising out of
the present situation are duly weighed, exertions will be made
by the majority of farmers to keep as near as it is prudent the
average number of animals usually kept and fed. The esti-
mates being judiciously calculated, the probabilities are that
the number of cattle and sheep fattened during the coming
winter and spring will be considerably under the average of
former years. — Nor/k B'-Uh-h Ajy>c:(U:iri;!.

Y

:>^

30>S

TJJE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE THREE AGES OF AGRICULTURE.

Some one has saiil " Agriculture is a science of locality."
What ! exclaimed I to myself— what is a science of locality ?
Are there any local sciences ? Will that which is science here
he anything different elsewhere ? Having said this, I next
asked — What is agriculture in relation to science ?

Great most certainly has heen the merit of the ancient
agriculturists — Hesiod, Cato, Varro, Virgil, Columella, Palla-
dius, &c. ; hut these illustrious men expose the existing practices
rather than lay down new laws. Agriculture therefore existed
hefore science. It was horn with the world — with man in his
iirst simplicity. It was not a jmorl a science, but it allied
itself with science, received from it its fertilizing emanations,
arad derives from it a great power of production.

Agriculture in its course of progress has still other forms
than the scientific form.

It has been asked, for instance, whether grammar is the art
or the science of speaking and writing correctly, and we have
wisely adopted the more modest formula art. It is thus with
agriculture ; it is not a science oflocalifj/, nor can it he always
and everywhere a science. The human forces will not he able
to maintain themselves always in such a diapason. Energies
less strained are more natural to it. It seems to us that in
proceeding from the simple to the complex, agriculture reckons
three ages — namely, routine, art, and science-

Routine is the agricultural instinct, the tradition of ages
over each land- It is iu this, above all, that the spirit of
locality displays itself. Every country has, from its origin,
created an appUcation of processes which have heen maintained
hy tradition for centuries, and too often enclosed iu an un-
alterable circle.

Routine adopts the most summary processes to obtain, from
a given extent of land, an income from the smallest amount of
capital or outlay, aud is little covetous of results. Tlie soil
gives tlie law to man, rather than man to tlie soil ; it seeks
above all to produce food for man by ceieals ; it sows wheat in
fertile land ; rye or buckwheat ou the sands, and abandons to
tlie cattle the and and marshy lands that have never been
under the plough. The cattle it employs, whether from choice
or necessity, are lean, but rustic, and its qualities arc nearly
tliose of the wild state : they are ill-fed, and preserve tlieir
vitality under misery. Routine feels an instinctive repugnance
for those improved breeds, that advanced agriculture alone can
support. Amongst vegetables it rejects in a similar manner
those, the culture of which requires extra care and expense.
The routinist never struggles against a difficulty. He seeks to
live, not to enrich himself, and still much less to enrich the
proprietor of the land of which he is tlie farmer. Well, does
not this unconcern, so coudemuable in a social point of view,
indicate a kind of illiterate philosophy, a resignation to its
obscure lot, that morality cannot rigorously coudemn ? Social
economy, it is true, does not find its account in it. It asks for
progress and wealth iu the common interest ; but certainly,
Socrates, Plato, Horace, and Virgil, who had no suspicion of
the laws established by the economists in our days, would have
given the preference to the peaceable routinist, before the man
who risks his repose and the security of his family by a too
anxious pursuit of fortune. The famous strophe of Horace —

Beatus ille, qui procut negotiis,
Ut prisoa gens mortalium,
Paterna rura bobus exercet suis,
Solutiis omni foenore*

— is the best eulogium on routine, which needs to keep itself
out of trouble ; aud now not more than amongst tlie ancient
race of mortals has it much need of the money-lender.

Routine may still allege in its justification that from the
beginning of the world it has fed the human race, whether
well or ill, without its complaining much of it ; that whilst
it watered the earth with its sweat, it too often bathed it with

* Happy the man, vpho, remote from the busy mart of com-
merce, in imitation of the ancients, cuUivate.s his paternal
lands with his own oxen, untrammelled hy any kind of
usury.

its blood ; that this all-fertilising manure, powerful as
it is, compensates hut little for ravages occasioned by
warlike fancies ; that it would have been shear folly
to make large outlays to sefe its harvests trodden under-
foot or consumed in the green state; that, up to these
latter days, it has been more often visited by wars tlian by
learned men ; that it has produced, in spite of the first ; and
that if, to eat its bread daily, the human race had only had
the portion produced by the learned labourers, they would
long ago have died of hunger. In the meanwhile, with the
virtues of the Golden Age, men and nations remain poor. The
husbandman is now no longer allowed to be a philosopher or
too much contented. Willing or unwilling, he must enrich
himself, or at least attempt to do so ; for there is no place
under the sun for him, but ou this condition. A law of pro-
gress says to the husbandman what has been said to the
soldier : " You shall march and advance, at all risks and dan-
gers." When everything in civilization is moving, agriculture
cannot isolate itself in order to remain behind : a fatal law
draws it into the universal responsibility. It is bound to feed
the human race, not inertly as formerly, but animated, ener-
getic, forcibly drawn into a new movement that suffers no
giving way.

The first step of progress, in departing from routine, is art,
which seeks to free itself from the trammels imposed by the
soil on routine. It studies the land, consults its productive
specialities, calculates the powers of the machines or the
drawing-gear required by strong or light lands. It endeavours
to understand the nature of the manures that will act upon it
with the greatest efficacy, the plants that will best succeed
upon it, and the most advantageous openings for its various
products. Thus enlighteued, it wisely allows itself to be
guided by that soil of which it has repelled the absolute domi-
nation, and made of it an associate. It directs its efforts to-
wards the improvemeut of the land, strengthens the thin soils,
pulverises those that are too compact, urges both to the pro-
duction of forage crops, which will give value to cattle and
supply manure. Cattle will give rest ; manure will bring fer-
tility as well for forage-crops as for cereals. The land thus
produces by its fertility ; but with routine, it is only solicited
in its sterility. Under such conditions, agriculture may be
termed a local art; for it is observation, judgment— art, in
one word — by which it is directed. Art leaves much to be
done to the soil, and in the time being. It avoids forcing the
one too violently, and seeks not to anticipate too much the
other. I have known skilful agriculturists who, in following
the practices, both studied aud prudent, of art, have resolved
the following : To improve their capital and cheptcl ; to in-
crease their revenue and the capital value of the land ; to en-
rich the tenants or metayers who have worked with them, and
to whom it had been necessary to advance money for the out-
lay (for they had chosen them for their moral worth, not for
their financial situation) ; and, in short, leave good balances
at the end of their administrations.

Science has a third manner of proceeding. Instead of leav-
ing the soil master of the cultivator, as does routine, or of
maintaining it in a relief as prudent as skilful, like art, it
aspires to reign over it with a high hand. It seizes it bodily,
clasps it in its powerful machines, purges it of water, or irri-
gates it at will, pulverises, improves, manures, and solicits
from it varied and ceaseless products. The instruments it
employs are skilfully combined, and executed to per-
fection; the plants it selects are those which culture J
has most developed, and of which it hopes to increase ■
the improvement. The races of animals are selected from *
amongst the finest, most delicate, most precocious, most
elastic— in a word, under good treatment, very certain that they
will be seen to prosper under its hands, aud secure large pro-
fits ; whilst tliese same species would prove only a deception
to routine, or presumption. In short, it directs his operations
towards certain products which are converted by it into manu-
facturing products, such as sugar, alcohol, oil, silk, madder,
iic, The oxen fattened in these establishroeuts are no longer

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

809

tlie veterans of tlie farm ; they are the objects of a rolling
stock, which is returned every three months. In these learned
workings the manufacturing capital is equal to the agricultural
capital, and sometimes exceeds it, and whilst that of routine
is invisible, that of agricultural science, manifested by immense
outbuildings, manufacturing chimneys, furnaces, interior rail-
ways, a collection of the most useful agricultural implements,
and valuable cattle, indicates that the lever is as powerful as
the soil, and calculated to make it move under its pressure.
Such land that yielded 5,000 francs (£200) under the reign of
routine, returns 100,000 francs (£4,000) under that of science.
But science is not a vain word in the question. Its immense
stake demands to be conducted with extreme precision ; the
gross revenue exceeds six or seven times the net income, owing
to its manufacturing character. Happy he who by his intelli-
gence and the capital of which he has the disposal, is in a po-
sition to set in motion these springs, as subtile as they are
powerful. Without these qualifications, beware who touches
them !

From routine to agricultural science there is this gradation :
Routine enables the cultivator to live without danger ; but it
impoverishes society. A.rt, well conducted, improves the con-
dition both of the cultivator and the public. Agricultural
science, it must be admitted, is often more profitable to the
public than to the farmer who devotes himself to it. The
celebrated Dombasle, who, iu our time, has been the first in
France to raise agriculture to the dignity of a science, has
sunk his moderate property ; but he has fallen nobly, like a
soldier in the breach, for his country's glory. His sweat has
not in vain l)athed the soil of his country ; it has fertilised in
immortal proportion. Tlie cause of his fall was not science,
but tlie insufficiency of the capital engaged, tp sustain the
gigantic operations of science.

If we would metallise our three ages after the example of
the ancients, we might say that, morally speaking, routine is
the golden age, as has been so elegantly expressed by Horace ;
but in a social and economic point of view, it is the opposite,
which is the truth. Routine is the age of copper, or of the
lowest circulating coin. Art is the silcer age ; and science is
the golden age, or, if you prefer it, the age of figures, for the
" golden age" would be as deceptive in science as in routine.
In the latter it perpetuates an anti-social inertness ; iu the
former it often hastens the ruin of the generous athletes who
devote themselves to agricultural glory.

Let us conclude therefore by saying — in routine, the hus-
bandiiian is the slave of the soil ; in art, he unites himself
with it ; and in science, he rules over it. But we also say —
Science is necessary to agriculture, but not too much of it.
The late Doctor Trousseau, iu whom certainly science was not
wanting, was fond of repeating, that in practice medicine
ought to be considered an art rather ihAwiLScience : sometimes
it had even a benevolent regard to empiricism. This judgment
was profound, and it is applicable to agriculture. Let us there-
fore endeavour to execute our agriculture with art, and care-
fully, which is a part of art in such matters ; let us consult
well our land, our markets, our strength ; let us ameliorate
our soil by the employment of implements the best adapted to
it ; let us especially endeavour to render it fit for the culti-
vation of forage crops which imjjrove the cattle, which raise
the rent and the manure ; we shall thus have a fruitful soil
and a certain income ; we shall not philosophise in misery as
under routine, nor shall we lose ourselves in the clouds of
ambition, as is sometimes done in scientific agriculture.

ClI. DE SOURDEVAL,

Hon. President of the Agricultiiral Society of Tndre-et-Loire,
—Translated firon]. tlie French.

MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual exhibition of stock, agricultural implements, &c.,
commenced on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Southport. The imple-
ments were shown on Tuesday, but the exhibition attracted
little attention. The weather was magnificent, and the ex-
hibition of cattle, Src, drew such an assemblage of visitors to
the town as, in all probability, was never before witnessed.

The cattle were not numerous, but in point of quality the
animals shown were in many instances of great merit. In
horned cattle the first prize of £15 for the best bull of any
shortliorned breed above two years old was won by Lady
Pigot, of Branches-park, near Newmarket ; the second, by
Mr. Jonathan Peel, near Clitheioe. The first prize for any
shorthorned bull above one and not more than two years old,
Mr. C. W. Brierley, Middleton, near Manchester ; the second,
Mr. John Lynn, of Granthan, The whole of the cattle that
were shown in the class for extra stock were highly com-
mended by tlie judges. Amongst these animals were a Kerry
bull and cow, shown by the rev. J. C. Macdona, of Sefton ; a
shorthorned heifer, shown by Lord Skelmersdale ; and a Bre-
ton cow, from Mr. Slatter's herd.

The sheep exhibited a great falling off in point of numbers
as compared with last year. There was, however, little to
complain of in point of quality ; and the Leicester sheep shown
by Yorkshire farmers were especially commended by the judges.
Nearly all the prizes for sheep were carried olf by farmers
who are not resident in the Society's district, Mr. Nield, cf
Worsley, carried oif a prize with a very fine pen of ewes.

The excellence of the horse show undoubtedly warranted
the prominence that was given to it. Not only were the
entries in most of the classes large, but in those specially de-
voted to horses for agricultural purposes there could be no
doubt that the very best animals in the district were exhibited.
Mr. Brogden won the first prize for a three-year-old gelding
or filly ; and the best yearling colt was shown by Mr. Long,
of Snofforth.

In the implement yard Messrs. Richmond and Cliandler, of
Salford, obtained a prize of £5 for their collection, and a silver
medal for a new chaff-cutter, Messrs, Thomas Bradford and:

Co., Manchester, were awarded a prize of £2 for their collec-
tiou. A silver medal was also given to Musgrave Brothers,
Belfast, who exhibited a model stable and patent fittings for
cowhouses, piggeries, &c. A silver medal for a waggonette
was awarded to Mr. C. S. Windover, Huntingdon ; and a si-
milar prize to Messrs. Morgan, London, for a four-wheeled
carriage. A patent adjustable rotary corn screen, shown by
Messrs. Penny and Co., Lincoln, obtained a silver medal. The
following also obtained prizes : Mr. A. Lyon, Finsbury ;
Messrs. BayUss, Jones, and Bayliss, Wolverhampton ; JMessrs.
J. L. Larkwortby and Co., Worcester ; Messrs. Woods and
Co., Stowmarket ; the Agricultural and Horticultural Associa-
tion ; Messrs. Slack and Brownlovv, Manchester ; Ransomes
and Sims, Ipswich ; Mr. F. W. Fellows, Manchester ; Messrs.
Mitchell and Burgess, Manchester ; Messrs. Pidduck and
Griffiths, Southport ; Mr. H. Inman, Stretford ; Mr. W. Rob-
son, Southport , Mr. D. Harkes, Kuutsford ; Mr. PI. Jackson,
Saiford ; and Messrs. Picksley, Sims, and Co., Leigh.

The attendance was most satisfactory. Upwards of £1,000
was taken at the gates.

PRIZE LIST.
HORNED CATTLE.

Bull of any Shorthorned breed, above two year. — First
prize. Lady Pigot, Newmarket ; second, J. Peel, Clitheroe ;
third, J. Lynn, Stroxton, Grautham.

Bull of any Shorthorned breed, above one and not more
than two years. — First prize, C. W. Brierley, Middleton ; sec-
ond, J. Lynn, Stroxton, Grantham ; third, Lady Pigot, New-
market.

Bull calf of any Shorthorned breed, not more than one year.
— First prize, A. Dugdale, Burnley.

Bull of any breed, above two years. — First prize, J. Butter-
worth, Greenbooth, near Rochdale ; second, W. Birch, Ain-
tree ; third, H. Higsou, Pendleton.

Bull of any breed, above one and not more than two years,

Y 2

310

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

— First prize, R. C. Richards, Clifton Lodge, Preston ; second,
J. Goolden, Hale, near Altrinchara ; third, J. Dickinson, Up-
hoUand, near W%au.

Bull calf of any breed, not more than one year. — first
prize, J. Dickinson ; second, T. Atherton, Speke, near Liver-
pool.

Cow for dairy purposes. — First and second prizes, C. W.
Brierley.

Lot of milch cows, not less than three. — First prize, G.
Haworth, Lower Darwen.

Cow or heifer of any breed. — First prize. Lady Pigot ;
second, the Right Honourable Lord Skelraersdale, Orms-
kirk.

Two-year-old heifer, of any breed. — First prize, J. Lynn ;
second, A. Dugdale.

^ Yearling heifer, of any breed.— First prize. Rev. L. C, Wood,
Kirkhara.

Heifer calf, under one-year.— First prize, A. Dugdale ; sec-
ond, L. J. Crossley, Upper Willow Hall, near HaUfax.

Pair of one-year-old heifers, of any breed.— First prize, J.
Dickinson.

Lot of calves, own rearing, not less than three in number. —
First prize, J. Birch, Sefton.

Alderney or Jersey cow or heifer, in-railk or in-calf.-
First prize, R. Barton, Birkenhead ; second, T. Stretch, Orms-
kirk.

HORSES.

Thorougli-bred stallion. — First prize, J. Moffatt, Car-
lisle ; second, R. C. Nay lor, Hooton Hall, near Chester.

Stallion adapted for road purposes. — First prize, T. Shaw,
Mawdeley, near Ormskirk ; second, J. M'Gregor, Acton, North-
wich.

Stallion of the draught kind.— First prize, J . Wright. Tarle-
ton, near Preston ; second, W. Barron, Tarleton, near
Preston.

Brood mare for draught purposes.— First prize, C. Rich-
mond, Thornton, Great Croby ; second, G, C. Dewhurst
Lymm, near Warrington. '

Hunter, mare or gelding, for carrying not less than 14
stone.— G. Van Wart, Edgbaston, first prize for hunter, second
for jumping ; W. Thompson, Manchester, first prize for jump-
ing ; W. Stephenson, Newbold Brough, Yorkshire, second for
hHuter.

Hunter, mare or gelding, for carrying not less than 12 stone.
—G.Holmes, Beverley, first prize for hunter; A. Heywood,
West Derby, Liverpool, second for hunter ; C. Smith, Rugby'
first prize for jumping ; Le G. N. Starkie, Huntroyde, Burnley!
second for jumping.

Thorough-bred brood mare.— First prize, T. Slatter, jun ,
Whitfield, Manchester. "^

Brood mare for breeding hunters.— First prize, R. Barton
Birkenhead ; second. Captain F. Hesketh, Southport. '

Hack or roadster, mare or gelding.— First prize, W. Thomp-
son, Manchester ; second, J. Clegg, Liverpool.

Cob, mare or gelding, not exceeding 14 hands 3 inches high
— iirst prize, W. Thompson, Manchester ; second, E. Prest
Stretford, near Manchester. '

Pony, mare or gelding, not exceeding 13 hands 2 inches —
First prize, W. W. Hulse, Withington ; second, J. Brogden
Sale. " '

Pair of draught horses.- First prize, C. W, Brierley
Middleton. ''

Pair of draught horses.— First prize, W. Shawe, Latliom •
Eecond, W. Bircli, Aintree. '

i,-?'^''l,°f,^°''''^'^'"'''''* J'orses-— l*^rst prize, T. Slatter, jun.,
VVhitefjeld; second. Right Hon Earl of Crawford and Balcar-
res, Wigan.

Drauglit mare or gelding of any age.— First prize, W.
Uwen, West Derby ; second, L. Ashcroft, Ormskirk.

Three-year-old gelding or fiUy of the draught kind.— Prize
John Brogden, Sale. '

Two-year-old gelding or filly of the draught kind.— First
prize, i. W arcing, Standish ; second, J. Dobson, Scarisbrick

lour-year-old gelding or filly for road or field.-Prize, J.
raterson, Laii}iholin, Dumfries-shire

J IZ'^'fZf'^ ^''''''"^' °'" ^"y f°'' '■"«'• «■• field.-First prize,
J- i'eel, Uitheroe ; second, J. Moffatt, Carhsle.

Yearling entire colt, gelding, or filly for
ize, F. Long, Spoiforth ; second, J. Peel

road or field. — First

prize.

Three-year-old gelding or filly of the draught kind.- Eirst
prize, L. Porter, Ormskirk ; second, W. Shawe.

Two-year-old gelding or fUly of the draught kind.— First
prize, H. Neild, Worsley ; second, S. Cook, Linacre.

One-year-old entire colt, gelding, or filly of the draught
kind— Prize, W. Shawe. ^ ^' ^ ^

Three-year-old half-bred gelding or filly.— Prize, S. Davies,
Middlewich.

SHEEP.

LEICESTERS.

Shearling ram.— First prize, T. Marris, Ulceby ; second, T.
H. Hutchinson, Catterick.

Ram of any other age. — First prize, E. Ryley, Beverley ;
second, T. H. Hutchinson, Catterick.

Pen of three shearling ewes.— First prize, T. H. Hutchin-
son, Catterick ; second, W. Brown, llolme-on- Spalding Moor,
York.

Pen of three ewes of any age.— First prize, W. Brown,
Holme-on-Spalding Moor, York ; second, T. H. Hutchinson,
Catterick.

Ram lamb.— First prize, T. H. Hutchinson, Catterick ; se-
cond, E. Ryley, Beverley.

Pen of three ewe lambs.— First prize, L. J. Crossley, Hali-
fox : second, T. H. Hutchinson, Catterick.

SHROPSHIRE DOWNS.

Shearling ram.— Fir.st prize, H. Smith, Shiffnall ; second,
C. R, Keeling, Penkridge.

Ram of any other age.— First prize, H. Smith, Shiffnall ;
second, T. Mansell, Adcott Hall, Salop.

Pen of three shesxrling ewes.— First, J. Coson, Lichfield ;
second, H. Smith.

Pen of three ewes of any age.— First prize, J. Coxon ; se-
cond, C. R. Keehng.

Ram lamb.- First prize, J. Coxon ; second, T. Mansell.

Pen of three ewe lambs.- First prize, J. Coxon : second, T.
Mansell.

ANY OTHER CIASS.

Shearling ram.— First prize, T. H. Hutchinson ; second,
Lynn, Stroston, Grantham.

Ram of any other age.— First prize, J. Lynn ; second, T.
Marris.

Pen of three shearling ewes.— First prize, R. J. Owen,
Liverpool ; second, R. J. Owen.

Pen of three ewes of any age, having reared lambs in 18GS.
—First prize, H. Nield, Worsley ; second, L. J. Crossley.

PIGS.

Boar of the large white breed of any age. — First prize, J.
Dyson, Leeds ; second, S. Davies, Middlewich.

Boar of tlie middle-sized wliite breed of any age. — First
prize, P. Eden, Salford ; second, P. Eden.

Boar of the small white breed of any age. — First prize, P.
Eden, Salford ; second, T. Atherton, Speke.

Boar of the Berkshire or other black breed of any age. —
First prize, M. Walton, Halifax ; second, N. H. Abbinett,
West Derby.

Sow of the large white breed of any age.— First prize, P.
Eden, Salford ; second, J. Dyson, Leeds.

Sow of the middle-sized white breed of any age. — First
prize, P. Eden, Salford ; second, J. Dyson, Leeds.

Sow of the small white breed of any age. — First prize, P,
Eden, Salford ; second, T. Atherton, Speke, near Liverpool!
^ Sow of the Berkshire or other black breed of any age. —
First prize, T. Atlierton, Speke, near Liverpool ; second M
Walton, Hahfax.

Extra Stock.— Six young pigs.— Silver medal, W. Hatton,
Addiugham, near Leeds.

CHEESE.
Samples of four cheeses, not less than 301b. each. — First
prize, G. Gibbons, Bath ; second, R. Boffey, Nantwich ; third,
T. Finchett, Tarporley.

BUTTER.
Sample not less than 51b.— First prize, T. Harrison, Augh-
ton, Ormskirk ; second, H. Nield, Worsley.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

311

CLEVELAND AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

The thirty-fifth annual meeting and show of the Cleveland
Agricultural Society was held on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Yann.
This society was established in 1833, upon a far more limited
scale than would be thought IVom its present importance, and
has since its fonnation passed through the usual periods of good
and bad fortune. It has, however, managed to hold its own
against all rivals in tlie district, and has more inlluence for
good in this its thirty -eighth year of existence, than at any
previous period. The show of 1864 was held at Middles-
brough, that of 1865 at Guisborough, that of 1866 at South
Stockton, that of 1867 at Redcar, and that of 1868 at Yarm.
The sliow of 1866, which occupied two days, lost much of its
interest in consequence of the prevalence of the cattle-plague ;
but as titc restrictions necessarily imposed during the preva-
lence of tliat dire disease have now been much modified, the
show has tliis year recovered much of its former attractive-
ness and characteristic features ; a cattle-show without cattle
being anything but a promising affair. The entries in the
various classes this year have been very satisfactory, and have
quite equalled their most sanguine anticipations. The weather
of the past two or three weeks has been a pleasing change
from the tropical heat of the summer months, the effect of the
recent rains being evidenced throughout the district by tjie
thick verdure springing up in all directions, more particularly
in the pastures, whilst autumnal tints of the landscape appear
almost prematurely early in consequence of the remarkably
good harvest liaving cleared nearly every field of its crop of
corn. The spot selected for the show was admirably adapted
for the purpose, situated about a quarter of a mile from the
town, upon a rather elevated piece of ground forming a por-
tion of tlie Spital Farm, whereon all tlie requisite accommo-
dation had been judiciously arranged. The judges in the
various classes were as follow : — Hunters and Special Prizes ;
Messrs. J. I'arrington, Brancepeth, Durham; Chas. Wood,
South Dalton, Beverley ; and J. E. Bennett, Husbands Bos-
worth Grange, Rugby. Cleveland Bays and Coac/ii/tf/ Horses :
R. Hodgson, Northallerton ; J. S. Darrell, West Ay ton ; and
W. Hordon, Darlington. Roadsters, Braught Horses, and
Ponies : J. Thomas, Northallerton ; W. Bett, Spalding, Lin-
colnshire ; and Edward Waldy, Darlington. Implements:
Richard Kay, Forcett Valley, Darlington ; and T. M. Cleasby,
Wilton Grange, Redcar. Tlie show of borses was satisfactory,
and it was neavly six o'clock before the whole of the prizes
were awarded. The following is a list of the prizes :

CATTLE.

Shortliorncd bull under three years. — 1st, T. Johnson
Bishopton ; 2nd, C. Smith, Yarm.

Bulls under IS months.— 1st, R. Kay, Stockton ; 2nd, C.
Smith.

Shorthorned cows, in-calf or milk. — 1st, G. Pollard, Yarm ;
2nd, T. Johnson.

Cows for dairy-purposes, in-calf or milk. — 1st, R. Lynn,
Stockton ; 2nd, T. Johnson.

Two-year-old heifers, in-calf. — 1st, T. Johnson ; 2nd, S.
Wrighton, Stokesley.

Yearling heifers. — 1st, T. Johnson ; 2nd, C. Smith.

Shorthorned bulls under three years. — 1st, J. W. Botchcrby,
Darlington ; 2nd, R. Thornton, Darlington.

SHEEP.

Shearling rams.— lat, H. Ellilf, Yarm ; 3nd, W. Fetch,
Saltburu-by-the-Sea.

Aged rams. — 1st, R. P. Fetch, Marske-by-the-Sea ; 2nd,
P. Sturdy, Middlesbrough.

Pens of five breeding ewes. — Ist, W. T. Horton, Yarm :
2nd, W. Fetch.

Pens of five shearling gimmers. — 1st and 2nd, W. T.
Horton.

Tup lambs.— 1st, W. Fetch ; 2nd, W. Blackburn, Northal-
lerton.

Blackfaced tups. — 1st and 2nd, W. Rudsdale, Y'arm.

Fens of five blackfaced breeding ewes. — 1st, W. Rudsdale ;
2nd, C. William, Yarm.

Extra stock. — 1st, W. Rudsdale.

PIGS.

Boars under two years old, of large breed. — 3nd, John
Blackburn, Stockton-on-Tees,

Boars under two years old, of small breed. — James Apple-
ton, Stockton-on-Tees.

Boars under two years old, not qualified to compete with
tlic above. — 1st, Wm. Rudsdale, Yarm; 2ud, James Pearson,
NorthaUerton.

Sows of any age, small breed, in-pig or milk. — 1st and 2ad,
Edward Corner, Wliitliy.

Sows of any age, not qualified to compete witli the above. —
1st, T. Reynard, Stockton ; 2nd, J. Lowthcr, Nortiiallerton.

Grazing pigs, the property of labourers, tradesmen, or me-
chanics.— R. Emmerson, Stokesley.

Extra stock. — 1st, W. Kay, Darlington.

HORSES.

Cleveland bay brood mares. — 1st, J. Forritt, Guisbrough ;
2nd, Robinson Watson, Stockton-on-Tees.

Cleveland bay colt foals. — 1st, E. Brown, Stokesley ; 2nd,
Wm. Harrison, Yarm.

Cleveland bay yearling fillies. — 1st, Wm. Favvcett, Harsley ;
2nd, R. Thompson, Northallerton.

Cleveland bay two-years-old fillies. — 1st, Leonard Manfteld,
Thirsk ; 2nd, W. Smith, Stokesley.

Cleveland bay three-years-old fillies. — 1st, W. Harrison.

Coaching brood mares. — 1st, W. and F. Coulson, Castle
Howard; 2nd, T. Hamilton, Thirsk.

Coaching colt foals. — 1st, Atkinson Watson, Stockton ; 2ud,
J. Winspear, Norton.

Coaching filly foals.— 1st, J. Snowball, Stockton ; 2nd, G.
and C. Lancaster, Northallerton.

Coaching yearling geldings.— 1st, C. R. Anderson, Mid-
dlesbro'.

Coaching two-years-old geldings. — 1st and 2nd, James
Mewburn, Yarm.

Coaching thrce-years-old geldings. — 1st, R. Routledge, Ap-
pleton Wiske ; 2nd, J. Mewl)urn.

Coacliing tliree-years-old fillies. — 1st, I. Scarth, North-
allerton ; 2ud, J. Porritt.

Roadster brood mare. — 1st, R. Emmerson.

Roadster foals, colts, or fillies. — 1st, J. White, Stockton ;
2nd, J. Goldie, Y'arm.

Roadster yearlings, colts, or fillies. — 1st, J. Leng, Darling-
ton ; 2nd, W. Coates, Yarm.

Roadster two-years-old colts or fillies. — 1st, J. White ; 2nd,
J. W. Pease, Guisbro'.

Roadster three-years-old cfllts or fillies. — 1st, R. Emmerson,
Over Dinsdale ; 2nd, J. Garbutt, Northallerton.

Hunting brood mares. — 1st, J. T. Robinson, Thirsk ; 2nd,
G. and C. Lancaster, Northallerton.

Hunting colt foals.— 1st, T. Reed, Yarm ; 2nd, W. and B.
Muzeen, York.

Hunting filly foals.— 1st, J. T. Robinson ; 2nd, G. Pollard,
Yarm.

Hunting yearling geldings.— 1st, S. Atkinson, Darlington ;
2nd, P. E. Satterthwaite, York.

Hunting yearling fillies.— 1st, Major Vaughan, Middles-
bro' ; 2nd, J. Hunter, Middlesbro'.

Hunting two-years-old geldings. — 1st, W. aud B. Muzeen >
2nd, R- Jackson, Guisbro'.

Hunting two-years-old fillies. — 1st, R. Emmerson ; 2nd, T.
Knowles, Yarm.

Hunting three-years-old geldings.— 1st, J. Walton, Stockton-
on-Tees; 2nd, I. Scarth, Northallerton.

Hunting three-years-old fillies. — 1st, J. Colpitis, Middles-
bro' ; 2ud, R. Jackson.

Draught brood mares.— 1st, T. Upton, Tadcaster ; 2nd, G.
Linton, Bedale.

Draught colt foals. — 1st, W. Johnson, Darlington ; 2ud, J.
Nightingale, Guisbro'.

Draught filly foals.— 1st, J. Donaldson.

312

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Draught yearlings, geldings, or fillies. — 1st, T. Upton ; 3nd,
H. Walton, Richmond.

Draught two-years-old geldings or fillies. — 1st, R, Hird,
Stocktou-on-Tecs ; 2nd, R. Wade, Darlington.

Draught three-years-old geldings or fillies. — 1st, T. Upton :
2nd, R. Wade.

Draught geldings or mare* under eight years old. — 1st,
Tos, Head, and Co., Middlesbro' ; 2nd, B. Spraggon, Stocks-
field-on-Tyue.

Pairs of young drauglit horses, the property of one or two
persons within the district.— 1st, Earl of Zetland, Marske-hy-
the-Sea ; 2nd, Captain Chaloner, R.N., and G. Heseltine and
Sou, Guisbro'.

PONIES.

Mares or geldings under eight years.— 1st, WiUiam Vaughan>
Darlington ; 2nd, Major Vaugliau, Middlesbro'.

Mares or geldings under eight years, not to exceed 13 hands.
—1st, Wm. Moses, Stockton ; 3nd, John Bradley, Normanby,
Middlesbro'.

SPECIAL PRIZES.
Six, seven, or eight years old liuuting geldings or mares, by
a thoroughbred horse, silver cup. Major Vaughau ; 3ud, Robt.
Hall, Stockton. ^ '

Eive-years-old hunting geldings or mares, by a thoroughbred
horse.— 1st, Wm. Vaughan.

Eour-years-old hunting geldings, by a thoroughbred horse.
— ist,A. A. 1. Newcomen, Redcar ; 2nd, T. Clayhills, Dar-
lington.

Eour-years-old hunting marcs, by a thoroughbred horse.—
1st John Hunter, Marton; 2nd, John Harrison, Sadberge.

Cleveland Hunt Cup for hunting gelding or mare of any
age, by a thoroughbred horse, the property of a member of the
Cleveland hunt (a resident witliin the district of tlie society),
and which shall have been hunted during the last season
with the Cleveland or Hurwortli hounds.— Silver cup Major
Vaughan.

A prize of £5 was given (for the best leaper) to R. Jack-
son, Guisbro'.

Roadster, gelding or mare, not more than 15 hands 2inclies
high, under eight years, qualified to carry 13 stone weight.
— Silver cup, J. Robson, Old Malton.

Ladies' hackneys, geldings or mares, not to exceed 15 hands
2 inches, and not less than four but under eight years.— Ist R.
Jackson ; 2nd, J. Jphnson, Northallerton. '

Leaping prize for liorses of any age, sex, or breed, which
leap the artificial fences in the best style.— 1st, W. and B.
Muzeen, Slingsby ; 2ud, R. Emmerson, Over Dinsdalo.

SCOTCH FARMING IN IRELAND.

Our citizens can easily see " Lothian" farming within a very
short distance of DubUn by taking a return ticket to Hazel-
hatch, within one mile of the home farm of Lord Cloncurry at
Lyons, tenanted by a Scotchman of capital, skill, and enter-
prize — Mr. Andrew Hope, of Castlewarden. The farm consists
of about 400 English acres, running nearly a mile on tlie
banks of the canal, laid out in twelve fields, well drained by
the proprietor, who must have expended over £5000 on the
farm, oiiices, roads, hedges, drains, gates, and other improve-
ments. The whole of this farm is in tillage, under the Lotliian
system, there being no permanent grass. The crops, of about
SO English acres of wliitc wlieat of the best imported seed,
and as many of oats, are uneiiualled in Ireland in tlie heads
and straw. Should the weather prove favourable the produce
of wheat saved will be over 40, and of oats over 60 bushels per
acre, owing to the expenditure in manure and labour ; the
rest of the farm in one and two years old pasture and green
crops, some of the fields of turnips looking well, but with rain
and a free use of nitrate of soda the pastures would soon im-
prove with a good second crop of hay. Over 5000 tons of
manure have been brought out from Dublin since Mr. Hope
got the farm, a couple of ycaTs ago, the freight by canal being
Is. 6d. to Is. 8d. per ton. liord Cloncurry gave him a twenty-
one years' lease, at £2 15s. per Irish acre, ten shillings per acre
(a loss to the proprietor of £125 a-year) under off'ers from sol-
vent tenants, for the simple reason that Sir. Hope would till
the land and employ the people. This is an example to other
proprietors to do likewise, and if so, the grazing farms with a
single herd would soon be changed into arable, and our people
kept comfortably at home. The wages paid are Is. Cd. per
day, and over. The steward on the farm is from the neigh-
bourhood, and the people working well. There are ten Mid-
Lotliian plough horses, which, with their ploughs, tackle, rib-
bons, and Irish ploughmen, could not be beaten in Lincoln,
Norfolk, Haddington, or Berwick. The value of the present
wheat crop on Skeagh farm would be £1100, but as this wheat
is aU fit lor seed and equal to any imported from England or
Scotland, it should bring much more. As oats are likely to
be dear this year for feeding purposes, we might put its money
value down at £700 to £800, or over £1800 for the grain crop.
The wheat straw is five feet six inches high on an average,
and the oat very long. The fanu of Skeagh is well worth a
visit. Leaving it we drove through Lyons demesne to Castle
Warden, the mansion of the Pallisers, which Mr. Hope rents

on a twenty-seven years' lease, witli about 250 Irish acres, at
£3 per acre. Since he got the land he has squared the fields,
removed useless ditches (turning six fields into one), and
drained it wliere necessary. The wheat and oat crops on this
farm are equally good as those at Skeagh, though not so much
cultivated. Some thousand tons of manure brought out by
canal have been freely used over the land. Two miles further,
at Stratfan, Mr. Hope took, on twenty years' lease (or rather
the promise), the farm of AUasty, running nearly a mile on the
banks of the canal, from Mr. Barton, at £3 per Irish acre.
This farm, when held by Mr. Hall, was famous for its prize
cattle ; but from the improvements going on in draining, level-
ling double ditches and tilling them, thereby adding 30 feet to
some miles of them on the farm, and making proper hedges,
its value will be much increased. All the inferior land will be
cultivated and laid well down, the canal giving great facilities,
as many as three or four boats daily discharging their cargoes
here from Dublin. Besides the enormous quantity of farm-
yard and Dublin manure from the cavalry bf rracks, Peruvian
guano and nitrate of soda are largely used on all the farms.
Lord Cloncurry, seeing the great quantity of manure brought
out, withdrew all restrictions in his lease as to cropping, leaving
Mr. Hope to do as he likes with Skeagh, but at Allasty the
finest of the old pastures are reserved from the plough. By
levelling useless ditches aad tilling them, over 30 acres of laud
win be saved on the farms of Castle Warden and Allasty.
The tenant farmers of Eife, East Lothian, and Berwick, pay-
ing £3 15s. to £4 per English acre, find they could not give
such high rents by grass to make money, and consequently
have all under a regular rotation of crops, which is followed
wholly at Skeagh, and partially at Castle Warden. All the
farms, over 1900 English acres, can be seen in one day from
Dublin, either by driving out or taking the rail to Hazelhatch
or Straffan. A good example has been set by the Scotcli tenant
farmers at Athy to their neighbours, which they are imitating,
and no doubt Skeagh farming will be soon followed in this
part of Kildare, where grass and its consequence— no employ-
ment for the labourer— is unfortunately too general, tillage
farming being rare. The contrast will be seen Jiere between
Skeagh without any grass land, and the beautifiil farm of Mr.
Kennedy on both sides of the canal, all in grass, although pos-
sessing such facilities for manuring from the city. Besides
the crops, more cattle are fed on Mr. Hope's farms than if
all were in grass.— /wi^ Titnes.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

313

SUMMER FALLOWING AND GREEN ]MANURING.

It was a theory in farming, as formerly practised, that after
a certain amount of cropping, land required rest, very much as
the man who tilled the land, after a period of labour, found it
needful to rest. Experience proved that summer fallowing
had the effect of restoring fertility to the soil ; but it may be
doubted if many of our forefathers had any correct idea of the
principles in nature according to which this result was ob-
tained. Some vague notion about the laud being exhausted,
and needing rest, was weU-uigh all they knew in reference to
the matter. But the scientific explanation of reinvigoration
by faUovving is, that in consequence of the exposure of the
soil to sun and air, elements of fertility are absorbed, and che-
mical conditions obtained, which restore productiveness. Land
is never exhausted by growing crops upon it ; the exhaustion
comes of removing the crops without giving back to the soil
what has been taken out of it in the course of their growth.
If the plant food taken out of the soil by a particular crop
were faithfully returned, there would be no exhaustion, and
no need of rest. Indeed under such treatment land would in-
crease in fertility, since, to a certain extent, tillage is manure,
and a constant stirring of the soil is highly fovourable to pro-
ductiveness. So, also, if the crop were suffered to remain on
the land, and there undergo the process of natural decay, not
only would there be no impoverishment of the soil, but it would
increase in fertility, because growing plants obtain a portion
of their nutriment from the air. Again, if, instead of its being
left to decay, the crop is fed to animals who consume it on
the land, their manure will so far enrich the soil as to prevent
deterioration, and maintain the average standard of fertility ;
while by feeding these animals on meal, grain, or oilcake, in
addition to such crop, the land is actually enriclied.

Among intelligent and scientific farmers, the practice of
green manuring has quite superseded the old plan of summer
fallowing. This proceeding consists in the growth of green
crops for the express purpose of the vegetable matter thus pro-
duced being ploughed under as manure. The most beneficial
results have been found to follow this method, and it is every
way desirable that it should be more extensively adopted. In
explanation of the benefits thus obtained, it is only necessary
to refer to a fact mentioned a few sentences back, viz. : that
plants derive a portion of their subsistence from the air. If
the 8oil were the only source of plant food, the growth of a
crop could not add any new material to the land, or augment
its fertility. The processes of growth might act beneficially
on the soil, as they doubtless do, but nothing would be given
to the land except what had been derived from it. But it has
been abundantly proved that growing crops aljsoib a large
amount of vegetable matter from the atmosphere, and when
this is incorporated with the soil there must be proportionate
enrichment. Nor is this increase of nutriment the only bene-
ficial result arising from the use of green manures. If this
were the case it might Ije a question whether a like quantity
of fertilizing material might not be purchased and applied to
the soil at the same or less cost. There is, liowever, the me-
chanical action of green manures to be taken into account, as
well as their chemical action. In the case of strong clay soils
this mechanical action is especially valuable. Such soils,
though highly productive, are so dense and compact in their
texture, that they are hard to work, and their stores of fertility
may be said to be locked up, and to a great extent unavailable.
After thorough preparation for a crop they soon liarden again,
especially wlien subject to the influence of dry, hot weather.
Ploughiug-uuder green manures renders a stiff soil porous and
friable ; a state of things very encouraging to the growth of
roots, enabling them to penetrate the soil more freely in search
of nutriment. Sandy and loamy soils are also benefited, espe-
cially by their becoming more capable of retaining moisture,
which is held by the vegetable tissues thus added to the land.
Manure is also more easily retained in such light soils, as the
result of this process. Even l)lowing sands have by this
means beea so improved, that in process of time superior

farms have been formed on tracts of land previously considered
barren and worthless.

A crop, to be suitable for green manure, must be of rapid
growth, and a greedy feeder on the atmosphere. Mustard,
buckwheat, and lupin are chiefly used in Great Britain for
tliis purpose. In this country, clover, buckwheat, and Indian
corn are th.e best green manures. The last-mentioned crop
cannot be allowed much growth before ploughing under, or it
will become too tall for burial with the plough. Buckwheat
is a most excellent plant for the purpose under consideration.
It grows very ftist, feeds largely on the atmosphere, and is fit
to plough under in four or five weeks from the time it is put
into the ground. There is no better preparation for fall wheat
than ploughing under a luxuriant growth of this plant or of
red clover.

The age of the crop at the time it.is ploughed in is a mat-
ter of much importance. Just before blooming, or when in
full bloom, are considered the best periods, and autliorities
differ as to whether before or while blooming is the preferable
time. By all means, however, the plant must not be allowed
to ripen and perfect its seed. If this is permitted, the soil is
robbed greatly, and much of the fertilizing material consoli-
dated into woody fibre, in which condition it is not so nutri-
tious or so readily available for plant food.

Another beneficial effect of green manuring, which has led
to its being much encouraged in certain localities, is its de-
structiveness to the wire-worm. Tiiis insect, wliich is one of
the wheat-farmer's greatest pests, is greatly checked in its
ravages by the practice we are commending, and it would be
well for those who are troubled with this marauder to try a
dose of green buckwheat. — Canada Farmer,

THE FARMER'S 80NG OE THANKSGIVING.

The barns are well stored, our corn is all gathered,

For plenty, sweet plenty, upon us hath smiled ;
In ploughing and seed-time we've roughest storms weathered,

And now great abundance rewardeth our toils.
But not unto us be the praise, but to Him

Who from blights and from mildew our young crops
defended ;
Then come one and all, and in thanksgiving sing

For the rich harvest past, for the bright summer ended.

How anxious we watched till the green blades appeared !

How earnestly prayed we might not strive in vain !
And oh ! our deep joy, when the brown sheaves were reared,

Broke forth into shouts we sought not to restrain.
Yet not to our care be tlie praise, but to Him,

On whom we for moisture and sunshine depended.
Then come one and all, and in thanksgiving sing

For the harvest now past, for tlie briglit summer ended.

Our orchards have teem'd with the sweetest of fruits —

UnfoUowed by sickness, so often the case —
Refreshment for man, grateful herbage for brute.

And none of our homes swept by death and laid waste.
But not to our worth be the praise, but to Him,

Who o'er us his shield of protection extended ;
Then come one and all, and In thanksgiving sing

For the glad harvest past, and for bright summer ended.

And let us still trust the Great Husbandman's care.

And hope when vrith power all His reapers shall come
Among U9, they'll find not an unsightly tare.

But gather us in to the blest harvest home.
" Not, not unto us be the praise, but to Him !"

We'll shout, when life's toils are for ever suspended.
And join the bright choir, and in thanksgiving sing.

In the land where sweet summer shall never be ended.

oU

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF THE WORKING CLASS.

Tlie following Paper was read at a meeting of the British
Association in Norwich, Ijy Mr. F. S. Cokrance, M.P.

Before I enter upon my subject let me say I do not pretend
to teach. Rather to confess ray own ignorance ; rather to en-
deavour to bring home to the minds of others a feelini; and
sense of dissatisfaction which that ignorance has produced.
Why is it ? At least I will be plain on this point. Here
within our own knowledge and immediate experience certain
social phenomena crop up ; combinations of large and homo-
geneous classes ; extensive emigration ; vagrancy ; and pau-
perism of a new and threatening sort. These we find ourselves
either unable to account for, or incapable to direct. Nothing
can be less satisfactory. As legislators we cobble them up,
perhaps, or stave them oif, hoping that they may cure them-
selves ; or we talk learnedly of some general laws, or universal
principle, equally applicable to all times and circumstances
alike — mere shreds and patclies to hide our nakedness never-
theless. Are there no such laws? may then be asked — political,
economic, or social — under which the process of civilization
can be worked out ? Is there no really solid ground under our
feet ? Are these problems almost infinitely complex ? To
most of us the reception of such an idea is painful, and by
statesmen it would, doubtless, be considered unsafe. Mankind
are governed for the most part by dogmatic belief. Here,
however, we at least enjoy an immimity from any self-
prescribed restriction of tliought. The first duty of science
is to doubt, and social science upon these points is in its
infancy as yet. Investigation is the second step, and a patient
collection of facts. Now, I am going to ask what many will
doubtless consider almost an impertinent question. What do
we know about our greatest class ? — the wage paid ? the pro-
letarian ? Oh, but it will be said, we know much. Look at
the attention they receive ! the amount of legislation ! Is
it not a subject upon which philanthropists and statesmen have
been constantly at work ? Now just mark to what eifect.
Laws of Settlement have not cured vagrancy ; Poor Laws have
not corrected tiic improvidence of the poor ; Model Prisons
and milder codes have not subdued the Devil's regiment of
the line. Self-education has produced Trades Unions. Free
labour does not follow Free Trade. Emigration neither raises
up a kindred people, nor contents those who stay. The en-
forcement of better Sanitary Laws produces unforeseen hard-
ship upon the poor class. These, then, are our failures. It
does not betoken much knowledge, to be obliged to confess it.
The truth is, we know very little at present of this labouring
class. And what, then, of the past ? llow and from what
has sprung up this great wage-paid class? Perhaps Topsy's
answer would be best, "I 'spect they growed." Yes, out of
what? To know them in the present we must know
their past, and without this we legislate or reason in the dark.
We do not perhaps follow the law of growth. In entering
into this retrospective inquiry, we shall find ourselves beset
with dilliculty from the first. Where are we to gather infor-
mation if we go beyond the term of the present century ?
Even from annalists like Porter, Yarrington, and Charaberlayne
the information furnished is very defective upon most points.
Statistics scarcely existed, and even estimates of population
varied so greatly as to render it even now doubtful whether,
towards the close of the sixteenth century, the population of
this kingdom amounted to 2,000,000 or 5,000,000. Under
such circumstances it is idle to pretend to trace any continuous
or steady development among the labouring class : we must
draw our conclusions from fragmentary facts, of obvious im-
portance, and the record we have of legal enactments affecting
their state. Among the former, two occurrences at widely
different times seem to have exercised a powerful influence
over the status of tiic working class. I allude to the Black
Death of the fourteenth century, which, by almost depopu-
lating a large part of Europe, raised the value of labour to a
hitherto unheard of extent, and emancipated it from the merejy
servile character of the past to some extent. The word
" menial" expresses this. Another such epoch is marked by

the reformation and suppression of the monasteries hitherto
the almoners of the poorest class. Shortly after this period
England seems to have been the home of a nomade race, and
if the extent of this evil may be estimated by the severity of
the penal code, it must have been very great. All the old
Saxon penal laws were revived against vagrants, and we read
of whipping, branding, and even hanging for a second offence.
Whatever might have been their habits and ways of life, there
is no doubt that their number was very great ; and of this some
evidence exists, for we find that by one Mr. Stanley (who me-
morializes Royalty at this time) their number is set at 80,000,
which, out of a population of less than 6,000,000, is startling
enough. This may be doubted, but one thing it concerns us
to know is this, that henceforth the law took cognizance of the
fact, and the population was whipped, branded, and hanged
into something like settled habits we might hope. What we
find in some subsequent reigns is not re-assuring upon this
point. At any rate, they were hanged, branded, and whipped.
Nor was legislation idle towards the industrious class, as we
shall see by a slight review of the enactments now and subse-
quently passed. By an Act 5th Elizabeth, justices were em-
powered to fix the rate of wages as well as work, and this was
subsequently enlarged and extended to manufacture of various
sorts by 1 James c. 6, 2 Car. 11. Nor was this power re-
pealed until 53rd of Geo. III. c. 40. Then we come to a
goodly list of enactments to encourage manufacture and to
provide for the better payment of the poor employed therein.
Section 22 of the same Act (Elizabeth) compels even artificers
to leave their employment at liarvest time, and to go out into
the fields to work. Chap. •!<, sec. 7, defines those who may be
compelled by law to work at agricultural labour — idle persons
not being gentlemen figuring among the list. Between this
reign and that of Geo. III., we find twenty-one several Acts to
similar import. The whole of these were repealed at once by
53 and 58 Geo. III., having probably long become obsolete.
Their existence at these former times is not uninstructive
of the social status of the labouring class, and the slight
distinction then enjoyed between the free labourer of
" Merrie England" and the serfdom of the past. Even to
this day some of these customs exist, and statute fairs are
held within these Eastern Counties, at Harleston and some
other places, for the hire of farm servants ; and in Yorkshire,
until a recent date, the usage prevailed throughout. Men and
women stood in rows, if unhired, with straws in their mouths,
which if hired they dropped. By the old statute no hire could
be for less than one year ; a law made no doubt for the pro-
tection of the poorer class, farm-work being then mainly con-
fined to the summer months. Then servants lived with the
farmer in the farm-house, and their wages were paid to a
great extent in kind. An enactment, viz., AVm. IV., c. 37,
once more prohibits this, and as it also applied to manufactures,
we may date from this time the rise of the wage-paid class,
current coin being the standard of work. At this time, also,
many cottage handicrafts were in vogue, and the loom was
common to these and the farm-house. Of such textile manu-
factures, flax and wool formed the most important part, the
raw material being produced upon the spot. Nevertheless,
progress up to such a point did not extend far North of the
Trent. The great North had not yet woke up to a sense of
her resources and strength, and even the commencement of the
present century found that growing giant in a rudimentary
state. Even in Scotland, neither the superior education of
the people, nor their native industry, had borne much fruit ;
and we draw from Andrew Fletcher, Lord Kaimes, and others,
evidence most conclusive on that point. It was not, says a
local writer, until the last year of the last century that actual
prrediul slavery was riliolished in Scotland, and there was one
class — the colliers and saltcrs — who were bought and sold witli
the estate upon which they worked, and men and boys were
kidnapped and sold under the authority of the Borough
Magistrates of larger towns. Trials for absconding were com-
mon enough. Of the state of Ireland I need not speak.
Under such circumstances and popular conditions we thus find

THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE.

815

ourselves brought up to tlie very verge of the present century,
afld once more exposed to the actiou of forces of a new and
unprecedented sort. Such epochs constitute the cataclysms of
the social state. Nevertheless, let us note, that although the
circumstances were novel, and the material change has been
great, tlie men are the same in most respects — the same- in
association, in sympathy, in belief; the results of the laws, the
customs, and the habits, slowly formed and reluctantly given
up. Two or three generations will scarcely suffice to change
this, among an uneducated class. No one will now deny that
these laws, habits, and customs were very had. Indeed, this
was being recognized at the time of wiiich I speak, and the
repeal of many took place at that date. Some, like tlic Poor
Laws and Apprentice Acts, remained to be the subject of the
great struggle which was shortly to take place. Wise and
great men like Sir Matthew Hale, Mr. Locke, and Mr, Pitt
already foresaw that these ill-conceived measures were likely
to produce. Reforms were delayed by tlie advent of some
greater events, and the full complement of the evil had
time to develope under the changed conditions of the case.
I have spoken of a cataclysm. Now let us see what were
the agents in this case. The power loom, the steam
engine, and some applied mechanics did more to change
tlie social state than the Reformation or the Black
Death ; and instead of Lutlier, Calvin, or Cranmer, we
may read Arkwright, Stephenson, and Watt. All through
the wild and hitherto desolate North a stir took
place, and in the general movement every industry
seemed simultaneously to partake ; and, concomitantly with
that impulse, the population did not fail to increase :

Lancaster had in 1801, 692,731

„ „ 1811, 828,309

„ „ 1821, 1,052,859

1831. 1,333,800

— an increase of 19,000 per annum.

Yorkshire (West Riding), 1801, 563,953
1811, 653,315
„ „ 1821, 799,359
„ „ 1831, 976,400
or nearly 20 per cent. ; and Warwick, Stafford, Nottingliam,
Chester, Durham, Monmouth, Worcester, and Salop showed
a nearly equal increase. An immigration, almost without
parallel, had in these few years taken place. Of course it
came from all jjarts ; and Irish, Scotch, and English were
fused down into one compact and apparently homogeneous
class — proletarians, at all events — and the factory system gave
it solidity and strength. If we consider that, at the same
time, a great revolution was taking place in the industrial
condition of the class, and that tlie hand-loom weaver, and
the stocking-frames, and cottage industry of all sorts, were
soon to become extinct, it will be perceived liow great a
change was suddenly wrought. Men, women, and children
were swept into the factory and the mill in a mass, and the
one great feature of the nineteenth century became this creation
of a wage-paid class. About 35,000 hand-loom weavers reso-
lutely resisted the change, and became a gradually pauperized
class. Now, what were our Legislature about ? We have
seen how active they were at previous periods. Here were
conditions much requiring their care, no doubt. Perhaps,
perceiving the foUy of past enactments, they had learnt a lesson
of " how not to do it " at least. Perhaps they were unable to
prejudge or foresee the consequences of so novel a case — per-
haps too much occupied in the much more interesting game
of in-and-outs to take notice of mere social wants. At any
rate, it was assumed that even under such circumstances the
mere instinct of self-interest would, if sufficiently left to itself,
supply all wants, and no legislation took place. The emi-
grants found their own level, not without loss ; and it was not
until 1835 that any official inquiry took place. Let me quote
the Duke of Argyll as to the result : " Men and women had
been brought together into a social communion of a new sort
— under natural laws, no doubt ; but it had not been long at
work when it was perceived that a whole generation had grown
up under conditions of mental and physical degeneracy, and
in ignorance and vice. Many years after, it bore fruit ; but
it was not until self-interest itself had taken alarm, and the
serious riots and turn-outs of Barnsley, Burnley, &c., &c.,
showed that something was rotten in the state, that really
effective action took place. Of such rioters, nine hundred

were at one time confined in York Castle, previous to the
Assize — a fact which I witnessed myself. During this time,
and nearly up to these events, the old Poor-law remained in
force ; and just in proportion as this wonderful expansion of
industrial power was manifested on the one hand, so did the
evil of the system and the pauperism it fostered, increase. All
ihe supplanted labour at once, and without effort, fell upon
the rates ; and the payment of wages out of these, both manu-
facturing and agricultural, was a very early effect of the system
itself." We sliall find traces of it almost from the first.
Among the writers upon the subject we have treatises from
the pen of Sir Matthew Hale, 1663 ; Richard Haines, Law-
rence Braddon, 1722 ; James Child, 1694 ; Thomas jirmin,
Roger North, 1753 ; George Chalmers, 1782 ; Daniel Defoe
and Richard Burns. In all, or most of, these writings the
root of every subsequent evil may be traced from the first.
Roger North mentions the rates at Colchester as amounting
to 50 per cent., while the makers of baize paid their labour
out of the parochial funds : in fact, one thought alone pos-
sessed the ratepayer, and all his ingenuity was employed either
to evade or to utilize his share of the rate. The adminis-
tration of it was another thing, and did not much occupy his
mind. Whatever pubhc interest existed was absorbed in the
struggle between houses and lands ; and while they inflicted
upon each other the heaviest penalties, these belligerents, with
equal selfishness and folly, sacrificed the poor. These, no
doubt, are heavy charges, but they admit of substantial proof ;
and how dearly they paid for it, statistics once more prove ;
for, while between 1536 and 1661 the rates remained nearly
stationary, at an annual amount of £190,000 per annum, in
the next thirty-one years, during wliicli time these mal-
practices existed, they quadrupled in amount. Self-interest
fought the battle ; and self-interest, ever shortsighted, out-
witted itself, and lawyers fattened out of the rates while pau-
pers starved. Everybody got some pickings, except the poor.
All through this and the many succeeding reigns. Acts of Par-
liament multipliedi while confusion of law increased, and rates
rose steadily, until at the time we now approach 20s. in the
pound was often reached, and the land was abandoned, and
liouses shut up, to avoid the rates. Among the most distin-
guished writers upon this subject in modern times were Jeremy
Bentham and Sidney Smith, whose views, equally perspicuous
and wise far beyond their age, extended not only to the battle
then to be delivered, but the true principles of the campaign.
They saw that, to extinguish pauperism, deeply rooted and
inherited, laws almost penal might be necessary at first. They
engaged self-interest upon the true line of defence. But at
this point they did not stop : they equally recognized a moral,
as well as a material, want, and impotence of mere poor-laws
and bureaucratic administration to produce such an effect.
Bentham speaks thus : " But compassion is one thing ; and
relief, efficacious and mischievous, is another. The one may be
always bestowed, and in any quantity ; the other should never
be attempted to be bestowed, especially at the expense of the
community, until after the most strict and comprehensive en-
quiry whether the undertaking lies within the sphere of prac-
ticability, and whether the removal of the evil be not insep-
arably connected with more extensive and no less permanent
evil. To banish not only indigence, but dependence, it would
be necessary to banish not only misfortune, but improvidence ;"
words which seem to me replete and luminous with trutli,
though of a nature which it is not given to mere official in-
telligence to penetrate, nor of a kind which unassisted bumble-
dom could carry out. Now, let us turn to another authority
—Sidney Smith. He says, in 1825 : " A pamphlet on the
poor-laws generally contains some little piece of favourite
nonsense by which we are gravely assured that this enormous
evil can be perfectly cured. The first gentleman recom-
mends little gardens ; the second, cows ; the third, a village
shop ; and if we add to these the more modern idea of land
subdivision, we are pretty well at the end of such a list. As
to the children, they are to be lodged in immense peda-
goguerios of several acres each, and to be brought up in
virtue by the churchwarden." "There are two points," he
says, " which we consider as admitted by all men of sense :
First, that the poor laws must be, not amended, but abolished ;
and second, that they must be very gradually abolished. We
think it hardly worth while to throw away pen and ink upon
anyone who is inclined to dispute the above proposition. We
shall think the improvement immense, and a subject of very

316

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

general congratulation, it the poor-rates are perceptibly dimi-
nished, and if the system of pauperism is clearly going down
in twenty or thirty years hence. We have stated our opinion
that all remedies, without gradual abolition, are of little im-
portance. With a foundation laid for such gradual abolition,
every auxiliary improvement of the poor-laws, while they do re-
main, is worth the attention of Parliament ; and in suggesting a
few alterations as fit to be adopted, we wish it to be understood
that we have in view the gradual destruction of the system, as
well as the amendment, while it continues to operate." The
poor-laws were amended a few years subsequently to this,
and we have now thirty years' experience of their efficacy to
produce such a result. Since Sidney Smith wrote, nearly a
half-century has passed, under circumstances more favourable
than any our history can present — a time of peace, of free
trade, of unequalled increase of wealth, of unparalleled emi-
gration, and education more widely diffused j to what effect,
the following statistics will best show : —

Popu-

Pauper-

Expendi-

Pound-

wheat

Rateable

A.D.

lation.

ism.

ture.

age.

at

property.

£ s. d.

a, d.

£

1834

14,322,000

6,317,255

— _

1814

16,410,000

800,000

4,976,093

1 6 3

64,000,000

1854

18,617,000

864,617

5,232,853

1 8 1

61 7

69,000,000

1864

20,663,000

1,014,078

6,423,383

1 4 5

43 2

186.3

20,881,000

951,899

6,264,961

1 4 0

39 8

93,600,000

1866

21,100,000

916,152

6,439,517

43 6

186'/

1,040,952

6,959,840

53 7^

During the same period the emigration has stood thus : —

1861 22,145-)

1862 35,487 >■ England and Wales.

1863 C1,243J

Now, these were conditions upon whicli neither Bentham uor
Smith could count, and to what result ? Is pauperism extir-
pated ? Have the rates decreased ? Are poor-laws abolished ?
Is there, under this system, any reasonable expectation of it
" fifty years hence ?" As a system, it lias taken firm hold of
men's minds, and, as a vested interest, it claims its place. It
is an important source of patronage and place, and the man-
agement charges are daily on the increase, viz. : —

In 1853, salaries, &c £596,163

1863 „ 696,098

1866 „ 730,704

Increase in 14 years, £134,542.

On the other hand, what have been its effects ? Morally,
upon which so much stress was once placed, what men has it
reclaimed ? Who has it made more provident ? AVhat en-
couragement or assistance does it hold out ? It acts liy repres-
sion, it pauperises, it exacts a hard and rigid test ; but it is not
even so far a material success. Are we satisfied with it?
Tested by the standard of Bentham or Smith, it is a failure
throughout. How long shall we deceive ourselves upon this
point ? Poor-laws may satisfy a present requirement, but they
cannot cure pauperism itself. If we meet a moral evil by a
mere administrative change, we seek for the living among the
dead, I have alluded to the condition of the labouring
classes subsequent to the great immigration which took place
into the north. And here legislation has played its part with
greater success. The repeal of apprentice laws, and the in-
troduction of the Factory Act, followed an inquiry in 1835 to
a most beneficial effect. In education, also, some progress has
been made, aided by the state. The amendment of the Master
and Servant Act, and the regulation of the agricultural gangs,
are efforts in the right direction at least. The Bill for Artizan
Dwelling Houses opens questions of a more serious class ; and
it is doubtful how far such interference can be carried, without
altogether discouraging that tendency to numerical increase,
upon which, more than aught else, must depend the cheap
house accommodation of the working-class. Protection may
do harm as well as good in such a case. At this point, our
review of legislation must cease, for the present at least, for
there is anotlier side to the picture, which 1 must not neglect.
I have said that during the early part of the present century
but little legislation took place. Government was out of
fashion, and self-interest was supposed to supply the want.
It claimed to be enlightened, of course. We have seen what,
under certain circumstances, was the result. Of course.

3,161 .

. with less than

4,223 .

. ... from ...

1,602 .

903 ..

316 ..

„

50 ..

. ,,, „

IS ..

• ..1 ...

12 ..

J,

3 ..

„

Anglo-Saxons would not stop at this, and, taught self-depend-
ence, and with self-interest prescribed as tlie great rule of life,
they set to work according to their light, and aj)plicd the doc-
trine to some remarkable effects. They formed friendly and
co-operative societies, the progress of which I now propose to
trace ; and they formed also those trades' unions, so much now
talked of, and framed moral and social laws to match. These
at least were natural results. As a social contract, they recog-
nized common interests, which even seemed to them more
noble than self. As a moral code, it was defective; but this
was also natural, perhaps, under the antecedents I have
pointed out. The first of the friendly societies was recog-
nized by law in 1793 ; and since that date we have had twenty-
six different Acts to regulate and amend these laws. Nearly
the whole of these are now repeated by the Act 18th and
19tli Vic, cap. 63. Many of them are of very ancient date,
but these were rather guilds than provident institutions, for
the wage-paid class. For their full development, we must
come up to the 19tli century, during which the number has
reached 24,800, with 3,000,000 members, and £30,000,000 of
assets in hand. This, in itself, is a most significant fact, espe-
cially when the circumstances are taken into account. Left
to themselves, and scarcely countenanced, they could not fail
to be open to abuse, and knowing as we do the great prone-
ness to fraud which attend all such transactions, upon the un-
wary and the weak, it seems wonderful that they should have
been on the increase, or gained the confidence of such a class.
Many of them are by no means rich, as the following returns
sufliciently prove. Of 10,364 which made returns, there were :

£100 in hand
£100 to £500
£500 to £1,000
£1,000 to £3,000
£3,000 to £5,000
£5,000 to £10,000
£10,000 to £20,000
£30,000 to £50,000
£50,000 to £100,000

Among such societies the Royal Liver is a leviathan, and its
progress is in itself a remarkable fact worthy of record. In
1S61 its assets were £15,093, since which its increase has
been at the following rate : 1862, £18,004 ; 1863, £35,630 ;
1864, £39,036; 1865, £55,460; 1866, £78,036; 1867,
£103,355 ; 1868, £133,373. To their success there is, how-
ever, one formidable obstacle, the management expenses, and
this item does not, as might be expected, decrease in propor-
tion to the number insured. In ten of the largest, these ex-
penses amount to from 35 to 50 and 95 per cent, of the
amount expended in relief: of these the largest are the worst,
viz., 15s. to 16s. in the pound — a feature which, however, ex-
plained, is by no means a desirable one in such a case, and is
no doubt the result of neglect, or a vicious system from the
first. Unaided from without, it could not be otherw-ise in this
case. Nothing perhaps can show the necessity and ad\antage
of a sounder system (though by no means unexceptionable
in itself, and partaking of the evil pointed out) than the suc-
cess of the Post Office Savings' Bank, the number of which
between 1861 and the end of 1866 had increased from
2,535 to 3,509; the number of depositors from 639,316
to 5,431,066 ; while in the old and new savings' banks
at the close of 1866, the number of depositors amounted
to 3,149,764, and the deposits to £44,495,806— facts which
seem to me to clearly indicate the future course, and the ne-
cessity of authority to guide and direct the effort, and to pro-
tect the weak. All that is ever urged against these societies
tends to such a point. They are the speculation of a clever
knave, or for the benefit of a public-house. What else can we
expect, and whose the fault, if this is the case ? Is it a new
feature that idleness slio\ild prey upon industry, or that a man
should put his brains to the worst possible use P Does not
society guard itself with aU its power against such abuse ?
That we know it may be otherwise is enough. In such emi-
nently successful undertakings as the Essex Provident Society,
with 8,000 to 9,000 members, and £70,000 assets ; the Hants,
with 3,000 members, and £35,000; the Hereford Friendly
Society, tlie Shropshire, the Wiltshire, the Rutlandshire, the
Lois Weedon, and the Beau Manor and Woodhouse, we see
the true results of sound principles, and great and pbilan-
throphic efforts of good men, whose genius has thus enriched

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

317

others, and whose reward is not of this earth. But society
wliich applauds should do more tlian this, or it abrogates its
highest task. At all times the most important provisions of
the working class must be that of medical attendance, and a
supply of medicine of an unadulterated and genuine sort ; and
in nothing does the present system of Poor Law administra-
tion fail more signally. Id so saying, I cast no reproach upon
the excellent and able men who devote so much ill-remune-
rated talent to professional duties of this class : but there are
obvious reasons why this sort of attendance should be of an
unsatisfactory nature to both. In the Medical Club we have
a great advance upon this. The working of independent
Sickness Clubs require no very complicatad management, and
since the establishment of these at Crickdale and Wootton
Bassett, many equally successful have sprung up. The main
obstacle is the dependence upon Poor Law relief. Let us
now turn to associations of another class. In the former so-
cieties tlie moral requirements are rather of a passive than an
active nature, so far as members are concerned, and the effort
is one rather of self-denial than adventurous. It is not so in
this case. In these the man, through social combination,
seeks a higher status, and enters into the great struggle which
he sees around him, to rise above the mere satisfaction of the
daily want. He enters into competition with capital, and
makes it at last his servant instead of master. The under-
taking is no doubt a bold one, and requires no ordinary ad-
vance of intellectual power and endurance to carry out. We
shall see that it has Ijcen done, nevertheless. As might be
expected under the circumstances already detailed, the history
of these co-operative associations among the working classes
is not of old date, nor does it belong to the past. It is essen-
tially modern — the result of education, inteUigence, and ideas
to which the present century has given birth. Even under
these circumstances the early effort was a weak one and gene-
rally failed for want of knowledge, or honesty, or endurance ;
and at this time it is probable that entire success must be a
partial result. Still if we turn to the evidence we possess,
they afford most satisfactory assurance that both the qualifica-
tion and the conditions exist. It is now nearly a quarter of a
century since 38 poor Uochdale weavers appeared to have
formed the bold idea of a combined effort of this class. Com-
munism had failed practically and politically, but it seemed at
least probable that the great commercial success of Joint
Stock Companies might be emulated to a certain extent.
Under this impression they set up a store. At the close of
1845 its numbers amounted to 80. The capital was £182.
Its weekly sale averaged £30. Weathering the storms of
1847-8, its number increased to 140, capital to £397, and
weekly receipts to £80. In 1850 the numbers were 600,
capital £2,299, weekly returns £338 ; whilst at the present
time it exists as a vast commercial company, whose capital is
£62,000, and annual business £194,000. The humble room
in which the first business was transacted has grown into a
vast warehouse, with sixteen trade departments, with libraries,
reading rooms, and scientific institutions. Since that time
they have rapidly taken root, both in England and upon the
continent, as the returns made by the Registrar in 1866,
under 25 and 26 Vic, c. 87, show. There are now 436 of
these companies.

The number of members are ... ... ... 173,243

Admitted during the year to December 21, members 36,700

Withdrawn do. do. 14,639

Amount received on salaries to December, 1866... £1,340,274

Withdrawn do. do. ... 619,088

Amount of share capital 31 December, 1866 ... 1,048,096

Do. loan capital do. ... 108,023

Received on loan during year do. ... 35,373

Do. loan repaid do. ... 34,349

Cash paid for goods 3,986,754

Amount paid for interest do. ... 45,779

Profit realized 376,294

Total expenses ... ... ... ... ... 235,454

Cash in hands of Treasurer 192,803

Total value of assets 1,009,849

Total amount of trade liabilities 334,561

The objects embraced under these associations are multiple,
but they may be divided into at least three great classes, those
having for their object the transfer of goods or merchandize,
the societies of credit, and societies of production ; the last of

these being by far the highest effort, and promising the great-
est social result. Under this head will come the Building
Societies, which ofl'er to the associates the redemption of free-
hold house, or cottages, under certain condition neither oner-
ous nor attended with risk. In Erance the Society of Masons
have most successfully carried this out, and it is gratifying to
find that the inspiration for one of the most successful of these
proceeded from the designs of the Prince Consort for model
cottages in this country. Even in agriculture the plan has
been tried with a fair amount of success, and the experiment
of Mr. Gurdon, of Assington, deserves a far larger notice than
I am now able to afford. That such a system can or will even
supplant the system of scientific agriculture, aided by ma-
chinery, need not be dreamt of ; but this again is not of uni-
versal application, and I am inclined to think that its true
field of utUity will be found under different social conditions
than those of the East of England at least. Ireland is the
most tempting ground for a campaign of this sort, and if the
smaller tenants could be thus brought under the influence of a
social bond, and massed together, both their moral and social
character would greatly gain, even if followed by no material
result. The first impulse must be given from without, and
the landlord or agent be the connecting link. Some know-
ledge of Ireland prompts me to make this remark, which time
forbids me to follow out. As a means of laying together land,
without trenching upon private rights, or wounding suscepti-
bilities, it deserves consideration at least, and it does not seem
to lue at all opposed to the genius of a social and quick-witted
race. Before I quit this subject, nevertheless, I will make
one final remark. As in the former instance, British legisla-
tion has followed these efforts at a tardy pace, for whereas (as
we have seen) the Rochdale pioneers commenced this work in
1844, the first legislative Act having direct bearing upon these
societies was passed in 1853, and this again was repeated in
1863, and once more modified under 30-31 Vic., ch. 17, 1867.
So recent are these great efforts of the wage-paid class, and so
little has legislation to do with their state. In deaUng with
social questions like these, there is one it is impossible to pass.
Concerning the Trades' Union Societies, considered purely as
such, there is but little new to be said, nothing which would
convince either of the parties interested, that theirs was the
wrong side of the dispute. It will be something if we can
prove, in a manner to defy doubt, that their existence is an
evidence of an impsrfect social state ; of defective knowledge ;
and of laws, hitherto of no very equitable class. It is against
these that the idea of resistance was first based. No one who
is well acquainted with the penal codes, both of England and
foreign countries, will doubt this. And if, under the new
sense of power and liberty, ignorant or half-informed men have
acted upon a doctrine which learned men have sanctioned —
that of self-interest — it is not to them alone that blame must
lie attached. If, under such circumstances as I have elsewhere
detailed, the development of such natural habits of thought
have been allowed to proceed unchecked, what right have we
to wonder? These men are bad economists. They are
reckless, except of present gain. Their morality is not
our morality. Even our arguments arc not understood.
These are very grave features, let us admit; but what
have you hitherto been about ? These things do not grow up
in a night. They follow as darkness follows light. Tlaey will
pass away, but the dawn may not be yet, and we must, I be-
lieve, be content to wait, not with folded liands, nevertheless.
These labour laws (self-imposed and onerous) will play their
part — as other labour laws now obsolete — but they wiU not
survive the circumstances which brought them forth. If we
study and know their antecedents, then we can prescribe. How
little lias this been the case ! It is argued that time presses,
and the effect may be destructive of what exists. Of this
danger no one is more sensible than myself. But of this fact
no less, that no mere empirical remedy will deal with or dis-
pose of it, no mere platform addresses or denunciations, even
from a trusted source. It must be examined, tested, and if
reproved, then in no unkindly spirit, lest obstinacy come to the
aid of want of sense, and the last state is worse than the first.
By politicians it is scarcely possible that such an examination
should take place, or that even then they would dare to
express the convictions they held on many points. The
question is one for social science to patiently investigate,
and for the press to winnow out. That in its present form
it is but a passing and transitory accident, we may, I think

318

THE FARMER'S MAiKAZINE.

(judging from antecedents), feel convinced. Its princi-
ple uf self-sacrifice is perhaps the only imperishable part,
and even this contains but too much dross. Here, how-
ever, I must stop. Time will not permit a further review.
Having thus far endeavoured (imperfectly, no doubt) to trace
out upon some broad and generally applicable conditions the
past and present of the working-class, it is time to draw to a
conclusion, and ask, To what does this conduct ? In this re-
view we shall have seen both the imperfection of legislation,
and the partial failure of self-developed systems to work out a
sound social stale. It would be easy but not wise to indulge
in sweeping denunciation of each ; pleasant by bold general-
ization to establish theories condemnatory of certain persons
or a certain class. It is very hard to acknowledge the truth,
that a great work of inquiry still lies before us ere we shall be
at all competent to deal conclusively with the case. Until
this is done we shall follow the lines of development with un-
certain steps ; and yet who doubts that we must bend every
ell'ort to the task ? If legislation is difficult, abandonment of
the task is unsafe. Spontaneous development can only be
trusted where education is complete. With poor laws, friendly
societies, and trades' unions, what shall we do ? They be-
long to the future, as well as to the present and the past. If
not too bold, I would hazard a suggestion or two as to these.
In the Poor Law we have a gigantic and most expensive ma-
chinery to fulfil an inadequate task. In some parts its uses
have dwindled away ; in others it is overworked ; as a whole
it fails. Upon the moral side its influence ceased, probably,
within ten years after it was passed ; but few seem to suspect
this. The question, I say, will arise, Is not this vast ma-
chinery applicable to something beyond it ? The labouring-
class will ask it at some future time. Struggling, unaided, to
economise their own resources, have they no right to some
assistance from an organization such as this ? Are the funds
of a friendly society of less consequence than that spent to
relief? In fact, is not the formation of a district friendly
society within the province of the Union House P Not one

farthing beyond management need fall upon the rate, and how
much more should we save than this ! Of this I feel con-
vinced, that in a country parish or union, under a really good
local organization, and with concert among employers of
labour, in one generation all pauperism might become extinct.
In towns we should not so soon arrive at that state. I will
not here enter into the details nor examine the data upon
which I say it ; but they have been well considered, never-
theless. It is not Utopian to hope to arrive by such means at
a much higher degree of organisation than we now possess,
and even to count, with some degree of certainty, upon the
time when no union would want its dispensary, its house for
infectious disorders and common school, its medical staff and
a refuge for the incapable and friendless of either sex ; and
this, too, without recourse to the rates. These, absorbed into
wages, should furnish the contingent to the provident fund,
and form the surplus over the bare necessity of the labouring-
class. Employers would lose nothing by it, while to the cm-
ployed the gain would be immense. To accomplish it one
generation would suffice — would suffice, I say, if men were
earnest in the task. The Utopia commences from this point.
The inertia of established habits is upon them, and custom is
still king over their thoughts. At least let them remember
that an increasing pauperism and a vicious code of social laws
is no safe or pleasant feature, and it is one which repression
has altogether failed to check. Is there no gentler code which
we can suggest more in accordance with social economy and
the Christianity we profess ? And if thus combined, they
equally enjoin laws framed upon some higher principle than
mere self-interest could prescribe — to ends infinitely beyond
those of which self-interest ever dreamt. What, I say, if,
under such influence, that class should learn to regard such
social laws as their best protection and guide ? Is it not pos-
sible that the future of the working-class may be found in this
— the expression at once of a lofty civilization, and the ex-
pansion of a sentiment which dawned upon the heathen world
at Calvary, and poured down a blessing from the Cross ?

LAND FLOODS IN TIDAL RIVERS.

The effects which floods produce in tidal rivers differ in many
respects from those produced by inland floods above tide mark.
This difference arises chiefly from tidal action, i. c, from the
ebbing and flowing of the tide. It is, however, not so much
this difference which we propose discussing in this paper, as
the effects which the more rapid and thorough drainage of the
country is producing in the beds of tidal rivers, including the
removal of town-sewage, the purification of tidal rivers, and
the improvement of inland fisheries effected thereby, as well
as by the improvement of the fisheries in the tidal portion of
such rivers.

Our subject thus embraces (1) the effects produced by the
increase of volume, velocity, and force of the parent stream
from tide mark at high water, or from where the parent stream
first meets the tide at high water ; (xJ), the effects produced
by tributary tidal rivers in the bed of the parent one ; (3),
land floods in the tidal tributaries themselves ; (4), the remo-
val of sewage, and the purification of the river ; and (5), the dis-
charge of filtered sewage, and sewage in its normal state, into
tidal and inland rivers, and also into the ocean near the
mouths of tidal rivers.

1. Assuming the depth and breadth of the river at low water,
where it enters the ocean, to be equal to the depth and breadth
where it enters the tidal bed at high water, then the inclina-
tion of the channel, and hence the velocity and force of the
stream, will be inversely as the length of the tidal bed. Thus,
if the length of the tidal bed is sixty miles, and the height or
rise of the tide above low-water mark twenty feet, it gives a uni-
form fall of four inches per mile over the whole length. In
point of fact, however, it :is seldom that the fall over the
whole length of the tidal bed is uniform ; but into the minute
details of individual examples we cannot go ; and, therefore,
the above uniform fall will be sufficient for illustration. If, on
the other hand, the length of the tidal bed is only twenty
miles, and the rise of the tide twenty feet as above, it will

give a uniform fall of one foot per mile over the whole length
of the tidal portion of the river. In a similar manner the fall
per mile of tidal tributaries may be determined.

" The scour of the river" is directly as the fall and the
volume or quantity of water in the river ; and as the volume of
water has been increased by the improved drainage of the coun-
try, during heavy storms the scour of the river has also been
increased during the ebbing tide, or at low water. This in-
creased scour has for its immediate effect the deepening of
the channel, and the removal of heavier sand and gravel far-
ther down the river towards its estuary, and there cannot be a
doubt but that this has been experienced in those rivers thus
affected by improved drainage. Yrom the slow manner the
work of drainage has been performed, the immediate effects
produced may not have been perceptible to the eye in many
examples ; but such is no valid argument to the contrary ; for
the cause being manifest, so also is the effect produced during
heavy floods.

This, however, is not all that must be said under this head ;
for it is a well-known fact that an increase of flood at high-
water means, practically speaking, the rising, damming, and
tailing back of the river above tide-mark ; and this rising and
tailing back not only drowns the lands above, but, when the
tide begins to ebb, this increase of pressure also affects the
scour in the channel, as the tidal waters recede to the ocean
before it. Of course, if the river, towards its mouth, increases
in breadth, as it generally does, the pressure of fresh water
will decrease as it expands on either side, so as almost to be
nil, or next to nil, at low-water mark ; and with the decrease
of pressure, the scouring effect will also be reduced.

When the tide begins to flow, the question for consideration
resolves itself into the action of two opposing forces— sea-
water rosiis fresh water ; and as the latter force has been in-
creased, during heavy storms, by the more effective and rapid
drainage of the country, it follows that the tendency to carry

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

319

earthy and other matters to the sea has been increased, so as
to form new land at the estuary more rapidly than before sueli
ettective dramage took place. And tliis increased formation
ot new land is not altogether confined to the estuary of such
rivers ; for along the tidal banks or shores of tlie same there
IS a tendency to deposit and throw up heavy matter at the
sides, more especially at places where the width of the river
increases, and at bends and places where the velocity is also
affected. When the salt-water and fresh-water forces meet in
the bed of the river, a great commotion is experienced, at-
tended with a peculiar rushing noise, tliat of the large
rivers of South America being louder than the highest peals
ot thunder. As the ebbing tide retreats, the battle is in fa-
vour of fresh water ; but when the tide begins to flow, Old
Ocean summons his forces from the rear to tlie van, and foot
to foot, as it were, reconquers, beating his antagonist back to
his inland position, every inch of ground, during the flowing
tide, being thus fiercely contested by the two forces, and
so on.

There is a considerable difference between the effects pro-
duced in the bed of the river during the ebbing tide and that
produced during the flowing tide. Experience has tauglit
those hving in the immediate vicinity of tidal rivers to form a
near approximation of what is taking place during a heavy
flood from what they see ; but althougli we ourselves were at
one time for several years an interested eye-witness to tidal
phenomena of this kind, yet so diversified are the details, that
it IS hardly possible to give a practical description of them.
Indeed, to be practically understood they must be seen
many times in all the diversity of their details, such being
always less or more effected by the urture of the tides, state
of the ocean ; point from which the wind blows, &c. We may,
however, draw the attention of those of our readers who have
liad no such experience to one or two things which they will
readily perceive. Thus, the greatest scour and conveyance of
matter to the ocean is during the ebbing tide. The flowing
♦ tide returns this matter, so as to form new land, shoals, &c.
It also has in many places, when much commotion is experi-
enced, a greater tendency to loosen the bottom, but in other
places to consolidate it from the greater pressure. It is, how-
ever, during the short time at high-water, when there is nei-
ther a perceptible ebb nor flow, that the principal deposit
on the shores and in the bed of the river takes place, a thin
layer of mud or sand being left on the shores of broad parts
of the river, or at its estuary, at every ebb-tide. Heavy gra\ el
and stones may be left in the bed during the ebbing of the
tide at broad places, and if tlie river flows straight in and out
of these broad places, tlie tendency will be to deposit heavy
materials of this kind, so as to form shoals in tlie middle. But
if the river bends, the ebbing and flowing forces have both a
tendency to throw the deposit into the elbow, and thus turn
the channel nearer to the other side, thereby reducing its
width, to a mean of that above and below. In cases where the
deposit is fine sand, it dries in the summer sun, and is drifted by
the wind. Hence the hills of sand at the estuary of many rivers
and also along their course when broad places have been filled
up as above indicated. In the one case large fields of gravel or
gravelly shoals are formed at a level rather below the highest
tide, and in the other drifted sand-hills rise up considerably
above the highest flood-tide.

On most of the large tidal rivers of the kingdom, as the
Thames, the lands adjacent, that used to be covered by every
spring-tide and high flood-tide, have been reclaimed by em-
bankments. These embankments have been formed with
more regard to the reclaiming of the land than the formation
of a proper channel to the river, little or no regard having
)»een paid to the required width of the stream. Hence be-
tween London and Gravesend the channel is made up of an
unbroken series of broad and narrow places, so tliat between
the embankments mucli new land has been foirand, the surface
level of wliich is much above that of the laud reclaimed (t. e.
the marsiies), and in some places as high as the top of the
embankment. In this way the broad places of the river, when
the embaukments were formed, are now narrower than they
then were, while several of the narrow places have been
washed wider. Consequently, in accordance witli the pre-
ceding data, the breadth of tlie bed of the Thames below the
capital is annually becoming more and more uniform with the
requirements of the current of the river, and the same data
will be found to apply to tidal rivers generally.

In greatly meandering tidal rivers the bends are often the
narrowest, but the deepest parts of the bed, so that unless pro-
tected there is a tendency to cut into the elbow, or concave, side
of the channel, and to leave deposit on the other. In this
manner the length of the channel may be increased, and, in
point of fact, has been, and is being, increased in numerous ex-
amples, the concave or left embankment having been in some
cases cut through. Generally, however, embankments at such
bends are protected either by the roots of trees, stakes, or
stones.

2 and 3. Mucli of what has been said above applies to tidal
tributaries, and will readily be understood without the repeti-
tion of such data. It is otherwise with the plienoinena that
take place at the confluence of the tributary with the parent
stream.

When the two streams are equal in volume and tidal length
and breadth of channel, the velocities and forces will be equal,
and as they are subject to the laws of the resolution of forces,
the united stream will have a tendency to flow in the direction
of the diagonal of the two forces, the sides of the parallelogram
of forces in this case being equal (i.e., a. square). And
the same will be true of unequal forces when the tributary is
less than the parent stream, the sides of the parallelogram
of forces being then unequal.

In the majority of examples, tributaries flow Into parent
streams at creeks, broad places, bends, and so on; consequently
each example is subject to its own peculiar rule. But, pro-
perly speaking, much in every case will depend upon the angle
at which the two streams unite ; upon the direction of the
united stream immediately below their confluence ; and upon
the width and nature of the bed of tlie river, as to whether it
is composed of rock, gravel, sand, or clay. Genenjlly broad
creeks are filled up by deposit, either of mud or gravel, some-
times both, and not unfrequently with less or more change of
channel.

Now, the special question under consideration is the peculiar
effects produced by the more rapid drainage of land-floods and
the battling of the ebbing and flowing tides with the same ; and,
in this respect, the difference is perhaps more severely felt m
tributary streams than in parent rivers, other things, as the
normal velocity and force of the current, being equal. Indeed,
a great many tributaries have proved themselves wholly un-
equal to the task of rapid drainage, their embankments re-
quiring to be increased in height, not a few examples requiring
their embankments to be placed farther apart — others, the
trengthening and deepening of the channel. Now, in all such
xamples the effects produced upon the bed of the parent stream
oy inland floods and tidal action are greater than they were
prior to the improvements in modern drainage ; while, in some
eases, they differ in other respects, as to the deposit of mud,
gravel, and sand, and change of the bed of the river — each of
■hese examples being subject to its own peculiar exigencies,
sut all to tlie natural laws involved.

+. The removal of town sewage from tidal rivers will do
aiuch to obviate deposit of an objectionable and polluting
character. For a time, after the sewage has been diverted,
and applied to the land, the increased effects of inland floods,
and action of steamboats, and river navigation generally, will
stir up much of the old half-rotten and rotting deposit on
both banks, and even in the mid-cliannel of the river,
and thus float it down to broad places and the ocean ;
but eventually the increased scour of the river and decrease of
sewage thrown into the channel will cleanse it, purifying the
water, and thus rendering it fit for the breeding of fish. The
washing of animal and vegetable life from pasture lands, in the
form of seeds and insects, will not be against fish, but the con-
trary in the majority of cases. Tlie increase of sand and
gravel brought down by inland streams into tidal rivers will
also have a tendency to improve their channels for feeding and
Breeding grounds for salmon and tlie better sorts of fish.
Under this head therefore, when the whole of the sewage of
towns is removed and applied to the land, a very great im-
provement will be effected botli in the bed of the river and in
the purification of its water for fishing purposes, both tidal
and inland rivers.

5. But to the last proposition (4) there is &per contra of a
two-fold character about which less can be said in favour of
either plan. 'Wejirsi of tliese two plans is to carry the sewage
of towns on tidal rivers down to some part where the flowin"-
tide will not bring it back again : ^the discharge of the

820

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

sewagn of the northern half of the metropolis at Barking
Creek is an example of this kind. And, second, the proposition
of filtering tlie sewage, and allowing the pure water only to
flow into the river, of which there are two plans in operation,
or rather being tried, on tributaries of the Thames in the
suburbs of the capital.

The improved landward and street drainage of towns is
throwing annually thousands of tons of more sand and gravel
into rivers than was the case under the old cesspool system ;
and when the floods of large areas of landward and street
drainage are thrown into rivers, as at Earking Creek, and
tliat too only during every ebb-tide, the system thus practised
is that of an ebb-tide flood twice eveiy day all the year over,
and something worse when these are accompanied with land
floods. On the injurious efi'ects thus produced we shall not
comment, much less expose the fallacious arguments by which

the Board of Works and its engineering patrons have advocated
such a plan ; suflice it to say that the whole of the sewage on
both sides of the Thames must be sent further and further
inland and applied to the land.

It is too soon yet to pronounce an opinion on any of the
various plans now before the pubhc for throwing down soluble
matter, and then filtering off the water, for being thrown back
into rivers in a pure state, and even for being used for certain
useful purposes, and the utilizing of the solid portion of the
sewage in the form of manure. As the reader is doubtless
aware, a great many plans of this kind have already fallen to
the ground. But their abortion is no valid argument against
other schemes n9w under trial for the first time on a large or
working scale. In all such cases the more prudent course is
to leave new schemes iu the hands of Practice, whose judg-
ment will be prouoixnced in due course of time. Surveyor.

HOW FAR SMALL FARMS AND LONG LEASES CONDUCE TO THE
ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

A meeting of the members of the Newlmry Farmers' Club
was lately held, Mr. T. Tanner (of Welford) presiding.

The following paper was read by Mr. F. H. Everett : I
will state what I consider to be a small farm, and what I
mean by a long lease. Any extent of land between fifty and
two liundred and fifty acres inclusive, I think, may be called
a small farm. With respect to the second part of my subject,
I do not consider any term under sixteen years to amount to
a long lease. In this district the usual rotation is the four-
course. Sixteen years would, therefore, allow of four clear
courses of cropping over the whole farm — a sutiicient time for
the ordinary expenditure of a tenant to be repaid. But when
what are called " permanent improvements" are undertaken
by the tenant, such as draining or chalking, the above period
should be extended to tvventy years. If the rotation pursued
be the five-course with two years ley, or the six-course with
three years ley, cropping, which is common with some of the
very best of fanners — the men of Aberdeenshire — the term
should be proportionately lengthened. There is only one
other word that can need any explanation, and that is the
word " agriculture." I, do not associate with the idea of agri-
culture any individual interest either of landlord, tenant, or
labourer. It is possible to speak of agriculture, forgetting for
a time that \^e ourselves are fanners, forgetting the imme-
diate interests of the owners of land, and likewise those of the
labourer. Agriculture may assume a national interest, as well
as embrace the interests of individuals. I have used the word
agriculture, then, in its widest, fullest sense. I am very
.anxious to be understood rightly on this point. We have
always endeavoured to avoid as much as possible discussing
the many subjects which have come before us iu anything like
a personal manner or in a party spirit ; and on the observ-
ances of this rule depends, in no small degree, the success of
every farmers' club. There is no question alfecting the in-
terests of agriculture — not even that of the game laws — the
most likely of all to create ill-feeling, which may not be dis-
cussed and worn threadbare, if we consider the subject na-
tionally, collectively, apart from self. And by this mode of
procedure our discussions will lose none of their point, or any
influence they are justly entitled to. A paper by Mr. Wren
Hoskyns was read before the Midland Farmers' Club at Bir-
mingham— " The Land Laws of England, in their Influence
on Agriculture." I need make no apology for bringing be-
fore your notice this paper ; for it first suggested to me the
subject of my owai paper, and first supplied some of those fun-
damental principles upon which our agricultural system rests,
and without the endeavour to master wliicli its every-day pre-
sent aspect must always appear a maze, well calculated to
puzzle, but which can never satisfy the inquirers' mind. The
paper, too, to which I refer, appears to emanate from a mind
so mature, so experienced, and so well acquainted with the
prejudices and trammels which retard the free progress of
agricultural art, that I am sure the more constantly I allude
to it, or even quote from it, the more satisfactory will you con-
sider my occupation of your time and attention. I must, how-

ever, explain that what is advanced by Mr. Hoskyns refer
more immediately to the ownership of land than to its te-
nancy; but inasmuch as every tenant, under the present
mode of land culture, must or ought to feel so secure in his
occupation that he may fairly consider himself owner of the
soil for the time being, I take it that Mr. Hoskyus's argu-
ments apply equally to occupancy and ownership. You will
find, gentlemen, that Mr. Hoskyns looks upon the accumula-
tion of land into large estates as a great evil. He says,
" The larger the estate, the greater becomes the inevitable
inducement for making large farms. The expense of a mul-
tiplicity of homesteads, with the requisite outbuildings, is by
the resort to large farms greatly reduced ; and a kind of
wholesale economy is obtained by the use of implements
which reduce the expense of cultivation and conver-
sion at every stage to their most economial rate. To one who
can look back eight-and-twenty years to the first implement
exhibition of the Iloyal Agricultural Society of England at
Oxford, it is most striking to observe how invention and manu-
facture have been stimulated to follow the track of enlarged
holdings, and the extensive scale of farming that has grown
up in this country. Whatever the demand there will always
be a supply, and the magnitude as well as perfection of our
farm implements and machinery have become the wonder of
Europe." "All this," he says, "has helped to disguise a
growing fact of deep significance to the community ; while to
many persons it has come to appear as if agriculture will have
reached its perfection, its golden age, when the whole country
consists of large tenant-held farms under large landowners.
But there is also a considerable class of thinkers, including
amongst them almost every distinguished writer on political
economy (the science of the distribution of national wealth),
from Adam Smith to our own time, who are of opinion that
God made the earth for all and not for a few, and who hold
that the true question is not how the land can be cultivated
on the largest scale at the most economical rate, but how it
can be made to produce the greatest returns by the profitable
employment of the greatest number. In these last words
are contained for us the chief interest of the question we pro-
pose to discuss. This is the point on which we shall as it
were divide. I am perfectly aware how much there is to be
said in favour of large farms, the extended use of machinery,
and the convenience to landed proprietors of portioning out of
estates in large holdings, with a reduction in the number of
homesteads — so much the better for our discussion — and see-
ing as I do several large occupiers present, I am also aware
that a strong attack may be made upon the position I have
taken up. But carry out this system of large holdings to
its utmost limits, and we arrive at starvation for the labourer ;
at any rate there could be no support for an abundant labour-
ing population, but to this point I propose presently to refer.
It may be suflicient for agncnltural producers to inquire, iu
the first place, what kind of agricultural produce is most iu
demand at the present time, and the demand for which is mos
likely to continue ? Also on what farms such produce acre fo

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

321

acre is most abimdantly produced ? Is it corn with which the
Englisli marlcet is not sufficiently supplied, which undoubtedly
it is most desirable should be grown on a large scale over wide
and extensive tracts of open country ? Is it not rather beef
and mutton which we require in more abundance — necessita-
ting in its production constant care, vigilance, and personal
superintendence, possibly only when the area farmed is of
limited extent, under the immediate supervision of tlie tenant
of the land. Whence come milk, butter, eggs, poultry — the
demand for which tlie EngUsh supply certainly does not meet ?
For the most part not from tlie steam-ploughed open fields
of our larger farms, but from the smaller tenancies still much
enclosed, sheltered by timber and hedgerows, and held by men,
in some instances, not of the largest capital, but renowned for
surpassing industry, care, and thrift. I am one of those who
consider that there is room in England yet for such men.
What says Mr. Hoskyns on this point P — " Tlic much greater
quantity of small products, such as eggs, butter, milk, cheese,
honey, vegetables, fruit, &c., which are obtained from a given
quantity of land cultivated by the smaller class of proprietors
formed quite a characteristic feature of the ancient agricultural
system of England. These have almost disappeared with the
modern system. The importation of foreign eggs in the last
year amounted to the prodigious number of nearly 500 mil-
lions. The value at the English market price paid to the
foreigner for this one element of neglected home produce is
from one-and-a-half to two millions sterling." That Mr.
Hoskyns here refers more especially to the small owner (but
lie also includes the mere cultivator) of by-gone days, who
cultivated for the most part with the spade, does not alter the
position of the matter we are discussing, if the whole bearing
of tlie question be impartially and fairly considered. This
too is but one out of the many strong arguments he uses
against overgrown estates with the increase of large hold-
ings. What matters it should this be considered the
weakest ? — it is sufficiently powerful. Can we, the agricul-
I' turists of England, afford carelessly to consign to the foreigner
nearly two millions sterling, thougli it be for the tritle
"_ eggs" — I think not. I agree witli that oft-repeated asser-
tion made by all, that the profits of farming depend on
small gains. Caird is universally considered a high authority
on agricultural matters. In 1850, a time of low prices and
agricultural depression, an inquiry was originated by tlie Times
into the general state of agriculture. Caird was appointed
to undertake the investigations, the results of wliich are
embodied in his work on^" Knglish Agriculture ;" the matter con-
tained in his letter, he tells us, was obtained " by personal
inquiry and inspection, principally by walking or riding care-
fully over individual farms in different districts of each county,
accompanied by the farmers ; by traversing estates with the
landlord or his agent, and by seeking access to the best and
most trustworthy sources of local information." We cannot,
therefore, regard his information as theoretical. I should say
it must be eminently practical and reliable. Having, then,
traversed 33 of the 40 counties in England, he sums up the re-
sult of his labours. In the conclusion of his work he says he
found in the eastern counties low rent, yet discontentment ;
large farms, averaging 430 acres, and the main reliance placed
on corn. In the western and midland counties, rent 30 per
cent, higher, yet comparative contentment ; farms small, aver-
aging 230 acres, and the staple products butter, cheese, sheep,
and cattle. Corn was selling at the same price as it was
eighty years before ; while dairy produce, meat, and wool have
nearly doubled in value. Gentlemen, no thoughtful man can
pass over these facts heedlessly ; the care witli which they
were collected, and the authority ou which they rest, demand
at least our best attention. Allow me to detail some statistics
given by Caird ; they bear intimately on our subject, and are
extremely interesting :

In twenty-sixth counties the average rent of arable
laud, in 1770, appears from Young's return to
have been, per acre 13s. ^j.

For the same counties Caird's returns in 1850-51
give an average of 26s. lOd.

Increase of rent in 80 years

... 13s, 6d.
or 100 'per cent.

In 1770 the average produce of wheat, in bushels

per acre, was ... .,, 33

lu 1850-51, in the same counties, it was „. .., 36J

Increased produce of wheat per acre .,. SJ

or 15 per cent.
In 1770 the labourers' wages per week averaged ... 7s. 3d.
In 1850-51, in the same counties, they averaged ... 9s. 7d.

Increase in wages of agricultural labourers 2s. 4<d.

or 34 per cent.
In 1770 the price of provisions was : Bread I|d., butter 6^d.,
and meat o^d. per pound; in 1850-51 it was— bread l:i;d.,
butter ] s., and meat 5d. per pound. In 1770 the price of wool
was 5id. per pound; in 1850-51 it was Is. per pound. In
1770 the rent of labourers' cottages in sixteen counties ave-
raged 36s. a-year; inl850-51, in the same counties, 74s. 6d.
a-year. " It thus appears," says Caird, " that, in a period of
80 years, the average rent of arable land has risen 100 per
cent.; the average produce of wheat per acre has increased 15
per cent. ; the labourers' wages 34 per cent., and his cottage
rent 100 per cent. ; while the price of bread, the great staple
of the food of the English labourer, is about the same as it was
in 1770. The price of butter has increased 100 per cent.,
meat above 70 per cent., and wool upwards of 100 per cent.
The contrast would, of course, be far greater if I770 were
compared with 1868 instead of 1858-51, and there is no
avoiding the conclusion that the kind of farm-produce which
has mcrsased most iu value is that raised with the greater
facilities on small farms." Caird says, later on in the same
chapter from which I have extracted the above statistics, that
tlie gradual diminution of the largest farms is inevitable, and
the capital and attention of the farmer will be concentrated
on a smaller space. Notwithstanding what has Ijeen stated, I
am prepared for the objection that all the valuable produce
named may lie raised on large farms as well as on small. Of
this I am aware ; but not, I think, iu anything like an equal
proportion acre for acre. Moreover, it is not my object to
compare farming on a large scale with farming on a small
scale, further than is necessary for the illustration of the sub-
ject before us. It is impossible, however, to see how far small
farms conduce to the general advancement of agriculture,
without ascertaining whether tlie supplies afforded by theni
meet the general demand of our country. And it would
seem natural that that division of our lands will eventually
prevail which promotes the production most fully calculated to
meet such demand. We are aware that large holdings of late
years, both with land-owners and land-occupiers, have been
the most popular, and for the very sufficient reason of supposed
economy. But is our whole system of agriculture in such
a satisfactory state that there is no reason for supposing that
the experiment has been carried too far ? Greater conc^entra-
tion of capital, more abundant employment of labour, with
more perfect tillage, would alleviate many of the evils and
difficulties with which agriculture has at the present time to
contend. Such conditions follow more naturally in the track of
farming on the smaller scale. " It is beyond contradiction,"
says Mr. Cliffe Leslie (in a recent article in "Praser), " that
the products best suited to the soil and climate of England are
those which small farming produces best." " The farm pro-
duce for which England is best suited, requires," Mr. Caird
states, "an immensity of labour." "English agriculture,"
says Mr. Thornton, " would be exceedingly benefited by the
application to it of at least double the actual quantity of
labour." " And England is fitted by nature to support an
immense rural population in comfort," says Mr. Wren Hos-
kyns. " An immense rural population in comfort !" This
brings me to a point to which I said I would again refer
One great obligation that agriculture is placed under is that
of the full employment of the agricultural poor; and its
true interest is in the greatest degree secured by the thriving-
state, happiness, and contentment of this class. 'The sweeping
away of cottages, and the driving away the labourer from
the place of his birth and objects of home interest, have pro-
duced happiness, contentment, and prosperity for no class.
It IS an experiment which bitter and costly experience has
shown to have failed utterly. New cottages are now the in-
cessant cry ; and the force of circumstances has proved that
there is room in all our rural districts for all who are in-

322

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

terested in the cultivation of the soil. All members of the
agricultural body seem to be equally interested now in stud-
ding the surface of our rural district with " homes " for the
labourer, and the burden should be borne in due proportion
by all ; for I hold tliat no one class was entirely responsible
when these " homes " were swept away. The occupier must,
I think, have been a consenting party, directly or indirectly ;
at any rate, we never hear that his voice was raised in oppo-
sition. Hailing, then, as we do this reformation in the matter
of cottage-building with extreme satisfaction, the point which
I think we ought to consider is this — What is to happen when
the inhabitants of all these cottages have greatly multiplied ?
Will there, or will there not, under the present system of
farm management, be found employment for the children on
the farms where we, the employers of labour, have sought
eagerly for the service of the parents ? He is a bold man
who is prepared to allow each youth just as he has formed
some attachment for those with whom he has been associated
to pass on and become anotiier's hireling. I believe there is
good reason for thinking that a greater proportion of small
farms, with the system they entail, would be more likely to
absorb surplus labour than the larger allotments of land
requiring in their management fewer hands per acre. Emi-
gration naturally suggests itself. It has, I know, been looked
upon as a panacea for all agricultural ills. But it is a pleasing
salve only. I am not disposed to regard favourably the tap
which draws off all our strength aud vigour, and offers for the
acceptance of the mother country the mere refuse. I do not
pretend to say that small farms can fully meet the difficulties

by which we are beset in this matter, but they alleviate great
pressure. Perhaps it is left for succeeding generations to
solve the problem. What is to be tiie destiny of the farm
labourer ? It is strange, however, that what seems to be the
chief corner-stone of our position should not have been
jealously guarded. If the mortar in which it was originally
set was good, at any rate it has begun to moulder. If it was
ill-tempered from the beginning, it 's time it were laid afresh.
I believe, then, all are interested in the maintenance of a due
proportion of small farms — the landlord, because the rent of
small farms is proportionally high ; the farmer, because they
tend fully to develop the resources of his art in certain of its
branches ; the labourer, because upon them he will find one
of the best markets for his labour ; our whole country at
large, because to small farms we must look for the more
abundant supply of those products which foreign nations are
unable to export. But I do not at all wish to be understood
as implying that the extinction of large farms is in any way
desirable. It is surely a wise and satisfactory conclusion that
Stuart Mill comes to, after discussing " Production on a large
scale and on a small." " The only question which remains
open," he says, " is one of degree — the comparative rapidity
of agricultural improvement under the two systems ; and it is
the general opinion of those who are equally well acquainted
with both, that improvement is greatest under a due admixture
between them."

A short discussion ensued. Most of the speakers con-
curred with the views of Mr. Everett, though one or two
dissented.

CHEMICAL MANURES.

[translated from the FRENCH.]

Of all questions now under consideration the one possessing
most interest to the agricultural world is that of manures.
How can it be otherwise in our country of ancient civilization,
in which the earth is exhausted by a cultivation of twenty
centuries, and where '.the population is locked :up in a com-
paratively narrow space, a population which in spite of a period
of check, owing to multiplied causes, has a constant tendency
to increase ?

For a long time no other manure was known than stable-
dung or night-soil, and even the latter was not freely used by
all farmers.

Then came the guanos, of \i Inch England particularly used
great quantities.

But notwithstanding, all is exhausted, dung, night-soil, and
guanos are insufficient, and necessity aided by science led
to the manufacture of composts aud all the manures now
known to the commercial world.

In the meantime, chemistry, which in the last half-century
has made such marvellous progress in its turn, took up the
question, aud introduced a new element. Baron Liebig in
Germany, and M. George Ville in France, acting upon that
principle now admitted by all the world, that \t is necessary to
restore to the land those elements that liare been taken from it
by plants, and that each plant has different wants, gave to the
world chemical manures.

The doctrines of Baron Just Liebig created great excitement
oti their appearance, and were actively combatted. M. George
Ville, Professor of Vegetable Philosophy at the Museum of
Natural History at Paris, renewed the discussion, and echoed
his theories. He held conferences at Sorbonne and Vincennes,
and published books upon the subject. The Moniteiir be-
came tlie organ of the new doctrine ; experiments were made,
contradictory assertions appeared in the columns of the agri-
cultural press ; in fact, nothing was needed for the success of
the new science except long and universal practice, against
which so many promising theories fall to the ground.

It cannot be denied that chemical manures have strong
partizans and ardent adversaries. In our next number of
L' Echo Affricate we purpose publishing two letters, one in fa-
vour of, and the other opposed to that theory. At present we
intend showing, through the pen of one of our most noted

contemporaries, the principles upon which the theory of M.
Ville rests.

M. Lecouteux thus expresses himself in the Journal d\4t/ri-
cidlnre Pratitjiie : M. George Ville has published a book
which may be considered as an epitome of his doctrine. In
page 18, we read : " For the last twenty years it has been
thought that dung was the agent par crceltencc of fertility.
We maintain that that idea is altogether wrong, and that it is
possible to compose artificial manures, superior and even moie
economical than dung. Again, it has even been said the mea-
dow is necessarily the starting point of all good agriculture,
because with the pasture we get cattle, and with the latter
dung. Now we believe these pretended axioms to be true
heresies, and I hope to shovv you that in the present state, all
agricultural amelioration in order to be remunerative must
take its origin in increased importation of artificial manure.
The production of dung has irretrievably lost its character of
necessity imposed to culture : it is now only a question of con-
venience and of price of return."

In another place M. Ville adopting the theories of M. Liebig
and other celebrated chemists of our time, says that the
agriculturist who employs dung, and nothing but dung, ex-
hausts his land, because the farmer by that alone which the
heart of the land supplies could not possibly repair the loss
of phosphate of lime, potash, lime, and azoteous matters that
the farm has lost by the exportation of part of the crops.
Wlien he exports meat the loss is less than when he exports
grain, but it is not tiie less real. I repeat, then, that this
axiom which has iiitherto been made the foundation and almost
the palladium of agricultural art, is in reality a true heresy.
It is only reasonable in a very exceptional case, where the
meadow is watered by a muddy stream, which gives to the soil
an equivalent for what it has lost in fertilizing agents, but
such a case as I have before said is too rare to make it
a rule.

" I said," continues M. ViUe, " that culture founded solely
upon the use of dung, is also an economical heresy. Let
us suppose the case of an ordinary land yielding at the rate of
from 8 to 10 hectolitres of wheat per hectare^ aud tlieu calcu-
late how long it would take to make it produce 25 to 30
with dung, and the result would astonish and alarm you.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

>0o

With chemical manures the change is immediate, tlie produc-
tion sudden, and the benefit also immediate. Now if we re-
member that, besides the benefit, we increase tlie resources in
straw from the first year, is it not evident that instead of first
making the meat that we may have the corn, there is a munifesi
advantage hi revershi<j the order of things, hitherto extolled,
by taking the benefit of the wheat first, then the straw, and
finally the dung ? I therefore repeat that laud only ceases to
exhaust itself when there is a real importation of manure ;
and tlie solution which forces itself upon us is, that tlie
fertility of a soil must be increased by means of manure com-
posed artificially, with products existing naturally in a mine-
ral state, and which appear to us to have been reserved for
the purpose of repaiiing the depredations of the present as
well as the past, and for preserving us from future disasters.

" It is not then correct to say that dung, and nothing but
dung, is sufficient for everythiug ; but it is true that, in order
to obtain abundant crops without delay, the only way is, to
have recourse to importation of artificial and chemical ma-
nures in preference to all others, because they alone from
their nature are always rigorous, definite, and identical to
themselves, consequently you cannot be deceived in them, and
tlierefore tliey are to my mind the most economical.

" Let us try to bring to their real value the products whose
qualities are so loudly extolled by certain manure raercliants,
and we shall find them injured by a mixture that the most
scandalous usury has ever reached.

" Now tliat the first elements of fertility are known to us,
it can no longer be a question of absolute rules, imposed upon
us under the name of a tradition wliich relates to an econo-
mical state diflerent from ours. Now we govern tlie re-
quirements of culture, instead of being governed by it.

" I can only repeat what I said in another enclosure to the
Sorbonne.

" Agriculturists are no longer under the necessity of pro-
ducing their own manure ; they can make tliemselves the pro-
ducers, if, taking all things into account, tliey find it to their
advantage ; but if is manifestly more profitable to have re-
course to chemical manures, there is nothing to liinder them :
it is no longer a question of good culture, but of return
prices."

Tlius the system is clearly characterised. M. Ville does not
maintain the anti-economical thesis that agriculture should
everywhere and under all circumstances give the preference
to chemical manures instead of dung ; but what he asserts,
and this is of vast . importance, is, that chemical manures,
whether used alone, or in conjunction with dung, will keep
up, and even increase the aptitude of the soil to produce the
heaviest crops, and that consequently agriculture, freed from
the obligation of producing dung at any cost, will from hence-
forth only have to compare the value of dung and chemical
manures before making its choice. I would dwell upon that
point, because in the discussions of these latter days it has
been kept in the back-ground.

There is another point in the doctrines of M. ViUe, which
I think is calculated to impress the agricultural world. He
regards manure only as a substance deposited in the soil, with
a view to its being transformed into a crop very nearly pro-
portionate. It is, therefore, not astonishing that with such
ideas M. Ville thinks nothing of the physical action of manure
upon tlie soil, a point to which the partisans of the humus
theory attach so much importance. He looks upon manure as
the raw material of crops, and nothing more. The partisans
of dung, on the contrary, say it is not merely the raw mate-
rial of crops, but in proportion to its mass and duration in the
arable bed, it modifies the physical properties of the soil — that
is to say, it is an improving manure. Looking at it in that
light, therefore, he does not think that agriculture, controlled
as it is, for the want of consuming its straw on the spot, or of
varying its crops and speculations, should completely renounce
the use of dung, as a means of modifying the physical nature
of soils destitute of organic matter.

M. Ville, fully recognising the influence of economic cir-
cumstances in such a question, does not, however, seem in-
clined to admit the necessity for dung, in so far as regards
amendment. In page 57 of his work, we find an account of
the following experiments :

" Upon a lande in Champagne, brought into cultivation for
the first time, with 80,000 kilos, of dung per hectare, they
obtained 13 hectolitres of wheat ; then, with the complete

manure, the yield rose to 33 hectolitres. Upon a hectare of
siliceous land in the department of Aisne, with 40,000 kilos,
of dung, they obtained 8 hectolitres of wheat ; witli the
chemical manure, 28 ; the same land, without any manure,
produced only 2 hectolitres 56. In the department of Dromej
upon a stony hill, cleared for the purpose, the land, without
manure, yielded 3 hectolitres per hectare ; witli 3!),000 kil. of
dung, it gave 8 hectolitres ; and with the complete manure,
the yield was 30 hectolitres.

" M. Payen, in the department of Aisne, M. de Matharel, in
the department of Oise, and Chevalier Mussa, in Italy, ob-
tained similar results. On lands chosen from amongst the
most sterile, which, with tlie largest dose of dung, only pro-
duced from 8 to 10 hectolitres, the chemical manure brouglit
the return up to trom 25 to 30 hectolitres.

" Now, if we consider that in these experiments, where tlie
land was of a very inferior quality, dung, which contains
matter analogous to humus, produced much less eifect than
the complete manure, it must be manifest that we mav dis-
pense with humus, and obtain very fine crops without it."

Such, then, according to M. Ville, are chemical manures.
They have the admirable faculties of converting at once, with-
out transition, and as by enchantment, an almost barren soil
into one producing crops of the largest returns. It is only a
question of money, not time.

In page sixty-seven of his book, M. Ville writes upon this
subject: "The source of profit in agriculture depends par-
ticularly on the abundance of n.annres ; and, unfortunately,
when the farmer has to produce his own dung, he cannot
make it as he clioses. In order to cliange the position of a
culture (based upon dung), much time is necessary, as well as
discernment and prudence, because everytiiing is stationary
on a farm wliere the production of cereals and dung is put
foremost.

" With chemical manures, on the contrary, culture acquires
a liberty of action almost absolute. The farmer regulates the
dose of his manures at will. The initiative is only limited by
the amount of capital he has at his disposal.

" By means of chemical manures, we can, in a manner,
from the evening to tlie next day, convert a precarious culti-
vation into the most intensive system, and consequently ob-
tain, instead of a small profit, a high remuneration."

These words, written, as they are, after a series of long and
numerous experiments on a large scale of culture, are well
worthy of our careful consideration. If they are well
founded, it is certain that even in the poorest lands, con-
taining scarcely any humus, cliemical manures are capable of
producing the highest fertility, complete in every part.
Henceforth there will be no more dilatoriness — none of those
enormous expenses entailed upon agriculture by cattle, no
more expensive constructions, no more capitals sunk for a
long period. Agriculture will liberate its capital ; it will en-
gage, and disengage its manure capital, so to speak, year by
year. In that respect, it will be a trade of investments for a
limited time. What a revolution !

Let us look at the maize region. There is nothing in it
certainly from which, on condition of its being sustained by
sutiicient manure, is obtained so much alimentary matter for
man as that wliich results from tlie famous biennial rotation
— wheat and maize. But, then, what difficulty there is in
sustaiuing that exhausting rotation by dung alone ! what ob-
stacles there are in the dry lands of the south to the adoption
of a husbandry based upon a heavy foiage produce ! What a
strange problem to solve ! The land has more aptitude for
producing cereals than forage plants ; and it is by the latter
that agriculture, with a basis of dung, expects to produce
cereals !

On the other hand, look at those immense tracts of uncul-
tivated land— the Steppes, wliich are in the centre of civiliza-
tioB. How slowly they advance to the production of fodder.
They know the difficulties of the work they have undertaken,
wliich proceed from clearing the lands ; but the latter, how-
ever, particularly since the introduction of fossil phosphates,
have been able to appreciate mineral manures better than the'
others.

Then, again, look at our lands which yield from 8 to 15
hectolitres of wheat per hectare. Some years the farmers
wear the flesh ofl' their bones trying to make progress with
dung, and these men have learned to their cost that agricul-
ture with dung alone is, and can only be a tedious enterprise.

Z

324

THE FARMEH'R MAGAZINE.

If, tlien, llic tLeory of chemical manures does result in the
cousequeuces stated by M. Ville ; if it produces maximum
crops upou lauds previously barren ; if it tends to the adoption
of a system of culture producing forage by cereals and in-
dustrial plants, instead of getting cereak by industrial plants
and forage, as the greatest authorities have recommended ; if
all this be true, it must produce an immense revolution in
agriculture : the greatest which has ever been known is on
the eve of being begun, and our duty is to give it our best
wishes.

It must not, however, be thought that M. Ville denies the
influence that order of succession of crops must exercise over
the management and rotation of manures. Besides the
formula that he points out for each plant considered se-
parately, there are the much more significant formulae that he
gives for plants looked at in their order of succession. With
the highest scientific authorities he recognises the fact that,
amongst the substances that serve for the raw material de-
rived from manure, each plant has a predilection for one par-
ticular substance which it is necessary for it to have in large
quantities — a substance called in consequence the " dominant."
Thus, according to M. Ville, azoteous matter is the dominant
of wheat, colza, and beetroot ; that of leguminous plants is
potash ; and phosphate of lime of turnips.

According to this theory, minerals without azote give
higher yields with lucerne, clover, beans, and peas, which
draw their azote from the air, while minerals containing a
small quantity of azote are suitable for flax and potatoes. It
is evident that in distributing manure to plants great care
should be taken to select the substances that serve for their
dominant. Further, it is necessary to take into account the
portion of the loss of manure resulting from the solvent action
of the subterranean or superficial waters, as well as that by
aerial evaporation.

Now, it was taking all these conditions into consideration,
that M. Ville recommended the rotation of the following
manures for a quadrennial succession of crops in this order :

1.ST Yeab, Beetroot.

Superphosphate of lime

Nitrate of potash

Nitrate of soda ,

Sulphate of lime

2nd yEAK, Wheat.
Sulphate of ammonia

3rd Year, Clover.

Superphosphate of lime

Nitrate of potash

Sulphate of lime ,

4th Year, Wheat.
Sulphate of ammonia

Per Hectare.

Weight Price. Expenses

Kilos.
300
200
400
200

300

400
200
400

300

Francs

64

124

140

120
64

64-)

24 f.

83

120

Total expenses 750 00

Expenses per year 192 50

Fr. Ct.
334 00

120 00
196 00
120 00

If chemical manures are used in conjunction with dung,
M. ViUe advises to consider the latter as a basis of fertility
acquired by the soil, and to limit the chemical manure to one-
fourth of the manure most suitable to and approved of by the
culture of the year. In other words, he only recommends ap-
plying the dominant.

Having explained the doctrine of M. Ville in the most
forcible manner, it now only remains for me to say what I
think of it as an agriculturist.

1 dislike exaggerations, and it is therefore sufficient to say
that I have no fear of the future proscription of farm dung.
M. Ville himself has stated the question perfectly in his book,
which served as a basis for my appreciation of his theory!
Dung will always be an important agent of the fertilization of
our lands, for the aimjde reason that in cereals and other
crops there is straw and residue that the farmer must con-
sume on the premises as manure ; besides which, agriculture
requires animals for work as well as stock, more or less. Be-

sides, chemical manures may be applied with as much
success to forage and roots as to cereals and industrial plants.

Then, the question of the choice of culture remains, as it
always did, subordinate to local circumstances ; but with this
difference, that agriculture gains in the chemical manures fresh
helps, enabling it to progress quicker and more economically.

No one can deny that large profits of agriculture in our
time must be gained by substituting maxima crops for aver-
age yields, because that result must be obtained with no other
expense than supplementary manure. If with our dung alone
we harvest 30 hectos. of wheat per hectare, we must endeavour
by the addition of chemical manures to obtain at least 30
hectos., because these ten supplementary hectolitres more than
repay the price of the manure, the latter being evidently
less than the price of 10 hectos. of wheat, besides the straw.
Make your calculation ; separate a full crop into two parts ;
reckon the cost of the first 20 hectos., including the expense
of labour, dung, rent, taxes, and seed ; and then calculate the
remaining 10 hectos., chargitg only the expense of the sup-
plementary manure. By this simple comparison you will see
at once the evil and the remedy of our agricultural situation.
I have often tested this fact, and feel it my duty as a writer
never to miss an opportunity of submitting it to the attention
of my readers.

But it is necessary to tell the whole truth. In spite of the
magnificent results quoted by M. Ville in favour of chemical
manure, on certain poor lands, I cannot agree with the notion
that dung is not a necessity of the first order for the ameliora-
tion of the physical properties of these lands. I know some
silicious lauds which the largest quantity of chemical manure
would not affect, as long as the lands are burnt, and become,
under the influence of the summer drought, impenetrable to
atmospheric agents. AU then is inactive ; the manure is im-
prisoned ; vegetation suspended, or else compromised. Be-
sides, in clay lands there are instances where fertilizing
matter, instead of transforming itself into the crops, remains
fixed in the soil itself. Now experience proves that the use
of dung in doses applied often corrects that state of things, so
that we may safely say in such a case dung is an improving
manvre. I have already pointed out, in this article, that double
agricultural property of dung. I shall not return to that
point, in order to avoid being classed amongst the ultras who,
suddenly adopting new ideas, disregard what they owe to the
former object of their worship. Dung modifies the physical
properties of the soil : looking at it only as a manure is de-
priving it of one of its best titles to the attention of amelio-
rating culture.

Wliat shall I say more ? M. VUle proposes reversing the
terms of the old agricultural problem. Formerly it was said
that we must get at the cereals by the forage ; now, he does
not hesitate to declare that we must take the very reverse of
that theory, or, in other words, get fodder through the cereals.

I acknowledge we need to think well over such a declara-
tion of principles. It wonld be an evil to apply his doctrine
of manures so as to make it a doctrine of exhaustion ; whilst
in the mind of its promoter it is a guarantee of the amelio-
ration of the soil. I by no means maintain that it is the last
word of science. I simply say that in its present state it is
already supported by a sufficient number of facts, obtained
with the concurrence of practitioners worthy to be believed, to
merit its being submitted by agriculturists to fresh and more
numerous experiments. In a word, I shall always believe in
the power of dung; but at the same time 1 believe for the
future we must look to chemical manures as a means of in-
creasing our crops, diminishing the price of returns, quickening
the circulation of capital, and, in short, rendering agriculture
more prompt and free in its progress. Either 1 am greatly
deceived, or a principal economical function of chemical
manures is to obtain surplus crops with no other expense of
production to repay than the purchase of the chemical
manures themselves. It is therefore evident that under
ordinary circumstances the difference between the price of the
surplus crop and the price of the additional manures must be
a great benefit to agriculture. Much is said about reforms
now-a-days : here is one which will at least be a good harvest
for everybody. E. Lecouteux.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

S25

ROOT CROPS AS A SOURCE OF IMPROVEMENT,
ENGLISH EXPERIENCE FOR THE BENEFIT OP AMERICANS.

Carrots, mangold wurzcls, swedes, and turnips will come to
be the renovation of American farming, as turnips and swedes
have been the salvation of English agriculture. A century
back there was not more root culture in England than there
is at the present day in America, and at that time farms there
were run down and exhausted. It was the fine old meadows
which were the main dependence of the farmers ; much of the
arable soil of the present day was at that time deemed too
light and poor to pay for cultivation. Wlieat was generally
grown after a regular summer's fallow, and manured by folding
the flock of sheep upon it every night from midsummer till
planting time ; beans, oats, and barley followed ;*after which a
fallow was again resorted to, as couch grass, docks, and other
weeds had once more gained the ascendaecy. Common turnips
were first grown and then the Swedish variety was introduced,
and the cultivation gradually extended till the admirable effects
of their consumption became so evident by the improvement of
the land, and the increased wealth of those who grew the best
crops of them, that the whole country became aware of the
importance of the extension and better cultivation of turnips ;
and about half-a-century since, the Scoteh had gained such an
advantage in growing them, that thousands of Scotch bailift's
were employed by the landowners of England, chiefly on
account of their superior management of the land for turnips
and their improved system of planting the crop. This was
done by ridging and drilling twenty-seven inches apart ; it was
then called the Scotch system, but has since become universal
for swedes in England, and nearly so for all other root crops.

Since the general cultivation of the turnip crop in England,
the whole system of agriculture has improved, and the land
is kept in a higher state of fertility in consequence of the
great increase of live stock, which, as a matter of course, aug-
ments the manure heaps ; and likewise because a thorough
cultivation and renovation ensues every time the turn for tur-
nips comes round. Now as the present manner of farming in
the east of America is bringing the land into about a similar
state to that of England a hundred years ago, excepting that
there is no established old grass land here to assist the worn-
out tillage, it would be a great blessing to the country if some
of our monied men in America would imitate the old English
esquires and titled gentry, by giving some examples of exten-
sive root culture for the benefit of their neighbours. But,
alas ! to show off the system to advantage, and make it accept-
able to those who have generally a prejudice against root cul-
ture on account of the expense, they would have to obtain a
good Scotch or English drill, that will distribute manure of
many kinds in a regular way, so as to save the lavish applica-
tion necessary when broadcasted ; and it would be necessary
to have a man accustomed to the cultivation on a large scale
and the feeding of the crop to advantage, which would per-
haps cause a faltering at the onset, for the whole bulk of
manure made on the farm would be required and probably
some other appliances also. The system of turnip and root
husbandry is to put the soil in such a high state of productive-
ness at the planting of the roots, that it will grow fuU crops
through the rotation which succeeds till roots are grown again.
However, when the West has been run over, and all the virgin
soil exhausted, there wiU come a time — and it may not be far
distant — when sheer necessity will compel this last resort of
wintering stock and keeping up the stamina of the land.
Then, too, as a means of saving the labour of hauling so
many roots into cellars, they wiU be covered in heaps in the
field, and moveable folds will be invented, which may be re-
moved in sections daily, by being taken apart and joined again
as quickly as the open hurdle pens are moved, and they will
be so constructed as to be sheltered and comfortable. Neces-
sity is the mother of invention, and my poor mind's eye can
already see a very simple and inexpensive, but thoroughly
comfortable pen, which would answer the purpose and save
the erection of the costly barns which are now used for sheep.
The hay could be built in ricks and thatched, the same as in

England, and cut as wanted for use with a cutting-knife,
without the slightest waste.

The growing of roots in America as extensively as in Eng-
land would cause the same change here as there. Therefore
it is in the power of any farmer with sufficient capital to farm
nearly the same as in England, and if he did so he would enjoy
one very decided advantage over the English, because his sur-
plus stock could be kept till spring, when it makes so much
more per pound in proportioc than it does in fall, and if he
grew more roots than his own stock would consume, he could
buy some which would pay a great deal more for eating them
tlian there. When the day comes that slieep are kept on the
laud in the way intimated, it will be a matter of great sur-
prise that no one commenced such an extraordinarily bene-
ficial system before, and should this article be published now,
some one, years hence, on looking over their back files
or volumes of the Gidtivaior, may exclaim, " I recollect
reading that, and thinking what a visionary that Englishman
was !" Already many are pondering on the necessity of im-
proved culture, and the adoption of some good system where-
by the land can be made more self-supporting, and the fertility
kept up by increased production instead of by the purchase of
foreign manure and resting or fallowing ; and here is that
system, for, with any common sense in a rotation in which
the root crop takes its turn, the productiveness may be in-
creased and permanently kept up, as by converting the chief
portion of the produce into wool and meat, the principal por-
tion of all abstracted from the land is returned, and the greater
the crop the larger the heaps of manure ; and by occasional
extra stimulation to the root crop, and eating the main
portion in the movable covered sheep-pen, the land
wiU be greatly enriched. By skilful application of
fertilizers, the atmosphere will feed the crop to a great
extent in its latter growth, and the return to the soil of
the droppings and urine of the sheep will strengthen the
soil far beyond what it has been weakened by the abstrac-
tion. Then the succeeding crops will be very heavy, and if
judiciously arranged in rotation, may be made to hold out fuU
yields till the turn for a thorough cultivation and manuring
comes round again. Let us suppose barley will be sown after
the turnip crop, and clover, &c., sown with it, that the clover
is mown the first year after and grazed the second, when it is
broken up and planted half in wheat in autumn and half in
corn the following spring, and the next year peas succeed the
wheat and oats the corn, which wiU be a six-course rotation.
Three hundred acres of arable land would be occupied as fol-
lows : 50 acres of roots, 50 of barley, 50 of first year's clover
and other grass, 50 of second year's grass, 50 half corn and
half wheat (at the next rotation, in six years' time, put wheat
where the corn grew and corn where the wheat grew), 50 in
peas and oats (35 acres each), which could be changed the
next six years. Thus the farm would hold out in good condi-
tion through the whole course, and this would be an excellent
rotation, and from experience I can state that the wheat and
barley might be sold, and if the rest was consumed on the
farm, the yield might be kept up to the following ratio :
1,500 bushels of corn, 1,000 of wheat, 1,000 of peas,
1,000 of oats, 2,000 of barley, and 30,000 bushels of roots,
which would enable such valuable quantities of live stock to
be wintered, that the spring sales of mutton and beef would
he very remunerating. In short, the profits might equal the
English farmer's, for though the labour is much higher here,
the heavy rental and taxation of England wiU about make that
up. Carrots stand drought much better than swedes, so that
it would be prudent to grow them here in greater proportion
than is done in England, and the cultivation of the land ought
to be proceeded with early in the fall, that there may be little
to do in the spring. The manure should also be hauled to
the ground during winter.— An Englishman, in American
Cultivator.

z3

326

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.
MEETING AT LEICESTER.

IMPLEMENT DEPARTMENT.

The novelties which were shown in the implement
yard could not be said to be numerous, although many
were important ; but this paucity of new things need uot
be wondered at, if one notes the tendency of late years in
agricultural engineering, which has been more in the
direction of improving old and established machines rather
than in that of introducing new. Be this as it may, we
may proceed to glance at the leading features of the im-
plement yard.

In connection with the saving of seed, we noticed
at the stand of the Messrs. Clayton and Shuttle-
worth, of Lincoln, a turnip-seed and manure distributor,
the invention of Mr. Gillyatt, a farmer of Lincolu-
shire, and which, this year at all events, had au interest
thrown around it arising from the curiously abnormal
weather with which we have been favoured. With
farmers it has long been a disputed point whether a
wet or moist seed-bed was more favourable for the turnip
crop than a dry one. Opinion is pretty much divided on
this point ; but if ever a season was adapted to put the
opinion of those who agree as to having a wet or moist
seed-bed to a crucial test, this certainly has been the
one. With a turnip-crop which has so universally failed
that it is no crop at all, it might be useful to know what
has been the result of the use of this machine. This
result may probably go some way in deciding the disputed
point ; for the machine is one which enables the turnip-
seed to be deposited in conjunction with manure in the
liquid condition, and which secures the wet or moist seed-
bed, which the inventor at least believes is an essential ele-
ment in the securing of a good crop of turnips. The liquid-
manure water and superphosphate or guano are kept in a
barrel-shaped receptacle, which is hung upon a hollow axle,
on the extremities of which the wheels are placed. The
hollow axle is bent up in this fashion within the barrel,

I I

and the liquid is lifted up by the rotation of the barrel —
secured by appropriate mechanism connected with the
driving-wheels — and, by a series of buckets with which
it is provided, delivered at the highest point to two
apertures, as at a a in the diagram, and from thence by
the hollow axle carried down to the points, h b, at which
the tubes arc placed, conveying the liquid to the coulter.
The seed is placed in a hopper, and is also led down by
tubes to the coulter-tube. The distance between the
tubes h b regulates the distance between the rows, and
this is capable of adjustment so as to make the intervals
wider or narrower as desired, giving twenty, twenty-five,
or twenty-seven inch spaces to the drills. Adjusted in
the way above described the machine deposits the seed
and manure in a continuous line in the drills ; but by
putting in connexion a simple contrivance of eccentric
and connecting-rod the aperture of the coulter-tube is
closed and opened at intervals, thus dropping the seed in
pockets or bunches dibble fashion.

Another seed- depositing machine for manual labour
is the drop-drill which was exhibited at the stand of

Morton and Turner, of Thetford, Norfolk. The arrange-
ment of this is at once simple and effective, and, withal,
secured at a moderate cost. The hopper for containing
the turnip-seed is placed at the end of a long
handle, and a small wheel is connected with it on
which the implement runs along the ground as it
is pushed along. The bottom of the hopper is per-
forated, to allow the seed to pass through. But this
is not continuous, but is at iutei-vals. This intervallic
movement is secured by providing a slide in front of the
aperture in the bottom of the hopper, to which a to-aud-
fro motion is given by very simple means. To the end of
the slide the end of a bell-crank lever is jointed, and the
other extremity of the lever is jointed to a small rod which
is bent up at the extremity, and the extreme end of which
comes in contact with a series of pins placed in the face of
a disc fixed to the small wheel on which the apparatus
runs.

A dibbling-machine adapted to the sowing of corn was
exhibited by Freer, of Rothley, Loughborough, Leices-
tershire, with considerable improvements. The dibbles
in this machine descend the earth vertically, but they are
not i)laced in frames which rise and fall in a right line ;
on the contrary, they are arranged in connection with
circirlar discs, or rather hollow wheels, four of which are
placed equidistantly on one central axle. As these discs
revolve, the dibbles are pushed out through apertures in
the periphery of the discs, or hollow wheels, as these
reach the lowest point in their revolution — that is, when
the apertures come in contact with the soil. The dibbles,
or " planters" as the inventor calls them, are hollow, and
are connected with the seed-hopper, from which the seed
is passed down the hollows of the dibbles, as soon as
those assume the vertical position. Each " planter" is
provided with a piston, which exactly tills up the aperture
of the " planter," and prevents soil from entering it
when at its lowest point. When the "planter" has
penetrated the soil to the depth required for depositing
the seed, an arm, which projects from the piston at right-
angles, and passes through and along a groove made in the
side of the planter, is struck, and the piston is made to
descend upon the planter and allow the seed to drop into
the hole in the soil. The arrangements, which are too
complicated to describe here fully without the aid of
diagrams, are very ingenious, and are well calculated to
aid the end in view ; but a dibbing machine, adapted
to small as well as large occupations, and made at a
moderate price, has yet to be produced. It is one of the
problems of the future, and its solution may be looked
forward to with some degree of interest, as there can be
no doubt of this, that so far as meeting the physiological
requirements of our cereal plants is concerned, dibbling
is just as far ahead of drilling as drilling is in advance
of broadcast.

The present year has been and is one vyhich was and is
remarkably well adapted to show the immense power
which the farmer now possesses in the mowing, and es-
pecially in the reaping machine, in enabling him to cut
down quickly his crops of various kinds. So rapidly
and so simultaneously have all the crops ripened
in some districts, and so closely have they
all been presented to the urgent notice of the farmer, that
he may consider himself happy who has more than one

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

327

reaping machine at work. In this department there can
scarcely be said that there was anything, in the strict
sense of the term, of a novelty exhibited, the cares of the
makers being more given to the perfecting of their various
machines ; but in this respect we may state generally
that progress was very satisfactorily exemplified. One
thing could not help striking the visitors, who themselves
were dwelling under the heat of an almost tropical sun,
how necessary it is to have reaping machines self-acting in
all their movements, so as to dispense with manual labour.
Even viewed in its philanthropic aspects, the matter is of
great importance, for it is distressing to witness men
working hard, and for a range of hours, under the hot
burning sun. The whole tendency of improvement in this
direction is to reduce manual labour to a minimum.

A season such as this, moreover, brings very forcibly
to one's mind that the engineer has yet new paths to
follow up, in which aids to labour may be invented, and
much toil in the field saved. One has only to travel
through the districts which it has been our lot to traverse
this week, to sec in the tremendous breadth of corn lying
cut, and waiting to be carried, that, to make the matter
perfect, machinery should be brought to aid the farmer in
quickly housing as well as quickly cutting his grain.
I'or to merely cut the grain, and then allow it to lie ex-
posed to such evil iuiluences as our uncertain climate too
often brings with it, is very much like the work of a
mariner who, at infinite cost and pains, navigates his
vessel up to the harbour, but is prevented by some
difficulty from entering. When ready, the quicker the
grain is housed the better. Many a farmer knows this,
but deplores he cannot do more than what he knows
to be the maximum of his labour. Hence it is that this
year there is a more than usual interest attached to that
class of contrivance which has been working itself up
into considerable prominence of late years — namely, that
which proposes to help the farmer to stack his corn. A
novelty in this way is the apparatus exhibited by Messrs.
Amies and Barford, and for which a silver medal was
awarded at the Show. This apparatus is adapted to the
stacking of hay as well as of corn; and the whole
arrangements are well designed, mechanism being used in
place of manual labour wherever it can be.

But useful as such appliances are, and greatly desired
as their increased use is, it was in another direction of
labour-saving mechanism by which the housing of the
crops could be facilitated that we pointed in our remarks
above, and which was prompted by models exhibited in
the yard. This direction is the removing of the crops
from the field by other than the ordinary mode of horse-
power ; and as more than one engineer are directing their
attention to the subject, we may see it some day realized.
One, and perhaps the most obvious, mode of quickly re-
moving the crops from the field, is an adaptation of the
railway system ; and this was exemplified in the portable
railway exhibited by Grant, Love Lane, Bankside,
Southwark, London. In this the arrangements are very
simple. The direction of the rails and the width of their
" gauge" — that is, the distance between them — are re-
gulated by laying down light iron gauges upon the ground.
Upon these the rails rest ; these being made of red deal
timber, some sixteen feet in length, and cut so as to pre-
sent a base broader than the surface of the rail. The
rails are secured together in line by a very simple joint,
the end of one rail being provided with a tongue, which
passes into a groove made in the end of the other and
contiguous rail. The weight of the passing carriage or
truck locks the rail fast together. The whole are easOy
laid down and as easily taken up. The turntables are in-
geniously made, so as to be level with the line of rails,
and yet do not require to have special beds or foundations
made for them. They are made of wrought and cast iron,

and give each four lines of rails, diverging at different
angles. The trucks used in the system are arranged with
special ends in view, so as to be easily loaded and easily
emptied. The power of horses is used to remove the
trucks, of which a good number cau be moved by one
horse. There is of course no difficulty in employing the
power of a small traction engine.

The other model which we have above referred to, is
illustrative of a totally different principle of operation,
and although it was exhibited with reference to steam
cultivation, it is applicable to the purposes now under
consideration. This model was exhibited by Fisken, of
Stamfordham, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and illustrates the
principle of communicating the power of a steam-
engine by the medium of a light rope running at a
high velocity. It is right to state that eminent en-
gineers— markedly those of the Continent — are paying
considerable attention to this principle, and several plans
are now in operation, with marked success. In the
patent granted to the Messrs. Fisken a special claim is
made for the application of the system to the hauling of
carts. The light or drawing rope passes from the steam
engine, which may be stationed at any convenient place,
over pulleys, a small flying capstan being used to take up
the slack rope, and carried to the windlass, which works
the implement or hauls the cart. The light rope passes
round a drum, to which it gives motion. The axis of the
drum carries pinions, each of which gears into other
pinions, which give motion to a large spur wheel, upon
the axle of which the drum is fixed, round which the wire
rope hauling the cart or implement is passed. Engineers
who have fuUy studied the difficulties of the case state
that they have every reason to believe that these difficul-
ties may be overcome, so that we may yet
see the power of a steam engine placed at
a considerable distance from the field — -as at the home-
stead— taken off so as to greatly facilitate the removal of
its crops. The circle of mechanical appliances to the
various demands of field-labour would then be complete ;
and we should be able to begin the operations by culti-
vating the soil, 2)reparing it for crops, and finally carting
them quickly oft', all by the potent power of steam. "When
all this will be realized it is difficult to say : it is easier
for us now to confess our belief that it will some day be
realized.

Before dismissing the department of field implements
and machines, we would draw attention to the new
form of field roller exhibited by Nicholson, of
Newark. The principal feature of this is that the
roller is enclosed in or works within a circular iron
frame. This frame is made double, so to say — that
is, there are two frames, one the upper, working upon
the lower. To the upper frame, or moveable frame, the
shafts are attached, and the frame cau be made to move
round the lower one, so as to enable the direction of
motion of the roller to be changed without moving the
roller itself — the horse sim])ly walking round till the
position of the shafts is changed, when they can be
retained in the new position by checks or lever catches,
similar to those used in railway turn-tables. The action
of the roller as an abrading or crushing power would
be increased if it was made in one or more sections in
place of one length, thus inducing a dificrential move-
ment; and this abrading or crushing action would
be still more increased if these sectional rings or rollers
were made to move over the land at an angle or oblique to
the line of draught. And this obliquity of action could be
very easily carried out in this new frame of Mr.
Nicholson's, by having lever catches at different points
of it, so that the shafts could be placed at any angle with
relation to the frame.

Under the section of corn dressing or cleaning

328

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

machiaes several good examples were met with in the
yard. That exhibited by Hornsby, of Grantham, is
2)ossessed of great simplicity, inasmuch as the mechani-
cal movements more or less complicated for the adjust-
ment of the distances between the wires are dispensed
with; and this by simply using a continuous wire or
wires to make up the cylindrical rotating screen, and set-
ting the wires not at right angles to the line of axis, but
obliquely to this ; by this arrangement the wires act as a
species of spring, and by means of a simple screw move-
ment the required degree of expansion and contraction
of the wires is secured. In the rotating corn screen exhi-
bited by Ransome and Sims, an ingenious yet simple
arrangement is introduced, by which the relative dis-
tances between the wires is secured. This contrivance
consists in having two sets of wires, one of whieh passes
between the interstices of the other set, the adjustment
being made by working a small eccentric by a handle at
the end of the screen. The rotating corn screen of the
Messrs. Penney, of Lincoln, is also possessed of some
ingenious points, by which the distance between the wires
is regulated. The wires composing the screen or cylinder
are united to a series of strong spiral springs which are
parallel to the main axis, and which are placed at in-
tervals in the circumference of the screen. As these
spiral springs are compressed they carry with them the
wires whieh make up the screen and bring them closer
together -. in the release of the springs the wires open up.
The mode by which the springs are compressed and
released is ingenious. The cylinder or wire screen is
placed between two discs, one at each end, and which
are placed in the main axle; this axle is hollow, and
carries within it a screw. To the ends of this screw are
provided nuts which have spring arms extending fi-om
them, the other ends of these arms being connected to
the discs above named, and which carry the spiral springs
to which the wires of the screw are fixed. By turning
the internal screw of the central hollow axle in one
direction, the nuts are brought nearer to each other, or
are made to move towards the centre of the lenght of the
screen, and by this means bring the discs closer to each
other with the spiral springs and the wires. By tui'ning
the handle in the other direction, the nuts of the central
screw recede from each other, and allow the spiral springs
to widen out and carry with them at the same iime the
wires of the screen.

In the department of straw cutters, Richmond and
Chandler exhibit a machine with some improvements —
one of which is a very ingenious arrangement, by which
two lengths of cut can be obtained without stopping the
machine or introducing change wheels. The central or
main driving shaft, which carries the ily-wheel with its
cutting-knives, has near the back of the machine a casting
which forms two bevil-wheels, one of which is of less
diameter than the other, the small wheel being in advance
of the large. The lying shaft, which runs at right-angles
to the main shaft, and which communicates motion to the
feed-rollers, has keyed on it a bevil-wheel, which, when
gearing with the bevil-wheel on the main shaft, gives the
quick motion to the lying shaft, and by conveyance to the
feed-rollers which thus pass out the long cut. The slow
motion is thus provided for : the lying shaft carries a
sliding clutch which is bell-shaped or hollow, the hollow
part sliding over and covering the smaU bevil-wheel which
gives the quick motion when in gear with the bevil-wheel
on the main shaft. The outside rim of the clutch is
formed into a bevil-wheel which gears w-ith the large
bevil-wheel on the main shaft when the clutch is brought
forward, thus giving the slow motion to the feed-
rollers which thus pass out the short cut. The clutch
when out of gear with the bevil-wheel on the main
shaft revolves loosely, and communicates no motion to

the lying shaft. To put the bevil-wheel over the lying
shaft in and out of gear with the bevil-wheel on the
main shaft, the lying shaft has a certain amount of play
given to it in its bearings, so that it can be moved
to the right hand or to the left as desired. As this would
under ordinary circumstances throw the pinion on its
outer extremity out of gear with the spur-wheel which
drives the feed-roller, the teeth of the pinion are
lengthened, so that when the shaft is moved laterally the
teeth still engage with those of the spur-wheel. Another
improvement in this machine is the having the pressui'e
of the mouth-piece regulated by springs, which allow of
an easy adjustment of the thickness of the material
passing through to be cut. And the way in which in this
machine the material, as the straw or hay, is fed to the
rollers is another and a great improvement, and one
which we are surprised has never before been applied to
the straw-cutting machine, seeing it has for so long been
applied with singular success to the feeding of our textile
machines. The plan is simply the adaptation of an end-
less revolving apron, upon which the straw or hay is
placed, and by the movement of the apron — this being
secured by very simple means — it is gradually taken up to
the feed-rollers which lay hold of it by their serrated
teeth ; this plan is infinitely superior to the solid-
bottomed hopper or trough, which requii-ed the assistance
of a man to press-in and keep-up the supply of material
to the feed-roller. This was often the cause of serious
accidents, which need not occur with the self-feeding aproa
of the machine now under notice.

AUcock, of Ratclifte-on-Trent, Nottingham, exhibited
a straw-cutter, which had a simple arrangement for
changing the length of cut. The back or lying shaft is
provided with two pinions of different diameters and con-
nected to a sliding-clutch, which is moved to and fro
upon the shaft by means of a lever handle ; according as
the clutch is moved, one or other of the pinions gear with
spur-wheels keyed on to another shaft, and which con-
veys the motion to the feed-rollei's. In both of the
machines now noticed the mechanism gives only two
cuts, but by using in addition change wheels other two
lengths may be obtained.

IMany people doubtless examined the disintegrator of
Carr, of Bristol, yet did not take notice or perceive the
novel principle of its action, a principle essentially
different from that of the usual mode of disintegrating
substances by grinding them or rubbing and abrading
them. In Mr. Carr's machine the material is broken-up
while suspended in the air, being there struck by one of
the bars of the apparatus, or by another piece of material.
By this principle the mere weight of the material to be
broken and its hardness are made to act as important
elements in breaking it up or in disintegrating it. The
apparatus consists of three revolving cages one within the
other and all radiating from a central or common shaft.
Each cage is made up of two solid disked ends, which are
connected by horizontal bars stretching from one disc to
the other. The cage is thus perfectly open at the circum-
ference, with the exception of the very narrow bars which
joiu the discs. By an ingenious arrangement of hollow
axles and cross belts, the thi-ee cages have movements in
opposite directions, and a very high speed is given to
them. The material, as superphosphate, guano, &c., is
put into a hopper which leads it to the interior of the
innermost cage ; as the material is kept whirling round,
and by the centrifugal force made to fly outwards, it meets
the bars and is sbtruck by them ; still passing outwards, it
is met by the bars of the second cage revolving in an
opposite direction ; stQl passing outwards, in virtue of the
centrifugal force generated by the high velocity of the
cages, it is met by the bars of a thii-d cage, which revolve
in a different direction, and is finally passed iato a re-

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINi^.

329

ceptacle formed by a space left betweea the outer casing
aud the third revolving cage.

Whether the subject of water supply has this year had
greater prominence given to it than usual on account of
the extraordinary dry vfeather we have had for so long a
time, we know not ; but certain it is that the show-yard
was possessed of an unusually rich collection of hydraulic
apparatus. Probably the most popular apparatus of this
department was the American tube-well, which, however,
is no longer so called, but glories in the fresh title of the
" Abyssinian well." The principle upon which this
system works is simple enough, it consisting merely in the
driving of a hollow wrought-ii'on tube into the soil, until
the water is reached, which passes into the tube through
apertui'cs at the foot, and is pumped up in the usual way ;
or, if the tube strikes an appropriate source, the water is
forced up to the ground level or above it in the artesian -
well fashion. The tube thus sunk into the soil is made
of wrought-iron, aud has its lower end or foot steel-
pointed and provided with apertures, which allow the
water to pass into the interior. The tube is driven into
the soil in the same way as piles ai'e driven — a small ram
or monkey passing over the outside of the tube, and
which when lifted up, falls upon the top of a clamp,
which is attached to the tube. This clamp is made to
embrace the tube by being made in two halves, which are
bolted together at any part of the tube desired ; and in
order to enable the clamp to take a good grip of the sur-
face of the tube, it is made serrated or ribbed in the inner
surface. As the tube is made to descend, and the clamp
is thus brought nearer to the soU, it is removed and
placed further up the tube. If more than one length of
tube is required to be sunk, another tube is screwed into
the head of the tube first sunk. The monkey or ram is
raised by means of ropes or chains, which are attached
at each side of the top sm-face to swings ; the ropes or
chains are led upwards and passed over puUeys, which
revolve at the end of a clamp, which is secured to the
upper extremity of the tube, as the fall of the monkey
will be lessened as the tube is forced into the ground.
Mr. Norton, the patentee, La Belle Sauvage Yard, Lud-
gate HiU, London, has introduced a new mode of sinking
the tubes, using a tripod which supports the pulley for
the monkey or ram at an invariable height, thus obviating
the necessity of removing the pulley clamp at inteivals.
To this tripod, when large tubes have to be sunk, a very
ingenious apparatus is fixed, having for its object the
keeping or holding down of the tubes to their work of
penetrating the soil, it being found in practice that where
the tubes are large there is a reaction under the impact
of the monkey or ram which gives the tendency to rise
up. To prevent this a cross-head is apphed to the top
of the tube, and to the end of this "accumulators" are
suspended made up of iron plates and india-rubber bands.
Chains are taken from the lower ends of the accumulators,
and led down and passed over pulleys fixed to the end of
two deals which lie upon the ground, and then taken to
a small crab or winch. By giving this a turn or two a
steady pressm-e is put upon the cross-head and the tube,
keeping tliis well to its work, and preventing aU rebound.
When the tube strikes water in a quicksand, the sand is
prevented from being passed up and choking the apertures
and pump by having an internal perforated pipe at the
foot of the outer tube, the space between the two tubes
being filled with a coil of wke gauze, which acts as a
filtering machine. The apertures in the foot of the pipe
in some cases get blocked up with clay, which cannot be
got out by the working of the ordinary pump attached to
the top of the tube ; but in this case water at high pres-
sure is forced down the tube, which clears the apertures.
The main featiu'e of this system is the rapidity with which
water is obtained : a tube seventeen feet in length has

been sunk in fom-teen minutes, and in five minutes more
the pump was attached and was drawing water. The
system is of course only applicable in soils which are easily
penetrated— smaU stones are pushed aside or broken up
by the steel point of the tube, but rock or large stones
cannot be penetrated. In correction of this disadvantage,
Warner, of Cripplegate, exhibited his tube-well system, iu
which the tube is sunk into au aperture made in the
ground by an adaptation of the ordinary boring tackle.

A large number of pumps was exhibited of various
designs; the greatest novelty being a chain pump by
Hunt and Pickering. This is distinguished by great
simplicity of parts, yet by an effectiveness in work-
ing very striking. The pump, if indeed it can be called
a pump, consists of an endless chain, to which a series
of flat iron discs are attached at intervals ; this chain
works over pulleys, one at the top of the tube, up which
the water is lifted, the other submerged in the water.
The discs are a little less in diameter than the tube, up
which they pass in succession as the chain is made to re-
volve ; and a very slow speed raises a large quantity of
water.

Owen, of Whitefriars, London, exhibited one of
their centrifugal pumps, the patent of Mr. Bernay, iu
which the revolving fan is entirely relieved from the
pressure of the water on its outer surfaces, a fertile
som-ceofloss of power, this being secured in a way as
simple as it is effective by merely turning or facing accu-
rately the working surfaces, so that they work in close
contact— the edges of the fau and the part of the casing
against which they bear. Messrs. Owen also exhibited
a form of hydraulic ram, an apparatus which we would like
to see more extensively used in the rural districts, as it is
a cheap and effective mode of raising water from a low to
a high level, thus securing a supply at pressure which
may be made available for a variety of purposes on the
farm, even for the working of a small turbine, by which
the small machines, as the straw cutters and the like, may
be worked. A.uother advantage obtained by a supply of
water at pressure is its use in cases of fire. This desi-
deratum is proposed to be met in another way by the
Messrs. Owen, by the use of a steam pump, which is
exceedingly compact. In this, all the working barrels and
cylinders are horizontal, the pump being at one end and
the cylinder which works it being at the other end of
the frame which supports them. Messrs. Taugye
Brothers and Holman, 10, Lawrence Pountney Lane,
London, also exhibit a simple and effective form of double-
action piunp. In this there are two pistons or plungers,
working in horizontal barrel, these work alternately, and
thus keep up a continuous supply ; the suction valves are
placed at the ends of the barrel, and are easUy examined
by simply taking off the covers.

A very interesting department of the show-yard was
that occupied by the seeds, manures, and feeding stuffs.
The nature of the two latter materials precludes the possi-
bility of making the stands at which they are shown at-
tractive ; although in one case a manufacturer of feeding
stuffs made a dazzling display, not of the " stuff's" he
sold, but of a number of silver cups which he proposes to
give to those who use them in practice aud under cer-
tain conditions.

NOTES UPON NOVELTIES.

The most careless visito]? to the implement yard
at Leicester could not fail to be struck with the
nmuber merely of the machines and implements there
exhibited, to say nothing of the variety in their forms,
from which he would be able very readily to deduce
the fact that such a variety of apparatus involved the
corresponding truth that the operations of practical

330

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

I'arming were exceediugly mitneroiis. This would,
however, be the result of a mere outside visw of
the matter, and would not be, nor is justified by the
truth. For it is perhaps the most correct way to put the
matter to say that the operations of farming are not so
numerous, but that the modes in which those operations
are proposed to be done are numerous, varying as the
opinions of practical men, and in reality found to vary as
to the way in which the operations should be done.
And it also further happens that the varieties met with
in practice arc not merely the result of some men being
desirous to be different from others ; but from this fact —
that circumstances of soil, climate, and locality demand
changes in the mode of working and meeting them.
Hence arises one of the circumstances which so thoroughly
and completely astonish those not practically acquainted
with agricultural processes — namely, the strange diver-
sities of opinion which exist amongst farmers,
diversities which do not exist in connection with other
sciences. But the reason is at once obvious, even on a
very cursory review of the point ; and is indeed explained
in what we have alluded to — namely that the differences
in locality, climate and soil, which are found to exist in
ever- varying shades throughout the country, bring about
and are the cause of those ever-varying shades of
diffei'encc in practice. It is extremely probable, how-
ever, that this wide difference in the practice of farming,
as characterizing the agriculture of this country as
a whole, will be much removed and speedily reduced
to a minimum through the agency of improved modes
of working and the introduction of improved machinery
by which those modes will be carried out.

r^o one could thoughtfully examine the work done
by the steam cultivators in the trial lield, and the
machinery by which this work was done, without
being struck with this — that the soil was turned up and
left to lie under the best possible circumstances calculated
to allow the atmospheric influence the best of all cul-
tivators, to act upon the whole mass, and to leave it,
after an autumn and a winter, in that condition in
which very little working of other implements would be
necessitated. Wherever deep and careful stirring of the
soil has been carried) out, there the after-implements are
not used much — some not at all. With a fine tilth
brought about by the exposure to the rain, air, and sun-
light, little need there is for clod-crushers and the like :
the simplest implements only are required, and little
work even from them is demanded. And in view of the
advantages of turning up the soil in this way, we are of
those who believe that the future of the steam cultivator
is in giving depth, not merely a power to run over a
certain and a large surface of land. We arc no believers
in this scratching power of steam. In place of the maxi-
mum of surface with a minimum of depth, which some
deem of such high importance, we would simply reverse
these conditions, and say. We shall be content with the
minimum of surface if you only give us the maximum of
depth. The powers of fertility lie hidden in the depths
of the soil. A grand lesson is conveyed in the fable
of the old man, who told his sons that a field he left to
them contained, hidden below its surface, a vast supply
of gold ; but kept back a knowledge of what part this was
to be found in. The sons began to dig, and better dig
the field, digging deep moreover, always in the hope of
turning up the supplies of the precious metal. This was
never found ; but in the after highly-increased fertility of
the field thus so deeply dug, the truth began to dawn
upon them that they indeed had struck a mine of wealth
iis good as gold. Hundreds of years have rolled over the
heads of men since this fable "first was uttered, yet we
iiave scarce begun to see the lesson of value which it con-
tains. Tor years and years we have contented ourselves

by merely scratching the surface of the fields, and endea-
voured by all sorts of expedients to maintain the ferti-
lity of the oft-used soil, which could have been at once
supplanted by bringing up from below, which are ia
reality, the hidden treasures of the soil. True, it may be
said, and to a large extent truly said, that this deep dig-
ging could not be done : the mechanical appliances at
hand were not fitted for the work, and the cost of doing
it by the exercise of patient manual labour was so much
as to be entirely prohibitive. But now all this is altered;
with steam we have a power to which, indeed, there is
scarcely a practical limit ; and to those who are desirous
to avail themselves of it, we would say, " Dig deep, the
gold lies low;" the same lesson, indeed, which the old man
in the fable wished to teach his sons. In saying this, and so
clearly expressing our opinion that the future usefulness
of the steam plough, or cultivator, is in the depth of cul-
tivable soil which it will give us, rather than in its power
to run lightly over the surface, we by no means ignore
or overlook the objection made to the bringing up of the
lower soil, which is so often made by those who believe
that by bringing the subsoil up, you do not add to the
fertility, but rather tend to impoverish the upper soil,
which has been so long in cultivation. But in carrying
out deep cultivation, it is worth while remembering that
there are two modes of carrying out a system — a right
way, and a wrong way ; and we do not hesitate to say
that in neai-ly all cases where deep culture has been pro-
ductive of evil consequence, it has been because it was
done in the wrong way. There is still all the difi'erence
between cultivating deep in the right way, and cultivating
deep in the wrong way. Again, it does not follow that
because you cultivate the soil deeply, you therefore
bring up the subsoil and mix it with the upper soil ;
deep culture may, and, indeed docs, involve deep stirring
of, without bringing up to the surface the subsoil, just as
to be sure on the contrary it does mean deep breaking up
of the subsoil, and bringing this up to the surface,
and mixing it with the old soil. This is not the place to
enter into a detailed statement as to what deep cul-
ture really is, suffice it to say, that in deep culture, properly
done, lies the future, we believe, of our agriculture, and in
the ability to do it cheaply and well lies the future of
the steam cultivating machinery. This was one of the
thoughts most strikingly suggested to our minds, by what
we saw in the trial fields of Leicester. And another was
connected — the wonderfully wide extension of the principle
of grubbing or smashing up (as it is now frequently, if
not very elegantly called) the soil, in place of turning
it over with the plough. It is very suggestive to trace
the history of the application of this system of working,
the type of which is to be met with in the old-fashioned
harrow ; to note how very slowly it was taken up, how
suspiciously it was looked upon for long, and how remark-
able was the extent of its use after a certain point in its
history had been reached. Nor is it less suggestive to
note how dependent this system of working the soil was
upon another department of farm work — namely, the deep
or thorough-draining of it. Without the deep draining
of the soil we should never have been able to work the
grubbing system of stirring it. The extension or rather
the completion of the one led to the extension of the other.
The grubbing or smashing-up system is only appli-
cable) we here name the term in its strictest sense,
namely, as truly and directly apphcable) — to the
working of dry, or at least drained soils. Under the
old regime, when the plough reigned supreme and brooked
no rivals near its throne, and when the water was not
taken from the land, but the land was lifted out so to say
from the water, an astonishingly complex series of ope-
rations were necessitated to make the soil fitted for a
seed-bed, and the depth of this seed-bed was, from the

THE FAEMBE'S MAGA^IlSfE.

331

nature of the circumstances, necessarily limited. But as
soon as the system of land drainage had been well carried
out, the system of land preparation, by means other than
the plough, was within the reach of the farmer ; this
means being the grubbing or smashing up system. And
any one quietly examining the work in this department
which the steam-cultivating systems at Leicester did,
would have no great difficulty to see that through the
means of this system the farmer will henceforth be able to
reach effects, which he might have dreamed of before^
but which under the olden times he could never have
realised. The considerations suggested by the rapid ex-
tension of the system of grubbing or smashing up the
soil are really of the highest importance, and it is worthy
of note that they are becoming daily more so, and we
confess that we should like to see them taken up by the
Royal Society. This is, we believe, fully necessary ; for it
is a curious fact, that already some practical men are
beginning to object to the system, because they say it
affects the fertility of the soil. This certainly seems to
us a very remarkable and utterly unexpected, and should
further say unexplainable result of the system. It comes,
does such an objection, with all the force of such an
utterly unexpected thing, that at present we can do no
more than state that it has been made. All the experience
we know of, is precisely in the opposite direction.

While in the department of steam-cultivation, we may
here note that two machines connected with it, and ex-
hibited in the showyard at Leicester, raised up subjects
both for retrospective and prospective thought. One was
a steam-cultivating apparatus, exhibited by Mr. Charles
Harratt, of Nottingham ; the other, Comstock's rotary
^ spader, exhibited by the manufacturer, Mr. Porter, of
Lincoln. Let us glance at the arrangements of Mr.
Ilanatt's apparatus in the first place ; and let us premise
that however good the principle of the apparatus may be
thought by the inventor, his engine by no means did the
principle justice in the mechanical arrangements by which
the principle was pi'oposed to be carried out, or in the
workmanship of the details. And here we may note,
as worthy of some consideration, that in both the
cases of the inventors now under notice, the term
" spader" is used with the prefix rotary, meaning thereby
no doubt rotatory— a very different thing by the way —
the term being used with a very singular inversion of
the work really done by a spader, the operation of which
is essentially distinct from anything like a rotatoi-y move-
ment ; one and only one movement, of the spade as
ordinarily used approaching a circular — that namely, in
which the lifted slice is turned over, and that done by a
quadrantal movement ; all the other movements are right-
lined. Now, in the machines under notice the movements
are essentially circular, and bring about a condition of
soil decidedly diiferent from that brought about by the
use of the spade. Rotatory cultivation partakes largely
of the abrading or rubbing down of the soil, very little
of the turning over or inversion which is the distinguish-
ing characteristic of the spade and of the plough, just as
" prizing off," raising up, or displacing, is the character-
istic of the grubber or cultivator. Now this abrading
or rubbing action is peculiarly that of the apparatus of Mr.
Harratt. The cultivating part of the apparatus is made
up of a shaft working horizontally at the back of a rect-
angular frame, at the other end of which is a steam-
boiler, the engine being placed midway between the two.
The shaft, which lies at right angles to the line of
draught of the apparatus while at work, carries a series
of radial arms, which carry in turn what the inventor
calls spades, but which are simply-open sided scoops, or
pieces of wrought-iron bent into a claw shape. As the
shaft revolves these are brought into contact with the soil,
and tear it down, abrade, and throw it up in a pulverized

condition ; that is, such is the work which is claimed for
it. The reader acquainted with what has been already
done in the way of rotatory cultivating apparatus will
see that this principle of working may be looked
upon as a modification of that of Mr. Romaine, of
which so much was heard, and not a little to the high
credit of the inventor seen, some years ago. There are
some ingenious arrangements by which the power of the
engine is at once taken off to the cultivating drum with-
out the intervention of the connecting-rod and crank
usually adopted; although we believe that there will
be more loss of power with these than if the inventor
had used the old-established modes of communicating
motion. The boiler was on Field's principle, which we
have described pretty fully. The apparatus of Mr.
Comstock consists of a series of tines, which are attached to
levers radiating from a central axis, and which, as the im-
plement is di-agged over the land by horses, enterthe ground,
tear it up, and throw it backwards. By a very ingenious
arrangement of side bars, in which are made eccentric
paths or grooves, the levers as they come round in succes-
sion are presented perpendicularly, so that they are in the
best position to enter the ground, and after tearing up the
soil they leave it in the same way, the action being very
similar to that form of paddle for steam-boats in which
what is called " feathering" is adopted. A very slight
consideration of the mode of action of these two ma-
chines, as indeed may be said of all rotatory movements
in cultivating implements, which possess more of the
characteristics of action of the tearing, scraping, or
abrading action of the mole than of the boring and turn-
ing over action of the snout of the pig, which may be
taken as the prototype of the plough ; we say that a very
slight examination of the rotatory principle will show
that it can only be in certain soils and in certain con-
ditions of soil that they will work — that is, work satisfac-
torily and economically — the type of such soils being met
with in a loamy soil which is in a fine state of tilth, and
therefore easily torn up, abraded, or pidverized. In close
adhesive soils of that tenacious bird-limy, bricky charac-
ter so often met with, the principle of rotatory action
will not be found a good one. If inventors of rotatory
cultivating machines would only bear in mind what we
consider an eminently sound principle in agricultural
mechanics, that certain forms or arrangements are only
calculated to do work under certain conditions of ma-
terial upon which they operate, they would have a much
better chance of success. But they generally claim too
much for their apparatus — claim a power to do work with
them for which they arc altogether unlitted ; hence when
attempting such work they fail, and hence also an amount
of prejudice is raised against tliem, with which few ma-
chines can be found to compete, and which, as the history
of agricultural mechanism has shown, they have not been
in practice able to compete ; for of all the machines of
this class which have been exhibited, none now take a
place in the list of machines in practical use in the agri-
culture of the day. A striking exemplification of this
was met with at Leicester, for Comstock's rotatory
spader was tried, or rather attempted to be tried, in a soil
and under circumstances for which it was not in any way
fitted. Better far would it have been for the interests
of the inventor had the exhibitor declined to compete,
pointing out to the judges the reason of his declining, and
why those reasons Avere very potent ones. One advantage
would thus have been obtained, for the judges would have
had put before them a point which all judges do not
seem to be aware of; that there is really a philosophy, the
principles of which dictate the terms in which implements
and machines can alone do their work. Had this truth
been thought of, in years gone by, the registration of very
stultifying results might have been avoided, results which

332

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

have retarded in no small degree the progress of agricul-
tural macMnery. Judges at agricultural trials should
be able to take broad comjjreheusive views of the
machines which they examine, the work they are fitted
to do, and whether that work is needed, whether it is an
inevitable adjunct of certain circumstances of farming,
or whether the work is necessitated only by the necessi-
ties of a false or unsound system of operation, and from
all this generalization to deduce particular principles
which would guide or have a tendency to guide futui-e
progress. Then all this, and more than this, for time
would fail us if we attempted to name all other points,
should be clearly debated in reports issued immediately
after the shows — reports in reality, not in name, as too
many of the published reports are. We have no hesita-
tion in sayiag that the reports published in magazines
and journals interested in agricuHure are infinitely
superior to the ofiicial reports of societies, both in the
minute detail of mechanical description, and in what we
may call philosophical deductions and remarks. A very
great reform indeed is needed in the pi'esent judging and
official reporting system, and this is one of the thoughts
suggested to us by the Leicester show.

In the great trials of steam cultivating apparatus,
which will mark for some time the Leicester Meeting,
the two great systems of the " direct-action" and the
" roundaboat" were alone represented : that of the rotatory
— as may have been gathered from what we said in
discussing some of the points of that principle — was not
represented. Much may be said on both sides. But be
this as it may, we pass ou to notice here a form of " wind-
lass" which as an adjunct to the roundabout system is
worthy of notice here, namely, that exhibited by Mr. Ed-
ward Hayes, of Stony-Stratford. The main objects — and it
must be confessed that they are highly important, indeed
all-important ones — are, first, the economization of labour
in working the windlass, getting rid of the service of one
skilled labourer or workman, the man attending the engine
being fully able to overtake the working of the windlass ;
and second, the economization of time in working the
cultivator, the signalling being dispensed with, and
time saved at the headlands in changing the dii-ection of
the implement and adjusting the anchors, the motion of
the cultivator being continuous. How Mr. Hayes obtains
these desiderata, we shall now explain. The winding-
drums are placed on a shaft in the centre of a rectangular
framing of wrought iron, and which is supported on four
wheels by which the windlass is transported from place to
place. This frame encloses all the working parts, so that
there is no possibility of any accident taking place by the
attendant being caught by the rope or by the gearing of
the windlass. In the centre of the main shaft or axle —
which runs in the dii'cction of the length of the frame —
is a pulley running loose on the axle : close ou each side of
this is another pulley of the same diameter, but which
is iLxed to its corresponding drum. There are thus tvfo
winding-di'ums and two fixed pulleys attached one on each
side of the central loose running-pulley. When the
engine is not at work the di'iving-strap, taken
direct from the fly-wheel of the steam-engine,
works upon this loose pulley ; but by shifting
the strap — by means presently to be described —
to either one pulley or the other fixed to the drum, one
of the drums is either made to wind up, dragging the
cultivator, or to unwind, giving out the " slack " rope;
and this goes on so long as the driving-strap remains
upon the fixed puUey. How this shifting of the driving-
strap from loose pidley to fixed pulley and drum is done
we now describe. Parallel to the main shaft or axle
upon which the drums and pulleys are hung, a flat bar is
placed, and made to slide to and fro upon the framing.
This flat bar has springs provided, the action of which is

to keep the bar in such a position — when not acted upoH
by any external force — that its ceptral part is always
opposite to the loose pulley ; and at this point is the guide
which leads the driving-strap ; nominally, therefore, the
strap and the bar are always in one position, and that
position places the driving-strap upon the loose pulley.
The flat bar at one end is furnished with a handle ; and,
near this, three notches are cut in its face, which notches
take in to a stud fixed in the frame. When the bar is
moved along by the handle, so as to place one of the notches
upon the stud, the driving-strap guide is brought away
from its central position, and placed opposite one of the
fixed pulleys, and therefore passed on to it, and the di-um
begins to move, and keeps moving so long as the stud is
in that particular notch. By moving the bar by the
handle, and relieving the notch from the stud, it flies —
by means of the springs — into its nominal position, and
places the driving-strap upon the loose pulley. Accord-
ing, then, to the notch in which the stud is placed, so is
the drum which is working. Those who have watched a
cultivator at work when steam-power dragged, will have
noticed the frequent want of uniformity in the di'aught,
this being brought about by the inequalities of the
soil in which it is working ; and to such an extent is this
observable in some soils, that the implement goes forward
in a series of jerks. Now, these varying speeds in the
progress of the cidtivator bring about a varying action of
the uncoiling drum of the windlass, which brings into
play a tendency in some cases very marked for the drum
to throw out too much slack rope. Where this is the
case, the result is that as soon as the obstruction or in-
equality iu the soil, which hinders the uniform steady
progress of the cultivator through the soil, is removed,
and the full strain of the winding-drum comes on them,
as there is too much slack rope out, the result is that the
cultivator goes too rapidly forward, jerk fashion, again to
be pulled up by an obstruction. In many instances, all
this does not happen in practice, but, then, in some it
does ; and, indeed, from the natiu'e of soil generally, the
practical fact is that the draught of the cultivator is not
uniform, but is undergoing a series of perpetual changes :
true, these may not be so potent as to make the varying
draught visible to the eye in the varying progress of the
cidtivator ; but it nevertheless always exists to a greater
or less extent, as anyone knows, who has watched the pro-
gi'ess of a plough or cultivator through the soil underthe test
of the dynamometer. To obviate in as great a degree as
possible the disadvantages in working which thus arose,
Mr. Hayes, in his windlass, has adopted an arrangement
of a shifting check-brake. One only of these is in
operation at a time, pressing only, by means of flat spi-ings,
regulated iu pressure by a lever upon the side of the drum
which is giving out or uncoiling the rope. The pressure
given is only such as will prevent the variations in the
speed of the uncoiling drum carried by the varying
di-aught of the cultivator as noted above, so as to give
out a uniform supply of slack. As the cheek-brake is
applied only to one of the two drums in the windlass, that is,
the drum which is unwinding or giving out the slack ; and as
the drums perform this ofiice alternately, some contrivance
is needed, by which the check-brake can be taken out of
contact with the drum, which! has just ceased to act as
the unwinding di'um, and is about to act as the winding-
in drum, and to bring the other check-brake in contact
with the drum, which has ceased to act as the winding
and is about to act as the unwinding drum. This is
done by simply attaching a chain to the brake-bar and
to the driving-strap guide-bar ; so that when the driving-
strap is changed from one drum puUey to the other, the
check-brake is changed also, so that it goes out of con-
tact with what was the unwinding drum, and is placed in
contact with the drum that now acts as such. As said

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

333

above, this check-brake is only meaat to regulate the
giving-out of the slack ; but is not powerful enough to
stop the windlass when this is required. Mr. Hayes se-
cures an exceedingly powerful brake by a method as
effective as it is ingenious, and of which the principal
featui-e is an hydraulic brake. The cylinder of this is
supplied with water from the boiler, so that the pressure
is the same in the cylinder as it is in the boiler. The
mode by which the cylinder actuates the brake will now
be described. The brake itself is made up of au iron
frame carrying the usual wood-rubbing sm'face ; the iron
frame is connected with, and is therefore pushed in con-
tact with the drum which is desired to be braked — levers
which work in connection with the piston rod of the
hydraulic cylinder. The water from the boiler is ad-
mitted to the cylinder by means of a slide valve, which
is worked by a cam. This cam is connected to the
driving- strap guide-bar; so that when this bar is moved
in one direction, the cam is moved and the water ad-
mitted to the cylinder, the piston-rod of which shoves
the iron frame and brake in connection with the drum.
Suppose the strap to be upon a winding pulley, a small
trigger keeps the strap guide-bar in this position, and
returns the strap upon the pulley as long as desired ; but
if it is required to stop the cultivator, the trigger is
pulled, the springs of the strap guide-bar previously
described pull the bar into its normal position, in which
the di-iving-strap is placed upon the loose pulley, and
simultaneously with this the cam is actuated by the
movement of the guide-bar, and the water cylinder at
once acts upon the brake. The bi-ake is so powerful, that
a pressure of l,0001bs. is at once thrown upon the im-
V winding drum, and the giving out of the slack is in-
stantaneously stopped — practically so ; for we do not
think we have seen as much as a quarter of an inch
given out after the brake was applied. Now, as the man
working or attending the cultivator is the one who knows
when he wishes it stopped, this power is given him by
simply attaching a rope to the trigger of the guide-bar
named above ; so that by pulling this he can at any time
release it, and allow the strap guide-bar to go back to its
normal position, putting the strap on the loose pulley,
thus stopping the engine from acting on the winding-up
di'um, while simultaneously the water-brake is put in
action, stopping the giving out of the slack. When he
is ready again for work he signals the engine-man, who
moves the guide-bar, puts the strap upon the pixlley of
the winding drum, and releases at the same time the
water-brake, by causing the bar to act upon the cam of
the slide valve of the water cylinder, so as to make it
exhaust or pass out the water, leaving it ready to be
filled and to act when required. Should the weather be
foggy, in place of the attendant upon the implement in
the field signalling, he pulls a small cord, which strikes
a bell, thus informing the engine-man to put the winding
drum on. We have been thus particular in describing
this form of windlass, as in common with many practical
engineers who have examined it, we believe that it pos-
sesses many features of high practical value. At the
aanie time it is our duty to point out that objection has
been taken to the diiving-strap, which will sHp in wet
weather. This is obviated by Mr. Hayes adopting a
simple housing or cover. On the other hand, we must
not overlook this — that, as a means of communicating,
changing, or checking the motion of machinery, the
driving-sti'ap system is almost unrivalled in efficiency, as
is well shown in the almost universal adoption of it in
practice ; and as in this case the engine does not require
to be stopped when the windlass is stopped, and set on
when the windlass resumes its work (the changes being
all made by the belt), the engine attends to itself, so to
say. By this mode of working, a skilled wiadlass-maa

is not needed, the engine-man being able to attend to it
as well as to his engine. In saying all this, we say it
in the interest of our readers, not in that of this con-
trivance as a commercial matter.

It may be accepted as a sound maxim that we do not
occupy safe ground in the discussion of any question
when we take an extreme or one-sided view, although
we are nevertheless aware that there are those who take
up, if not exactly the opposite, at least a modified view of
the same question, and who are really as much entitled to
a hearing as we are. When therefore we find an authority,
or one who is supposed to be au authority, very decidedly
condemning as utterly worthless, and quite, in every sense,
an old and effete implement, the " swing plough," as was
done during or at the Leicester Show, the question at
once comes up before us : " Is this so ? — is it true that the
swing plough is useless ?" And when we take into con-
sideration that in many districts this old implement is still
largely used, and, so far as anything is indicated to the
contrary, is likely to be largely used for years to come, it
certainly does seem to us a more philosophical way to
treat the discussion of the matter by carefully and stu-
diously inquiring what are the reasons which dictate the
use and maintain the use of this form of cultivating im-
plement ? than rashly to conclude that there are no rea-
sons. True philosophy tries all things and examines
all things, and then, finding the best, holds by it. But
then, true philosophy also knows this, that there may
be, and are, often in practice conditions or circumstances
in which one system is not applicable in practice without
undergoing large and decided modifications — that, in fact,
while one system is good for one set of conditions, another
is better for a different set of conditions. In few branches
of practical science is the Procrustean theory applicable,
if we may be allowed the expression, in which every fact
is to be cut down or lengthened out to meet the exact
limits of one system. And in no science is this so true as
that "with which our readers are concerned, and in the
discussion of all points connected with it they are so in-
terested. Such an ever-varying series of circumstances
are being brougtt into existence, that the practice of
one district is found totally inapplicable to another
set of conditions ; and, indeed, to such a degree is
this a marked characteristic of practical agricultm-e,
that the result of one year of the same mode of ope-
ration of the same system in the same soil may not be
often — indeed, are not the same in another year. Hence
it is always an unsound thing for anyone to deduce fixed
and determinate rules, which are the result of a sweeping
generalization, in agricultm-al practice. And he who con-
demns the use of any implement, in every case of practice,
because he finds on examination that another, and we
shall say a rival, implement is more extensively used,
without full and fair inquiry into the reasons why this
use of the condemned implement is met with, is just as
wise, and possesses just as accm'ate a deduction, as he
who, having heard of the good effects resulting from
bone manuring some pastures and meadows, insists
upon it that the same good effects would result in ap-
plying the same manure to all pastm-es. The point here
opened up, although perhaps it may be condemned as of
no great moment when referring to the use of the swing
plough as against that of the wheel, is, we insist,
of very great importance in many of the ques-
tions of agi'icultural practice. Eor we have no
hesitation in saying that a vague generalization, or lack
of philosophical acumen, in deciding the points of a ques-
tion, has had a most prejudicial iulluence upon the pro-
gress of many of the departments of agricultural practice.
Before opinions are so decidedly given, the w/*c?/e bearings
of the question should be taken into consideration, and
then a philosophic deduction or series of deductions made.

334

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

If this liad been done in more than one ol our agri-
cultural questions which have been discussed during the
last twenty years, a dirt'erent conclusion would have been
come to, and some time and much confusiou would have
been avoided.

This train of thought has been brought into im-
mediate operation in consequence of the Implement
Committee of the Iloyal Agricultural Society having been
blamed for allowing swing ploughs to be tried now-a-days
at the trials of the Society, and this on the ground that
the implement is obsolete, useless, and mechanically
wrong. Now, for the present waiving here our
right to criticise the way in which this charge was
made, we have no hesitation in saying that the
Implement Committee are perfectly right in con-
tinuing the swing plough in the list of cultivating
implements to be tried, and this on the broad ground that
it is not useless, nor is indeed for a long time likely to be.
It is easy to say that those who use the swing-plough —
and it is used in many districts, and those not the worst
farmed, by a long way, in the kingdom — are of the old
school, that they stick to its use through prejudice ;
easier far to say this than to inquire why it is used, and
whether there may not be some reason, thoroughly sound,
for its being used. We are of those who maintain that
there is such a reason. We maintain that in some soils
the swing-plough is the only one by which good work
can be done, those soils being such in their inequality of
texture, or in the way in which they are filled more or
less witii obstacles of one kind or another, that a degree
of selecting care and of manipulative skill is demanded of
the ploughman, and which would not be exercised through
the medium of a highly-finished wheel-plough, which
would only be cumbersome in place of being a help. Then
if the question between the Avheel and the swing
plough is to be argued mechanically, then in place
of the swing-plough being put out of court as me-
chanically unsound, not a few eminent engineers can
be found to prove that it possesses in its mechanical
aspects more favourable points than the wheel. We say
all this in no way desirous to forget — on the contrary, in
every way desirous to remember — what the wheel-plough
as a beautifully-designed implement is, and what the high
character of the work which it has done, and how it
deserves the high favour in which over so wide a
field it has obtained. All that we would insist upon is,
that the whole conditions of trial must be taken into
account, before we decide finally as to whether a wheel-
plough or a swing-plough w ill be the best. And if this
is doue it will be found that there are conditions in which
the swing-plough will be found the best to use ; and that,
therefore, the conclusion we come to is, that the Imple-
ment Committee is perfectly right iu keeping on the list
of cultivating implements, to come up at triennial inter-
vals for trial, the swing-plough. But, from what we
have said, it will also be perceived that another con-
clusion is inevitable — that the respective claims of ploughs
be tried under couditions calculated for the display of
their peculiar powers. And this was the weak point in
the trials of the swing ploughs at Leicester — so weak,
indeed, that no practical results came of them.

Extreme views are sometimes best met by other extreme
views ; so that when we find one who in his high ap-
preciation of the wheel-plough as against the swing, or,
ate contraire, in favour of the swing as against the
wheel, giving very extreme views as to the claims of his
apparatus, we think him well met by some one coming up
with the dictum that they arc both wrong together. Thus
we find those who hold that a plough, as a plough, whether
it be swing or whether it be wheel, is altogether an im-
plement of the past, old, clfete, and worthless, which must
give way to another system of working the soil. And upon

the whole, a fair range of faults this school dues manage
to bring up against the plough, the oldest and the most
honoured of all our implements. As, for example, the
advocates of the new system say, and say truly, that if
deep culture of the soil is to be desired — as improved
practice would show that it is to be desired — then the
plough is not the implement by which this can be secured;
for the tractive power required, as the depth increases, goes
on iu a ratio far greater than the ratio of increase of depth ;
and, indeed, so much is our difficulty of increasing
the depth of working of a plough, that the maxi-
mum of depth is soon reached. This was very in-
structively displayed at the trial fields of Leicester, and
by which it was clear enough that when you do make up
your mind to have a certain, and that a considerable
depth, you will be necessitated to discard the plough as
worked in the ordinary way : no matter whether you are
enamoured of the wheel or the swing, you will
fiud in such a case that neither of them will suit your
purpose. Fitrther, the plough displays — so say its ene-
mies— an inherent defect, or rather inherent defects,
in its principle of working. Thus, they say, if it is
to be desired that the soil we turn up in our fields
should be subjected in the best possible way to the
atmospheric influences — as to the value of which we
are all agreed — then the plough does not place the soil in
this favourable condition, on the contrary rather, for it
lays it over in a close compact slice, like a brick, in place
of laying it on the upper surface of the soil broken and
divided, and with multiplied surfaces in the maximum
upon which the atmosphere is to work. Em'ther : if, say
the enemies of the plough — if it is to be desired, as im-
proved practice and a better knowledge of the habits of
the 2)lants show that it is to be desired, to have the soil in
such a state that the roots of the plants can easily
penetrate into the soil, and to such depth as the
habits of each plaut may dictate, then the plough does
not give tliis coudition of soil ; for, from the very nature
of its action, it makes the soil over which it works well-
glazed, and thus to a large extent impenetrable to the
roots of the plants. Such may be taken as some of the
counts of indictment brought against the plough, from
which it will be seen that there is really something in them
— not so much, however, in our opinion, as to justify
the notion held by some that the days of the old plough
are numbered. This will not be now — not in our day at
least, if the day will ever come: it is the king of cultural
implements, notwithstanding all its faults ; and we all
know that the king never dies. Improvements not
only in the plough itself will be made, we doubt not, but
also in the very mode of working it, and this, in aU
probability, in conjunction with our other implements ;
but it will not for a long time be discarded : it is too
valuable for that. As the maker of a seed-bed, and as
the turner-in of weeds, it stands absolutely unrivalled.

An improved ])lough, or, perhaps, to put the matter
on safer ground, a plough displaying some peculiarities in
arrangement and coustructiou, was exhibited by Fowler,
of Leeds, who has, it is said, purchased the patent right
of it from the inventor. The main peculiarity of this
is the employment of two ploughs, one in advance of the
other.

THE ABYSSINIAN PUMP.— The Abyssinian pump has
attained undying celebrity in Leicester. The fact is due, in
some measure, to the heat of the weather. But tlie simplicity
and efficiency of the apparatus itself may claim the lion's
share of this merit. If it had not been for the impromptu
character of this pump, no one would have thought of produc-
ing a supply of water from the " bowels" of Leicester race-
course. In about 25 minutes, however, down went an iron
pipe, 33 feet through the crude surface, under the judgment

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

SSI

and energetic instructions of Mr. Giles (Mr. Norton's agent) ;
a stratum of sand was then penetrated, and in a few minutes
a supply of pure water was found, and this flow proved to be
constant throughout the show. We have mentioned the heat
of the weather as an element in the lasting celebrity of this
pump. We have done so for this reason : throughout this
meeting the heat and rarefied character of the atmosphere has
been so extraordinary that thirst has been a positive iuflictio n
on the visitors to the show-yard. As the water drawn by this
Abyssinian pump was clean, and of a temperature of about
forty degrees, the stand of Mr. Norton was as fiercely besieged
by the visitors as was the rock of Magdala by the British
troops. Machines were broken, and everything was thrown
into disorder by the pressure of visitors in their anxiety to get
a draught of pure and cold water. After enduring this pres-
sure for some time, some one suggested to Mr, Giles that it
woidd be a good plan to establish a hoarding, charge a penny a
glass for water and give the proceeds to some public institution.
No sooner was this said than it was agreed to, and in a few
minutes Mr. Giles had posts driven and ropes and rails fixed,
when the pence rolled in so rapidly that between three and six
o'clock the sum of £4i 7s. 6d. iiad been takeu. It had been
previously arranged, by intercourse with Mr. Hunt (of the
firm of Hunt and Pickering), that the proceeds should be
presented to the Leicestersiiire Infirmary. Yesterday this

arrangement was continued, and as the heat of the weather
had, if anything, increased, the barricading was besieged even
more than it was on the previous afternoon. The result was
that coppers to the amount of £14 16s. Gd. were taken for
glasses of water. This sum and the previous amount named
made a total of £19 13s. Id. in aid of the Infirmary. Who,
then, shall gainsay our statement that the Abyssinian pump
has established for itself a lasting reputation in Leicester ? Of
the agricultural importance of this pump we may say, now
that the laud of this country has been so completely drained
and ditches and water-courses been so thoroughly opened, that
a ereat scarcity of surface water occurs, and will henceforth
regularly recur, alter a few weeks' absence of rain. A fort-
night ago we were told that a grazier in Northamptonshire
had to carry water eight miles to supply fifty oxen. The pro-
bability is that with this pump a good supply of cool water
might have been found within the pastures on which the beasts
were grazing. Who would have thought of taking cattle from
the valleys of Knighton and Aylestone to drink on the Leicester
llace-course ? The expediency of doing so has, however, been
demonstrated. Numbers of similar cases are now occurring
tlirougliout the country. In all these cases it would be advis-
able for the sufferers from want of water to put themselves in
commuuicatiou with Mr. Norton's pump agent. — Leicester
Journal.

AN lEISH LEASE.

The following is a copy of the lease offered by Mr. Scully
to his tenants, and which, they having refused to abide by, led
to the late murders in Tipperary :
V' "1. That he, the said tenant, his executors, administrators,
or assigns, will pay the said rent to the said landlord, his
heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, at the time and
times, and in the manner hereinbefore mentioned. And will
also pay the entire of all poor rates and county cess, and all
other rates, taxes, duties, and assessments whatsoever (quit
rent and rent charge in lieu of tithes only excepted) now due,
or hereinafter to become due or payable out, or in respect of,
the said demised lands and premises, or any part thereof ; and
shall not make or retain or be entitled to or require any de-
duction or allowance whatsoever out of the rent aforesaid or
otherwise from the said landlord, his heirs, executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, for or in respect of such poor rates, county
cess, and other rates, taxes, duties, and assessments, or any of
them, or any part thereof.

" 2. That the said tenant, his executors, administrators, or
assigns, or any of them, or any person whomsoever claiming
or deriving from, through, by, or under him, them, or any of
them, shall not at any time, or in any event, have any claim,
right, or title to, and shall not at any time or in any event
claim to have, or be entitled to emblements, or any customary,
or waygoing, or other crop, or proportion of a crop, which
shall be growing upon the said demised lands and premises, or
upon any part thereof, at the end or determination of this de-
mise, or of the tenancy hereby created, or any right or benefit
thereof, or any compensation therefor, or have or claim to
have any right of possession, holding, or occupation of the
said lands and premises, or of any part thereof, in lieu of
emblements, or in lieu of the right to emblements, or of such
customary, waygoing, or other crop, or proportion of a crop ;
any statute, usage, custom, right, or thing to the contrary in
any wise notwithstanding.

" 3. That the said tenant, his executors, administrators, and
assigns, or any of them, will not cut down, lop, prune, or grub
up any tree growing, or to grow on said demised lands ; and
will not cut down any hedge thereon, without properly guard-
ing such hedge from injury. And that he and tiiey will dig
up or cut down all docks, thistles, and other weeds which shall
be on said demised lands during the continuance of his demise
before they go to seed. And that he and they will during the
continuance of this demise well and sufficiently preserve, re-
pair, and keep the said demised lands and premises, and the
trees, fences, hedges, ditches, drains, watercourses, buildings,
gates, and all fixtures and improvements, with the appurten-

ances which now are, or at any time during this demise shall
be erected or made, or shall be thereon, in good and tenant-
able order, repair, and condition, and at the end or determi-
nation of this demise, or of the tenancy hereby created, will
quit and deliver up to the said landlord, his heirs or assigns,
or to some or one of them, the possession of the said demised
lands and premises, witli the appurtenances, in like good and
teuantable order, repair, and condition. And that on the 1st
day of December, 1st day of March, 1st day of June, or 1st
day of September which shall next follow the expiration of 31
days (Sundays included) from the service by, or on the part of
the said landlord, his heirs, or assigns, or any of them, upon
the said tenant, his executors, administrators, or assigns, or
any of them, of a notice requiring the delivery to the said land-
lord, his heirs, or assigns, or any of them, of the possession of
the said demised lands and premises, this demise, and the ten-
ancy hereby created shall determine, and tlie said landlord, his
heirs or assigns, shall be entitled to the immediate possession
of the said demised lands and premises, with the appurtenances,
and the said tenant, his executors, administrators, or assigns,
or any person claiming or deriving from, through, by, or under
him, them, or any of them, shall not, nor shall any one or
more of them have any power, right, or option either at law
or in equity to continue to hold or occupy the said lands and
premises, or any part thereof, for any longer time, any law,
custom, or thing to the contrary notwithstanding.

" 4. That the said last-mentioned notice, and also any other
notice under these presents, may be served upon the said
tenant, his executors, administrators, or assigns, or any of
them, either personally or by leaving the same at the usual
or last-known place or places of abode in Ireland, of him,
them, or any of them, or by posting same upon the door of a
dweUing-honse (if any), situated on the said demised lands and
premises, or by posting same on some conspicuous part of such
dwelling-house adjacent to the entrance thereto. And any
notice which shall be so left or posted shall be deemed to be
served on the said tenant, his executors, administrators, or as-
signs, within the true intent and meaning of these presents.

" 5. That the said tenant, his executors, administrators, or
assigns, shall not during the continuance of this demise, as-
sign, mortgage, alien, demise, under-let, or set in conacre, or
for any crop or crops, or bequeath or devise by will or testa-
ment, or by any codicil thereto, or in any manner dispose of the
said lands and premises, or any part thereof, without first ob-
taining the consent in writing for that purpose of the said
landlord, liis heirs or assigns, signed by him or them.

" 6. That the said tenant, his executors, administrators, or-

336

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

assigns, or any of fhem, shall not, nor will, during the con-
tinuance or this demise, erect or make, or permit or suffer to
be erected or made ou the said demised lands and premises,
any dwelling-house, or other house, building, hedge, ditch,
fence, dyke, or drain whatsoever, except such as he and they
shall from time to time be previously authorized to ereet or
make by the said landlord, his heirs or assigns, in writing
signed by him or them.

" 7. That the said tenant, his executors, administrators, or
assigns, or any of them, or any person claiming, or deriving
from, through, by, or under him, them, or any of thera, will
not burn, or permit or suffer to be burnt, the soil or surface of
the said demised lands and premises, or any part or parts
thereof. And will not kill, or break up, or change from
grass, or permit or suffer to be tilled, or broken up, or
change from grass in any one year, more than one- th
part of the entire acreable contents of the said demised lands.
And will not meadow, or permit or suffer to be meadowed,
in any one year more than one th part of the entire

acreable contents of the said demised lands. And will
during the continuance of this demise carefully and
effectually protect and preserve all wild fowl and game of every

kind in and upon the said lands and premises, for the exclu-
sive use and sporting of the said landlord, liis heirs and as-
signs, and of all jjcrsons authorized by him or them to sport
thereon.

" It is hereby declared and agreed that the said tenant, his
executors, administrators, and assigns, paying all arrears of the
said rent, and performing all the covenants and agreements
herein on his or their part contained, shall also be at liberty
to surrender this lease, and the possession of the said lands
and premises, with the fixtures and appurtenances in good and
tenantable order, repair, and condition, as aforesaid on any 1st
day of December, 1st day of March, 1st day of June, or 1st
day of September, in any year, upon giving a previous notice
in writing of twenty-one days (Sundays included) to that effect,
to the said landlord, his heirs or assigns, either personally or
by leaving such notice at his or their dwelling-house,
with any member of his or their family, aged 16 years or
upwards, or with his or their servant, aged 16 years or up-
wards. And the said tenant hereby surrenders all former
leases, agreements, proposals, and contracts of every kind, of
or concerning the said lands and premises, or of any part or
parts thereof. " In witness whereof, &c."

TEXAS CATTLE DISEASE.

The Prairie Fanner contains a long account of this disease,
from which we make the following extracts :

For a few years past there has appeared about this time of
the year, in various localities in this State, Missouri, and
Kansas some kind of a scourge anioug cattle, which has
carried them off in quite large numbers. This disease has
been variously called " Texas fever," " Spanish fever,"
" murrain," &c., and has, so far as has been known, followed
in the track of freshly-imported cattle from Texas and the
south-west. The disease has attracted so much attention, that
each of the States mentioned has passed laws regulating in
some, and forbidding in others, the traffic in Texas and
Cherokee cattle. During all this time no careful or scientific
description or diagnosis of the disease has been given, on
which to base intelligent action or legislation.

The disease has heretofore been wider spread in Missouri
and Kansas than in our own State, and the determined efforts
of the people to prevent the introduction of these cattle by
that route have induced the operators to find some other way
to get their stock • into the country. Hence the route by the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers, to St. Louis and Cairo and points
on the Ohio, thence by rail to interior points, has been chosen.
Notwithstanding the recent law of our State forbidding the
traffic in said stock, large numbers have been introduced by
this roiite, and they have been scattered over a somewhat
limited extent. But wherever they had been landed, the disease
has appeared after a short time, and, of course, at once attracted
the attention of all who were in any way interested in stock-
growing, or who had the interest of the State in view.

So great, during the past two weeks, has become the alarm
in infected neighbourhoods, and so formidable the threatenings
of the disease, that the Chicago Packers' Association at once
resolved upon arrangements tor a thorough investigation of
the disease.

The first shipment of cattle received at Cairo came up the
river from New Orleans, and was landed the 23rd of April ;
the second lot on the 36th. Each of these lots contained 250
head. They were shipped from there to Tolono, where they
arrived in good order and apparently in perfect health. Other
shipments followed, in aU amounting to about 1,200 head per
week, average. As the warm weather came on, the cattle as
they were unloaded from the boats showed more or less dis-
ability, the effects of disease, overcrowding, or injury. Occa-
sionally a few animals would be left behind in shipping, too
weak to stand the railroad jouniey. These were frequently
turned out on the small range inside the levee, or perhaps
traded off to the butcher. The cattle are unloaded from the
boats, and placed in feeding yards at the depot grounds, where
they are fed and watered, and allowed to remain from 24< to
36 hours. Duiing the hottest weather, we were informed, it
was not uncommon to find ten or fifteen dead in the yards in

the morning, and frequently many dead on the boats, where
they are most mercilessly packed, often so close that they are
obliged to make the whole journey of five or seven days, with-
out being able to get water. The only wonder to us is that so
small a per cent, died on the trip.

The citizens, whose stock has been scourged with the so-
called Texas fever, allowed their cows free access to the same
range the Texas cattle had been upon. The cows had also
easy access to the feeding yards of the cattle in transit, when
empty, where they picked up the scattering feed that was left.
Nothing, however, was tho\ight of it until June 1st, when a
cow, belonging to a Mr. Bross, died quite suddenly. This was
quickly followed by others dying in various parts of the city ;
but the deaths were not numerous until the last week in July,
when one dairyman lost 16 out of 22 head ; and others were
affected and are doubtless dead ere this. Others lost, in
many instances, their whole stock, and the total losses in the
city were variously estimated at from 100 to 150, mostly milch
cows. Without exception, so far as we could learn, every ani-
mal so dying had either been pastured on the range or had ac-
cess to the feeding yards of the southern cattle.

Eighteen car loads of these animals were landed at Farina
about the 10th of May, and ranged on the prairie west of the
town, being herded at night in a fenced lot of Mr. Edward
Richardson's, who had fifty head of native steers and a milch,
cow in the same enclosure. These Texas cattle remained
there until about the middle of June, when they were shipped
north, their number having been lessened by death — some
twelve or fifteen head. The cattle seemed badly bruised and
emaciated, and the deaths were generally attributed to those
causes, rather than to disease. Matters remained in this state
until about the 25th of July, when the cattle of Mr. Richard-
son and others of the village commenced dying. Mr.
Richardson had lost forty-seven head of stock — all steers but
one — and the residents of the village about half as many more,
mostly milch cows, leaving many a famUy entirely without
that great necessity, milk.

At Tolono, the crossing of the Great Western railroad, the
larger part of the stock coming over the Central Railroad has
been unloaded — in all some 15,000 head. These have been
distributed among the large feeders in that neighbourhood, and
some have been driven east from there to points in Indiana.
As might be supposed, the scourge has beeu more extensive
about here, and consequently increased excitement pen-aded
the community. As soon as the disease broke out, the owners
of cattle that had been exposed on the ranges, or along the
routes where they had been driven, became very naturally
excited over the matter, and refused to allow some trains to
be unloaded, which were consigned to that point. A vigilance
committee was organized to carry out the order, but there was
no need of it so far as the Central Road was concerned, be-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

337

cause tlie superintendent stopped all shipments of stock from
Cairo as soon as the facts above stated had transpired. But
this did not stop the evil that had been done, as the losses ot
the native stock had become alarming. Up to Saturday night
the committee reported 235 cattle dead at Tolono, with more
dyin^ every hour. , , , i •

From this point east and south-east, through the townships
of Sidney, Homer, and Philo, on the track of the Texas cattle,
the course could readily he followed by the graves of native
cattle along the route. Here we found the excitement at the
highest pitch. A vigilance committee had been formed, and
the proprietors of Texas animals waited upon in the dead ot
night, and notified to appear at a called meeting, and pledge
themselves to pay for aU cattle lost. ,

The disease seems not to be contagious, but infectious, as the
native stock do not seem to have the power of impartmg it t€
their kind, and calves may safely suck the cow atier mtected,
and in one instance this has been known after the cow was
dead, without apparent injury.

After the disease has become developed, which is knowu by
the drooping head, arched hack, hoUow flank, " glarry' coat,
laboured respiration, running at nose and eyes, dark-coloured
urine, and, frequently, bloody discharges, there seems to be no
help for the animal whatever. As soon as it is known that
cattle have been exposed to the disease, they should at once be
isolated from the rest, and treated to some purgative medicine,
and fed on green, succulent food, like green corn, which treat-
ment would probably have a tendency to overcome the disease.
There seems never to have been a more fatal disease in any
country, according to the territory exposed, and we think that
at an early day sufficient knowledge of it may be attained to
enable the cause of it to be discovered, and intelligent and
economic means employed to for ever keep it from our beau-
tiful prairies.
• That there should be excitement in neighbourhoods that
i have suffered, we do not wonder ; but we would urge modera-
tion in treating the matter l)y these committees, and no resort
to measures other than those provided by the statutes, which
might make still wider-spread disaster.

Witliout doubt the disease is of such a character, that when
n complete knowledge of it is had, this class of stock can be
handled with perfect safety under proper management and re-
milations. Meantime, while the investigation is being pursued,
we would advise that nothing be done to move the stock now
in the state from where it is, but adopt measures to keep it
L isolated, although we have little doubt that aU injury that can
' he done by most of them has already been done.

An American correspondent of the Times writes on the
same sub iect as follows : '• The American pubhc are having
a very disagreeable sensation just now in the presence ot a
cattle disease which, though not the rinderpest that has
afflicted Europe, seems to be equally iatal in its eilects. ihis
scourge is the Spanish or Texan fever, and it has been im-
ported into the Northern States with herds from Texas It
first appeared in Indiana and Hlinois a im weeks ago, and still
rages in those States. During May and June, some 15,000
cattle were brought from Texas to Cliampaign County, Illinois,
and driven by easy stages over the prairies, pasturing as they
went. In less than five days, the native stock grazing on the
prairies wliere the Texan herds had grazed were all sick or
dead, while those grazing where the Texan cattle had not
appeared remained healthy. In the first two weeks of the
disease, 235 cattle died, after whicli the mortahty increased,
one farmer losing 55 out of 70 cows in a few days. No ani-
mal attacked seems to have recovered. Tiie excitement lu
some of the diseased localities was so great that the tanners
formed vigilance committees, to prevent the introduction oi
any more Texan cattle. Many of the animals found their way
to Chicago, where they eommimicated the disease to the stock
in the droveyards; and some of these infected cows were
slau°-htered and sold in the markets. The disease spread to
the adjoining State of Indiana, where thousands of cattle are
still dying from it. About ten or twelve days since, it was
brought from the West on the railroads with lUinois cattle,
and has appeared in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
A drove of 200 cattle was forwarded by rail from lUinois to
Pittsburg a few days ago, and, before reaching Pittsburg, 33
died, while 67 perished in the Pittsburg droveyards. Out of a
smaUer drove, ten perished. Of another lot, three cows only
were left alive in one car on reaching Pittsburg. Many ot the
diseased animals, in whom the symptoms had not been de-
veloped, were transported over the Pennsylvania iiailroad and
sent to New York, where the disease made its customary ap-
pearance in the cattle-yards. Wliile the disease was ragmg
here it also prevailed at Albany and Buffalo, m the northern
part 'of New York State, and some farmers lost heavily. In
New York city, as soon as the health authorities were made
aware of the existence of the fever, a rigorous inspection of
the cattle in the drove-yards was begun, and all animals not
in healthy condition were slaughtered. The Governor of
New York has ordered an inspection of all Western cattle en-
tering that State ; and the Governor of New Jersey has issued
a proclamation absolutely prohibiting the importation into New
Jersey of cattle from the Western States and from Texas untU
further notice."

AT WHAT POINT IN THE ROTATION SHALL WE APPLY OUR MANURE ?

Some ten years ago I commenced farming, with all the en-
thusiasm and not a little of the self-conceit of "Young
America." A very few years, I expected, would suftice to
make our farm (which is mainly a sandy and gravelly loam ot
indifferent quality) produce crops that would be the astonish-
ment of all the neighbours, if not of myself. I saved manure
in all possible ways, and endeavoured to increase it by soiling
and by composting witli hundreds, if not thousands, of cart-
loads of muck from a reclaimed meadow. Being heavily in
debt for the property, my means were of course limited ; hut
all the available surplus, amounting to several hundreds ot
dollars a year, was freely applied to the purchase and apphca-
tion of artificial and other manures. The bulk of the home
manure was applied to the sod land the autumn and winter
previous to breaking up for corn, while the purchased manures
were mainly applied to the wheat. Sometimes these were so
costly, or so ineffective, that the ground was scantily enriched,
and two or three partial failures of the grass crop were the
consequence. So passed half-a-dozen or more years, when 1
found, instead of the immense crops I had anticipated, with
all my outlay of labour and money, that they only slightly ex-
ceeded those of my neighbours on similar soil, who took no
special pains to improve, and did not equal the crops of those
who were following, with but little expense, the beaten cus-
tomary track of improvement in this vicinity.

I then did what I should have done at first. I observed
the mode pursued by those farmers whose land improved
most rapidly, and found tliat they invariably applied the great
bulk of their manure to the ground prepared for wheat and
grass— applying only lime and sometimes a little coarse strawy
manure to the sod for corn. Some apply their manure coarse,
and some apply it fine ; some mix it deeply with the soil, and
some simply harrow it into the surface soil— all with good,
though varying results. These questions- In what state or
condition shall we apply our manure ? — At what depth, if any,
shall we place it in the soil ?— although intimately, are not
necessarily connected with the ciuestion under discussion, and
I refrain from treating them at present. Their main object
is to give a heavy coat of manure at that time, and the result
is generally a heavy crop of at least the straw of wheat, and
a very heavy succeeding growth of clover and grass.

My own experience and observation of the experience of
others (in this section) have at last led to these conclusions :
Take two fields of equal quality of soil, one thus manured
when seeded to grass, the other not manured until the autumn
previous to breaking up for corn ; the first (if ploughed in two
or three years from seeding) will produce about as heavy crops
of corn and oats as the second, leaving the extra crops of
wheat and grass as clear gain over the second mode of ma-
nuring. On the other hand, take two fields of equal quality of

338

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

soil, one manured previous to breaking up for corn and the
other not, although the first will gain largely in corn and oats,
yet when it comes to wheat and grass the difference will be
scarcely perceptible. It would seem then that manure applied
to tlie soil when laid to grass, manures it for the whole rota-
tion of wheat, grass, corn, and oats ; while manure applied to
sod the year previous to breaking up, only manures it well for
corn and oats, or about half the rotation — that is, manure
applied in the first manner is about twice as effective as when
applied in the second manner.

A different rotation would of course somewhat affect the
result ; but I withstand the temptation to enter on that sub-
ject at present, aud, for tlie sake of simplicity, confine my
illusti-ations aud arguments to that rotation which seems the
most common in our respective States — viz., 1st, Corn ; 2ud,
some spring grain; 3rd, Wheat; 4th, Grass. Whether the
above conclusions are true to the full extent claimed or not,
certain it is that the most successful farmers in this county,
and, so far as I know, throughout the south-eastern part of
this State, and adjoining sections, have the settled policy of
applying the bulk of their manure to their fields when laid to
grass. Not that they depreciate the value of manure when
applied to sod laud in the early autumn ; on the contrary, they
admit its almost wonderful effects on one or two of the suc-
ceeding crops, when thus applied, and would gladly secure
enough for both applications. But they consider it of the
first and highest importance that the ground laid to grass
should receive enough to secure a heavy growth. Then the
surplus, if any, goes to the sod land. And let me say in pass-
ing that the second crop of clover left to rot on the soil, or
the coarse strawy manure that collects in the barn-yard after
it is cleared for wheat is considered nearly as effective as strong
well-rotted manure.

Well, so far is one statement of the case. On the other
hand, it seems that a large number of the most successful
farmers in your State are equally decided in their belief that
spreading manure on their sod land during the summer or
autumn, previous to breaking up for corn, is the most effective
way in wliich it can be used. John Johnston says that one
load applied in that manner is equal to two applied in any
other way. P. of Orleans Co., after an experience of other
methods, gives that his unqualified preference. And, on re-
viewing the back numbers of your Journal, since I became
a subscriber in 1865, I find that the testimony preponderates
heavily in favour of surface-manuring. (Hearafter, for dis-
tinction, 1 shall use the terms " surface manuring" and " mixing
with the soil" for the two modes of application under discus-
sion respectively, though neither term is strictly correct ; some
of the manure applied to the sod being eventually ploughed
under, and some of the manure applied when seeding being
left at or near the surface.) And on tlie supposition that you,
the editors, have formed your opinion from the reports of prac-
tical men, I conclude that such has been the general testimony
for a much longer time. Of course the advocates of surface-
manuring admit, as we do, the benefits of all modes of applica-
tion. But the case rests here :' We 'maintain that manure
mixed with the soil at the time of seeding to grass is the most
effectively applied, and should therefore be the first object in
manuring. They maintain that manure applied to the sod is
the most effective, and should therefore be the first object ; and
each position is sustained by the long experience and earnest
conviction of a wide circle of intelligent and successful far-
mers. Now, it is possible that one or the other position is an
error ; but the probability is that both are, in the main, cor-
rect, and that different circumstances have caused different
modes of action and different results.

During a visit to your State last fall, I endeavoured to find
a solution to this problem. So far as my limited observations
went, they confirmed what general knowledge would lead us
to expecl viz. : that two of the main circumstances in the case
— soil and climatic influence — were widely different in the two
localities under consideration. So far as I examined, the soil
in your State certainly indicated far greater stores of plant food
than in this locality. This we might expect ; partly because
ranch of it has not been so long cultivated, and partly because
of the second great point of ditt'erence — cliniatic influence.
That influence which in high northern latitudes causes deep
beds of peat (at once the grave of past aud the storehouse of
future vegetation) to collect, must operate with a greater or
less, degree of force on all soils subjected to its intluence, and

cause a greater collection of vegetable remains than would
otherwise be the case. And not only that, but w hen such soils
are brought under cultivation, the same influence prevents a
rapid dissipation of those remains.

Far different is the case in lower latitudes. These organic
remains pass so quickly into a gaseous or soluble form (fitting
them to be readily washed or evaporated away), that they do J
not, as a rule, collect in quantity in the soil. Those crops of 1
corn, with stalks a dozen or more feet in height, witnessed by '

a committee of the American Institute Farmers' Club, in
New Jersey, do not alone indicate so much plant-food
drawn from tlie soil ; they are an exponent also of the great J
waste of plant-food which the climate is continually producing, I
and which our crops, especially when under cultivation, can •
only partly utilize. Here, then, if I am so far coiTCct, are two
very different circumstances under which the manure has to
act. On the one hand a large natural store of fertility in the
soil, and a climatic tendency to conserve that fertility ; on the
other hand a small store of fertility in the soil, and a climatic
tendency to dissipate that store.

How do these different circumstances affect the two modes
of applying manure, under discussion ? Manure, applied to the 1
soil, acts beneficially mainly in three ways. First, it acts I
directly by supplying the soil with plant-food. Now I suppose '■
that in a surface-dressing, applied in a proper time and man-
ner, there is nearly as much of the fertilizing principle of the
manure conveyed to the land, as if it were at once mixed with
the soil. AVhat little waste there is, however, is doubtless
greater in a soil which naturally dissipates plant-food. But
the greatest difference on this point, I apprehend, lies here.
When the manure is applied at the time of seeding, the ground
lies undisturbed, and generally coated with a dense vegetable
growth for several years — conditions the most fiivourable for
utilizing the whole strength of the manure. On the other
hand, when it is applied to sod land, it is generally broken up
within a year, and subjected to cultivation and summer's sun *
and showers — conditions the most favourable for waste of M
manure. On the whole, then, we must decide that as far as
direct manurial action is concerned, a warmer climate
strengthens the .argument in favour of the first, and lessens
that in favour of the latter mode of application.

Secondly, manure acts by decomposing or rendering avail-
able the plant -food already in the soil. And here, [ suppose,
lies the main argument in favour of surface-manuring. An
article by " F.," in your issue of May 9th, 1SG7, goes far to
prove that in most circumstances the fermenting-power of
manure, when mixed with the soil, must be very slight ; what- j
ever power there is, however, would certainly be at its greatest
force in a warm climate. On the other hand, the evidence is
conclusive .that any top-dressing, be it stone, boards, or manure,
does, through some not wholly explained cause, render avail-
able much of the plant -food beneath it. Of course a soil must
contain a considerable quantity of latent plant-food to render
tliis mode of action very potent. Thus, again, the circumstances
of a warmer climate and poorer soil lessen the argument in
favour of surface-dressing, and strengthen that in favour of
mixing manure with the soil.

Lastly, manure acts beneficially by causing the gi-owth of
plants, which, like clover, enrich the soil. And here, I think,
lies the strongest argument in favour of mixing manure with
the soil at the time of seeding. Stern experience has taught
the farmers in this vicinity that only by a heavy coat of
manure at that time can we ensure a good growth of .clover.
I cannot conceive how a coat of manure, applied during the
last year of its growth, when it is partiaUy enfeebled or run
out, can, under any circumstances, secure so great an amount
of roots and stems, as the same manure applied at the com-
mencement of its growth. However that may be, this much,
I think, we may claim for certain — the less the amount of
plant-food in the soil, and the less favourable the climate to
the growth of grass, the more necessary is it to apply manure
at the time of seeding. Tiins, for the third time, the circum-
stances of a warmer climate and poorer soil strengtiien the
argument in favour of mixing the manure with the soil when
seeding to grass, and lessen that in favour of top-dressing
the sod-land.

Again, I have the impression (which I have not just now
the means of verifying) that, as we go southward in our
counti-y, a greater and greater proportion of the laud becomes
sandy or loamy in its character. Such soils contain naturally

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

S39

less plant-food, and part more readily with what is imparted to
them than soils of a heavier character. Hence, if my im-
pression is correct, it adds another to those circumstances
which favour, in more southern latitudes, the application of
manure when seeding to grass.

I think that I have now shown that different circumstances,
even in localities no more widely separated than our own,
would materially alter the results obtained in manuring our
land. And I repeat tliat I think it probable that such circum-
stances are sufficiently powerful to cause one mode of ma-
nuring to be the best in one locality, while another mode is
the most effective in another locality. If I have drawn atten-
tion to these varying circumstauoes, it is all that I aifued tp
do in the present paper,

But I said also that it is possible that one or the other
position is an error ; and if in some future paper I attempt to
give colour to this possibility — if I endeavour to show that
the advocates of surface-manuring, in their warm appreciation
of the great immediate elfects of their fuvourite plan, may
have overlooked the greater ultimate effects of another mode
— I will only be doing what I shall heartily thank any of the
able pens among your correspondents to do for tlie advocates
of mixing manure with the soil at the time of seeding to grass ;
for I hold it as a maxim, tliat truth is ever more forwarded
by a sincere opposition than by an exact concurrence of
ideas. — Bucks Coimti/ {PcHusylvani(i), — Correspondent of The
Oidlivator,

THE CONDITION OF THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURER.

At the recent meeting of the British Association at Nor-
wich, Canon Girdlestone read a paper on the " Condition of
the Agricultural Laboarer, especially in the West of England,"
and of which the following is a summary :

The progress of manufacture, so far from lessening, has
rather increased the value of land, fortunes made in manu-
facture are generally invested in laud. Skill acquired in manu-
facture is applied to land. Great Britain retains, and is likely
always to retain, its character as an agricultural country.
Landowners occupy the highest positions and enjoy the
greatest social privileges. Public opinion, the reform of uni-
versities and public schools, the facility for foreign travel, and
the admixture of the manufacturing classes with the old landed
proprietors, have much raised the character and improved the
tone of these last. Still, specially in the West of England,
there are many of the old school remaining, who resist
all progress. The race of farmers also is much improved, but
not so much in the West of England as elsewhere. The land
is also much improved ; a larger acreage is brought into culti-
vation, and each acre is made to yield more. In this respect,
also, in the West of England there is less improvement than
elsewhere. Nowhere has the improvement of the agncultural
labourer kept pace with that of the landowner, the farmer,
and the land itself. In the West of England the condition of
the labourer is very little improved, and in some respects is
worse than it used to be. Wages are low ; fuel and provisions
dear ; education has become a necessary of life for a family ;
the Poor Rate is so administered as to quench every feeling of
independence. In the West of England an agricultural la-
bourer had till lately only 7s. or 8s. a-week, and now only 8s.
or 9s. Unless he is a horsekeeper or a shepherd, he has to
pay out of this from Is. to Is. 6d. or more a-week for house
rent, and provide food, clothing, medical attendance, fuel,
and every other necessary for himself, wife, and family.
Potato-ground he pays a high rent for, and fuel he seldom
gets, except at the cost of as many hours of hard work in
getting it as its full value. He has three pints or two
quarts of cider a-day, and has a portion of his wages
often paid in quit, which, when corn is dear, is an ad-
vantage, but otherwise a loss to hira. He is often not
allowed to keep a pig or poultry, for fear of stealing food for
them from his master. He works nominally ten or ten-and-a-
half hours a-day, with an hour-and-a-half deducted for meals.
He is almost always, however, in reality kept a much longer
time than this, and is seldom paid anything for overtime,
except by bread-and-cheese in harvest time. Women get 7d.
or 8d. a-day for outdoor work, with a quart of cider, and boys
small sums in proportion. The men breakfast before they
leave home on tea-kettle broth, which consists of an infusion
of bread-and-water, with a little milk, if, which is not often
the case, it can be got. Por luncheon and dinner, which they
take with them, they have coarse bread and a little hard, dry
skim-milk cheese at 3d. per lb. For supper, on their return
home, they have potatoes or cabbage, with a very small slice
of bacon sometimes to give it a flavour. Butchers' meat they
seldom see, except it is given to them. They are unable to
lay by anything, and few comparatively belong to benefit
spcieties. They are long lived, but even in their prime are

feeble, and at the age of fifty often crippled with rheumatism,
the result of poor living, sour cider, a damp climate, hard
work and anxiety combined. There remains nothing for them
then but parish pay and the union. There are many excep-
tions to this general rule, often even in contiguous parishes,
owing to the presence of an intelligent resident landowner, or
the immediate neighbourhood of a large town, mines, or
manufactures. In other parts of England the rates of wages
differ much. The wages of the agricultural labourer are
always higher in the neighbourhood of towns, mines, and
manufactures. I have sent more than 100 labourers from my
parish of Halberton and other parts of North Devon into
Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Durham, Glamorganshire,
Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Shropshire,
Surrey, Yorkshire, more than half being married men with
famihes, at wages varying from 12s. a-week the lo\vest, with
house and garden rent free, to 20s. a-week with house
and garden rent free. In all cases the house and
garden were rent free, and in some cases there was
beer, fuel, and potato ground, one or more, given
in addition. The single men whom I have sent away are get-
ting from 6s. to 8s. a-week, with board, lodging, and washing.
Erom the above statement it is clear that the condition of the
agricultural labourer is in different parts of the country very
different. But notwithstanding statistics, which in this, as
in the case of education, are very deceptive, and general
statements made by persons of no experience, the fact tliat in
agricultural districts the poor-rate is very high, that there are
more marks than signatures in the marriage registers, that re-
cruits from the same districts are seldom able to read or write,
that our prisons are filled from the same districts, and the
general conviction that agricultural labourers are wholly unfit
to be trusted with the franchise, are real and rehable evidences
of the low condition of this class of men. That which is really
required for the agricultural labourer is, in one word, inde-
pendence. At present he is the most dependent of any class
of labourers. In order to do this : First. Good wages, in pro-
portion to quantity and quality of work, but always in the case
of an able-bodied and industrious man enough to keep him and
his family, with a margin for insurance against old age and
sickness, are required. Secoiulli/. Also well-drained and ven-
tilated houses, with at least three bedrooms, and all other ap-
pliances for decency, with a provision also against taking in
lodgers ; such houses to be in the control of the lando\\ner
rather than the farmer. Thirdly. Greater facilities for educa-
tion ; even a penny a-week for each child in a large family is
a heavy tax on a very small income. The temptation held out
by the farmers of a few pence for boys to keep birds and do
other child's work is too great for the poor labourer to resist.
No child should be allowed to work till he can read and write
well, and has a fair knowledge of the first rules of arithmetic.
Foiirildy. All mops and hiring fairs should be abolished, and a
good system of registration be generally adopted and made
known through the instrumentahty of the penny papers
throughout the country. Fiffhty. Agricultural labourers'
unions, of a strictly protective character, and well guarded
against intimidation to either employers or fellow-workmen,
might bo formed with advantage. The whole system of

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S40

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

unions is not to be condemned because of thfe outrages com-
mitted by a few. All professions, all trades, even landowners
and farmers in their chambers of agriculture, have their unions.
Why are agricultural labourers alone to be left to struggle
hopelessly, because singly, while all others are combined?
Sixthhj. There should be legislation in favour of tlie agricul-
tural labourers, specially as regards education and the adminis-
tration of the poor-law by a central board of disinterested
officers, instead of by a local board of landowners and farmers.
Legislation so far has done less for this thau for any other
class. Landowners and farmers have a special pecuniary in-
terest in the improvement of the agricultural labourer. The
clergy have a spiritual interest. AU bread-winners ought to
help him to raise himself to the same independence to which
all except he has attained. All I can do is to co-operate with
any persons who are willing to take this good work in hand,
or failing our attempt thus to carry the work out on a large
scale, I must content myself with carrying it on in a small way
in my own immediate neighbourhood.

The paper created an uuusuaI degree of escitement, and the
opinions upon many of its points were very varied, sometimes
cheers greeting the author, and at others cries of " No, no,"
and other indications of disapproval.

Mr. WiLKTMSON, a farmer of Herefordshire, in opposition
to the opinion expressed by the Eev. Canon, advanced the
opinion that the demand for farms was not a correct or fair
criterion that farmers were doing thoroughly well, as there
were other causes which operated in applications being made
for farms.

Capt. Griffith Jenkins said no one could be more disap-
pointed than he had been with the paper. He had read the
writings of the Rev. Canon, and knew what he had been doing,
and that liis heart was in the right place ; but there were
some occasions vv'hen the brain did not do quite as they would
wish. He entirely disagreed with the statement of Mr. Gir-
dlestoue that the agricultural labourer was in the condition of
serfdom (cheers).

Mr. BoTLEY answered that the rate of agricultural wages
had been underrated by the Rev. Canon, and that taking
piece-work, harvest-work, and perquisites iuto account it
would amount to an average of 15s. a-week.

Mr. Wilson advocated the introduction of the principle of
co-operation in farming, so that labour might have a certain
practical interest in the production of the soil.

Sir W. Jones thought the Rev. Canon had spoken in a
rather provocative manner of the landed gentlemen (cheers
and cries of " No, no"). He did not justify the payment of
such small wages as 8s. or Qs. per week, and as to the sug-
gested payment for overtime, that already existed in Norfolk,
the labourer being paid threepence an hour for such work.
Part payment in kind did not exist in his neighbourhood, but
the labourer received his wages iu money. With respect to
cottage accommodatiou he admitted that there should be three
bedrooms in a cottage, so that the separation of the sexes
might be complete; but the average in Norfolk was only two.
Everyone was doing what lie could to meet the defect which
existed, and until what was required was accomplished, he
suggested that the sous of the labourer should sleep in the
sitting room of the cottage. He entirely differed from the
Rev. Canon's opinions upon lodgers, believing that if they
wished their labourers to be decent, respectable people they
must not drive them into matrimony at the age of eighteen,
which they would do if they bad not the opportunity of taking
private lodgings ; or else the pubHc house, the evils attending
the lodging at which were well understood, would be re-
sorted to (applause). He beheved the real solution of the
labour question to be the building of a certain number of cot-
tages on every estate, and so arranged it would be possible for
young men to be " taken in and done for"— (laughter)— by old
people, as lodgers, and not to be compelled for the purpose
of getting their food cooked, or their clothes washed, to be
married at the age of twenty. Sir Willoughby then spoke of
the system upon which cottages are let iu this country, and to
the character of the education possessed by the agricultural
labourer, whose education was not what it should be, but was
such as gave hope for the future. In this county leases,
and good long ones, were given by landowners. As to tlie
wages earned, he might say that the week before last, he paid
Ins harvest wages, and they amounted to £7 in cash, which
were earned in fourteen days, and added 3s. per week to the

ordinary earnings, which lie had paid in his district, corA
being very high, 13s. per week, besides overtime and task work
being paid for at the rate of 15s., per week (applause). After
contrasting these earnings with the wages paid to carpenters
and bricklayers in country places, the former receiving but
18s., and the latter only £1 per week, although one had to
find expensive tools, and the other was unable to work in frosty
weather. Sir W. Jones pointed out that the agricultural la-
bourer was mostly employed throughout the winter, and con-
cluded by saying that the real evil consisted in the esistonoe of
so many beer shops, and that if this evU could be got rid of
they would have iu Norfolk a thriving, a prosperous, and a
most improving body of men in tjieir agricultural labourers
(loud cheers).

Dr. Ceisp took exception to a great deal Mr. Girdlestona
had said, and attributed the degraded condition of the agri-
cultural labourer simply to the want of education (" No, no,"
and cheers).

Mr. C. S. Read,M.P., replied to several points raised by the
Rev. Canon. Alluding to some strong personal remarks made
by Mr. Girdlestone on the landed and farming interest, the
honourable gentleman said he had always found that whenever
a talented speaker was about to say anything very hard about
his opponents, he always prefaced his remarks by saying that
he had a great amount of respect for that individual (laughter
and applause), and Canon Girdlestone was uo exception to this
rule. Mr. Read, after quoting opinions upon trades' unions
in antagonism to those advanced by Mr. Girdlestone, proceeded
to bear out the statement of Sir WiUoughby Jones as to the
wages of agicultural labourers in this county, and he advocated
the adoption of task-work, for the true principle of co-
operation was to give the labourer a direct interest to do his
work. He believed, with respect to the labourers of Devon-
shire that they were only paid what tliey were worth ; and in
answer to an interruption " Give them more money and they
will do more work," said, " Let them do more work and they ^

will receive more wages" (cheers). With respect to what the 4
Rev. Canon had said about the labourer being a serf and being
tied down, of course in every station of life a man with a wife
and children is encumbered (loud laughter), and is more or
less tied down to one locality, and that locality his home ; but
the young agricultural labourer by giving up his beer and
tobacco for three months, would be able to go from John
O'Groat's house to the Land's End (applause).

Mr. CoRRANCE, M.P., said that the question under con-
sideration was part of a large question, and that it admitted of
expansion to an almost unlimited extent. Although he agreed V

with the Canon on many important points, he stUl must ex-
press his regret that it was brought forward in a manner which
seemed to him scarcely scientific enough to meet the require-
ments of the time and place, but was rather of the nature of
a popular address.

Dr. HoDSON made a reply to the Rev. Canon, which was
received with loud cheers. He complained of the rev.
speaker's want of appreciation of economic science, and clearly
pointed out his unacquaintance with political economy. He
also showed that some of the suggestions of Mr- Girdlestoii
would destroy that independence which he himself desired to
see secured to agricultural labourers, because the lodging pro-
hibition would curtail his freedom of action, and trades' unions
undoubtedly set themselves against piece-work and overtime
(cheers). In conclusion he traced in some measure the cause
of the present condition of the agricultural labourer to class-
legislation, and to the law of settlement.

Sir John Bowring spoke in praise of tUe movemeat wWcb
Mr. Girdlestone had inaugurated.

CURING RENNET. — Orrin Johnson writes the New
Hampshire Farmer's liecord about curing rennets. He says
they ought never to be dried inside out. He adds : — ■" When
taken from the calf, put a handful of fine salt into it, lay it
aside for a week or more — they will not hurt — then stretch
them on sticks, not turned inside out. When taken off tlie
stick, see that both ends are tied or closed up tight. Keep
a year's stock beforehand. I think oue cured iu this way
is worth two dried inside out."

THE FARMER'S IVIAGAZINE,

841

THE RED-OLOVER PLANT.

At a meeting held by the Brecon Chanaber of Agriculture,
Mr. David Downes, Maesmawr, read the following paper : —
Mr.Chairraau andGentlemeu — However inferior an individual's
talent may be, and however trilling may be his amount of know-
ledge respecting a subject, yet I consider that that talent should
be employed, and that that little information should be utilized
for the benefit of others. It is upon this principle I am acting
in bringing before you for discussion and elucidation, the
partial, and in some cases the total failure of tlie " red-clover
plant" in this county. From conversation with, and infor-
mation reported to me from others of the farmers, I find that
during past years this failure has been a source of great
anxiety and loss to them. As one remarked, " I now fre-
quently do not mow 5 cwt. to the acre, whereas formerly I
harvested 1 J ton, or even more from that cpantity of ground.
The deficiency is more especially felt by me in horse keeping
during the winter months." I can recall the time when, riding
along the highways and byeways, seeing fields iiniformly
covered with the red blossom of the clover ; and not only see-
ing, but enjoying the perfume, and the music of tlie bees
(honey laden) ''eturning to tlie hive. Can you say the same
now ? Perhaps here and there in afield a red patch of various
size and dimension, the remainder of its produce composed of
white Dutch, a little trefoil, but most luxuriant of all the rye-
grass ; and I am s\ire you will pardon me when I add, not a
few thistles and docks are occasionally to be seen. It has been
well and truly said, that if plants ceased to grow, animals would
cease to live ; and as the red-clover plant is of great import-
. ance to every farmer, however large or small his holding may
be,'itis a worthy subject for discussion in this Chamber. The
other day, at an anti-malt-tax meeting in Suffolk, if I recollect
rightly, one of the speakers stated that Sir Robert Walpole,
with respect to taxation, had said " The farmers bore shearing
like their own sheep." Certainly such was the case formerly ;
but no w, owing to farmers' clubs, their ideas are expanding : they
are deserting the old beaten track ; there is more union as
a class ; they are endeavouring to throw the weight olf their
shoulders, and have opened their mouths to proclaim their
wrongs and assert their rights (applause). They are awakening
out of their sloth, and are inquiring why such and such a
thing should be? What is the remedy, and what must be done?
But to the return to the subject : I have seen it asserted that red
clover is a native of this kingdom ; others again say that it
was originally brought from Germany, or Europe somewhere.
Whichever opinion may be right will not affect its cultivation
or failure. White clover is certainly of the soil of this coun-
try, and not imported, though grown extensively abroad.
Clover of all description is allowed by all to withstand the
efi^ects of very dry weather (either on light or clay soils) better
than nine-tenths of pasture grasses ; and this property gives
it additional value. Of all clovers, the broad-leaved produces
more, and has more nutritious qualities than any of the others
in the proportion of three to two. I will now give you the
composition of white and red clovers as analyzed by the chemist
Ci'ome, taking a 1,000 parts as the basis ;

White. Red.

Starch 10 14

Albumen 15 20

Gum ,,„ 34. 35

Sugar ii.n.i >•••• 15 21

Woody fibre ..;...., 115 189

Wax and resin , 2 1

Earthy matter 8 10

Water 800 760

The "Gens" I shall omit, as I know from previous reports in
the Hereford Times, they are not palatable to some of the
members. Next I will bring forward before your notice three
fields as observed by myself, numbered 1, 3, 3, with their
practical working, cropping, manuring, depasturing, &c. I
may almost assert that during the course of three years I
have daily walked over them and made observations. No. 1
field was ill the year 1863 a wbe^t stubble and plgughecl up to

the depth of from 4- to 6 inches almost immediately after har-
vest, with no top-dressing of any kind- One ploughing after-
wards in the spring '64, with harrowing and scufller run
through before it was furrowed for turnips. Manure on one-
third obtained from Dowlais Co.'s stables in a rotten and black
state, about 14 cart loads to the acre, with but little ammonia
as I could judge remaining in it ; the remaining two-thirds
with farm-yard manure, ashes, and earth mixed with manure,
about ten loads to the acre. The turnip-seed on the whole of
the field did not germinate until the fifth week of sowing, owing
to the drought, though sown early in May. The plants fairly
regular, but much infested with fly, more especially on that
with the Dowlais manure ; in fact, there were double the de-
structive insects to the other portion of the field, as watched
daily through a maguifying-glass. There was a very moderate
crop over the whole field. The swedes on Dowlais manure were
carted to the stalls, and theother portion consumed on the land by
sheep hurdled loosely, but not penned. The field was ploughed
and cross ploughed in March '65 for barley, and sown with
the usual seeds to a larger extent than usual. There was a
good crop of barley on the field, more especially on that por-
tion which had been manured with farmyard dung, and par-
ticularly where the sheep had been lying during the snow and
frost ; in fact, too heavy a crop for profit, as it was laid. The
clover was luxuriant after tlie barley had been mown, but
weak in stem. It was depastured with calves, sheep, and
three or four colts, when weaned from their dams. The
clover (red) entirely disappeared in this field in the month of
November, and, with exception of white Dutch and ryegrass
and nine sorts of weeds natural to sandy soils, uot a hundred
roots of red clover remain. The surface soil is to the extent
of eight inches or so a sandy loam, with a subsoil of pure sand
to the depth of three feet and more. In March '66 I for-,
warded a sample of the earth to Professor Church, R.A.C.,
Cirencester, for a qualification analysis, and the following is
the result and his opinion : " Organic matter is present in the
soil in small but probably sufiicient proportion. Nitrogen is
more abundant than is usually the case with soils of this class.
A considerable part of this nitrogen is available for the use
of the clover plant. Potash is present in small but probably
sufficient quantity. Alumina aud oxide of iron are present
to a large extent (not the least doubt, as the yellow-ochre
colour at the mouths of the old drains prove it). Silica and
insoluble silicate constitute the main bulk of the soil. Phos-
phoric acid would appear to be almost, if uot altogether ab-
sent. Sulphuric acid exists in the soil only to the amount of
.037 per cent, (so in letter). Mr. Church is of opinion that
the deficiency of phosphoric acid is the most serious defect of
the soil. A further supply of sulphate of lime and potash
may, however, be of benefit. If there were clover plants re-
maining, he Hkewise recommends a top-dressing with super-
phosphate, mixed with about quarter of its weight of chloride
of potassium." No. 2. We will now take this field, which is
of a light, alluvial, garden soil, of a cultivated surface depth
of about 10 inches, and beneath mixed gravel and sand, of
which the measure is not known. In the autumn of 1863
it was sown with winter vetches, having previously been
cropped with wheat, and a very good crop too. The vetches
were consumed in the stable by the cart-horses. About the
first week of May '64 it was ploughed in to the depth of six
inches, and then scuffled and harrowed four times ; the couch
grass collected, and burnt in small heaps over the field. The
turnip seed (swedes) was drilled in the second week of June,
on manure, about ten loads per acre, obtained from the com-
pany's agent at Dowlais ; though not so putrid as that in
No. 1 field. A very good weight of turnips, and all carted
to the feeding stalls. The barley here was about seven
loads to 3 J acres, and the clover at the time strong and
luxuriant. Cart-horses, and cattle principally, fed on the
clover here. I should think a third portion of the red clover
plants remains now. Permit me here to state, from close
observation, the manure from the Hill Works, taking
cost and carriage and conveyance from railway station, doe^

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342

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

not answer on the arable land here, more especially as its pro-
ductive effects are exhausted the first year. On pasture land
I think it pays well in its rotten state. Three acres of a dry,
gravelly, sandy bank, were dressed in March, 'C5, with it, and
brush harrowed. It produced double the quantity of hay
usually obtained from that piece, and the pasture continues
looking flourishing, with a large proportion of perennial clover,
the seeds of which must have been in the dung. In an ad-
joining field, on like soil, it was applied in a half rotten state,
and no benefit derived, from this, I judge practically, half-
fermented manure is best for arable, and perfectly rotten for
pasture here. On the two fields numbered 1 and 2, during the
month of October, 1865 (the latter end), a heavy blight or
mildew fell. It seemed as if the fields had been sown with
flour, and, very soon afterwards, the leaves of the clover plant
gradually disappeared. A few leaves examined under the
microscope exhibited the appearance of white dust ; on others
there were stars and other figures, formed by insects, similar
to cheese mites, though not nearly so large ; and on others
something very like the " red rust" in the ears of wheat. On
the 3nd day of April, 1866, during fine showery weather, on
field No. 2 (two acres having been marked out) 3 cwt. per
acre of " sulphate of lime," obtained from " Messrs. Proctor,
of Bristol," was sown broadcast. In the course of 22 days
the pasturage was from an inch and a-half ,to two inches
higher than the other portions of the field, and when mown
the haycocks were as three to two. We will now proceed to
No. 3 field, with an eastern aspect, on high sideland ground ;
the surface of which is, or may be termed, a |stony brash, with
a substratum of a greyish sandstone, which becomes brownish
after it has been exposed to the action of the air. The culti-
vated surface soil varies from four inches to a foot and more,
in fact is very uncertain. As to the subsoil I cannot venture
to guess the depth. In a quarry in an adjoining field, 13 to
14 feet have been exposed, and the lower you go the harder
and purer the stone. In the autumn of 1862, this field was
sown with vetches, which totally failed, and wheat succeeded
in 1863. Lime and manure from the farm-yard were applied
during the time it was lying fallow — a very poor crop of wheat,
about 14 bushels to the acre. The stubble was ploughed up
and then cross-ploughed in spring, and well harrowed before
the land was furrowed for swedes, the last week of May '64,
with 4 cwt. of superphos))liate per acre, sown broadcast. They
were eaten by sheep hurdled loosely, and turned in about the
latter end of October, or first few days of November. The
sheep droppings were not ploughed in until the following
March, when it was broken up twice before the barley was
sown, and worked well. The barley was light, but clover
abundant. Very little of this was lo be seen after the winter,
though it had been depastured solely with sheep. I may say
that the number of plants are very limited now. Tlie mildew
aff'ected this field in much lighter proportion than the two
fields on the flat. Taking the three fields together, I must say
that I scarcely ever saw cleaner crops of turnips, and if clean-
liness is an aid in any way to prevent the disappearance of the
clover, there should have been now an immensity of plants.
With your permission, I will state how [ would cultivate these
fields, at a future period, after a cereal crop, for the better
staying of the clover. No. 1 I would plough up as soon
as possible in October, or early in following month, to the
depth of 10 inches, so that two inches of the subsoil should
be brought near the surface and intermixed. Lime rather
heavily and well harrow to incorporate both lime and soil,
and leave it to be aerated during the winter months. (Mr.
Church, in my opinion, is mistaken as to the amount of
lime throughout this field (No. 1), but perhaps j)erfectly cor-
rect in his analysis of the soil forwarded, as unfortunately it
was gathered from two spots, instead of a dozen portions of
the field.) Apply fourteen cart loads of half-fermented farm-
yard manure with the turnips per acre ; top-dress clover with
2 cwt. of sulphate of lime and 2 cwt. bone phosphate, mixed.
Roll afterwards with a smooth iron roller 4 feet in length and
2i in diameter, as by such a roller almost all the inequalities
of surface are compressed. No. 2 I should plough a foot
deep, and lime lightly. Before furrowing for turnips sow
broadcast 3 cwt. per acre of salt. If necessary top-dress clover
in spring with gypsum. As No. 3 has been limed lately,
though injudiciously, and always dosed with phosphates, biphos-
pnates, and diff'erent turnip manures, I should consider deep
cultivation, as far as possible, with a large quantity of dung

well incorporated, most beneficial. I should top-dress here
with phosphate and chloride of potassium, adopting a sugges-
tion of Professor Church. For clover I consider the follow-
ing essentially requisite in this vale :— Deep cultivation, as a
root has been known to penetrate downwards two feet. In an
agricultural journal I have read of a parsnip which extended
its tap-root to the extraordinary length of twelve feet in an old
quarry which had partially been filled up ; likewise the root
of a wheat plant, eighteen inches long. Then comes " roll,
ing" in the month of November, with a very heavy iron roller,
as already described. You are all well aware that near a gate-
way on land over which the waggons have continually passed
whilst cutting the barley, the clover has vigorously flourished,
although that on the rest of the field has entirely disappeared.
On light sandy, gravelly soils, I advocate the rolling in of the
stones lying on the surface, instead of gathering them and
conveying them to the road. They retain warmth, prevent
evaporation, and harden the ground around the roots by com-
pression. The very large stones I should remove. A Scottish
farmer, in the Lowlands, had a very stony field, and set hard
to work to clean them off, but soon found out his mistake, as
afterwards his crops of clover diminished one-half. This was
related in the " Journal of Agriculture of the Highland and
Agricultural Society of Scotland." From what I have seen,
rolling is little practised in this county, and, if at all, with
wooden rollers of too little weight. Now, for gypsum, or
sulphate of lime, which is absolutely essential for clover. It
is not a stimulant, but the natural food for its sustenance. Sir
Humphrey Davy found that every fair crop carries awBy from
three to four bushels of gypsum. The composition of sulphate
of lime, when pure, taking a 100 parts as basis, contains —

Sulphuric acid 43

Lime 33

Water 24

In its native state it contains a portion of silica and carbonate
of lime. A Mr. Peters says they have a simple way of trying '^
gypsum in America. They put a quantity of it pulverized
into a dry pot over the fire, and when heated it gives a
sulphurous smell ; if the bubbling or boiling is considerable,
they think it good ; but if it remains quiet, like sand, it is
thought very little worth. It neither promotes the decom-
position of the organic matters of the soil, nor like those de-
composing substances does it furnish the gases of putrefaction
for the service. Red clover, lucerne, and sainfoin are, in fact,
the only three commonly cultivated crops which contain
gypsum in a considerable proportion, and turnips in a smaller ■'

quantity. The proportion of sulphate of lime found in these
plants cannot but be as necessary to their growth as the
presence of the other earthy salts and pure earths. The
weather at the time of sowing it has a very material effect
upon the result. Its effects are never soon apparent when
sown in dry weather, and sometimes not seen at all ; but if
the period is moist, so that the white powder adheres to the
leaves and stalks of the young clover, the good efl'ect is then
almost immediate. This is the experience of clover growers
on the gravels and loams of Surrey and Kent. They dress
with 3 cwt. per acre. It is not absolutely necessary for a
farmer to have his soil analysed to determine the probable
advantages of applying gypsum to his clover. Thus when he
finds that those fields which once produced luxuriant crops of
red clover will no longer yield them abundantly. If he
notices that the young plants spring up very numerously, but
die away as the summer advances, if he finds that his fields
will only grow clover once in seven or eight years, and his
neighbours tell him that his land is clover sick, he may then
safely conclude that in fact the land is deficient in its requisite
food, and has exhausted all the sulphate. It is the cultivator
who is tired of adding the necessary fertilising ingredients to it,
or won't take the trouble to inquire of what those deficient
substances are composed. Gypsum is allowed by English,
American, and farmers on the continent as principally adapted
for light, hot sand, and loamy soils. It has been found useless
when applied to heavy lands, or to those on which stagnant
water rests, as gypsum is soluble in water. Clover manured
witli it is very generally preferred by horses, and other cattle
to that not dressed with it, as stated by the late Mr. Henry
Smith, of Highstead, near Sittingbourne. I observed the same
here on the two acres dressed April, 1860, with respect to some
of the animals, as they stuck to that alone. It is not clearly

•THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

34^

kuDwu what gives this relish, for the chemist has not yet
definitely solved the mystery. From its increasing strengtli,
greenness, and richness, tliat a great portion of something is
by degress absorbed by tlie plants, when manured with gypsum,
is a self-evident fact. The Americans spread a small quantity
as soon as the clover springs up. They think tlie best time
to apply it on clover when sown with barley, is as soon as the
corn is mown. The Americans sometimes even mix the
cloverseed with the gypsum. The Flemings and Germans have
used it with great success for many years. A Prussian noble-
man (I believe now dead) near Berlin, who farmed largely in
1837, a sandy soil, too light to grow wheat, stated that with
the aid of gypsum he could raise clover, but not without. He
sowed barley and clover on the ground and consumed with
sheep. In Glamorganshire on a brashy stiff sandy loam,
manured with it about November, and rolled soon afterwards,
the effects were good. On this farm here, 18 acres were sown
with sulphate of lime, on the 30tli October, 1866, during fine
showery weather (3 cwt. per acre), obtained from Messrs.
Proctor. The clover looks well after the frost, and was rolled
Feb. 1st and 3nd, 1867, with a wooden roller, but much too
light, as it did not flatten the ground. During this summer
the benefit or non-benefit will be seen. I will now state other
remedies, as recommended by practical farmers. Some are in
favour of three bushels of salt to fifteen of ashes per acre, to
be used beforehand, with turnips. Others advocate bones and
sulphuric acid — the amount, practically speaking, an undecided
question, but, taking the medium, about four bushels per acre.
Otliers recommend lime to be applied in the autumn in a mo-
derate quantity on the stubbles, before they are ploughed up
for turnips ; likewise — a good preventive for finger-and-toes
in the turnip-crop — very many coal-ashes as a top-dressing.
Taking 100 parts (that is, if they are kept under cover), they
contain ten per cent, of sulphate of lime, ten of lime, the other
portion chiefly sand, a small portion of red oxide of iron and
alumina. Mr. Scoffer, in his book (" Chemistry of Soil")
says : " Perhaps no occupation in life involves such a number
or such a variety of chemical agencies as agriculture ; yet in
none dependent on chemistry has the science been so much
neglected. Not having an intimate acquaintance with agri-
cultural pursuits, the chemist has not always been able to
contribute the aid required from him." As the prices of land
and rents are gradually advancing, the tenant-farmer must to
a great extent rely on these agencies ; otherwise, I do not see
how he is to pay his rent. Like steam thrashing machines,
the steam plough must also come into general use. Professor
Voelcker states that the subsoil contains vastly more mineral
agents of fertility than the surface-soils, and for this simple
reason — that the plants do not go into the subsoil, on account
of its bad physical condition. This is a grand reason wliy we
should no longer wonder at the gradual failure of the clovei
and other crops, wliich find an empty cupboard where they
ought to find a full one. Baron Liebig, in his " Principles of
Agricultural Chemistry," observed that all the attempts of
Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert to grow clover continuously, by
heavily dressing the surfixce-soil with various manures, failed,
because those manures never reached the subsoil, or feeding-
ground of the clover-roots, the top-soil having arrested and
fixed or appropriated those manures which ought really to
have been buried and intermixed with the poor subsoil. In a
rich old garden, where the subsoil had been long and well
fertilised, Baron Liebig could grow red clover annually. It is
most probable and possible that only enough of the manures
applied to the surface reaches the subsoil in eight or twelve
years, so as to enable the farmer to take a red-clover crop
once during that period. As a rule, the young clover-plant
thrives well until in the spring, when its roots descend to the
subsoil ; and then it perishes for want of proper nutriment.
I could have written more fully on the subject ; but, knowing
that farmers generally like a " short sermon," pithy and to
the point, I have endeavoured to be so here. There may be
slight inaccuracies, but which in no way affect the question.
There may be differences of opinion respecting subjects
brought forward. So much the better, as there will he more
elucidation. Born a farmer's son, and at the present time
having suftlcient, or rather I should say daily, opportunities
of seeing the practical working of a farm, I have in the course
of some of my walks made daily observations, not only on
this, but on other subjects. Ilaving nothing to do, thank
goodness! with the debtor-and creditor account directly,

though indirectly it may affect me, I am better able to form a
clear and decided opinion. I perceive that, without a know-
ledge of the simple eleraeuts of chemistry, a farmer throvvs
away scores of pounds in the year. He thinks that dung is
a cure for everything in arable land. He applies it like a
quack, considering it a safe remedy for every evil ; whereas an
artificial would liave produced a double return. Lime, I am
sorry to say, is too much neglected, and, when applied, fre-
quently wrongfully so. If this paper should promote discus-
sion on the subject, should it bring out the ideas of practical
and observant farmers (there may be many present who know
more on this and other points than myself)— however, should
one individual depart from the room with one iota more of
knowledge than when he entered, it will have had the effect it
was intended to produce; and I shall adopt Lord John Russell's
motto, " Rest and be thankful."

According to Sinclair, there are three red clovers : the tri-
folium medium, or cow-grass, which does not answer for
arable land, as it causes " twitch," and its roots are creeping ;
trifolium pratense-perenne, with a root slightly creeping
and extremely fibrous ; and trifolium pratense, a biennial, the
roots of which are almost spindle-shaped, with comparatively
few fibres.

LIST OF USEFUL CLOVERS, ACCOBDING TO BUCKMAN.

Section 1st. Flowers rose-red or purple.
No, Botanical Name. Common Name. Duration.

1. Trifolium pratense Broad clover Biennial.

^. Do. do. perenne... Perennial ditto or

cow grass Perennial.

3. Do. do. medium... Zig-zag or marl

grass Bien. or perefl.

4. Do. incarnatum... Carnation clover.. Annual.

Section 2nd. Flowers pink.

5. Do. hybridum ... Alsike clover Biennial.

6. Do. striatum Soft-knotted trefoil Biennial.

7. Do. fragiferum ... Strawberry-headed

trefoil Perennial.

Section 3rd. Flowers white.

8. Do. repens Dutch clover Perennial.

Section -ith. Flowers yellow.

9. Do. filiforme "... Small - flowered or

suckling clover.. Annual.
10. Do. procumbens.. Hop trefoil Annual.

Whilst at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Pro-
fessor Buckman experimented largely on the different clovers,
and having gathered seeds of trifohum medium from a sand
district, its usual wild habitation, planted them in some stiff
land on the forest marble. Without entering on the inter-
mediate steps, it is suflicient to state that he was able to pro-
duce the three clovers from this seed, and has therefore now
no hesitation in saying that these three forms are mere varie-
ties of the common broad-leaved or red clover. Respecting
the Alsike clover, he states that it is a large and useful plant,
and has been recommended for soils reputed " clover sick," and
has met with good crops occasionally when broad-leaved clover
has failed. The seed is mostly obtained from the Continent,
and difficult to obtain pure. One sample, named " Pure Al-
sike Clover," contained as many as 100,000 weed seeds in a
pint, sufficient to smother the clover effectually. Now for
" clover sickness," frome same author. The soil and mode of
cultivation is a common cause of the so-called disease. On
the oolites of the Cotswolds, on which we have perhaps four
inches of soil, and then the rock, we constantly hear of this
complaint ; indeed, on the College Farm of oolitic sand all
the land was said to be " clover sick ;" and so long as the
plough vpas not allowed to go deeper than i inches, it un-
doubtedly was so. But when the impression gained ground
that these 4 inches had been worked out, it was decided to nse
the steam-plough for our roots to the depth of 13 inches ; then
followed the barley, to be succeeded by clover, and a crop of
2| tons per acre was attributed to the cultivation. Now, 1866,
at Bradford Al)bas, in another field, with same treatment, I
have like promise, and begin to think that deep cultivation for
roots is a present cure for the " sickness." So far from wait-
ing the usual eight years for another crop of clover, I have
pursued my own course independently of my predecessor,
in each instance calling forth the remark, " Who would
have thought it ?" The following i^ the conclusion he has
drawn : —

344

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

1st. A judicious cliange and choice of seed. We inquire as
to the son whence we get our seed barley and wheat, but who-
ever asks this vith regard to clover ?

2nd. The rejection as a rule oi foreign seed, more especially
from a warmer country.

3rd. Clover should be self-sown to be perfect ; but if sown
with grain we should at all events take care to sow clean seeds
in clean land.

4th. Deeper cultivation, if only to the extent of three or
four inches, for if we go deeper we have fresh capital to draw
upon ; indeed, deep ciUtivation may be regarded as the renova-
tor of the soil for the present generation.

Feb. 4th, 1867. Extract from BclPs WeeUy Messenger re-
specting Professor Buckman's farm in Dorset : " At the top of
the upper lias, and having super-imposed the freestones of the
inferior oolite, is a bed of sand in Gloucestershire about 60
feet in thickness— in Dorset more than double that. The
farm is mostly situated on these sand deposits on which the
soil is sandy loam. There are, however, occasional patches of
inferior oolite, and here the land is stone brash. The farming
has been wonderfully altered during the space of three years —
couch, thistles, and weeds of'all descriptions, wliich certainly
when the Professor entered on the farm seemed daily to rise
up as if in revenge for his having written so much about them,
are rapidly diminishing. Each year about fifty acres are cul-
tivated by steam, a foot deep, and the so-called clover-sick
soil yields fine clover crops. It would appear that on this
farm every crop becomes, as it were, the subject of experiment,
inasmuch as each field is cultivated according to its condition
and circumstances. The time of sowing, amount of seed, and
results, are all noted in a book. This is worthy of the con-
sideration of farmers.

Bradford Abbas, Sherborne, Dorset, Feb. 28, 1867.
I beg to reply to your questions as shortly as may be, as I
am full of engagements. While admitting that any plant
may be land sick, I think the cases are rare in which the
clover cannot be grown with care and attention. This last
year I seeded a piece of land with Dutch clover, haK of which
was oats, and the otlier half barley. Where the best crop of
oats was there is a very poor plant of clover. The same with
the barley. In the latter the site of some rubbish burnings
has failed in the clover. Here the reason was the occupation
of the land by a vigorous crop with broad leaves. [This part
of the letter I do not clearly understand, but take lor granted
that Professor Buckman means to I'mply that alkalies are pro-
ductive of the broad-leaved clover. — W. H. D.] Query,
have we any business to call land clover-sick until we have'
tried clover by itself and failed ? I do not much care to
bring up sand from the bottom of my soil by the plough, but
am fond of letting in air by the steam-cultivator — not plough
—by which means I find a httle of the subsoU is brought up,
and a little of the surface-soil sent down. I find this method
effectual in the growth of clover, when it is said to be clover-
sick. I never sow dung in drills. My plan is to plough in
manure in winter with the common plough six inches, and
then to cultivate by steam as just stated. By this means the
manure becomes disentangled and well mixed with the soil. I
never drill ashes or artificial of any kind. When these are
employed they are broadcasted and lightly harrowed. I use
8 cwt. of Proctor's Hoot Manure to the acre, for swedes and
mangolds. My crop of the former last year was estimated, by
judges who examined for the cup which I got, at upwards of
41 tons per acre. This year I got the cup for mangolds.
This is by ploughing in any manure I can get in the winter,
and broadcast the phosphatic manures when the land is pre-
pared for the seed. I do not find it necessary to roll for com-
pression, either in the autumn or spring ; but I do so when it
is to be mown, on account of stones. I think the less the
c overs are bruised the better, and if it be done in frost it is
absolutely destruction. A horse walking over your clover in
frost wiU leave a track of dead plant. I roU grass seeds, as
they tiller better, grasses having the habit of weaving together.
1 attribute much of the so-called clover sickness to the nature
ot the seed. I recommend a new strain to be procured from
mixed clover, but then the produce wiU not be so large or the
plants so gouty. My general conclusions are that clover sick-
ness is not founded on fact, but arises firom mistaken observa-
^'O'ls, James Buckm.vn, F.L.S., F.G.T. Sec.

Feb. 27, 1867.
Mr. J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farms, Aylesbury, Bucks.—
My land is a stiff', rich loam, and some of it a heavy, strong
clay. The red clover flourishes as well as ever in this neigh-
bourhood ; the general course is to grow it every eighth year,
and my brother about two miles from here grows it every
sixth year, and has very fine crops. I grow it every seventh
year, and have generally about 35 cwt. to the acre the
first cut, and about 28 to 30 cwt., according to the weather,
the second cut. I never manure my clover ley in autumn or
spring. I have tried it once or twice, and the effect is inju-
rious to the crops, and is seems to waste away afterwards. I
think lime, as a rule, prejudicial to all lands, unless used with
great judgment, and but seldom. Lime is not a manure but a
fertilizer, and soon exhausts a soil if constantly used. Nearly
all South, Wales, I am told, has been seriously injured by con-
tinuous liming, and on my visit to Glamorganshire two years
ago was able to corroborate the report. I think deep tillage for
everything except wheat is desirable, and as I use Smith's steam
cultivator I smash up ray land about 10 inches in depth in au-
tumn. I think a dressing of lime once in eight years, sown
broadcast on clover ley before ploughing for wheat, a good
thing used sparingly. I generally put about 15 loads of dung
onto my turnip crop. 1 smash it up by steam in the autumn,
and in the spring sow 1^ cwt. of Peruvian guano to the acre,
and no more. I never mix anything with my red clover, and
always cut it twice, selling one crop to the London market,
and consuming second crop at home.

Clover,* according to the analysis of Boussiugault consists
of —

Carbon ... 474

Oxygen ' 378

Hydrogen... ' 50

Nitrogen ... ... ... ... 31

Inorganic matter 77

1,000

An ordinary crop of red clover takes the following quanti-
ties from an acre of land : —

Potash

... lb.

26.70

Soda _

7.07

Magnesia

4.48

Phosphoric acid

8.80

Sulphuric acid

5.98

Chloride

4.86

Gross weight to be returued to an acre „ 57.89

Land, to be beneficial to the farmer, must be composed of or
contain not less than twelve different chemical substances. Si-
lica, alumina, oxide of iron, oxide of manganese : these four
make up the greater portion of every land, but chemically
speaking are of trifling importance to plants. The following
eight are absolutely necessary, and no land, unless provided
with them either naturally or artificially, can be successfully
cultivated : — Lime, magnesia, potass, soda, phosphoric acid,
sulphuric acid, chlorine, and organic matter. — Page 103,
Stephens' " Book of the Farm."

The crops of clover (red) and turnips carry off as a general rule
(though there are exceptional cases), taking periods of liming,
modes of application, qualities of lime, and soils to which they
are added, as follows : —

Per acre. Grain. Roots. Total.

Turnips 20 tons ... 46 ... 73 ... llSlbs.

Clover 3 tons ... 0 ... 77 ... 771bs.

Oh the conclusion of the reading of the paper there was
loud applause.

The Sr.cRETARy was glad to find that an opinion was
expressed in the paper in favour of deep cultivation; for
he also was of opinion that deep cultivation was necessary
in order to prevent the clover plant being sick. The sur-
face of the soil had been harrowed and ploughed from gene-
ration to generation at the same depth, but he believed if they
wanted to derive the most benefit from it they must go deeper.
If they wanted coal they had to go down for it, and if they
wanted new phosphates they must go down deeper than many
of them were accustomed to do. It was almost impossible for
them to get steam-ploughs, but let them plough as deep as they

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

345

could with horse-power, and then he felt sure they \TOuld reap
the benefit. lie knew that Mr. Bendall had been liming his
land after turnips for barley, and he should like to know the
result from Mr. Eendall. From what Mr. Bendall told
him, it appeared that the results did not come up to what was
expected.

Mr. Bendall said the only instance in which he had tried
lime with his clover was four years ago. He then limed about
two acres, but the crop did not stand better on those two acres
than upon the rest of the field. The same field had clover
upon it this year, and as it happened that it was eighty years
since there was a good crop, and four years since the failure,
this time it grew well.

The Secretary : Where was the land ?

Mr. Bendall : At Caer-bwlch.

The Secretary said it was his other land that he re-
ferred to,

Mr. Bendall •. Then in that case he had not seen any
favourable results from liming yet. The only remedy he
could think of for the failure of the crop was to plant it less
frequently.

After a few remarks from Mr. Terrts and Mr. Smith, the
latter expressing an opinion that by a judicious application of
artificial manures they could grow as good crops as they did
30 years ago !

Mr. H. De Winton said he was in Shropshire some few
years ago, and he remembered that a farmer had just left a
farm near the place where he was staying, because he could

not grow seeds. He was succeeded by a man named Jones, a
Welshman, who said he would see if he could not grow seeds
there. The following year Mr. Jones asked him to go aud
look at some clover. When he went he saw twelve acres of
magnificent clover. When he asked Mr. Jones what he had
done he said he had well cleaned the land, drained it, and
hauled a large quantity of lime to the field. Then he (Mr.
L>e Winton) saw five or six large heaps of lime, and he thought
when it was put upon the laud it would certainly destroy the
seeds, but when he went to the same field about sis weeks
afterwards the clover was half-way up his leg as he walked.
It was luxuriant. Now he did not know whether Mr. Jones
managed to get different lime from what they got in that dis-
trict, but here was the fact. He must compliment Mr. Downes
upon his able paper.

After a little further discussion the Secretary suggested
that ten farmers, members of the Chamber, should cul-
tivate a field of clover, and this time next year give the
result of their treatment. This idea met with general ap-
proval, aud ten farmers volunteered to grow a field of clover
and to give the result at a meeting of the Chamber to be held
about this time next year.

Mr. Downes then recommended the farmers to be careful
how they purchased their seeds, as there was such a thing as
" doctored" seed.

On the motion of the Chairmau a vote of thanks was
passed to Mr. Downes for his paper.

SEWAGE,

J Fertilization and Furieication.— Mr. C, F. Gower,

civil engineer, is of opinion that the ordinary valuation of
town-sewage at twopence per ton allows an ample margin for
profit, and indicates that agricultural prosperity and the puri-
fication of towns may be promoted by the conveyance of the
sewage direct to the land. He says . " If it be granted that
for every ton of sewage delivered upon the land twopence is
actuaUy realised by increased produce, not only will this pay
the cost of conveyance (say pumping to a height of one hun-
dred feet), but a very large margin will be left, more than
enough to pay the interest on the capital expended in a com-
plete system of drainage for any town in the kingdom. Take,
for instance, a town of 40,OOU inhabitants, and suppose the
daily amount of sewage to be one million gallons, upwards of
1,600,000 tons per annum, not including rain-water, which
latter must be diverted or kept separate from the sewage as
much as possible, where pumping to any considerable height
is resorted to. Now, a pumping-engine will raise from ten to
fifteen tons of water one hundred feet high for a penny, in-
cluding all expenses, varying with the price of coal, &c.
Suppose, however, eight tons raised one hundred feet lor a
penny — that is, half-a-farthiug per ton for pumping: the annual
cost of raising 1,000,000 tons would thus be about £800 ; but to
cover entire expenses of raising sewage one hundred feet, and
delivering it upon the land, say £i,000 per annum. Then
the probable outlay for a complete system of sewers in a town
of 40,000 inhabitants might be £30,000 ; for pumping-engine,
say £10,000 ; perhaps three miles of conduit from the town
to the irrigation-meads, £6,000 ; and for laying out and pre-
paring these lauds for irrigation, say £4,000 ; making a total of
£50,000, the annual interest of which, atfivepercent.,is £2,500.
Tills, added to the annual cost of pumping and distribution,
amounts to £3,500, against which there is the revenue of
1,600,000 tons of sewage, at twopence per. ton — in round
numbers,- £13,000 — leaving a clear profit to the town of
£9,500. The cost of pumping one hundred feet high by
steam-power has been stated at half-a-farthing per ton, and
would vary in direct proportion to the height, or nearly so.
The entire cost of conveyance — that is, the cost of conveying
liquid by sewers, deduced from the interest on capital, is about
one-and-a-lialf farthings per ton. One halfpenny per ton,
therefore, as the value of sewage, would be sidficient to pay
the cost of pumping one hundred feet high, as well as the in-
terest on the outlay for drainage, A revenue from the applica-

eation of sewage to land of £13,000, in a town of 40,000 in-
habitants, gives 6s. Od. as the manurial value per head of
population, which is not much below what has been assigned
by chemists. It must not be forgotten, however, that the
greater the water-supply of a tovi'n is, the less will be the
value of the sewage per ton ; and though this would entail a
somewhat greater cost for pumping, there are other advan-
tages belonging to a high state of dilution that more than
compensate it. During the last few months vegetation would
indeed have been thankful for plahi-water irrigation, much
more for a few of the millions of tons of liquid that have
during that period been worse than wasted in streams and
rivers."

A New Step towards the Utilization oe Sewage. —
The Spedaior says : " Mr. G. Siliar is reported to have dis-
covered a process which will make the sewage of towns in-
valuable as manure. He or his partner, Mr. Wigner, an
analytical chemist, had been studying Leviticus, and came to
the conclusion that the ' ashes of a heifer' — /. e., animal char-
coal— and blood poured out upon the ground — i. e., blood
and clay aU mixed together with some ingredients not spec." ■
fied — would make an admirable purifier. The experiment was
tried at Tottenham, where 36,000 gallons of sewage were
purified in twenty minutes ; and the solid residuum was found
to be worth twice the cost of the experiment. From another
experiment at Leicester, it is calculated that the sewage of
that town would yield £160 a day, at an outlay of £17 3s.
AU these statements require corroboration ; but further expe-
riments are to be undertaken on a great scale. If Mr. Siliar
succeeds, he will have turned his biblical researches to the
public benefit at last. If we mistake not, his last deduction
from Leviticus was that paying or receiving interest was sin-
ful— an opinion which the success of a great patent tends
rapidly to modify.

COWS that hold up milk, Mr. Johnson says, can be cured
if they wiU drink sour milk. After drinking and as soon as
they begin to lick the pail, they will give down freely. He
has tried it with cows that would give about two-thirds the
proper quantity, retaining the other portion. Then he gives
them the milk to drink, and waits until they begin to hck the
pail, when he has no trouble in obtaining the remainder. He
has tried meal, salt, and various things, but found nothing to
produce such an effect as sour milk.— Prane Farmer.

131.6

THE FiLRMER'S MAGAZINE.

SIGNS OF THE COMING WEATHER.

At the monthly meeting of tlie Ballymahon Farmers' Club
the Hon. L. H. King Harman in the chair, the following; paper
on " Tlie Signs of Coming Weather" was read by Mr. W.
HEWiTT, of Ballyraulvey : —

The subject assigned me for tiiis paper is one that I do not
feel myself equal to, nor would I have undertaken it were it
not that my desire to further the objects of the club, and to set
the example to others to bear a hand in keeping the wheel in
motion, prevented me from saying no, when I was named to
prepare a paper on the " Signs of the Coming Weather."

A remark about the weather habitually forms the subject
of our friendly greetings, and the wish and the hope of a fine
day are no trivial matters in our climate. But if we are in-
terested in the present weather, we are often far more so re-
specting that which is to come. It is material to the man of
business, it is always important to the gentleman and lady for
pleasure, and it is vital to the farmer : it was so in all times.
From the beginning, from the earliest epoch, the attention of
man has been directed to the detection of those signs which
precede changes of the weather ; and the popular proverbs
and rhymes of all nations inculcate those hints of nature,
which advanced science in the present day confirms and ex-
plains ; so tliat " weather wisdom" is very far from being a
mere superstition ; on the contrary, every person who may
combine observation of tlie elements with such indications as
may be obtained from instruments will find tiiat the more ac-
curately the two sources of knowledge are compared and com-
bined, the more satisfactory their results will prove. Ability
to foretel weather can be acquired only by degrees. A look at
the glasses at home and an eye turned occasionally to the
heavens will enable any one who pleases to take this trouble
to foresee accurately, after a little practice, the principal
changes of our variable, though regularly varying, climate.

To a careful observer everything in time becomes a sort of
weather-gauge. The clouds, the sky, the sun, the moon, the
stars, the rainbow, the trees, the flowers, the birds — in fine,
almost every insect or animal with whicli we are acquainted
becomes the instruments of real and useful knowledge.

Clouds. — Numerous prognostics of the weather may be
gathered from the observation of clouds ; they are, as it were,
floating barometers and thermometers in the skies, and are ever
ready to indicate coining weather, if we study them with an
adequate knowledge of their causes, the shapes they assume,
the directions they take, and their position in the sky ; in a
word, they are the great storehouses of rain. They have been
classified by Mr, Luke Howard according to their shapes, to
which he gave the names, " Cirrus," " Cumulus," " Stratus,"
and " Nimbus." The Cirrus clouds resemble locks of hair
(" mares' tails") or feathers, sometimes covering the face of tlie
sky with a thin transparent gauze. If these clouds form during
fine weather, with a falling barometer, it is almost sure to rain.
The Cumulus clouds are like huge sugarloaves, conical or con-
vex from a horizontal base. If they form during fine weather,
they indicate its continuance ; but if tiiey are tleecy and sail
against the wind, they indicate rain ; if their outline is very
hard and they come up with the wind, they foretel fine weather.
The Stratus cloud is what we sometimes see in the evening —
an extensive continuous horizontal sheet of cloud, or creeping
mist, always nearer the earth than any other cloud. Should
it disappear in the morning we may expect the finest weather,
but should it combine with the cirrus cloud, forming what sailors
call " a mackerel sky," wind and rain will follow ; hence the
saying—

" Mackerel scales and mares' tails
Make lofty ships carry low sails."
Clouds composed of the cumulus and stratus assume all sorts
of gigantic forms, such as towers, huge rocks, &c. ; they por-
tend a change of weather ; hence the saying —

" When clouds appear like rocks and towers

The earth's refreshed by frequent showers."

The Nimbus is the true and immediate rain cloud, shapeless,

but with defined outline, its edge gradually shaped off from the

deep, gray mass into transparency. Just before rain we may

observe smaU under-clouds, what the sailors call " scud," often
moving with much greater velocity than those above them.
As wind is only air in motion its first effect is in driving the
clouds before it ; hence, when clouds float about in a serene
sky, from whatever quarter they come, you may expect wind ;
if they come from the north-east they denote wind, if from the
south great rains ; but let them come from what quarter they
will, if you see them driving about at sunset, they are sure
sigus of an approaching tempest. Soft-looking or delicate
clouds foretel fine weather — hard-edged oily-looking clouds,
wind — small inky-looking clouds, rain.

The Slcy. — A bright yellow sky at sunset presages wind — a
pale yellow, wet ; and a greenish sickly-looking colour, wind
and rain ; thus, by the prevalence of red, yellow, and other
tints, the coming weather may be foretold very nearly. After
fine clear weather, the first signs in the sky of a coming change
are usually white streaks or mottled patches of distant clouds,
and are followed by an overcastingof murky vapour that finally
grows into cloudiness ; this appearance is an infallible sign of
rain — a light, bright, blue sky indicates fine weather — a red
sky in the morning, bad weather — a grey sky in the morning,
fine weather — a high dawn, wind — a low dawn, fair weather.
A " high dawn" is when the first indications of daylight are
seen above a bank of clouds ; a " low dawn" is when the day
breaks on or near the horizon, the first streaks of light being
very low down. A red louring sky at sunrise indicates a wet
day ; this results from the fact that the higher regions of the
air are laden with vapour, which is on the point of condensa-
tion, and which the heat of the rising sun is insuSicient to
disperse ; hence the weather axiom —

" If red the sun begins his race,
Be sure that rain will fall apace."

Amongst weather prognostics from general appearances may
be mentioned that remarkable clearness of atmosphere near
the horizon — distant objects, such as hills, unusually visible or
raised by refraction, may be mentioned amongst signs of wet.
Inanimate creation also sounds the alarm of coming wet, for
stones seem to sweat, and wood swells, salt becomes damp, and
strings of violins shrink and snap against rain.

The Sun. — A red sunset indicates a fine day to-morrow ; the
vapour is not actually condensed into clouds, and so it refracts
the red rays of sunlight. A grey sunset indicates wet ; evi-
dently the air on the surface of the earth is very damp at the
time, saturated with vapour, so we may expect wet ; and hence
the saying —

" Evening red and morning gray
Set the traveller on his way ;
Evening gray and morning red
Bring rain in torrents on his head,"

A yellow sunset indicates vi'ct ; the vapour of the air being
actually condensed into clouds, presents more resistance to
the rays of light, and so the most refracted rays, the yellow,
are bent to the eye. The vapours of the air are there-
fore in a fit condition to descend as rain, which may b e soon
expected.

If the sun at rising appears enlarged, there will shortly be
sudden showers, if in summer, but in winter settled and mode-
rate weather ; the enlarged appearance of the sun is the result
of dense vapour in the air on the point of condensation.

If tiic sun sec behind a straight skirting of cloud be sure of
wind from that point — if it set beliind a rugged rocky, or
mixed bank of clouds, very stormy, wet, or showery will be the
morrow — if it set in a general sheet of haziness of a dusky,
leadeu hue, bad weather is near.

A very clear sunset, of a pale gold colour, is a sign of fine
weather, if there be a dewy evening with it ; the prevalence
of dew is, in itself, an indication of fine weather, because it is
not formed when the sky is cloudy, or when there is much
wind. Wiien the deposition of dew takes place, the warmth
from the eartli is prevented from escaping, by some non-con-
ductor of lieat, as grass, leaving the surface of the blades of
grass much colder than the surrounding airj hence dew is
formed.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

847

A clear, orange-coloured sunset foretels a very fine day to
follow.

The Moon and Stars. — The influence of the moon on the
weather has been doubled on hi},'h authority— that of the
Trench astronomer Arago, who alleged that the changes must
be only a coincidence, sometimes observed and mistakingly in-
ferred as a law ; in spite of this, however, the influence of the
moon on the weather will be maintained by many as occasion-
ing rain in its phases of new and full. Admiral Fitzroy said
that every weather prophet appeals to the moon. The ancient
Egyptians observed the peculiar effect wliich the moon pro-
duces on the cat ; if the eyes of that animal be observed at
new moon, the pupils will be found to be extremely small, and
they will be seen to enlarge gradually as the moon receives
additional light from the sun ; at the time of full moon the
pupils are at the largest, and they as gradually diminish to-
wards the change. The Shepherd of lianbury, who formed
rules to judge of the changes of weather ou his experience of
forty years' observations, simply tells us that the appearance
of halos round the moon is a sign of wet ; that if she shine
thin aud clear, she indicates serenity ; but if she appear red, and
her whole illuminated part visible, and in a state of vibration,
she portends wind. Atfd Virgil says —

"If on her cheeks you see the maiden's blush,
The ruddy moon foreshows the winds will rush."
It has also been remarked by the Banbury Shepherd that a
fog in the new moon is a sign of good weather— in the old, a
sign of wet.

The dimness of the stars and other heavenly bodies is one
of the surest signs of very rainy weather. When they look
bigger than usual, are pale and dull, and without rays, the
clouds are condensing into rain, which will very soon follow.
If it begin to rain an hour or two before lunrise, it is likely
to clear up before noon, and so continue all day ; but if the
rain begin an hour or two after sunrise, it is likely to rain all
f day, except the rainbow be seen before it rains.

The Rainbow. — I may observe that when the rainbow
appears, the spectator has the sun behind him, and the clouds
with the bow in them before him. We are all too well ac-
quainted with the colours to need a description of them here :
if the green be large and bright, it is a sign of rain ; if red be
the strongest colour, there will be wind and rain together.

After a long drought the rainbow is a sign of rain. After
much wet the rainbow indicates fair weather. If the rainbow
breaks up all at once, there will follow serene and settled
weather. If the bow be seen in the morning rain will follow,
because a morning rainbow is always in the west, and our
heavy rains are generally brought to us by west and south-
west winds, therefore the clouds which present the rainbow in
the west must be coming up with the wind ; hence the saying —
" A rainbow in the morning
Is the shepherd's warning."
If the bow be seen at noon, we may expect settled and heavy
rains ; if at night, fair weather, because it must then be in the
east, or opposite the sun, consequently the clouds reflecting
the rainbow must have been driven from west to east, having
already passed over us, and there departing from us ; hence
the saying —

" A rainbow at night
Is the shepherd's delight."

Flowers. — Flowers and plants are good barometers. The
trefoil swells in the stalk against rain, l3ut the leaves droop and
hang down. If the Siberian sow-thistle shuts at night, the
ensuing day will be fine ; if it opens it will be cloudy and
rainy. If the African marigold continues shut after seven in
the morning, rain is at hand. The pimpernel (Anagallis
arvensis), which is a very common flower, and may be called
the poor man's weather-glass, shuts itself up extremely close
against rainy weather. Just before rain flowers smell stronger
and sweeter, simply because the vapours of the air prevent the
scented particles of their perfume from ascending, as they would
in drier air ; aud for similar reasons, cesspools, Sic, give notice
of their existence.

Birds. — When rain is coming, ducks aud geese preen them-
selves aud make a show of washing. Swallows fly up and
down low ; they fly low because their food is low, for the
insects which they feed upon have taken refuge from the
colder regions of the air, where the change is beginning, in the
warmer air near the earth : crows make a gliding motion in
their flight, called playing at football : the song of the robin,

perched early in the morning on the top branch, is a sure sign
of a line day: if cocks crow at unusual hours, but especially
when a hen and her chickens crowd into the house, rain is at
hand ; cocks are prized in Japan for this reason.

Animals. — It cannot be doubted that Nature has given to
animals instinct in prognosticating a change of weather, for
when cattle seek sheltered places instead of spreading over
their usual range, an unfavourable change is probable, if not
certain rain or stormy weather. If oxen lie on their right side,
look towards the south, and lick their hoofs, if cows look up
in the air and snulf it, and if asses bray violently : these are
sure signs of rain. At the approach of rain cats turn their
backs to the fire and rub their ears, this is owing either to the
incipient humidity getting between the hair, or the air being
surcliBrged with electricity, both of which causes produce the
sensation of itching, which the cat experiences intensely, its
hair being very electrical. To give you an idea of the notions
that some old people entertain in the habits of the cat as re-
gards the weather, I shall tell you an event that occurred about
fifty or sixty years ago, the truth of which I can vouch for.
At the time I speak of, there lived in the next parish to this an
old couple in humble, but very comfortable, circumstances. The
old man, " Thady"— for that was his name— had reached an
advanced age, his eyes were dim, he could scarcely see ; it was
his habit every day, in fine weather, to grope his way into the
garden and enjoy the sun and air for au hour or two. Tea was
not then used by the humbler classes as an article of dietary ;
nevertheless, his old wife "Judy" believed that a cup was an
antidote against headache, and on these occasions she used to
put her earthenware black-glazed little teapot to the fire to
draw, the foremilk of which, I often heard her aflirm, was
better than the strippings of any other pot in the neighbour-
hood. Thady returned one day sooner than usual, sat down in
his old arm-chair, groped the hob-hob for his pipe, and in
pressing it down on a coal, he thought he saw something at
the fire; he called out to Judj-, who was in the room off the
kitchen, " Judy, what's this at the fire ?" " Sure 'tis the cat,
Thady, avourneen." " Bad luck to her, the jade, she will
bring us bad weather," aud makhig a blow of his stick at her,
he split both the foremilk and strippings, and destroyed all her
milking properties for ever.

The foregoing remarks fall far short of what might be said
on the signs of coming weather, and as the subject has been, I
may say, only broached, I hope it will be hereafter taken up
by some member of this club, more learned in scien;;e and
better acquainted with the laws of Nature ; but before I con-
clude I shall refer you to signs of another kind— signs in which,
I am confident, everyone present, as well as myself, feel a deep
interest— I mean the apparent signs of our kind and honour-
able chairman's improved health and increasing vigour. May
those sigus long continue and increase.

AN EDEN IN CALIFORNIA.— It is the vineyards aud
orange and lemon orchards that make Los Angelos the garden-
spot of California. Just imagine a collection of gardens, six
miles square, and producing at all times of the year almost
everything that grows under the sun. One of the largest and
most beautiful places in the city is the Wolfskill vineyards,
containing 2,000 orange-trees, 1,000 lemon-trees, 500 walnut,
100 fig, and 100 lime-trees, and 55,000 grape-vines. Near by
is the vineyard of Mr. ChUds, containing 500 orange, the
same number each of peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, olive,
walnut, and chesnut-trees, and 10,000 vines.' llight in the'
heart of the city is Don Mateo Keller's place, containing
100,000 grape-vines, 1,000 lemon, 500 orange, 100 lime, 100
olive, 200 walnut, and 100 fig-trees, and all of the other variety
of fruits known in the south and in the semi-tropics. He also
raises hops, cotton and tobacco, wheat, barley, corn, all kinds
of vegetables, and everything of the berry tribe. Last fall,
Mr. Keller made 100,000 gallons of wine, aud nearly as much
brandy. A few miles from the city a Mr. Rose has a vineyard
of 200,000 grape-vines. Near him is the vineyard of Colonel
Kewen, coutainiug 75,000 vines, 800 walnut, 500 orange, and
300 each of lemon and olive-trees. It must be recollected
that frftm a little elevation in the centre of this garden-city
may be seen the broad Pacific on the one hand, and upon the
other, two hundred miles of mountains covered with snow. No
such picture may be seen upon the Mediterranean Sea, if, in-
deed, anywhere in the world.

348

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

STAFFORDSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MEETING IN THE POTTEWES.

The annual exhibition of this society, held on Wednesday
and Thursday, Sept. 9 and 10, in the Potteries, lias proved very
successful, especially considering the fact that only one show,
that of last year, lias been held since 1864, and that no cattle
stock have been exhibited since that year, owing to the cattle-
plague. The site was very convenient, for Cauldon-place, where
the meeting was held, is near the Stoke station — an almost in
dispensable condition for the show in the Potteries.

The cattle stock formed the prime feature of the show. As
a whole it was not equal to what has been seen at the Stafford-
shire shows, especially at the one last held at Newcastle ; but
considering the ravages of the cattle-plague, it was very good,
and the male animals in every class might have been matched
against those at any county show. The unfavourable nature
of the season accounts for some of the stock being in poor
condition.

The Shropshire sheep were excellent, and the competition
very keen. The long-wooUed sheep came up in small force,
and Shorthorns and Shropshires seem to be driving every other
breed off the Staffordshire farms.

The horse show proved very attractive. The hunters were
a moderate show, and the harness horses and cobs pretty good.

The implements were a satisfactory show. Several minor
improvements overcoming difEculties, simplifying parts, giving
greater strength, and reducing cost, were presented at the
stands of the leading makers.

THE JUDGES.

Shorthorns, fat stock, and Shropshire sheep. — 11, Brown,
Wiggington House, Tamworth ; J . Woods, Clipstone Park
T. Horton, Harnage Grange.

Dairy cattle and Leicester sheep. — J. A.Beale, Brockhurst
G. Godd, Pilsbury.

Hunting horses, hacks, and cobs. — C. Randall, Chadbury
A. Griffith, Lichfield.

Agricultural horses and pigs. — R. Warner, Weston Hill
•— Belcher, Morton.

Implements in yard.— J. J. Rowley, Rowthom ; W. Power.
Brancote.

Implements on trial in field. — C. R. Keeling, Yew Tree
Farm ; W. Collins, Aston ; also judges of ploughing for the
district prizes.

Cheese.— E. Etches, Derby; T.^R. Smith, Clifton Cottage,
Ashboum.

We append the awards of the judges :
SHORTHORNS.

Bulls.— First prize, £10, R. Ratcliffe, Walton Hall, Bur-
ton ; second, £5, J. Hardy, M.P., Dimstall, Burton.

Yearling bulls. — First prize, £10, T, Robinson, Burton ;
second, £5, T. Travis, Postern Lodge, Belper.

BuU calves. — First prize, £5, E. Tunnicliffe, Bromley, Ec-
cleshaU ; second, £3 10s., W. Wakefield, Catton, Burton.

Cows. — First prize, £6, J. Hill, Bladon Castle, Solney, Bur-
ton ; second, £4<, W. Wakefield.

In-calf two-year-old heifers in pairs. — First prize, £6, R.
Sneyd ; second, £•!<, J. Slingsby, Hanchurch.

Yearling heifers in pairs. — First prize, £5, R. Ratcliff ; se-
cond, £8, J. Slingsby.

CATTLE FOR DAIRY PURPOSES.

Bulls. — First prize, £10, and the society's silver medal, W.
H. Kidson, Featherstone, Wolverhampton ; second, £5, the
Marquis of Anglesey, Beaudesert, Rugeley.

Cows in pairs.— First prize, £10, T. C. Smith, Birdsgrove,
Ashboum ; second, £5, W. H. Kidson.

In-calf two-year-old heifers.— First prize, £5, and second,
£3, T. Carrington, Eaton, Uttoxeter.

Yearling heifers.— First prize, £4, B. Bond, f)raycott,
Cheadle ; second, £3, T. Burgess.

Fat cattle.— First prize, silver cup, value £10, W. Spencer,
J'otters Marstou, Hinckley; second, £4, the Marquis of

SHEEP.

Rams. — First prize, £5, the society's silver medal, R. John-
son, Kirkireton, Wirksworth ; second, £3, C. Mellor, Atlow,
Ashbourn.

Shearling rams.— First prize, £5, C. Mellor ; second, £3
R, Johnson.

Ram lambs. — First prize, £3, and second, £3, R. Johnson.

Breeding 6wes. — First prize, £5, R. Johnson.

Shearling ewes. — First prize, £3, R. Johnson.

Ewe lambs. — First prize, £3, R. Johnson.

SHROPSHIRE AND BLACK OR GREY-FACED
SHEEP.

Rams.-^First prize, £5, and the society's silver medal, W.
Baker, Moor Barns, Atherstone; second, £3, C. Timmis,
Brick House, Stafford. The class commended.

Shearling rams. — First prize, £5, C. Byrd, Littywood ; se-
cend, £3, W. Baker.

Ram lambs. — First prize, £3, and second, £3, W. Stubbs,
Rickerscote, Stafford.

Breeding ewes. — First prize, £8, C. R. Keeling, Yew Tree
Fann ; second, £3, J. Coson.

Shearling ewes. — First prize, £3, J. Coxon ; second, £3, S.
Matthews.

Ewe .lambs. — First prize, £3, J. Coxon ; second, £3, W.
Baker.

HORSES.
FoK Agricultural PcRrosES.

Entire horses. — First prize, £10 and silver medal, J. Yeo-
mans, Four Ashes; second, £6, J. Ash, Cash He&th, Cheadle.

Geldings or mares in pairs. — First prize, £10, the Stoue-
trough Colliery Company, Lawton, Cheshire ; second, £6, T.
Burgess, Burleydam, Whitchurch.

Mares and foals. — First prize, £8, J. Alcock, CeUarhead ;
second, £5, the Stonetrough Colliery Company.

Two-year-old geldings or fillies. — First prize, £5, the Stone-
trough Colliery Company ; second, £3, J . Hawksworth, Bar-
ton Blount, Derby.

Yearling geldings or fillies. — First prize, £5, T. Burgess ;
second, £3, Stonetrough CoUiery Company.
FoK HuNTiNC4 Purposes,

Hunting horse or marc (open to all England). — Firsu prize,
£31, J. Cooper, Trent Vale; second, £10, Captain E. N. Hey-
gate, Leominster.

Mares and foals — First prize, £6, H. CottreH, Uttoxeter;
sscoud, £4, Mrs. Ford, Badenhall, Eccleshall.

Hack horses or mares. — First prize, £6, and second, £4,
G. J. Mitchell, Newton Mount, Burton.

Cobs. — First prize, £6, the Bridgwater Trustees, Stoke ; se-
cond, £4, J. T. Smith, Cliff Bank Cott.ige, Stoke.

EXTRA STOCK.
Cattle. — Medal, Rev. J. K. Dunne, Cresswell, Cheadle
(Shorthorn heifer).
Sheep. — Medal, J. Coxon.

PIGS.

Boars of a large breed. — First prize, £4, M. Walker, An-
slow. Burton ; second, £2, J. Hawksworth, Barton Blount,
Derby.

Sows of a large breed. — First prize, £4, T. Bantock, Wol-
verhampton ; second, £3, M. Walker.

Boars of a small breed. — First prize, £4, J. Chadderton ;
second, £3, the Marquis of Anglesey.

Sows of a small breed. — First prize, £4, T. Bantock ; se-
cond, £2, the Marquis of Anglesey.

Pigs in pens. — First prize, £4, and second, £3, M. Walker.
CHEESE.

Thick.— First prize, £6, T. Ashcroft, Walford, Eccleshall ;
second, £4, W. H. Sneyd Kynnersley, Marchington ; third.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

349

£3, T. Simon, Temhill, Market Drayton ; fourth, £2, J.
Cbaddertou.

Thiu.— First prixe, £6, T. C. Smith, Ashbourn; seconds
£4,, J. Hawksworth, Barton Blount, Derby; thirJ, £3, J.
Carrington, Croxton Abbey, Uttoxeter ; fourth, £2, M. Wal-
ker, Anslow.

At the Judges' Dinner, on the evening of the first day, the
subject proposed for discussion, by Mr. J. A. "Wise, the Chair-
man, was, " Can any one tell us how to rub through the ap-
proaching winter with reference to the feeding of stock ; how
to make the best of what we have, and what we can get to
help us which we have not got ?"

Mr, Rajvdail (Chadbury) said he would describe his
own position and the way in which he had endeavoured
to meet it. That was not the first time they had been
called upon to consider the difficulty they had now to en-
counter. They were pretty much in the same position as re-
garded turnips and swedes in 1864. He had always used a
large amount of cabbages for feeding, but that year as they
were failing early they had to consider how to economise their
mangold-wurtzel, of which he was in the habit of growing a
considerable quantity, but which he did not like to begin lo
use until the winter was nearly passed away. In the year to
which he had referred they found their cabbages nearly gone
at the end of September, and he suggested to his shepherd,
who had been viith him for thirty years, that they should
pulp the mangolds and mis hay and straw chaff with them.
The shepherd said the sheep would never do vi'ith pulped man-
golds, but tliey tried it, and for the first week they did not cut a
very good figure; but the second week they improved, and the re-
sult was that it answered so well they had always pulpedmangold-
wurtzel since. He hoped the year 1868 would teach them as
useful a lesson as 186i had done. As he said he had been for
many years a great grower of cabbages, and they put as many
in as the land would hold, and seeing now that they had
nothing to fall back upon when the cabbages were gone, they
were anxious to economise them, and were therefore using a
smaller quantity of cabbages with a greater quantity of dry
food, and the lambs had done better with that than before.
None of them could be worse off in their prospects for winter-
food than he was. He had always previously raised a large
crop of mangolds, but this year he had suffered from what
they in that neighbourhood knew nothing of: his land which
was almost all stiff clay had been overrun with wild onions,
and he had no alternative but to get rid of them. Having
cultivated deeply by steam to get rid of the onions the
drought penetrated the land so deeply that the mangolds
never came up ; and the same was the case with the swedes
and turnips. The only plan he could see to make up for this
loss was to sow a great breadth of the land in the autumn ;
and on his bean fallows he sowed forty acres of mustard, which
would he ready for the sheep to feed off in a fortnight.
He sowed forty acres of rape, which would be ready
when the mustard was consumed, and about sixty acres
of turnips which, if they had a mild open season, might
come in when the rape was gone, and in this way he
hoped to pull througji the winter. That was the course he
had adopted, as what seemed best for him, under the special
difficulties in which he was placed, and he should be glad to
hear what others had done- In answer to a remark by Mr. A.
Griffith, of Lichfield, Mr. Randall said his land was by no
means rich : in fact, he rented a portion of it at 7s. an acre.

Mr. Rowley (Rowthome) said no occasion had, in his
opinion, ansen in the lives of those present better calculated to
raise discussion than the present extraordinary season. In his
part of the county of Nottingham turnips were a complete
failure, and it was the same with the growing crops of seeds
under barley and wheat. It was a question not merely of the
present time, but of what would be the result if they had a
succession of seasons of a similar character. He thought it
would give farmers and landlords a serious problem, and he
really did not know how the tenant-farmer was to withstand
the difficulties in whicli the season had placed him. He had
every confidence in his skill, in his inventive genius, and in his
diligence and perseverance ; but, in spite of all, he was not
sure that the result would not be a serious loss, and a heavy
defalcation in the farmers' accounts. There had been some
speculations in his part of the country as to what should be

done, and it seemed to he the general opinion that they must
in many cases set aside established rules as to the course of
cropping to be adopted. There seemed to be a general im-
pression that wheat could not be grown in many cases where it
would have been in ordinary seasons, farmers appearing dis-
posed to let clover seeds remain where there seemed any pros-
pect of growing, instead of ploughing them up for wheat in the
usual way, and to pasture or mow them in the following year,
as the case might require. There was one plan which he
thought had some claim to consideration, which was on barley
stubbles where the seeds had failed in the present season to
re-sow them in the spring with clover and rape, and pasture
them during the summer in the usual way. Mr. Randall's
proposal to grow mustard, rape, Italian rye-grass, and similar
plants in the autumn would be no douljt beneficial, especially
in cases where the land was overstocked. He did think that
an overstocked farm was one of the greatest evils. In consi-
dering tlie scarcity of provender the question must be a vital
one, and he thought the amount of stock kept must be consi-
derably reduced, and so they must reduce the cost of keeping
it. It was a most important question where they should grow
their wheats. Some said on barley stubbles, and some said on
oat stubbles ; but it was generally admitted in his part of the
country that they must not plough up the clover-root for
wheat ; and they must grow their wheat as they best could,
probably on the missed turnip crops. He had grown an
abundant crop of wheat chiefly on lands on which the turnips
had missed, and although many of the young clover seeds, after
barleys and wheats, were not looking as they might have been,
they began to sliow some signs of vitality and to give some
hopes of a partial crop which might help them in their diffi-
culties with the stock. They must employ machinery to eco-
nomize food by pulping, and they would have to consume large
quantities of barley for feeding the stock ; in fact, in his neigh-
bourhood he believed that many farmers would consume every-
thing that was grown in feeding the stock, except the wheat,
and his was a great barley district. He thought they must
reduce the quantity of stock, if not immediately at any rate in
the future, by putting fewer ewes to the ram than they had
been accustomed to do. Noticing the implements, of which he
was one of the judges, Mr. Rowley said lie was glad to witness
a steady improvement year by year, and the gradual reduction
of all those useless things with which almost all agricultural
exhibitions used to be crowded (Hear, hear).

Mr. Randall did not agree with Mr. Rowley that they
could reduce their stock, as they could only do so now at a
great sacrifice, since nobody wanted to buy. Again, he depre-
cated making any alteration in the courses of crops on account
of temporary difficulties. They must grow wheat. It was a
main crop on which they depended for their rent. He thought
they must take it for granted that they would have to keep
their stock, and the question was how. He thought he saw his
way to keeping his sheep moderately tlirough the winter ; but
how were they in that neighbourhood to feed their dairy stock,
which many of them kept largely ? In his neighbourhood
they had large crops of straw vi hich they could cut up into
chaff and mix with purchased food by steaming. But in that
neighbourhood they had very little straw, and he feared poor
crops of hay, and lie was very anxious to hear from Stafford-
shire farmers how they proposed to get through the winter.

This appeal, in spite of the pressing invitations of the
Chairman, produced no response from any Staffordshire
farmer present, which led Mr. Randall to say that their silence
conveyed to him the impression that he was mistaken in sup-
posing they had any difficulties in that county, and he was
glad to hear that there were some good crops of hay. The
company, however, did not appear to endorse this explanation
of the silence of the Staft'ordshire farmers on this important
question.

Mr. Bill, in proposing the health of Mr. Wise, alluded to
the fact that it was that gentleman who had, by his active
exertions and by discussing the matter at the market dinners,
been the means of starting the society in 1843, the first show
having been held in 1844 ; and Mr. Wise, in replying, ex-
pressed regret that it was not the practice in Staffordshire,
as it was in Devonshire, for the landovvners to meet the
tenants at the market dinners. Amongst other toasts, the
health of the Secretary, Mr. Tomkinson, wlio has occupied that
position for twenty-five years, was proposed by the Chairman
in very warm terms, and received with the greatest cordiality.

5^0

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

At the Society's Dinner, M. J. A. Wise, the chairman, said
with regard to the exliibitiou held that day he thought tliere
was much for coagratulation, because the stock was altogether
excellent, especially the cheese, and he thought that most of
thera would be pleased with the cheese which had been shown,
lor he did not know of any department of Staffordshire farm-
ing more important than that, seeing that there was so much
competition with the American cheese, and that consequently,
in order to maintain their position, they ought to make Eng-
lish cheese very good indeed. A great deal of the cheese was
spoiled before it was made, to use an Irishism ; or, in other
words, the milk was allowed to get into an unfit state. More-
over, it was important to liave good warehouses and places to
put the cheese in after it was made. They had had as a com-
munity very hard and trying times ; but he hoped that by
patience and perseverance all those little difficulties — in many
cases, he was afraid, great difficulties — which surrounded them
and would surround their prospects for the next tw'elve mouths,
would be overcome. He believed there was nothing so likely
to promote the prosperity of the agricultural interest as a
cordial and sincere co-operation between landlord and tenant,
the owner and occupier of the soil. With a due amount of
confidence in each other and proper agreements, such as might
be the basis of an excellent understanding — namely, an agree-
ment for twelve months' notice and full compensation for all
unexhausted improvements — he could not conceive that any
difference need arise. He knew that a great many farmers de-
sired leases, and the time was come when all these things
would have to be considered. Already a great many noblemen
and large proprietors would give leases. Lord Derby, for in-
stance, never refused. In the county of Stafford there was a
great amount of confidence between landlord and tenants, and
he trusted that in no agreements which might be made would
there be any unnecessary securities, any discouraging restrict-
ions ; for he believed such securities and restrictions were of
very little avail with a good farmer, and would not improve a
bad one. A farmer liaving his land well drained and cultiva-
ted should not expect a landlord to take more than his due
rent, and a landlord should not expect a farmer to take away
besides his crops what he was not entitled to. Where there
was an excess of hedgerow, timber, or game, it was the duty
of the landlord to get rid of the excess ; because whilst a
tenant-farmer was always delighted that shooting should take
place about an estate, stiU, when he heard of cartloads of
game being sold, or the estate being let for sporting that
ceased to be for the use and enjoyment of the owner, he felt
that that did not come within the proper position a landlord
should hold with respect to his estate. He would suggest for
tlieir consideration that one of the great requirements of the
present day was improved cottages for the labourers, for if
they were to have good labourers peniianently in their service,
practically acquainted with their duties, and able to look after
their implements and machinerj', they must provide proper
cottages attached to the farms, so that those labourers might
be close to their work, and become so attached to the soil
as to have no temptation to leave it. An occupier of the
soil having these things, there was one thing wliich he would
ask himself ; Had he enough capital to cultivate the farm ?
for he would never benefit by having too much land for
his capital. The farmer produced bread and cheese and beef,
and, like a manufacturer, if he had insufficient capital, he first
did injustice to himself: he suffered first, and then other
classes suffered also. He would advise tenant-farmers to
study minutely the climate in which they lived, and the cha-
racter of the Eoil which they cultivated. They might not all
be chemists ; but they might apply the principle of chemistry
to their work, because, if they took from the land, they ought
to restore to it proportionately. They must take from the
land what they gave it, and put into the land what they took
from it. That principle was carried out in the vineyards of
Oermany, where it was discovered that the best manure was
the leaves of the vines and the refuse of the fruit which pro-
duced tlie wines. He next reminded them that it was of
great importance to buy their seeds from men upon whom
they could depend, so as to avoid the use of cooked and adul-
terated seeds, and then referred to tlie question of tlie utilisa-
tion of sewage. While believing that farmyard manure was
the best, if projjerly managed, so that its fertilising elements
were not aUowed to evaporate, he thought that town sewage
would be of great benefit to farmers; but the townspeople

must first show them how it would be of use, and then tliey
would use it. It was a question which would liecome of the
greatest interest to the tenant-farmers, when the utilisation
of sewage could be properly developed. One other point he
wished to refer to, and that was as to locomotives and
smoking. They might say, What had locomotives to do with
farming? He maintained that railways were dangerous
neiglibours, and that, owing to coal being burnt in the loco-
motives instead of coke, and the tops of chimneys not being
protected as formerly, they endangered a great deal of the va-
luable crops of the farmers when passing through the country.
No man could have travelled latterly without seeing how
many railway embankments had been fired, and in many cases,
as at Whitmore, in their own district, how large an amount of
valuable corn had been burnt by fire from locomotives. This
brouglit him to the subject of smoking. He had noticed with
regret that in corn-fields and stackyards numbers of men had
been in the habit of smoking while at their work. They cer-
tainly, as a friend just reminded him, did not consume their
own smoke. But, seriously, the question was one requiring
attention. Before sitting down, he most express his astonish-
ment that the farmers of Staffordshire allowed, year
after year, six or seven different weights to be adopted,
so that if a man went to Drayton, Newcastle, Ut-
toxeter. Stone, and Stafford markets, at each place he would
have to take out his paper and pencil to calculate aU sorts of
items, because of the variations of the weights adopted at the
different places, the only person knowing what he was doing
when making a bargain being the buyer, who knew very well
that he would resell by imperial measure. He recommended
them all to adopt the imperial measure. He then congratu-
lated them upon the excellent wheat-crops of the past season,
and again alluded to the trying nature of the past season to
farmers.

The Right Hon. C. B. Adderley rose to propose the
Judges. He said he was sure that every one present would ,
share the satisfaction he felt at the course pursued by their
chairman, though lie must confess that, even in these revolu-
tionary days, his boldness had surprised liim. To get through
the bishop and clergy, the army and navy, and, in fact, all the
civil, ecclesiastical, and military institutions of the country
in a word, certainly startled him at first ; but he felt and ac-
knowledged the wisdom of that proceeding, and he hoped a
similar course would be adopted at many future meetings.
He was not quite sure that even a Conservative ministry
would not be found ready to approve that course.

Mr. C. R. Keeling, in responding, said : If the Society
was to go forward, more valuable prizes must be offered, and
then the farmers of the county would make an effort to send
their stock to the meetings. It could scarcely be
expected that they would bring their stock long dis-
tances, at a great expense, for the paltry pre-
miums which are now being offered. He had himself won
a first prize that day ; but that did not pay the railway fare of
himself and his sheep to and from the Show. He thought,
too, there was room for improvement in the management. He
could not understand why the timber fences in which the cattle
were shown tumbled all to pieces ; and with respect to hunt-
ing horses, he suggested that for the future the leaps should be
lower and more numerous, for the hurdles used that day were
of too formidable a height. Farmers were, as a rule, fond of
hunting, and he had no doubt that the offering of prizes for
animals of that class would tend very much to improve the
breed.

SirE. M.BuLLER proposed the "Agriculture, Manufactures,
and Commerce." The chairman had jumped over the Bishop
and Clergj', the Army and Navy, the Lord Lieutenant and Ma-
gistrates, and House of Lords and Commons, and his right hon.
friend had complimented him upon the wisdom of the proceed-
ing. He really did not know how to follow his right hon.
friend, for he felt sure he should be left far behind. There was
that great subject which interested tliem all — the malt- tax.
On that lie and Mr. Adderley had invariably acted together.
He himself had done his utmost to bring it before the House
of Commons, and in committee he had done all that he could
to elicit the truth on tlie subject. Tlie company knew as \\e\l
as he did that he could not create facts. He wished the facts
were stronger on their side, and he regretted that the oppo-
nents of the tax had not been able to convince one of their
colleagues who sat with them in committee. A very mo-

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

351

derate and proper report was earned by the casting vote of the
chairman, and he should always maintain that the malt-tax
was a tax which pressed unfairly upon the agricultural com-
munity, and that it was one of those taxes wliich ought first
to be subjected to revisioii. Notwithstanding the oppositon
with which those had been met who advocated the revision of
the tax, he was satisfied that the man who would bring it for-
ward completely before the House of Commons, although he
could not do more than make the best of his case, would be
fairly listened to, and unquestionably would have his (Sir
Edward's) support (laud applause). There was another point
on which he and his right lion, friend had acted together, and
that was in supporting a bill having for its object to give the
greatest possible protection to the herds of this country. It
should be borne in mind that in dealing with that question
they were acting in the interests of the great hives of manu-
facturing industry whose supply of food was at stake. The
object of the measure was not to check or impede in any way
the importation of foreign cattle, but to protect not only the
agricultural interest, but the interests of manufacture and of
the public at large from the fearful consequences of the rin-
derpest. The visitation under which the country had already
suffered had not only been disastrous to the agricultural in-
terest, but had led to the price of food being enormously en-
hanced. The cattle plague had left the normal price of beef
9d. per lb., but he hoped they were not too sanguine in look-
ing forward to a return of moderate prices, and a complete re-
covery from that calamity. Mr. Wise and other gentlemen had
alluded to a subject of great importance. He referred to the ex-
treme value of a cordial co-operation between landlords and
their tenants — but there was another kind of co-operation which
was of still greater importance, not only to the agricultural,
but the commercial and manufacturing interests, and that was
the co-operation of capital and labour. No man could take a
fair survey of the circumstances of the country without wishing
iu his heart that for the good of the labourer he might have
► more enjoyment and less toil. But how were they to arrive
at that ? It would be by the improvement of the implements
used and the machinery employed. It was only by raising the
intelligence of the labourer and giving him the power, by im-
provement in machinery, to produce a greater amount of work
with a less amount of labour. In addition to that, they must
give him the best possible education to fit him for the position
he had to fill, and — (that he might be of the utmost possible
value) the best lodging, the best food, and the best protection
from the evils likly to assail him.

Mr. Masfen regretted that Sir Edward Buller had not
been able to convince modera,te men of the justice of dealing

at once with the obnoxious malt tax, Mr. Adderley had al-
luded to a more important subject, and he was sorry that he
had not done so at an earlier period of his speech, in order
that he might have devoted a little more time to it. He
meant the absence of security to the farmer for the capital in-
vested in the laud. That was a subject which earnestly re-
quired legislative interference, and he trusted tlmt at the forth-
coming election the constituencies would take care to ascertain
from the candidates what course they would be prepared to
take on this question if returned to Parliament. The subject
of labourers' cottages, and of their education, had been referred
to. He was strongly in favour of the education of agricul-
tural labourers. If a man could neither read nor write nor
work figures, he was deprived of some of the best feelings with
which nature had endowed the race ; but when he was at all
educated he saw the evils which surrounded him, and would
not be satisfied until they were removed. They might feel
certain of this, that before many years had passed the agricul-
tural labourer would insist that a greater amount of cottage
accommodation should be provided for him. The capital
wouM have to be provided by the landowners, but as an occu-
pier of land he should be prepared to pay a good per-centage
upon the outlay. The universal introduction of machinery
made it indispensable that the agricultural labourer should bo
a man of more intelligence than he was twenty years ago.
They had heard a good deal of late of the growth of chambers
of agriculture, and it was a fact that in a few months the
number of members in such associations had increased from
10,000 to 150,000. He hoped every gentleman present who
had not already done so would enrol himself in one or other
of those chambers, for they would find that it was in the power
of the Central Chamber in London to do a great deal for the
promotion of their interests by bringing their complaints under
the notice of Parliament,

Mr. Dickinson said he regretted the absence of the
Mayor of Hanley ; but as he had been called upon, he should
have much pleasure in responding to the toast. The chair-
man had alluded to one subject which touched him personally,
and that was the different corn measures used iu diff'ereut
markets. No doubt that led to very great inconvenience, but
he despaired of moviug the agricultural mind in this matter.
At Liverpool there had been a change of 70 lbs. to 100 lbs.,
which was called a cental ; but, he repeated, that he despaired
of getting the farmers to agree on the subject.

It will be seen, from the allusions made, that the chairman
adopted an admirable plan of giving all the more formal toasts
in one opening speech.

THE WAKEFIELD SHOW.

The fourth annual meeting of the Wakefield Show was held
on Saturday, Sept. 5. It was signalized by a marked advance
in every department over any previous exhibition. In no class
was this more noticeable than in the Shorthorns, which com-
prised the best bred animals the kingdom can boast of. The
bull Bolivar, belonging to Mr. Brierley, of Rhodes House,
and which deservedly obtained the President's Champion
Cup for the best bull in the yard, has, in its brief sixteen
months' existence, had a career which boasts of not the slightest
check. Competing against it for the Champion's Cup were
four bred by Lady Pigot, of Newmarket — Charles-le-Beau,
Rosalia, Queen of Rosalia, and Dame of Rosalia, which have
all won prizes out of computation from the Royal downwards
all over the country. Rose of York, owned by Capt- Tennant,
to which was awarded the prize for heifers under two years old,
was not at Wetherby, but she has over and over again succeeded
in turning the tables upon the prize takers at that show.
The jumping of the horses brought about a deplorable accident.
Just as the two immense grand stands were filling with people
for this sight, the throng congregated around the barrier
was horrified at seeing the principal platform suddenly col-
lapse. Instantly the greatest contusion and excitement pre-
vailed. It seemed impossible but that amongst that surging
mass some would never emerge alive. By what appears little

short of a miracle, only one single limb was broken, the thigh
of one of Dr. Holdsworth's children. Numbers, however,
sustained heavy shocks and were much bruised.

CATTLE,

Bull, any breed, two years old and upwards — 1st, £4, Lady
Pigot, Newmarket; 2nd, £~, J. Lynn, Stroxton. Highly com-
mended : Major Stapylton, Boroughbridge.

Bull, any breed, under two years old. — 1st, £4, J. Cattley,
Stearsby, York ; 2nd, £2, Lady Pigot, Newmarket- Highly
commended : J. Lynn, Stroxton, and J- Ilobertshaw, Allcrton.

Cow, three years old and upwards (in calf or milk). — 1st,
£3, Lady Pigot, Newmarket ; 2nd, £2, W. Linton, York.
Cup : Lady Pigot, Newmarket. Highly commended : Capt.
Tennant, Scarcroft Lodge.

Heifer, above two and not exceeding three years old (in-calf
or milk).— 1st, £3, J. Lynn, Stroxton ; 2nd, £2, J. W. Botch-
crby, Darlington. Highly commended :L. J- Crossley, Halifax.

Heifer, under two years old. — 1st, £3, Capt. Tennant,
Scarcroft Lodge, Leeds; 2nd, £3, Crawshaw and Blakeley,
Dewsbury.

Cow for dairy purposes. — 1st, £3, T. Riley, Mytholmroyd ;
2nd, £2, L. J. Crossley, Halifax, Highly commended; T.
Boston, Wakefield.

352

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

ExTBA Stock.
Society's silver medal for the best animal. — ^Eli rearnsidej
IiJetherton.
The PresideEt's cup.— Mr. Brierley, Middleton.

SHEEP.

Ram, any breed, two shear or upwards. — 1st, £3 aud cup,
T. H. Hntcliinson, Catterick; 2nd, £3, J. F. Moorhouse,
Penistoue.

Earn, auy breed, one shear — Ist, £3, aud 2nd, £3, T. H.
Hutchinson, Catterick-

Ram Iamb.— 1st, £3, and 2ud, £1, T. H. Hutchinson, Cat-
terick.

Pen of three ewes, having suckled lambs in 186S. — 1st, £3,
W. Bro\ra, Higbgate ; 2nd, £2, J. Simpson, Wetherby.

Pen of three fat shearling wethers or gimmers. — 1st, £3,
T. H. Hutchinson, Catterick ; 3nd, £2, W. Brown, Highgate.
Extra Stock.

Society's silver medal for best pea of sheep. — Capt. Giiuter,
Wetherby.

PIGS.

Boar, small breed, any age. — 1st, £2, P. Eden, Salford;
2nd, £1, J. and W. Sagar, Lister Hills.

Boar, any other breed, any age. — Cup, J. Dyson, Leeds ;
1st, £3, R. E. Duckering and Son, Northorpe ; 2nd, £1, J. and
W. Sagar, Lister Hills.

Boar, any breed, under 13 months old. — 1st, £2, P. Eden,
Salford ; 3ud, £1, J. and W. Sagar, Lister Hills.

Sow, small breed.— 1st, £2, P. Eden, Salford; 2nd, £1, T.
Athertou, Liverpool.

Sow, any other breed, any age. — Cup, P. Eden, Salford ;
2ud, £1, R. E. Duckering and Son, Korthorpe.

Gilt, any breed, under 12 months old. — 1st, £2, J. Dyson,
Leeds ; 2nd, £1, J. and W. Sagar, Lister Hills.

Store middle breed.— 1st, £2, J. Newton, Chapeltown ; 2nd,
£1, J. aud W. Sagar, Lister Hills.

Small breed, any age. — Cup, J. Dyson, Leeds; 2ud, £1,
R. E. Duckermg and Son, Northorpe. Commended: H.
Crossley, Halifax.

LABOTJEIN& Men's Premium.

Lady Margaret Beaumont's prize for the best store pig,
any age or breed — 1st, £2, G. Bouson, Wakefield ; 2nd, £1,
J. Roberts, Wakefield.

HORSES.
Draught or Agricultural.

Two-year-old Gelding or Filly.— 1st, £3 10s., F. Eccles,
Standbrige ; 2nd, £1 10s., J. Atkinson, Lake Lock.

Brood Mare and Foal.— 1st, £3 10s., T. Makeii, South
Milford ; 2nd, £1 10s., J . Riley, Flockton Mill.

Mare or Gelding, any age, for dray purposes. — W. B. Beau-
mont, cup, J. and J. Charlesworth, Chapelthorpe ; 2nd, £2
10s., Crawshaw and Blakeley, Dewsbury.

Mare or gelding, any age, for agricultural purposes. — 1st,
£4 10s., J. Upton, Tadcaster; 2nd, £3 lOs., J. and J.
Cliarlesworth, Cliapelthorpe ; higlily commended, S. Thomp-
son, Selby, and J. Upton, Tadcaster.

Roadsters.

Two-year-old Gelding or Filly, for road or field. — 1st, £2
10s., R. M. Duflin, Wakefield ; 2nd, £1 lOs., Thos. Speight
Clecklieaton.

Brood Mare and Foal.— 1st, £2 10s., Executors of J. W:
Rhodes, Huddersfield; 3nd, £1 lOs:, H. Wilson, Leeds.

The Borough Member's (W. H. Leatham, Esq.) silver cup,
for the best Hackney Mare or Gelding, any age. — Cup, J. Rob-
son, Old Malton; 3nd, £2 10s., B. Norton, Huddersfield; 3rd,
a double-reined bridle, J. Gresham, Bradford ; highly com-
mended, T. Fildes, Manchester.

The Society's silver cup, for the best Cob Mare or Gelding,
any age, above 13, aud not exceeding 14^ hands. — Cup, C. E.
Charlesworth, Wakefield ; 2nd, £2 2s., W. Stephenson, New-
bald ; 3rd, a double-reined bridle, H. Crossley, Halifax.

Pony, any age, not exceedinsr 13 hands. — 1st, £2 10s., H.
Ashton, Prestwich ; 2nd,. £1 lOsi, M. Rook, Liversedge;
higlily commended, E. Greon, Wakefield.

The Society's silver cup, for the best Mare or Gelding for
harness purposes. — Cup, J. Knowles, Wetherby ; 2nd, £3 2s.,
P. G. Skipworth, Wakefield; commended. Dr. Haigh and
Sons, Tadcaster.

The Vice-President's (Mr. A. W. Stanfield) silver cup, for
the best Mare or Gelding, any age, suitable for a lady's hack-
ney.—Cup, E. Green, Wakefield ; 2nd, £3 Zs, B. Norton, Hud-
dersfield.

The Society's silver cup, for the best Mare or Gelding,
Hunter, any age. — Cup, W. Stevenson, Newbald-Brough ;
2nd, £3 3s., H. W: Jackson, Wakefield; 3rd, a gold-mounted
riding-whip, A. J. Brown, North ElmsaU ; higlily com-
mended, J. C. D. Charlesworth, Chapelthorpe Hall, and B.
Nicholson, Garforth.

Tlie Committee's silver cup, for the best Mare or Gelding,
Jumper, any age. — Cup, Brady Nicholson, Sturton Grange ;
2ud, £2 10s., A. J. Brown, North ElmshaU ; 3rd, silver-
mounted riding-whip, J. M. Andrews, Dewsbury.
Extra Stock.

Horse.,., 1st, Society's silver medal, J. Green, Jud., Hems-
worth.

BEDALE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The tenth show of this society was lield on Thursday, Sept. 3,
at Bedale, the site lent for tlie purpose being in the park of Mrs.
B. Peirse. The exhibition of cattle, liorses, and other stock was
very good. The principal prize ofl'ered was a silver cup, which
was giveu by Mr. F. A. Milbauk, M.P., for hunters, and the
winner of tlxis was Mr. Booth's chesnut horse, Bird of Passage.
Judges.

For Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, and Roots. — R. Willis, Carperby ;
— Carter, Leighton ; T. P. Outhwaite, Goldsborough.

For Horses. — £. Waldy, Brompton ; J. Sadler, Low Field ;
J. Johnson, Brigham, Driffield.

AWARD OF PRIZES.
SHORTHORNS.

Best two-year-old bull and upwards. — First prize, £1 10s.,
Mrs. B. Peirse, Bedale Hall ; second, 10s., Mr. Raw, Mile
House, Masham.

BuU calf.— First prize, £1 10s., T. H. Hutchinson, Cat-
terick ; second, 5s., R. Jackson, Ainderby Myers.

Cow, in calf or milk. — First prize, £1 10s., G. Morton, Be-
dale ; second, 10s., T. H. Hutchinson.

Two-year-old heifer, in caU' or milk. — Prize, £1 10s., T. H.
Hutchinson.

Heifer calf.--Prize, £1, T. II. Hutchinson.

SHEEP.

Aged ram.— First prize, £1 10s., T. H. Hutchinson ; second,
10s., T. H. Hutchinson.

Shearlmg ram.— First prize, £1 10s., T. H. Hutchinson ;
second, 10s., T. H. Hutchinson.

Tup lamb.— First prize, £1, Mr. Raw, Mile House, Masham ;
second, 5s., T. H. Hutcliiuson.

Pen of five ewes, having reared lambs in 1868. — First prize,
£1 10s., J. Heugh, Mudd Fields ; second, lOs., Mr. Hut-
chinson.

Pen of five shearling gimmers. — First prize, £1 10s., Mr.
Hntcliinson ; second, 10s., Mr. Hutchinson.

Pen of five gimmer lambs. — First prize, £1 10s., J. Heugh ;
second 10s., Mr. Hutchinson.

HORSES.

Colt foal for the field.— First prize, £1 10s., E. Tranmer,
Deepdale ; second, 10s., I. Slater, RoundhiU.

Filly foal for the field.— First prize, £1 lOs., E. Carter, Fin-
gall ; second, 10s., A. Parker, Salmon House.

Yearling gelding for the field.— First prize, £1 10s., G. Mey-
nell, Patrick Brompton; second, 10s., J. Johnson, Newton.

Yearling filly for tlie field.— First prize, £1 10s., R. Stirke,
Bellerby ; second, 10s., J. Johnson, Newton.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

353

Two-year-old geldmg for the field. — First prize, £1 10s.,
J. B. Booth, Killerby ; second, 10s., Mr. Atkiiisou, Yafforth.

Two-year-old filly for the field. — First prize, £1 10s.,
B. Emmerson, Dinsdalo Grange ; second, 10s., J. Johnson,
Newton.

Three-year-old gelding for the field. — First prize, £1 10s.,
E. Green, Aiskew; second, 10s., R. Green.

Three-year-old filly for the field.— First prize, £1 10s., W.
Clarke, Tliirsk ; second, 10s., R. Manfield, Thirkleby.

Colt foal for coachins;. — First prize, £1 10s., J. Inraan,
Boroughhridge ; second, 10s., G. J. Robinson, Maunby.

Filly foal for coaching.— First prize, £1 10s., G. Meynell,
Brompton ; second, 10s., R. Little, Thrintoft.

Yearling gelding or filly for coaching. — First prize, £1 10s.,
G. Meynell, Patrick Brompton; second, lOs., R. Little,
Thrintoft.

Two-year-old gelding or filly for coaching. — First prize, £1
lOs., L. Manfield, Thirkleby; second, 10s., H. Robinson,
Hauxwell.

Three years old gelding or filly for coaching. — First prize,
£1 10s., M. Robinson, Hauxwell ; second, 10s., Geo. Meynell,
Patrick Brompton.

Colt or filly foal for roadster.— First prize, £1 10s., J. Wil-
liamson, Watlass ; second, 10s., T. Mitchell, Scrutou.

Yearling gelding or filly for roadsters. — First prize, £1 10s.,
G. Morton, Bedale ; second, 10s., R. Stirke, Bellerby.

Two years old gelding or filly for roadster. — First prize, £1
10s., R. Stirke, Bellerby ; second, fOs., J. Johnson, Newton.

Colt or filly foal for agriculture. — First prize, £1 10s., C.
Baines, Catterick ; second, 10s., Mr. Wilson, Watlass.

Yearling gelding or filly for agriculture. — First prize, £1
10s., H. Walton, Low Gingerfield ; second, 10s., J. Johnson,
Newton.

Two years old gelding or filly for agriculture. — First prize,
£1 10., J. Autou, High Pond House; secoad, lOs., G. J.
Robinson, Maunby.

Pair of horses, of either sex, for agriculture.— First prize,
£2, and second £1, John Johnson, Newton.

Mare for breeding hunters, witlr foal at her foot or stinted.
— First prize, £1 10s., R. Stirke, Bellerby, second, 10s., John
Johnson, Newton.

Mare for breeding coach-horses, with foal at her foot or
stinted. — First prize, £1 10s., W. Mothersell, Thornton-le-
Moor ; second, 10s., J. Inman, Boroughhridge.

Mare for breeding roadsters, with foal at her foot or stinted.
— First prize, £1 10s., Robert Emmerson, Dinsdale Grange ;
second, 10s., R. Stirke.

Mare for breeding agricultural horses, with foal at her foot
or stinted. — First prize, £1 10s., G. Linton, Low Street;
second, 10s., J. Johnson.

Mare or gelding of any age for a roadster, to be ridden on
the day of show. — First prize, £2, R. Emmerson ; second, 10s.,
B.Peirse, Bedale Hall.

Horse or mare pony, not exceeding 13J hands, ridden on
the show day. — First prize, £1, J. Wells, Bury Hills ; second,
5s. Miss C. Wade, Hauxwell Hall.
PIGS.

Boar of the small breed. — First prize, 15s., J. B. Booth,
Killerby ; second, 5s., Mr. Webster, Thrintoft Park.

Sow, in-pig, small breed. — First prize, 15s., R. Todd, Park
House ; second, 5s., E. Shepherd, Aiskew.

Boar of the large breed. — First prize, I5s., George Morton,
Bedale ; second, 5s., Mr. Webster, Hill House.

Sow, in-pig, large breed. — First prize, 15s., J. Auton, High
Pond House ; second, 5s., J. Wilkinson, Bedale.
SPECIAL PRIZES.

Hunting mare or gelding, of any age. — First prize, silver cup,
Mr. J. B. Booth, Killerby ; second, £2, J. Harrison, Sedberge.

Colt orfiUy foal, by Young Dutchman. — First prize, £1, Mr.
Greenhow, Ellertou Abbey ; second, 10s., Mr. Masterm an
Eselby.

OXFORDSHIRE AND BANBURY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT BANBURY.

After a lapse of three years, in consequence of the cattle
plague, the above societies held their meeting at Banbury this
year, and the show was opened on Sept. 9th. The show was
visited during the day by a great many agriculturists and
others from the surrounding district. Although the
entries in some of the departments were not so large as in
former years, yet, as a whole, what was exhibited was good.
The judges of stock were Mr. C. Howard, Biddenham ; Mr. E.
Little, Chippenham; Mr. C. Randall, Chadbury; Mr. S.
Smith, Somerton.

THE PRIZE LIST.
CATTLE.

Champion Prize. — Best horned animal in the yard, exhi-
bited in either of the classes, silver cup, value £5 Gs., J. How,
Broughton, Hunts.

Champion Prize. — Best animal in the yard, exhibited by a
tenant farmer, in either of the classes, a silver cup, value £5
5s„ J. How, Broughton, Hunts.

Best bull, above three years old, £5, Mr. Caless, Bodicote
House ; second, £4, G. Game, Churchill Heath.

Best bull, above two and under three years old, £5, T.
Game and Son, Broadmoor.

Best bull, above one and under two years old, £5, G. Game,
Churchill Heath ; second, £3, G. Garne.

Best cow, above three years old, which shall have produced
calf within ten months of the dafce of exhibition, £5, J . How,
Broughton, Hunts ; second, £3, G. Garne, Churchill Heath ;
third, £2, J. Baldwin, of Luddington, Stratford-on-Avon.

Best heifer, in milk or in calf, under three years old, £5, G.
Garne, Churchill Heath ; second, £3, C. W. Holbech.

Best heifer, for breeding purposes, under two years old, £5,
J. How, Broughton ; second, £3, G. Garne, Churchill Heath.

Best cow, in milk, above four years old, £5, F. Lythall,
Banbury; second, £3, J. W. Page, North Newington.

Best cow or heifer, under four years old, in milk, £5, J.
Hutt, Water Eaton.

Extra Prize. — Best animal exhibited in the dairy classes, a
silver cup, value £5, F. Lythall, Banbury.

EXTRA STOCK.

£3, T. L. Melville Cartwright, Newbottle, Highland ox.
£2, W. Caless, jun., cow.

£2, J. A. Mumford, Chilton Park Farm, Thame, Shorthora
heifer.
£1, Frederick Lythall, Banbury.

HORSES.

Best cart mare, with colt, £5, H. E. Coldecott, Lower
Heyford ; second, W. Denchfield, Banbury.

Best cart stallion, £5, W. Buller, Hanwell; second, £3,
W. lorns, South Lawn, Burford.

EXTRA STOCK.

£5, W. Gulliver, Swalclift'e, thorough-bred stallion. Cheva-
lier d'Industrie.
W. Gulliver, Swalchffe, thorough-bred mare, Zitella.
£2, T. C. Thomas, Banbury, pony.

SHEEP.

Best Oxfordshire Down shearing ram, £5, G. Wallis, Old
Shifford ; second, £3, G. Wallis.

Best Oxfordshire Down ram, above two years old, £5, G,
Wallis ; second, £3, J. Treadwell, Upper Winchenden.

Extra Prize. — Best of all Oxfordshire Dowu ram, plate,
value £4 4s., G. Wallis, Old Shifford.

Best pen of five breeding Oxfordshire Down ewes, having
bred lambs in 1868, £4. 4s., Z. W. Stilgoe, Addebrury;
second, £3, J. Treadwell, Upper Winchendon.

854

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Best pen of five Oxfordshire Down shearliDg wethers, plate,

Michile Aston ; second, £3, W. Cotlier. i. • i ^o,!

Best pen of five breeding long-wooUed ewes, having hred
lambs in 18G8, £4-, J. Godwin, Somerton; second, £3, \\ .
Denchfield, Banbury.

EXTRA. STOCK,

£2, G. Wallis, Old Shifford.

PIGS.
Best boar, not less than 16 months, £4, K. E. Duckering
Northorpe.Kirtou Lindsay, Lincotasliire ; and exra prize ot

^ Besrsow, above 15 months old, M, R. E. DuckeTing.
Best sow. not exceeding 15 months old, £3, R.L. Duckering.

ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY.

SHOW OF SHEEP.

This the first sheep show, was opened on Tuesday, Sep. 8, in
the ha 1 of the Society in Kildare-street, Dublin. Upwards of
So sheep were entered, of which the ram section reached to
100 Mr. Owen's first-prize Leicester was recently imported
from the flock of Lieut.-Col. Inge ; and the second was also
f om Euid, the property of Mr. George Turner, of Upping-
iTm In the aged'ram class, Mr. Meade, Co. Cork obtained
the first nrize for his imported Leicester ram, and Mr. Meade
It obtained the first%rize in .the Leicester rams Li
Border Leicesters, the prize Leicester ram at the ilojal
Show, Aberdeen, and also the winner of the Cork cbaUenge
run at the Royal Irish Show at Londonderry, took the fir.t
Se The-^ilw of Lincolns was creditable Eor other
Cwoolled sheep all the pri^zes went to exhibitors from
Roscommon. The Cheviot section was w-ell filled, but Lord
C°erS obtained the chief awards. In Shropshires Mr
Mton had all to himself; and in Siberian sheep. Mr.
Wright, Co. Dublin, was the only exhibitor,

PRIZE LIST.

ivT^rvi —lekesters • R. W. Cresswell, Ravenstown, Ashby-

'""Sa-ZouchT J. Buckly. The Cottage, Loughboroug^i ;

A Warburton,Kill,Naas. Border Leicesiers :G.h.iY^-

fon Hall Earm, Seaham; R. H. King, Wooperton,

Alnwick • Col. Pisher, Castle Grogan Rathdowney.

lubber; David Kerr, Edenderry. Shropshire Cheuot,
7ndShort.wooUed: T. Horley inn.The Foff'^ea^i^g-
ton; J.Woods, Clipstone Park, Mansfield; Richard
Challoner, J.P., Moynalty.

LONG- WOOLS,

Leicesters.

One-shear ram.-lst, £15, Wm. Owen. Blesiuton; 2nd,
£10 Geo. Turner, lun., Uppingham.

Ram of any other 'age^^lst, £10, Wm. R. Meade, Bally-
martK Balling'hassig ; #nd, £5, Thomas Mams, Lincobshire ;
3rd first silver medal, Wra. Owen, Blesiuton.

Pive one-shear ewes.-lst, £10, Seymour Mowbray, Moun-
tralh 2nd £5 Thomas Maoris, Lincolnshire ; 3rd. first silver

"ti'±L^af:wr-^First silver medal. Seymour Mow-

^^^' Border Leicesters.

One-shear ram.-lst, £10, Robert G. Cosby, Stradbally
Wall n.ippn's County • 2nd, £5, Earl PitzwiUiam, Caruew ;
St^?st IdSToftus H.' Bland. Q.C.. Blandsford. Abbey-

^' Ram of any other age.-lst, £8 Earl PitzwiUiam. Caniew ;
2nd, £4., T. Robertson, Athy ; 3rd, first silver medal, i.

Robertson. . • .•• t • ™

Pive one-shear rams, not competing in the tore-going
sections.-lst, £8, M'Lachlan and M'Culloch Lellegrove.

Pive one-shear ewes.— 1st, £8, Earl PitzwiUiam ; 2nd, £+,
M'LacUan and M'Culloch; 3rd, first silver medal, R. H.
Pranks, Jerpoint HUl, Thomastown.
Lincolns.

One-shear ram.-lst, £8, Caleb Going, Nenagh • 2nd, £4,
J. Moffatt.Enniscorthy ; 3rd, first silver medal, Caleb Going.

Ram of any other age.-lst, £5, Caleb Going ; 2ud, lei,
ditto ; 3rd. first silver medal, ditto.

Pive one-shear rams, not competing in the foregoing
sections.— 1st, £5, Caleb Going, Nenagh.
pive one-shear ^wes.-lst, £5, Caleb Going; 2nd, £3, ditto.
Pive two-shear ewes.— 1st. £3. Caleb Going.

COTSWOLDS.

One-shear ram.— 1st. £8. W. Hutchinson Carrol. Nenagh ;

"""Ram^of^'an; other age.-lst, ^5, T. Beale Browne Glou-
cestershire; 2iid,£3, W. Hutchinson Carrol, Nenagh; 3rd.

first silver medal, ditto. . ,, „ • ,•„„=

Pive one-shear rams, not competing in the foregoing sections.
—1st £5 T Beale Browne, Andoversford, Gloucestershire.
Pive one-shear ewes.-lst, £5, T. Beale Browne.
Long-wools of any other breed.

One-shear ram.-lst, £5, R. Coffey, Newcastk, county
Westmeath; 2nd, £4-, T. Roberts, Strokestown; 3rd, first
silver medal, P. Page, Thurles, county Tipperary.

Ram of any othir age.-lst, £5, T. Roberts. Strokestown ;
2nd, £3, R. Plynn, Thisk, county Roscommon ; 3rd, first silver
medal, ditto. . . ■■ .

Pive one-shear rams, not competing in other sections.--lst.
£5 T Roberts, Parm, Strokestown; 2nd, £3 R. Coffey New-
castle ; 3rd, first silver medal, D. Lynch, Strokestown.

Pive one-shear ewes, not competing in the foregoing sections.
—1st, £5, R. Plynn, Tulsk, county Roscommon ; 2nd, k,6, v\ .

Cotton, Castlerea. „ .., ^ ^^ /-, ii o„,i

Pive two-shear ewes.-lst, £3, R, Cotton, Castlerea; 2nd.

£2,T. Roberts, Strokestown ; 3rd, first silver medal, R. Cotton,

Castlerea, „r ,^ r^ t o

SHORT-WOOLS,

Shropshires.
One-shear ram.-lst. £10. C. W. Hamilton, Hamwood.
Clonee ; 2nd. £5, ditto. „ . ,

Ram of aiy other age.-lst. £5, Representatives of Smith
Barry Estate, Pota Island, Queenstown ; 2nd, £3 C. W.
Hamilton, Hamwood, Clonee; 3rd, first silver medal. Repre-
sentatives of Smith Barry Estate. . f„rp„nn,<,
Pive one-shear rams, not competing m the foregoing
sections.-lst, £8. Representatives of Smith Barry Estate.

PWe one-shear ewes.-lst, £8, J. .Richardson Glenraore
Lisburn; 2nd, £4, ditto ; 3rd, first silver medal. Colonel 1 ot-
't:"tSl"ewes.-lst,£4,J.Richardson,Lishurn;2nd.
£2, T, Butler, Priestown House, county Meath.
Cheviots.
One-shear ram.-lst, £8, Lord Clermont; 2nd, £4, ditto :
3rd, first silver medal, ditto. „. f . On,l f2

Ram of any other age.-lst, £4, Lord Clermont; ^nd, £2,
ditto ; 3rd, first silver medal, ditto. ;„ the fore-oin-

Pive one-shear rams, not competing in the lore„om„
spctions —1st, £5, J. M'Gregor, Dumfries. ^ .. „ .
'"prve one-shear ;wes.-lstr£5 J. M'Gregor, Dnnifnes ; 2nd,
£3, Lord Clermont ; ^rd, first sUver medal, d^^^^^
Pive one-shear ewes. — 1st, to, ana «uu, a:--, ^

Short-woolled Sheep of any other breed.
One-sS rlm-lst, £5, Thomas Marris. Lincolnshire;
'•>n.l £4 T Butler, Priestown. county Meatn.
Ramofany oiierage.-lst. £4. Thomas Marris. Lincoln-

^. ?wis!ear^ewes.-2nd, £2, T. Butler. Priestown ; 2nd,
first silver medal, ditto.

THE FARMER'S MACtA.'^INE.

KORTH SHROPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT WELLINGTON.

PRIZE LIST.

JUDGES.

Sheep.— R. Masfcn, Pendeford ; S. Biggs,

Cattle. — J. Jleire, Shrewsbury ; J. Forest, Tarporloy.

Hunting Horses, Hacks, and Colts. — R. Cholmondeley ;
J. T. PhiUips, Sheriff Hales.

Cart Horses.— Mr. Williams, Aibrightlee ; Jlr. Lear, Market
Drayton.

Implements. — Egerton Harding, Old Spring, Market Dray-
ton ; H. Stanley, Upton.

CHEESE AND BUTTER.

For tlie best cheese — First prixe of £5, T. Simon, Tern
Hill ; second, T. Simon. Commended : J. Gouldbouru, Wil-
kesley, Burleydam,

For the best buttor. — First prize of £1, J. Barber, Welling-
ton ; second, J. Gouldbourn.

HORSES.

For the best leaping horse. — First prize of £5, G. Bowen,
Walcot, Wellington ; second, R. Blewitt, Cranmere Lodge,
Wrottesley.

For the best stallion for agricultural purposes. — First prize
of £5, J. Mills, Elephant and Castle Inn, Shrewsbury.

For the best mare, with foal, for hunting purposes. — First
prize of £3, R. Ogle, Kynuersley Manor, Wellington ; second,
T Furber, juu-. High Offley, Newport,
y For the best horse for saddle, harness, and general purposes.

— First prize of £3, M. Williams, Dryton ; second, J. Minor,
Pym's House, Wem.

For the best colt, for the same purposes, foaled 1866 — First
prize of £3, G. McKnight, Mossy Green, Oakengates ; second,
J. Edwards, Caynton Wood, Newport.

For the best mare, with foal, for agricultural purposes. —
First prize of £3, St. John C. Charlton, Apley Castle.

For the best pair of horses for agricultural purposes. — First
prize of £4, H. Smith, Eaton Constautine ; second. Viscount
Hill, Hawkstone.

For the best horse for agricultural purposes. — First prize of
£3, J. Edwards, Eyton, Wellington ; second, J. Shepard, Wel-
lington.

For the best colt for agricultural purposes, foaled 1866. —
First prize of £3, St. John C. Charlton ; second, Mr. Higgins,
Lubstree Park, Wellington.

For the best colt for agricultural purposes, foaled 1867. —
First prize of £3, Mr. Felton, Long Lane Farm ; second, J.
Cooke, Trench Lodge, Wellington.

CATTLE.

SHORT-HORNS.

Bull, of any age (age to be taken into consideration). — First
prize of £5, W. W. Derington, Chetwynd Villa, Newport ;
second, W. Dickin, The Lloyds. Highly commended : E. B.
Steedman, High Ercall.

Bull, calved 1867.— First prize of £4., T. Williams, AL
brightlee. Commended: R. Dicken, Aston, Wellington.

Short-horn cow, of any age (age to be taken into considera-
tion), having produced a calf in 1868. — First prize of £•!,
Viscount Hill ; second of R. Dicken. Commended : Rev. H.
Beckwith, Eaton, Constantine ; St. John C. Charlton ; Mrs.
Higgins, Lubstree Park.

Heifer, calved 1866. — First prize of £3, Viscount Hill ;
second, St. John C. Charlton. Highly commended: Rev. W.
Beckwith ; commended : Mr. Wyley.

Pair of lieifers, calved 1£67.— First prize of £3, T. Bur-
gess, Burleydam ; second, St. John C. Charlton, Apley Castle.

HEKEFORDS.

Bull of any age (age to be taken into consideration). —
First prize of £5, Mrs. Mary Allen, Hunkington, Salop ; se-
cond, G. Pugh, Wheathill, Wellington. Commended : B.
Jones, Ensdon House,

Bull, calved 1867.— First prize of £4, j\L Williams, Dry-
ton ; second, R. Tanner, Frodesley. Highly commended :
Rider, Crudgington ; commended: J. Harding, Bicton, Salop.

Cow of any age (age to be taken into consideration), having
produced a calf in 1868.— First prize of £4, M. Williams ;
second, R. Tanner. Highly commended : E. H. Davies,
Patton ; commended : R. Tanner.

Heifer, calved 1866.— First prize of £3, M. Williams ; se-
cond, R. Tanner.

Pair of heifers, calved 1867.— First prize of £3, M. Wil-
liams; second, T. Groucock, Bolas House.

Cow of any breed, for dairy purposes, having produced a
calf in 1868.— First prize of £1. T. Burgess, Burleydam , se-
cond, J. Jlinor, Pyms House.

SHEEP.

SHROPSHIRE,

Ram of any age (age to be taken into consideration). —
First prize of £5, H. Smith, Sutton Maddock ; second, G. H.
Wickham, Broom Hall Grange.

Ram, lambed in 1867. — First prize of £5, P. W. Bowen,
Sbrawardiue Castle ; second, G. H. Wickham. Commended:
H. Smith.

Ram lamb, lambed in 1868. — First prize of £3, Mrs. Beach,
The Hattons, Brewood ; second, G. H. Wickham, Highly
commended: Mrs. Beach; commended: H.Smith.

Pen of five ewes, of any age, each having produced a lamb
in 1868. — First prize of £5, G. H. Wickham ; second, H,
Smith. Commended : Sir J. N. L. Chetwode, Oakley, Market
Drayton.

Pen of five ewes, lambed in 1867.— First prize of £3, H,
Smith ; second, Hon. T. H. Noel Hill, Croukliill. Highly
commended : W. Fowler, Acton Reynald ; commended : W,
Fowler and G. H. Wickham (for two pens).

Pen of five ewe lambs, lambed in 1868. — First prize of £3,
Mrs, Beach; second, R, Tanner. Highly commended: H,
Smith.

LOXG-WOOLS.

Ram, lambed 1S67.— Second prize of £1 10s., T. Furber,
High Offley.

Five ewes of any age (age to be taken into consideration),
—Second prize of £1 10s., T. Furber.

PIGS.

Boar of any age. — Prize of £3, Viscount Hill, Hawkstone,

Breeding sow, in pig, or with farrow of sucking pigs, not
exceeding ten weeks old. — First prize of £3, B. Blore, Market
Drayton; second, C. D, Hudson, Cheswardine Hall.

Farrow of pigs, not exceeding six months old. — Prize of
£3 10s., the Wrekin Hotel Company, Wellington.

There were prizes for poultry and dogs.

The dinner was held in the Town-hall, the chair being oc-
cupied by the President of the Society, the Hon. R. C. Her-
bert, who said there was an old proverb tliat every fool fancied
himself to be a heaven-born general, and almost everybody
fancied that he was by instinct a farmer. The first question
he should refer to was one that bad been discussed in the
agricultural societies and a good deal in other places. It was
as to the teuure of laud. A great number of people said that
it was essentially necessary to good farming that a long lease
should be held by the tenant. Now, looking at Shropshire,
he did not believe Shropshire farmers were much behind the
rest of the world — a glance of the show of that day would
prove that — and yet in Shropshire there were scarcely any
leases. Many of their best farmers said they did not want
leases. They said, " If we cannot trust our landlord without
a lease, we'll not live under him with a lease." That, he
thought, was a very sensible and a very wholesome sentiment.
It was a sentiment that would unite the tenant and his land-
lord together by a tic of sympathy, and they would not deal

B B

356

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

witli eacli other solely with reference to the " almighty dol-
lar." No tenant-right in existence, and none that could he
brought into existence, could possibly be so beneficial to tenant
and landlord, as that which arose from a feeling of sympatliy
and confidence between them. It was said that it was neces-
sary, if people are to invest large capitals on their farms, that
they should have leases. If rich people really wished to take
farms, and to make experiments upon them, he, for one, should
be most happy to see them ; but if it was suggested that he
should substitute these rich people for those farmers who had
perhaps been living on the estate from gjeneration to genera-
tion— for one or two hundred years — then, he said, let the rich
people go. T^'hen leases run out the rent is most generaUy
raised. When the Scotch tenant went to his landlord, aft§r
the expiration of his lease, to inquire about his future rent —
" Oh ! Sandy," said the landlord, " we'll just double it." Now,
if tenants can sliow their landlord that, after the expiration of
the lease, they are prepared to have their rents doubled, then
he was sure there were plenty of landlords ready to grant
leases for ten or twenty years, or even for centuries. There
was another subject that he intended to refer to, although in
expressing his opinion upon it he had no doubt he should not
agree with many present. It was the question of the malt-tax.
That had been said to be a farmer's question ; but he ventured
to doubt if it were so much a farmer's question as it was a
question for the consumers of beer. There could be no doubt
that it increased the price of beer, but he doubted much if it
harmed the British farmer. He believed indeed that it acted
beneficially by preventing a large quantity of inferior foreign
grain from being malted. They ought also to look at it as to
how it affected the beer-drinker. It was an acknowledged
fact that good ale could not be brewed out of bad malt, and
he believed if the malt-tas were abolished the consumer would
get worse beer. Although he was in favour of " letting well
alone," still, however, he did not think farmers ought to stand
stiU and do nothing. He was sure that the farmers of this
country were as little disposed to do so as any, and to prove it
he appealed to the Chambers of Agriculture and other societies
which had been established all over the country, in order to
bring farmers together and to get them to combine for their
own welfare. Looking back a number of years to the time
when the Royal Agricultural Society was at Shrewsbury —
many there perhaps remembered it, although he did not — he
beheved a great advancement was visible. The stimulus given
at that time had shown a good result in their breed of sheep,
which has made the name of Shropshire famous throughout

all England. The operations of a great society such as he
last referred to were, he believed, usefully supplemented by
such societies as they had had there that day. Such meetings
as those gave the smaller and middle class of farmers an oppor-
tunity of competing one \vith another without their being
overwhelmed by those who could afford to pay out of their
immense capital for the most valuable stock.

Mr. J. R. 0. Gore proposed the President. He compli-
mented that gentleman upon the manner in which he had dis-
charged the duties of his office, but could not agree with liim
iu what had been said about the malt-tax. He (Mr. Gore)
thought the English farmer had as much right to make the
most he could of his produce as anyone else, and it was not fair
that his produce should be unfairly taxed. If there was free
trade for one there should be free trade for all. He could as-
sure them he should, so long as he represented them, vote for
the repeal of the malt-tax.

Mr. Steedmah proposed "The Judges," to which
Mr. Masfen responded. In commenting upon the remarks
of the President, he said, as to leases, he had no doubt, where
the landlord was a good one, the sort of land-tenure referred
to by tlie President was a good one, but no one could teU how
soon a bad landlord might come into the good one's place.
Then, again, although some landlords were to be trusted,
others were not, and there was great difficulty at present iu
getting fair compensation for any outlay a tenant may make in
his farm when he came to leave it. As for leases he did not
care so much about them as a more liberal Tenant Right. He
wanted more security for the man that laid out his capital on a
farm. It was said that £5 per acre was sufficient to lay out
upon land, but he should Like to see a man farm well with less
than double that sum invested in his land. Good security
meant good farming, and good farming meant a large expendi-
ture of capital. As to the Malt-tax, he considered that he had
a right to do what he liked with his own, and he did not exer-
cise that right when the Excise came and put its hand upon
his malt before it was manufactured. The nearer that tax was
levied to the point of consumption the better it would be for
the consumer. He also referred to the rating question, al-
leging that only one-third of the property that ought to be
taxed for local purposes was taxed. If they had an educational
rate, as they were told they would have, it was especially ne-
cessary that the rating question should be satisfactorily settled.
Another consideration, also, was this, that if they educated
the labourer he woiUd laaturaUy require to be better iioused
than at present,

TARPORLEY AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

The dull showery weather on Friday told unquestionably
upon the attendance at this annual siiovi' .which, apart from
this, and considering tliat the agriculturists of the district have
scarcely yet recovered from the ravages of the disastrous cattle-
plague, was a successful one, Mr. AVillis's milk-white bull,
which carried off the first prize at Wirrall, was also successful
here, and all the animals exhibited had merits. The sheep
were well selected. Mr. John Cheers, of Barrow, carried off
the prizes for tlie best long-woolled ram and shearlings.

The judges were : Cheese — Mr. Griffiths, Broken-cross,
Northwich ; pigs, sheep, and poultry — Mr. Rigi)y, Town-fields,
and Mr. Dutton,Stantliorne-hall; horses — Mr, Boote, Weston-
hall, and Mr. Barker, Rushton.

PRIZE LIST.
CHEESE.

Best four cheeses, old or new, above 501bs. weight each. —
Pirst prize, £5, Mr. Joseph Aston, Brassey Green ; second, £3,
Messrs Vernon and Moss, Tiersford ; third, £2, Mr. Thomas
Einchett, Rushton.

Best four cheeses under 501bs. weight each. — Pirst prize,
£3, Mr. Samuel Willis, Clotton ; second, Mr. Edwin Wood-
ward, Tarporley ; third, Mr. John Jolmson, Utkinton.

Best Gibs, of butter (whey or cream). — Pirst prize, £1 10s.,
Mr. Samuel Willis ; second, Mr. Thomas Done, Eaton ; third,
Mr. Joseph Parry, Weetwood ; fourth, Mr, William Wilhs,
Rushton,

STOCK,

Best bull, above two years old. — First prize, £3, Mr. George
Willis, Ridley Hall ; second, Mr. John Barker.

Best bull above one year old. — First prize, £3, Mr. James
Hitchen, Rushton ; second, Mr. J. Vernon, WiUington.

Best pair of dairy cows, in-milk, which sliaU have
calved between the 1st of January and the 1st of June, 1868.
— First prize, £3, Mr. George Willis ; second, Mr. John
Barker.

. Best dairy cow, iu-milk. — First prize, £3, and second, Mr,
George Willis.

Best pair of two-year-old heifers for dairy purposes. — First
prize, £3, Mr. Thomas I'inchett ; second, Mr. George Willis.

Best pair of one-year-old heifers for dairy purposes. — First
prize, £2, and second, Mr. John Barker.

Best bull calf. — First prize, £1, and second, Mr. George
Willis.

Best pair of heifer calves, — First prize, £1, and second, Mr.
George Willis.

PIGS. •

For the best boar pig of any age. — First prize, £1 10s,, Mr.
John Beckett, Prior Hayes, Tarvin ; second, Sir P. de M.
Grey-Egerton, Bart., M.P., Oulton Park.

Best boar pig imder twelve months old.— First prize, £1
10s., Mr, Thomas Pi-escott, Foulk Stapleford,

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

357

Best breeding sow.— Eirst prize, £1 10s., Mr. Jolm Ver-
iion ; second, Mr. Thomas Oulton.

Best breeding sow. — First prize, £1 10s., Mr. Joseph Dil-
wortli, WOlington ; second, Mr. Edwin Woodward, Tarporley.

SHEEP.

For the beet long-woolled ram of any age. — First prize £1,
Mr. John Cheers, Barrow.

Best long-woolled shearling. — First prize, £1, Mr. Samuel
Allen, Weaverliam.

Best long-woolled ram lamb. — First prize, 10s., Henry Ri-
chardson.

Best short-woolled ram of any age. — First prize, £1, Mr.
John Barker.

Best short-woolled shearling. — First prize, £1, Sir P. Eger-
ton, Bart., M.P.

Best short-woolled ram lamb. — First prize, 10s., Sir P.
Egerton, Bart., M.P.

Best three long-wooUed ewes of any age. — First prize, £1,
Henry Richardson, Huxley Hall.

Best tliree long-woolled shearlings. — First pri^e, £1, Mr.
John Cheers, Barrow.

Best three loug-wooUed ewe lambs. — First prize, lOs., Mr.
John Cheers,

Best three short-woolled ewes of any age.— First prize, £1,
Mr. John Barker.

Best three short-woolled shearlings. — First prize, £1, Sir P.
Egerton, Bart., M.P.

Best three short-woolled ewe lambs. — First prize, lOs., Mr.
Thomas Finchett.

HORSES.

For the best pair of horses for agricultural purposes. — First
prize, £2, Mr. John Davies, Wavertou ; second. Sir P. Eger-
ton, Bart., M.P.

Best brood mare and foal for agricultural purposes. — First
prize, £3,',Mr. Henry Willis, Burton ; second, Mr. John Sheen,
Eddisbury.

Best mare or gelding for agricultural purposes. — First prize,
£1, Thomas Lowe, Calveley Hall, Handley; second. Lord
Binning.

Best two-year-old colts for agricultural purposes. — First
prize, £1, Mr. Thomas Button, Brindley.

Best one-year-old colt for agricultural purposes. — First
prize, £1, Mr. John Beckett.

Best roadster of any age. — First prize, £1, Mr, James V.
Brooks; secojid, Mr. Oliver EUwood, Tarvin,

THIN SEEDING.

Sir, — The time has once more arrived for preparing land
for wheat-sowmg ; and I think it only right to send a few
lines for insertion in your valuable columns, with regard to
the superiority of thin over thick seeding.

It has been my good fortune to have a sound practical man
as my neighbour (Mr. Lord, of Astvvick Farm), and who has
•ilways assured me that one bushel of wheat planted per acre
will beat two bushels. I was determined to try the new
system, and have watclied it carefully for the last three years,
and can now honestly say that during that period I have al-
ways perceived a vast superiority of the tliiu plant, from its
first appearance up to the day of harvesting.
• Last year 1 accompanied Mr. Lord on to the property of
Sir H. Dryden. One of his teuants, having been so struck by
the healthy look of our wheat crops on light soil, was deter-
mined to try what would be the effect of thin seediug on his
deeper aud altogether better soil. The one bushel per acre
was accordingly sown, and a strip iu the middle of the field
was left for thick seeding, both beiug planted on the same day
and witli the same seed. There were several farmers of the
neighbourhood present at the same time ; and they, of course,
according to ancient prejudice, were prepared to wager on the
old system.

The dili'erence between the plants throughout the past year
has been most remarkable, the strip of thick-sown wheat
having always had a yellow, sickly look by the side of the
more vigorous thin-sown plant.

Notvcithstauding this year having proved one of the best
on record for thick-seeders, there having been no storms or
wind to lay the corn, the result has proved a perfect success
for the one bushel per acre. The strip of thick seeding was
measured, and found to contain 2ch. ISpo.

Another strip of the same quantity of land was then mea-
sured off alongside of the other, and both were reaped to-
getlier.

The thick seeding contained 4.4 dozen and 3 sheaves ; the
thin, 39 dozen and 10 sheaves. They were then thrashed
separately ; and the yield of the thick was only 1,5991b. of
corn, while that of the thin was Ijy'lSlb. — a balance iu favour
of the latter of 1491b., and greatly superior in quality.

The field is about l-i acres ; and the average will be from
5^ to G qrs. per acre — much above the yield of any otiier
wheat-crop on his farm.

My neighbour was a thin-seeder some time before Mr.
Mechi commenced writing on this subject, and since then lias
always read that gentleman's letters with much interest.

All our wheat-land this year — say 160 acres — will be
planted with from three pecks to one bushel per acre, at lOin.
apart ; and the land is now in process of preparation to re-
ceive the seed.

My chief object in writing this is to show how absurd is

the practice of throwing away so much seed every year, the
saving of whicli v.ould be most valuable to the country at
large, and to the poor iu particular, by lowering the price of
corn, and thereby enabling the public to procure a cheaper
loaf. I remain, your obedient servant,

B. Ramsay (in the Times),
CrougJitoii, BracMey, Sept. 11.

Mr, Mechi, in confirmation of the above, writes as fol-
lows : " I am glad to see a reference to the important
agricultural and national question of thin seeding. In former
times when seed was broad-casted, land undrained, no blowing
or dressing machines to extract ligjit or imperfect kernels, and
no preparing of the seed, it was necessary to sow large quan-
tities, but now that each grain is perfect, is properly deposited
in the soil by the drill, is not rotted by stagnant water in un-
drained soils, and is properly prepared to resist smut, it has
become absolutely necessary to diminish the quantity of seed,
for nearly every kernel grows. It is evident tliat these altered
circumstances have not generally been duly considered, for,
according to Mr. Caird's valuable statistics (first published in
your columns), the quantity of seed sown in England is: Wheat,
three bushels per acre ; barley, four bushels per acre ; and oats,
five bushels per acre.

" An intelligent young Scotch farmer from Forfarshire told
me the other day that he broad-casted four bushels of wheat,
five bushels of barley, and seven bushels of oats per Scotch
acre, aud expressed his astonishment at seeing my wheat so
thick and strong from only one bushel per acre.

" Mr. Caird estimates the return as only nine kernels for one
sown. My 73 acres of wheat, sown with one bushel per acre,
will yield more than 48 bushels for one.

" Eacli farmer should arrive at a conclusion suited to his soil
and climate by the trial of diminished quantities on half-acre
pieces. This has enabled me to suit the quantity of seed to
my soil, climate, time of sowing, aud circumstances.

"In the United Kingdom we have 11,500,000 acres under
corn crops. The useless and injurious excess of seed must
therefore cause a loss to the country of several millions
sterling.

" The nature of the wheat is to branch out horizontally in
the spring. If crowded and cramped (like an unthinned
plantation), it runs up weakly and vertically, and especially
in moist seasons, gets laid injuriously both to quantity and
quality.

" I never sow more than six pecks of barley and eight pecks
of oats per acre. From trial half-acres of wheat with only
one peck per acre the return has been 232 for one ; but I do
not recommend so small a quantity for general use.

" P.S. — Our Essex farmers are gradually diminishing their
quantity of seed,"

B B S

353

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE.

The harvest of grains is protracted into this
month only in the farthest northern parts of the
kingdom, and claims no general or special notice
beyond what has been given. The crops are cut
and secured in the common way.

This month is the general time of sowing wheat.
Plough the clay furrows that have summer
wrought and dunged, and sow by hand or drill
machine the seed at the rate of 2 or 2^ bushels to
an acre, prepared by steeping in stale urine, salt
brine, or any similar cori'osive, the light grains
skimmed off, and encrusted with hot lime in
powder, to dry and separate the pickles for sowing.
Cover the seed by a harrowing of three tines, and
draw the water furrows at the end of the sowings
nightly where required. Make open cuts by plough
furrows and by the spade ; put all fences and gates
in repair; and shut up the sown fields for the
winter.

Prepare by fallowing the lands that are intended
to be planted with early root crops — as potatoes
and beet.

Raise potatoes from the ground, by first pulling
the hauiin by hand, and carrying it to the cattle-
yards as litter ; then digging the land and throwing
out the tubers with forks of three prongs, which
pierce the ground, opening it for the permeation of
air and moisture, which is a chief benefit the land
derives from digging over the plough, which
sledges the bottom of the furrow and shuts the
openings and orifices of transmission, and very
much on damp lands with a subsoil of wet clays and
concreted gravels. The tubers are carried to the
home-yard, and placed in round piles or longitu-
digal ridges of four feet in height, and covered
with earth : better with turf and thatched with
straw, the roof being used in thickness to debar
the frosts of the locality.

In storing potatoes the chief object is to prevent
as long as possible the germination of the tubers
in the spring, which wastes the composition and
exhausts the plant, either for being used as seed or
for domestic purposes. A degree of warmth is
required to produce germination, which is afibrded
by the close covering of earth, and even in an
excess that causes a feeble store of tendrils under
the roof of earth and thatch. A dry cool air in a
position that is cold rather than warm, with little
moisture, so as to render absent the chief elements
of organic life, will be got by a slope roof of spars
that covers the potatoes without touching, and on
Virhich the thatch is laid, in thickness to exclude
the frosts that prevail, and in extreme cases to be
covered with the strawy dung from the stable-door,
as dry light bodies best resist the penetration of
frosts. A roof of spars will last for many years, and
will prevent the early germination of the tubers,
jneserving the better quality for domestic use, and
giving the great advantage of the first germination
tor the seedling shoots in the field, which are ever
the healthiest and most vigorous.

Mangold wurtzel, carrots, and parsnips are

dressed clean by hand-sickle from earth, fibres, and
tops, placed and built into piles as potatoes, and
covered with a thatch of straw^ avoiding the cover-
ing with soil, imless for an early use of the roots.
Cabbages are cleaned from the stems, being cut
away from the joining with the head, the outer
leaves are removed, the heads are built into a stack
as cannon balls, with one head on the top as a
ridge, and thatched with straw. No roots are to
be stabbed with a fork in being placed in cart or
otherwise, as putrefaction will follow the incision.

Remove the crop of Swedish turnips from the
lands of clayey loams, plough with one furrow, and
sow wheat immediatel}', and on the potato lands
now cleaned from the crop. Give the tops of the
turnips and beet-root to the store cattle and sheep
in the fields ; moderately at first, to prevent hoving.

In the end of the mouth plant potatoes on freshly
fallowed lands in wide drills of 30 inches, to be
deeply covered over the dung with two furrows of
the plough, to protect against the winter frosts.
The crop will be earlier and more abundant than
from the spring planting of potatoes.

Place the rams along with the ewes— 1 to 50;
each lot in a separate field. Give tops of turnips
and of beet, to assist the pasture, which will
much promote the salacity along with the previous
fresh condition of the ewes, AH aged, unsightly,
and ill-shaped, and bad-tlirowers, and the ewes that
missed lamb last year, must be rejected from the
purpose of breeding, and there supplied from the .
ewe lambs of last year that are now eighteen
months old. Much care and discrimination must
be exercised in assorting qualities for propagation.
Paint the brisket of the rams to mark the rump,
which will show the time of impregnation and of
lambing in the spring. Each fortnight can be
arranged in this way, and the ear-mark of the ram
that is used designates the progeny by the same
distinction.

Sheep arc anointed during this month with a
liquid to prevent the rubbing and tearing the fleece
and to kill vermin. In highland situations tobacco-
liquor with extract of tar is run over the body of
the sheep, in a bottle to each. In more lowland
grounds the animals are dipped for a few minutes
in Bigg's Composition dissolved in water, and then
drying them on dry bare ground. It kills vermin
and promotes the growth of the wool.

The lambs will require the assistance of artificial
food by the end of the month, as grass will begin
to fail. Place the animals on spaces of the turnip
crop, divided by hurdles or flakes, and give fresh
spaces every two or three days. The root shells of
the bulbs must he picked up for use. The fattening
flocks are treated in the same way : the store flocks
more moderately.

Except in mild seasons, the cattle must be housed
for the winter in yards with a shelter shed, in twos
and four togetiier of fattening animals, and six
or eight of store beasts, in a yard which must have
an ample supply of fresh-water. Su])ply the food

:HE PARMER'S MAGAZINE.

559

in turnips, rooted and topped, with fresh straw
daily, placed in racks. The calves of the year must
have a lar^e encouragement in a roomy, warm
yard; ample feeding in tops and small turnips, and
fresh straws and hays to assist. All yards must be
often littered thinly over the aiea.

Feed milch cows with chaffs of hays and straw,
with a meal of beet and cabbages to begin the
winter treatment, which may be steamed in roots
and chaffs mixed. Juicy food is indispensable for
the secretion of milk.

Swine must be placed for fattening : large bacon
hogs two in a sty together, fed with steamed pota-
toes and meals, mixed twice a-day. The store pigs
in a large yard with shelter sheds and a pond of
water, thickly and warmly littered, are supplied
with raw food, as potatoes and beet, and are pushed
forward in condition to be drawn into the fattening
sties. The steaming appai'atus must be constantly
employed iu supplying the horses, cows, pigs, and
poultry.

Poultry-houses must be cleaa and warm — a
separate lodging to each kind of animal, with
hatching-houses for each, and a shed in which the
animals can eat the steamed potatoes and meals in

mixture, along with the light giai'ns from the barn
These two kinds of food suit the narrow beaks of
poultry and the shovel bills of ducks and geese.

The liquid manure pit must be ready to receive
earthy and vegetable matters to absorb the urinary
liquids. Clean out all the culverts that lead to the
tank, which should be covered to exclude light,
and thus promote putrefaction. The absorption of
urine by earthy matters is the best use of the liquid.

In the end of the month sow winter vetches for
an early spring crop with barley in mixture.

Plough grass leys for wheat, and sow during the
month : press light lands and harrow and roll.
Scuffle with a duck-footed grubber, as Coleman's
grubber, the grattans of beans, peas, and vetches ;
collect, burn, and remove all surface rubbish;
plough and sow wheat with one furrow. The
lighter soils will remain from this preparation for
barley or oats in the spring. Good farming will
have the lands clean of weeds, and by applying a
portion of farm dung with the wheat, will allow
grass-seed to be sown in the spring, and introduce
the management into the rotation of crops. But
this cropping understands a very clean and hearty
condition of the land.

CALENDAR OF GARDENING.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Plant peas and beans with the chance of early
crops. Transplant and sow hardy lettuce, according
to the directions before given.

Cape brocoli requires early care, and as each
head is cut the stump and leaves should be re-
moved, and when dry burned into ashes, which are
valuable as a manure. Spring brocoli plants should
now be sloped down, their heads to the north, and
earth brought up nearly to the leaves, or if in
trenches, the stems should be landed up.

Cauliflowers in frames or under glasses must
have abundance of fresh air in dry weather, and at
the end of the month remove some of the best
plants to beds or warm borders, to be covered by
hand lights. Place three or four in a spot, making
the earth firm about the roots and stems. Cover
till growth be established, then give all the air
possible in fine weather.

Plant hearting cabbage and coleworts early in
the month. Tie up some some good plants of
endive for blanching, and draw some fine earth
aboat the stems. Thin-out winter spinach, and
make the ground clean from weeds. Sow small
salads once r&ore, also a few Mazagan beans. Hoe
and earth brocoli, cabbage borecole, and Brussels
sprouts.

Cut over the decayed stems of mint, balm, thyme,
and other sweet and aromatic herbs. Hoe the
ground, and if needful, add a little- good fresh
earth to the spaces. Plant slips of the potherbs,
and divide mint.

Dress asparagus beds into winter order — not
waiting for the ripening of the seeds. If seed be
wanted, select some of the best ; but clear the bed

of it. Cut to within two ol' three inches all the
haulm ; remove every week, then dig trenches on
each side a foot deep, and spread the earth over the
beds or rows ; turn the haulm into these trenches,
treading it even at the bottom, and sprinkle half-a-
pound of salt over it in every trench, twenty or
twenty-five feet long; finally, fill the trenches to
the ground-level with half-decayed stable-dung and
leaves. The crown of the plants should be rather
exposed than more deeply covered, by raking off
and removing every weed. All enrichment must
be made just before growth.

Seakale may be treated and the beds cleaned in
the same way as asparagus : the leaves of every
vegetable should be returned to the soil, but deeply
buried. Rhubard and artichokes are also thus
mainly assisted, the dung in the trenches becoming
admirable earth. Commence to excite asparagus
in frames, and seakale also.

Beet-root and carrot are partially digged up, and
stored in sand, for early use.

Raise potatoes, and store the tubers in a dry con-
dition and in a dry place : the second early kinds,
and all sorts of which the haulm is yellow. Cut
rank haulms into short lenghts, and carry it with all
weeds and rubbish into the manure pit of liquids
and vegetable growths. The land being pierced by
the narrow and pointed piongs of the hand-fork in
digging up the potatoes, will be open to the per-
meation of air and moisture— a very valuable
benefit to the ground for future crops. Potatoes
and all roots are best stored under the open air, in
raised or oblong heaps, with a light covering of
straw in thatch over-laid with earth or turf. Th®
warmth of a house does not so well preserve the
vegetable freshness.

360

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Dress and clean all the quarters ; trench and
ridije ; dig beds of heavy soil ; prepare lands of all
kinds, an(i incorporate manure.

The dung that has been collected in the dry com-
post of earihs and hme, and the wet compost in the
liquid-pit from vegetables, earths, and droppings,
will now be ready for application, after having been
duly prepared in both cases. The land is opened in
trenches of 8 inches in depth, into which the
manure is placed by hand-fork, and mixed with the
soil. The mixture is much assisted by two quarts
of guano to each barrow-load of compost manure.
The fork is a tool of great utility for such purposes,
and should be constantly used. The bottom of the
trencli may be covered with a layer of two inches of
dung, which will supply a material to be dug up for
the future crops as it is reached by the diggings of
the ground.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Trees and shrubs, deciduous and evergreen, are
safely planted between the middle and end of the
month. To do the work effectually, such ground
should be well-draiued into a dry bottom, and be
trenched 15 inches deep. Lay duug or mulch over
the soil ; but avoid mixing manure with it, as top-
dressings will be found the best of all manurings.

Gather and store apples and keeping pears ; the
latter require a warmer room than apples.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Plant auriculas in airy frames ; caraelias and
heath in a cool, dry, well-ventilated pit or green-
house : pelargoniums, cactuses, and the succulent
plants in a house with a full south aspect. Reduce
water in all the glass erections. Neatness in the
open-air department and shrubbery is what is
now chiefly to be attended to.

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL GOSSIP.

The chief topic discussed at the meetings of the French
general councils this autumn may be said to have been roads,
with which question may be also associated the subject of
cheap local railways. The councils appear to devote rather
too much time to the question, the solution of the problem
being, after all, more a matter of time and money than any-
thing else.— Complaints continue to be made of disease in
beetroot in France ; and one agriculturist has recorded a
singular circumstance which he noted upon the subject last
year. A perfectly uniform piece of land received over all its
surface the same manure, the same tillage, and the same
seed : the only distinction made was that half the piece was
sown with beetroot a month before the other half. The dis-
ease prevailed with intensity in the part of the field which was
sown first; in the other part no plant was affected. The
first-sown beetroot came up well, and in the course of
about three months they acquired, in roots and leaves, a
considerable weight. Tliey had accordingly extracted from
the soil a mucli greater quantity of water than their neigh-
bours sown under the same conditions, but a month later. A
drought arrived ; but the last-sown still continued to find in
the soil the comparatively moderate quantity of water which
was necessary to them, while the first-sown fell off more and
more. Some time later, the drought still continuing, the
later-sown beetroot began to suffer in their turn, and their
lower leaves were turning yellow, when an abundant rain
fell, just in the nick of time; upon this they regained
vigour and reached their full growth in a perfectly normal
slate. _ In October the contrast was striking, as on the
one side of the field the roots had a considerable size,
while on the other side they were small and meagre.
After all, it is not at all surprising that this year's
beet-root crop should in so many cases have proved a disap-
pointment, as admitting that beet-root with their leaves con-
tain 90 per cent, of water, Knd that they weigh, say, 10 tons
to the acre, it follows that they must extract 9 tons of water
per acre from the soil ; and if water is not present in the soil
in that quantity, it cannot of course be extracted from it. — A
prize of £4-0, given by the French Minister of Agriculture,
Commerce, and Public Works, has been awarded for the first
time this year for the best-directed " working" in the departe-
ment of the Rhone. It was won by M. Fleury Targe, of the
canton of St. Dennis Laval. On the occasion of the annual
exhibition of the agricultural committee of St. Symphorien de
Lay (Loire), the President, M. Augustin Cretin, gave an in-
teresting sketch of the agricultural progress accomplished in
the district since the formation of the committee. " Before
1840," said M. Cretin, " our stock of cattle scarcely attained
5,000 head. In 1852 it comprised 7,055 head, and in 1862
9,790 head. In 1866 it had declined, however, to 9,315 head,
^^^^auseof the diminution being the exceptional drought of
1865, which caused hay to be worth 5s. per cwt. ; now, how-
ever, the stock of cattle in our canton must amount to more

than 10,000 head. The augmentation is tlius about 5,000
head in the short period of twenty-eight years, representing an
annual profit of about £16,000. In making this calculation,
I strike an average — I reckon the working beasts for little ;
but I consider that the cows in profit, which are more nume-
rous, produce double the amount indicated. I leave the straw
and manure to be comprised in the increase of miscellaneous
agricultural products. Before ISiO we had a deficit of 10,000
beets, of wheat ; we have now a surplus of 18,000 hects. This
makes a difference of 28,000 hectolitres, representing as esti-
mated value of £21,280. I have estimated the yield in mak-
ing this calculation at 7 hectolitres per hectare, but I believe
this is a very low average, for information collected with care
and my own experience have shown me that in this commune
a hectare sown with wlieat produces in an average year from
18 to 20 hectolitres of grain. According to an English econo-
mist, the yield per hectare is 18 hectolitres in Belgium, 21 in
Holland, and 24 in England. In France, ministerial docu-
ments only estimate the yield at 14 or 15 hectolitres per hec-
tare, a result which would seem to show that agriculture is
stiU in a deplorable state in a great part of France. It proves
also that we Frenchmen possess an immense amount of wealth
in a latent state — wealth which only requires, in order to be
developed, an active and intelligent system of cultivation.
We in this district graze in our meadows from March to No-
vember about 500 head of cattle, which at £3 8s. each would
represent £1,600 ; the profit derived from our poultry has in-
creased to the extent of £800 ; the excess of our vitecultural
products in the six communes of our canton which cultivate
vines is at least £1,600 ; that of potatoes, which are better
cultivated and of more easy sale, thanks to the facility of
transport afforded by railways, is £2,000 ; finally, the rearing
and breeding of horses produces increased profits to the extent
of £800. Let us recapitulate the increase in our annual
profits as compared with 1840: Cattle, £16,000; wheat,
£21,280 ; cattle grazed, £1,600 ; poultry, £800 ; wine, £1,600 ;
potatoes, £2,000 ; horses, £800— total, £44,080. When we
collect statistics, gentlemen, we must not WTite idly in the air.
We must collect and combine with care all the elements mth
which we have to deal m order to arrive at a result which will
approach as nearly as possible to the truth. 1 must, then,
deduct from the total already given the value of the hay for-
merly consumed by about 200 horses employed in connection
with the postal and diligence services. This, at £10 per head
per annum, amounted to £2,000. We also sowed oats in
greater quantity than we now do ; and for this I must deduct
£1,600. I must also deduct £400 for some flocks of sheep which
have disappeared. These deductions will amount altogether
to £4,000, and we have still left £40,000 as the increase in
the annual agricultural profits of this canton, as compared
with 1 840. From all these totals, gentlemen, which can be
discussed and controverted from but a single point of view — .
that of their insufficiency — what results? What but that. a

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

361

district may be entirely transformed ; and tliat, to accomplisli
this result, all that is required is example, emulation, and in-
cessant and continuous labour ?" We have been at some
pains in reproducing this address, not so much from the in-
trinsic interest of the facts stated — although they are not with-
out some value per se — as from the light throvi^n incidentally
upon the progress of agriculture in France, and the intelligence
now brought to bear upon it. — M. de Valbreuze, who pre-
sided at Chaleins over the annual exhibition of tiie Agricul-
tural Committee of St. Buvier-sur-Moignans, in the Ain, im-
pressed upon his auditors the importance of a large forage

production, and especially of the production of lucerne, which
not only offers precious resources for the feeding of stock, but
also now finds a very advantageous outlet in the southern dis-
tricts of f i-ance. At the end of his speech M. de Valbreuze
referred in terms of approval to the new Society of Agricul-
turists of France, the happy advent of which, he said, Mas
hailed with enth\isiasm by all the agricultural committees of
the empire. — The growth of tobacco is stated to Ije diminish-
ing in the North of France. The topic has formed the subject
of discussion in the Lille Agricultural Committee,

AGUICULTURAL REPORTS

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR
SEPTEMBER.
Tlie past season has been of an almost unprecedented char-
acter. As regards the wheat crop the weather was eminently
favourable for its full development, although at one time the
want of rain threatened serious consequences, while at the
time of harvest the brilliant sunshine afforded farmers every
opportunity for getting in their crops in good condition. The
yield in all well-farmed lands has consequently been extremely
prolific, and the quality of the produce is very good. We have
seen some excellent samples of white wheats weighing as much
as 66 to 68 lbs. per bushel, and this is by no means tlie excep-
tion, the average weight on heavy lauds being from 62 to 63
lbs. The crops were everywhere carried with extraordinary
rapidity, the scarcity of labour being the only drawback, and
thejharvest operations were concluded fully a month earlier
than the average of years. Throughout Scotland the same
results have been realised ; but in L-elaud, owing to the inferior
V' cultivation, the out-turn is inferior to that of the sister island.
Under these circumstauces, the general course of prices has
been downwards ; but, as we anticipated in o ir last report, the
decline has been very gradual, aud does not exceed Is. to 2s.
per quarter on the month. Farmers, as yet, have threshed out
slowly and the supply of produce on offer has been limited.
Nevertheless the Gazette returns show a large increase in the
quantities sold, the sales of wheat during the past month
having amounted to 367,843 quarters at an average price of
55s. 6d., against 186,370 quarters at an average oi 63s. 3d. per
quarter. Prices, therefore, must still be considered high, and
the rates current here will be sure to attract heavy importations
from abroad, which will certainly have a depressing influence
in the quotations. Already considerable quantities of new
Dantzic and other Baltic wheats have been in sale at Mark
Lane, aud the quality is generally very fine. Further ship-
ments may be expected from the continent where the wheat
crop has generally proved excellent. But the most important
source of supply will be America, throughout which continent
an enormous harvest appears to have been reaped. In Cali-
fornia especially 'the yield is stated to be unprecedented, and we
may expect large supplies from that quarter, the English mar-
kets being the most remunerative outlets for them. Unfor-
tunately the freights from New York still range very high,
which may operate as a check to speculators ; but the demand
will probably soon bring a competent supply of tonnage. The
Fall movement of grain from tlie West has been on an extensive
scale, being only limited by the carrying capacity of the canals
and railroads. These movements must sooner or later act upon
the English markets, and we look for a furtlier considerable,
though gradual, decline from present prices.

The stocks of grain in warehouse are on the increase, but
are still much below their necessary level. We regret that some
of the large granary firms have declined to furnish Jlr. George
Dornbusch with the information necessary to complete the
statistics of the stocks in warehouse and in granary ; otherwise
we might have furnished some important information on this
point. It is impossible to understand the refusal to supply the
statistics required, as the regular publication of correct stocks
would place the trade on a steady and independent basis ; and
would tend to prevent the recurrence of unnecessary panics.
Full publicity could injure no legitimate interests, hut it
appears we cannot look for such without, as in the case of the
Cotton Statistics Bill, the interference of the Legislature.

Barley has continued to meet a steady demand at very full
prices. Some of the samples exhibited at Mark Lane have
been of superb quality, while, on the other hand, many are
hard and steely from the excessive heat. The market has been
Uberally supplied witli foreign oats— principally Russian in
bad condition — and prices have been subject ,to considerable •
fluctuation. Good sound corn, however, has been scarce and
has commanded extreme rates. The yield of beans and peas
having proved very unsatisfactory, the supplies in sale have
been limited, and the quotations have been on the advance.

The broken weather at the commencement of the month
had a surprising effect upon the pasture lands, and the grass
grew with amazing rapidity. The return of heat, however,
soon dissipated the moisture, and the fields again presented a
scorched and blasted appearance. With the opening of
autumn we have little to fear on this score, but the past season
has been extremely unfavourable for graziers, owing to the
difficulty of providing food for their stock. The crop of hay
was unusually small, |while turnips, mangolds, aud the like
have proved heavy failures. The quotations for such have
gone to an extreme point, meadow hay realising in Smithfield
market from M to £6 ; clover from £5 to £7 ; and straw,
£1 10s. to £2 per load. The recent heavy rains will in some
measure retrieve the failure of some of the root crops, but the
season is too far advanced to look for any great improvement.

Hop-picking has been concluded throughout the plantations.
Accounts differ as to the yield ; but we are inclined to believe
that it is a full average one, although far below the ex-
travagant anticipations of a few weeks since. The quota-
tions range low, sales having been effected in the Borough
at from £3 to £7 per cwt. The yield of hops on the continent
and in America appears to have been extensive, and, m the
face of probably heavy importations, we do not anticipate any
improvement in prices.

The state of the wool trade continues very unsatisfacto.iy.
The public sales of colonial produce have now been conchided,
and the demand throughout lias been languid in the extreme
for all but superfine qualities. There has been a general ab-
sence of foreigners, while the home trade has operated to a
less extent than usual. Large lots have been withdrawn in
consequence of the low prices bid. In English wool there has
been very little doing, owing to the large quantities of colonial
produce on sale, and the quotations have ruled in favour of
buyers.

The potato crop has turned out badly — probably one-third
below the average. Owing to heavy shipments from abroad,
however, the quotations in the London market have not ruled
high, the prices realised being from 703. to 170s. per ton.

REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE

PAST MONTH.

The most prominent feature in the cattle-trade during the
past month has been the promulgation of an order rendering
the slaughter of all foreign sheep compulsory at the place of
debarkation. It appears that small-pox is raging with much
virulence on the Continent, and large numbers of the sheep
imported have been suffering from that disease. The
authorities, therefore, fully alive to the importance of prevent-
ing the spread of infection into this country, have wisely taken
the precaution of forbidding the removal of sheep from tlie
water-side. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which

3"6v5

THE 1-^AUMEE'S MAGAZINIE.

foreign graziers labour Trom (lie issue of this order, we con-
tinue to receive a fair supply, and as many as 7,000 head were
collected at the water-side on Monday last. Bearing in mind
the disastrous eU'ects caused by the cattle-plague in this
country, we caunot but admire tlie foresight shown by the
Privy Council on tlie issue of an order by wliicli, after the
25th inst., it will he unlawful to remove hay imported from
the United Slates of America from the place of landing,
except it be intended for the sole use of horses. In all cases
it will be necessary to obtain a licence prior to its transmission
into the country.

The late rains have wrought a great improvement in the
general aspect of the country, and the appearance of the
pastures is more encouraging. Nevertheless, the supply of
grass is still very far short of retiuirements, and, as the root
crops have turned out badly, large numbers of beasts have
been received at market in a half-fat condition. On the
whole the trade has ruled heavy, and prices have given vi'ay
fully 4d. per 81bs. The general top quotation has ranged
from 5s. to 5s. 2d. per Slbs., but in some few instances higher
rates have been realized.

With sheep the market has been heavily supplied, and the
quality of most breeds has been only middling. There has
been very little inquiry lor any description of miitton, and
prices have been reduced M. per Slbs. Prime Downs and
half-breds are now selling at 5s. to 5s. 2d. per Slbs.

Pair supplies of calves have been offered. Generally speak-
ing, prices have been supported, but the demand has been
chiefly confined to choice breeds.

Prime small pigs have moved off freely at full currencies,
but inferior breeds have been dull and drooping.

As the hay and root crops have been almost a failure, the
outlay for food for winter consumption is likely to be very
great. It is therefore not at all improbable that the range in
the value of animal food will be much higher during the
winter months than at the present moment.

The imports of foreign stock into London have been as
under: Head.

Beasts 11,051

Sheep ll,8ilj

Calves 1,493

Pigs 3,116

Total 27,506

Comparison of Imports.
Sept. Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves.

1867 11,082 32,472 2,100 774

1866 15,465 43,611 2,014 2,183

1865 12,553 67,040 2,152 3,192

1864 14,444 45,760 2,441 3,161

1863 11,923 48,021 2,759 3,213

1862 7,219 32,154 1,830 2,257

1861 6,759 34,870 1,366 2,323

1860 8,120 36,381 1,039 2,200

1859 6,966 37,783 1,358 1,744

1858 5,999 25,488 717 2,735

1857 7,346 24,090 198 1,953

1856 7,081 20,605 3,000 2,772

1855 7,161 22,744 613 1,646

The total supplies of stock brought forward were :

Head.

Beasts 26,940

Sheep 157,440

Calves 2,643

Pigs 1,630

CoMPAiusoN OF Supplies.
Sept. Beasts. Cows. Sheep. Calves.

1867 75,290 230 127,510 1,565

1866 26,560 100 129,430 1,984

1865 27,040 530 151,440 3,324

1864 30,910 560 137,490 3,184

1863 27,710 534 131,100 2,458

1862 28,074 526 139,270 2,304

1801 26,950 520 142,990 2,260

1S60 27,080 500 144,450 3,309

1859 24,560 614 145,430 1,891

1858 27,446 533 131,150 3,210

1857 25,734 534 117 715 2 220

1856 24,002 485 132,014 2452

1855 24,607 540 152,120 2 477

PiffS.
4,500
2,942
9,434
5,701
2,691
2,546
3,214
3,188
1,895
2,472
2,067
1,559
2,206

Pigs.
2,979
3,120
3,287
3,700
2,657
3,031
3,626
2,922
2,771
4,281
2,585
2,800
3,921

The arrivals from our own grazing d^istricts, as well as from
Ireland and Scotland thus compare with the three previous
years :

Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

Prom— _ 1865 1866. 1867. 1868.

Lincolnshire, Leicestershire,

and Northamptonshire 8,000 65,000 7,550 12,750

Other parts of England 2,800 3,790 2,770 1,990

Scotland 135 35 11 360

Ireland 1,150 335 1,040 383

Beef has sold at from 3s. 2d. to 5s. 6d. ; mutton, Ss. 2d. to
5s. 4d. ; veal, 3s. 6d. to 5s. ; and pork, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 4d. per
81bs., to sink the offal.

Comparison op Prices.

Sept., 1802. Sept., 1863. Sept., 1864.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Beeffrom.. 3 0to48 34 to 50 34 to 5 4

Mutton ... 3854 36 54 4 058

Veal 4 0 5 0 3 8 4 8 4 0 5 0

Pork 3 10 4 10 36 44 36 4 10

Sept., 1865. Sept., 1866. Sept., 1867.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Beeffrom... 3 4 to 5 8 3 6 to 5 6 3 2 to 5 2

Mutton ... 4 4 6 8 3 8 6 4 3 4 5 2

Veal 4 4 5 8 4 4 5 6 4 0 5 8

Pork 4 2 5 8 4 0 5 2 3 6 4 4

The supplies of meat at Newgate and Leadenhall have been
extensive. The trade on the whole has been quiet at our
quotations. Beef, from 2s. lOd. to 4s. lOd. ; mutton 3s. to
4s. 8d. ; veal, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 8d. ; and pork, 3s. 2u. to 4s. 6d.
per Slbs., by the carcase.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE,
FAIRS, &c.

ASHFORD MAEKET. — There was an unusually good
supply of beasts. There were 3,310 sheep, and good ones
sold without much difliculty ; but the half-fat stock, which
predominated considerably, could not be got rid of. Lean
sheep, too, were quite a drag ; some breeding ewes were sold
at from 25s. to 30s. per head, and lambs from lOs. to 13s.,
but a great many pens went out of the market unsold. The
prices of first-class wether mutton ranged from 4s. 8d. down-
wards, and of first-class barren from 4s. 4d. Beef was about
the same as last week.

BEAMINSTER FAIR was thinly attended, the weather
being very unfavourable. The show of beasts was moderate,
and all of good quality sold well. The supply of slieep was
unusually large, upwards of 7,000 liaving been penned. Trade
was very dull, and prices were low. Pigs were rather scarce,
with a slack trade. AVethers 27s. to 37s. each, lambs 17s. to
22s., and ewes 30s. to 3Ss.

BIRMINGHAM FAIR was hut moderately supplied with
fat beasts. The trade fair, at about late rates. Fat sheep and
lambs a good supply ; trade heavy. Calves a moderate supply.
F'at pigs a limited number on ofl'er. Store beasts of all kinds
only a moderate supply, and the trade by no means active.
Milch cows realised £18 to £24 each, barren beasts £9 to £13
each, yearlings from £4 to £6, store ewes from 30s. to 45s.
each, lambs 15s. to 25s. each. There was a good show of
rams, for which there was a fair demand ; prices from £5 5s.
to £8 8s. Good and useful horses were in good demand ; in-
ferior sold slowly.

BOSTON SHEEP MARKET.— There was an unusually
large supply, but buyers being scarce trade was very dull, and
prices considerably lower than last week. Stores were difficult
to quit at any price. Mutton was 6Jd. to 7d. per lb.

BRIDGNORTH FAIR.— There was an unusually large
number of sheep ; indeed, more than had been for a number
of years. The competition for sheep was brisk. Good cows
and calves fetched from £12 to £18, barrens £9 10s. to £15
fat heifers £14 to £18 ; fat bullocks £11 to £15. Some choice
ewes belonging to Mrs. Wadlow fetched from 40s. to 45s. each,
Mr. Instone 42s. to 49s., Mr. Massey 42s. to 40s., Lord Wen-
lock 36s. to 44s., and Mr. John Pritchard, M.P., 30s. to 42s.
The sale of rams was very spirited, particularly of those from
Mrs. Wadlow's, which made from £6 6s to £16 16s. ; Mr.
Wadlow's brought from £5 5s. to £13 13s.; and Mr. Pitt's
from £7 7s. to £18 18s.; the others averaging rather more

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

363

tlian £6 6s. Agricultural horses sold from £li3 to £30, hacks
from £8 10s. to £28.

BURGH FA.T STOCK MARKET was well suppled. For
first-class animals there was a good demand. Beef made from
8s. to 9s. per stoue. For the best mutton full rates were ob-
tained. Half-fed and store beasts and sheep were a heavy
trade, hut everything ready for the butcher was cleared olf.

CREDITON FAIR.— The supply of bullocks was small.
Store cattle did not sell very freely. Some prime fat beasts
fetched 12s. per score. The supply of sheep was above the
average ; small wethers reahzed G^d., large do. Gd., ewes 5^d.

DUNDEE FAIR.— The supply of cattle of all kinds was
large, and of grazing Irish and home-beasts the show was un-
precedentediy numerous, so far as this market is concerned.
The price of fat may be quoted at from 9s. to 10s. 6d. per
Dutch stone, according to quality. Generally speaking the
market, in consequence of the extraordinary supply, miglit be
characterized as very slow and stiff, although some of the.
dealers spoke of their being a fair demand for good cattle. At
the close of the market a large number of grazing beasts did
not change hands. Scarcity of winter keep is undoubtedly the
cause of the market being in such an overflowing state with
grazing stock. Of horses there seemed also to be a large sup-
ply, although the (pmlity generally was rather inferior. Cart-
horses brought from £28 to £50. The market was anything
but brisk.

ELGIN MONTHLY MARKET.— The show of stock was
large, consisting chiefly of keeping cattle. Very few fat,
which met with a stitf" sale in the early part of the day, al-
though several changed hands in the afternoon at a slight de-
cline from last market. An unusually large show of sheep,
and several lots were sold at a considerable reduction. Mr.
John Robertson, Knockando, sold a lot of two-year-old queys
at £10 a head ; Mr. Calder, Muirtovvn, a lot of tv/o-year-o!d
stots at £15 5s. a head ; Mr. Thomson, Coxton, a lot of two-
year-olds at £15 5s. ; Mr. Cameron, Knockaudo, a pair of
J' two-year-old queys at £18; Mr. Lawson, Oldmill, three and
two-year-old stots at £18 5s. a head ; Mr. Ileid, Loch-hiU, a
cow at £17 15s. ; Mr. Clunas, flesher, New Elgin, a two-year-
old stots at £1G 15s.; Mr. M'Kessack, Miltonbrae, a lot of
14 two-year-old polled at £10 5s. ; Mr. Gray, Dufl'us, G year-
olds at £9 a head ; Mr. Young, Scarfbauks, a lot of two-year-
old stots at £19 10s.

GLASTONBURY FAIR was the largest we have had for
some years past, but trade was exceedingly dull. Fat beef
realised from 10s. to 12s. per score, grazers from £12 to £15
each, fat ewes and wethers 40s. to 42s., grazing ditto 30s. to
40s., store ewes 30s. to oQs., lambs ICs. to 26s. For cart
horses the prices asked were from £22 to £35 each, and sucking
colts from £12 to £18.

GLOUCESTER MONTHLY MARKET.— The general
prices were : beef, 6|d. to 7id. per lb. ; mutton, Gd. to 7d.
The sale was slow. Pigs were in good demand, at 10s. Gd. to
lis. per score.

HAWICK TUP FAIR. — Attendance very large, compris-
ing stock-farmers from the whole Border district, north and
soutli, and many gentlemen from the Highlands, distant parts
of England, Wales, and Ireland, attracted by the prime Che-
viot rams which the more celebrated breeders have generally
on sale. Mr. Elliott, of Hyudhope, again carried off the ho-
nour of the market in respect to the number exposed and the
highest price obtained. His average was a trifle below that of
Mr. Archibald, Glengelt, but, considering that he had about
three times the number, his return would be most remune-
rative. His higliest priced tup (£27) became the property of
Mr. Murray, Edinburgh, who bought another from the same
lot for £25. The £20 tup of the Moorfoot lot was purchased
by Mr. Dalgleish, Rennelburn ; the top animal in Mr. Aitchi-
son's lot went for £1G to Mr. Pringle, liindles ; and the £10
10s. one, from Georgefield, was bought by Mr. Johnstone,
Caplegill. Mr. Turnbull, Spittal, a famous local breeder of
Leicesters, scored the highest figure (£10 10s.) and also the
highest average (£4 lis. 2d.). Prices in the private pens were
— For Cheviots from £2 10s. to £5, and for Leicesters
rom £2 to £4.

ILSLEY SHEEP FAIR.— There were upwards of 100,000
sheep, being the largest fair ever known. The trade was
friglitfully dull, and prices were 6s. a-head lower than at the
last fair three weeks before, or 3s, lower than at Wilton
fair. Ewes were sold as low as 10s, 6d. a-head, and Iambs

from 6s. upwards. A great many remained unsold, and it is
said that at least 20,000 were never enquired the price of at
all. Altogether the fair was the flattest and dullest for years,
LOCKERBIE FAIR. — The second of the great autumn,
sheep trysts was held last week. The stock was estimated
about 21,000 of all kinds, about 6,000 of which were half-
bred lambs, about 10,000 Cheviot lambs, about 3,000 Cheviot
ewes, aud the remainder crosses and blackfaced. The stock
generally was in good condition. Prices of all descriptions
were up from August market, llalf-hreds from 2s. to 3s. 6d.,
Cheviot lambs Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d., but in few cases were they
doing more than pay for the keep since last market. In some
instances half-breds would be makaig Is. in addition to keep.
Prices for best half-bred lambs ranged from 20s. to 25s., and
iu very rare cases up to 29s.; Cheviot top wether lambs 8s. 8d.
to 13s., middling ditto 6s. to 8s., middling ewe lambs 8s. to
lis., cross lambs 10s. 6d. to 15s., Cheviot draft ewes 16s. to
21s., blackfaced ewe lambs 8s. Gd. to 10s. Gd. The show of
cattle was the best that has been seen for several years. The
dera.and was rather dull, being quite as much so as at Dumfries
the preceding day.

LE\raS SHEEP FAIR on Monday last was the most ex-
traordinary fair, both as regards numbers and variation ia
prices, that has ever occurred here within the memory of living
man, and the grand cause is the scarcity of feed. Wheu the
rains visited us just after harvest, it was loudly imagined that
better things were iu store for the breeders of sheep, and cer-
tainly an impetus was given to " feed," which encouraged the
hope. However, tlie recent dry weather, and somewhat cold
nights, have checked the growth of roots, greens, and grass,
aud there is now every probability that the old saying,
" drought is not dearth in England," will, so far as meat
is concerned, prove a fallacy. The demand for meat
among the great bulk of the population increases every year,
as the country grows in wealth, aud higher wages are obtained
by the classes whose means formerly precluded them from even
a moderate diet of animal food, and therefore the drought will
undoubtedly cause a dearth of meat during the winter months.
The fair was the largest we ever remember, very few short of
37,000 being penned, and the prices ranged extraordinarily
wide. The supply principally consisted of ewes and lambs,
and tegs being very short in proportion to the bulk, they were
sought after more readily. Among the few transactions ef-
fected in the forenoon, the first sale of tegs was that by Mr.
Kirby, of Ringmer, who sold 103 wethers at 36s. 6d., which,
according to the prices made afterwards, was about the ave-
rage. Ewes were mostly poor, aud the prices ranged between
16s. and 45s. per head. The only lot which fetched 45s. was
a score of picked beauties, sold by Mr. Roods, of Stonehara.
Mr. John Gorringe, of Birling, sold at 40s. The highest price
obtained for lambs was 27s. Gd., wliich figure was given for 80
sent by Mr. Huth, of Possingworth. Mr. Gorringe, of Bir-
ling, made 27s. Of rams there was a very choice display by
some of the best breeders in the county. Mr. Ashby, of East-
dean, brought some very well-bred tups, of which he had no
difficulty in disposing, at from 10 to 15 guineas. Some of his
were bought l)y tlie Right Hon. Earl Amherst. The Messrs.
Emery, of Storrington, had a large show of their famous
breed, which sold and let, speaking generally, at prices ranging
from 9 to 15 guineas ; but one famous feUow was sold at 20
guineas to Mr. Field, of Kent. Mr. Stenning (Godstone),
Mr. Hart (Beddiugham), the Right IIon.H. Brand, Mr. Ham-
shar (Twineham), and Mr. Verrall (Swanhorough), had also
excellent assortments of stock sheep, for which good prices
were obtained. During the morning trade was very dull, and
many fine lots of ewes aud lambs were not bid for ; in the
afternoon it sliglitly improved, but probably half were driven
away unsold. The following figures will show the ruling
prices of sheep and lambs, and the number at this fair, for the
past 18 years:

Y'ear. Number. Ewes. Lambs.

1850 28,000 22s. to 263. 15s. to 209,

1855 30,000 25s. to 34s. 15s. to 25s.

18G0 30,000 30s. to 40s. 14s. to 30s.

1864 34,000 30s. to 42s. 17s. to 32s,

1865 16,000 34s. to 52s, 33s. to 40s,

1SG7 29,000 30s. to 48s. 20s. to 32s.

1868 37,000 303. to 41s, 14s. to 27s. 6d,

There were several hundred head of runts and Herefords, but
trade was stagnant.— Abridged from the S'isse.c Exjjress, ^ ^,

364

[ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

LINCOLN SEPTEMBER RAM FAIR.

The Fair took place on Friday, Sept. 18. Tlie number of
rams was in excess of previous years, and the demand was far
from brisk. The consequence was tliat many of tlie animals
were takeu away unsold, and those disposed of were knocked
down at prices considerably below their value.

The Welton-le-Wold Rams (Mr. Clarke's).— Lot 1,
Pinder 5/. 5s. ; 4, Wilkinson, ■i/. 5s: ; 5, Grubb, 4^. 10s. ; G,
C. Keldsend, 11. 15s. ; 7, Pickwell, U. 53. ; 10, Ashton, 4/,
15s. ; 13, Epworth, 6A ; 13, Ilibbitt, 6;". 5s. ; 14, Grubb, U.
10s. , 15, Epworth, U. 15s. ; IG, Birkinshaw, bl. ; 17, Fields-
end, &l. ; 18, Ashton, 11. 10s. ; 19, Birkinshaw, 5/. 10s. ; 20,
Epworth, bl. 5s.

The HoLBECK Lodge Rams (Mr. Bett's). — Lot 3, Steeper,
5/. 5s ; 4, Twidale,5^. 5s.; 7, Epton, 8^.; 11, Baumber, 61.
5s. ; 12, Steeper, bl. 15s.

The Ingleby Rams (Mr. Paddison's). — Lot 1, Stevenson,
4:1: 5s.; Gilbert, 51. 15s. ; 4, Copeland, 51. 5s. ; 4, Copeland,
6^. 10s. ; 8, GUbert, 8/. 10s. ; Copeland, 5^. 5s. ; 14, Cope-
land, 8/. 15s.

The Dunholme Rams (Mr. Walker's). — Lot 1, W. Bor-
man, 6^. 5s. ; 3, Frankish, 51. 5s. ; 4, Borraan, 6L ; 7, Bur-
kinshaw, 51. 15s. ; 8, Borman, 10/. 10s. ; 9, Cade, 51. 5s. ;

10, Little, 51. 15s. ; 12, Borman, G^.

The Rakby Rams (Mr. Walesby's).— Lot 1, West, 6^.
15s. ; 3, Sands, 51. 5s. ; 5, Evison, 51. 15s. ; 6, Little, 18^. ;
7, Evison, 9^. ; 8, Lowe, 51. 5s. ; 10, Little, 7L 15s. ; 1~\
Ashton, 8/. 12s. ; 13, Epton, 71. ; 15, Briggs, 5L 5s.

The NocTOJJ Rams (Mr. E. Howard's).— Lot 1, Worth,
7/. ; 2, Picker, 71. ; 3, Barnes, 51 10s. ; 4, Parker, 51. 5s. ;

7, Frearson, 71. 5s. ; 9,R. Howard, 30/. ; 10, Roberts, 5^. 5s, ;

11, Bayles, 13^. ; 12, Pinder, 51. 5s. ; 13, Hunt, 11^. 10s. ; 14,
T. Cartwright, 71. ; 15, Parker, 71. 10s. ; 16, Picker, 10/.
10s. ; 18, Chapman, 51. 5s. ; 20, Graves, 18^. ; 21, Mucklow,
9/. 10s. ; 22, Howard, 71. 10s. ; 24, Fox, 6/. 5s. ; 25, Chap-
man, 51. 15s. ; 26, Chapman, 8/. 10s. ; 27, Hayles, 8/. 5s. ;
38, Bellwood, 51. 15s. ; 29, Bellwood, 8/. ; 30, Bellwood,
5/. 2s. Cd.

The NocTON Rams (Mr. Wright's).— Lot 2, Jackson, 5L
10s. ; 5, Packe, Gl. 15s. ; 9, Harrison, 30/. ; 10, Watson, 71. ;
11, Cartwright, 10/. ; 13, Barnes, 71. 5s. ; 13, Hunt, 11/. ;
14, Wilson, 71. ; 15, Minto, 38/. ; IG, Turner, 16/. ; 17, Wood-
hall, 12/. : 18, Sergeant, 71. ; 19, Jackson, 19/. ; 20, Cart-
wright and Allan, 71. ; 22, Graves, 10/. ; 34, Barnes, G/. ; 35,
Robson, 8/. ; 26, Sergeant, 6/. 5s. ; 27, Packe, 11/. ; 28, Fox,
8/. ; 39, Fox, 7/. 10s. ; 30,Machin, 19/. ; 32, Graves, 8/. 10s. ;
33, Epton, 71. ; 34, Longstaff, 6/. 10s. ; 35, Towle, 51. 15s. ;
36, AucUand, 9/. 10s. ; 37, Epton, 51. 10s. ; 38, Jackson, 51.
10s. ; 39, Webster, 6/. 5s. ; 40, Le Gard, 71. ; 43, Sneath, 71. ;
44, Hawk, 51. 5s.

The Thurley Rams (Mr. Kemp's).— Lot 1, C. Brooke,
71. 5s. ; 3, C. Brooke, Gl. ■ 4, Young, 8/. 5s. ; 5, Little, 11/. ;
G, Fletcher, 71. 5s. ; 7, Young, 51. 5s. ; 8, C. Brooke, 9/. 5s. ;
9, Rowland, 23/. ; 10, Godfrey, 6/. 10s. ; 11, Young, G/. 5s.;
13, lonng, 7/. 10s; 13, Godfrey, 7/. 10s. ; 15, Young, 8/. 15s.;
16, Marshall, Gl. 5s. ; 17, Pinder, Belmore, Retford, 5/. 10s. ;

18, Ealand, 6/. 15s. ; 30, GiUiatt, 51. 5s. ; 21, J. Dudding,
51. 5s. ; 33, Clixby, 51. 10s. ; 33, R. Cross, 8/. 10. ; 24, Nor-
wood, 5/. 15s. ; 35, Wass, Worlaby, 8/. 10s. ; 36, Young,
10/. ; 37, Abraham, 51. ; 28, Cross, 71. ; 29, Dudding, 6/. ;
30, Cross, 71. ■ 31, James, Gl. 5s. ; 31, Atkinson, Fillinsham,
5/. 5s.

The Branston Rams (Mr. Harrison's).— Lot 1, Steven-
son, Gl. ; 2, Setterington, 5/. 7s. 9d. ; 3, East, 8/. ; 4, Harri-
son, 6/. ; 5, East, 71. ; 6,Morris, 71. ; 7, MarshaU, 51. 13s. Gd.;

8, Vickert, 8/. ; 9, Grimes. Gl. ; 10, Scott, 6/. ; 11, Bradley,
9/. 5s. ; 12, Grimes, 51. 5s. ; 14, Bacon, 51. 15s.

The LAUGI1T0^' Rams (Mr. CassweU's).— Offered by Mr:
Lumley : Lot 1, Simmons, 51. 5s. ; 3, Evans, 9/. 5s. ; 3 Wel-
lows, 5/. 15s. ; 4, Richardson, 71. 10s. ; 5, Weightman, 6/.
10s. ; 6, Simmons, 6/. 5s. ; 7, J. Harvey, 6/. ; 8, Smith, Eve-
don, 8/. ; 9, Willows, 71. 10s. ; 10, Hoeufft van Velsen, 10/.
10s. ; 11, Moggs, 7/. ; 12, Burtt, 8/. 5s. ; 13, G. Casswell, Gl.
10s. ; 14, Simmons, 71. ; 15, Richardson, Digby, 71. ; 16, La-
ming, 8/. 5s. ; 17, J. Harvey, 6/. 15s. ; 18, Garnell, 51. 5s. ;

19, Spencer, 51. 15s. ; 20, Willows, 71. 15s. ; 21, Simmons,
5/. 153! ; 22, Moss, Wliisby, 91. 5s. ; 33, Spencer, 6/.

MR. RIGDEN'S SALE.

Tlie annual sale of pure Southdown ewes and letting and
sale of rams, the property of Mr. William Rigdcn, the cele-
brated breeder, took place at Hove, on Friday, Aug. 28. There
was a large attendance of ^agriculturists, Mr, Edward Draw-
liridge submitted the various lots to competition. The best
test of excellence in sheep is the prices they fetch. In most
cases competition was brisk. The following prices were made

Five full-mouthed ewes, £5 10s„ BIr. Cane

Five ditto, £5 10s., Count de Bouilles

Five ditto, £4 10s., Mr, Peerless

Five ditto, £4 10s., Mr, Smith

Five ditto, £G 5s., Count de BouiUes

Five ditto, £3, Mr, H. Arknell

Five ditto, £4, Mr, Fox (London)

Five ditto, £3 5s., Mr. Rand

Five ditto, £3 10s., Mr. Fox

Five ditto, £3 5s., Mr. Chappie

Five ditto, £3 5s,, Mr, Gibson

Five ditto, £3 5s., Mr, Rand

Five ditto, £3 5s., Mr. Faulconer

Five ditto, £3 5s., Mr. Gibson

Five ditto, £3 10s., Mr. Chappie

Five shearling ewes, £5 10s., Count de Bouilles

Five ditto, £3 5s,, Mr, Coombridge

Five ditto, £3 15s., Mr, Parkes

Five ditto, £3 5s., Mr, Parkes.

KAMS rOR LETTING,

Three-years-old, by the second-prize ram at Battersea,
39 gs., Duke of Richmond,

Three-years-old, by Webb's 39, 15Jgs., Mr, Colgate,

Two-years-old, by Young Elegance (obtained the first prize
at Brighton in 1867, and the first prize at Leicester, 1868),
56 gs., Lord Radnor.

Two-years-old, by ditto, 35 gs., Mr, Hugh Gorringe.

Two-years-old, by Son of Arclibishop (obtained the second
prize at Brighton in 1867), 18 gs., Mr. J. S. Turner,

Two-years-old, by ditto, 10 gs., Lord Hylton.

Two-years-old, by Young Elegance, 30 gs., Mr. Boby,
Ipswich.

Two years old, by Son of Webh's 31, 16 gs., Mr. Hogg
(Southampton).

Two years old, by ditto, 16 gs., Mr. Parks.

One year old, by Young Elegance (obtained the first prize
at Leicester), 60 gs.. Lord Walsingham.

One year old, by a son of Reserve, 46 gs., Lord Radnor.

Ditto, by ditto, 19 gs., Mr. Floss, Luton Park, Bedford.

Ditto, by ditto, 11 gs.. Lord Hylton.

Ditto, by ditto, 11 gs., Mr. Francis, Cambridge.

Ditto, by a son of 39, 21 gs., Mr. Floss.

Ditto, by second-prize ram at Battersea, 46 gs., Mr. Barclay,
Leatherhead.

RAMS FOR SALE.

Throe years old, by 39, dam a Webb ewe, 14 gs., Mr. Ash-
burner.

Two years old, by a son of Archbishop, 13 gs., Mr. W. P.
Gorringe.

Two years old, by the first-prize aged ram at Brighton, 16
gs., Mr. Ashburuer.

One year old, by Young Elegance, dam a Webb ewe, 21 gs.,
Mr. J. S. Turner.

Ditto, by ditto, dam a GoodM-ood ewe, 31 gs., Mr. Mills-

Ditto, by ditto, dam a Goodwood ewe, 19 gs., Mr. Carew-
Gibson.

Ditto, by Son of Reserre, 13 gs., Mr. Selby, Kent.

Ditto, by ditto, 13 gs., Mr. Farncombe.

Ditto, by ditto, 11 gs.,Mr. Yate.

One year old, by Son of Reserve, dam a Webb ewe, 12 gs.,
Mr. Smith, Worth.

Ditto, by Son of Reserve.

Ditto, by ditto, dam a Heasman ewe, 10 gs., Mr. Carew-
Gibson.

Ditto, by ditto, 10 gs., Mr. Smith.

Ditto, by a son of 39, 31 gs., Mr. Barclay, Leatherheact.

Ditto, by ditto, 11 gs., Mr. Duke, Leominster.

Ditto, by ditto, 10 gs., Mr. Farncombe.

Ditto, by second-prize ram at Battersea, 11 gs., Mr. Rams-
den.

Ditto, by ditto, llj gs., Mr. Fos.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

365

DUMBLETON STOCK SALE.

In consequence of the relinquishment hy Edwd. Holland,
Esq., M.P., of stock-breeding, and the letting of a portion of
his estates, an important and extensive sale of shorthorn cattle,
Shropshire slicep, horses, pigs, implements, &c., took place at
the CuUabine farm, near the Ashton-under-hill station, on Wed-
nesday, Thursday, and Friday. During the time Mr. Holland
lias pursued the occupation from wliich lie now retires, he has
spared no trouble or expense in introducing among his iloeks
and lierds the best blood in the country : he is noted through-
out the county, and far beyond it, as a successful breeder of
stock ; and his sale was on tliis, as on former occasions, at-
tended by a large number of agriculturists and breeders from
all parts of the country. Finer sheep and cattle than those on
the Dumbletou estate are very seldom seen ; and although at
this sale many of the animals, owing to the unfavourable sea-
son, did not look their best, the appearance of the stock as a
whole elicited from the best judges unqualified admiration.

The stock disposed of on Wednesday comprised oG shearling an d
IS.agedrams, 8S ram lambs, 390 breeding ewes, 145 theaves,220
ewe, and 130 wether lambs. Rams were first put up ; and among
them were some splendid animals, for which the biddings were
very spirited. The highest price was obtained for a three-
shear ram. Royal Ranger, hired at the last sale by Mr. Randall
for 35 guineas, the reserve number in class of aged rams, at
the Royal Agricultural Society, Leicester, 1868, and considered
by some to be second-best sheep in the class ; Lord Sudeley
was the purchaser at 46 guineas. A two-shear ram was
bought by Captain Oliver for 35 guineas, and the average of
the class was rather over £11. The ram lambs brought an
average of £2 2s. The average price Of the tlieaves was £2
8s. 6d., one pen of five fetching £6 6s., and another £4, and
of the breeding ewes £2 5s.

Mr. Strafford commenced with Shorthorns on Thursday.
i^Thc competition was not so brisk as on the preceding day, but
* all the animals were disposed of at the foUowing prices :

Pliarsalia, rich roan, calved Feb. 11, 1861, by Archduke ;
purchased by Mr. J. Ashmore (Norton), for 22 guineas.

Bijou 2nd, rich roan, calved March 4, 1862, by Seventh
Duke of York; Mr. T. G.Curtler, 43 gs.

Queen of Hearts, red and white, calved May 13, 1S62, by
Lumley; Mr. Watson (Coleshill, Warwicksliire), 40 gs.

Witch of Jersey, roan, calved May 37, 1863, by Lord Jer-
sey ; Mr. Price, M.P., 40 gs.

California 8th, rich roan, calved May 30, 1863, by 3nd Duke
of Thorndale ; Mr. Parr (Lancashire), 36 gs.

Countess of Jersey, roan, calved August 6, 1863, by Lord
Jersey ; Mr. Watson (Coleshill, Warwickshire), 29 gs.

Duchess of Dumbleton, rich roan, calved October 22, 1863,
by Lord Jersey ; Mr. Sowerby (Tewkesbury), 36 gs.

Lady Jersey, rich roan, calved January 5, 1864, by Lord
Jersey ; Mr. Sturgeon (Essex), 40 gs.

Nanny, rich roan, calved Feb. 13, 1864, hy Lord Jersey ;
Mr. Sturgeon, 38 gs.

Queen of Dumbletou, rich roan, calved Oct. 6, 1864, by Lord
Jersey : Mr. Sowerby, 29 gs.

Nell Gwynne, rich roan, calved Jan. 30, 1865, hy Lord
Jersey ; Mr. Price, M.P., 50 gs.

Ninette, rich roan, calved Nov. 35, 1865, by Lord Jersey;
Mr. Sowerby, 25 gs.

Princess Alexandra, rich roan, calved Feb. 26, 1866, by
Lord Jersey ; Lord Dunmore (Scotland), 44 gs.

Lady Carlotta 2nd, roan, calved Feb. 27, 1866, by Lord
Jersey ; Mr. Jos. Woodward (Birlingham), 40 gs.

Lady Constance, roan, calved May 37, 1866, by Lord Jersey ;
Mr. T. G. Curtler, 33 gs.

Lady Jersey 2nd, white, roan ears, calved Feb. 15, 1867, by
Czarowitz ; Mr. Firmstone, 22 gs.

Nellie, rich roan, calved May 4, 1867, by Czarowitz ; by S.
Smith, 18J gs.

Water Witch, rich road, calved in June, 1867, by Lord
Jersey ; Mr. Sturgeon, 20 gs.

Baroness Oxford, rich roan, calved Feb. 16, 1868, by Baron
Oxford 2nd ; Lord Dunmore, 40 gs.

Baroness Oxford 2ud, red and white, calved Feb. 20, 1868,
by Barou Oxford 2nd ; Sir G. Jenkinsou, 15 gs.

Queen of Oxford, red and little wliite, calved Feb. 24, 1868,
by Baron Oxford 2nd ; Lord Dunmore, 29 gs.

Baroness Oxford 3rd, red, calved Feb. 34, 1868, by Baron
Oxford 2ud ; Mr. Burnett, 25 gs.

Baroness Oxford 4th, red and white, calved Feb. 36, 1868,
by Baron Oxford 2nd ; iMr. Mousell, 33 gs.

Patience, white, roan cars, calved July 11, 1868, by 3nd
Duke of Wetherby ; Mr. Price, M.P., 10^ gs.
Bulls.

Cherry Grand Duke, red and white, calved May 13, 1S65,
by Grand Duke 7th ; Mr. Randall (Chadbury), 51 gs.

Baron Oxford 3rd, rich roan, calved Feb. 18, 1868, by Baron
Oxford 2nd; Mr. R. Tombs (Gloucestersliire), 61 gs.

Baron Oxford 4th, red and white, calved March 10, 1868,
by Baron Oxford 2nd ; Mr. Williams, 38 gs.

Grand Baron Oxford, rich roan, calved March 6, 1868, by
Barou Oxford 2nd ; Mr. Swanwick (Cirencester), 44 gs.

Mr. Stratford then disposed of twenty-one extra cows and
heifers, at prices from 18| guineas downwards. After this sale
the company proceeded to the sheep pens, where Mr. 11. W.
Smith put up a number of fat sheep, 23 pens of which brought
£229. The prices varied from £2 14s. to £1 12s., the average
being £2 Is. 7^d. Ten pens of long-wooUed sheep realised an
average of about 42s., the prices varying from 51s. to 35s. Five
very superior two-shear wethers brought an average of £4 13s.
About 750 fleeces of first-class wool was disposed of at 1 s. 5d.
per lb. Ten fat cows were then offered, and they fetched on
the average £16 Is. 6d. eacli, the outside prices being £27 15s.
and £11. The teams of horses came next ; a bay horse, four
years old fetched £59, another £43 10s., others at £41, £40,
and £39 respectively, the remainder varying from £34 to £14.
The celebrated roan cart mare, Royal Matchless, winner of up-
wards of tliirty prizes, realised £50 ; and a yearling grey filly
by this mare £29. Two handsome two-year-old roan colts
brought respectively £37 10s. and £34 ; a bay harness horse
brought £18 10s. ; a brown nag horse, sis years old, £38, and
a chesnut cob, nine years old, £32 10s. A rick of old beans
was disposed of for £100, and this concluded the day's sale.
The sale resumed and concluded on Friday, when the superior
Berkshire pigs, poultry, agricultural implements, marquee,
fruit, &c., were disposed of.

THE SHROPSHIRE SHEEP SALE AT

SHREWSBURY.

BY MR. PREECE.

At the autumn sale of rams and ewes the total num-
ber of sheep entered in tiie catalogue was nearly 3,000.
Mr. Matthew Williams, of Dryton, had eight rams, one of
whieli was sold for 13 guineas, one lor 11 guineas, and others
for lower prices. Mr. Tanner, of Frodesley, sold sheep for
20, 16, and 17 guineas, and others at lower prices. The
Plcv. C. p. Peters, of Pitchfurd, sold one for 13, one for 9, and
one for S^- guineas. Mr. John Evans, TJlHiigton, had eighteen
entered, and all, or nearly all, were sold. A shearling ram let
for £21, and those sold averaged £14 14s. per head. Messrs.
Crane, Shrawardine and Fortou, had thirty-four entered, all of
whicli were sold : " Shamrock" for 36 guineas, and the sliear-
lings as follows, 32 guineas, 35, and 23 guineas, five at 20
guineas, and others at lower figures ; the whole making an
average of about 20 guineas per head. Mr. Pryse Bowen's
stock also sold readily, there being thirty-five animals for sale,
all of which found purchasers. A two-shear ram let for 25
guineas, one for 14, one for 11, a shearling for 16, and one for
20 guineas. Tliose sold brought 15, 14, 12, 11, and 10 guineas
each, and some sold a little lower. Mr. ManseU, AdcottHall,
and Ercall Park, sold one for 30, one for 19, one for 17, and
one for 15 guineas; the seventeen entered were all sold.
Eleven of the rams of the Hon. and Rev. T. H. Noel HiU,
Berrington, found customers at prices ranging from £21,
£10 10s., £9 9s., £8 8s., and under, all that were entered
being sold. Mr. Thornton, of Pitcliford, offered eleven for
sale, and all met with customers. A shearling let for £31, and
one sold for 22 guineas, one for 31, one for 20, one for 18, and
three for ,10 guineas each. None sold under 7 guineas. Mr.
Henry Smith, Sutton iladdock, let a two-shear ram (highly
commended at Bury) for 20 guineas ; and he met with pur-
chasers for tliirteen others at 15, 11, 10, 9, and 8 guineas, and
under, none selling under 6 guineas. Mr. Thomas liorton,
Harnage Grange, entered seven shearlings, and all sold, the

860

'iHE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

prices bciug 13, 8, G.V, 6, aud 5 guineas, giving, on the whole,
an average of about 7 guineas. Mr. H. J. Sheklon,
15railes House, Warwickshire, sold six, being all he otfcred.
The average price was about 7j guineas. Mr. Horley, The
Fosse, Warwickshire, entered six, and sold all. The average
price was about Cj guineas. Mr' C. 11. Keeling, Yew Tree
Earm, entered six, and the prices wereontjie average about the
same as Mr. Sheldon. One of Mr. Griffith's shearlings sold
for £21, and one for £15 15s. ; two others were sold at lower
pi'ices. Mr. Jones, of the Kilne Green, Whitchurch, sold one
ram for £21, and five others at a smaller figure. The

Hon. E. Kcnyon, of Maesfen, entered eight for sale, and seven
of them were purchased ; the highest figures were 17 and 18
guineas, and tlie average nearly 12 guineas per head. Mr. J.
Crane, Caleott, sold three at 5, 4|, and 4 guineas. Mr. John
Maddox, liarley, seven, one at 14, one at 10, three at 8, and
two at 6 guineas, giving an average of nearly 9 guineas.
Among the otlier breeders who offered and sold were Lord
AVilloughby de Broke, Mr. A. Burd, Burcott; Mr. Wall, Bas-
church ; Mr. Barber, llarlescott ; Mr. i'rcece, Cressage ; Mr.
Fowler, Acton Reynold ; Mr. G. Crane, Benthall; Mr. Cal-
eott, Betton ; and Mr. Andrews, of Newbold.

REVIEW OE THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE PAST MONTH.

The welcome rains at the close of August,
though sufficient to renovate the grass-lands and
open the soil for a time, not being sustained, the
etFects of a new drought began soon to be felt.
The ponds and streams were unreplenished ; and
the stagnant residues in many instauces became
hurtful to the cattle that were forced to use them.
But on the 18th there were heavy thunder-showers,
highly beneficial, though a much heavier fall is
still needed. The interval of dry weather was,
however, very useful to Scotch farmers for the
completion of their harvest, which had been pre-
viously caught in the wet. English supplies of
the new wheat have been pretty well kept up ; but
prices, with small fluctuations, have remained
much as they were, with, however, some gain on
fine white samples. The crop, on being thrashed,
turns out quite as favourable as e.vpected. Statis-
tical returns give us 3,046, 260 acres in wheat as
the growth of Great Britain, commissioners having
made their estimate as 4j qrs, per acre for the
average yield, which, had it not been for the su-
periority of the flour, we should have considered
rather high. We will take it for granted as a fair
calculation. This will give us, as the produce of
Great Britain, 15,496,605 qrs. of wheat. But, the
cereal year having finished with exhausted stocks,
and the new period having commenced about one
month sooner than usual, there has been an e.\-
traordinary demand on the new crop, which
will be very much like reducing the gross
quantity to fourteen million quarters. This, with
all our boasted abundance, will not free us from
the necessity of large imports, as population keeps
increasing at a rapid rate. But our present prices
are not very alluring, nor is the general yield
abroad so decidedly superior as our own ; and as
last year's produce of good quality was everywhere
used up, there can be no immediate apprehension
of large arrivals of new foreign corn. We must
v/ait for som.e time for receipts from the South of
Russia ; and even America seems doubtful, though
generally this year has been considered a plentiful
one. We have had occasional depressions at New
York ; but these have as often been followed by
recoveries, and no considerable shipments have
yet been made, nor do they seem likely till the
coming spring. All spring corn being compara-
tively scarce and dear, will certainly go to help
wheat prices ; and how the cattle are to be got
through next winter, with so few roots and so

httle hay and fodder, seems of very difficult solu-
tion, unless graziers resort to corn. Why, then,
should farmers force off their only paying crop,
and so reduce its value. The following quotations
were recently returned at the several places
named : White wheat at Paris was worth oQs., red
56s. Wheat in Belgium ranged from 54s. to 57s.,
new white at Rotterdam 6 Is., at Maestricht
average quality 55s., red at Hamburgh 57s., at
Berlin 54s. to 55s., at Cologne 55s., the best high-
mixed at Dantzic 57s. In Hungary, where they
do not thrash freely till the end of September, 41 s.
for Banat red. In the Danubian Principalities
45s. per qr. was asked for their inferior qualities, -
Ghirka at Odessa 42s. 6d., mixed at Alexandria 4
35s. to 37s. (used mostly for distillation, spring
wheat at New York 50s. to 52s. per 4S0lbs.

The first Monday of our present cereal month
opened on very moderate supplies of wheat, both
English and foreign. There was but a small show
of samples during the morning on the Essex and
Kentish stands, which generally induced factors to
ask enhanced rates; but only an occasional extra
shilling was eventually paid, and sales went oif
less readily than expected. Spring American and
fine Petersburg also brought more money ; but
other qualities of foreign were without change of
value, and only a retail sale. Cargoes afloat found
a fair demand, at an improvement of 6d. to Is. per
qr. The country trade this week oscillated gene-
rally between an advance or a decline of Is. per
qr., though in a few instances the difference was
greater. Liverpool was 2d. per cental dearer on
Tuesday, but on the second market became dull,
and several of Saturday's advices noted a decline
of Is. to 2s. per qr. Edinburgh and Glasgow
were up Is. Dublin found a good trade in Irish
qualities, and foreign were Is. per qr. dearer.

The second Mondaj'', with only a moderate re-
turn of English wheat, was extremely short in
foreign arrivals. The influence of Saturday's
country advices was felt in London, notwithstand-
ing the small supplies for the week, and the
limited number of samples on the Essex and
Kentish stands, insomuch that a decline of Is. to
2s. was necessary to submit to before any way
could be made. With this concession, however, a
larger business was done than in the preceding
week. Holders of foreign, seeing the state of
trade, were little disposed to press sales ; but
some, to do business, accepted Is. per qr. lesa

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

367

money. The floating trade, though nominally un-
changed as to prices, found much fewer buyers.
The London advices had a depressing influence
this week all over the country, though some few
markets resisted any decline beyond Is. per qr.
More accepted Is. to 2s. less money; and a few,
apparently almost panic-stricken, reduced their
rates 3s. per qr. ; but generally 2s. less were ac-
cepted, and there was a large amount of business
transacted. Edinburgh was down Is. to 2s., and
Glasgow Is, per qr. Dublin was dull for native
wheat, and down Is. per brl. for foreign.

On the third Monday there was a"fair En^rlish
supply, and a {rood increase on the foreign arrivals.
The show of samples from the near counties was
only limited ; but there was a larger portion of red
than previously appeared. This quality therefore
was a heavier sale, and finally went oflf at Is. per
qr. less money, though fine white was in good de-
, mand and fully as dear. As regarded foreign
American sorts these were fully as dear, being
scarce; but of other qualities the sale was exceed-
ingly slow, and only practicable at Is, per qr.
decline. With few cargoes off the coast being on
sale, prices were unaltered. There was consi-
derable variety in the several country advices, and
in the earlier part of the week prices were pretty
well balanced between a fall of Is, to 2s. and a rise
to the same extent; but the later markets in-
^ creased in firmess, till most of Saturday' returns
Fcame to Is. to 2s. per qr. dearer. Edinburgh was
Is. to Is. Gd. per qr. lower for wheat. Glasgow
was reduced Is. to 2s. per qr. on new. Dublin
was unaltered for native produce, with a good in-
quiry; but foreign was quiet.

On the fourth Monday there was a rather better
English supply, and the foreign arrivals were still
further increased. The show of samples during
the morning on the Essex and Kentish stands was*,
however, lessened, and there was a decidedly im-
proved feeling in the trade, helped by the later
country reports. Sales, both of white and red
qualities, were pretty freely made, at fully Is. per
qr. improvement, and in some instances for choice
lots still more money was paid ; but town millers
having this morning decided on reducing their top
price from 54s. to 50s., it was against their interest
to encourage the movement, and business, for the
want of country buyers, went off rather calm.
There was a general firmness in foreign, and some
sorts broght Is. per qr. more money; but it was in
retail. The floating trade was quiet, at unaltered
prices. The market at Liverpool on the following
day was rather dearer. On the 2Sth cf September
the wheat trade was dull.

The imports into London for four weeks were as
follows, viz., 37,985 qrs. English, 57,918 qrs.
foreign, a^jainst 28,272 qrs. English, 16-1,824 qrs.
foreif^n, for the same period in 1867, The London
exports in the same time were 722 qrs. wheat, 75
cwt. flour. The imports into the kinj^dom for lour
weeks, ending September 12th, were 1,876,293
cwt. wheat, 147,952 cwt. flour. The general aver-
ages commenced at o7s. Id. and closed at 55s. 5d.
Those of London commenced at 58s. 4d. and
closed at 57s. lid.
The flom- trade for four weeks has been in calm

and tending downwards. Large supplies from th^
country have regularly been forwarded to London,
notwithstanding the alleged want of profit to ma-
nufacturers, and a decline of about 2s. in Norfolks
has taken place. French having also cheapened,
notwithstanding the forced rise in the Six Marks
at Paris. White fine American being e;ch^usted,
have been inquired for, and the shipments lately
noted at New York are eagerly looked for. Town
millers on the fourth Monday reduced their top
price from 54s. to 50s. per sack on the same day
that a rise of Is. per qr. was noted in English
wheat ; but the wisdom of first-class millers has
generally been exhibited by contraries. The im-
ports into London for four weeks were as follows :
Country sorts 82,241 sacks, foreign 0,024 sacks
3,464 barrels, against 61,730 sacks Enj/lish, 20,062
sacks 14,608 brls. foreign in 1807. With moderate
arrivals of maize, this grain has has been in better
demand, at an advance of Is. per qr. The supplies
in four weeks were 23,002 qrs., against 36,219 qrs.
in 1867. The advance in beans, peas, and grinding
barley seem likely to keep this grain at fully
present rates, it being the cheapest feeding stuff to
be procured.

The supplies of malting barley have continued
very scanty, and prices have been gradually tending
upwards till 48s. has become a common price for
fine, and anything extra would bring 2s. and even
3s. more. Middling sorts of foreign have risen Is.
but finished with less demand ; low grinding, which
at the commencement were dull, have gained in
value Is. per qr., being worth fully 29s, to 31s. per
qr. The imports into London for four weeks were
.5,320 qrs. British, 27,025 qrs. foreign, against
2,062 qrs. British, 21,065 qrs. foreign in 1867.

The malt trade has been quiet through the
month but rather tending upward, that newly-made
finding increased favour.

The supplies of English beans have hitherto been
short, but the foreign arrivals have increased. The
trade though limited from the high range of prices
has been firin and tending upward, except for
Egyptian qualities. It depends on foreign imports
whether we shall be dearer, our own crop being
decidedly short, though dry and of fair quality.
The imports in four weeks were 1,858 qrs. English
10,844 qrs. foreign, against 1,223 qrs. English,
8,385 qrs. foreign in 1867.

As regards hog peas the very small suppUes of
English growth have fully kept up their prices, and
the falling off of foreign arrivals of white have
raised the value of boilers 2s. per qr., fine English
being worth 4Ss. to 50s. and foreign 45s. to 47s
per qr. The inTports into London for four weeks
were 1,681 qrs. English, 4,767 qrs. foreign, against
795 qrs. English exclusively in 1867.

The oat trade, notwithstanding the liberal foreign
suppHes, has gained fully Is. per qr. during the
month on Russian qualities : these previously were
unduly depressed in comparison with Swedes and
other Baltic sorts. On the third Monday there was
a dulness and slight decline, but the fourth
brought prices to their former level ; say 25s. 6d.
for Russian, weighing 30 lbs. per bushel. Extra
qualities have been very dear and beyond quotable
rates, new English of great weight being worth

368

THE FARMERVS MAGAZINE.

30s. to 31s., sold at 40 Ibs.'per bushel; some
naturally being as high as 48 lbs., from the fineness
of the season. The imports into London for four
weeks were 6,852 qrs. English, 105 qrs. Scotch,
12,660 qrs. Irish, 284,977 qrs. foreign, against
8,261 qrs. English, 429 qrs. Scotch, 1,350 qrs.
Irish, 266,585 qrs. foreign in 1867.

Linseed with moderate arrivals has been in calm
through the month, and Cakes since the fine rains
in August have been a slow sale at easier rates.
Since the speculative rise in cloverseed there has
been a calm in the trade, buyers preferring to send
orders to America rather than purchase at extreme
rates in France; which also has checked the
demand there. Mustard-seed has been firm.
Tares a better sale at fully 13s. per bushel since the
yain.

OUBRENT PEICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR
IN MARK LANE.

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT, new, Essex and Kent, white 57to62

„ ,, red 54 57

Norfolk, Lincolnsliii-e, and Yorkshire 54 57

BARLEY 35 to 37 Chevalier 43 49

Grinding 32 35 Distilling 38 42

MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk 69 extra 70 74

Kingston, "Ware, and town-made 69 „ 70 74

Brown 54 62

RYE 40 42

OATS, English, feed 27 to 34 Potato 31 36

Scotch, feed 00 00 Potato 00 00

26 Fine 28 30

26 Potato 27 31

46 Ticks 44 46

48 ..Pigeon 51 58

47 Maple 46 to 43 Grey, new43 45

FLOUR, persack of 2S0Ibs., Town, Households 44 60

Country, on shore 40 to 41 ,, 43 43

Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 38 39

FOREIGN GRAIN.

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT, Dantzio, mixed 60 to 62 extra 64to65

Konigsberg 60 62 extra 61 63

Rostock 56 60 fine 61 62

Silesian, red 56 60 white.... 60

Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermi'k. ...red 55

Russian, hard, 48 to 50. ..St. Petersburg and Riga 49

Danish and Holstein, red 53 64 American 51

French.none Rhine and Belgium 00

Chilian, white 63... Californian 63 ... Australian 63
BARLEY, grinding 29 to 32.... distilling and malting 34

OATS, Dutch, brewing and Polauds 26 to 33 feed 25

Danish and Swedish, feed 25 to 29..,. Stralsund... 25
Canada 24to 25, Riga2iito 26,Arch.24to25, P'sbg. 25

TARES, per qr 40

BEANS, Priesland and Holstein 45

Konigsberg 41 to 47. ..Egyptian 44

PEAS, feeding and maple. ..41 41. ..fine boilers 43

Irish, feed, white 23
Ditto, black 23

BEANS, Mazagan ...44
Harrow 45

PEAS, white, boilers..41

INDIAN CORN, white 33

FLOUR, per sack, French. .47
American, per brl 28

37.. .yellow 35

60... Spanish, p. sack 47
30. ..extra and d'ble.31

c

/OMPARATIVE AVERAGES.

WHEAT.

BARLEY.

OATS.

Years.

Qrs. s. d.

Qrs. 8. d.

Qrs. s. d.

1864..

. 82,835i ... 42 0

10,964| ... 32 2

6,8221 ... 20 11

1865..

. 69,9881 ... 43 0

14,367i ... 30 2

7,796^ ... 20 10

1866.

. 6S,689i ... 49 8

11,4771- ... 37 10

2,284i ... 24 1

1867.

. 54.0261 ... 62 11

8,038| ... 40 7

3,15H... 27 0

1868..

. 91,0751 ... 54 4

25,265| ... 44 0

4,005| ... 28 5

AYE

Fob the iasi Sis
Weeks :

Aug. 15, 1868

Aug. 22, 1868

Aug. 29, 1868

Sept. 7, 1868

Sept. 14, 1868

Sept. 19, 1868 ,

Aggregate of the above .
The same week in 1867....

RAGES

Wheat,

s. d.

55 0
57 1

56 11
55 3
65 5
54 4
53 8
62 11

Barley.
s. d.

42 0

41 4

41

43

43

44

42

40

Oats.

B. d.

30 4

29 2

29 3

28 10

28 3

28 5

29 0
27 0

LONDON

Wheat

Barley

Oats,, ,..,„.n.Mfiit.t.

AVERAGES.

6568 qrs. 67s. 7d.

, 857 „ 45s. lid.

I ., 110 „ 26s. Od.

BRITISH SEEDS.
MusTABD, perbush., brown 15s. to 178., white

OANABT,per qr

CLOVEBSEED,red

CoBiANDEE, per cwt

Tabes, winter, new, per bushel

Teefoil ;

Ryegbass, per qr

Linseed, per qr., sowing 64s. to68s., crushing

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 10s.

Rapeseed, per qr

Rapb Cake, per ton £6 Os.

FOREIGN SEEDS.

CoBiANDEB, per owt

Caebaway ,,

Cloveeseed, red 54s. to 61s., white

Teefoh

Ryegbass, per qr

Hempseed, small 38s. per qr., Dutch

Linseed, per qr., Baltic 56s. to 60s. ..Bombay

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 10s.

Rapeseed, Dutch

Rape Cake, per ten £6 Os.

HOP MARKETS.

BOROUGH, Monday, Sept. 28.— Our market has hardly
been so active during the past week, inferior grades moving off
very slowly ; bright coloury samples, however, are still iu good
demand, at full quotations.

The contineiitiil markets esliibit a healthier tone, and a
tendency to advance in price is apparent, both in the Bavarian
and Belgian markets.

New York advices to the 16th instant report the Hop
market as very quiet, with a fair stock of fine samples on offer.

Mid and East Kent £3 10 £5 15 '" '

Weald of Keuts 3 0

Sussex 2 10

Farnham 4 10

Country 4< 4

Bavarians 5 5

Belgians 3 5

YearUngs 3 10

13a. to 18s.

78s.

84s.

668.

648.

208.

218.

12s.

138.

22b.

24s.

288.

30s.

626.

64b,

to £12 Os.

663.

63fl.

to £6 lOs.

2l8.t0228.

36s.

388.

70s.

84s.

20s.

228

26s.

303.

38s.

40s.

62s.

638.

to £12 Os.

68s.

608.

to £6 10s.

4

8

3

16

5

15

4

15

5

12

3

10

4

0

£7

0

5

0

4

8

6

10

5

5 ,

6

6"?

3

15

4 10

POTvVTO MARKETS.
BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS.

LONDON, Monday, Sept. 38.— These markets are weU
supplied with potatoes. On the whole the trade has ruled
quiet, at our quotations. The import into Loudon last week
consisted of 1,743 sacks Dunkirk, 100 sacks Antwerp, 1,628
sacks 67 bags Bonn, 48 tons Horfieur, 179 bags 116 sacks
220 casks Boulogne, 12 bags Hamburg, 288 bags Amsterdam,
72 bags Calais, 67 bags Dieppe, and 138 sacks Ostend.
English Regents ... SOs. to 160s. per ton.
Scotch Regents ... lOOs. to 130s. „

Jersey ' 70s. to lOOs. „

French 40s. to SOs. •„

COUNTRY POTATO MARKETS.— Baensley (Saturday
last) : Rocks 13s. 6d. to 14s., and Regents 13s. 6d. to 14s. 6d.
per load, retail Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per peck. — Donc.4.ster
(Saturday last) : There was a moderate supply of Potatoes on
offer. I'rices ruled about the same as last week. Regents
12s. 6d. to 13s., and Rocks 9s. per load. — Malton (Saturday
last) : Potatoes are freely offered, and trade is temporarily de-
pressed. Dealers are heedless buyers at 2s. 6d. for rounds and
3s. 6d. flukes. There is a feeling, however, that after the
flush caused by the lifting prices will again harden, vegetables
all being very scarce, — M.vnchester (Saturday last) :
Cheshire Potatoes 'Js. to 14s., Yorkshire new ditto 16s. to 20s.
per 2521bs. — Yokk (Saturday last) : The supply of Potatoes
was short, and there being several buyers from a distance, the
prices were firm. The Potatoes offering realized from 10s. to
12s. per tub of 2801bs., and from 9d. to lOd. per peck retail,
the latter price being the most prevaiUng one. Since the late
rains Potatoes have greatly increased in size, and they are of
good quality.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKET.
Cubeent Peices op English Wool.

Fleeces — Southdown hoggets per lb.

Half-bred ditto ,,

Kent fleeces „

Southdown ewes and wethers ,,
Leicester ditto ,,

Printed by Rogerson and Tuxford, 265, Strand, London, W.C.

s

d. s.

d.

3 tol

3A

4 1

5

3J 1

4

2A 1

3A

3 1

H

THE FARMER'S MAGAZII^E.

OCTOBER, 1868.

AsaociA,

CONTENTS.

Plate L— V I C T O R 2nd ; a Prize Boar.
Plate II.-F 0 RM 0 S A; A Thorough-Bred Filly.
Description of the Plates

The Valleys of the Tamar and the Fowey.-*By Cuthbert W John^o'v p c c'

iHE Farm Buildings at Luton Hoo . i^inoi^-Ki vv. johnson, F.R.S,

The Food Supply for the Winter *. * ' *

The Dinner op the Society . * ' * '

The Derbyshire Agricultural Society : Meeting at Derby '

VVarwickshire Agricultural Society : Meeting at Warwick "

Experiments at the Sewage Works Warwick .

Improvements IN Norfolk Farming :* AgricuLture at the British

TioN Meeting , . , jjkhish

On Stall-Feeding , * ' ' " •
wtJ' Agricultural Society o^ Ireland: Annual Show*

KOYAL i^SORTH LANCASHIRE AGRICULTURAL SoCIETY : AnNUAL MEETTNr

Scarbro,^Hackne^s. and North and East Ridings AGR^LJlrL'^gociETY: An!

?rWrN?ErFEED7NG^:F^tT?CK'°"^^^^>^^ '^'^^"^^^^ '^^ ^ ASSOCIATION ]

VTiiE Three Ages of Agriculture
Manchester AND Liverpool Agricultural Socieyy : Annual Show
Cleveland Agricultural Show: Annual Meeting ^''''''^'' ^«°^^
Scotch Farming in Ireland . iinu . .

Summer T'allowing and Green Manuring
IHE ^armer's Song of Thanksgiving .

jfL v' ^^^^'^^'^' AND Future of the Working Class
Land Floods in Tidal Rivers

'^CU^TiiE ^''^''\ -'^' "^^r" '^•^'^^'^^ ^°^°^^^ ^« ^^- Adv^NCBM.T

Chemical Manures .*'*''••

An Irish Lease . , * * ' •

Texas Cattle Disease. * * ' ' •

At WHAT Point in the Rotation shall* we AppLy our Manure?

The Condition of the Agricultural Labourer. ^vianure ?

iHE Ked-Clover Plant . » ' *
Sewage .,*'•••

Signs of the Coming Weather' ' * ' *

Staffordshire Agricultural Society :"Meeting in the PotterJes
Ihe Wakefield Annual Show. . roTTERiEs

Bedale Agricultural Society ! * * * *

Oxfordshire and Banbury AnRTriTrT.rTD'* , c ' m * *«

Royal Dublin Society :Ihow of Wp ' ^^^''''' ^^ ^^^^"'^^

North Shropshire Agricultural Society

Tarporley Agricultural Show * ' •

Thin Seeding ..,***•
Calendar op Agriculture , ' * * *

Calendar of Gardening . * * ' '

Foreign Agricultural Gossip ..'**'
Agricultural Reports . * ' ' *

Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs &c* '

mI'LIT. p^ '''''' ^°^''?'''^°'= ''"^'^'^'^^^'^P^ST Month *.
Market Currencies, Imperial Averages, &c. .

IF Aqrn

Benefit
Notes

PAGE.

. 275
276
279

. 281

284
286
288
290

291
298
300
303

304
306
30r
508
309
311
312
313
313
314
318

320
322

325

326

335

336

337

339

341

345

346

348

351

352

353

354

355

356

357

358

359

360

361

362

366

368

Noto ready, the SECOND EDITION of this heautifulworli, in large S,vo., price One Guinea,

WITH TlTlPiTEEN HIGHLY-KNISHED ENGEAYINGS ON STEEL, AND SEVERAL WOODCUTS

BY H. C. rOLKAED, ESQ.,

HISTORICAL AI^D PRACTICAL.

Surious modes of capturing wild fowl by Decoy and with Flight-nets, &c. ; Shooting-yachts; Punting by
daylight and moonlight ; Wildfowl Shooting in all its branches ; also Woodcock, Snipe, and Plover Shooting,
with modes of taking them alive ; various modes of Fowling as practited in loreign countries, &c.j &c,
Loudon : Longman, Green, & Co., Paternoater Jtow

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"SCOTT AND SEBRIGHT," "SILK AND SCARLET," &c.,

FIELD AND FERN, OR SCOTTISH FLOCKS AND HERDS,

BY H. H. DIXON.

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The Volumes, "North" and "South" (of the Frith of Forth) may be had separately— Price FIVE
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Copies will be sent by Post on application to the Author.

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TWENTY-FIRST EDITION.

WARREN'S FARMERS' ACCOUNT

BOOK.

PRICE, Polio, for large farms, 8s. ; Quarto, for small fixrms and for schools where youths are trained for
Agricultural Purrfuits, 5s. Also, Polio, with i:,ages for a weekly instead of a daily account of labour, 7s.

Roystou ; John Warren. London : Simpkin, MarshaU, & Co.' 5 Whittaker & Co. ; Longman & Co., ; Ridgway.

IMPORTANT TO FLOCKMASTERS.

THOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary
CHBMiST.by Appointment to His late Royal Highness The
Prince Consort, K.G., Leicester House, Great DoTer-streef,
Borough, London, begs to call 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 Vater, 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 : —

4Ib. for 20 sheep, price, jar included £0

80

81b.

40

10 1b.

60

20 lb.

100

SO lb.

160

40 1b.

200

60 lb.

250

60 1b.

800

80 lb.

400

100 lb.

500

(cask and measure
included)

10
15
0
3
7

1 17

2 5

Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will
be equally effective.

MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE.
From Mk. 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
mixture 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 numerous testimonials pub-
lished; I am, Sir, yours respectfully,

WiLLiAH Hesapath, Sen., F.C.S., ice, &c.,
To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry,

Leicester House, Oreat DoTer«8treet, Borough, London,

He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, of
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 safoly 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 cureof Scabin 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
Liucoln 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 jto have the Scab cured if
possible I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which
1 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 conlusion, I believe it
to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir,
your obedient servant, " For JOHN TINGEY, Esq.,

" To Mr. Thomas Bigg." " R. RBNNE Y

1^" Flockmasters would do well to beware of suck 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 r!iii..J614, £6, £i,& £S.

HAIL STOEMS.

INSURANCES OF WHEAT, BARLEY, OATS, BEANS, PEAS, RYE>

TURNIPS, &c.,

AGAINST LOSS BY HAIL STORMS,

CAN BE EFFECTED WITH

THE ROYAL FARMERS' COMPANY,

8, NORFOLK STEEET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C,
AT MODERATE RATES.

SEEDS and GLASS are also insured.

FIRE Insurances at rates as low as other well established offices,

LIFE Assurances of any description at equitable rates. Foixr-fifths of the profits divided every Fifth Year;

LOSSES.—Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims.

Further Particulars may be had at the Chief Office, or of the Agents,

JOHN REDDISH, Secretary and Actuary;

antj i^ofial dFamilg S^^^^p. o^ ®i^^at ISritain,

t]^? s^beral ^ob^reiflttia c^^^^^wJ anti OToutts o( Europe.

ond universally HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM.

ROWLANDS' MACASSAR OIL

Is universally known as the only article tliat really promotes the GROWTH, RESTOEES and PRESERVES
the HUMAN HAIR. It prevents Hair from falling of or turning grey, strengthens weak HAIR, cleanses
it from Scurf and Dandriff, and makes it

B]eAUTIFUI.I,Y ^OFT, iPI^IABI^E, A]¥I> CM.OSSX.

In the growth of the BEARD, WHISKERS, and MUSTACHIOS, it is unfailmg in its stimulative operation.
For CHILDREN it is especially recommended as forming the basis of a BEAUTIFUL HEAD OF HAIR ;
while its introduction iuto the nursery of Royalty, and the numerous Testimonials constantly received of its
efB.cacy, afford the best and surest proofs of its merits.

>V'0:W]>£RFUE. RXlCOTERir OF HAIR.

" A striking instance of the power of scientific art to remedy the defects of nature has lately occurred in the case of ft Mr. P.
Balls, a gentleman residing at Wortham, in Norfolk, who, some years since, on returning from Harleston IVlarket to Weybred,
where he then resided, sustained so severe a fall from his horse, as to bring on an illness of several months' duration, during which
period his hair continued to come off, till he became, to use his own terms, ' as perfectly bald as if his head had been shaved ;' and
the Rev. 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 Rowlawbs' Macassab 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."— BeZJ'« Messenger.

Price 3s. 6d., 7s. Family Bottles (equal to four smaU), 10s. 6d. ; and double that size, 21s.

ROWLANDS' KALYDOR,

Tliis Royally-patronized and Ladies'-esteemed Specific exerts the most soothing, cooling, and purifying action on
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XME ^ILIIV SOFT, Ci:.EA», A11I> BI.OOJW[I]*€^.

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WHITE AND SOUITB TEETH

Are indispensable to PERSONAL ATTEAOTION, and to health and longevity by the proper mastication of food,

ROWLANDS' ODONTO,

OR PEARL DENTIFRICE,

Compounded of ORIENTAL INGREDIENTS is of inestimable value in

PRFSFRVIII^O^ A]¥I> BEAU TIF YIl^G^ THE TEETH,

STReiVOXHLElVIlVC^ THE OU M S,

and in giving a

FLEASING FRAGRANCE TO THE BREATH.

It eradicates Tartar from the Teeth, removes spots of incipient decay, and polishes and preserves the enamel,

to which it imparts a PEARL-LIKE WHITENESS.

As the most efficient and fragrant aromatic purifier of the Breath, Teeth, and Gums ever knovni, ROWLANDS'
ODONTO has, for a long series of years, occupied a distinguished place at the Toilets of the Sovereigns 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 Box.

TO PREVENT

These are small

Articles as they

their

IMPOSITION.

Copies of the
appear in
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Sold by A. ROWLAND &» SONS, 20, Hatton Garden, London,
and by Chemists and Ferfumers.

*,* Ask for " ROUf'JLAIVDS' '» Articles.

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[PRINTERS, 265, STRAND

WL^

No. 6, Vol. XXXIV.] NOVEMBER, 1868. [Thisd Series.

THE

FARMER'S MAGAZINE

AND

MONTHLY JOURNAL

or

THE AGEICULTURAL INTEREST.

TO THK

FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.

LONDON :
PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND.

PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.

ROGERSON AND TUXPORD,] [PRINTERS, 265, STRAND.

IMPORTANT TO FLOGKMASTERS.

THOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary
Chemist, by Appoinlroent to His late Royal Highness The
Prince Consort, K.G., Leicester House, Great DoTer-street,
Borough, LondoB, begs to call the attention of Farmers and
Snsi^'^ni? ''H- T^l"'»^l« SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COM-
POSITION, whi ch requires no Boiling, and mar be used with
Warm or Cold Vater, for effectuaUy destroying'ihe Vck, lC
and all other insects injurious to the Flock, preyentine the
alarming attacks of Fly and Shab, and cleansing and purifying
the Skin, thereby greatly improving the Wool, both in quantuf
thea^ntaah' ^^ ^ contributing to the general health of
f «^J"?*'1!^ ""^^ V "^l?™^^ ^*^e, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac
S II SVrequTre'd :lf""""^' ^"'•""^'^ «"^ ''^''^ •^"-"'y
41b. for 20 sheep, price, j ar included £0

81b.
10 lb.
201b.
SO lb.
40 1b.
fiOlb.
60 1b.
80 lb.
100 lb.

80
40
50
100
160
200
250
300
400
500

(cask and measure
included)

0 10

0 16

1 0
1 3
1 7

1 17

2 6

be^e^^uaUy^ekS."^'*'" P''^''^°'"°^ ^''"'^^^^^^
MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE.
From Mb. Heeapath, 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 th^
?l^^^?JT'f\y, V'l-? "?ed according to the directions given"
1 feel satisfied, that while it effectually destroys vermin, it wil
not injure the hair roots (or « yolk ") in the skin, the fleeceror
fit T*'*/^' ^i^'"'' " "^es^^es the numerous testimonials pub-
lished. I am, Sir, yours respectfully,

T T.r m,. WiLUAM Herapath, Sen., P.C.S., &c., &c..
To Mr, Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemis ry.

Leicester House. Great Dover-street, Borough, London.

T /S?T^Sr"y "''° especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, o(
il^ !, V °'" **!? ^^^^' o"" SHAB. which will be found a certain
remedy for eradicating that loathsome and ruinous disorder in
ciit^f' ^'\?,^'»<'h may be safely used in all climates, and at aU
f^T».^h T.^^ ^^?^^"f '<* »" descriptions of sheep, even ewe«
lvirn^^f„^"*1^!^^£^«^^I'^NGS per gallon-sufficient on an
TJI^F^ , ^^>"^^- ^^^^^ (according to the virulence of the
disease); also in wine quart bottles, Is. 3d. each.

IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL.
u n "^.<'<"»V°°' °^*'' Hingham, Norfolk, April 16th, 1835.
h»v« ^!L ' v"^\''*''u^*° ^"^^ <*' 'he 4th inst, which would
have been replied to before this had I been at home, I have
^,Y.^,>.F ."q^'^J? ^^"'"^ ♦estimony to the efficacy of your in-
li.^^ n fPeciflc for the cure of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep
were all dressed in August last with 84 gallons ol the -Non

fwnrr,''"«h^P^'"''S'K*'"'i'r'"' '° ^'«^^y 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

i°r'l'n/li ^'°^r,V ^•*'"' *?' * ""PP^y <»' yo"' Specific, which
I received the following day; and although the weather was

~d",r?/ " f **'^'"*S ***"■'"« ^^ 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 conlusion, I believe it
to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir
''*'»^°''^'®S,l*"''^°'' " ^<"' JOHN TINGEY, Esq.,

To Mr. Thomas Bigg." .. «. kbnNE Y

1^" Plockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara-
tions as "Non-poi«onou8 Compositions:" it is only nece<8ary 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, £6, je4,& £8.

THE ROYAL FARMERS' INSURANCE COMPANY,

8, NOEFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.O.

as weSt^an^tiT^Tr/"''"'''^ ^l '^f ^^'^^^"^ ^^'' '^' '"'"^''^ ^^ ^" ^^°«i^^ ^"^ ^6^% Proprietary,
as well as an ample Capital always applicable to the payment of claims without delay.

of the pS.^^^^^^^^^'-^^^^^'-'^^-^^- '' *^« ^'^^"^-'^S class wiU be entitled to four-fifths

FIRE DEPARTMEKT,-

Ist Class-Not Hazardous Is. 6d. per Cent.

2nd Class— Hazardous 2s 6d

3rd Class— Doubly Hazardous [[[ "[ 4g[ gj' "

T.- r?^^^?^^^^ ^^"^ MERCANTItE Property of every description in Public Tr Private Warehouses ^
o"i:tr;orallTer '^"^ '^ ''-'' or Canals, Ships in Port^or Harbour, .c. .c.,l^l::LTn^s

SPECIAL RISKS.— At such rates as may be considered reasonable

NEW INSITRANCES.-No charge made for Policy or Stamp

oharg!^^JfUTl!irON^^^^^^^^ '' ^^ ^ '"^^^ ^^-""^ Machine without e^ra

when^d'^fr^^^^^^^^^^ ^^.^^^^tning, and Losses byE^losionof Gas

HAIL DEPARTMENT.-(CiioPs and Glass.)
ModeS'rms^'''''* ^"'^'' ^'"^ "-''' ^^ *^« ^^^t^^^ion of Growing Crops or Glass, by HaU, are granted on
LOSSES.— Prompt and liberd isettlementa.

AGENTS WANTED.

Apply to JOHN EEDDISH, Secretaiy and Actuary^

EXGBAVED BY J. B. POITS FllOlI A rnOIOGEArH,

T

@ V i T i ^ E

n Ik ■^ h i m ^ o§ik^iM©.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

NOVEMBER, 1868.

PLATE I.

A "EOYAL" SOUTHDOWN.

THE PROPERTY OF MR. 'WILLIAM RIGDEN, UOYE, BRIGHTON.

"The sensation" of the meeting was over the
Southdowns, whichthe judges took late in the day,
so that what with the heat and the amount of com-
petition, this trio looked to have had quite enough
of it by the time they were through. Still they did
not suffer their work to beat them ; for never were
awards more heartily approved. Nevertheless,
these went in comparatively a new direction to
that which has been the order of things of late.
Although, to use his own words. Lord Walsing-
ham declined to run for the first heat over his own
course in Norfolk, he was now beaten, and easily
beaten, in both classes of rams; and the happy union
of size with blood-like character was hit by Mr.
Rigden whose shearling is as clever a sheep of his
sort as has been out for many a long day. He
has a good well-coloured head, a muscular neck,
around, springing barrel, and a famous hind-
quarter, being beautifully let down to his hock.
Then, his touch is firm, although for wool and flesh
the highly-commended sheep from Hove is as good
or better than the winner. The judges, however,
declared that they had no difficulty in finding their
first sheep in either class, and but for one deficiency
they would have recorded the best old ram as about
the best they had ever met with. Of fine size, with
a beautiful back and loin, and of admirable quality,
this sheep has absolutely no dock, although other-
wise so good to meet or follow. He was the jjrize
shearling last year at the Brighton meeting of the
new Southern Counties Association, although with
Mr. Rigden's other sheep strangely overlooked at

Bury St. Edmunds. Both the shearling and two-
shear winner are by the Babraham ram bought by
Sir Thomas Lennard for 170 gs., and subsequently
let to Mr. Rigden, so that the long price has, after
all, been warranted.

The above is from our own report of the Lei-
cester meeting of the Royal Agticultural Society;
and in the official report, as given in the Journal a
few months afterwards, the Judges thus spoke
to the same classes :

"The aristocratic Southdowns were as well repre-
sented as usual, there being 56 entries, viz., 28
shearling rams, 19 rams of any age, and 9 pens of
shearling ewes. In the shearling rams, Mr. Ryder
exhibited two very superior sheep, one of which
wrested the laurels from the Merton flock for the
first time for some years; and Mr. Ryder also took
first prize for the aged rams, with as perfect a
specimen of a Southdown ram as has been exhibited
at the Royal or any other shows for many years,
the ram's only fault being that he was docked too
short, or rather that his tail was too small, but this
was not of much importance when every point was
marked ' excellent.' " Ryder of course should be
Rigden ; but such is fame !

Our portrait is of the two-shear ram by Young
Elegance, dam by a son of Salisbury. At Mr.
Rigden's gathering in August this ram was let to
Lord Radnor for 56 gs,, and the best shearling
at Leicester to Lord Walsingham for 60 gs. This
sheep is also by Young Elegance, and they are both
full of Babraham blood.

PLATE II.

THE OYSTER BEDS ON HAYLING ISLAND.

The following facts are from a pamphlet pub-
lished by The Hayling Oyster Company, Limited :
Oysters spawn from May to September, according to
their nature and the locality, in the third year of their
growth. The number of germs or ova brought
forth by a mature oyster exceeds one million. The
spawn, when first ejected, is, in the language of the j

Old Sbbies.]

dredgers, " floatsome," and requires some promin-
ent object to which to attach itself, such as shells
and stones, which, under these circumstances, are
termed " cultch." In this state it is called " spat,"
25,000 of which, as nearly as can be estimated, go
to the bushel. Spat in the second year is denomin-
ated " brood," of which frora 4,800 to 6,400 make
C C jToi. LXIV.wNo. 5.

870

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

a bushel. In the following year, brood becomes
" ware," from 1,800 to 2,400 to the bushel ; and
the fourth year " oysters," from 1,200 to 1,400 per
bushel. The food of the oyster is supposed to con-
sist of minute infusorial animals, with which sea-
water abounds. When kept in an aquarium, the
oyster may be observed to lie with its shells slightly
apart, and by means of the ciliary organs of its
"beard," or branchial fringe, to create a con-
tinuous current of water, which thus brings within
its reach the nutritive particle of which it stands
in need, as well as to pass excrementitious matter
like other molluscous animals. It has long been
known that the oyster is greatly improved in
edible quaUties by being transplanted from situa-
tions in the open sea to places where an abundant
supply of fresh- water is discharged. In the Lon-
don market oysters are divided into two great classes
— '"natives" and "commons." Native oysters are
those bred in the waters of the Thames estuary and
the creeks of its affluents, both of the Kent and
Essex sides. The superiority of the native oyster
consists in the relatively large size of the fish com-
pared with that of the shell, its remarkable succu-
lence, delicate flavour, and compact shape, as well
as the hardness and brilliancy of its shell. The
price at which natives sell is accordingly very high
in comparison with that of other kinds. By the
term " commons" are known all other oysters,
which are, however, distinguished from each other
by the name of the locality from which they are
taken, such as Channel oysters, Jersey oysters,
and West Country oysters.

The oyster beds are of two kinds as regards the
quality of their produce — namely, beds of common
and beds of native oysters. Of two kinds as res-
pects their proprietorship — namely, public beds
and private beds. Of two kinds as to their origin
and system of management — namely, natural and
artificial. It is at present impossible to say to
what cause, or combination of causes, is to be as-
cribed the great superiority of natives over all other
oysters. The most remarkable circumstance con-
nected with the native beds is, that they are all
situated on the " London Clay," or geological for-
mations of similar character. Many of the best-
known beds of native oysters are, to a very great
extent, factitious. They possess no certain power
of reproduction, and would soon become exhausted,
unless supplied with brood from other beds better
situated for the retention of spawn and the pro-
duction of spat. Of this kind are the celebrated
Whitstable oyster beds, where a good fall of spat
is a mere accident, which, however, sometimes puts
as much as £30,000 into the pockets of the Whit-
stable Oyster Company in one year, by rendering
the purchase of brood unnecessary. No artificial
contrivances of any kind are in use on those beds
for saving the spawn, which is left to settle by
chance on the cultch of the beds, or on the adjoin-
ing foreshore, or else to be drifted ofl[' to sea and
lost. Private oyster beds are those which are in the
exclusive possession of individuals or companies,
and are marked out by buoys or other boundaries.
All other oyster beds are public property, and open
to all. Natural oyster beds, properly so called, are
for the most part, beds of common oysters, and

generally public property. They are always
situated beyond low-water mark, and are seldom
covered with less than three feet of water at low
tide. Artificial oyster beds, truly so called, are
those in which reproduction is secured by artificial
means. With the single exception of the oyster
beds of the Lake of Fusaro, near Naples, which
had their origin in Roman times, they are of mod-
ern creation, having been invented by Professor
Coste, and worked out by him on the French
coast. Beds of this description are formed on the
foreshores, and not below low water. The object
of placing them on ebb-dry ground is, to facilitate the
construction and care of the contrivances which are
required for retaining and fixing the spawn, as well
as the " working" of the oysters on the beds.
Working is an operation by which oysters are
greatly improved. It consists in detaching the
brood from the cultch, separating young oysters
when joined together, destroying star-fish, dog-
whelks and other vermin, as well as in removing,
by stirring it up, the ooze or " sludge," which is
liable to settle on the beds and smother the oysters.
On beds situated below low-water mark, working
has to be done in boats, by dredging, and requires
as many as eight men per acre. Beds on the fore-
shores are worked by men on foot and armed with
rakes, two of whom sufliice to keep in order one
acre of artificial oyster beds. Working by dredge
from boats, besides being less certainly efficacious
than working an ebb-dry ground, owing to the
beds being hidden from view, has the additional
diasdvantage of being destructive to the tender spat
and brood, which are readily injured by the heavy
dredge in its passage along the bottom. Frost in
winter, and the sun's rays in summer, both of
which are destructive to the oysters left dry by the
tide, are prevented injuring the stock on artificial
beds, by arranging the surface of the ground in
such a way as to retain about a foot of water at
ebb-tide. The experience of the French in this
respect is borne out by that of the proprietors of
some of the foreshores in the Thames, where spat
falls naturally from time to time in uncertain quan-
tities. They find that such spat can always be
preserved and reared, even in the most severe win-
ters, on those portions of their grounds where the
water, when at its lowest, lies a foot deep, or even
less. The average rate of reproduction obtained in
France by artificial breeding arrangements is about
fourteen-fold, which, after paying expenses, leaves
a clear profit of 1,000 per cent. Though aflFording
a very handsome return, this still exhibits an
enormous amount of waste, which further improve-
ments in the means of arresting and fixing the
spawn will no doubt greatly lessen, and to that
extent augment the profits to be derived from
artificial oyster culture. The results at Hayling
have been stid more satisfactory. Upon an acre of
prepared ground, with eighty large hurdles fixed in
the pond, a spat valued at £2,000 was secured the
first year. These young oysters, without loss,
passed through the severe winter, and went on
growing in perfect health, thus proving the eligi-
bility of Hayling as a site for both breeding and
wintering.

Mr. Lobb, writing in the summer of 1SG7, re-

THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE.

371

ports that the South of England Oyster Company
had succeeded in securing their second season's
fall of spat. During the winter and spring they
prepared thirty-eight acres for spat, two-beds of
respectively eighteen and twelve acres at Langston,
and eight acres at the Salterns, where the spat was
previously obtained. On the 1st of July, Bed B,
eighteen acres in extent, in which 8,000 hurdles
had been laid, was found to be full of spat ; every
hurdle examined was found to be abundantly
covered with young oysters, almost microscopic in
their size. Bed B is the most westerly bed, and
was the last prepared. Bed A, only separated from
it by a narrow embankment, contained no fixed
spat, although the water was full of floating spawn,
as is also the case of the Salterns.

Mr. Hart, the manager, values each of the
hurdles when covered with spat at £5 : but Captain
Russell, manager of the Heme Bay Oyster Com-
pany, offered four shillings a hundred for all spat
or brood that could be supplied. Now there are
about 250 young oysters to the square inch on all
these hurdles ; and each hurdle is 8 feet long by 3
feet broad, so some idea may be gathered of the
number of oysters on each hurdle.

In the reign of Henry H., says Mr. Lobb, the
Emsworth Fishery was valued at eight shillings
and eight pence per annum to the royal treasury,
and the harbour was from a very early date cele-
brated for the quahty of its oysters, which are
larger than the Thames natives, but considerably
smaller than the Channel oysters. The local fisher-
men have ever looked upon strangers dredging in
the harbours with jealousy, and. have done all in
their power to prevent it, although they themselves
are not, as a rule, so provident as the deep-sea
fishermen, who save their earnings to purchase
vessels of larger tonnage and improved build. The
harbour fishermen are satisfied to go on in the old
routine, and seldom very much improve their
position. Formerly the dredgers returned to the
sea the young oyster and spat, reserving only the
marketable oysters, but after a time they carried
away with them ail they removed with the dredge,
retaining the small oysters to deposit in their own
layings. The local men now believed that they
were ruined, as the natural beds in the channels
were rapidly being rendered barren, and as the
demand for oyster beds increased, the lords of
manors granted portions of mudlands to persons
who cleared them, converting them into layings,
and, according to their statute, planted sticks upon
their boundaries, so that strangers should not
dredge on their private beds. In these beds not
only native oysters but Channel oysters were placed
for fattening, for sale in the London market. This
new system, however, did not suit the Emsworth
fishermen who, enraged at seeing the success of
the new system and the destruction of the natural
beds, determined to seize the oysters and destroy
the artificial beds. They, therefore, combined
amongst themselves, and commenced by attacking
the oyster beds belonging to the Messrs. Russel, in
Crastick Lake ; this resulted in fighting, and at the
assizes the fishermen at length discovered that they
were not allowed to rob other people with impunity.
The large dredgers still continue to remove all they

can get, and according to some authorities, the
dredging so disturbs and scarifies the bottom and
sides of the channels that the multiplication of the
oysters is much increased, the spat is moved and
distributed, and every year the number obtained
increases. The artificial oyster beds contribute to
this result, as the spat travels down the channels
with the ebb-tide, and by this means increase the
area covered by spat ; every year we find the num-
ber of boats employed in this trade increase. The
trade was formerly confined to the winter months,
but now it is carried almost through the year.
Oysters are obtained from all quarters, and laid in
the beds for fattening, and the demand being so
large and regular the trade is very remunerative.
The best interest of the locality is to encourage
this industry, which brings capital and labour into
the neighbourhood, and must be of the utmost
advantage to all concerned.

The proprietors of oyster-layings in the neigh-
bourhood of Hayling are accustomed to purchase
oysters of the dredgers who enter the harbours from
time to time during the season, and, laying them
down in small beds made in the shallow channels
and foreshores of the island, small banks of mud
of about a foot in height are raised either across
the channels, or of an oblong shape along the
foreshores, so that at low tide the oysters are co-
vered by about a foot of water. By this means the
poor oysters brought in from the channels are
found rapidly to " fish," that is fatten, and the
difference between the buying and selling prices
(the oysters having laid in the beds some months) is
found to average some one hundred per cent, gross
profit. On the west side of the island there were
several large layings belonginor to Mr. Crouch,
now removed, the beds now being enclosed by the
railway. On the east side of the island, in my
lord's pond in Gutnor, there are some twenty or
thirty small beds belonging to different owners,
licensed by the lord of the manor and the Ad
miralty, in which oysters are fattened for the Lon
don market. The native oysters fattened in these
ponds are the long-celebrated Emsworth natives,
considered by some to be superior to the native
oysters from the estuary of the Thames, from their
more saline taste.

The Havant and Hayling Railway crosses the
mudlands at the north of the island, and running
along almost parallel to the west coast of the island,
will, when completed, enclose nearly 900 acres of
mudland. The railway embankment is joined to
the island at the north by a short spur from the
conformation of the land, and a short embankment
of about 90 yards would enclose an area of about
7 acres. This embankment was made, and another
bank is now in progress of formation, enclosing 27
acres. These will be made into breeding and
fattening beds. This bank is of the same height as
the railway, having a walk at the top 8 feet broad,
and having a slope on each side of 1 foot in 3 —
faced on the seaward side with chalk pitching,
aff'ording a most efficient sea wall. Thus two
reservoirs are formed enclosing 45 acres completely
under control. Any depth of water thought advis-
able, from 1 to 8 feet, can be retained ; also by
means of the trunks a current can always be kept

C C 2

372

THI> FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

flowing from one to the other, from the external
water to the reservoirs at high-tide, from the reser-
voirs to the mudlands at low-tide.

Mr. Francis Francis, one of the commissioners
appointed to inquire into the Oyster Fisheries, thus
writes within the last month of the progress made at
Hayling : I visited the works lately, and was shown
over them by Mr Hart, who gave me every oppor-
tunity of seeing what there was to be seen. Of
course, the matter I was most interested in was to
inspect the oysters which had been bred and
reared on the spot, and I confess that I was both
surprised and delighted at what I saw ; not so
much at the quantity — although ihey have a very
fair stock in hand, already amounting to something
like five miUions — but at the way in which the spat
of only last year had thriven and increased in size.
There were quantities ot oysters only fourteen
months old as large as I have seen them at two
years old in the south of France, and this speaks
volumes for the growing and rearing qualities of
the ground. The system adopted is by picking the
oysters from the hurdles, which are thickly covered
with them, and by spreading them pretty thickly
(about one to every 5in. or Gin. square) in
claires dug out of the mud at the side of the breed-
ing ponds, and which are shingled at the bottom
and banked up so as always to keep about a foot
or so of water over the fish ; for it has been found
that merely to place them on the open flats, so
that they are dry at low tide, does not suit them at
all. Mr, Hart had tried the experiment thus : he
placed some brood on the bare grass banks, on a
marked space ; he also placed some in a hole on
the grass banks which had been caused by the
grounding of a barge. The only difference in these
two localities was, that one contained water at low
tide, and the other was bare. In the hollow where
the water was, the fish grew as well as they did on
the claires, merely taking the green colour of the
grass they lay amongst. On the flats, where the
oysters were left by the tide, the brood had not
grown or increased at all ; it was of the same size
that it was when laid down. The temporary ex-
posure clearly very strongly affects the growth of
the animal, and this is a fact worth establishing
and knowing. It is one more landmark in the
natural history of the oyster, in respect to which
no one has done so much service as Mr, Hart.
The breeding ponds, besides the old salterns where
they got the fish spat, now consist of a pond of 12
acres, another of 18 acres, and a third, not quite
completed, or 28 acres. These, with the claires,
&c., make the most comprehensive establishment
for oyster culture in the world. It is far superior
to anything of the kind either at Arcachon or the
He de Rhe ; and a great deal of work has been
done, Mr. Hart's view is, that the larger the space
of water in which the oysters are confined, both in
a local and obstetrical sense, the better. There is
not, he thinks, motion, change, or aeration enough
of the water in a small pond to give a reasonable
chance of success. The evaporation, too, becomes
great, and the water too dense and too salt; and
the more the breeding plan is assimilated to nature,
the better chance of success it gives. A wide
ppaoR is more natural than a narrow one, and he

therefore hopes great things from the new 28«acre
pond now in progress. The great want, however,
which is felt is in obtaining laying ground, on which
to place the oysters for the purpose of growing,
A great loss must be felt both by the company and
the public, if they are compelled by lack of space
(as they are) to sell large quantities of the brood
while it is yet small. Naturally, at that tender age
the brood does not move well to long distances,
and the mere act of shifting and carriage destroys
a large percentage of the oysters. If there were
plenty of laying ground on the spot, this, of
course, would be avoided. The oysters would grow
to a safe size before there was a need for their
removal, Mr. Hart stated that to supply this
necessity, which became a very onerous one as
their stock of brood increased in size and numbers,
they had intended to apply to Government for a
portion of the Channel beyond the mud flats ; and,
as this is at present almost devoid of oysters, or of
anything to render it of any value to anyone else, he
hoped they would be able to obtain it — the more so
that the establishment of this fishery here has been
a very great boon to the neighbourhood, as the
company employ between forty and fifty men at
one ])ound a week each, and the thousands of
pounds they have spent, and the industry they have
set up in this spot, are no hght advantage to the
place. Yet, in the teeth of all this, there is of
course the usual vulgar, stupid, jealous, unreasoning
prejudice to endure, which always has awaited, and
always will await, anything new. The first an-
nouncement of the plan was received with a shout
of derision, of course, on the part of those who had
always followed the good old plan of reaping every-
thing, and sowing nothing. As the works pro-
gressed argument was clear that it mightn't,
couldn't and wouldn't be. " How should you get
a spat inside, when we ha'n't got one outside ?"
Of course it might have been answered, " Because
we have got oysters inside, and matters suitable to
catch the spat, which you have not outside ;'' but
Mr. Hart simply went on with his own business,
and did not trouble himself with their opinions.
And now he is successful, and they can neither
laugh at it nor argue against it. The tune is
changed to," " You be a takin' the bred out of our
mouths, and will do this, that, and the other."
Fifty of these men are employed at fall wages all
the year round upon a purely ])rivate farm, which
in no wise touches them, save to benefit them, and
this is taking the bread out of their mouths ! and
the application for a bit of waste ground, off which
nothing is got, and which they never go upon, will
no doubt be looked on as a capital offence at the
least. It is hard work to make headway amongst
such people ; but, if we are ever to have oysters
again, headway must be made, and it is to such
enterprises as this we must look for our oysters.
Emsworth harbour, formerly a great place of pro-
duction, has been, like all the rest, dredged to
death; and now a few persons have got up what
they call a dredgers' company, to which they are to
supply the money, I hear. How long it wiL be
dredgers' company, or how long it will be before
capital overrides labour, I am very curious to see.
However, if the dredf^ers obtain their wish on this

THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE.

3^3

side of the island, they will get as much and more
than they are entitled to from the public. The
point to settle in such undertakings as these is to
discover what substances make the best and
cheapest collectors, and at the same time give the
best results when the oysters require to be separated
from them. The French use tiles, and no doubt
tiles do secure more oysters than any other sub-
stance; but the great difficulty is to get the oysters
off them without destroying a large percentage in
doing so. Added to this, tiles are very expensive
when used in large numbers, and the labour of
getting the oysters oft" when they run to millions
is a matter of great consideration, for it is a work
of time and care. These little oysters may not be
roughly handled, lest you kill the fish on the one
hand and cut your fingers on the other, their edges
being as sharp as razors. One man last winter lost
a finger from a cut ; so that [it is not always the
collector which will attract the most oysters that
pays the best in the long run. On the hurdles, the

oysters attached to the smallest twigs are found to
be the easiest to deal with, and are the least likely to
grow out of shape or to die in separation. The
shape is soon recovered again when the oyster has
been laid in the claire for a few months, though, as
it is an effort on the part of the fish, as little defor-
mity of the shell as possible is advisable. Finding
that these small twigs answered best, Mr, Hart
last season bethought him of trying furze bushes
as collectors, as there is an abundance of furze on
the spot, and it answered very tolerably indeed,
taking a fair proportion of the spat. This form of
collection has the merit of cheapness, and the
oysters can easily be separated and detached. Just
at present the men are busy picking the last year's
hurdles, a large order for a million and a-half of
brood having come in from a French company;
and, so far, I think, it may be considered that the
company has been even more successful than was
at first expected.

THE OLOVEE PLANT,

BY CUTHBERT W, JOHNSON, F.R.S.

The failure of the clover plant ou so many of our
soils has long been deemed one of the most unaccount-
able of our agricultural ditRculties. It is one, too,
vvliich has only, perhaps, occurred to a great extent during
the present c'entmy. When the EngUsh farmers first
began to cultivate red clover, it was commonly successfully
grown every fourth or iifth year. The commencement
of its cultivation in our island was hardly earlier than
the middle of the seventeenth century. Old Worlidge,
who published his work on Agriculture in 1669, strongly
urged the farmers of his day to cultivate clover. He
observed {Mi/steri/ of Hicsbandn/, p. 26) : " It has this
property, that after the growing of the clover grass for
three or foui- years, it will so frame the earth that it will
be very fit for corn again, which is a very great advantage,
and then ar/abi for clover:' And he adds, by way of
encouragement to the farmers of the days of Charles II.,
"It is much sown and used in Flanders and in
Holland, precedents to the whole world for good
husbandry." Worlidge was not the first English writer
who had urged our farmers to cultivate clover. Twenty
years before his time good honest Walter Blith in his
'' Survey of Husbandry," published in 1649, pleaded for
its cultivation. By neither of these authors is reference
made to any objection to the often -repeated growth of
red clover. Worlidge, we have seen, states that it was
then grown repeatedly by merely interveninga single cereal
crop. I can find nothing iu the 44 volumes of Arthur
Young's "Annals of Agriculture," which extend from
1790 to 1808, relating to what is now called the clover
sickness, but in the first volume of the Journal of the
Royal Agricultural Society, Mr. G. Turner, of Barton,
in Devonshire, alludes to it, in 1840, as an estabhshed
visitation. He deemed its origin to be {Jonr. Roi/. Aq.
AV., vol. i., p. 502) "after 20 years' experience, when
there was the best plant at harvest time, in nineteen cases
out of twenty its failure is entirely owing to the stubble
being fed bare after harvest, and the plant being so
weakened thereby as to prevent its standing the wet and
cold of the succeeding winter. I have so repeatedly

proved this on various soils that I have not a doubt on
the subject; for in every instance where I have not fed
it off in the autumn, that piece has been the admiration
of every one the following spring," Other explanations
of the difficulty of cultivating red clover have been,
however, suggested, such as (1) that the clover had
gradually deprived the soil of some essential constituent
of the plant, which might be restored to the soil by arti-
ficial manures, just as the Cheshire farmers added (in
crushed bones) phosphate of lime to their exhausted
pastures, or the farmers of the eastern counties, siliceous
dressings to their peat soils, or chalk to the lands devoid
of carbonate of lime ; or (2) it was suggested that red
clover deposited in the soil excretory matters obnoxious
to the growing plant ; or (3) that certain exceedingly
minute animalculi or fungi have in the course of time
gradually established themselves, in the soil, which are
very fatal to the clover plant. Of these attempted ex-
planations No. 1 appeal's to be the most probable of those
we have enumerated ; still, we may reasonably consider,
as to suggestion No. 3, w hether the clover sickness, and,
indeed, many other diseases of both vegetable and animal
life, may not be caused by the presence of organisms on the
living subject far too minute to be detected by any means
at present at our disposal. We have noticed the remedy
for the clover faihu'e assigned by Mr. Turner, of Barton.
Whatevei', however, may be the good results of not
feeding upon the young clover, on the red sandstone soils
of Devon, the same remark does not generally apply to
those of other portions of the kingdom. It was in 1841
that a committee of the Yorkshhe Agricultural Society
directed their attention to this very important question.
The I'esnlt of their inquiries was given by the Rev. W.
Thorp, of Wormesley, and from it and his own researches,
he arrived at the conclusion, that it was the want of
solidity in the soil which led to the loss of the young
clover. Mr. Thorp remarked {Jour. Txoij. Ag. Soc, vol.
iii., p. 326) :

" Upon the magnesian limestone nearly one-half of
the red clover sown fails (300 acres out of 450) ; upon

o7i

THE i*^ARMEfl'S MAGAZINE.

the chalk wolds of Yorkshu'e, owing to frequeut failures,
many fiirmcrs have given over sowing red clover, while
the white clover h very often only half a crop ; and npon
the oolites and other light soUs of the new red sandstone
and of the coal district, red clover, owing to frequent
losses of the crop, is only sown once every twelve years.
An inquiry, therefore, into the general and extensive causes
of the failure of this plant, and consequent loss to the
farmer, cannot but be of advantage.

" In a paper read before the Yorkshire Agricultural
Society last year the causes of failure, ai the time of
soioliKj and durhig the summer months, have already been
pointed out, and it is concerning the failure of the clover-
crop after harvest to which the following remarks wUl be
more particularly du'ected. In this case the crop after
harvest is always good, but dies away during the months
of October, November, December, January, February, and
March, the lands on which this occui's being denominated
' clover sick' from a supposition of the too frequent re-
petition of that crop.

" The committee of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society
in the report of last year directly ascribe the failm'e to the
exhaustion of some food required bi/ the clover. They
say, ' Mr. Thorp has collected a great mass of evidence
to prove that on certain soils clover may be grown at short
intervals. The committee, on the other hand, have shown
that certain other soUs will not grow it with advantage
oftener than once in twelve years. These apparently
contradictory facts may be reconciled on the supposition
of the food of clover being exhausted.'' .Mr. Legard
in the same report says : ' On the much controverted
question of clover-sickucss, my opinion is, that the soil is
rendered unfit to produce successive crops of this plant,
either by excretions given out by the roots, or by the
exhaustion of certain constituents of the soil by the
plant itself.' "

The ill-effect produced upon the clover plant by its own
secretions, was a very unsatisfactory theory adopted by
Liebig. He told the German farmers (Chem. Ayri.p. 157)
that " In some neighbourhoods clover wiU not thrive till
the sixth year, in others not till the twelfth ; flax in the
second or third year. iUl this depends on the chemical
nature of the soU ; for it has been found by experience,
that in those districts where the intervals at which the
same plants can be cultivated with advantage are very
long, the time cannot be shortened even by the use
of the most fotoerful manures. The destruction of the
peculiar excrements of one crop must have taken place
before a new crop can be produced."

There is apparently this objection to this explanation
of the disease — that for a long sei'ies of years the clover
grew luxuriantly every fom-th or fifth year on the very
soils on which it now fails — so that the excretory matters
of the plant did VloI formerly j^revent its growth. The
German agriculturists, however, rather incline to the con-
clusion to which Mr. Thorp arrived — viz., that the soil had
become by long cultivation too much pulverized for the
healthy growth of the plant. At the great meeting of the
German landowners in 1841, Professor Schweizer observed
{Jour. Roy. Ay. Soc, vol. iii. p. 223) :

" With respect to the repetition of red clover, we have
had abundant experience in Saxony. Where the soil is
neither too loose nor too close, is deep, so that the plough
can go 8 inches down, and is also rather moist, clover is
the most certain, and may be repeated most frequently,
not only every six years, but, with high farming, even
every four years. On an inferior soil we may be ^quite
certain that clover wUl not do well every four years, as has
been proved in the neighbourhood of Dresden, where the
land is completely clover-sick. The chairman gave his
opinion that a repetition of red clover after six years was

allowable everywhere ; that in favourable soils five years
might be a sufficient intervcd, but that to bring two crops
of clover nearer together was always doubtful, and could
only be regarded as an exception."

It was in 1849 that Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert com-
menced their examination of the subject. Their elabo-
rate report {ibid, vol, xxi., p. 178) contains many experi-
ments upon the application of manm-es to clover-sick soils.
They too did not much incline to favour the theory of the
excrementitious matters of the plant being the cause of
the disease. On this head they remark :

" There is evidence of various kinds to show that plants
give out certain substances by their roots to the soil. It
is not probable, however, that any mineral constituents
which may be so rejected during the growth of one clover-
crop, are prejudicial to the growth of a similar crop on
the same land for a number of years to come. If the
failure of the clover-plant, when repeated too soon upon
the same land, be due at all to the excrementitious mat-
ters left by the former crop, it is much more probable that
the injmy is in some way connected with the organic
matters which have been rejected. Unfortunately, we are
not yet able, by the aid of chemistry, to distinguish those
organic compounds of the soil which are convertible into
the substance of the growing plant, and those which are
not so. Nor do we know how far the excreted organic
matters may be necessary complementary products in the
formation of some of the essential constituents of the
plant. Experience teaches us that when a crop of clover
is eaten by sheep folded upon the land, animals dislike the
growth which immediately succeeds. It might be in-
ferred, therefore, that, in such a case, the plant had taken
up from the soil certain matters which it had not finally
elaborated. Whether these organic substances would, in
process of time, be converted into living-plant matter, or
whether they would wholly, or in part, be rejected as ex-
crementitious organic compounds, to undergo in the soil
certain chemical changes before being adapted for plant-
food, we are not able to determine,

" In connexion with this question, of whether or not the
failm'eofthe clovei'-crop be due to the injurious influence
of excrementitious organic matters, left by the last crop
of the same kind, attention may be called to the fact, that
in the case of the failure in our field experiments, two years
of fallow, and one year of barley, intervened between the
poor ci'op of clover in 1855, and the almost equally poor
one iu 1859, ^^;n'on, we shoidd certainly be disposed
to think, that any deleterious matters left in the soil by
the clover-crop of 1855 would, under the circumstances
in question, have undergone pretty complete decomposition
during the three succeeding years. At the same time, it
should be remembered that in 1852 the plant of clover
sufl'ered very much more where rape-cake, or salts of am-
monia had been applied in 1849, than where mineral
manures only had been employed."

One observation made at Rothamstead, appears to be
much against the excrementitious theory ; to give the
words of the report — " How ai'e we to account for the
fact that whilst the clover-plant would not grow healthily
in the experimental field, we have been able to cut four-
teen crops from seed sown six years since in a garden only
a few hundred yards distant?"

After a long series of experiments of rather an inconclu-
sive nature, the practical conclusions to which they arrived
from their experiments at Rothamsted were, that when
land is not what is called "clover-sick," the crop of clover
may frequently be increased by top di'cssings of manure
containing potash and super-phosphate of lime ; but that
when laud is " clover-sick," none of the ordinary manures,
whether artificial or natural, can be relied upon to secui'e
a crop.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

375

These researches, we have seen, were instituted in conse-
quence of the oi)inion that the clover-phmt had gradually
exhausted the soil of some essential constituent that might
be restored to the land by an artificial dressing. It will
be well, then, if we remind ourselves of the composition
of the mineral portion of red clover grown upon two diffe-
rent soils, viz., on a siliceous, and on a clay soil. This
was some time since ascertained by Professor Way {Jour.
'Roy. A(j. Soc, vol. ix., p. 138). He found in 100 parts
of two specimens of red-clover hay grown on clay and
sandy soils :

From a From a

Siliceous Sand. Clay Soil.

Water 13,97 12.30

Ash 6.77 7.13

In 100 parts of the Ash or mineral portion of these he
found : —

In that grown on

Sand. Clay.

SiUca 4.03 3.66

Phosphoric Acid 5.83 6.88

Sulphuric Acid 3.91 4.46

Carbonic Acid 12.93 30.94

Lime 35.03 35.76

Magnesia 11.93 10.53

Peroxide of Iron 0.98 0.95

Potash 18.44 11.33

Soda 2.79 —

Common Salt 4.13 0.58

Chloride of Potassium... — 5.92

Total 99.95 100.00

From the results of this analysis, we should naturally be
led to the conclusion that a mixture of the salts of lime
and of potash would probably be a useful dressing for the
clover-plant, and in this we are supported by the fact that
the sulphate of lime or gypsum is profitably employed as
a top dressing for this crop in the United States, and in
some districts of our own island ; and that chalk (carbo-
nate of lime) and lime have both been successfully em-
ployed for the same purpose in Yorkshire, and moreover
by the fact that the super-phosphate of lime, and salts of
potash, have produced (in the experiments of Lawes and
Gilbert, and the recently-instituted trials on a variety of
soils, by Professor Voclcker) promising results. The re-
port the professor has made of these valuable examina-
tions is marked by that caution in coming to a conclusion
and love of truth which should ever attend our inquiries.
He observes in his report to the council {Jour. Roy. Ay.
Soc, vol. iv., p. 334. N.S.), after referring to some of his
formerly reported experiments :

" The same manuring agents as used in the three pre-
ceding years were again had recourse to in 1867, but
applied in various parts of the country to land differing
in character.

" I have now to report on the successful employment of
potash in promoting the growth of clover, more especially
as in many of my former field-trials, recorded in the
Society's Journal, the artificial application of potash-
manures did not yield results warranting the recommenda-
tion of such manures to the practical agriculturist ; for
even under conditions in which a beneficial efl'ect was
thereby produced, the results were not sufficiently marked
to prove the economical advantage of laying out money
in the purchase of potash-salts. During the past season,
however, I have obtained for the first tune results show-
ing in a most decided manner the practical utility of
employing potash-salts as a fertilising agent in producing
a luxuriant growth of clover and cloversecds.

" The experiments to which I would direct particular
attention were tried under my superintendence by Mr.
John Coleman, on Lord Wenlock's home farm, at Escrick

Park, near York. The experimental field was of a poor,
sandy charactci-, and the piece selected as nearly as
possible even, as regards the quality of both the land and
the grasses. The grass and cloverseeds were sown the
preceding year with a barley crop. The following
manures were applied on the 11th of April, and the first
cutting was reaped on the 12th of June and the second
on the 24th of August, each plot being carefully weighed
on the same day as cut :

1. Nitrate of soda, at the rate of 4 cwts. per acre.

2. Sulphate of Ammonia „ „

3. Mineral superphospate „ „

4. Common salt „ „

5. No manure.

6. Muriate of potash „ „

7. Sulphate of potash „ „

S. Sulphate of lime „ 1 ton per acre.

9. Mineral superphosphate and nitrate of soda, at the rate of

4 ewts. per acre each.

10. Mineral super^jhosphate and muriate of potash, at the

rate of 4 cwts. per acre each.

11. No manure.

" No change was visible until about the 23rd of April,
when plots No. 1 (nitrate of soda) and No. 9 (mineral
superphosphate and nitrate of soda) could be distinctly
distinguished from all the others by their darker green
colour and grosser growth, which was apparent until the
crops were cut.

" The nitrate of soda, however, encoui'aged the gi'owth
of the Italian rye-grass to such an extent that the clover
was for the greater part quite smothered, and the clover
so choked that when I saw the field afterwards, at the end
of last October, hardly a single plant of clover was
visible on the plots to which the nitrate was applied in
spring. On the other hand, the clover which grew very
luxuriantly on plots 6 and 7, dressed with muriate and
sulphate of potash respectively, grew still more luxm-iantly
on plot 10, dressed with mineral superphosphate and
mm-iate of potash. The clover and rye-grass on plot 10
were both long, strong, and of excellent quality ; the
clover especially being distinguished by luxuriant broad
leaves and a dark green colour. On the whole, plot 10
yielded by far the best crop both as regards quality and
quantity.

" The undressed plot yielded, in round numbers, 5^ tons
of green food in the first cutting, and nearly 2 tons in
the second. Muriate of potash, applied alone at the rate
of 4 cwts. per acre, produced, in round numbers, 6i tons
of green cloverseeds in the first cutting and 3 J tons in
the second, or both cuttings gave an increase of 2\ tons
of superior quality; whilst mineral superphosphate and
muriate of potash mixed together yielded 9 tons in the
first and nearly 5 tons in the second cutting, thus pro-
ducing altogether an increase of B^- tons, or nearly double
the amount of green cloverseeds grown on the unmanured
plot. This large increase, it should be observed, was not
produced at the expense of quality; for, as noticed
already, the crop on plot 10 was by far the best in quality
of all the 1 0 plots, and up to the present day the clover
stands well here, whilst on most of the other plots it is
either less luxuriant or has in a great measm-e disappeared.

" Nitrate of soda alone produced, in round numbers,
8j tons in the first cutting and only 2 tons in the second.

" This result is particularly interesting, inasmuch as it
shows that whilst this saline manure yielded a considerable
increase in the first cutting, it left the land in a more
exhausted condition than land which has not been dressed
with this special manure : for the unmanured plot yielded
2 2 tons in the second cutting, and that dressed with
nitrate of soda only 2 tons.

" Nitrate of soda thus appears to force an early growth

376

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

of Italian rye-grass, for which it seems more suitable thau
for clover, and is more useful whea au earlj' cutting is re-
quired, and the farmer intends to grow a large bulk of
green food for the use of cowkeepers, instead of a good
quality of grass and clovei-seeds for hay,

" On sandy soils in a poor condition nitrate of soda
produces very coarse grass, the Italian rye-grass in the
instance before us being little better than good oat-straw.
On such soils nitrate of soda should not be used alone ;
for it has an unmistakeable tendency to exhaust the land.

"Another interesting result to be found in these ex-
periments was that mineral superphosphate applied by
itself gave hardly any increase in either the first or the
second cutting. This is all the more remarkable, because,
in the same set of experiments tried in other parts of the
country on soils not so light and sandy as that on Lord
Wenlock's farm at Escrick, mineral superphosphate pro-
duced a marked increase in the clover crop, and because
the addition of muriate of potash to superphosphate, in
the Escrick experiments, very materially raised the in-
crease of the crop over that produced by muriate of potash
alone.

" We may learn from these experiments that a most
useful fertilising agent like phosphate of lime may in some
instances remain ineffective, because the soil to which the
former has been applied is deficient in another equally
essential plant-constituent, such as potash. The analysis
of the soil from the experimental field, indeed, showed
only traces of potash, and this no doubt is the reason why
the artificial supply of muriate of potash, especially in

couj unction with superphosphate, was attended with so
remarkably good an effect, and also that the latter alone
did not produce a good result.

" Whilst I have to report favourably on the employ-
ment of a mixture of superphosphate and muriate of
potash in the preceding experiments, and also in a similar
experiment carried on last season in Berkshire, by Mr.
Kimber, of Tubney Warren, Abingdon, I am bound to
state that in other experiments made last season potash
had little or no effect in raising the produce of the land.
Indeed, my present experience leads me to think that
whilst potash-salts in conjunction with phosphates are
very useful in the case of certain poor sandy soils, their
special application to land in a good agricultural condition,
or to soils containing an appreciable quantity of clay, does
not appear to yield results commensurate with the price at
which potash-salts can at present be bought."

From the results of these researches we may, I think,
be encouraged to persevere in our trials. It would be
well, perhaps, if the carbonate of potash was tried with
the muriate of potash and the superphosphate of lime,
and also in much smaller quantities than those hitherto
employed. The amount of these present in a ton of red
clover hay is not very large. Way determined that a ton
of this hay contained of potash about 23 lbs., and of
muriate of potash about 4j lbs. ; of common salt about
3i lbs. ; and of soda rather more than 2 lbs. We might,
I am inclined to think, use with good results a mixture
of these in much smaller proportions of each than
those hitherto applied.

THE FARM BUILDINGS AT LUTON HOO.

Referring to the block-plan, we purpose to give here a I give part of the principal cart-horse stable, in which there
few enlarged drawings of the principal parts. In fig. 1 we | are twenty-one stalls. The drawing shows the central part,

(Fig. 1.)

PART. OF. CART H0K5C 3TABLCS
21 STALLS

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

377

with cutrauce to tlie granary a a a a by the ceatral door
b. One feature in these stables, and, indeed, in all the
apartments for the stock, is the ample space given to each
animal, and more than that, and quite in its way as im-
portant, the ample space behind the animals, in which to
carry on the work of cleaning. No mistake is more fre-
quently made in the laying out of farm buildings, and
none, we venture to say, is so prolific of loss of time in
Avorking, and we may also add in discomfort, if not
disease to the animals, than making the spaces within the
apartments too coufiued. AVe could point to more than
one farm building which have been and are considered as
models, in which the working spaces are so confined and
straitened, that there is the greatest difficulty experienced
in feeding and cleaning the animals. Ground is not so
valuable as to necessitate the saving of space which may
be necessitated in town districts, where ground is really
at a high rate. But this is indeed beyond the question ;
for the question is not how much space can be saved ? or
what is the minimum which may be employed ? but it is
what space is necessary in order to secure not only full
health to the animals as far as that can be saved to them
by good sanitary arrangements, but also that necessary
to carry on the working arrangements with the least possible
expenditure of time and labour ? For it should never be
forgotten that the labour of a farmery is for ever going
on, and for ever repeated ; and the loss of time incurred
in carrying on labour under adverse circumstances, al-
though little in itself and at the time, becomes a very
serious loss indeed when repeated day after day, and over
a long series of months or perhaps years. This loss has
been carefully avoided in the farm buildings at Luton
Hoo ; for not only is ample space allowed to carry on
the work, but each apartment is so placed relatively to that
connected with it, that there is no time lost in going un-
necessarily from one part to another and returning. All
the work therefore goes on progressively. The food stores
are always near the place where the food is to be con-
sumed, and the dung, &c., is carried off at at once to the
places where it is to be stored up. There is also a fore-
man to each department, who is responsible for the work
done in his department. These receive their orders direct
from, and give in their reports direct to Mr. Ross. The
result of the whole mode of working, and of the system
of placing the various apartments in strict relation to
each other, is the securing a high degree of regularity and
its consequent order in the working of the farmery, and
a great— possibly, the greatest — saving of time; and we
all know that time is money no less in the pursuit of
agriculture, than in that of other callings.

In fig. 2 we find an analysed drawing of the lower
range of loose boxes (see block plan of farmery in No. I.
of the present series of papers) ; in fig. 3, part of the
central cattle yards and sheds, with three store-rooms for
food. To the left of this drawing, and at the bottom
corner, part of the milk cow-house, with 15 stalls, is
shown. The steam-pipe for supplymg the engine (see
block plan No. 1.), passes up between the boundary walls
of the sheds. To the right of fig. 3 part of the bullock-
fattening shed is seen. One feature in the construction
of these bullock sheds is the ample ventilation secured —
and that is — holding with what we believe to be a sound
principle, while the object of sheds is shelter, such
shelter should be in a condition as near as possible to the
ordinary natural circumstances in which stock are when
exposed, so far as the abundance and purity of the air which
they breathe is concerned. Hence the visitor will find
in the bullock sheds of this prize fai-mery a degree of
ventilation which many would think extreme. But the
fine condition in which the stock are maintained, and the
rapidity with which they fatten, aff'ords the best evidence

of the soundness of the principle of cattle shelter
sheds. The feeding gangways a a, fig. 3 are raised, and
communicate with the food store-rooms at the end. In
fig. 4 we give enlarged plan of the sheep sheds or racks
a a a a ; the racks are run out to be cleaned and filled
upon rails h h, laid on the roadway. The reader may
compare this arrangement with that adopted on the
Continent, and explained in No. IV. of the series of papers
on the novelties of the Paris Exhibition.

■■is^^mm^^^^i

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\immmk

We conclude by giving in fig. 5 (p. 380) an' isome-
trical perspective block plan of the kennels connected
with the Luton Hoo Estate. They are erected at a dis-
tance of some two miles from the farm buildings, at a
place called Kinsman Green ; and they are well worthy of
a visit, not only from the admirable arrangement, as will
be seen from the plan, but from the clever way in which
the whole is constracted, and the fittings carried out. In

378

THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE.

OPEN YARD N25.

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OP EM V'AliDNP.6.

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fig. 4 the block of the stables is shown at a, in which a a
is the central range, provided with a row of loose-boxes
on each side ; two stalls being at h, the stable implements
being kept in a stall at c, and the water cistern at d.
The coach-house is at e, the store-room at f, g is the
straw, h the chaff, i the hay-balks. The singeing-house
is aty, Ic the loose-box, I the tool-house, with the water-
closet in the corner at ra. The washing-room is //, 0 the

saddle-room, p the forge, a monnting block being outside
it jo-1, q men's room, with stairs leading to room above.
Loose-boxes are at r and s in the second wing, t the van-
house, V, a loose-box, v v coni-bin house. The hunts-
man's house is in the block B, centrally placed between
the stables A and the kennels c. In B « « are two par-
lours, a scullery and larder are given in the space b, c the
kitchen, ^Hhe open yard, e the coal-hole,/ water-closet

l^B FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

(I'ig;. 4.)

379

PART OF LITTLE. STABLE.SlS.uCENEaAiei.AN) i\
STALLS AND' LOOSE BOXES W

with dust-bin behind it, ff the wash-house, a " mounting
block" is at /i. In c, the kennels, the gentlemen's room
is at a, h the lavatory and water-closet, c the meal-room,
<^the boiling-house, e coal-yard, /'yard, with puppy-boxes
aty, the hounds' lodgings are at hj}) and n, the brush-
ing room is at o, m is a bed-room, I the feeding-house, k
the medicine room, and i the straw-room. A covered
room or alley for the dogs being turned into c occasionally
is at r r, q q q the yards. In d, the whips' cottages, a a
are sculleries, b h covered yards, c c the parlours, d d the
kitchens, e e stairs leading to the rooms above. In e « is
the workshop with tank above, h the well-house.

The estate of Luton Hoo is over 6,000 acres in extent.
The home farm, taking in park which surrounds the
house, is over two thousand acres. Of this there are
some seven to eight hundred arable. The arable laud is
cultivated on the five-course system — (1) wheat, (2) oats,
(3) fallow crops (made up of swedes, some sixty acres ;
mangolds, some twenty-five, the whole of which are
brought to the farm-steading, and consumed by the
stock : in addition to these are some twenty acres of
vetches, some early turnips, and coleseed), (4) barley,
and (5) seeds. One hundred and forty bullocks are fat-
tened every year, and some eight to twelve hundred sheep
arc folded on clover, vetches, rape, and early turnips
during the summer and autumn, with extra corn and oil-
cakes. The major portion of these are sold off fat
through the autumn and as winter approaches ; and some
three or four hixndred only are kept throughout the
winter. In addition to the large quantity of manure
made by so lai-ge a stock, some forty tons of London
dung, and sometimes as much as seventy to eighty tons,
weekly, are bought. Some thirty tons of guano are used
for the oats and green crops ; and dung is applied to the
grass-lands. The cattle — chiefly Herefords and Scotch —
are fed upon barley-meal, roots, and hay. Grains in
large quantities — as much as from five hundred to eight
hundred bushels — are brought from the Buxton Breweries

by rail. The great object of the farmery is the fattening
of stock for the market ; and, as our plans and previous
papers showed, aU the arrangements are designed to
carry out this great object. In addition to the' fatting
stock and sheep ah-eady named, some thirty cows are
kept, and some one hundi-ed to one hundred and fifty
hogs. To maintain this large stock, and to provide and
prepare the food which is necessary, necessitates a very
large amount of labour in the various operations of clean-
ing and dunging the animals, cutting the hay, pulping
the roots, breaking the oilcake, and bruising, crushing,
and milling the corn, and cooking the mashes. And,
in addition to the labour thus required, there is a
large amount involved in the various works constantly
going on in connection with the improvement of the
estate; and the feature in the management of all this
work is the way in which this labour is organised, so
that no time, and |consequently no money, is wasted.
Each man knows his duties ; and he must not only
occupy his whole time in doing them, and doing them well,
but he must give as rigorous a return of the time he
writes as if he formed part of the "hands" of a factory
or a machine-shop. With this all realised, we weU un-
derstand how much " good order" must be maintained,
and it is thoroughly so, for one may spend hours in the
place, and everything is so quiet that one may think no-
thing is going on, yet all are busy, all are steadily
carrying out the various parts of a well-ordered plan.

Viewing the plans of the buildings, as a whole, it must
be conceded that a large amount of practical knowledge
must have been brought to bear upon the design, and of
skill in applying this. Very much that is suggestive, there-
fore, may be learned by a thorough ' inspection of their
details ; and we venture to express our belief that we
have rendered those of om* readers who have not had an
opportimity to personally inspect the whole, as they now
arc, a great service in placing before them the various
illustrations which we have given in our paper.

o80

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

(Fi^'. 3.

THE FARMEH'S MAGAZINE-

sal

THE HEREFORDSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MEETING AT HEREFORD.

From some cause, not altogether so apparent, the
Hereibrds would seem to have suffered more from the
dead time consequent on the cattle-plague than auy other
hreed of stock. As our report ran, they were either for
numbers or merit in the cool shade at Leicester. Nor
have the white-faces since shown any bolder front about
home. On the contrary, the entries at the autumn
meetings in Herefordshire or Shropshire have been miser-
ably small ; nor can much improvement be recorded of
the once great gathering in their capital. In many of
the classes there was little or no competition, in some
not a single entry, and in none, with the exception
perhaps of the lots of breeding cows, did the exhibition
approach to anything like an average of what this has
been. Noticeably enough, the failure was yet more un-
mistakeable in other directions. There were in all three
pigs shown in two classes, and seven horses in five classes ;
while in no instance were there more than three pens of
sheep pitched, and in two of the five classes the duty of the
judges was limited to the consideration of there being
sufficient excellence to warrant an award. There were,
further, a few dozens of cider and perry to be tasted, a few
stands of machinery to be inspected, and two samples of
hops sent for the two prizes offered. As a literary pro-
f duction, the strength of the catalogue certainly centred
on the advertisements, although its circulation could not
have been great ; at least as estimated by the attendance
on the first day, which appeared to be mainly confined to
the officers and exhibitors. If this be apathy, it must
assuredly be a very unprofitable policy ; and if it be not,
bucolics must be going fast out of fashion in Herefordshire.
It is only fair to say that it is not here intended to
convey any censure on the management. Tested, indeed,
by some of its arrangements, the Herefordshire is an
example to other Societies. Nothing, for instance, can be
better than the bull, cow, and oft'spring class ; or than that,
again, in which exhibitors enter a number of breeding
animals regulated by the acreage they occupy. The
wholesome effect of such conditions should be to correct
the too common abuse, that a show animal is iit for no-
thing more than show ; and it would be well if the
" Royal" steward could ever refer to the fact of close
upon sixty highly-bred Shorthorn cows being exhibited
together in one class in a really breeding state. This,
strange as it may sound, was an accomplished fact with
as many Herefords in an otherwise feeble demonstration ;
and here, as already intimated, was the attraction of the
occasion. Nothing could have been more legitimate ; for
many of the cows even from the more famous herds were
terribly poor, telling of how hard a fight they must have
had of it to find themselves in so trying a season. From
the Whitfield lot of ten, however, three or four beautiful
heifers might have been picked out sufficiently forward to
hold their own in any company ; and the five good great
cows placed second, spoke to what a small farmer may do
with care and judgment. Mr. Evans' entry were indeed
remarkably sorty, considering how comparatively few he
could have to select from : broad, rather ragged-hipped
prolific animals, somewhat tawney-coated in colour, but full
of true Hereford character. Thewell-named Stately, in fact,
what with her grand carriage and almost perfect head and
horn w'as, single-handed, one of the handsomest cows in
the yard ; as she was the third prize at Leicester, where it
was pretty generally allowed she should have stood yet

higher on the return list, ilr. Walker's next, the highly
commended entry of four good blooming cows, still made
so close a contest of it that they might very reasonably
have received one of the premiums thrown away in some
of the other classes ; and it has often struck us that more
might be left in this way to the discretion of the judges—
to withhold where there is but little, and to supplement
where there is much merit. At Hereford, however, it all
went by line and rule, and many a premium was duly
awarded on the negative showing of there being no oppo-
sition. Mr. Rogers, of Coxall, made up two lots of
eighteen cows in all, but he might have done better by
reducing these to one entry, the more particularly as it
is clear he has been very short of keep ; and Mr. Wig-
more and Mr. Thomas Davies told something of the
same story. In a similar class of younger animals the
Bickerton herd did better with ten heifer calves, some of
which were very pretty and promising, and with no fur-
ther competition the prize was nevertheless honestly
earned.

Again, the bull, cow, and offspring fell to one entry,
which still included the now champion buU of the breed,
Battenhall, wearing very well, and a good animal at most
points, backed by a pretty cow and a good calf, so that
in the good old times it would have taken something
superior to have beaten the family party from CoxhaU.
But when one comes to remember what a display of year-
ling bulls there has been heretofore, nowhere was the de-
cline more marked than in this class, the worth of which
was in truth confined to two exhibitors ; or,, so far as any
show or the sales went, this was quickly reduced to one
man's entries. Mr. Tudge's first prize, a long, straight-
topped animal of fine quality, was so ill that he had to be
removed very shortly after the show was opened ; and he
really looked all to pieces, having gone in his hock, beyond
the fever upon him. At best but a delicate calf, they
have been usinghimintheherdsinceLeicester; andatayear
and three months old, he is manifestly all the worse for his
work. The second and third prizes, with a high commen-
dation, and another commendation were aU very properly
divided amongst Mr. Benjamin Rogers' capital half-dozen
young bulls, by far the best " proof" of any one breeder's
herd in the market-place, or in the market either. After,
however, the prize cards had been put up, and we had
taken our observation of the animals under them,
these were all shifted about in the most puzzling
manner, and being all much of a sample, it may be
preferable to speak to the bulk. They were all of nice
quality, with curly coats and thick flesh, the second prize,
as we take him to be, being very strong in these points.
But they were all fancied, and the commendations thought
by many to be the best of the bunch. Mr. Rogers had
refused £I00 each for two of these yearlings at home,
and they reached to an average of over 70 gs. at the
hammer, the prices going pretty much in accordance
with the judges' opinion ; the second and third prizes,
and one of the commendations, making exactly 92 gs.
each. Amongst the other exhibitors in this and the
following class of young bulls was Mr. Baldwin, of
Luddington ; but his stock does not promise to make any
very grateful return for the spirit with which he went in-
to the business of breeding Herefords. Mr. Morris, two
prize bulls again, although as their names would imply,
going back to the best blood, are themselves nothing pay-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ticular ; the one placed first having a tapering cunning
kind of head, and standing fearfully out in his shoulders;
nor \v'erc the old bulls in any way remarkable for their
merits, and l)y the standard of what a Hereford bull should
be, it is doubtful whether there was a really lirst prize
animal amongst them. Both the entries of heifer pairs
were, on the contrary, to be commended, and the two
prizes very properly given ; while another class of heifers
resulted in no race, and three classes for the famous
store steers showed just one entry in all ! Nor were the
fat steers much better represented, for there were but two,
and Sir Joseph Bailey must have a very curious notion of
what a fat beast should be, if this one iu any way realizes
the roast beef at Glanusk. The live fat cows were
much better, and Mr. Hill's Villa something to talk of
hereafter. She is very small, but barring being rather gaudy
behind, in other respects almost perfect ; long and
low, light in her bone, firm in her flesh, and full of fine
quality, and good looks, beginning with quite a lovely
cow's head. She is to be heard of again at the Smith-
field Club ; but will not be sent to Birmingham. Mr.
Duckham's cow is also very elegant ; and Mr. Gibbons
unites plenty of size with fii'ni flesh. And thus " in
places" the Hereford still holds his supremacy,

Mr. Davies' pen of Shropshire ewes were very uniform
and good, considering so many were shown in one lot,
and Mr. Armitage's entry of the same sort very little in-
ferior to the winners. ]Mr. AVigmore's Cotswold ewes
were but middling; whereas Mr. Kearsey's Cotswold
wethei's, also encountering no competition, were admir-
able in their way, showing a deal of blood, with a good
hand, and being altogether famously turned out ; as Mr.
Downing's Ryelauds were to be commended for the form
in which they were shown, and both these pens may still
train on. Of the three pigs the prize boar had a head as
long as a bowsprit, and the prize eart-mare was
chiefly distinguished by her foal, of extraordinary size;
as her owner, Mr. Hunt, was further successful with
what he calls a three-year-old " hunting" colt, which has
been kept entire, although for what purpose it would be
hard, if not melancholy, to imagine, assuming him to be
nothing more than a half-bred coramonish kind of roadster,
that can move a bit. There was one entry of cart stal-
lions, and none of hunter stallions ; but there were three
entries of " nag" mares, with foals at foot. If a nag
mean merely a hackney, then possibly Mr. Sherratt's neat
chesnut should have been put first ; but if a nag be any-
thing for riding purposes, then it is hard to understand
how Captain Heygate's famous old Whisky should have
been the very first drafted 1 Twice has she herself taken
prizes in the hunting brood-marc class at the
Royal meetings ; while she is the dam of Mountain Dew
ami Denmark, two of our most successful show-horses.
To say that Whisky was worth the other two would be
to pass a very mild criticism, as we might go on to point
out her great power, good limbs, and so forth. The old
mare was to be sure sent iu the rough, and this may serve
to account for aii award that is otherwise inexplicable.

Amongst the extra stock, the majority of which might
as well have gone to make some show in the classes
proper, Mr. Thomas Rogers had the old bull Matchless,
of great size with some coarseness, and Mr. Tudge a very
good thick yearling, called Vandyke, which made 52 gs.
at the hammer, Landseer, of course, being withdrawn,
although in the auctioneer's list. Saving some excite-
ment over the sale of the Grove yearlings, this business
was terribly slack, and it was with difiiculty that the
Coxall cows and their produce could be sold at any
price ; some indeed were sent back without a bid. But
Belle, 4 yrs., made 14^ gs., and her calf 13 gs.; Violet,
4 yrs., 16 gs., and her calf 9 gs. ; Waxy, 20 gs., and her
calf 8i gs. ; Gentle, 8 yrs., IG^ gs., aiid her calf 6 gs. ;

Venus, 4 yrs., 15 gs., and her calf 10 gs. ; Nelly, 5 yrs.,
16 gs., and her calf 11 gs. ; BeUona, 9 yrs., 25 gs. ;
Gentle Annie, 4 yrs., 29 gs., and the heifer calf, by ]3at-
tenhall, shown with her, 16 gs.; Silver, 17 gs.; Curlv,
4 yrs., 21 gs., and her heifer calf 21 gs. ; Countess, 9 yrs.,
32 gs. ; Myrtle, 3 yrs., 18 gs., with no bid for her bull
calf by Battenhall ; Yellow Rose, 3 yrs., 25| gs., and her
calf 22 gs. ; a bull calf, out of Dainty (for which there
was no bidder), 5 gs. ; and Beauty Spot, 27jgs. Some
of these were prize cows, and fourteen reached to an
average of just 21 guineas each ; whilst eleven calves,
including four bidl calves, made 12| guineas each. On
the opening day there were three or four lots of dealers'
beasts in the streets, in very good condition, and for which
prices ruled high ; but the fair itself was small and bad.
The stock, as might have been expected, was pretty
generally in poor condition, and not more than 2,500 were
pitched. There have been 6,000 seen before now at
Hereford fair.

PRIZE LIST.

Judges. — Cattle: S. Urwick, Leinthall ; W. Bennett, North
Cerney, Cirencester. Horses, S/icej), Pif/s, Hops, Implements .-
J. Walker, Knightwick, Worcester ; G. 13edford, Milton, Pern-
bridge. Cider and Ferry : H. C. I5eddae, Hereford.
CATTLE.

Bull, cow, and offspring, calved on or after July 1, 18G7. —
First prize, £10, T. Rogers, CoxliaU, Brampton Bryan (Bat-
tenhall and Annie) ; second, £5, no competition.

Bidl, calved on or after July 1, 1807.— First prize, £10, W.
Tudgc, Adforton, Leintwardine (Landseer) ; second, £5, B.
Rogers, The Grove, Pembridge (Blucher) ; third, £2, B.
Rogers (Lord Nelson) ; highly commended, B. Rogers (Ac-
ceptable) ; commended, B. Rogers (Luxury).

Bull, calved on or alter July 1, 18G6. — First prize, £5, J.
lilorris. Town House, Madley (Stowe) ; second, £3, J. Morris
(Bloukhouse) : highly commended, J. Vaughan, jun., Brobury
Court, Hereford (Abdel Aziz).

Bidl, calved previously to July 1, 1866. — First prize, £5, J.
Morris (Principal) ; 2nd, £3, J. Williams, St. Mary's Farm,
Kingsland (Sir George) ; higldy commended, C. H. Hinckes-
man, The Poles, Bromfield, Ludlow (Sir John).

Lot of beasts, irrespective of sex, bred by a tenant farmer,
uuder two years aud six months old, in proportion to the quan-
tity of land that he occupies, as follows : The tenant-occupier
of not exceeding 100 acres, to show two beasts; ditto 150 acres,
to show three beasts ; ditto 200 acres, to show four beasts ;
aud iu the same proportion for every additional 50 acres, up to
500 acres. — First prize, £5, J. Wigmore, Bickerton Court,
Much Marcle (ten heifer calves) ; 3nd, £3, no comjietition.

Pair of heifers, calved on or after July 1, 1867. — First prize,
£5, William Tudge, Adforton, Leintwardine ; second, £3, T.
Woolley, Weston Court, Pembridge ; no further competition.

Pair of heifers, calved on or after July 1, 1866. — First prize
£5, second £3 ; no entry.

Pair of steers, calved on or after July 1, 1867. — First prize
£5, second £3 ; no entry.

Pair of steers, calved on or after July 1, 1866. — First prize
£5, second £3 ; no entry.

I?air of steers, calved on or after July 1, 1865. — First prize,
£5, T. Duckham, Baysham Court; second, £3, no compe-
tition.

Lot of breeding cows or heifers, not under three years old,
that have had a calf within six mouths, or shall be in calf at
the time of sliowing. The occupier of not exceeding 100 acres
to show two beasts ; ditto 150 acres, to show three beasts ;
ditto 200 acres, to show four beasts ; and in the same propor-
tion for every additional 50 acres, up to 500 acres. — First
prize, £10, the Rev. Arclier Clive, Whitfield, Hereford (ten
lieifers iu calf) ; second, £5, H. R. Evans, jun., Swanstone
Court, Leominster (five breeding cows) ; highly commended, J.
Walker, Westfield House, Holmer (four breeding cows and
heifers).

Fat cow or heifer.— First, £5, R. Hill, Orleton Court, Lud-
low (Villa) ; higlily commended, 11. Gibbons, Hampton
Bishop (Princess), T. Duckham (Duchess of Bedford).

Fat ox or steer, — First, £5, W. Dew, Kilverholl, Much Dew-
church.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

883

SHEEP.

Pen of twenty Shropshire Down or short-woolled breeding
ewes, under three years and eight months, and not having
more than six teeth fully grown, that have suckled lambs to the
1st June, 1868. — Prize, £5,T. Davies, Burlton Court, Burgliill
(Shropshire).

Pen of twenty long-woolled breeding ewes, under three years
and eight months, and not having more than six teeth fuUy
grown, that have suckled lambs to 1st June, 1868. — Prize, £5,
J. Wigraore, Bickertou Court, Much Marole (Cotswold).

Pen of five yearling wethers, long-woolled. — Prize, £5, C.
Kearsey, Glewstone, Ross (five Cotswold sheep). No compe-
tition.

Pen of five yearling ewes, long-woolled. — Prize, £5, J. Davis,
Webton Court, Madley (long wool). No competition.

Pen of five yearling wethers, short-wool (cross breeds not
excluded). — Prize, £5, J. B. Downing, Holme Lacy, Hereford
(Ryel^nd).

Pen of five yearling ewes, short-wool (cross-breeds not ex-
cluded).— Prize, £5, A, Armitage, Dadnor, Ross (Shropshire).

PIGS.

Boar pig, under two years of age. — £3, Rev. A. Clive.

Breeding sow that has brought a litter of pigs within three
months, or being in pig. — £3, Rev. A. Clive (sow with six
pigs). No competition.

HORSES.

Stallion best calculated to produce good hunters, £5. — No
entry.

Best cart stallion, £5. — J.Hyde, Riffin Mill, Bodenhani,
Herefordshire (Emperor). No competition.

Three-year-old colt, gelding or fiUy, suitable for hunting
purposes, bred in Herefordshire, £5. — C. Hunt, Moor Tarm,
Widemarsh, Hereford. No competition.

Nag mare vvith foal at foot, £5. — J. Findlay, Garnstone,
Weobley (Rebekah) ; commended, A, Sherratt, Ocle Pitchard,
Hereford (Polly).

Cart mare with foal at foot, £5. — C. Hunt, Moor Farm,
Widemarsh (Lester) ; commended, J. Morris, Town House,
Madley.

EXTRA STOCK.

T. Rogers, Coxall, Brampton Brian, 20s. (bull, Matchless) ;
J. Rawlings, Stoke, Tenbury, 10s. (cow. Beauty) ; H. Griffiths,
Devereux Wootton, Weobley, 10s. (cow, Miss Devereux) ; T.
Rogers, Coxall, 10s. (heifer. Queen of the Valley) ; Col. Feil-
den, Dulas Court, Hereford, 10s. (pair of steers).
CIDER AND PERRY.

Dozen of cider from fruit grown in 1867. — First prize, £3
10s., W. H. Apperley, Withingtou ; second, £1, T. Davies,
Burlton Court.

Dozen of perry, from fruit grown iu 1867. — 1st prize, £2
10s., W. Hill, Eggletou, Dedbury ; second, £1, J. Wigmore,
Bickerton.

HOPS.

Sample of hops grown in the county of Hereford ; the sam-
ple to be not less than five pockets, to be sold in Hereford, and
pitched in the showyard during the show. — First prize, £5, W.
Taylor, TliingehiU, Hereford ; second, £2, J. Walker, West-
field, Holmer. No further competiton.
IMPLEMENTS.

Collection of agricultural machinery and implements.— First
prize, £3, Hubert Smith and Co., Hereford ; second, £2, S. A.
and H. Kell, Ross.

W. and H. M. Goulding, Cork, 20s. (samples of artificial
manures, and specimens of roots and grain grown from).

I. James, Tivoli, Cheltenham, lOs. (licpiid manure distri-
butor, &c.)

T. Corbett, Perseverance Works, Shrewsbury, 10s. (eclipse
winnower, fitted with self-cleaning screen).

SALE OP YEARLING HEREFORD

BULLS.

THE PROPERTY OF MR. B. ROGERS, OF THE
GROVE.

Lord Nelson, calved October 8th, 1867, by Sir Thomas
(3228), dam Prettymaid, by The Grove (17C4), 93 gs., Mr.
Featherstonhaugh, Ireland.

Acceptable, calved November 15th, 1867, by Sir Thomas,

dam Spark, by The Grove, 61 gs.j Dake of Bedford, Woburn
Abbey.

LuxuitY, calved November 10th, 1867, by Sir Thomas, dam
Leen, by Bertram (1513), 'J2 gs., Mr. Robinson, The Moor,
Kington.

Admiral, calved October 13tli, 1867, by Sir Thomas, dam
Curly, by The Grove, 50 gs., Mr. Morris, Dewsall.

Pembridge, calved December 25th, 1867, by Sir Thomas,
dam Daisy the 3rd, by The Grove, 34 gs,, Capt. Power, Ross.

Bluchf.r, calved December 14th, 1867, by Sir Thomas,
dam Blandy, by Sampson (1061), 93 gs., Mr. George, Feltou,
Bromyard.

At the dinner Sir Joseph Bailey, M.P., said there had
been a kind of little friendly agitation going on for the pur-
pose of establishing, if we could, what were called county
financial boards, by which were meant boards in which the
old magistrates and the new ratepayers should be united to
manage the affairs of the county. Now, he fully agreed with
what a committee of the House of Commons said upon this
point-— viz., that the magistrates have managed right well the
financial affairs of the ratepayers ; but then the committee
went on to say that the ratepayers wished now to take the
aflairs into their own hands, and that if they wished it they
had a right to do so. He would add to that and say, for his
own part, he should like to see the representatives of the rate-
payers not simply taking their share in the management of
the financial affairs of the county, but also, united with the
magistrates in rjuarter sessions, in managing the whole civil
affairs of the county. He thought, from his own experience
as chairman of a board of guardians and of a highway board,
and from matters of a similar nature, that they would act
together right well. There was no doubt that a measure
would be brought into Parliament early in the session to pro-
mote this object, and if honoured with a seat in that Parlia-
ment, he should give it his hearty support; and he felt
assured, from the opinions he had heard expressed on every
side, by different members of the House of Commons, that
no one would dissent from it. As to national taxation,
that was fair enough. The army and navy and the
government were supported from the excise, the customs, and
the income-tax ; but when we came to local taxation he
wanted to know what share of it did the commercial wealth
and personal property of England bear. And he would reply.
None. He would ask, again, those who were the owners and
occupiers of real property of the country, what proportion of
local taxation did that property bear P And he would reply.
All. in the opinion of a great man, he would say that was not
fair ; and he would ask what was the remedy for it ? He
knew that the popular remedy was that personal property
should be rated the same as real property ; but where would
they rate personal property ? Where was Rothschild to be
rated ? Was he to be rated in the parish in which he lived
and none of the rest of the country to have the benefit, or was
the nation to have the benefit ? That, as it appeared to him,
would open the tpiestion of general rating, and would take the
management of the rates out of their hands when they, the
ratepayers, wished to have it in their hands. The second pro-
ject would be that, while the local taxation of the country was
imposed as at present on real property, a large share of na-
tional taxation should be thrown on personal property ; and if
that were done, he thought the Government might easily give
some help towards turnpike-roads and such like out of the con-
solidated fund. For his own part, he could not help thinking
that by some such means they might, without any serious dis-
turbance, arrive at something like a fair taxation of the
country.

Mr. George Clive, M.P., said that since the introduction
of railways, tolls were but little helped by the through traffic,
but were practically paid by the localities in which the gates
stood. Upon this subject ho had brought in bill upon bill,
unfortunately hitherto without success ; and he had been ge-
nerally met by two objections — the first as to the debt. It
had been asked who was to pay the debt ? and to that his an-
swer was, that the debt had been decreasing for years, until it
was now reduced to a comparatively small sum, and that the
landowners might be willing to take upon themselves. The
next point was as to the repair of the turnpike-roads. It was
said how very unjust it would be to fasten that upon the pa-
rishes through which the roads passed ; and his answer to

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

384

that was that that was the law as it uow stood; «>id> upoj^
the abolition of the tolls, or upon the expiration ot the differ-
ent turnpike acts, most of which had now but a few years to
run the expense of maintaining the roads for many miles out
of Hereford would be thrown most unjustly upon the respec-
tive parishes through which the roads passed instead of upon
the districts generally. AVhen he had mentioned that in t!ie
House of Commons he had been told that the repairs could
not be thrown upon districts, because the Highway Act is
not compulsory, and therefore not universally adopted, many
places having rejected it. He was glad to hear from the
president that the Highway Act— with the passing of which
he had a good deal to do— had been successful. In speak-
ing of the repairs of the roads— not of the debt— lie
would say that why those repairs should not be spread
over the whole county, when the whole county benelited by
the roads, was a thing which he could not see. He could not
see why, because in tlie north of England parishes generaUy
were opposed to the Highway Act and had not adopted it we
in the west and south-west should be compelled to submit to
the injustice of having to repair those roads by charges
upon parishes. This was the difficulty which must be met
in the next ParUament. Promise after promise had been
made by ministers but never fulfilled. The present and the
late Home Secretary had made promises, but had never lul-
iilled them. The other subject to which he had referred was
the one touched upon by the Chairman, viz., county financial
boards. He drew a bill upon this subject; bills were also
drawn by two other members— one a Conservative and tlie
other a Liberal— and when he found that those bills were very
elaborate he withdrew his. A committee was appointed,
upon which he sat, and they examined a great many witnesses.
The witnesses who had been examined all gave their evidence
precisely to the same effect. The committee was composed ot
gentlemen chosen eciually from each side of the House, and
some of them, to his knowledge, attended the committee
strongly prejudiced against financial boards, but at the end o
the inquiry "they were much in favour of them. They agjeed
on two points-first, that there had hitherto been no waste of
the public funds— that the magistrates had administered those
funds as well as they could have been administered; and
secondly, upon which they came to an almost unanimous con-
clusion, that the agriculturists, in accordance with their wish,
ought to have a share in the management of the county
finances— not that it was by any means certain that tiiose
finances would be better administered then than _ they were
now, but because all people liked to have " a finger in tiie pie
as to the expenditure of funds to which they contributed.

Mr JvNCEY referred to the turnpike toll (luestion, express-
ing his opinion that it was unfair to have one law for one part
of the county and another law for another part. In one part
of the county tolls might be abolished, and there the respective
parishes had to bear the expense of maintaining the roads ; but
as soon as the residents of that district, perhaps a very small
area, passed into another district, they might be called upon to
pay tolls, and that he held to be most unfair. In some parishes
there was a large extent of road to be repaired, while other ad-
jacent parishes, though bringing a large amount of produce
over those roads, would not pay a farthing towards tiie iiiamte-
nance of them. He had heard a suggestion for county boards
for the management of turnpikes, but he thought that such an
area would be too large for proper and economical manage-
ment, and that it would be better to have districts co-extensive
with the present highway districts, each parish contributing
upon the principle of a common fund. He further thought it
would be no injustice to ask Government to pay a certain sum
towards the expenses of officers and certain other charges, as
it now did in the matter of the county constabidary and also in
the prosecution of felons. If that were done, the other ex-
penses might be thrown on the districts generally, and then he
did not think there would be much to complain of.

Mr. J. Vaugii.vn, referring to the subject of the Metropo-
litan Cattle I\Iarket bill, and laying it down as an undisputed
proposition that the cattle plague was an imported disease, con-
tended that a proper regulation for the prevention of the out-
break of that disease was a subject whicli affected not simply
the agriculturists but the consumers of this country. On the
subject of county financial boards, Mr. Clive had said that the
agriculturists would like to have " a fiuger in the pie ;" but he
(Mr. V.) felt tliat it was not so much outhat ground as on the

broad priaciple, recognised in the last session in the extension
of the suffrage, that taxation and representation should go
hand in hand. It was on that principle that the agriculturists
asked for " a finger in the pie," and not that they charged the
county magistrates, in any degree whatever, with improper
usage of the county money. He lielieved the magistrates had
done their best ; hut he also believed that those who had to
pay had a right in principle also to have their say.

Mr. DucKHAM could say something as to the loss which this
country had sustained from imported diseases ; and_ as he had
before him some statistics, he would state that during the six
years previous to the outbreak of the plague the estimated
losses from pleuro-pncumonia was £9,600,000, and from the
visitation of the plague nearly five millions. Thus our pastures
were devastated, and animals which should have been inereas-
ng in value were swept away. The calculator who had given
these estimated losses had advanced the opinion that the real
loss in those few years sustained by imported diseases amounted
to 25 millions ; and it was easy for any one to see that if this
sum of 25 millions had remained in England and had been
circulated in the trade of the country, it would have been much
better than paying it away to buy food to feed '^the people to
supply those losses which had been sustained from imported
diseases. « ,, . , • v-

Mr. J. White (Australia), having spoken of this being his
first visit to his native country,, alluded to Australia as being
essentially a pastoral country, its wealth chiefly consisting of
sheep, yet there were in those colonies upwards ot eight mil-
lion cattle. There had been large importations of Hereford
cattle to Australia ; during the short time he had been in
England he had shipped a great many, and hoped, before he
returned, to sliip a great many more. Having come some dis-
tance to attend the show, he must say he expected to find, in
the home of the Herefords, not only animals of the best cjua-
lity but also great numbers of them. He was, however, ex-
tremely disappointed as to the number, and he could tell them
that he had seen almost as many Herefords brought together
in Australia. He proceeded to say that, although disap-
pointed he was willing to believe the smallness of the show
was attributable to the effects of the cattle plague and not to
any indifference as to the importance of maintaining so excel-
lent a breed of cattle.

CORN AVERAGES.

Sir,— At this time, being the termination of the farmers
year, I again take the opportunity to send you a statement for
the information of your agricultural readers, and especially lor
those who adopt the system of corn rents, based on an average
price of Wheat, Barley, and Oats. The averages deduced from
the weekly returns published in the London Gazette give the
foUowing results for the 52 weeks eudiug the 28th of bep-
tember: Wheat, 67s. 9d. per imperial quarter; Barley, ils.
l.Vd ditto ; and Oats, 27s. 6fd. ditto. The following abstract
shows the dates of the highest and lowest prices during the
same period :

Highest price. Lowest price. Difference.

Wheat, May 12...74.s.7d... .Sept. 28 ... 53s. 7d....31s. Od.
Barley, Apr. 28. ..45s. 2d.. ..July 28 ... 35s. 8d.... 9s. Cd.
Oats, July 28...31s.4d....Oct. 24, 18G7 24s. 4d.... 7s. Od.
The extreme range of the price of Wheat has been a gradual
rise from 63s. 5d. per quarter ou the 8th of October, 1867, to
74s. 7d. on the 12th of May last, when it attained its highest
price, and has smee fallen to 53s. 7d. on the 28th of Septem-
ber, its lowest price during the year,

Charles M'Cabe,
Secretary University Life Assurance Society.

24, Suffolk-street, PaU Mall.

On this letter Mr. Montague Marriott, Editor of WllUch's
Tithe Commutation Tables, comments as follows in the limes :
"Your impression contains a letter purporting to give the ave-
rage prices of British corn for the 52 weeks end^ig the 28th
of September, 1868, as follows: Wheat, 6/s. 9d ; Barley,
41s Ud • Oats, 27s. 6^d. The real figures are : \Vheat, 67s.
9d • Bailey, 41s. lOJd. ; Oats, 27s. 6id. This may appear a
very trifling matter, but it would make a ditference ot about
17s. 6J d. on every £100 of corn rent calculated on the annual
averages of Michaelmas, 1S68."

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

385

THE PRODUCTION OF MILK IN FRANCE.

The small-cotter system and the sub-division of labour
in Finance, coupled with the enormous demand for milk,
butter, cheese, and eggs, lead to a production which rivals in
extent that of Great Britain ; and for some of these articles
we are largely dependent on our continental neighbours.
The production of milk in France is very considerable,
the number of cows amounting to more than five millions.
The departments of Calvados, Orne, La Manche, Seine
Inferieure, Loiret, Nord, and the Vosges, are those which
supply the largest quantity of milk. For Paris alone the
consumption is set down at about 500,000 litres (of IJ
pints). Milk is sold at from Id. to 4d. a litre, according
to the localities and quality. From 25 to 30 per cent,
of water is often added ; but the alleged frauds are, we be-
lieve, exaggerated, and the authorities use strong means
to ensure the milk being sold pure, although doubtless
the cream is often separated.

The railways have given great facilities for the transport
of milk fx'om the departments. On the Paris and Lyons
line the rates are fixed at 1 g^ to 2i cents (an average of ^d.)
per litre for the entire distance. This includes the return
of the tins, or earthenware vessels employed for the milk,
"which contain usually about 20 litres. Milk is brought
to Paris by the railways from a radius of more than
100 kilometres (of five furlongs) : indeed, by the
Eastern railway it is brought even from a distance of
190 kilometres (nearly 120 miles). About 350,000 litres
are thus brought daily into Paris, exclusive of that from
cows kept within the city or the suburbs. The milk from
the country places is despatched at night, and arrives at
the metropolitan stations about two in the morning. It
is then carted and distributed over different localities so
as to supply the whole of the city by six in the morning.
It is bought wholesale from the farmer at an average
price of about Id. the litre, and is sold, after transport,
at Ifd. to the contractors, while the retailers vend it,
usually, at 2d. to 3id.

The production of milk from cows necessarily varies
according to the breed, food, and other conditions. For
instance : M. Fievet, of the farm of Masny, in the north
of France, who obtained the prize of honour for the de-
partment Du Nord, in 1863, gives, as the result of
his experience, seven litres of milk obtained daily per
head all the year round, from Flemish cows. The average
yield of milk, however, varies considerably both in quan-
tity and quality. From four cows fed in the same manner
he obtained, in seven days, the following results :

Litres
milk.

Kilogrammes
butter.

Milk
daily.

Butter from 100
litres of milk.

139

122
127
125

7.5
5.0
4.9
3.9

19.8
17.5
18.1
17.8

5.5
4.1
3.8
3.1

From time immemorial the fruiterers have been in the
habit of selling, in Paris, cream, cheese, butter, and eggs ;
but owing to the immense growth of the consumption in
the city, the sale of these articles has reached a sufficient
magnitude to form a special branch of industry. The
greater part of the wholesale butter and cheese merchants
are centred around the great markets, and have princi-
pally for customers the pastry-cooks, the restaurateurs,
and the trades which require eggs for albumen. The
milk and cheese-retailers, on the contrary, are scattered

over the city, selling especially eggs, milk, butter, and
new, or soft cheese. The others sell cheese fi'om various
departments and countries. There is only one kind of
cheese made in Paris itself, called Swiss. These little
cheeses require to be sold immediately, as they will not
keep, and are therefore made in the localities where they
are sold. In 1860 there were nearly 1,000 persons
engaged in selling dairy-produce in Paris. The annual
consumption of cheese in Paris is about 5,500 tons, and
the exports amount to nearly as much. It would not be
far from the truth to state that, for the whole of France,
the consumption exceeds 100,000 tons.

The manufacture is principally carried on in the de-
partments of xYveyron, Seine-lnferieure, Calvados, Loiret,
Marne, Seine-et-Oise, Creuse, Cantal, and Vosges. The
conditions of the manufacture differ according to the cha-
racter of the cheese to be made. Thus Roquefort is
made with sheep's milk, in specially-constructed cellars,
at a constant temperature of about 53*^ Fahrenheit;
Neufchatel cheese is prepared with cows' milk and cream ;
Camenfort with milk skimmed slightly, and with par-
ticular care ; that of Brie is obtained in the form of a
soft paste, and in the manufacture of double cream-
cheese rich cream alone is employed. The Roquefort
cellars deliver annually to the trade 2,750 tons ; the
sale of Camenfort cheese amounts to £20,000 ; and the
quantity of Brie cheese sold annually in Paris represents
a sum of £60,000. The dry cheeses most consumed in
Paris are Gruyere, Roquefort, Auvergue, Septmoncel, and
Sassenage. The foreign cheeses are Dutch, Parmesan, and
Chester.

The consumption of cheese progresses gradually with
the population. The ordinary prices, per 100 kilo-
grammes, are, for Gruyere, 125 to 150 francs ; Roque-
fort, 250 to 350 francs ; Septmoncel, 250 to 260 francs ;
Auvergne, 100 francs; Dutch cheese, 130 to 180 francs;
Parmesan and Chester, 260 francs. The Octroi duty for
dry cheese is 9|- francs the 100 kilogrammes.

The Roquefort cheeses are made in the department of
Aveyron, and are bought all the year round ; but principally
in the months of March, April, and May at the local fairs,
by the proprietors of the celebrated Roquefort caves. The
weight of the cheeses fresh are 3 to 4 kilogrammes (Bibs.)
Roquefort is situated in one of the gorges of Larzac, and
the cellars are established in the crevices and immense
galleries of the rocks, where great currents of air of a
cold temperature circulate. The cheeses are conveyed
on the backs of mules, classed, salted, manipulated, and
pressed, and they are fit for delivery at the end of summer.
There are about 400,000 sheep in the vicinity of Roque-
fort, of which 250,000 are milch ewes, kept for their
milk, and the production in cheese in 1866 reached
nearly 7,000,000 pounds.

There are three qualities, or classifications, between
which there is a ditterence in price of l^d. to 2d. per
kilogramme. The first new cheeses are sold about the .
end of August, at 120 to 130 francs the 100 kilogrammes,
and the cheese longer kept, at the end of September at
200 to 225 francs. The first are sent off in baskets con-
taining four cheeses each.

The cheeses of Septmoncel or of Moussieres, villages
situate at a high latitude in the Jura, where the tem-
perature is also cold, are made with a mixture of cows'
milk and goats' milk. This cheese resembles Roque-

386

THE TAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

fort, but is considered finer, and is made in shape
like Gruyere, each weighing 8 to 10 kilogrammes : it is
sometimes called Gex cheese. The cheese of Auvergne,
or Cantal, is in cylindrical shapes of 35 to 50 kilogrammes.
The first cheeses are delivered in the spring, abont the
time when the cows ascend the mountain : the second,
more esteemed, are made in May. Sassenage cheese is
wade with a mixture of cows', sheep's, and goats' mUk,

in the environs of the small town from whence it takes
its name, not far from Grenoble. It is in shapes of
3 to 4 kilogrammes. The soft fresh cheeses give rise to
an enormous commerce. The kinds principally sold are
Brie and Moutlhery ; these are sold by the dozen, or by
the hundred. The most esteemed Brie is that of Coulom-
miers. The weight of ten Montlhery cheeses is 12^ kilo-
grawmeSj^wliile those of Brie are double that weight.

THE CHESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MEETING AT CBEWE.

The cheese was thoroughly worthy of the Cheshire society,
though the remark is better applicaljle to the first or champion
class than the rest. This contained no fewer than 21 entries,
and about 20 lots were brought to the stand, all being at least
of excellent average make. Last year Mr. Gibbons competed
with some Cheddar, but this year, though he entered, he sent
nothing, and all exhibited was of Cheshire make. It was not,
however, all of one colour. The salmon tint witli which eaters
of Cheshire cheese are familiar is going out of fashion in some
localities — Manchester, for example, where the uucoloured is
being substituted. There were only a few samples of Avhite
put on the board on Wednesday, but two of these took the
first and second prizes respectively. Whether this was to any
extent caused by the fact that one of the judges was a Man-
chester man, we will not pretend to say. One thing, however,
is certain, that of the two the uncoloured cheese is cloarly
the least adulterated ; and all the makers tasting Mr. Pres
cott's first-prize cheese agreed in praising its quality. It had
some peculiarities about it. We are told that it was but six
weeks old — certainly a very remarkable fact, indicating in it-
self the changes of fashion in cheesemaking. A very fresh
taste was the consequence, leading the majority of people to
think it would be better if kept somewhat longer. Mrs. Pres-
cott stated, in answer to an inquiry, that the rennet was applied
at a temperature of 90 deg. — rather higher than the average.
Mr. Prescott has not competed before. The second prize-
taker, Mr. William Beckett, of Winsford, has been an exhi-
bitor previously, though not of late years. He also took the
second prize in the next class — that for new cheese of smaller
make, which was not by any means so weU filled as the first.
The classes for cheese not made on the Sunday showed about
the average entries. The butter exhibited was not very con-
siderable in amount, and the makes ditTered a good deal. Tlie
dairy of Mr. S. Davies, of Eardswick Hall, took the first prize.

In the horned stock class the bulls made a creditable ap-
pearance, eight out of ten entered in the chief section being
exhibited. The chief prize-taker, wliich belonged to Mr. G.
WUlis, of Ridley Hall, was a nice compact white animal, very
well built and of moderate size. The second nearly of the same
age and not dissimilar in figure ; though the bull more nearly
resembling Mr. Wilhs' was " Eehx," belonging to Mr. Bur-
gess, of Burleydam, a larger but not quite so neat an animal,
which was highly commended by the judges. Several good
yearling bidls and a number of bull calves were shown both by
proprietors and tenant farmers. The dairy cow classes were
rather meagre, and neither here nor among the heifers and
stirks were there any very remarkable specimens. A complaint
was jmade that whereas a year or two ago the tenant farmers
were dissatisfied with the landed proprietors taking off all the
best prizes, and the awards had been since divided with a view
to prevent such an unequal rivalry, some tenants were now
■entering in the landowners' classes where they found them to
be vacant, and so appropriating awards which did not belong
to them.

The show of horses was more than an average one, and
many competent to pronounce an authoritative opinion said
they had not seen it equalled before in Cheshire. Tliere was
not only a good number of entries in each class, but the
ammals were for the most part sound, and those for agricul-
tural purposes of a high order of merit. Mr. Leather, the
well-known breeder of entire horses, distanced all his eom-
peWer? with I^Tom payers, '^ a celebrated cart^- staUion,

and the cynosure of all farmers at county shows ; while
" Prince," the second horse, and " Young Conqueror," the
latter shown by Mr. W. Phillips, Northgate-street, were worthy
of their handsome sire. The prize for the best pair of carters
was not, as some seemed to expect it would be, borne off by
the Stonetrougli Colliery Company, but by two powerful ani-
mals, the one 17 hands, and the other 16 hands 2 inches, the pro-
perty of Mr. Bourue, of Goldsmith House. In the roadster
class, however, the Company stood out prominently with
" Yankee," a fine brown mare with some excellent points.
Mr. Gibbs' " Fanny," the second mare, was no mean opponent,
and some judges would have preferred her. As far as
we could see, the competition in a similar class for agricul-
tural purposes was keen, and Mr. T. Lowe, of Calveley Hall,
challenged Mr. Leather for the first so successfully, that only
a careful judgment decided in favour of the eminent breeder.
Among tiie hunter classes Mr. Barton's " Claret," a brood
mare, which has won at the Southport, Birkenhead, and Man-
chester shows, got the first prize, with a close run against one
or two tolerably good aged mares, and mares with foals. The
great attraction of the day, so far as the general public were
concerned, was the judging of the hunters, which took place
in the enclosure on the western side of the goods station,
within the show yard. Mr. Gibbs's " Alonzo" and Mr. Sutton's
" Ranger" were ultimately alone in the competition, the former
horse taking the fli'st prize.

The sheep were as a rule good, and tolerably numerous.
There was a considerable range of entries in the loug-wooUed
classes, but these were exceeded by the short-woolled, the quality
of which, too, was very fine. The short-woolled rams were in
specially good condition, and here two w'eU-known breeders,
Mr. Burnham, of Spital, and Mr. Jones, of Agden, took ofl'
the first and second prizes in both classes, though several others
were highly commended by the judges.

The entries of pigs were not numerous, but the breeds were
fair, and where there was no competition, in one or two in-
stances, a prize was deservedly given. Earl Grosvenor and Mr.
Davies, of Eardswick, showed some animals of much merit,
and the white breed of the labourers and cottagers' classes
were well fed.

At the Dinner Mr. John Tollemache, M.P., said he would
say a few words \ritli respect to the cattle-plague. Last session
a bill was brought in referring to this subject, and Govern-
ment, in his opinion mifortimately and unwisely, withdrew
that biU, owing to its being opposed by a somewhat unscru-
pulous opposition. Much as he regretted the withdrawal of
that bUl, believing it would have given them some additional
security, stUl he acknowledged he was under Uttle or no
apprehension as to another formidable outbreak of cattle-
plague in this country. And for this reason : he believed
the country was so fully aHve to the fearfid character of
Ihat disease, that if ever it made its appearance in our ports
again, it woidd be stamped out before it reached Cheshire,
as it woidd have been before had it not been for the supine-
ness of Government. When the late Act was passed, it was
too late for Cheshire, for then hundreds of thousands of our
cattle were dying, and the whole atmosphere was loaded with
poison. Some cattle, however, were then recovering, and did
recover, instead of being slaughtered as they woidd have been
had the Act been rigidly carried out. Thank God we were
now free from the cattle-plague in Chesliire ; and he must say
he agreed with s, great deal of what had been said

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

887

respecting the conduct of the farmers under the inflic-
tion. It was impossible for landlords to reflect on the manly
and heconiing way in which the farmers of tliis county, under
the most crusMug losses, met that heavy dispensation of Pro-
vidence, and the spirit and energy with wliich they contended
with overwhelming difficulties in renewing their stocks, for
afterwards carrying on agricultural operations — it was impos-
sible, he said, to reflect on this conduct without feeling the
greatest admiration for it, and the greatest pride in having
such men fur their tenants. With regard to his own estate,
which sutfered not more but as much as any in this county,
such had been the energy and spirit of his tenants that lie
believed he should not lose a single tenant as a result of the
plague, fearful as its ravages liad been. But though we were
free from cattle-plague, we were not free from its conse-
quences. A large sum of money, borrowed from Government
on the most reasonable terms that the House of Commons
would assent to (and he had had a great deal of communica-
tion with the Government on the subject), had been paid to
the county as compensation, though he was sorry to say had
not been paid to all who liad lost their cattle. Now after
that large sum of money had been borrowed, the ratepayers of
Cheshire — notwithstanding the exertions to throw it upon the
consolidated fund, and so make it a national rate — were an-
swerable for rejjayment ; and he could not but think that the
ratepayers of Cliosliire, who were consumers of l)eef, cheese,
and butter, and had enjoyed for so many years the advantages
of that valuable property the Weaver trust — a property given
by certain landed proprietors to the county itself — should
share in thi's burden. They must recollect tlmt some of the
farmers had lost nearly the whole of their stocks previous to
the passing of the Stamping-out A.ct, and tlierefore could not
receive any compensation whatever ; and to compel men who
had sustained such losses to contribute to others whose losses
might have been less, would be a most cruel hardship
and injustice. There was a clause in the Act of Par-
liament which, he believed, it was the intention of the
legislature should give powers to the magistrates to relieve
such cases ; and he did hope and trust that the magistrates of
this comity, if they possessed such a power, would exercise it.
He believed tlie unexpected and providential discovery of gold
had increased so enormously the wealth and consuming powers
of this and foreign countries, and raised so enormously the
price of labour here and abroad, thus enhancing materially
the cost of production, as to leave the agriculture of this
country very little to fear from foreign competition. He
knew that was the opinion of farmers in Suffolk, partly, as he
had said, owing to the great increase in the wealth and there-
fore consumption of tliis country, but great also to the extra-
ordinary rise in prices abroad. Whenever corn had risen to a
liigli price, it had always been followed by a check in impor-
tation. But let them look at the importation of cheese. That
had gone on increasing with hardly a fluctuation. The year
before last it exceeded 800,000 cwt. ; last year it was upwards
of 900,000, and he had no doubt that this year it would exceed
1,000,000 cwt. Tliis showed, as far as the staple of Cheshire
was concerned, that we were exposed to a very formidable
competition, which competition he believed would increase in
intensity, unless they did two things ; one, to improve the
quality, not of our best dairies, for that was impossible, but
of the bulk of Cheshire cheese ; and secondly, to reduce the
cost of production of that cheese. If we could accomplish
these things, we should soon find that we should have no
reason to fear the foreign farmer as regarded cheese. When
lie (Mr. Tollemache) was in the Channel Islands a few mouths
ago, he went into a cheese-merchant's warehouse and asked
him to show hira some Ckeshire cheese. He replied that he
had not a pound of Cheshire cheese in his warehouse, nor had
had for several years, thougli he supplied most of the Channel
Islands with cheese, and also the neighbouring coast of France.
He added, that prime Cheshire sold at a price too high for his
customers ; and as for second class, he found they preferred
Cheddar and foreign cheese. There was no cheese varied so
much in quality as Cheshire. As regarded cheese, therefore,
he could not but think there was great room for improvement.
It had struck him that it was madness for those who could not
acquire the knack of making first-class Cheshire cheese to go
on attempting to make that description at all ; for, although
he was not a practical farmer, he had interested himself so much
ia agricvitural matters as to know thivt to make Cheshire

cheese in perfection required a knack which many could not
acquire. As regarded Cheddar, it was made more according to
rules; and any careful dairywoman who would strictly follow
those rules was almost certain to succeed. The way to reduce
the cost of production was to increase the produce of the land,
and of that he believed we could do a great deal in Cheshire.
As regarded his own estate, he was confident the produce of the
land might be enormously increased, while labour might be
economised both directly and by making the dairy arrange-
ments as perfect as possible. It was necessary, in his opinion,
that the landlords should work with the tenants in increasing
the production of the land ; and if the tenants had not the
capital to bone and drain the land, he could not but believe
that the landlords would do and should do so. If the land-
lords would do this, and the farmhouses were made as efficient
as possible, the least the dairymaids who made a second class
of tlie cheese could do was to make cheese of a superior
quality by adopting some different plan. He believed that the
Cheshire farmers aud their wives could and would improve the
quality of the cheese, that the landlords of Cheshire were
working with tlieir tenants to reduce the cost of its production ;
and if they did so, they would be enabled to compete success-
fully with foreign farmers in cheese as they did with us ia
corn.

Lord Binning (the Chairman) said he was afraid he could
hardly congratulate them as agriculturists on having had a
very successful or prosperous season. He was aware that in
some places the wheat crop liad been a geod one, perhaps
above the average, and good in quality ; whereas the oats and
barley had been sadly deficient, and the bulbous crops, the tur-
nips especially, had been nearly an entire failure. It might
be said the failure or partial failure of the corn crops was not
a thing that could seriously affect the prosperity of a county
like Cheshire, which was purely a pasturage district ; but they
must look at this from a wider point of view. When they
realised the effects of an indifferent harvest upon our national
resources, wheu they remembered that in some years ten,
twenty, or thirty millions of money left this country for the
purpose of buying sustenance for their countrymen, then they
could not but fail to see that the question of a good or a bad
harvest was one that materially affected every county and every
part of the country. But though he could not cougratulate
them upon the whole, he would say that even supposing
Cheshire was a county not very materially affected by an in-
different harvest, still, looking at Cheshire as a purely dairy
district, the season had not been so prosperous as it might
have been. Tlie hay crop had been very deficient, aud in
many dairies the size of the cheese produced had been sadly
diminished by the extraordinary aud protracted drought.
Though therefore he could not congratulate them upon having,
had in all respects a successful season, he must congratulate
them upon that which after aU was a more important subject
now, the success of that day's show. He thought that in
every department of tlie show, so far as he was a judge, ani-
mals were shown which might have reflected credit on any
county show. He had not lieen long enough in tliis county
to mark the gradual advance of agricultural science ; but he
had known it long enough to see that in various departments
of agriculture the Cheshire farmer was not standing stiU.
He had seen enough to convince him that farmers were drain-
ing their land, and employing phosphates and bone manures
to restore to the soil tliose soluble components of which the
growth of cereals and other crops deprived it. They were
applying, if he might so speak, more of the mechanism of
agriculture — implements and machinery were coming into
vogue, whereby the work on fiirms would be cheaper and
better done, the drudgery of the farm labourer superseded or
done away with, aud time, so valuable to us in this uncertain
climate, economised and saved. Another subject upon which
lie would like to say a few words, was the estabUshment of
a Chamber of Agriculture for Chesliire. It seemed ahnost
strange that so important an interest as that of agriculture
should have so long been left in these parts without a repre-
sentative body ; for there was hardly any other interest
hardly any trade or manufacture, that had not its association
to watch over its interests. Now, it seemed to him that there
had been a certain want of union among farmers. " Union
is strength," as they all knew ; and though the want of union
might be attributable to grievances in times gone by, let the
Cheshire farmers now unite, aud let this association he well

D » j3

388

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

backed up by the tenantry of the district, and there was not
the slightest doubt in his mind that the combined action of
Chambers of Agriculture would do much in protecting the
interests of this class of industry. He had no doubt but that
they would do much in removing those evils and remedying
those abuses of which farmers had complained, and perhaps
not without ground, in times gone by. And he believed that
the united voices of such Chambers of Agriculture would do
much in opposing those bills brought before the Houses of
Parliament which they might think to be injurious to their
interests, and, on the other hand, in promoting those which
they believed to be for their own welfare. He sincerely hoped
therefore that the institution to which he alluded would be
not only well-regulated, hut that it would meet with the
support of the farmers of the district and the county.
At a local meeting in Cheshire he addressed a few words to
those present on the subject of leases, and not very long after-
wards a Cheshire landlord remarked to his brother that it was
a great pity he had touched upon it, and that he had much
better have left it alone. He did not advocate tlie substitution
of leases for the present conditions on wliich farms were let.
What he did say was that where there were large farms with
4he greater proportion of them arable land, we looked upon
leases as almost a sine qua non. He had lived upon one of
the best-cultivated districts in Great Britain, the Lothians of
Scotland, and he had known a tenant of his father's lay out
£2,000 in one year upon his land, and the Duke of Argyll
said that in the course of 30 years of one tenant's lease the
tenant had laid out £9,000. Now they knew the character
of Scotchmen. A canny Scot was too cautious to invest
£2,000 in one year, or £9,000 in thirty years, unless he had
someguarantee for that which was laid out on his landlord'sland.
He (Lord Binning) made the remark, and would now repeat it,
that he looked upon leases as simply a commercial monetary
transaction, for whicli a man received security for the capital
to be expended. He did not on the occasion to which he re-
ferred, nor did he now, say that he would prefer to see the
system introduced into Cheshire to that which now existed.
You could lay down no regular conditions under which land
should be held or let. He believed the yearly system had
hitherto worked well — at all events up to now ; and there
were in that society with which he had the honour to be con-
nected, many men whose fathers and grandfathers had farmed
the land on which they were now, until they had come to look
upon it almost as their own, and long might they remain upon
it. But one thing was necessary — there must be the most per-
fect understanding and mutual confidence between landlord and
tenant, and if they were to be committed to an agreement, the
best one was that which ensured the interests of both ; and so
far as he had seen, that confidence did exist between the Che-
• shire farmers and their landlords. Long might it exist, and,
in the words of Vivian, he would say ;

" Trust me all in all, or not at all;
Unfaith in aught is want of faith in all."
He could only say that to the 'owners of the larger farms of
arable land he would give a lease under this belief, that if a
man could not be trusted with it, he could not be trusted with
a large farm.

Mr. R. Button was convinced that the pollution of the
streams and rivers of the country by the sewage of towns was
spreading disease and death among their stock and people, and
there was no question, however much they might talk about
it, that they must bring to bear upon those parties who were
causing the nuisance the provisions of the Nuisance Removal
Act, in the most stringent manner. The streams in this district,
through the filth and abominable nuisances poured into them
from this town of Crewe, were poisoning the cattle and
spreading disease and death among the agricultural population,
and if he were the owner or occupier of land through which
streams so polluted ran, he would stand up in the face of the
opposition of any local board and say that they must keep it
where they liked, but they had no right to send it into streams
to pollute them. He was glad to fiind, talking to a gentleman
that day, that it was in contemplation to obtain an injunction
to prohibit the Crewe local board from sending sewage into the
streams, carrying disease and death wherever it went. The
streams in many directions were but narrow, became
blocked up, the fish were killed, and they had the assurance of
more than one occupier in the neighbourhood that the water
could not be used even for washing purposes without serious
prejudice to healtli. He talked to one living a short distance
from a stream, who said, that during the dry weather, they had
to carry every drop of water far from beyond the place where
they were accustomed to get it, because that was so polluted.
The law was decidedly in their favour, and it was the bounden
duty of Crewe, Nantwich, and every large centre of population,
to utilize its own sewage, or put it into some form that it might
be of practical service ; and that could not be done with profit,
the nuisance must be suppressed by those creating the nui-
sance.

Mr. R. Barbour's own impression was, that if the Cheshire
farmers would only make cheese of good quality, tliey would
have nothing to fear from America or other countries, but an
improvement was required upou the cheese we had lately had,
and he was happy to find that there was a general desire on
the part of farmers with whom he had conversed, to improve
tlie general quality of cheese. If there could be some institu-
tion for the training of dairymaids, he thought it would be
the means of improving the mode of manufacture. The in-
ferior cheese he believed came chiefly from the small farms ;
and there was a tendency at the present time, and he thought
it desirable if landlord could do it, to extend rather than di-
minish the farms of Cheshire.

AGRICULTURAL AUTHORITIES IN ESSEX.

At the dinner of the Braxted Labourers' Friend Society,
Mr. Mechi was almost going to say that Othello's occupation
was gone, because, since twenty-five years ago, when he drained
his land, put up covered yards, fixed a steam engine, and did a
great many other insane acts — as they were at that lime stated
to be — a great change had somehow or other come over the
scene, and he was gratified at being able to say that many
things for which he was then condemned had become every-
day necessities in agriculture. The other day, thanks to the
hedges being down, he saw two steam cultivators at work from
his dining-room window, and altogether there seemed to be a
disposition to throw overboard the old prejudices, and look at
things as a matter of practical profit, and of doing what was
right. Mr. Round, like a great many other well-intentioned
gentlemen and farmers, was apt to say, " We are much obliged
to Mr. Mechi for his exertions," although, of course, everyone
doubted whether they were profitable. Now the whole question
of agricultural improvement was profit : anything that was
done in agriculture, any change that was made, that did not
place the farmer in a better position than he was before, and

did not give him an increased profit, could not be right.
It would not do, therefore, to trifle with the question. Things
that were done were either right or not — things, he meant,
tested by business principles, which meant a profit on the trans-
action. It was his fate never to be satisfied with things quite
as they were — he always inquired whether further changes could
not be made ; and he would tell the young men present that before
they were 66, and as old as he was, that the changes that would
take place between now and that time in agricultural opera-
tions would be as surprising as they were great, and at which
they, of the older school, if they could re-appear at that time,
would be greatly astonished. Both, with regard to landlord
and tenant, agriculture, at the present time, was not free.
Landlords and landowners had not yet learned the question of
making agriculture a commercial transaction, not from any evil
disposition, for, he believed, they had as fine a set of landowners
in this kingdom as could be found anywhere ; but because they
were, like themselves, creatures of custom only gradually
emereing from the feudal, or a sort of Paterfamihas system.
The time, however, would come wheu the landowners of this

THE FAKMEE'S MAGAZINE.

389

country would treat their laud pretty much as they did in
towns and cities. In towns and cities the owuer of a cabbage-
garden adjoining houses did not object to part with it for a
consideration, granting leases of it for 80 years, on con-
dition that buildings should be erected upon it, and in-
creased value be given to the property. Concurrently with
this they derived a present increased benefit, and in the future
a very increased benefit for those would succeed them. In the
like manner, landlords, if they could have men of large capi-
tal and indepent means to farm their land aud to improve it,
would not object to part with it for a given period, perhaps a
long time, on certain conditions to those having the means
and disposed to invest it in order to obtain an ultimate largely-
increased revenue. Without, however, security of tenure,
proper valuation, and so on, they would not be able to get men
of capital to invest their money. Everywhere he went he
found men with plenty of money disposed to invest it in the
soil, but their condition was that they must have it for a given
time, and a right to part with it ; and he would go so far as to
say th.it the time would come when a man would be by no means
tied to his lease, tliat was to say, that if he did not find it an-
swer he would give it up. They must, in fact, do in the
country what they did in towns, they must let the tenant have
the power of selling his lease and his interest in it. This be
knew was very tender ground ; but no man in a city would
take the lease of a property to be obliged to say that if cir-
cumstances prevented his continuing in it to his own interest
he must throw it up to his landlord with the benefit of it. Such
a thing would not be tolerated in a town. London was becoming
rebuilt, simply because those who had the property for a time
knew that it was secure in their hands, and that they had power
to transfer it if they thought proper. Then, again, his ideas,
as to the amount of capital required in farming were very
diff'erent to those that generally existed. They used to hear
that £10 an acre was sufficient capital to be able to farm profit-
ably, but he believed that the time would come, and that
shortly, when nothing less than £20 per acre would be con-
sidered sufficient (A Voice : " It has come.") At tlie present
time not enough stock was kept upon the farms, and he was now
speaking of the profitable part of farming. The profit of his
farm depended very much upon his keeping and feediug ani-
mals with something that did not grow upon his farm. Un-
less he invested £6 an acre on live stock, and that was not
enough, he found that he could not obtain those large crops
of corn which were so much required in this country. In the
future the question of making a large amount of meat with
purchased food would be concurrent with growing large crops
of corn. There were other tilings, too, upon which he and
his Essex friends differed, and principally with regard to drain-
ing on stifi^ soils. If there was a weakness in his Essex friends
it was that they would not believe it was to their interest that
the strong loams round the coast, which this year had produced
such large crops, should be drained. That was a very serious
and unprofitable mistake. Mr. Mechi exemplified his argo-
ment by the present season, and went on to say that agricul-
ture was even now but in a transition state. If they wished
to know whether his farm had been profitable he could tell
them that it had. There was somethiug humihating in farmers
wanting to persuade their landlords that they were always
losing. Nobody believed it. Every one had a right to live
by liis business, and if they could not they must go out of it
and let it pass into the hands of some one else. He believed
that the landowners were proud to see men making money.
Some, no doubt, took advantage, as owners of property did in
towns, but take the majority of landowners he believed that
their estates were really underlet, and that if a valuer were
called in to apportion the proper value the rents of the tenants
would be increased. These landowners, however, men of high
dignity and sentiment, had great confidence in their tenants
and wished every one to hve, but he did dislike to hear people
find fault with him and asserting that he was opening the eyes
of the landlord. He was opening the eyes of the farmer to
be a more business man — to take less land and to put more
money on to a smaller space. It was one of the greatest
weaknesses this extension of land and diminution of capital,
aud what he would say was, " Increase your acreable capi-
tal, and you will make more interest by it than if you
spread it over a large surface." (Applause and disapproba-
tion).
Several gentlemeu desired to question Mr. Mechi upon his as-

sertions, as well as also upon the statements of his papers as
to his outlay upon his farm and the interest he derived from it.

Mr. Mechi said tliey had in their hands his last two balance-
sheets containing all the facts that they asked for. Last year,
which was a good year for the farmer, he paid 40s. rental per
acre to his landlord (himself), and made 18 per cent, upon the
capital invested. If he could have put more capital into the
land the profit would have been larger. Surely they did not
object to his making a good profit ; they ought rather to be
pleased ("Truth"), and to follow the example he had set them.

Mr. Blood hoped the farming discussion (which was be-
ginning to run somewhat high) would not proceed further, but
lie might perhaps be allowed to state his own experience. He
once farmed 60 acres of land of his own, paid no rent, lost
£200 by the transaction, spoilt a good bailiff, and he wasn't
sure that he did anybody good (much laughter).

Colonel Brise would remind Mr. Mechi that it was not
always that the landlords were so short-sighted as not to know
their own interests, and it was a remarkable fact which they might
have read of and experienced that gentlemen engaged in ma-
nufoctures, however long-sighted they might be, when they had
made their fortunes were invariably converted into short-sighted
landlords (much laughter) . There was, however, one subject
upon which Mr. Mechi touched, to which he should wish briefly
to allude, in order to clear the atmosphere of the misapprehen-
sion Mr. Mechi seemed to have that it was the custom of the
landlords in this county, whenever a tenant had a lease of a
farm and wished to give it up, and get out of the farm, that lie
was prevented from doing so, and compelled to continue in it,
whether he had sufliciency of capital or not. Now he (Colonel
Brise) knew something of the farming of this county, and he
had never in his life heard of such an instance : he never knew
a landlord who refused to permit his tenant to give up his lease
or to make any profit of it if he was able to do so, the only con-
dition imposed being that he should place in the farm a respect-
able, weU-con ducted, able agriculturist, with sufficient capital
to carry on the business. He felt that he must not occupy
their time longer, and he will not therefore go into the old
question of draining, upon which he had often had an argu-
ment with Mr. Mechi. They understood draining their soils
in their county as well as any occupier in any other part of the
world, and they had done so, he maintained, for the last 50
years or more.

Mr. Haxl said : As to Mr. Mechi's theory of drainage, he
said he farmed 600 acres of tenacious loam, and he would
defy Mr. Mechi or anyone else to say that drainage was a be-
nefit to it. He had tried acre by side of acre and could never
see the dificrence. The explanation of this was that loams
would hold a certain amount of water. He admitted that Mr.
Mechi grew good crops, but his neighbours grew as good, and
he himself would farm against Mr. Mechi for what he liked at
the same expense.

STRAY GRAINS FOR CHICKENS— Feed your poul-
try ou raw onions chopped fine, mixed with other food, about
twice a week. It is better than a dozen cures for chicken
cholera. Fowls exposed to dampness are apt to be troubled
with catarrh, which will run to croup, if not attended to.
Red pepper mixed with soft feed, fedseveral times a week, will
remove the cold. Pulverized charcoal, given occasionally, is a
preventive of putrid affections, to which fowls are very sub-
ject. Setting-hens can be cured by putting water in a vessel
to the depth of one inch, putting the hen into it, and cover-
ing the top of the vessel for about twenty-four hours. The
vessel should be deep enough to allow the fowl to stand up.
This is the best remedy I have ever tried. Pulverized chalk
administered with soft feed will cure diarrhcea. This disorder
is caused by want of variety in the food, or by too much
green food. Garlic fed once or twice a week is excellent for
colds.

THE LARDER OF A PROVIDENT FOX.— The Perth-
shire Journal gives an account of the unearthing of a large
litter of young foxes at Grandtully. The den contained thirty
white hares, twenty rabbits, eleven grouse, one curlew, one
plover, four lambs, one kid, three water-rats, and to crown aU
one mole ! More might be in the cairn, but all the above
were laid out and exposed to view, all more or less broken.

390

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CENTRAL CHAMBER 0¥ AGRICULTURE.
THE COMING ELECTIONS.

In accorilauce with a requisitiou a special meeting of the
Council of the Central Chamber of Agriculture was held
the last Tuesday in September, to select subjects for dis-
cussion by the Chambers ; to draw up a manifesto on questions
which have been or are likely to be before Parliament ; to dis-
cuss the policy to be recommended for the Chambers during
the Parliamentary elections, and for other purposes. The
chair was taken by Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., and there were about
thirty gentlemen present, including the representatives of some
of the local chambers.

At the commencement of the proceedings it was resolved, on
the motion of Mr. T. Chandler, seconded by Mr. Gardner,
"That the thanks of the Central Chamber be tendered to Mr.
Thomas WiEson and the Committee of the Leicestershire
Chamber of Agriculture for their able and zealous conduct of
the arrangements for tlie Leicester dinner."

It was also resolved tlmt tlie reports of the recent
Parliamentary Committee on the Malt-tax, of the Com-
mittee on County Financial Boards, and of the Com-
mittee on Local Taxation in 1850, be sent to all the local
chambers, and, furtlier, that a proposal of the Devon Chamber
to the effect that facilities should be afforded for members of
different chambers attending each other's meetings is worthy of
general adoption.

The Chairman, in adverting to the first notice on the
agenda paper, said, in the opinion of the business committee,
it was not desirable that tlic Central Chamber should meet
again until the Smitlifield week, on accomit of the elections
which were approaching.

On the motion of Mr. Cliandlcr, seconded by Mr. Forde, a
resolution in accordance with tliis view was agreed to.

It was also determined that the selection of subjects for dis-
cussion by the provincial chambers should be reserved for the
same occasion, and that those chambers should be requested to
forward subjects for 1869 to the Secretary previous to the
meeting in the Smitlifield week.

The Chairman said they had now come to tlie real business
of that meeting, viz., the consideration of an address or mani-
festo to be sent forth by the Central Chamber with reference to
the elections. Such an address had been prepared roughly by
the Secretary, and, with certain alterations, approved by the
business committee ; and it would now be read to the meeting.

The Secretary (Mr. J. A. Clarke) then read, with the excep-
tion of a slight verbal alteration hereafter referred to, as fol-
lows:

[The provmcial Chambers addressed were described by their
localities.]

Gentlemen, — ^Your atttention haa been invited to resolu-
tions which have been passed by this Council upon some of
the most important questions affecting agricultural interests ;
and the Council respectfully urge upon you the desirabihty of
giving the widest possible circulation to these resolutions — of
ascertaining, if practicable, the sentiments of every ParUamen-
tary candidate thereupon, and of endeavouring to secure the
election of representatives favourable to the views of the
Chambers.

I. SArETY-MARKETS EOR IMPORTED ANIMALS. — The Cen-
tral Chamber have repeatedly affirmed the principle that sepa-
rate seaport markets for the reception, sale, and slaughter of
imported animals, with the option of quarantine for store stock,
are indispensable, as being the only reasonable safeguard for
British herds and flocks against foreign diseases compatible
with the fullest supply of meat from both home and foreign
sources. The first annual meeting of the Central Chamber,
December 12th, 1866, passed a resolution to the effect that the
admission of foreign animals should be limited to certain ports
provided with separate markets, wherein forcign-meated ani-
mals should be slaughtered, and with quarantine-grounds in
which foreign store stock should be kept for 28 days before
being allowed to move inland. In June, 1867, the CoiincU

issued a form of petition praying for the immediate slaughter
or effectual quarantine of all imported animals at the ports of
landing without previous intermingling with home-bred ani-
mals ; this petition being very numerously signed by members
of nearly all the provmcial chambers, and presented to the
House of Commons. At a public meeting of members of the
chambers held at Bury St. Edmunds in July, 1807, resolutions
in favour of seaport slaughter, or effectual separation of foreign
from home-bred animals, were passed, and forwarded to mem-
bers of the House of Commons, with a circular requesting sup-
port for the proposal of a river-side market for the metropolis.
In Nov., 1867, the Council passed a resolution demanding
water-side markets for the sale and slaughter of imported
cattle, and urging the necessity for regulating the importation
of sheep. The second annual meeting, December 10th, 1867,
hailed with satisfaction the Government BiU for establisliiug
a separate market for the metropolis, but desired that the Bill
should include all foreign sheep and pigs as well as cattle, and
that the measure should apply to all other ports of landing.
In March, 1868, the Council declared their approval of amend-
ments for including foreign sheep in the foreign Market
Bill : they strenuously urged that the regulations for cattle
importation should be made general, that a period for the com-
pletion of the Metropolitan Market should be ilxed by the BiU,
and that the foreign market should be held on days different
from the Islington market-days. This resolution was embodied
ill petitions sent up to the House of Commons from every pro-
vincial chamber. The CouucU selected gentlemen who gave
evidence before the Select Committee on the BUI ; and by
petitions, by appeals to members of the House of Commons,
and other means of exerting the influence of the cliambers, the
Council strongly supported the JMctropolitan Foreign Cattle
Market BiU as a step towards the attainment of security for the
farmer's property in live stock without damage to the interests
of consumers.

II. Sanitary Regulation op the Home Trade tn
Animals. — Subsequently the benefits which resulted from the
regulation of fairs and markets, and internal traific, for the
prevention of cattle-plague, practieaUy demonstrated that by
such regulation, embodied in a statutory enactment, the ravages
of infectious and contagious diseases might be surprisingly re-
duced. At the first annual meeting of the Central Chamber,
in December, 1860, it was unanimously resolved that the fol-
lowing slioiUd be among the legal regulations of the general
cattle trade of the kingdom : 1. " The wilful exposure upon
any liighway, boat, or railway, or in any fair or market, of any
animal suilering from such contagious and infectious diseases as
rinderpest, pleuro-pneumonia, sheep-pox, scab, or glanders,
should be an offence punishable vrith fine or imprisonment,"
2. " Stringent regulations should be made with regard to the
expeditious transit and watering of animals conveyed on rail-
ways, and a thorough cleansing of all trucks, pens, and layers,
and the proper space and ventilation of the holes of cattle-
beats should be enforced by Govermnent inspection." 3.
" A more stringent inspection of aU dead meat should be en-
forced by Government."

III. Revision op Local Taxation.— The Central Cotm-
cil have supported measures for the assessment of property
hitherto not rated. In April, 1807, the CouncU declared their
opinion that the assessment for local taxation should be ex-
tended as far as possible to other property than that now rated,
this resolution foUowing a discussion upon the rating espe-
cially of woods, game, and metallic mines. The Coimcil have
also taken their stand against the present exemption from
poor-rate of incomes arising from personal property. And in
order to demonstrate the injustice of levying this and other
local burdens upon incomes of the yearly value of £94,000,000,
while incomes of the yearly value of £303,000,000 iiltogether
escape, the Council desire that a Parliamentary inquiry should
be made into the incidence of both local and imperial taxation
upon real and upon personal property. In May, 1868, the

THE FAEMEH'S MAGAZINE.

391

Council passed the following resolutions by a unammous vote :
1. " That the taxation now levied under the name of ' poor-
rate,' to the extent of nearly £10,000,000 annually, hears un-
fairly upon income arising from real property." 2. " That the
exemption from the rate of income arising from personal pro-
perty is unjust, and therefore requires the early and serious con-
sideration of Parliament." At a further meeting of members of
Chambers,held at Leicester in July, 18G8, the following resolu-
tions were carried : 1. " This meeting declares that the taxation
now levied by local rates bears unfairly upon income arising from
real property, and urges that income arising from other sources
ought to bear an equitable share of the poor-law charges and
other local burdens." 2. " Tliat a committee of the House of
Lords, in the year 1850, having decided that the relief of the
poor is a national object, towards which every description of
property ought to contribute, this meeting recommends the
Chambers of Agricultui'e to support by every means in their
power legislation for carrying this principle into effect." 3.
" That this meeting ciills upon the members of all Chambers
of Agriculture to support by every means in their power the
Parliamentary candidates who declare themselves in favour of
a revision of local taxation."

IV. County Pm.\iSiciAL Boards.— The Central Council
have passed resolutions to the ell'ect that rate-payers, by their
elected represent ativcs, should share iu the control of county-
rate expenditure, in the adoption of the Highway Act, and in
other matters aiFectint? their interests. The evidence of wit-
nesses selected by the Council will be found in the very satis-
factory report of the Select Committee of the House of Com-
mons on the County Pinancial Arrangements.

V. The Malt-tax.— In November, 1867, the Central
Council, after discussing what steps should be taken with re-
gard to the Malt-tax, resolved to use its best endeavours for
obtaining a repeal of the tax. Subsequently the Council
selected witnesses who gave valuable evidence before tlie House
of Commons' Select Committees, which reported in favour of
transferring the impost from the malt-house to the brewery.

On the Turnpike-Trust question the Central Council have
passed resolutions on several occasions to the effect that
turnpike trusts should be abolished simultaneously, that the
consolidated fund should aid in the liquidation of debts, and
that no settlement of the question can be satisfactory which is
based upon the exclusive rating of real property. On Rural
Education and the Employment of Women and Children in
Agriculture the Council have passed resolutions warmly sym-
pathising iu the efforts for the improved education of the
labouring classes, approving the exclusion from field labour of
children under nine years of age, but disapproving of compul-
sory attendance at school, and of charging the outlay for na-
tional education upou the rates. The above are the subjects
which have occupied the chief attention of the Central Council ;
but of course there arc others, such as '• A Government Depart-
ment for Agriculture," "The Over-preservation of Ground
Game," " A System of Compensation for Unexhausted Im-
provements," &c., requiring early and serious consideration.

The Chairman obsei-ved that, as what was embodied in the
address just read was, in fact, merely a repetition of wliat had
been agreed to by the chamber in the form of resolutions,
there would not, he apprehended, be any great difference of
opinion. It had not been thought desirable to enter into
minute details.

Mr. T. WiLLSON moved the adoption of the introductory
paragraph of the address, the remainder being reserved for
subsequent consideration.

Mr. J. RussoN (Worcestershire), in secondhig the motion,
said he thougjit an address of that kind was quite necessary at
the present time, wlien a general election was about to take
place. Hitherto the chambers of agriculture had beeu, com-
paratively speaking, unrepresented in Parliament, and, having
greatly increased of late in numbers and in influence, they
ought, in his opinion, to take some definite action in reference
to the elections (Hear, hear). He felt sure that he was
ffpeakiug in perfect accordance with the views of the local
chambers. In the Worcestershire Ciiamber, which he repre-
sented, so important was the question considered that it had
been discussed on two occasions ; but, in the absence of any
action on the part of the Central Chamber, and any combina-
tion among the provincial chambers, it was thought inexpedient
to take any positive step in the matter. If an address were
adopted by the Central Chamber, the provincial chambers

would be encouraged to act. In his opinion it was highly de-
sirable to test the opinions of the candidates, and that might
be done by means of a series of questions. He perceived that
the Sunderland Chamber did not desire to pledge candidates,
but merely asked questions, leaving the members of the Cham-
ber to form an opinion from the answers as to the fitness of
the candidate to represent them. A strong reason for pur-
suing such a course was to be found in the fact that so many
candidates at the present time put forth similar addresses ;
and what was contemplated would enable the members to
judge as to who were and who were not their friends. He
should, therefore, propose that a series of questions be added
to the address.

Mr. Abbs (Sunderland) said the first question prepared by
the Sunderland Chamber was, whether the candidate would
vote for county financial boards, on the principle that there
should be no taxation without representation ; secondly, whe-
ther he would vote for a revision of local taxation ; next, whe-
ther he would oppose centralisation ; then, whether he would
oppose compulsory education, and at the same time advocate
a measure for assisting voluntary local efforts out of tlie na-
tional funds. As regarded the relations of landlord and tenant,
the Chamber thought it desirable not to adopt the term
"tenant-right," but the milder phrase of " a revision of the
law of landlord and tenant." Some of the questions were
answered by Sir Hedworth Williamson, but that gentleman
omitted to reply to the question relating to local taxation ;
while another candidate, Mr. Elliott, returned such answers
that the Chamber thought it desirable to give him all the
assistance in its power. The Chamber which he represented
did not at all wish to become a political society, whether Tory
or Radical ; but as important measures were likely to be
brought forward iu the next Parhament, it was, they thought,
well to endeavour to ascertain what candidates were most likely
to support their views. They had endeavoured to keep as clear
as possible of what could be regarded as political or party
objects.

Mr. MooEE (Faringdon) said some of the questions which
had just been mentioned related to subjects on which the
Central Chamber had not yet pronounced any opinion (Hear,
hear). He quite concurred in the opinion which had
just been expressed that it was desirable for the Chambers to
endeavour to secure the election of gentlemen who were in
favour of measures which were likely to benefit agriculture.
They were, however, composed oi' men holding different
political opinions ; and although it wa^. i^ ('!f> proper that after
important subjects had been discussed iu the i;;.':il Chambers,
the resolutions passed should be submitted to members of
Parliament or candidates, care should be taken to prevent the
Chambers fi'om becoming political societies. What the
Chambers should do at the present time was, vrithout any
reference to party considerations, to work together to secure
measures which would benefit agriculture (Hear, hear).

Mr. H.G.Andrews (honorary-secretary of the Somersetshire
Chamber) said he felt that, as the Central Council of the local
Associations, they had an opportunity before the general
election of attempting to elicit from candidates, whether for
counties or for boroughs, what were their opinions on certain
questious, and thus judging whether or not it was desirable to
vote for them. He entirely approved of the address which had
been read, but it was his intention to propose as a rider to it
certain resolutions, of which he had sent a printed copy to
every member of the Central Council, and to the secretary of
every local Chamber. He would read thtt resolution and
questions which he had prepared for consideration: "That,
without attempting to pledge gentlemen who are candidates for
seats in Parliament,or to unduly interfere in elections, this Coun-
cil submits that the following questions may fairly be asked.
Local Chambers may add others at their own discretion, but
the important subjects to which these questions refer are before
Parliament and the country, and the poor-rate assessment
question underlies many others. Questions : — 1 : Are you
disposed to vote for a Toreign Cattle Market Bill well cal-
culated to prevent, as far as possible, the re^introductiou of the
cattle plague and other contagious diseases ? 2 : Subject to
such exemptions at the bottom of the scale of income as Par-
liament may determine, are you prepared to support a Bill for
the assessment of all income to a common fund for England
and Wales for the rehef of the poor, and for the other pur-
poses to which the money now raised by the poor-rate assess-

392

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

raent is applied, and thereby remove the unfair exemption of
income arising from personal property ? 3 : Will you support
a bill for county financial boards, in which the elective prin-
ciple and representation of the ratepayers is fairly adopted ?"
As regarded the second question — that relating to the relief of
the poor, &c. — it would be observed that it embraced a prac-
tical suggestion as to the mode in which the object might be
accomplished. On that subject he wished to elicit from can-
didates for a seat in Parliament a distinct answer as to their
views. He did not ask them to pledge themselves to support
that particular course; but as an elector, he wished, like
many other electors, to ascertain whether the opinions of gentle-
men who were candidates were strong enough to influence their
votes. In his opinion, and in the opinion, he believed, of al-
most every one who had carefully considered the subject, the
only means of effecting the object in view was the removal of
the exemption of personal property — in other words, the
adoption of the assessment under the Income-Tax in England
and Wales, leaving out Scotland and Ireland. It was not
enough for a candidate to say that lie would vote for an en-
quiry into the question ; he could only be tested satisfactorily
by the question whether he would vote for a particular mea-
sure. If that were the only way in which the object could
be effected, it was clear that if the candidate did not answer
in the affirmative he was against the object. AVhen a great
question was before the country, there must be no blinking ;
and if in this case there was only one remedy, the man who
said he had not made up his mind to vote for it must be re-
garded as an opponent. There had been propositions for en-
larging the area of rates, by taxing mines, woods, and game.
As regarded mines, everybody knew that there had been a
committee endeavouring for the last four years to find out
what would be the best mode of rating them, and he did not
think they had reported yet. The Chairman would correct
him if he were mistaken.

The Chairman observed that a report had been made.

Mr. Andrews continued : At all events the enquiry was
not concluded, and practically nothing had been done. If it
took four years to find out how to rate mines, how many years
would it require to ascertain how to rate woods and game ?
(Hear, hear). On the other hand, a rate based on the assess-
ment for income-tax levied throughout England and Wales,
would reach every man ; and the proposition was so simple,
that if a man said he could not understand it, that must be
because he was trying not to do so. Under schedule D, in-
comes were returned to the amount of £100,000,000 annually.
There were nearly 14',000 persons who returned incomes be-
tween £1,000 a-year and £50,000, and not one farthing did any
of those incomes pay to poor-rates. Surely such a question as
that was worthy of the serious consideration of Parliament.
His object in proposing the questions which he had read M'as
not that they should be placed before the local Chambers to
be adopted as they stood simply because they had been approved
there, but that they might be received as questions to be
amended or enlarged as might appear most desirable.

Mr. J. RussoN (Worcestershire), in seconding Mr. An-
drews's proposal, observed that its adoption would convince
candidates as well as the agricultural community, that farmers
were determined to unite together for their common interest,
and to urge their claims upon Parliament in a manner suited
to the vast stake which they had in the country.

The Chairman wished to say a word or two with regard
to the position of the question before the meeting. It had
been proposed and seconded that the first part of the address
should be adopted. Since then an amendment had been moved
that the address should be supplemented by a series of ques-
tions. Would it not be best first to deal with the address and
then with the questions ?

Mr. EoRD said, in the Warwickshire Chamber, which he
represented, it was unanimously resolved on the previous
Tuesday that it was desirable to proceed by way of questions.
The questions agreed upon were as follows: 1. Will you sup-
port a Foreign Cattle Market Bill, with proper provisions to
prevent, as far as possible, the reintroduction of the cattle
plague and other contagious diseases ? 2. Will you support a
bill for County Einancial Boards, in which the elective prin-
ciple and representation of the ratepayers are fairly adopted ?
3. Are you prepared to support a measure for the extension of
the area of rateability to the poor-rate ? 4. Are you prepared
to support a measure for placing those common charges over

which the giiardians of the poor have no control, upon the
Consolidated Eund ? 5. Are you in favour of a measure for
the revision of the licensing system, by which all beer and
spirit licences shall be placed under one controlling authority?
He agreed with preceding speakers that agriculturists had
now a grand opportunity of exercising an influence over those
who desired to become their representatives, and he did not
think there could be anything wrong in that influence being
used for the common good (Hear, hear). He did not wish to
see brought into operation the great distinction between Con-
servatives and Radicals (Hear, hear) . They had nothing to
do with anything of that kind. They were there to promote
the welfare of Agriculture, which in past years had suffered
immensely for want of adequate representation ; and, indeed,
it was evils like those to which he alluded that had called
agricultural chambers into existence.

Capt. Craigie (North Riding of Yorksliire) said that ques-
tion was discussed by his chamber last Saturday, and the re-
sult of the deliberation was a unanimous resolution that some
questions ought to be put. It was, however, thought that they
should be very few in number and as general as possible, and
that any attempt to pledge candidates to a particular line of
action should be avoided. The question of rating was, it
should be remembered, in its infancy. A great many remedies
had been proposed. He himself was inclined to support the
view of Mr. Andrews ; but many of the members of his chamber
thought it advisable to leave the question open, putting for-
ward only the unfairness of the exemption of personal property
from local taxation (Hear, hear). Several persons thought
that, although the poor-rate ought to form a general charge
upon the whole property of tlie country, there are some other
local burdens to which that remark would not apply. Instead
of the second question read by Mr. Andrews, the chamber
adopted the following one : " Are you prepared to support a
Parliamentary inquiry as to the unfairness of the exemption
from local taxation of incomes arising from personal property ?"
thereby only asking a candidate to pledge himself to support
an inquiry as to the injustice of the present system (Hear, hear).

Mr. G. WniTAKER (AVorcestershire) thought there would
be great difficulty connected with putting questions to candi-
dates. There were among the candidates both Tories and
Whigs who were friends to agriculture, and hence great caution
was required ; but he could see no harm in pledging candidates
to the principle that there should be an alteration in the local
burdens, or that there should be some measure which vi ould
protect the property of farmers in cattle — property that had
suffered to the extent of £4',000,000 through the ravages of
cattle disease. Those were matters which were not at all poli-
tical, and he did not see why they should not he pressed. The
question of rating was a most important one. He found that
the whole country was assessed, in round numbers, to tlie
amount of something like £330,000,000.

The Chairman : To the property-tax?

Mr. Whitaker: Yes; and only about one-half of tliat
amount contributed towards the support of the gaols, lunatic
asylums, police, &c. [A voice : " One-third."] Well, under
those circumstances, could there be any possible objection to
putting some such questions as Mr. Andrews proposed in gene-
ral terms, wording them, of course, with care ? A candidate
might very fairly be asked : " Have you any objection to sup-
port measures for alleviating the Burdens on land, guarding
against the introduction of disease by foreign cattle, and estab-
lishing county financial boards ?" Of course the CouncU of the
Central Chamber could not compel the local chambers to adopt
any particular set of questions ; but if they were to recommend
a series of questions their recommendation would no doubt
have considerable weight.

Mr. J. S. Gardiner (Essex) said one objection to the
questions proprosed by Mr. Andrews was that they did not go
far enough. For example, he had entirely left out the repeal
of the malt-tax— one of the most important questions con-
nected with agriculture; the impost pressing with special
weight upon the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertford-
shire, and Bedfordshire. So far as his own county was con-
cerned, the Chamber was in favour of the principles involved
in Mr. Andrews' questions, and he should like to know whe-
ther or not lie would consent to introduce the malt-tax.

Mr. Andrews replied that he had no objection on principle
to include that impost ; but he thought it was not desirable to
make the questions numerous or long.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

393

The Secuetary (Mr. J. A. Clarke) said the Chairman
had given him permission to say a few words with regard to
the address which had been drawn up by the Business Com-
mittee. He could not understand why a string of questions
should be proposed as riders or additions. The address dis-
tinctly urged members of the Chambers to endeavour to ascer-
tain the opinions of candidates on the several questions em-
bodied in it, and how they were to ascertain the opinions of
candidates without putting questions or writing letters to them
lie was at a loss to understand. He believed that the gentle-
men to whom the address was to be sent were not such child-
ren that they would not be able to put their inquiries into
suitable language. He did not like the idea of appending to
the address a sort of catechism. Moreover, he happened to
know that some of their best friends would strongly oppose
the issuing of such questions as were now under consideration.
Sir Massey Lopez himself, who introduced the subject of
rating so ably in the House of Commons, remarked to him
(Mr. Clarke) that the greatest danger which the Chambers
could fall into was that of alarming the monied interest, and
that he was sure their true policy in regard to the revision of
local taxation was to ask in the first instance for an inquiry
into the present state of the question.

Mr. C. H. Lattimoue (Herts) said he had witnessed with
great pleasure the formation of that association, because in his
opinion it was the first independent association that had ever
been formed for the protection and security of the industrial
wealth of the tenant-farmers of the country (Hear, hear).
Farmers had had their protection societies, as they were called,
in bygone days ; but never before had there been an associa-
tion which was free from political bias (Hear, hear). What
they wanted as occupiers was, in few words, freedom for their
industry, an equitable system of rating, and, lastly, security for
their capital invested in the soil. Those seemed to him to be
the principal objects of associations like that. He would,
however, bear witness — the Chairman would corroborate him
in what he was saying — that almost every proposal which
came before the House of Commons for the relief of the
occupiers of the soil was viewed with considerable prejudice
by the commercial representatives (Hear, hear). Such pro-
posals were generally looked upon as an attempt on the part
of the landed interest to obtain some advantage at the expense
of commerce and manufactures (Hear, hear) ; and until that
kind of prejudice had been allayed, it would be difficult for the
Chambers to make any progress in Parliament. As to tlie
proposition before them for sounding candidates, he thought
the best course would be to put a few simple questions with
the view of seeing how far they were prepared to support cer-
tain principles. One gentleman had alluded to the rating of
game. He (Mr. Lattimore) would venture to predict that the
House of Commons would never sanction any measure having
such an object (Hear, hear). Woodlands were property, and
in his opinion ought to be rated ; but the House of Commons
would scout a proposal to rate game as being unreasonable,
unfair, and unjust. In order to attain success, the Chambers
must take up the solid ground of equity and justice, and put
their case before the House of Commons in such a form that
no rational assembly could resist or gainsay it. As to the
rating of the Funds, if that question were mooted, the lesult
might be a proposal to rate the fixed capital of the land. He
hoped that in a few years the capital of the farmer would ob-
tain some sensible relief from the burden of local taxation.

The Chaikmam said he hoped the meeting would confine
itself to the question before it — namely, whether there should
be appended to the address the series of questions prefixed by
Mr. Andrews (Hear, hear).

Capt. B. HoKSELL (Swindon) observed that the questions
proposed were drawn up in a very mild form, and in bis
opinion they might fairly be put to gentlemen who sought to
represent farmers in Parliament.

Mr. Moore thought the object of Mr. Andrews himself
would be best attained by leaving the address as it stood. He
quite concurred in the views expressed by the secretary on that
subject.

Sir MoRDAUNT Wells (Peterborough) thought it would
be very injudicious to adopt any particular form of questions
to be addressed to candidates. He should prefer a general
recommendation to the local Chambers, and he would have every
member of a Chamber left to take his own course, either alone
or iu combination with other members. It was not desirable,

however, in his judgment, to go to a staunch supporter hitherto
of the agricultural^interest in the House of Commons, and say
to him, " Here are certain questions ; you must swallow all of
them, or I won't vote for you." Let him state what he
thought should be their action in reference to the elections.
There were now scattered through the country Chambers
comprising thousands of members, and representing the largest
interest in the kingdom. A general election being about to
take place, the influence of those Chambers should be felt in
it ; and it was now proposed that for the first time the agri-
cultural interest, apart from the interest of the landowner,
should ask the candidates whether, if elected, they would take
into consideration the important questions affecting especially
the occupiers of the soil. In dealing with that matter, they
would, he thought, do so in a general way, though at the same
time in such a way as fully to satisfy themselves whether or
not the candidate before them was a man who could be trusted
on questions of that kind (Hear, hear). He felt strongly on
this subject. He did not consider that because a gentleman
was a county member he was necessarily the right man to re-
present the agricultural body, or one who had its interest very
deeply at heart (Hear, hear). Many men went into Parlia-
ment with strong party views, and thought more of them than
of what concerned agriculture ; and what farmers wanted in
the House of Commons was a compact body of men, like the
hon. gentleman in the chair — (cheers) — who were devoted to
the interests of farmers, who would stand together in their de-
fence, quite apart from this or that political party, and who
would not, if they could {wssibly help it, see a measure got rid
of in the same way that a certain bUl was lately destroyed — by
a minority in the House of Commons (Hear, hear). Not tiU
there was such a body of men in the lower House would the
interests of Agriculture be properly represented. He knew
suificient of the House of Commons to know that hitherto at
certain periods the interests of Agriculture were almost sure
to be sacrificed to those of party. He hoped the Chambers of
Agriculture would take care that every person who wished to
represent them, wlietiier for a county or for a borough, should
know and feel that the farmers of this country were determined
that their interests should no longer be sacrificed to mere
party considerations (Hear, hear). In conclusion, he ex-
pressed a hope that Mr. Andrews would withdraw his
questions.

Mr. R. Stratton, Jun. (Monmouthshire) observed that if
the address were sent to the Chambers without the proposed
rider, questions would be asked in difi'erent forms, and few
perhaps would be so straightforward, or so much to the
point, as those before the meeting. If those questions were
adopted they would all know what they were about, whereas
in the contrary event there would be great uncertainty. Unity
was strength, and there could be no strength unless they
worked together.

Mr. A:\DREws, in replying, said he was sorry that he could
not yield to Sir Mordaunt Wells' appeal to him to withdraw
his proposal. Sir Mordaunt himself had clearly shown that
hitherto farmers had not been able to trust their representa-
tives in Parliament. If they were going, as a Chamber, to
emit that day an uncertain sound on the poor-rate question,
what did they expect would be the sound emitted by candidates
for the House of Commons after they were elected ? Would
not that be still more uncertain ? (Hear, hear). That ques-
tion and others ought to be brought forward and pressed home
before the election, and not reserved till it was over.

The CuAiRMAN said he had no wish to bring this question
to an untimely end, but he really thought they had discussed
it long enough now to take a vote upon it. He would, how-
ever, first express his own opinion, though he did not desire to
bias any one else. He felt the greatest possible objection to a
set of questions. He did not wish to say anj-thing at all dis-
respectful towards Mr. Andrews in connexion with the ques-
tions which he bad proposed, but he must say he should
be very sorry to have a question like No . 2 in the series
put to himself. In the first place, the question involved had
not been discussed by the Central Chamter at all (Hear, hear) ;
the question of having an income-tax assessment had never
been decided or even discussed there. They were on that occa-
sion simply asked, as a Chamber, to record what had been done,
and they could not then take upon themselves to determine a
question of such importance when no notice of it had been
given. He thought it would be very detrimental to the cause

394

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

m

of the Cliambevs of Agricultiu'c to put forward a string of
questions to caiididiites which — to put his owa case — the Vico-
Uhairnian of the Ceutriil Chamber could not, or woukl not,
answer entirely in tlie atfirmative (Hear, hear). It would, he
believed, be far better to leave the District Chambers to frame
questions in whatever shape they liked best. If they were to
adopt questions on that occasion, it would take a very long
time to settle the precise form they should assume. He should
be sorry to see the malt-tax left out. Wiiy should they have
some questions and omit others ? He was glad that there had
been no timidity or squeamishuess about taking political action
(cheers). They liad been told sometimes that they had no
right to take political action, but lie maintained that if the
Chambers of Agriculture lost that opportunity they must be
worse than useless (Hear, hear).

Mr. Albert Pell considered it very undesirable to have
one stereotyped set of questions for the whole country.

After a desultory conversation, the first part of the address
was, as had been proposed, adopted unanimously.

Mr. Andrews's questions were then submitted as a rider and
negatived, the numbers being — for the rider, 6 ; against it, 15.

The meeting being about to consider the portions of the
address following the opening paragraph,

Mr. RussoN inquired whether it was open toliim to propose
a different series of questions from those just rejected.

Sir M. Wells objected to such a course, on the ground that
the meeting had already virtually pronounced an opinion ad-
verse to the adoption of any questions.

Mr. Andrews took a ditlerent view, observing that the
objections urged applied chiefly to the question relating to
local taxation.

Mr. BuRBERY (Warvrickshire) thought it clear that the
majority were in favour of leaving the Chamber to carry out
the object of the address in whatever manner they might deem
best (Hear, hear).

Capt. Craigie said he had voted under the impression that
what was objected to was simply Mr. Andrews's questions. As
regarded rating lie believed that what the Council desired was,
not that candidates sliould pledge themselves to a particular
settlement of tlie question, but that the stone should be set
rolling. It was not sufllcient, however, for the Council to ex-
press its sense of the unfairness of the present system, and
in his opinion they would not be acting unwisely as the Central
Chamber iu embodying that view in a question.

The CjiairmajM observed that if any gentleman wished a
string of questions to be appended to tiie address, he had only
to propose them, and he would submit them to the meeting.

Mr. Lattimore said he liad supposed that there was a
general understanding that every local chamber was to be left
to carry out the leading idea of the Central Chamber iu its
own way.

Mr. A. Pell said, in order to bring the question to a prac-
tical issue, he would move that it was not desirable that the
Central Chamber should issue any form of questions to be ad-
dressed to parliamentary candidates. It had been remarked
that questions might be put mildly ; but, however mild might
be their form, it might be asked : " Wliat right have you to put
them ?" He thought it would only weaken the address'to send
a stereotyped set of questions all over the kingdom (Hear, hear).

Mr, KtTssoN said, after the decisive vote already come to,
he would not press the matter.

The CiiATRMAN observed that the local chambers were to be
asked to ascertain the views of candidates, and that could not
be done without putting questions.

Mr. Pell's motion was tlien witlidrawn, and the meeting
proceeded to consider the special subjects dealt with iu the
address seriatim.

On the paragraph relating to the relations of landlord and
tenant being again read,

_ Sir^ MoRDAUNT Wells objected to the phrase " tenant
right," which was used in the address as first submitted, ob-
serving that he felt as strongly as any one in favour of the real
object ; but that that particular expression miglit cause their
object to be confounded witli what was advocated under the
name " tenant-right" in Ireland— a mistake which should he
thought be carefully avoided.

The Chairman, by way of amendment, suggested the use
of the words " recognised custom of tenant-right ;" adding
that every one knew that what they meant was not the Irish
tenant-right, but such tenant-right as existed in Leicestershire.

Sir M. Wells suggested tlie words " the existing law of
landlord and tenant."

Mr. Lattimore did not see why the expression " tenant-
right" sliould be objected to (Hear, hear). What farmers
wanted was security for improvements which were unexhausted
at the end of a tenancy ; so that if the landlord wanted more
than belongs to him he would not be able to obtain it.

Mr. Abbs remarked that in the discussion of this subject in
the Sunderland Chamber it was urged that of late years capital
had flown more readily into manufacturing than into farming
pursuits, and this was attributed to the impediments arising
from the existing relations of landlord and tenant. A land-
lord might generally dismiss a tenant with only six months'
notice, and iu that case the tenant would not be able to get
back one-half or perhaps one-quarter of his capital invested
in the soil.

Sir M. Wells deprecated the passing of any resolution
which might tend to create an antagonism between landlord
and tenant. Everybody who knew him must feel that he was
very strongly with tenants ; but he hoped nothing would be
done that might lead persons to say that the Chamber was
acting wildly, or pledging itself to what it could not carry out.

Mr. Ford did not see why they should avoid the ordinary
term " tenant-right," and moved that it be retained.

Mr. WiLLSON seconded the motion.

Sir M, Wells moved, as an amendment, that it be not re-
tained.

Capt. Craigie, having seconded the amendment.

The Chairman suggested, by way of compromise, the sub-
stitution in lieu of the words " an equitable system of tenant-
right," the following — " a system of compensation for unex-
hausted improvements," which he said would show everybody
wliat tliey meant, and at the same time make it clear that they
did not mean what was called " tenant-right" in Ireland.

Mr. Gardiner (Kent) supported the orginal motion.

Sir M. Wells adopted the alteration suggested by the
Chairman, and the result of a show of hands was that it was
embodied in the address, the numbers being, for Mr. Porde's
motion 11, for Sir M. AVells's amendment as modilied 11.

The address, as thus amended, having been adopted in the
form in which it appears at the commencement of this report,
on the motion of Mr. A. Pell, it was resolved, " That 4,000
copies of the address be printed, and that 25 copies be for-
warded to each Chamber or branch Chamber, and two copies
to each member of the Central Chamber, with a notification
of the terms on which further copies will be supplied."

On the motion of Mr. Byron, seconded by Mr. Hodgson,
it was further resolved : " That the Secretary be instructed to
request the co-operation of tlie provincial Chambers in giving
the widest possible circulation to the address, by placing it in
the hands of every member of the Chamber and of every par-
liamentary candidate."

Mr. Andrews moved the following resolution : " That this
Council recommends a systematic organisation of county
Chambers of Agriculture and Ratepayers' Associations on the
principle so successfully carried out in Somersetshire." He
said he put a notice of this motion on the agenda paper a
twelve-month ago, and had repeatedly renewed it ; but, from
one cause or other, it had always been postponed. He felt
that unless the Chambers struck deep root downwards in the
counties generally, so as to reach almost every parish,
the Central Chamber could never become a power-
ful body. He thought that every county should have
a complete organisation of its own, and that, generally speak-
ing, tliere should be but one Chamber for each county. Every
one who had had anything to do with the formation of locd
associations must be aware that for want of a sufficient area
of combination there was often great dilficulty in raising
money enough to make an association efficient or permanent ;
whereas upon the plan which he advocated funds would lie
obtained from the whole county, and the Chamber would be
strengthened. In his own county there were seventeen local
divisions, and under that arrangement anything that was re-
ceived from the Central Chamber was transmitted to every
parish. Such a system was very convenient as regarded
postage. If the Central flhamber was to have that weight,
either in the House of Commons or out of it, which was de-
sirable, some means must, in his opinion, be adopted greatly
to enlarge and strengthen the organisation in the counties.

Mr. Stkatton seconded the resolution.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

395

Sir M. Wells thought it would he impossible to carry out
Mr. Andrews's plan all over the country. For example, the
Peterborough Chamber, which he represented on that occasiou,
consisted of 300 members, who came from four different
counties, Peterborough being near the borders of Lincolnshire,
Northamptonshire, Huntingdonsliire, and Cambridgeshire. It
was a very influential Chamber, and many of the members
could not attend meetings at Northampton, or any other
county town. Peterborough market was the great market of
the district, and the members of the Chamber had combined
together because they knew each other. It was impossible to
govern one county by the rule or system of another. Tliey
must take a practical view of such a matter, including the
position of the great body of agricidturists, railroads, and so
on, and leave those who resided in the district to do what was
best for their own convenience. There was no body of men
whose convenience so much reriuired to be studied as that of
farmers, seeing that they were compelled to be near the spot
where their business was carried on. At present there was a
large organisation ui almost every couuty, and they were justly
proud of it ; but if it were split up into mere local bodies all in-
fluence would be lost. It would be far the best to leave the
matter as it stood. The Chambers were working well — in his
opinion they were working wonders (Hear, hear) ; aud
although Mr. Andrews's plan operated veiy benelicially
in his own coimty, it did not foUow that it would do else-
where.

Mr. Gardiner (Kent) opposed the resolution on the ground
that it was desirable that everything should be done through
the Chambers.

Mr. Andrews explained that he did not desire to do away
with any existing chambers. What feU from Sir M. Wells
seemed to him in favour of his view. It appeared that there
was one Chamber for four counties : in his opinion there
should be one for each.

Sir M. Wells observed that there was a Chamber for
« Northamptonshire and another— a very important one — for
Lincolnshire.

Mr. Andrews said he would ask what county there was
where the principal county business did not centre in the
county town ?

Mr. Moore remarked that there could be no doubt that the
Chambers of Agriculture were making great way in the
country, and that it would be best to leave them to the natm-al
increment.

Mr. Abbs agreed with Mr. Andrews that it was desirable

that the whole body of agriculturists in each county should be
got, if possible, to support the Chambers of the district.

Mr. HoDSOLL (West Kent) said that in his couuty, which
was verv large, it was found necessary to liave two Chambers ;
and in all cases of that kind it must be left to those who
lived in the district to determine how the object could be
secvu-ed most effectually.

Captain Craioie wished, as the representative of one of the
largest Chambers, that of the North Eiding, numbering about
1,000 members, to state that they had a local Chamber for
several market towns — Scaiborough, Wliilby, &c. ; but there
was one Chamber for the Riding, in which aU the local ones
were united. In that way they had something like the Somer-
setshire system. Sub-division was not, however, carried out
as regarded aU the parishes ; and he thought that when they
had divided a county into market districts, tliey had done all
that could be doue with advantage (Eear, hear). They must
all feel that the greatest praise was due to Mr. Andrews for
the energy which he had displayed in Somersetshire (cheers) j
but he did not think there coidd be one rule for aU counties.

Mr. WinTAKER said it should be remembered that agricul-
tural chambers were new organisations, and were, moreover, a
success (Heir, hear). He thought it would be very in-
judicious in the Council to recommend a change of system
without grave consideration. Although farmers were gene-
rally very lethargic, when they saw the principal farmers of
their district working together zealously, they would join them
by degrees.

Mr. Andrews, yielding to the apparent wish of the meet-
ing generally, then intimated liis wiUingness to accept the
following amendment in Ueu of his own proposal : " This
Comicil would direct the attention of provincial Chambers to
the admirable system of county organisation adopted in
Somersetshire, which may be applicable in some other parts of
the kingdom ; aiul, for the purpose of securing the fullest
possible expression of opinion upon any important question
alfecting agricultural interests, tlie Secretary is hereby re-
quested to form a list of ' correspondents' in every poor-law
union not already organised, who will assist in distributing
information and eliciting the views of agriculturists in their
respective districts."

After a few remarks from the Chairman on the wisdom of
the course thus pursued by Mr. Andrews, the amendment was
adopted as an original motion.

The proceedings, whicli occupied from eleven till a quarter-
past two, terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman,

LOCAL TAXATION.

At a meeting of the Sliropshire Chamber of Agriculture
held at Newport, Mr. Jasper More, M.P., read the fol-
lowing paper : When Chambers of Agriculture were first
estabUshed subjects were discussed, which one may call easy
subjects, such as: The repeal of the Malt-Tax, the abolition
of Turnpike-tolls, and Education of Labourers' Children — not
easy subjects for legislation, as I who have been a member of
the select committee appointed to report on the two former
questions have reason to know, but easy subjects to speak
about, because members of our Chamber have had every oppor-
tunity of considering them, and were of all men most convers-
ant with them, because of all men most oppressed by them.
The discussion of chambers of agriculture were at first open
to the charge of being unpractical, because we discussed well-
worn subjects. We, however, thought most at first of widen-
ing our connection and improving our macliinery, and now
with a Chamber in a very important county and in separate
divisions of some counties, we can afford to take up newer and
freely discuss more vital questions, more opportunely than we
could at first, because we believe that the opinions of 13,000
of the leading resident ratepayers of the couuty to which our
numbers have swollen must carry weight. We have accord-
ingly to-day to consider the subjects of local taxation and the
representation of ratepayers as assessors of the magistrates in
the management of the county business, by means of county
financial boards, wliich will be introduced by Sir. Minor. Mr.
Minor and Mr. Davies, of Patten, were amongst those on

the strength of whose evidence the committee passed a report
in favour of this change in the administration of counties,
which exceeded in favour of the introduction of representative
principle the expectations of the most sanguine. I allude to
tliis first, not because I have always from the first estabUsh-
ment of these Chambers, as many of my friends know, thought
this question not only the most important for the Chambers
to take up, but the one they are most likely to succeed with in
the House of Commons, but because I beheve it to be a sound
constitutional principle that an accession of strength to the
governing body, or of those enabled to take a direct in-
terest in Government, local or national, is the precursor of
administrative and financial reform. Therefore, if we
are to consider a refonn of local taxation, I rejoice to find
the introduction of representation in spending the funds
joined -^vith it, I will also add here that if the incomes of
professional and mercantile men are ever rated to the reUef of
the poor and county rates, as will the incomes derived from
real property, which is the subject we have now to consider,
an important consideration is that the administration of these
rates will gain from the accession of intelligence and business-
like views of those who will then pay for them ; and if tliese
fortunate holders of personal property shoidd feel aggrieved by
having to pay rates with other men, we may offer some conso-
lation to some of them by giving them a seat in the County
Financial J3oard, and, thereby, tlie social position of a semi-
magisterial capacity, none the less honourable because elective.

S96

'THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

It is not my intention to occupy your time by going into the
arcliBeology of this question. Our attention should be directed
to tlie present and future ratlier tlian the past. If I were to
attempt to give the early history of rating, we should have to
adopt the course the Norfolk Chamber did very lately, when
they appointed a very able lawyer to read a paper on the sub-
ject, who accordingly drew one up at such length as to require
another day for the real discussion. I will take you back no
further at first than the beginning of this year, when Mr.
H. G. Andrews, who has established " an association" in the
county of Somerset, for the removal of the present unfair ex-
emption from poor-rate of incomes arising from personal pro-
perty, brought forward the question of the rating of persona!
property *\'ith great ability before the Central Chamber of
Agriculture ; and Sir George Jenkinson brought the same sub-
ject before the Central Farmers' Club. The Central Chamber
assented to his views without apparently there being any dis-
sentient but myselt, the chairman ; and I dissented from car-
rying his motion then only because I thought it might be more
becoming to adjourn the discussion before we pronounced so
decided an opinion on so great a question, and before any argu-
ment against it had been adduced. Sir Massey Lopes then, in
a speech of great ability, introduced the same subject in 'the
House of Commons, and he was received in the same way that
all private members who bring forward important motions on
financial questions are received by the Government of the day :
he vyas complimented on his speech, and asked to withdraw his
motion, which he accordingly did, and naturally so ; for the
Government of the day will allow no private member to carry
an important measure affecting finance ; for if a measure of
importance is to be carried it must be by the Government,
who have such superior means of information to any private
member. If a private member, therefore, brings forward any
important question in the house he does it only with one of
two motives, either to try to induce the Government of the
day to take it up, or for the purpose of making a speech to
show his constituents that he is alive. Mr. Corrance after-
wards proposed to refer the subject of Sir Massey Lopes'
motion to a select committee. I have never had much belief
in select committees on agricultural subjects, leading to legisla-
tion. I made this remark before the Central Chamber of
Agriculture at the beginning of the Session when the metro-
politan cattle market bill was referred to a select committee ;
and I regret to think my prediction that that reference to a
committee would be fatal to the measure has been too truly
verified. I feared we might waste a year in taking evidence
on local taxation, as two have been wasted in taking evidence
on tlie malt-tas ; and I suggested therefore, on Mr. Corrance's
motion, that that part— as much as I thought.the public would
read of a report of a former committee of the Lords— should
be first reprinted. This was acceded to by the Government ;
and Sir Matthew Lopes, Mr. Read, and others interested in
local taxation (with the Secretary of the Poor-law Board),
agreed to my selection of evidence, which is now reprinted by
order of the House, and is to be bought at Messrs. Hansard's,
Great Queen-street, London, for Is. 2d. ; and which I earnestly
recommend to the careful attention of all who wish to take an
impartial view of the question of rating. Local taxes are
taxes imposed for the public good within certain districts,
expended within the same districts on which they are levied'
and for the special benefit of these districts. The report of
the Poor-law Commissioners on local taxation, published in
Ibil, and occupying 3G0 pages, states there were 24. of these,
VIZ., ten cases on the basis of poor-rate ; six miscellaneous
cases, each on an independent basis ; and eight of a county-
rate series, imposed originally by some general authority, but
ultimately assessess on the basis of the poor-rate. These
rates were made by distinct statutes with different sets
ot othcers to collect them, and on dissimilar assessments
hince 1739, when the consolidation of county taxes
took place, it has been the custom to charge new
e.xpenses on some existing rate, instead of creating a new rate
tor the occasion. The tendency of opinion now is to have one
rate only for aU purposes, and the opinion of the Chambers of
Agriculture is to charge this rate on aU kinds of property or
in other words to have a national rate. This is a point Vitli
respect to which Sir George Lewis said the old proverb is par-
S"^ ^PPli^aWe, "Q,u ad pauca respiciuut, facile proLi-
ciant. Those who look at only a few considerations, easily
pronounce an opimon. I invite your attention to a few con-

siderations first, to those which favour this view; second,
those which exhibit the practical difficulties in its execution.
Into the history of the county rate and poor rate it is not my
intention to enter; but, as the poor rate assessment is made
so general a basis of local taxation, to consider the incidence
ot that rate. (1) The Sixth conclusion of the Report of the
Lords Committee on Parochial Assessments is that the relief
of the poor is a national object, towards which every de-
scription of property might justly be called on to contribute,
and that the Act of 43 Eliz., c. 2, contemplated such contri-
bution according to " the ability of every inhabitant." This
raises the question of the rating of personal property Lord
Malmesbury, in his letter laid before the Lords' Committee,
says, " The virtue of the law of Elizabeth admitted, it must be
difficult for a man to affirm that any peculiar description of
property shall by any vested and inherent privilege be exempt
from paying its proportionate quota to the maintenance of the
poor." Sir G. Lewis, in evidence, is asked his opinion on
that statement, and lie says he is ready to admit that unless
it can be shown that there are some special causes in favour
of a local tax, charged on real property, the presumption is in
favour of making it a national charge and on all kinds of pro-
perty. He says it is incumbent on those who maintain that a
tax should be a local burden on real property to prove their
case, to show that it is an exception to the rule. He gives
two instances of exceptions to the general rule that it is better
to make a local burden a national one. First, that of turnpike
tolls, which were devised instead of the old highway rates
which existed before the time of Charles II., as a means of
shifting the burden from real property upon those who used
them, t.e., on all kinds of property. In this case the cost of
collection, and the annoyance is such that we know many
counties, and also in Shropshire some districts, have been glad
to abolish their tolls and revert to the old system of maintain-
ing the roads. Second, the octroi duty of France. This is
a tax on consumers, levied at the gates' of towns on all arti-
cles of consumption. So long ago as the year 1836 there
were ten millions of these stoppages and examinations in Paris
alone, and with the same system as other towns an amount of
vexation is caused in France which is simply unbearable.
Secondly, the apparent injustice of such a rate as the present
rate is seen from a comparison of the income on which the
poor rate is assessed with the income of the country. I will
take 1865, the year which Mr. Startin, of Coventry, has used
to illustrate his view of the unjust incidence of the poor rate.
In 1865, the sum of income assessed is by the Tenth Report
of the Board of Inland Revenue placed at £326,367,979. By
the Nineteenth Report of the Poor Law Board, the gross esti-
mated rental of the property on which the poor rate is assessed
IS £110,079,308. The poor rate is, therefore, a charge on
only a little over 33 per cent, of the incomes above £100, or
£2 out of every £3 escapes the poor rate. The rateable value
upon which the poor rate was levied in 1866 was £93,636,403.
Professor Leone Levi has arrived at the conclusion that the
earnings of workers is £418,000,000. Apportioning this to
the population, the income in England and' Wales below the
income tax is about £318,000,000. Adding this to the in-
come tax assessment, we have £644,000,000 as the aggregate
of the income in England and Wales three years ago. Placing
this as low as £600,000,000, we find that the poor rate is a tax
on only 18 per cent, of the incomes of England and Wales, or
more than £4 out of every £5 escape. If every inhabitant contri-
buted according to his ability, a uniform rate of 4d. in the pound
would have paid what in 1865-6 was a rate 2s. OJd. on real pro-
perty. Thirdly, the hardship of the poor-rate is brought home
to us by the case of some very rich man, like Mr. Crawshay, or
the Marquis of Bute, or Lord Dudley, who own many millions
which entirely escape rate. (2). Now we have to consider
whether there is any special reason which, in the case of
the poor-rate, should render it inadvisable to make it a
national charge. There is and it is this :— The advantage of
local management may be greater than the evil of the inci-
dence of a local tax on real property. If all grants came from
the Treasury all parishes would vie with one another to get as
large a grant as they could, all classes would be interested in
obtaining as much of it as possible, e. g., shopkeepers would
apply for it for their poor customers, landlords for their poor
tenants. This would end in imposing on the inhabitants a
greater sum in national taxation than they now pay in poor
rates. But further :— The Act of Elizabeth being held to au-

THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE.

397

thorize the rating of all personal property, it is the fact in
practice that not only has it never generally been rated, but that
nearly all sorts of personal property have been expressly ex-
cluded from rating. The courts, in constructing this Act, have
determined that property to be rated must be local, situate
within the parish, that it must be visible, and that it must be
productive. These limitations exclude, first, all furniture, be-
cause it is not productive ; secondly, all money, because it is
not visible, generally not situate in the parish ; but in Scot-
land the feeling was stiU in favour of rating " means and sub-
stance," i. e., personal property. The way they arrived at the
amount was this ; some one in the parish put an arbitrary
value on a man's personal property, and left the person rated
to declare that was not the true value. That was the inqui-
sitorial mode of carrying out the law. The law was altered in
1845, and the parochial boards were allowed the option of
three modes of rating ; the first was on real property, the
second and third on means and substance. Now, in Scotland,
there was both a feeling in favour of rating means and sub-
stance, i.e., personal property and the long-established custom
of law in its favour, and yet by a return issued in 184)9, five
years after the change in the law, out of 625 assessed parishes-
499 voluntarily had repudiated the rating of means and sub,
stances, and only 74 assessments had been adopted according
to the old law of rating means and substance. Therefore
tliis practical experience of Scotland has weU to
be considered before we offer a decisive opinion
on the advisibility of trying to rate personal property here.
The liability of inhabitants to be rated for personal pro-
perty was not mooted in the Courts tiU a eentury-aud-a-half
after the Act of Elizabeth. Lord Mansfield in " tlie King v.
Andover," 1777, controverted the liability of personal pro-
perty to be rated, denied that it ever had been rated, and anti-
cipated aU the difficulties that have since been found in
attempts to rate it. Lord Kenyou decided that it was rate-
able. Before this in 1706 three judges had given their unani-
mous decision that a farmer's stock-in-trade was not rateable,
but that a tradesman's was, Chief Justice Holt entirely differing
with them. If stock-in-trade was to be held rateable again
we may be quite sure agricultural stock-in-trade would be
rated. Other stock-in-trade is generally in town parishes.
The agricultural interest would be sure to be losers by the
rating of stock-in-trade, the only gainers would be inhabitants
of town houses, bankers, lawyers, and tithe owners. Lastly
et us consider Lord Malmesbury's plan of a substitute for the
poor rate, on which the Lords' committee of 1850 state that
they " are not prepared without further inquiry to offer any
opinion." He proposes to take the average expenditure of the
last five years, and give from additional national taxation this
sum for the ten, and if this sum is exceeded then tliat the sum
received should be supplemented by a rate in aid, as at present,
on the real property of the parish. The first consideration is
that if this system were national it w ould have to be applied
to the three kingdoms, and would necessitate a complete and
most expensive revision of the poor laws of Ireland and Scot-
land. Whether it would be politic or whether it would be
possible to assimilate the poor law as well as the income tax of
the three kingdoms, is not a matter easy to determine. Shall
I offer an opinion on what seems to me the most politic matter
of setting to work to relieve the rates P It is to be done, I
think, in two ways. First, by insisting on the rating of all
real property not rated already and which undoubtedly ought
to be rated, as mines (other than coal mines), timber, and
game. Mr. Read and I have introduced a Bill for the rating of
the two latter. Second, by applying for increased grants from
the Exchequer for some of the charges that at present fall
on the rates, and try for the exemption of some
altogether from a charge on poor and county rates. First,
there is the militia rate. This most certainly ouglit, in my
opinion, to be paid by the War Olfice. It is said that aU rates
are really paid by the owner, because the ovraer has them de-
ducted from his rent by the occupier. If the militia were
called out, all this extra expense would fall exclusively and
really on the occupier. Second, the questions of whether
there ought not to be a State care and charge for aU lunatics,
and the question whether a better police might not be with
advantage placed under a central authority and paid from the
Exchequer, should be brought forward in the House of Com-
mons, and each fuUy argued on their merits. Mr. D'Israeli
proposed that from March 5, 1850, the establishment charges

for the relief of the poor should be defrayed out of the general
revenue of the State. Sir C. Wood, in 1851, sought to apply
revenue raised by the general taxation of the country towards
the maintenance of pauper lunatics. My recommendations,
therefore, are to consolidate all rates into one general rate con-
formable in its incidence to the poor-rate. To extend the in-
cidence of this rate as far as possible, but first to rate mines,
woods, and game. To relieve this general rate as much as
possible of the charges that at present fall upon it, by throwing
one at least, the charge for the militia, on the general revenue
of the country, and by larger grants from the Treasury in aid
of other charges. The question as to making charges for
police and lunatics national charges, should each be raised on
their ovra merits. A discussion in Parliament on making
each a national charge, would narrow a discussion on rating
to a distinct issue, and might result at all events in increased
grants from Government in aid of these charges. In 1867 the
levy for poor-rate was £10,303,000. Of this about two-thirds
were spent on the relief of the poor, and one-third went for
other purposes. The whole receipts in aid from Government
were only £388,000. Two points remain for me very briefly
to touch upon, and I do so for the purpose of inviting opinion
on them, one or both of which some of you have perhaps
considered before. The one is this : if the ratepayers have
their due representation in the expenditure of county funds,
as we hope and expect they soon will have, and if this
results in the reduction of rates by any of the methods I have
suggested, it will be competent for us, as has been done before,
to apply some of the county funds to new purposes. Now, at
the end of the last Session there were close divisions on a pro-
posed application of county funds to a new purpose, but one
which need not have imposed upon them the expense of more
than £100 or £200. It may appear a delicate subject to men-
tion, but it is the expense of hustings at Parliamentary elec-
tions. The saving to the candidate and the expense to the
county would be so small as not to be worth taking into con-
sideration. The object of the proposal was this : It is said
that farmers are for the most part never really in earnest un-
less their pockets are touched ; so it was hoped by the most
infinitesimal touch of the pocket to give them a gentle stimulus
to take more pains throughout England to see that their agri-
cultural interests, and not the interests of particular families,
are advanced by county representation. I will merely remark
that both the Conservative members who introduced motions
relating to rating in the past Session voted for this proposal
whether then it will be desirable, as likely to afi'ect and improve
the representation of counties, by an infusion of new interest
taken in it, is worth consideration. Lastly, one result of the
change which Mr. Minor is going to introduce to you will be,
in my opinion, to advance the tendency large counties are be-
ginning to show to have a distinct Quarter Sessions for each
division. Would this be desirable for Shropshire ? I venture
to think it would. The southern division from its proximity
to Wales, and the northern division from its neighbourhood to
Cheshire, have such marked and distinguishing characteristics
as to make Shropshire, in my opinion, eminently divisible for
rating purposes. Into the details of a division for adminis-
trative purposes I will not enter. Whether, if it were pro-
posed, the northern division would build us a handsome Court
at Stretton, Bridgnorth, or Ludlow, in remembrance of our
services to them during the cattle plague, or whether the
magistrates and their ratepaying assessors might occupy two
courts of the same building for the transaction of country
business at the same time, I will not venture to suggest, I
merely mention it for the purpose of ventilating the question.
In conclusion I beg you to remember that I have introduced
this subject to-day to avoid a stranger being asked to do it,
and because no one yet has volunteered to do so. I have been
much engaged lately, and my time has been fully occupied
with other subjects pressing on my attention. If, therefore,
you detect errors in anything I have said, I shall be obliged to
you kindly to correct them, but otherwise I do not deprecate
criticism.

Mr. S. MiNou proposed a resolution to the effect that the
representation of the ratepayers ought to accompany county
taxation, the ratepayers being associated with magistrates in
county iinancial boards.

Mr. Jasper More said he had omitted to mention Lord
Malmesbury's plan of a substitute for the poor rate. That

398

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

nobleman proposed to take the average expenditure of the last
five years, and give from additional national taxation this sum
for ten years prospectively, and if this sum was exceeded, then
that the sum should be suijplcmeuted by a rate in aid, as at
present, on the real property of the parish.

Mr. J. Metre seconded the motion. With reference to the
subject of local taxation, he was in favour of raising the amount
required for the relief of the poor in tjie same manner as the
jucorae tax was at present levied. He trusted that the re-

formed House of Commons would deal with this question in a
spirit of justice to all parties.

Mr. J . E. WiCKSTEAD was of opinion that Mr. Jasper More's
resolution was of too general a nature, and moved a rider to
the effect that the incomes arising from real and personal
estate ought to be assessed to all local rates.

Mr. Jasper More's motion vnth this rider was unanimously
agreed to, as was also Mr. Minor's resolution in favour of the
pstablishment of county finaucial hoards.

WORCESTERSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

At the twenty-seventh annual exhibition of the Worcester-
shire Agricultural Society held in Worcestei', the Herefords
were, on the whole, a good class, and comprised several
superior animals ; and the first prize of two-year-old heifers
was taken by Mr. Prosser's pair, which were very fine animals.
There were four entries of shorthorn bulls. The sheep
altogether formed an excellent show, both in regard to
quality and quantity. There was a better show of Leicesters
than at Warwick. In the class of Shropshire sheep Mr. Keel-
ing took first prize for breeding ewes.

The following were the judges — CaUle : Mr. T. Duckham,
Bayshara Court, Ross, and Mr. J. Topham, Welford, North-
amptonshire. S/ieej} a/id Pi/js : Mr. T. Ilorley, jiiu.. The
fosse, Leamington, and Mr. R. Chapman, Upton, Atherstone.
Horses: Mr. Potter, Witton, Birmingham, Mr. J. Tustin,
Worcester, and Mr. J. S. Walker, Knightwick, Worcester.

PRIZES.

HEREFORDS.

Bull, two years old and upwards, £10, Mr. E. Morris ;
second, £3 (or sUver medal), Mr. J. H. Powell, Lulsley ; third,
£1, Mr. T. Allies, Bromyard.

YearUng bull, £10 (or silver cup), Mr. J. Prosser, Honey
bourne; second, £3 (or silver medal), Mr. E. T. Golding-
liam.

Cow, in milk or in-calf, £5, Mr. H. Griffiths, Weobley ;
second, £3 (or medal), Mr. J. Prosser ; tliird, £1, Mr. J. Foun-
tain Hall, Ripple.

Pair of two-year- old heifers, in milkorin-calf, £10 (or silver
cup), Mr. J. Prosser ; second, £3 (or medal), Mr. J. F. Hall ;
third, £1, Mr. E. T. Goldingham.

Two-year-old heifer, in milk or in-calf, £5, Mr. B. Prosser,
Hindlip.

Yearling heifer, £3, Mr. E. T. Goldingham ; second, £1
10s., Mr. J. S. Walker, Knightwick.

SHORTHORNS.

Bull, two years old and upwards, £10, Mr. H. AUsopp, Hind-
lip Hall; second, £3 (or medal), Mr. Joseph Woodward, Bir-
lingham ; third, £1, Mr. E. B. Guest, Broadwas.

Bull, above one year old and under two, £10 (or silver cup),
Mr. J. Lynn, Granthan ; second, £3 (or medal), Mr. T. G.
Curtler, Wofcester.

Cow, in milk or in calf, £5, Mr. T. G. Curtler; second, £3
(or medal), Mr. Jas. AVebb, Eladbury ; third, £1, Mr. T. G.
Curtler ; commended, Mr. Jas. Webb.

Pair of two-year-old heifers, in milk or in calf, £10 (or silver
cup), Mr. T. G. Curtler ; second, ^£3 (or medal), Mr. Jas.
Webb; tliird, £1, Mr. T. G. Curtler.

Two-year-old heifer, in milk or in calf, £5, Mr. .T. Lynn.

Pair of yearling heifers, £5 (or silver cup), Mr. T. G. Curt-
ler; second, £3 (or medal), Mr. T. G. Curtler ; third, £l,Mr.
Jas. Webb.

Yearling heifer, £3, Mr. Jas. Webb.

FAT STEERS AND COWS.

Five fat steers of any breed, grass-fed, £5 (or silver cup),
Mr. G.Essex, Leigh.

Five cows or heifers of any breed, grass-fed, £5 (or medal),
Mr. R. Hickman, Cotheridge.

SHEEP.

LEICESTERS.

Five breeding ewes, having had lambs in 18G8 and suckled
them up to June 1st, £3, Mr. T. G. Curtler ; Snd, £3, Mr.
Thos. Harris, Bromsgrove ; 3rd, £1, Mr. T. G. Curtler.

Five theaves, £3, Mr. T. G. Curtler ; 3ud, £3, Mr. Thomas
Harris ; 3rd, £1, Mr. T. G. Curtler.

Five ewe lambs, £3, Mr. Thomas Harris ; 2nd, £3,;Mr. T.
Harris ; 3rd, £1, Mr. T. G. Curtler.

Shearling ram, £5, Mr. Thomas Harris ; ram of any age,
£3, Mr. Thomas Harris ; 2nd, £1, Mr.T. G. Cui-tler.

LONG-WOOLLED, NOT BEING LEICESTERS.

Five breeding ewes, having had lambs in 186S and suckled
them up lo June 1st. £3, Mr. Jas. Webb ; 2ud, £3, Mr.
Joseph Miles, Claines.

Five theaves, £3, Mr. Jas. Webb.

Five ewe lambs, £3, Mr. Jas. Webb ; 2nd, £3, Mr. J. Miles.

Shearling ram, £5, Mr. J. Lynn ; ram of any age, £3, Mr.
J. Lynn ; 3ud, £1, Mr. J. Lynn.

SHROPSHIRES.

Five breeding ewes, having had lambs in 18G8 and suckled
them up to June 1st, £3, Mr. C. Reynolds, Penkridge ; 3nd,
£3, Mr. H. Allsopp.

Five theaves, £3, Mr. R, Berkeley, Spetchley ; 3nd, £3, Mr.
R.Berkeley; 3rd, £1, Mr. H. Allsopp.

Five ewe lambs, £3, Mr. H. Allsopp.

Sliearling ram, £5, Mr. C. Reynolds ; ram of any age, £3,
Mr. G. Crump, Pcrshore.

CROSS-BRED.

Five breeding ewes, having had lambs in 1868 and suckled
them up to June 1st, £3, Mr. Jas. Webb ; 2nd, £3, Mr. J. F.
IlaU ; 3rd, £1, Mr. W. Lea, Cotheridge.

Five theaves, £3, Mr. G. W. Crump ; 3nd, £3, Mr. J. F.
Hall ; 3rd, £1, Mr. Jas. Webb.

Five ewe lambs, £3, Mr. Jas. Webb ; 2nd, £3, Mr. E, T.
Goldingham ; 3rd, £1, Mr. E. T. Goldingham.
PIGS.

Boar pig of any age, £5, Mr. R. Berkeley ; Snd, £3, Mr. H.
Allsopp ; 3rd, £1, Ur. G. McCaun, Malvern.

Sow with pigs, the age of the pigs not to exceed 9 months,
£'1, Mr. R. Berkeley ; Snd, £2, Mr. H, Allsopp.
HORSES.

Stallion cart horses for agricultural purposes, £10, Mr. T.
Timms, Bromyard.

Cart mare and foal, £5, Mr. James Corbett, Severn Stoke ;
Snd, £3, Mr. S. Davis, Pcrshore ; 3rd, £1, Mr. J. Miles.

Two and under three years old cart filly, entire colt, or
gelding, £5, Mr. R. Hickman ; 2ud, £3, Mr. S. Davis ; 3rd,
£1, Mr. II. Hudson, Pcrshore.

Three-year-old gelding or fiUy likely to make a hunter, £5,
Eari Dudley ; Snd, £3, Eari Dudley.

Brood mare for producing himters, belonging to a tenant
farmer ^^ ithin the county or Worcester (given by H. F. Ycrnon,
Esq., M.P.), £10, Mr. B. Prosser.

EXTRA STOCK.

Cattle.— £1, Earl Dudley, pair of Highland oxen ; £1,
Earl Beauchamp, Shorthorn dairy cow; 10s., Earl Beau-
champ, Shorthorn dairy cow ; £1, Earl Beauchamp, Short-
horn heifer ; £1, Mr. J. Lynn, Shorthorn bull ; 10s., Mr. E. J.
Morris, Hereford calf, under one year.

Horses. — £3, Earl Beauchamp, agricultural stallion,
" Clydesdale ;" £3, Mr. S. Davis, pair agricultural horses.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

899

AaRICULTURAL RETURNS OF GREAT
BRITAIN FOR 1868.

It has not beeu practicable to obtain from, all parts of Eng-
land and Wales the information necessary for the completion
of the Agricultural Returns for this year until the present date.
With the view of making known as early as possible the chief
results exhibited by the Returns, the following particulars are
furnished in anticipation of the publication of the Returns in
, detail :—

Extent of L^ufo in Great Britain under

Wheat. Barley. Oats.

Acres. Acres. Acres.

1866 ... 3,350,394 ... 2,237,329 ... 2,759,923

1867 ... 3,367,876 ... 2,359,161 ... 2,750,487

1868 ... 3,646,360 ... 2,149,201 ... 2,753,340

]jycREASE(*) OR Decrease (t).
Wheat. Barley. Oats.

Acres. Acres. Acres.

1868 over C *378,384 ... tl09,963 ... *2,753

1867... t oi" 8"2 I'sr ct. or 4'9 per ct. or 0-1 per ct.

1868 over? *395,866 ... t88,138 ... t6,683

1866... (or 8-8 per ct. or 4-0 per ct. or 0'3 per ct.

Total Number of Live Stock in Great Britain upon
June 25.
Cattle. Sheep. Pigs.

1867 ... 4,993,034 ... 28,919,101 ... 2,966,979

1868 ... 6,416,154 ... 30,685,980 ... 2,303,857

Increase (*) or Decrease (f).
Cattle. Sheep. Kgs.

1868 over f *433,130 ... *I,766,879 ... 1^03,133

1867... (or 8'5 per ct. or 6-1 per ct. or33.3perct.

The amount of land in Great Britain under potatoes in
1868 was 539,554 acres, against 493,317 in 1867 and 493,843
in 1866.

The acreage under hops in 1868 was 64,488, against 64,384
in 1867, ^nd 56,578 in 1866.

Statistical De^jartmenty Board of Trade, Sept. 19.

IRISH AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS,

1868.
The Registrar-General gives the following as the total extent
of flax grown in Ireland in each of the following years :—

Acres.

1851 140,.536

1853 137,008

1853 174,579

1854 151,403

1855 97,075

1856 106,311

1857 97,731

1858 91,646

1859 136,383

Acres.

1860 138,595

1861 147,957

1863 150,070

1863 314,099

1864 301,693

1865 251,433

1866 263,507

1867 253,357

1868 206,446

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, IRELAND,

1868.

Mr, Donnelly, the Irish Registrar-General, has made his
usual annual report, from which we learn that the total acre-
age under all crops in 1868 was 5,547,335 acres ; ditto, 1867,
was 5,459,703 acres — showing an increase iu the extent under
crops in 1868 of 87,633 acres, which is thus accounted for :
compared with 1867 wheat increased by 35,756 acres,
oats by 39,408, barley by 15,199, and here and rye by
304 acres. Beans and peas decreased by 3,583 acres. Pota-
toes increased by 33,073 acres, mangel and beetroot by 370,
cabbage by 8,753, and carrots, parsnips, and other green crops
by 1,103 acres. Meadow and clover increased by 33,463
acres. The crops which decreased in area in 1868 were tur-
nips by 15,663 acres, vetches and rape by 3,638, and flax by
46,811 acres — the net increase in the acreage under crops in
1868 being 87,633 acres.

The total estimated value of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs
this year was £34,098,74)3, being a decrease of £1,058,477
compared with 1867.

THE ROYAL AND CENTRAL BUCKS
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

MEETING AT AYLESBURY.

At the dinner of the Association, Sir Harry Verney
said, as a member of Parliament, he would refer to one
matter which was of great interest to them, the enoi-mous
increase of the poor-rates. It would be a great thing if they
could keep the rates separate, so that the people might know
what was paid for poor-rate and what for county-rate, and he
also wanted to see those who paid the rates have a more direct
control over the expenditure of them. Financial Boards would
be of very great benefit to the country at large, and if they
were under the management, in a great measure, of ratepayers,
he should not be afraid of niggardness 'or improper economy
being used by them, for where the ratepayers had more control
over the money, they would aU be anuuated by the same spirit
for the benefit of the country, and they would, he felt sure,
sliow as much wisdom and proper feeling iu the expenditure
as those who now had the control of them. He did not make
these remarks without some coufirmatiou, from experience, for
that opinion, for since the ratepayers had been admitted to the
control of the Poor-laws, they were better administered than
they were before. Many of them might not, but he did re-
collect the old system, and he could testify that the present
system had conferred immense benefit upon all classes. Those
who have to administer the Poor-laws, do it with a spirit of
justice, of kindness, and of charity towards those who receive
that relief, and, at the same time, look well after the interests
of those who contribute the money, and see that improper per-
sons do not receive relief.

Mr. J. E. PowLER said this was a red-letter day for the
county of Buckingham ; they had a very large amount of
good stock. He thought their poultry show was a very great
success indeed, in which he had taken some very good prizes,
but he never felt ao proud in his life as he did that day, at
talcing first and second prizes for Shorthorn heifers, bred by
himself. The sheep which had been brought from different
parts of England to their show that day, showed that great
care and attention had been paid to the selection of the male
animals, and did great credit to the judgment of the men
who had selected the animals which they saw on the ground.

Mr. Stone said there was one subject alluded to by the
honourable baronet the member for Buckingham (Sir H.
Verney) , which was also mentioned by Mr. Powler, iu which
he, having been connected with the Aylesbury Union for a
period of nearly forty years, naturally took a great interest-
that was, the question of poor-rates. It was a subject of deep
regret to him that these rates should have been so enor-
mously increased ; and he quite agreed with what Sir Harry
Verney had said on the subject. The amount of money
collected as poor-rate was not all expended for the purposes of
the poor ; and he thought it was necessary that it sliould be
separated under its different heads, in order that it might be
understood by the general public. He had always contended
that the ratepayers should have more control over the expen-
diture of the county rates ; and some time ago he attended as
one of a deputation, on the part of the Aylesbury Union, to
draw the attention of the Government to the subject ; and, as
the expenditure on behalf of the county rate had nothing
whatever to do with the relief of the poor, it ought to be se-
parated from it. If they thought the services of tiie committee
had beeu of any use, they should be happy to place themselves
at the disposal of the Society again.

Mr. Acton Tind.vi gave " The Successful Competitors."
In proposing the toast, he felt that he was speaking somewhat
of himself; for his ploughman had taken the first prize in the
champion class, beating the ^famous ploughman of Messrs.
Ransome and Sims.

Mr. TrEjVDWELL was delighted to see so many of the gen-
tlemen of the county at the head of the table ; and he hoped
such attendance would l)e contiuued for the future. If they
had one good central show, it would tend much to draw the
gentry together upon these occasions ; for when they were
separated in such small societies as they had now over the
county, they could not expect them to subscribe to or attend
all these little shows. There was a line of raOway opened
that day connecting the north-west part of the county with
Aylesbury ; and if they had a large ceatal show at Aylesbury

400

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

more of the gentry would come to visit them, and it would be
very advantageous to them as farmers and breeders of stock.
If they had some little animals at home, and did not go
abroad to compare, they would remain satisfied with what
tliey had ; and by going to a wider area, they would see
animals by which their stock could be improved, and they

would know where to go to. Ever since a sliort time after he
commenced business, he took to the purchase of male animals
for the purpose of improving his breed. He had commenced
with a small, ordinary stock ; and he had never laid out any
money in the purchase of females, but restricted himself to the
purchase of male animals.

ARTinCIAL MANURES.

At a meeting of the North Riding Chamber of Agriculture
:n York, Mr. Coleman read a paper on artificial manures,
which were of extreme importance in this neighbourjiood,
owing to the large quantity of potatoes and flax, in addition
to a full proportion of corn, which were grown, and the cor-
responding paucity of sheep stock rendered a large quantity
of extraneous manure absolutely necessary, in order to main-
tain the fertility of the fields, and grow such crops as shall
prove remunerative. Their management in this district was
less self-supporting than in many districts. In order to show
thenecessity for manure, they must briefly glance at the com-
position of the crops, the action of combustion, the nature of
the combustible portions, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and
carbon. The development of the artificial manure trade had
been most remarkable, and unmistakably advantageous from
one point of view. Tliey were led to question whether tlie
facihty with_ which they had been supplied had not led to
waste of their own resources. The very materials for whicli
they paid so heavily were too often permitted to ooze away
into the nearest ditch and pollute their streams. Baron Lie-
big, to whose investigations they owed in a great degree their
present advanced position, warned them that the time would
come when their reckless extravagance would bring down
upon them heavy discomfort ; and that the decay of tlie coun-
try would date from tlie day wlien the supplies of phosphates
would fall short. Without going quite so far, he would ear-
nestly impress upon them the importance of taking care of
the manure of the farm. It was sad to see the ignorance that
was apparent in uuspouted yards, where the manure was
washed out, and the horse pond made of a porter colour.
Even if it could be shown that the waste thus incurred could
be more economically made up by the purchase of artificial
manures than by the outlay necessary to prevent it, it would
still be clear that taking a broad comprehensive view, their
practice was most repreliensible. The subject then under no-
tice, however, was not the management of home manures.
All he would urge at present was that artificial manures should
be used as auxiliaries only, to make up that deficiency a forcing
system necessitated, when every care had been bestowed upon
the home supply. The satisfies of the manure trade were al-
most startling. In 184-1 and 1842, Mr. Lawes, acting upon
the suggestions of Baron Liebig, commenced the manufacture
of superphosphate of lime. Guano, as a trade, was established
about 1842, although some few cargoes had previously arrived.
They were informed by a Westmoreland farmer that he was
present at a dinner party when the host handed round a small
box of what might be thought was a new variety of snuff, but
which was guano. Tliey might gather some idea of the growth
of the trade from the following facts : Messrs. Gibbs, in 1842,
imported 182 tons of guano; in 1843, 4.,667 tons; in 1862,'
435,000 tons. Of the latter quantity from one-third to one-
fourth was used in the United Kingdom. The price at first
ranged from £10 to £15, and it was now £12 to £13 per ton.
Artificial manures might be separated into two groups, namely,
those that like guano and certain composite productions, sup-
plied to plants the various minerals and ammonia which were
required for the additional produce aimed at beyond that which
the soil could afford ; and simple substances like nitrate of
soda, sulphate of ammonia, salt, and to a certain extent super-
phosphate of lime. After speaking of the good qualities of
I'eruvian guano for various kinds of crops, Mr. Coleman said
that although Peruvian guano was so beneficial on loam soils,
that farmers beheved in nothing else, yet there were soils on
Which it had no action, and others where it was injurious,
especially for root crops. As a rule, guano was the least ef-
tective upon clays, as they possessed suflicient nitrogen, and
only rsquired a stimulant, which was found in nitrate of soda
and superphosphate of lime. Tully alive to the value of really

good Peruvian guano, he warned farmers against placing too
much dependence on it. Already notes of warning had
reached them that the supplies were being exhausted, and
there could be no doubt that the quality was more irregular
than formerly. Great as were the original accumulations, the
deposits of thousands of years, it was quite evident that a time
must come sooner or later when the supplies would cease or be
greatly reduced. What were they doing to economise their
own resources all the time ? Would it be credited in the fu-
ture that, whilst paying millions for birds' dung, they were
allowing their own excreta not only from large centres, but on
individual farms, to be completely lost? He recommended
the use of earth closets everywhere, and then alluded to nitrate
of soda and salt, stating that it would be impossible in the
limits allotted to him to enter into detail upon the multifarious
substances pressed into the service of the farmer, much less
to describe the processes by which they were utihsed. The
most important group were those in which soluble phosphate
of lime formed the presiding element. The influence of phos-
phates on the growth of our green crops was more especially
remarkable. A good bone phosphate should contain from 23
to 25 soluble, and 7 to 10 insoluble. A good mineral phos-
phate should yield from 28 to 30 soluble, and 2 to 4 insoluble.
His advice was to purchase only of first-rate men, men who
had a character to lose, and to buy by a guaranteed analysis,
submitting a few samples of the bulk to analysis as a test.
He recommended farmers to join the Uoyal Agricultural
Society, and by so doing they could get their manures
analysed at half-price by first-rate men. Phospho guano
was an example of a highly soluble phosphate, made
from a mineral phosphate found as a crust on certain
trap rock islands within the tropics, exceedingly rich
in phosphate of lime. It was sold at about £11 a ton. Mr.
Coleman proceeded to contend that low-priced were not cheap
manures. He desired to avoid saying anything that might be
thought too severe, but the ignorauce which too generally pre-
vailed amongst farmers, and their love of bargains, opened the
way and made it easy for unscrupulous vendors to reap a rich
harvest. Many years ago a French firm drove a flourishing
trade in tliis country with what was known as " British Econo-
mical Manure." This stuff was sold at £12 per ton, and was
said to be superior to Peruvian guano. It was only worth
about £3 commercially, but agriculturally often tiil. He gave
an instance of some worthless stuff called nitro-phosphate
being sold by auction in York last winter, ang it was of a
worthless description. He showed that farmers suffered loss
by buying genuine manures which did not contain a sufficient
amount of fertilising ingredients according to the price paid
lor them. A few words as to the application of artificial
manures. On light soils, which were naturally weak, manur-
ing every crop was found to be essential. Soluble manures
should be sown as directly as possible, especially on light soils.
All clays possessed retentive power enough to preserve every
atom that was valuable, hence they might use their own con-
venience ; but on sands they should go as near the surface as
possible. Potash was required for both clover and potatoes,
and manures for these crops should contain some. Mr. Cole-
man gave some particulars of experiments with manure which
had been tried on artificial grasses at the Menagerie farm,
Escrick, showing the amount of dressings of manures, and
the weight of the crops cut on June 12 and August 24'. The
manures used were nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia,
mineral superphosphate (dissolved coprolites), common salt,
muriate of potash, and sulphate of potash, at the rate of
4401bs. per acre, and one ton of gypsum. The result showed
that the crops on June 12 were much heavier than on
August 34. Mr. Coleman stated that grass-land, as a rule,
was shamefully neglected, and he contended that no outlay was
so remunerative as improvement of grass.

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

401

MODEL" AGREEMENT.

" The Model Agreement" should be rather a stale joke
by this time. It is generally drawn up by a busy agent
or ambitious lawyer, and its several ramifications read
out before a company of much-admiring agriculturists,
who dutifully follow so far as human patience or common
comprehension can go. Of course the great object is to
improve on the standard obsolete form, which went to
declare that a tenant should not do this, and should do
that — that he must not sell this part of his produce, and
he must take a certain price for that, and so forth. And
as a rule, of course, the Model Agreement turns out to
be something rather worse than the old original. After,
however, the very remarkable exposition by the younger
Mr. Grey at the Hexham Farmers' Club, early in the
present year, it was to be hoped that little more would
be heard of this sort of thing; at least, for a pass-
ing season or so. But the Chambers of Agriculture
have, as is said, broken up quite new ground, and
so in Carmarthenshire the other day this pretty
piece of business was all gone through again.
It is only fair, though, to say — and we give a full report
of the meeting below — that the gentleman who
undertook to introduce the subject knew perfectly
well what he was about, the errors to avoid and the rocks
to steer clear of, upon which previous pilots had foun-
dered. The cardinal points to observe, says Mr. Har-
vey, are that " the tenant should have full liberty to farm
according to his own ideas" — that " the terra of every
tenancy should be embodied in as plain and brief a man-
ner as is consistent with perfect clearness" — and that he
will " not read a homily to tenants on the way they should
manage their farms." The premises could scarcely be
better laid. Our lecturer is manifestly well alive to the
spirit of the age, when a tenant must be left to do the best
he can by the place, and be no longer hampered with cum-
brous covenants and lengthy enactments, that he would
probably never read and possibly never understand. And
then, in fulfilment of all this good intention our
Cambrian authority jjroceeds to unravel, as he
begs, " without interruption," an agreement that
runs to " fifteenthly," with sundry provisos" and
" alsos," as conditions to be observed by the tenant ;
coupled with one hardly knows how many more, to regu-
late the conduct of the landlord ! An agreement which,
prepared by " a legal friend," abounds in all the worst
evils of that which it proposes to replace — the wearisome
perplexing prolixity, the absurdly minute detail, and the
ever-recurring penalty to which the man who does not
farm according to law shall be subjected. He shall not
sell his straw — he shall not kill the rabbits — he shall not
take this crop after that — he shall not sell his produce in
the way he thinks fit, and so on. Mr. Harvey is "averse
to viewing the tenancy of land simply from a commercial
point of view," but it is much to be desired that he
would do so. No commercial man would ever dream
for a moment of putting his name to such a con-
tract as that brought as an example before the mem-
bers of the Carmarthenshire Chamber of Agriculture.
But, then, Mr. Harvey is " still weak enough to think
there should be mutual feelings of good-will, kindness,
and gratitude subsisting between those who own and
those who occupy the land." And a fine opportunity he
has given for the display and development of this good
feeling in the precious paper he has just put his sign to !
A mutual understanding, wherein the one is ready to give

the other credit for little or nothing ; but where, from the
very outset, the tenant is regarded as very like a rogue,
and the landlord as quite equal to cope with him in the
way of sharp practice.

One has barely patience to read through such a docu-
ment ; and how the meeting took it may be gathered
from the discussion that followed. Mr. Puxley, a land-
owner, who is about to contest the county, certainly only
found fault with this agreement because " it was much
too long, and likely to lead to law." Could it be
possible to say more ? Could any stronger objections
be urged than that, running to the length it does,
the provisions of this paper are still so confused that it
will require the costly aid of the Courts to properly inter-
pret their meaning? Mr. Harvey and his handiwork
could seek for no greater condemnation. But Mr.
Bishop, who we shall assume to be a lawyer, does not
quarrel with the length, as " this will do no harm to
members of my profession," and of course furnish them
with employment in more ways than one ; while Mr.
Brodie thinks " a lease should be as simple as possible,
with much fewer words than we generally find in such
documents, and drawn at as small a cost as possible."
Mr. Harvey himself does not seem to be quite so clear as to
whether his " articles" are intended for a lease or yearly
agreement ; but whether for one or the other the principle
of the thing is equally obnoxious.

Here are some of the very particular clauses : The
exclusive right of the rabbits shall be reserved to the
landlord — the tenant shall consame on the farm all the
green crops, hay, straw, muck, and manure — he shall
not breast-plough, pare, or burn without permission — he
shall not have in tillage in any one year more than so
many acres — he shall not carry away from off the pre-
mises any hay, straw, corn in straw, green crops, muck, or
manure — and he shall have certain allowances on leaving
for lime used in top-dressing. The monstrous proposi-
tion, at least in a model agreement, for reserving such
vermin as rabbits as landlords' rights, is got over by a
clause on the other side permitting the tenant to occa--
sionally destroy them, but not with a gun ! Such pests
to the farm should be rooted out by every known means,
and Mr. Harvey will see in our paper of this day a
proposition from a Lincolnshire farmer — one of the
best cultivated and at the same time one of the most
sporting districts in the kingdom — to make any agree-
ment illegal which went to reserve the rabbits to the
landlord. From a discussion now going on in Devon-
shire, Sir Lawrence Palk appears to have endangered his
seat from reserving the rabbits on his estates, although of
course the tenants have occasional " permission" to kUl
some ; and yet, forsooth, what the farmers object to in
the West is made the basis of a model agreement in
Wales I Again, a tenant is not to sell a ton of hay or a
load of straw, at a time when steam is supposed to be about
to take the place, at least in some degree, of horse-power
in the cultivation of the land, and other changes are
occurring in the system of providing manures. He shall
have just so many acres in tillage, and he shall not do this
or that act of husbandry without permission. In other
words, the landlord or his agent shall farm for him,
and the tenant be content to take the rank of a bailiff.
He shall, however, enjoy something like a Tenant's
Right for the use and benefit of lime ; as if there were no

B E

402

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

other mamives, artificial or otherwise, the strength of
which should be taken into consideration.

According to one of the speakers a tenant will sign any-
thing ; but, fond as the Welsh are supposed to be of liti-
gation, it is to be hoped that no man wiU ever be rash
enough to put his name to such a paper as this. The
meeting naturally enough could make nothing of it, and
the discussion is to be adjourned for three months. But
this is not long enough. In the House of Commons,
when a rigmarole tiresome measure is brought forward
with little or no actual use about it but to waste time,
some honourable gentleman, on the introducer sitting
down after having had his say out, is quick to move the
Bill "be read again this day six months." We
commend the precedent to the best attention of the Car-
marthenshire Chamber of Agriculture.

At the second meeting of the Carmarthenshire Chamber of
Agriculture Mr. Hauvey said : I have the honour to introduce
the subject of " The best Form of Agreement for the Protection
of both Landlord and Tenant." It has so happened that this
subject has been occupying my attention for some years , and j
shall endeavour to the best of my ability to give you tiie result
of my labours and experience. I shall this morning confine
myself strictly to the subject before us, and do not intend to
lecture the landlords on their duty to their tenants, nor, on the
other hand, to read a homily to tenants on the way tliey should
manage their farms ; I shall only say that a good landlord
generally makes a good tenant, that I am averse to viewing the
tenancy of land simply from a commercial point of view, and
that I am still weak enough to think that there should be mu-
tual feelings of goodwill, kindness, and gratitude subsisting be-
tween those who own and those who occupy the land. There
are certain cardinal rules, for the management and cultivation
of land, which must be attended to and not infringed, and then
the trifling variations in the method of farming, and other mat-
ters which locality or climate render necessary, will not pre-
vent full justice being done to landlord and tenant. The agree-
ment which I shall now submit to you embodies these cardinal
rules, allowing tlie tenant full liberty to farm according to his
own ideas, so long as he does not exceed certain limits. It is
prepared for a yearly tenancy, but, with some trifling altera-
tions, is equally suitable for a lease for years. You can there-
fore see, gentlemen, that, instead of giving you an abstract
lecture, I have thought it more practical to prepare an agree-
ment. There can be no difference of opinion as to the desira-
bility of having the term of every tenancy embodied in as plain
and brief a manner as is consistent with perfect clearness ; but
we must sacrifice even brevity to attain perfect clearness, and I
find that it is mipossible to have a thoroughly good agreement
shorter than the one which I have prepared. I am indebted to
a legal friend for tlie great clearness and precision with which
he has embodied my ideas in this document, after one of David-
son's forms, and I consider that it will ensure a good state of
condition in a farm, even if subject to frequent clianges of
tenancy. I shall not take up your time any longer, but pro-
ceed to read the agreement, making such commentaries as I
think are necessary. I have procured a number of copies, and
I shall be obliged if gentlemen who intend taking part in
the subsequent discussion will allow me to read without inter-
ruption ; but they can make notes on their copies, and we can
hear what they have to say after I liave finished. Tliis course
will save nmch time ; for, as you hear me read, many questions
that you would wish to ask will be found to be answered, and
you will have the advantage of having the document before you,
as a whole exposition of ray idea of the best form of agreement
for the protection of both landlord and tenant.
This is the aggreement :—

An Agreement entered into this day of .

18 — , between ' hereinafter called the Landlord

Parish of ■
whole —

-, in the county of

of the one part and

^ hereinafter called the Ten-

ant of the other part

The Landlord will when required by tlie Tenant by Deed
grant to the Tenant and the Tenant will tliereupon without
requiring or investigating the Landlord's Title accept a lease
of the Messuage Farm and Lands called — ■? — , situate in the

-, containing in the
or thereabouts, and now in the occupation of
, with the easement and appurtenances thereto belong-
ing or usually held therewith. Except aU mines, minerals,
quarries, stone, clay, sand, and gravel, timber, trees, woods,
underwoods and saplings, in, under, and upon the said premises.
And reserving unto the Landlord and all persons authorised
by him, liberty to search for, dig, dress, make merchantable,
fell, cut, carry away, and dispose of the said several excepted
things respectively, and for tlie purposes aforesaid to sink all
necessary pits and shafts, and make and erect all necessary
erections, machinery, roads, and other conveniences and things
making to the Tenant reasonable compensation lor all damage
occasioned by the exercise of the liberties hereinbefore re-
served, such compensation in case of dispute to be settled by
arbitration as hereinafter provided. And also reserving the ex-
clusive right of shooting, sporting, fishing, and preserving
game, rabbits (except as hereinafter mentioned) [I shall ex-
plain that presently], wild-fowl, and fish upon or in the said
premises For the term of one year, from the 29th of Septem-
Ijer 18 — and so on from year to year until tlie demise shall
be determined at the end of the first or any subsequent year
by either party giving to the other on or before the 25th of
March in any such year notice to quit in writing At the cer-
tain yearly rent of £— — to be paid by equal quarterly pay-
ments on tlie 24th of December, the 25th of March, the 24th
of June, and the 29th of September in every year the first of
such quarterly payment to be made on the 24th of December
next aud the last to be made in advance one calendar month
before the expiration of the demise And at the additional con-
tingent yearly rent of £10 for every acre and so in proportion
for a less quantity of the fields hereinafter mentioned (that is
to say) [Here it is proposed to fill in the names of the meadows
in question] which shall be broken up or converted into till-
age without the consent in writing of the landlord for that
purpose first had and obtained The said additional contingent
yearly rent to be paid quarterly on the days aforesaid and the
first payment to be made on such one of the said quarterly
days as shall first happen after the event on which such con-
tingent rent is made payable aud all the said yearly rents both
certain and contingent to be paid without any deduction for
tithe-rent charge land tax or anything else except county road
rate.

The said lease shall contain the following covenants on the
part of the tenant : —

First.— To pay the said certain yearly rent, and if tlie same
shall become payable the said additional contingent rent at the
times and manner aforesaid.

Second.— Ho pay the tithe rent-charge together with a pro-
portionate part thereof for the time which shall have elapsed

between the expiration of the demise and of ■

then next preceding and all existing and future taxes, includ-
ing land tax (if any), rates, assessments, and outgoings of
every description, except county road rate for the time being,
payable either by landlord or tenant in respect of the premises.
[The explanation of the blank is this— The tithe rent-charge
is, generally speaking, paid on the 1st of October, and the
tenancy generally terminates on the 29th of September. This
is to prevent a tenant escaping the proper payment of that
charge].

T/iird. — To keep the said messuage together with all fix-
tures and additions thereto, and all buildings for the time
being on the said premises, and also the thatched roofs, pumps,
gates, stiles, rails, hedges, fences, walls, bridges, roads, ditches,
and water-courses belonging to or upon the said premises
generally, in good tenantable repair, the landlord allowing
timber in the rough slates and thatch, but the tenant doing or
paying for the labour and carriage. And in particular, in
every second year to whitewash or otherwise colour the
walls both ouside and inside, and in every fifth year to
paint all the outside wood-work usually painted, and in
every seventh year to paint all the inside wood-work usually
painted.

Fonrth—To consume on the said farm and lands all the
green crops, hay, straw, muck, and manure produced thereon,
and generally to cultivate and manage the same m good and
husband-like manner, according to the custom of the country
in reference to farms of a like nature, except so far as the same

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

403

is hereby varied, and not to commit waste upon or impoverish
the said farm and lands.

Fifth. — And particularly not to plough up or convert into
tillage any of the said several iields herein-before specified
without such written consent as aforesaid. [The fields
have been specified, but this is a covenant not to plough
them, &c.].

Sixth. — ^And not to have in tillage in any one year more
than acres of the other or remaining lands.

Seventh. — And not to take out of any of the tillage lands
more than two successive corn crops without an intervening
fallow or green crop.

Eighth. — And not to breast-plough, pare, or burn any part
of the said farm lands without such written consent as afore-
said. [Consent here can be given, but, generally speaking, I
object to breast-ploughing].

Ninth. — And not to carry away from the said premises any
hay, straw, corn in straw, green crops, muck, or manure grown
or produced thereon except wheaten thatch, provided that for
every load of wheaten thatch two full loads of good rotten
dung or an eijuivalent quantity of other good manure be
brought back.

The Chaxeman (Mr. John Jones) : What do you mean by
wheaten-thatch ?

Mr. Haavey : The regular straw of wheat, which is wheaten-
thatch.

Mr. Williams (Llanginning) : Supposing a tenant was very
far out in the country, it will be diflicult for him to procure
any rotten dung.

Tenth. — Not to assign or underlet the said premises or any
part thereof, except labourers' cottages and gardens, without
such consent as aforesaid.

Eleventh. — Not to plough any pasture land or land laid
down for pasture after giving or receiving notice to quit under
a penalty of £10 for every acre ploughed, and so in propor-
tion for a less quantity such penalty, to be regarded as hquida-
ted damages, and to be recoverable immediately by distress, as
if the same were rent in arrear. [This is to deviate a custom
prevalent with some tenants of ploughing up a considerable
quantity of land. Ploughing for ley oats should be done be-
fore the 35th March ; any ploughing afterwards must be pre-
prejudicial to the farmj.

Twelfth. — To sow every year in all outgoing lands a sufli-
cient quantity of clover and grass seeds such seeds in the last
year to be sown in such fields as the Landlord or incoming
Tenant may select, and to be sown and harrowed without
charge, and the growth thereof not to be depastured by cattle
or horses. [You will observe that I forbid cattle or horses,
but not pigs].

Thirteenth. — To permit the landlord and all persons author-
ised by liim at any time or times during the demise to enter
upon the said premises to inspect the state and condition
thereof.

Fourteenth. — [This is a very important clause.] — To sell to
the landlord at a valuation to be made in the usual way all the
hay the produce of the last year at a consuming price, and all
the green crops, lime unused, and manurg on the said premises
at the expiration of the demise. And also all the corn in tlie
straw the produce of the last year, provided that notice of the
landlord's desire to purchase such corn in the straw be given
on or before the 1st of July in the same year, provided also
that if no such notice be given, or if no agreement to pur-
chase be entered into the tenant shall be at liberty to imbarn
and stack upon the said premises all such corn as aforesaid,
and to thrash out the same at his own expense leaving the
straw gratis for the incoming tenant provided also that tlie
whole of such corn must be thrashed out and removed on or
before the 24th of December next after the expiration of the
demise. [I want to make one or two observations on this.
First the landlord is made responsible because tlie farm maybe
unlet ; and valuers will settle with regard to green crops.
Then, again, the corn being thrashed on the premises is to do
away with the sales by auction which are so prevalent in this
country. When I am asked as to the custom of the country,
I must say the custom varies. In Pembrokeshire, particularly,
I am obliged to say with a great deal of reluctance, that the
custom of the outgoing tenant is to tell off the hay and corn
crops by auction. (A voire : " So is it in Carmarthenshire.")
By this clause, if the landlord does not agree to buy, or the

incoming tenant to take the crops by valuation, then, the out-
going tenant may retain possession of the haggard, and have
the use of the barn for three months to thrash his corn. The
new tenant who enters upon the farm and purchases the corn
may say, " How can you ask me to sign the covenant, because
when I quit I shall be leaving behind my straw which I took
when I entered," but if the landlord can be induced to make
a compromise with the tenant by making an allowance to him
in money, or something of that kind, which would efi"ect his
adoption of this clause it would work a most important change
in the agriculture of this country. This clause is, of course,
liable to objection, and I shall be happy to hear what the
practical gentlemen have to say upon it. I think all of you
wLU agree with me that it is most important to keep straw on
the farm].

Fifteenth. — To deliver up the said premises and all build-
ings, machinery, fixtures, and additions thereto, except such
as the tenant shall be entitled to remove under or by virtue
of any Act of Parliament, and which tlie landlord shall have
not elected to purchase in such good tenautable repair as
aforesaid, and in all respects in such state and condition as
shall be consistent with the due performance of the stipulations
herein contained or to be contained in the said lease. [This
clause requires a little explanation. There is an Act of Par-
liament—the 14th and 15th Vic, chap. 25— which enacts that
any tenant who obtains the consent of the landlord to erect
any buildings on the farm, when he quits the farm may re-
move those buildings ; but the landlord has the option of
giving one month's notice of purchasing them. If the tenant
got permission of the landlord to erect even a barn, he could
remove when he quitted, if the landlord did not give notice to
purchase it. Mr. Harvey then read the section of the Act,
which stated that if, after the passing of that Act, any tenant
of any farm or land should get the consent in writing of the
landlord for the time being, to erect, at his own cost and ex-
pense, any farm-buildings, attached or otherwise, or set up
any engines or machinery for agricultural or trade purpose,
then the said buildings, engines, machinery, &c., should be the
property of the tenant, and should be removed by him, not-
withstanding that the same may consist of separate buildings
or otherwise, or be in the whole or in part permanently fixed
on the soil, provided that the tenant do not injure the land,
and that he leave the premises in the same condition as he
found them, provided also that no tenant should be entitled
to remove such property without giving to the landlord one
month's notice of his intention to do so, whereupon the land-
lord should be entitled to purchase the same ; the price to be
determined by two referees.]

Mr. Williams (Llanginning) : There is no limit of time,
IseeP

Mr. Harvey : Oh, no ; but you must give your landlord
notice.

Mr, Williams : Then if it was a twenty years' tenancy, it
would be all the same ?

Mr. Harvey : Exactly ; and the price depends on the re-
ferees.

And in the said lease there shall be inserted a proviso that
if the said premises or any part thereof shall at any time be
out of repair, and the tenant shall neglect or refuse to repair
the same within two calendar montlis after notice in writing
to be given by or on behalf of the landlord, the landlord may
cause all such repairs as shall be specified in such notice to be
done, and may recover the expenses of such repairs less the
cost of such materials as the landlord is hereby bound to
provide by distress as if such expenses were rent in arrear.

And also a proviso for re-entry if any of the said several
rents shall be in arrear for twenty-one days whether leo-aUy
demanded or not, or if the tenant shall be adjudged bankrupt,
or shall enter into any composition with his creditors, or any
particular class of his creditors, or if execution shall be levied
upon his goods and chattels, or upon the said premises, or if
and whenever there shall be a breach of any of the tenants'
covenants. [This simply gives you certain rights in case of
breach of contract.]

And the lease shall contain the following covenants on the
part of the landlord : —

First.— 1q insure the dwelling-house and farm-building in

the sum of pounds at the least, and in case of destruction

or damage of the same or any part thereof by fire, to rebuild

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or repair the part or parts so destroyed or damaged without
delay, the tenant carrying all necessary materials without
charge.

Second. — To provide timber in the rough state and thatch
for repairs whenever needed. [Now, I wish to draw a distinc-
tion between things purchased and things grown on the farm ;
and I shall put it to you presently whether, thatch being grown
on the farm, it is desirable for the landlord to pay for it, or for
a substitute for it. My experience teaches me that tenants do
not like thatch. Tf the landlord likes he can strike out the
word " thatch," and put in " slates." He can do so, and the
tenant will be generally agreeable to tliat, I think. This
agreement is drawn on the principle that the tenant does the
work, and the landlord finds the materials.]

Third. — To permit the tenant and his servants to destroy
the rabbits by ferreting and digging in the fields and hedgerows

from the of to the 1st of March in every year. [Here

I must give you my own opinion, which is, that tenants ought
to be allowed to kill rabbits. At the same time thty ought
only to destroy in the way mentioned in the agreement. I do
not consider that the tenant ought to be allowed to kill rabbits
with guns, but be simply allowed to rid himself by the means
specified.]

Fourth. — [I wish to call attention to this particularly.] To
purchase of the tenant on quitting at a valuation to be made in
the usual way all the hay the produce of the last year at a
consuming price, and all the green crops, lime unused, and
manure on the said premises at tlie expiration of the de-
mise, and to pay or allow for lime spread upon or
brought to bare fallows, and for labour bestowed upon, and
for rent-rates and taxes paid in respect of such fallows.
[There is nothing new in that, but there is this — ] and also
the cost price ar the kiln of all lime, of which one crop only
shall have been taken, and for the carriage of muck during the
last year, and for clover and grass seeds sown during the last
year, if the growth of such seeds has not been depastured by
cattle or horses. [Now, this has been in use with us for some
time, and is very convenient. If a farmer has had a great
deal of trouble in preparing his fallow for wheat, and the next
year gets notice to quit, we consider that he is entitled to the
cost of the lime which he has used, because the incoming
tenant finds the land well prepared, and gets a very good crop,
perhaps without any expense whatever.]

Fifih. — To allow annually for the years one-tenth part of
the cost of efficient under-draining if done witli the consent in
writing of the landlord, the first of such annual allowances to
be made on the 29tli of September next, after such draining
shall have been completed if tlie tenant shall have satisfied the
landlord that the works have l)een properly executed, and that
the entire sum claimed has actually been expended in the exe-
cution of such works, provided that during such period of ten
years no increased rent shall be demanded by the landlord in
respect of the lands which shall have been so drained as afore-
said, provided also that if within sucli period of ten years the
demise be determined by either party giving notice to quit, the
remainder of the said allowances shall become payable at the
expiration of the demise. [Now in this case, supposing the
landlord is unwilling to lay out £100 in draining, and the
tenant feels confident that the outlay will repay him, the land-
lord may give his consent in writing, and the tenant may lay
out £100 in draining to the satisfaction of the landlord.]

Mr. C. Bishop : It does not say here " to the satisfaction
of the landlord."

Mr. Harvey : It says with the consent of the landlord, and
stipulates that it is properly executed. The tenant shall satisfy
the landlord that the work has been properly executed. Then
the first year after this draining has been done the landlord
will allow him, say £10, the next year another £10, and so
on. But supposing that after five years the landlord gives
him notice to quit, then £50 will be unpaid. He will have to
pay it.

Sixth. — To allow at the expiration of the demise for lime
used in top-dressing meadow or pasture lauds in manner here-
inafter-mentioned, viz., if the tenant has had one year's graz-
ing or one mowing then the entire cost price at the kilns, if
two year's grazing or two mowing, then one-half of such cost
price, and if three year's grazing or three mowings, then one-
third of such cost price, provided that if the tenant has had
more than tliree year's grazing or more than three mowings.

no allowance shall be made. [This has been inserted in order
to encourage a course which 1 think is somewhat generally
neglected. Parraers, generlly speaking, do not seem to like
the outlay.]

The CiiMRMAN : It only mentions lime.

Mr. Harvey : Bacause lime is purchased for bringing on
tlie land. Manure is made on the farm.

The Chairman. — It does not mention artificial manure.

Seventh. — And also the usual qualified covenant for quiet
enjoyment by the tenant.

And the said lease shall also contain a proviso for referring
disputes to arbitration similar to the proviso in that behalf
hereinafter contained.

And the landlord further agrees with the tenant to put
the buildings gates stiles hedges and fences upon the said pre-
mises in good tenantable repair with all convenient speed after
the said 39tli of September next.

[This is the agreement for the in-coming tenant.] And the
tenant further agrees with the landlord to pay the landlord

or the said ■ the present out-going tenant for all clover

or grass seeds sown by the said out-going tenant during the
last year of his tenancy if the growth of such last mentioned
seeds have not been depastured by cattle or horses And also
if required to purchase at a valuation to be made in the usual
way all the hay the produce of the year now last past at a
consuming price and also the green crops lime unused and
manure now upon the said premises and also to pay for muck
carried by the said out-going tenant during the year now past
and for any bare fallow that may be dressed for autumn wheat
at a fair valuation to be made in the usual way and also [A
blank is left here because there might be certain things which
a landlord might not choose to charge to an in-coming tenant,
for instance, the top-dressing or lime, which will be subject to
arrangement.]

The tenant shall execute and deliver to the landlord a coun-
terpart of the said lease, and the said lease and counterpart
shall be prepared by the landlord's solicitor, and all expenses
attending the preparation and execution of this agreement
and of the said lease and counterpart shall be paid by the
landlord and tenant in equal proportions.

Provided that if and whenever any dispute or question shall
arise between the landlord and tenant touching this agree-
ment or anything herein contained, or the construction hereof,
or the rights, duties, or liabilities of either party in connection
with tlie premises, the matter in difference shall be referred to
two arbitrators or their umpire, pursuant to and so as with
regard to the mode and consequence of the reference, and in
all otlier respects to conform to the provisions in that behalf
contained in the Common Law Procedure Act ISSi, or any
then subsisting statutory modification thereof.

Provided also that these presents are intended to operate as
an agreement only, and not as an actual demise of the said
premises, or to give the tenant any legal interest therein
until the said lease siiall be executed.

In witness whereof to one -part of this agreement with the
landlord remaining the tenant liatli set his hand, and to
another part with the tenant remaining the landlord hath set
his hand, the day anJ year first above written. [This, gentle-
men, is the agreement which I have the honour of submitting
to you, and nothing will give me greater pleasure than to hear
a very brisk discussiou upon it.]

The Chairman ; I am afraid that this is an agreement
which we shall find very few tenants willing to enter into, and
if it were entered into, I fear that few would observe it.
However, it is drawn up with ability, and I tliink the best
way of dealing with it is by taking paragraph after paragraph.

Mr. Bishop: If the tenants had an agreement brought
here which was thought suitable for the purpose, they would
like to have time to consider it.

Mr. Davies (Ystradwalter) called attention to the clause
respecting the killing of rabbits.

Mr. Bishop : I think the tenant should not have the right
to kill them until he has given notice to his landlord that they
have become injurious.

Mr. Harvey : I have seen instances in which that has not
acted satisfactorily, because what the tenants might consider
injurious might possibly be anything but that in the landlord's
view.

Mr. Bishop : Tlie tenant might give notice that unless the

I^HE ^AEMER'S MAG-AZINE.

405

landlord kills them he will, as they are become injurious. Theu
that would have the effect of inducing the landlord to look
into the matter.

Mr. Harvey : You observe that I do not say anything about
killing them with guns ; so that there will be no excuse made,
out of this clause, for sporting purposes.

Mr. PuxLEY : That is important, because keepers might say
the tenants were sporting over the land if they carried guns
for the purpose of killing rabbits.

Mr. Harvey : They can destroy them by ferreting or dig-
ging them out.

Mr. Bishop : I think that if the rabbits were killed with-
out notice being given a bad feeling would be created between
landlord and tenant.

Mr. Harvey : It seems to be the farmer's work to keep
them under.

Mr. Bishop : Oh, I should say destroy them all, as far as
that goes.

Mr. PuxLEY : The only fault I find with this agreement is
that it is much too long and would lead to law. Tenant-
farmers, generally speaking, are not legal men, and would
not understand all the clauses. It strikes me that a much
simpler agreement might be made by so able a gentleman as
Mr. Harvey with much fewer clauses in it. With a good
landlord and a good tenant a very simple agreement is re-
quired on both sides ; but with a bad landlord, a farmer
would be a fool to take the farm without a lease. If a lease
is wanted, then all these clauses could be put into it ; but in
mere agreement they are unnecessary. As a matter of fact,
those tenants who have signed such agreements as these have
never kept a single item ; and if you enforce them it would
lead you into constant law. I think an agreement binding
the tenant to a succession of crops and to keep the buildings
in repair would be sufficient. It is of course essential that
the land should be properly cropped, and a certain amount of
lime and manure used, at all events that tlie land should not
be impoverished. In one section of the second part there is
a stipulation that the landlord should be recompensed for re-
pairs not done, but the difficulty is that when some tenants
take a farm under agreement to keep the buildings in repair,
it simply means that they will let the buildings stand as long
as they will, and do nothing to them ; but when the roof
gets poor, and the place so bad that it can scarcely be repaired
at all, they come to the landlord for a new roof. Another
reason why in this country a tenant-right is not required, is
because building is generally done by the landlord. In Ire-
land building is done by the tenants. I understand, by this
agreement, that the landlord not only does that, but he is
bound to keep them in repair. I should think that the tenant
ought to keep them in repair, or allow for them. It is rather
a defect to oblige the landlord to supply the gates, because the
tenant is not bound to keep these in repair. It would be
better that the tenant do all the repairs, and allow some mar-
gin in the rent for gates ; then the tenant wUl feel an interest
in his gates. Whereas, if the landlord is bound to set up
gates, and keep them in repair, the tenant feels but little in-
terest in the preservation of them. An agreement such as
we require ought to be much shorter.

Mr. Bishop : As to the length of the agreement which
Mr. Harvey thinks necessary, I do not object to it, as it will
do no harm to members of my profession, who are generally
considered long-winded. Any tenant-farmer who sees this
will stare at it for a long time I fancy before he is inclined to
sign it. There are many portions of it which will require
consideration, because it establishes a new course of things
between landlord and tenant, supposing it to be accepted. In
that part of the county in which I live there are very few
agreements. I have had occasion once or twice in my life to
draw up an agreement between a landlord and a tenant, and
it has been a matter of surprise to me that any tenant could
be found who would sign it. I have always looked upon it
as an infernal machine, which in the strongest possible man-
ner binds the tenant in every way that can be invented. I am
sorry to see that this one is about as hard upon the tenants
as that, for there are stipulations here on both sides which I
never yet saw included iu any lease — in this country at all
events. That being so, I come back to my suggestion that,
unless anybody has anything to say to any particular claim,
the consideration of it should be adjourned, in order that the
members may have it in their possession for some months,

and look over it privately. I should imagine that both
landlord and tenant would like to be put on a better foot-
ing than they are here. Mr. Harvey has told you
that one of the greatest evils in this countiy is
carrying away the produce, and that nothing is more destruc-
tive to a farm ; but we must remember that, although we
have had such a fine summer this year, yet for many years
our harvest has not been so forward as this year — nothing
like it. In my experience thatching is mostly done by the
tenant. Mr. Harvey has drawn a distinctiori between things
paid for by the tenant, and what the farm produces. I have
never known an instance on a farm of any size, where the
landlard was asked to supply thatch. That would make quite
a revolution. It is better that this matter should standover ;
for it is very desirable that we should turn it over in our
minds. I have no doubt that every landlord and every tenant
of any respectability will be anxious to meet half-way, and see
whether the agriculture of the county cannot be put on a
better footing than it is now. I am almost the oldest man in
the room; and I remember that, when I first became
acquainted with agricultural matters, about two-thirds of the
farms of the county were let under lease ; and I am only
stating a fact when I say that in every neighbourhood where
the farms were let under lease, they were unexceptionably the
worst farms in the country. I do not know whether my
friend on the right (Mr. Jones, Peunycoed) ever held a lease
or not ; but Lord Cawdor's and Lord Dynevor's farms were
held under leases, so were those on another estate in our
neighbourhood. Some of them have fallen in during the last
few years ; and wherever you heard that a farm was badly
managed, you almost invariably found that it was held under
an old lease.

Mr. Jones (Pennycoed) said he had held under lease ; and
when it expired, he had to rise £20 in the rent. The best
agreement we could have is to feel confidence in our land-
lords ; and I think my present holding is far better than any
lease or agreement.

Mr. D. Thomas (Derllys) : I was quite surprised to hear
Mr. Bishop ask Mr. Jones if he had held under a lease, be-
cause he is well known to be one of the best farmers in the
neighbourhood of Llandilo ; and, referring to Mr. Jones as
Mr. Bishop did, I think he cast a slur upon him. Well, I
only speak judging from the way I took it. Mr. Jones is a
pattern for tenant-farmers ; and when he left his last farm, he
was treated very badly by his landlord.

Mr. Bishop : I beg to say that I had no intention what-
ever to cast a slight on Mr. Jones. I hope he won't think I
had.

The Chairjian : Mr. Jones is not exactly a tenant-farmer ;
he is a man of large private property as well.

Mr. D. Thomas : We look on him as a good specimen of a
tenant-farmer. I take it, a tenant-farmer is a man who holds
a farm which he does not own. If a man farms his own land,
he is a freeholder, or a freehold tenant-farmer, if such a thing
can be. Mr. Jones has been a tenant-farmer under IMr. Gul-
ston ; and, from what I have heard, the farm was worked so
well that, when his lease was expired, he should not have it
without a large increase of rent. That was no encouragement
to him.

Dr. Davies (Ystradwalter) : This agreement is very long.
I believe one simple method of getting good farming in this
country is to encourage a feeling of confidence in our land-
lords ; but an agreement I view in this light : We treat each
other with confidence ; but we know we can defy each other
at any time to do wrong, because there is an agreement be-
tween us. My advice is tbat ploughing-up should have some
protection. It would not always be any profit to a farmer to
plough up two or three-year-old lea ; and if he had notice to
quit, it would be to his advantage not to plough-up, while it
would protect his landlord. The landlord could go to the in-
coming tenant and say, " Now I have allowed so much per
acre for the land not to be ploughed ; and if you wish to come
into my farm, you will hand me over the money which I have
paid, and you take the land on the same terms." I believe
that would be the sum and substance of keeping a farm in
perpetual good order in this country. Ploughing-up land is a
great evil in this country.

Mr. J. Lewis Philipps : I think we are assuming that
the landlords are prepared to give leases, but we ought first to
ascertain from the landlords what their feelings are on the

406

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

subject. Wo ought to say in effect, " What are you going to
(Jo — are you goiug to give your teuants leases or not P" It
will be high time for us to say whether we agree to the lease
when the landlords say they are willing to give leases ; but the
impression on ray mind is that not one landlord in five is pre-
pared to give leases at all. At present the system works
tolerably well ; the tenant pays his rent and works his farm,
or is supposed to do so, according to the custom of the coun-
try, but unfortunately tlie custom of the country is variable.
In fact very few people know what tlie custom is, for one man
adopts one custom and one another ; one man on wet land
farms in a certain way, another man on dry land farms in a
certain way, and a third on a sheep farm has Ids peculiar
customs too. It therefore seems to me that the landlord
sliould have a specified agreement with each of his tenants,
altering each to suit the condition of the land, because you
will never find three farms worked alike. Let the landlord
show that he has confidence in the tenant, and the tenant will
surely show confidence in the landlord, if he is anything at all
of a landlord. If you press a tenant to sign an agreement,
you wiU find that you can induce a tenant to sign almost any-
thing ; the difticulty is not in getting a tenant to sign an
agreement, but to keep it. It would he impolitic to force this
agreement on any tenant, because there are many very stringent
clauses in it, and if carried out strictly, of course the tenant
would have to obey every clause implicitly. On the other
hand, if yon give a tenant a certain amount of latitude, he
will get on better with you and you with him. Selling the
produce at consuming prices is not at all fair to the tenant
for he has laboured very hard to get that produce which is
some of the most valuable commodities he can get ofi: his
farm. Moreover, he has improved his farm during the pro-
cess of growing that produce ; he cannot help doing that. I
therefore think he ought not to be prevented from carrying it
away, and disposing of it in the best market. It is the land-
lord's business to see that the land is not deteriorated, and if
the tenant does his duty in that respect, he ouglit not to be
hindered from doing the best he can with his produce. This
agreement is intended to operate as an agreement between
tenant and landlord from year to year, but at any time it can
be enforced as a lease.

Mr. Harvey : No, only as a yearly agreement ; if you
liave a lease subsequently granted it may he according to the
plan of this agreement. Tlus is the very reason why all these
are included.

Mr. Lewis Piiilipps : Then I say it is scarcely fair to ask
a yearly tenant to keep his premises in repair, for it
would, in certain cases, where the place was out of repair for
instance, make a large inroad upon the yearly receipts of the
farm.

Mr. D. Thomas : Wliat is the difference between that as
an agreement from year to year and a lease ?

Mr. Harvey : An agreement docs not give you a legal
estate, but a lease does. There is a difference in the stamp.

Mr. D. Thomas : Oh, then the tenant would have to pay
for the stamp.

Mr. Harvey : No, the landlord and the tenant.

Mr. D. Thomas : Well, tlie tenant would have to bear
half the expenses.

Mr. MousLEY, who was cheered, said — I do not intend
going at large into this, because it takes me by surprise. It
is a much longer proposal of agreement than I was at all pre-
pared to expect from Mr. Harvey, although, to a very great
extent, it is drawn with much skill, and evidently, witli an
extensive knowledge of tlie question at issue. I think there
is great credit due to Mr. Harvey for the very business-like
proposal he has presented ; but it is so long, and embraces so
much that it would be foolish to [attempt to express an
opinion upon it off-hand, or raslily, because it is so important
a subject. I therefore think we cannot deal with this in a
hasty manner, and quite approve of the suggestion thai the
discussion be taken after we have had tliree months tor a
careful study of it. We may then again compare notes.
There is a great deal in it that might be safely adopted, but
it would be well to strike out some portions of it, thus render-
ing it more simple, especially to tenant-farmers. But what-
ever we do we must aim at encouraging mutual confidence
between the two interests— the landlord^nd the tenants. I
don't think anybody wishes, nor do I think it possible to
encourage a spirit of defiance either on the part of the land-

lord to the tenant, or on the part of the tenant to the land-
lord. Nothing would be gained by it, if anybody were attempt-
ing anything of that kind, which I do not believe they are.
Our aim should be to encourage confidence on both sides, to
prevent the land from being deteriorated in condition, to give
the tenant-farmer every possible chance to make the best of
his land, taking care that he does so in a business-like manner.
We know there are men who, during the last portion of their
tenancy, take unfair liberties with their farms, and that we
must guard against. Several matters occurred to rac, but it is
better to defer it and consider it as a whole than criticise por-
tions of it. I do not know that I shall say more now, than
to express my thanks to Mr. Harvey for the great assistance he
has given us, and for the business-like proposal he has laid
before us.

Mr. Lewis (Llwynyfodwen) : What does Mr, Harvey mean
by " lime unused ?"

Mr. Harvey : This agreement is intended to provide that
tlie land shall always be in a good state of cultivation. If an
outgoing tenant prepares a fallow, the lime of course, will be
unused. That he is paid for as stipulated.

Mr. Lewis -. No. 6 of the landlord's covenant says that
the tenant shall be allowed for lime top-dressing, if the tenant
has not had three years' mowing or grazing. Do you con-
sider three years sufiicient to exhaust the benefit of the lime
on old lea ?

Mr. Harvey : Yes, I do, for top-dressing.

Mr. Lewis : Then I don't agree with you. The first year
you will have bo value from it, the second year you will have
a little ; and about the fifth year you will have the full benefit
of the lime. Of course I am speaking of old lea.

Mr. Brodie (Ty'rdail) : I am sure we all feel much obliged
to Mr. Harvey for coming so far, and giving this bone to chew.
My feeling, as a practical farmer, is that it does want some
chewing. I am sorry I cannot express myself so well as some
of these landowners and land agents ; but my own idea is,
that a good tenant is not a right man in the right place unless
he has a lease. You may talk of confidence between landlord
and tenant, stiU a man does feel more independent if he has
got a lease ; most assuredly he does. No man, even if his
landlord was an angel from heaven, can feel independent, un-
less he has got a lease by him. In the first place, I think a
lease should be as simple as possible, and much fewer words
used than we generally find in such documents. Next to that,
it should be drawn at as small a cost as possible. We don't
hke to pay £10 or £20 for a lease ; it is a thing we de-
cidedly figlit shy of. I do not mean anything personal to the
lawyers.

Mr. Bishop : You may depend upon it, it is the best agree-
ment you could have for us, for it wiU give us a great deal
more work than before.

Mr. Brodie : Theu the restrictions should be as little as
possible. Give them a tolerable amount of freedom at the
first part of the tenancy, but towards the end you could bind
tlicra pretty tight. Limit them to not more than two crops —
or not more than one if you like towards the last — and in
carrying off the hay. There is one clause in Mr. Harvey's
agreement about selling hay to the landlord at consuming
prices. Now, in a season like this, when we are selling hay
at £6 per ton, it would be hard to prevent a tenant from sell-
ing it to the best advantage. I see no objection to a tenant
selling a certain amount of hay, providing he brings an equi-
valent to the farm in the shape of manure of some kind. If
he could sell his liay at £6 a ton, he could replace it by super-
phosphate, or something of that kind. An idea strikes me
that most people connected with agriculture in this country
will agree in saying that it is not a very good occupation.
There is too much landed promise — as my agent said to me
the other day — and upon my soul I think there is a great deal
of truth in it. It does not come to the proof so readily as
some think ; not anything equal to the best parts of Scotland,
or England either. I should advise the landlords not to be
too stringent here. (A Voice : " Oh, it's Liberal times now.'|)
It is well for tlie tenants to be encouraged to lay out their
money on the farm ; they do not feel so much inclined to hide
it in the thatch of the house when they have got a lease.
An objection was made to leases not long ago, on tlie ground
that it encouraged — " exhausters," I tliink they called them—
in going on to laud. I see they are calling them vampires
now. My impression is that a good lease would have a ten-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

407

dency to effect a most important change in the agriculture of
the country, because it would bind them as to the use of the
land. I agree with those gentlemen who think we want some-
thing like three months to digest it.

Mr. J. B. BowEN, M.P. : I never intended saying a word
on this occasion, hut I have listened very attentively to all
the discussion, and agree with it to a great extent. The point
that has puzzled me is, what is this ? Is it a lease, or simply a
yearly agreement ? Mr. Harvey explains that it is a yearly
agreement convertible into a lease when the tenant and land-
lord seem inclined to pay for the extra stamp. As a lease, a
great deal might do very well ; but a simple yearly agreement —
— and unless a tenant intended to convert it very soon into a lease
— there seems to me a little too much of it. During the next
three montlis it will be easy to arrange somesimpler form. I
agree to all that has been said with regard to the talent with
which this is got up. I have seen several of this kind of
agreement spoken very highly of in the lloyal Agricultural
Society's Journal. I feel satisfied that in the course of three
mouths we should be able to produce a simple yearly agree-
ment between two persons who have no intention to do any-
thing in the way ot a lease.

Mr. Harvey : It seems to he the very general opinion of
this meeting that we should adjourn, in order to calmly consi-
der this agreement. I shall not trouble you with very many
words in defence of it, except simply to say this, that it is
strictly an agreement from year to year, which may he con-
verted into a lease. Mr. Bowen, I daresay, fully understands
the distinction between the agreement and the lease. If it is
executed by deed it gives the tenant a legal interest in the
land, but a simple agreement does not. I do not, from my
experience, and I have drawn up a great many agreements,
think that it is practicable without all these provisions. I do
not think that it can be done. If you have an agreement, let
it embody everything. There should never he left room for
either landlord or tenant to say " Oh, I understood you to
mean this, or mean that." Paper is cheap, and so is ink, so
you had better include everything in a good and comprehen-
sive agreement. I certainly did not expect the tenants would
make any objection to this, because if anything, it goes rather
against the landlords. I maintain that the covenants on the
part of the tenant are as simple as possible. He pays the rent,
the tithe rent-charge; he isto keep in repair (the landlord find-
ing materials to consume produce on the land, not to plough up
any fields which are provisionally agreed shall not be ploughed,
not to have at any time of the year, above a certain
amount of land under tillage, not to take more than two
successive crops, not to carry off any hay, &c, — of course if a
man lives near a market where hay is sold at a highly remu-
nerative price, I do not see vrhy some little arrangement may
not be made to meet that. Then he is not to plough any pas-
ture land after having notice to quit, to sow clover and grass
every year, and not depasture with horses or cattle, to permit
inspection of the premises and land, to sell all the produce, if
required, at a fair valuation. Green crops in such a season as
this would require exceptional treatment, but in a good season
the valuers could take the crop as it stood. I should Like to
know what any reasonable tenant can object to in this.

Mi. Mousey : Do you think it would be practicable for the
landlord to purchase the crop ?

Mr. Hakvey : It is at his own option. He may give notice
in December that he will purchase, but he does not, the out-
going tenant has the use of the barn and the haggard, to
thrash his com, for three months. He leaves the straw he-
hind.

Mr. Bishop : What is he to keep the cattle on from De-
cember to May ? He is to thrash out the corn, and leave the
straw.

Mr. Harvey : He has three months to thrash it in.

Mr. Bishop : Yes ; but what can he do with his cattle P

Mr. Harvey : He can sell them off ; hut, of course, when a
man changes a farm, he takes his cattle with him.

Mr. Bishop : Suppose he keeps the cattle alive, what is he
to do with them ?

Mr. Harvey : Well, it is to be hoped he wiU go ♦'o a farm
which will be under the same agreement as this. We hope an
agreement will be generally adopted by all landowners.

Mr. D. Thomas : You say he ought to be paid for the til-
lage of green crops ; but such a year as this would be an ex-
ceptional year for green crops.

Mr. Jones (Penycoed) : It appears that you biud the tenant
to sell, but not the landlord to purchase.

Mr. Harvey : Yes, supposing the landlord gives notice ;
but we bind him to do that. The custom as to the things in
this county differs from Pembrokeshire.

Mr. D. Thomas : Suppose one tenant has no green crops,
and another has a good crop.

Mr. Harvey -. Well, the values will settle all that. After
answering several other questions from Mr. Mousley and others,
on subjects to which he had alluded before, he went on to say
that he concurred in the proposed adjournment. The agree-
ment was one from year to year which he had been asked to
produce, and a good lea could receive the attention of the
Chamber on another occasion. The tenants' covenants were
such that it was impossible to do away with them. [A voice :
'' Repairs. "] AVcll, the repairs were fairly dealt with ; the
tenants doing labour, the landlord finding materials. The
tenant ought not to find fault with that, but be made obliged
for such a clause. The landlord would be the more likely to
find fault with that. The landlord was bound by this agree-
ment to ensure and rebuild in case of fire. The landlord found
timber and slates, and allowed tenants to destroy rabbits : he
purchased certain things at a valuation, and allowed for
draining and top-dressing. If they took away the necessary
verbiage, the agreement was as simple as possible.

The Chairman : You do not say anytliing about artificial
manure.

Mr. D. Thomas (Derllys) said that, as a member of the
Chamber, he was entitled to claim a hearing. He came in-
tending to read a form of agreement which he called a tenant-
right, but from what he had heard they now seem to be pa-
tronizers of landlord's right. [" 0 dear no."] The agree-
ment was from year to year ; but unless a little more confi-
dence was felt in tenants than to trust them with an agreement
only lasting for a year, they could never expect the tenant to
farm the land in a proper and profitable manner. Mr. Bishop
had said that the farms held under old leases were foul and
badly worked ; but that was accounted for by the fact that if a
tenant improved his farm he was expected to pay a much higher
rent, and therefere he was afraid to farm as well as he might.

The Chairman : I am afraid you are speaking out of order,
sir. It is a question of adjournment.

Mr. Bishop : If Mr. Thomas has an agreement to show, it
is fair that we should hear what his idea of a lease is.

Mr. Thomas : I have it in my pocket, but I will not produce
it now. I will read it three months hence.

Mr. Brodie : I trust that Mr. Harvey wiU come up again
to the next meeting.

Mr. Harvey : O I shall be very happy to come again.

An amalgamation of the counties of Cardigan and Pem-
broke with the county of Carmarthen for the purposes of
a Chamber of Agriculture was then agreed to.

CLOVER AS A FERTILIZER.— You have frequently re-
commended stocking down lands with clover as the best and
cheapest means of renovating worn-out soils, where manure
could not he obtained. It has for many years been my prac-
tice to turn over green sward, if a loam soil plough deep, and
sovi^ it to oats, though rye is better to stock after, and sow on
a bountiful supply of the largest kind of clover, and plaster,
and the feed will be increased 200 to 300 per cent. Timothy
seed should be sown with the clover to assist in making a good
sward after the clover runs out. It is well understood that
clover runs its roots down much deeper and has a larger root
than any kind of grass. I never knew the roots of clover
would run as deep as they do, till a few days ago my son was
digging a hole where an old field had been put down to mea-
dow foiir years ; he noticed a clover root running very deeply,
and took particular pains to take it out and measure it. Its
length was 2 feet 8 inches ; that was not the whole root, as
the small fibres broke off. I send you tlie root to show what
amount of manure may be produced on an acre of land. The
land on which this clover grew was naturally a fertile soil. It
has been cultivated nearly or quite one hundred years. Lime-
stone crops out occasionally. It has been well manured when
ploughed, which has been done on an average once in 6 or 8
years — first planted to corn, then to oats or wheat, and then
stocked to clover and timothy. — John S. Pettibone, in Cnl-
tivator. Manchester, Ft., Avg. 27, 1868,

408

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE NEW FARM.

I have not been able to lay hands yet upon Drury's
quaint work, so cannot this week give the exact mode
which he recommends of utilizing wheat-straw. But as
I must find it for my own use, I shall make the bailiff,
who I suspect never returned it to my hands, have an-
other rout out of his literary stores.

Assuredly, the labour of collecting leaves in this coun-
try to be stored to help out our winter fodder could
never pay, considering the price of labour, the thinness
of the crop, and the damage that would probably ensue
to the tree itself from being over-flagellated.

The hint given us that it, is beneficial to the plant to
pluck off all the mangold-wurtzel leaves that touch the
soil, for present use, I am acting vigorously upon. They
considerably supplement the contents of the pig-wash tub,
and are greedily devoured by the dairy cows.

The gorse sprouts upon the adjoining hillside I intend
using so far as they will go. I shall crush them between
the stones of a cider mill, and then chaff them with a
certain proportion of hay and straw, adding a good piuch
of salt, an ingredient essential to prevent the hair falling
oft' the fed animals, should they partake too freely of this
prickly salad.

Old Melon has just summoned me to view the blossoms
of two more of our hybrid pelargonium seedlings. As-
tonishing is the variety produced from the same ovary ;
some of the produce throwing back in tint to either pa-
rent ; some representing the two combined ; some going
far away to the commonest old-lashioned strains. It is
an occupation that I shall not pursue any further. Far
more satisfactory is it to go into the professional florist's
houses, and take your pick in an assortm.ent of plants
upon the verge of flowering, at a shilling a head.

Another experiment has resulted capitally, and en-
courages me to repeat it, as well because it relieves the
hurry of spring-work, as that it enables one to turn what
were otherwise waste to account. During October and
November last year, following the directions of an able
essay in the Koyal Agricultural Journal, I planted at a
depth of nine to ten inches a quantity of diseased potatoes.
It was scarcely a fair trial, because all the larger ones had
been used for the pigs, and what we picked for seed were
extremely small, and had lain in a heap under straw very
thickly strewn, awaiting their turn for conversion into a
mash with meal for the fattening fowls- Everyone upou
the farm was against me, aud thought me simply soft,
when I proceeded to give directions and superintend, as I
felt I must personally, the planting.

It was all I could do to get the furrows opened deep
enough, and the sets covered to a gauge of over nine
inches. They were planted, without manure of any sort,
upon a wheat stubble, the wheat having followed an old
ley well manured before ploughing. The spring-sown
potatoes I put iu about five inches deep, the soil having
been limed for their reception. The autumn-sown were
so long in making their appearance after the spring-sown
were up, that I was almost afraid they would never show,
and that I should be beaten after all ; eventually they
came, with many gaps I must allow, but then the seed
was very far gone in rottenness, and diminutive into the
bargain. They were dead-ripe a fortnight since, and we
have used a great quantity of them. Mr. Melon is very
pleased, and says that he has not found a single bad potato
at any root. The only thing is, that they are beginning to
throw-out little ones ; but this is the pretty universal

complaint of all growers this anomalous season. I
requested him to bring me the bunch off a fair average
plant ; he did so, and I weighed them (they numbered
fourteen potatoes, four being remarkably fine) the morning
after drawing, for he had kept them (not seeing me) in
the tool-house : they weighed 2 lb. 5 oz., good. The
parent had mouldered away into dust. I got him then to
raise me as good a sample as he could find of the spring-
planted. The produce I kept the same number of hours
that the others were out of the ground before weighing.
There were nine tubers, none so fine as the other lot, and
the aggregrate weight was 1 lb. 7 oz. This year has of
course been an exceptional year, and the drought was dis-
advantageous to the spring-sets, buried as they were only
about five iuches ; but, on the other hand, it is to be re-
membered that they had the advantage of lime to keep
their skins cool. I am so encouraged by the experiment
that, as I take my crop up this year, I shall deposit fresh,
in drills already prepared, all the large-sized diseased
tubers that we come across, and cover them with nine
inches of mould. A great authority pronounces that
no potatoes are ever diseased over which six inches
of soil are kept by repealed earthiugs-up ; he also says
that the disease hits the haulm just at the back of the
neck, and that repeated high carthiug-up baflJes the
assault of the blight as it sweeps by. The rationale of
planting diseased potatoes is this : They are calculated to
clear themselves, under the soil, of the morbific matter
which is in an advanced stage when they are planted;
whereas, no potato now-a-days being trustworthy, the
great proportion of the so-called sound sets have in them
the undeveloped seeds of mischief, which they perpetuate
in their produce. But of potatoes enough, most excellent
esculent as it is in its place.

To change the subject, I was rather surprised at Leices-
ter to be asked by one of our leading English agriculturists
whether I used a donkey upon the farm. " Heaven !" I
replied, " I should think I did, of all sizes and all ages."
On further parley, however, I found that he did not use
the word metaphorically, but literally — that seriously he
meant to inquire whether I had a real individual of the
Asidus vulgaris amidst the beasts of burden upon the
farm. He said he could never do without one. A
donkey-cart is so handy for everyone to use for a multi-
tude of services, to perform which one might grudge to
break a team. The best he ever knew was at the beck
and call of every man, woman, and child upon the estate
who could justify its use, and when done with was ac-
customed to be turned oft' at the nearest point to the
homestead, when it would set off full canter, and not stop
until it had backed its vehicle carefully into the cart-
house, waiting quietly there until som3 one might pass by
and release it, when, with a flourish of his tail and a sly
side-kick, he would canter off to browse. I was fasci-
nated by this idea, aud have been upon the look-out ever
since — as yet without luck.

The river being full after the recent rains, we went out
for a sail yesterday afternoon, and at a bend of the stream
came across a beautiful small gull hovering and dii)ping
after the fry, not regarding our presence in the least. I
have looked Yarrell over, and, so far as I can make out, it
was one of the " kiltiwakes," in whose behalf a recent pro-
test has been made. It is astonishing how little the birds
regard us upon the water ! Not only does the heron wade
coutemptuously within fair pea-rifle reach, but the hawks

THE FARMER'S MAQAZINE,

409

come sailing close overliead from a rock in wKich they
build, and the pigeons wing their rapid way from the
corn-lields to the wood not a dozen yards above or before
us. I see that our little Dandy is pacing the hall, nursing
a nearly-fledged turtle-dove to which he lays claim, having
discovered the nest in a lilbert-bush close to the house.
He was to have had the pair, but one has disappeared from
its shaky twig platform — by courtesy, nest. The young
Joseph's theory is that their mamma takes them out one
at a time, and he proposes to restore this one to the nest,
iu the hope of obtaining the two after dark.

The lodge chimney went on lire yesterday, and
great was the consternation of the inhabitants. By
dint of energetic efforts, however, it was soon
put out, but not before some dozens of hornets
came wheeling angrily about the heads of all en-
gaged. They have a nest beneath the tiles, which will
have to be taken somehow. We have long noticed an
extra abundance of the plague about, and especially upon
a young elm, which, whether it has burst itself by over-
feeding or not, has anyhow great rents in its bark,
through which a sweet-tasted candied-looking sap oozes,
reminding one of the Canadian sugar maple. This tree
was discovered by the small boys, and for some days, un-
til. I discovered their proceeding, formed a sort of post-
prandial hunting ground, whereon they slaughtered by
the dozen, with well-aimed blows of a hazel wand, great
blue-bottles, wasps, and hornets. We have been very
busy putting iu trifollum and rye-grass ou the stubbles,
and mustard where the turnips failed.

It has long been a case of " Call me early, mother
dear," with the swedes, and I expect they will now do
but little good. If they persevere in their backwardness
I shall simply replough, the land being clean and richly
manured, and plant wheat when the season comes. " I
dare'nt do such a thing," said my gallant neighbour :
" I should have all my tenants following my example."
" Another sad consequence of being an extensive landed
proprietor," I reply; but surely, the farmer can only
recoup himself for losses by a juJicious ringing of
changes ? Anyhow, " I'll have a try if I lose my place,"
as the old song says. Vigil.

And so to-morrow's the First ! and if I don t write
to-night I know I shall never write again this week ; but
I'm so dull at present that I don't know which is likely
to be the less killing — midnight article or October gun.

"Now then, Jerusalem!" as with hoiTor I heard my-
self, as I thought, addressed by a dashing, young, and
most self-impressed Bobby, of A. 1. area character I doubt
not, as I was sauntering down the paved walk before a
series of cattle-houses at a recent Shorthorn sale, and
looking over the half-doors at the occasional animal
within. However, the address was not for me, but for a
white and most intelligent moke, who was also sauntering
down the walk (there being a scent of hay at the far
corner), and who at once, upon being called to in this un-
cercmonions way, put himself half-round into a repulsive
position that astonished his uniform acquaintance, and
made the bold policeman shrink closely to the opposite
wall, being baulked thereby of the cowardly poke he had
intended with his staff for the poor brute's unoffending
ribs. A. victory to be scored for the donkey ! He was
not for sale, or I should have gladly picked up so shi'ewd
a specimen for the farm labours, which I learnt at
Leicester can be so successfully performed upon a farm by
this, so often abused, beast of burden.

There is a small one — a most tiny specimen — in our
village, belonging to the native Vulcan, and which was
won by him in a rafile ; but for this one I feel ashamed
to offer any price that might tempt to the dissolution of
a umon such as exists between him and Vulcan minor.

This last youth is a great, strong, stout fellow, whom it
is a wonder to me that the oppressed animal can draw at
all, as he does notwithstanding, at a tearing gallop up-
hill and down-hill, and often with a load of iron rods
upon the cart, in addition to his human load. The other
day I employed him to convey my Abyssinian pump and
tackle down to a meadow, where I wished to try it. In
getting there he missed the gateway, whereupon the lad
jumped off", and, with a cheer to his ally in the shafts, and
a push at the cart-wheel, sent the whole safely, but
shaken, over a deep wide ditch, with a steep bank on the
further side, iu a style that I can only imagine equalled
by Penn's artillery when at Aldershott, as I heard from a
brother-officer of his. That gallant officer (whose iutelli-
gent daring found at last fair scope in the late expedition
against Theodore) made his troop charge, and clear too,
quite sufficiently to render the feat a thorough success, a
fence that had made the cavalry draw reiu.

This village moke of ours is a household word with
our children ; for it will drink beer out of a cup at young
Vulcan's command, and will rest its fore-feet upon his
shoulders, looking him most sympathetically in the face
the meanwhile. It will also lie down when he lays hold
threateningly of its iwelegs. We all pet it. I allow it
the run of my hedge-rows. It has its lodging in a pig-
stye. It amuses me often. It seems to reason so.

I am reminded that my Norton's pump arrived duly, and
we have had the greatest possible amusement in trying all
sorts of spots that we fancied likely to yield water upon
the farm. Unfortunately, above the house, where I am
anxious to establish a spring, we came incessantly upon
rock, and have had to knock up the tube and adjourn.
In one place certainly we hit a crevice, a fact that was
indicated by the tubes persistently taking an oblique di-
rection under influence of the blows of the monkey, and
getting full of water some feet in depth. However, when
we screwed the pump on it would not work, and I have
since found that we had got into a pocket of clay, wherein
it is difficult to establish a well after this patent. But
get into a sandbed and it's rare fuu. I have just been
examining the settlement of colouring matter in a tumbler
full of thick water that we pumped out of a new place
just before dark. There is an inch of water, clear and
bright enough, resting on a stratum of the oiliest looking
marl, and beneath the marl a stratum of beautifully fine
and extremely keen sand, almost too fine I fear. The
sand we desire to strike is of about partridge shot size.
I have already had fifteen pounds worth of gratification
afforded me by that £7 purchase, and there's a lot more
coming.

The results of our various experiments, whether they
turned out for better or worse, it is right we should re-
cord. The swede crop that I had iutcnded ploughing up
has begun to spring in earnest, so that we hope we shall
have a sufficient quantity to prevent our playing tricks
with the regular course of cropping. The mangold wurzel
has swelled grandly of late, and I shall have a really good
weighty yield ; but it is curious that a few of Sutton's
champion swedes, the seed of which got deposited with
the mangold-seed in May, although showing a fine bunch
of leaves, have at base only a tough long thin radish-
shaped bulb, showing to my mind that there has been
something anomalous in the climate of the past season,
especially as regards that mainstay of the homestead. The
ground was damp enough, and there was plenty of wet
hearty muck put underneath ; still, amidst mangold roots
of real grandeur for this year (for it so happens that these
swedes are situated in the best portion of the wurzel
crop), the turnip has failed to develope any succulent
growth. It is a withered wizen-shaped and mildewy
specimen, suffering from what in the Eastern Coimties
they so appropriately term " the dry stunt."

410

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Respecting these mangold wurzel, it is worth noting
that where the women searched for the larvse of the dart
moth the plants are smaller and weaker than in the
portion of the field which was let alone, out of pure
weariness at the apparently endless labour. Query, have
I lost or gained by that outlay ?

I certainly saved several hundreds of plants from being
gnawed clean through, but is not the general bulk of the
yield lessened by such tampering with the root fibres
during the plant's infancy ? treatment which at the time
not I alone predicted would be beneficial to its growth,
inasmuch as it seemed to pulverize the soil about the
seedling so thoroughly. There is one circumstance about
the field that puzzles me. In a slight hoUow, situated
about three parts down the enclosure, the marl-bed comes
rathar near the surface, and the rain-water lodges some-
what there. The fallow was consequently knobby in
this part when worked in preparation for roots, and so
rough when we sowed that we fdespaired of seeing any
come up at all. They certainly long delayed putting in
an appearance, and came thin when they did come ; but
the bulbs that are there are far the finest in the whole
field, and would be respectable any season. Possibly the
oily juice of the marl may suit their taste, or the knobs
may have afforded them such a wholesome shade from
wet and sun, as Jonah found in his gourd. A lumpy
fallow is propitious to young wheat we know, possibly in
consideration of the shelter it lends, or of the fresh suck it
allows the spreading rootlets with every shower. I have
at last found out how that industrious dear little Dutch
clover manages to make itself an establishment in my pas-
ture, that is abused either by excessive draining or extra-
ordinary sun heat, as this summer, or by the rigid cutting
of the lawn-mower ; and which once attained it manages
to maintain through the wide spread of its fibrous
roots. 1 learnt this lesson on our slopes this year.
They were absolutely burnt up like King Alfred's cakes,
or a fox's tail (?) shall I say : so burnt that we all, fat
Melon included, gave them up as lost to life. Even these
darling little plants found it impossible to spring in ex-
tended growth. They were content, or obliged to set
each one stem over his root-bed just as you see the Al-
pine marmot do before the mouth of his burrow in the
nursery books on natural history ; but, then, whether or
not from want of exercise in having their Orange bo re-
stricted, and a consequent concentration of juices, they
indulged all in a most dowager-like tiara of seed pods,
the contents of which in due season fell so thickly as to
defy the birds, who I dare say got tired of their mono-
tonous diet, preferring the flesh-pots of an adjoining wild
cherry, especially in one spot, along the line of a house-
drain, where the sward was simply reduced to a sepia
ringe, they lay thick as comfits on a confectioner's win-
dow-advertisement-cake's sugar roof, or (to set our
metaphor in unison with the season)

" As autumn leaves that strow the brooks
In Vallambrosa, where the Etrurian shades
High over-arch'd embower."

Any how, this abundance of shed-seed took advantage of
the first shower to vegetate, and the lawn is now one
cai'pet of tiny heart-shaped and round leaves. I argue

thus then : the robber, the sheep's-tooth, the lawnmower,
all cut so close or bruise the swoollen limbs of the coarser
grasses so (intensive heat again being adverse to their
swelling at all) that something approaching to mortifica-
tion ensues, or, if not quite that, at least considerable
contusion ; such as sends them into hospital, compulsory
confinement, of which the smaller plants take advantage,
so as to have its little strut upon the stage of life.

I have been obliged to write at a gallop, as the hour of
shooting approaches, an exercise to which I am rendered
almost averse, by the dumb expostulation of some half-
dozen young pheasants that have fiown up just now to be
fed at my study window. The nest was cut over by the
mowers in a meadow, and the hatching was carried out
by a half-bred Lucknow bantam, which, possibly, from
its half-wild Indian tastes and tendency, stuck more
afl'ectionately to its strange offspring than I ever knew
a barn-door fowl do before. Every evening, when they
had grown quite as big as herself, they used to fly up and
perch upon a pole we fixed across a coach-house, and
every morning she brought them round to our lawn
windows to be fed, until one day there was great conster-
nation in the nursery. The naughty hen had joined the
Lucknow cock, (a very handsome young fellow I can teU
you too), and was gone into the fowl-house, deserting the
poor little pheasants, as our " Dandy" explained, with a
pitiful elongation of the word jpoor, that could be due only
to his remembrance of the tale of " the babes in wood,"
or some such sad recital. Of course, I was pulled nolens
volens to see, and there sure enough was one young phea-
sant already missing, and the others kept jumping off
their perch, and wandering about with most plaintiff
cries. The " naughty hen" was twice brought back by a
youngster, who braved the fleas of the poultry-house, but
all to no purpose. She deserted them again the moment
we had receded out of sight. Later on, too, at the
hour of retiring, to our consternation, we found not
a single individual, hen or pheasant, upon the
perch, and so we gave them up as lost. In
the morning, however, they assembled by the
window to be fed, but indulging in sad notes, such as
are appropriate to being first sent to a boarding school
from the mother's lap, and since then they have found a
roosting place somewhere in the woods ; coming about
the house however the day through. The young cocks'
voices are breaking fast (they were a late hatch, and are
only assuming their bright attire now), and it seems to
me that the hen could understand them no longer. Else
why be so spitefiJ to them as she now is, pecking them
away if they ever venture to approach and feed in the
stable yard, whether it be that she thinks them great idle
things that ought now to be finding their own livelihood,
or that she is ashamed of owning such a gipsy lot in the
presence of gay Chanticleer, for of coui'se, in the recesses
of her mind, she is ignorant however she came to hatch
a brood so diverse to what she expected. Anyhow I am
puzzled by her demeanour, which overlays a great mine of
philosophical thought, and the children puzzle me even
further by their enquiries.

But my sands are out, and the breakfast bell rings.
Au revoir. Vigil.

LOCAL TAXATION.

A meeting of the Somerset Chamber of Agriculture and greater importance than the largest possible combination of
County Association of Ratepayers was held on Sept. 30th. ratepayers in active co-operation," begged to request the com-
The requisitionists " feeling the great importance of the sub- ' mittee to hold a meeting at Frorae for the furtherance of these
jects discussed by the chambers relating to local taxation and objects. In consequence of tbis,being the " great market" day
that iu order to secure the attention of Parliament to inequali- i the town was unusually full, and the meeting was crowded,
ties in taxation and other grievances, nothing could be of I The chair was filled by the Marquis of Bath, who in open-

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

411

ing the proceedings referred to the inequality that at present
exists in the local taxation of the country, and heartily sup-
ported this association in its wise and just proposal, that per-
sonal as well as real property should bear its fair proportion of
the burdens incident to the relief of the poor and other sub-
ject matters of taxation.

Mr. H. J. Andrews (Hon. Secretary), proposed "That this
meeting gives its cordial and active support to the Somerset
Chamber and County Association of Eatepayers, especially in
their appeal against the unfair exemption from the poor-rate
assessment of incomes arising from personal property." This
was collaterally and indirectly a question for the landlords,
but the incidence of local taxation was especially and imme-
diately a burden upon the tenant farmers. Quoting from the
last report of the Poor-law Commissioners, he said the poor-
rate had increased by £1,000,000 during the last year, which
the occupiers had had to pay, but as yet the landlords had not
been affected by the gradual advance. When the time arrived
for the re-letting the property, it would no doubt be felt by
the owners, but at present it was essentially a tenant's question.

Mr. Oliver (Frome) seconded the resolution, wliich was
carried unanimously.

Mr. J. F. Parsons (Wolverton) then moved: "That in
1865-7, according to Parliamentary returns, the annual income
assessed to the income-tax in England and Wales amounted to
£296,000,000, that only £94),000,000 of it is included in the
poor-rate assessment, under which a tax of £10,000,000 is
annually levied, and therefore the assessment question is one
of the most important now before Chambers of Agriculture."

Mr. J. Card (Norton Ferris) seconded the resolution, wliich
was carried by acclamation.

Sir Edward Strachey, Bart., proposed : " That the relief
of the poor is, without doubt, a national object and a national
duty, and therefore all incomes ought to contribute to it."

The resolution was seconded by Mr. E. A. Freeman (Wells)
and carried.
r Capt. WicKUAM (Frome) moved : " That the exemption
from the poor-rate assessment of £300,000,000 of annual in-

come is unjust, and requires the serious attention of Parliament
with a view to its removal."

The Rev. Preb. Milward (Bristol) seconded the resolution,
which was carried.

Mr. Jarvis (Kilmington) proposed, and Mr. J. J.TRASK,jun.
(Yeovil), seconded : " That, subject to such exemption at the
bottom of the scale of income as Parliament may determine
the only available mode of adjustment is the assessment of all
income to a common fund for the purposes to which the money
raised under the name of poor-rate is now applied in England
and Wales."

Mr. H. George Andrews explained, in answer to Colonel
Paget and Lord Cork, that the Association did not intend to put
forward their own remedy as an imperative one, but that in
the event of the House of Commons devising something better
this would be withdrawn.

The resolution was carried.

Mr. Cruttwell (Frome) moved : "That, in the opinion of
this meeting, individual ratepayers, parish vestries. Boards of
Guardians, grand juries, and magistrates in Quarter Sessions
assembled, may with propriety discuss this important question
previous to the impending general election, and combine to
bring their united influence to bear upon it ; that the Com-
mittee send copies of the foregoing resolutions to candidates
for the representation of the several divisions and Parliamen-
tary boroughs in the county of Somerset, and respectfully
solicit an expression of their views on a question in which the
electors generally are deeply interested as ratepayers in the
form of replies to questions sanctioned by the Council of the
Central Chamber of Agriculture on the 22nd of September."

Mr. Thomas Baker (Othery) seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.

Mr. Russell Duckworth, J.P., moved, and Mr. R.
Neville Grenville, M.P., seconded ; " That the question is
at present free from party politics, aud should be so kept."

The motion was carried amidst laughter and cheering.

The proceedings closed with votes of thanks to the Chair-
man and Secretary.

BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY AND SOUTHERN COUNTIES

ASSOCIATION.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council of this Society
was held at Yeovil, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, under the Presidency
of the Earl of Carnarvon. There were also present Viscount
Sidmouth, the Hon. and Rev. S. Best, Messrs. T. D, Acland,
M.P., H. Genge Andrews, R. G. Badcock, R. Bremridge, R. H.
Bush, T. Danger, T. Duckham, Mark Farrant, Henry Fookes,
John Gray, John D. Plancock, J. Webb King, J. E. Knollys,
H. A. F. Luttrell, H. Middleton, R. NeviUe-Grenville, M.P.,
R. H. Paget, M.P., J. Rawlence, W. Rigden, E. Ayshford
Sanford, Herbert Williams, H. Spackman (Official Super-
intendent), and Josiah Goodwin) Secretary and Editor).

The following are the appointments for the ensuing year,
concluding with the Southampton Meeting ,

Publication Committee. — Mr. T. D. Acland, M.P., Hon.
and Rev. S. Best, Mr. F, W. Dymond, Mr. G. S. Poole, and
Lord Portman.

FiN.vNCE. — Mr. G. S. Poole (Chairman), Mr. J. C. Rams-
den, Mr. H. Williams, and Mr. R. Meade King.

Stock Prize-sheet. — Colonel Luttrell (Chairman), Mr.
Thomas Danger, Mr. J. T. Davy, Mr. T. Duckham, Mr. M.
Farrant, Mr. Henry Fookes, Mr. John Fry, Mr. C. Gordon, Mr.
John Gray, Mr. James Hole, Mr. T. Hussey, Mr. J. Webb
King, Mr. E.F. Mills, Mr. W. Ridgen, and Mr. J. S.Turner.

Implement Regulations. — Mr. J. E. KnoUys (Chair-
man), Mr. Mark Farrant, Mr. W. Fronde, Mr. John Gray, Mr.
Jonathan Gray, Col. Deedes, and Mr. H. P. Jones.

Judges' Selection. — Mr. H. Fookes, Mr. John Gray, Mr.
C. Gordon, Mr. Thomas Hussey, Lieut.-Col. Luttrell, Lieut. -
Col. Lennard, and Mr. Wippell.

Railway Arrangements. — Lieut.-Col. Brent, Mr. W.
Adair Bruce, Sir M. Lopes, Bart., M.P., and Mr. S. Pitman.

DisqUjVLIEYING Committee. — The Stewards of Stock, the
Stewards of Horses, and Mr. John Grey.

Arts and Manufactures. — Mr. E. S. Drewe (Chairman),
Mr. T. D. Acland, M.P. (Vice-Chairman), the Hon. and Rev.

S. Best, Lieutenant-Colonel Brent, Mr. J. Daw, Mr. R. R.
M. Daw, Sir J. T. B. Duckworth, Bart, Mr. Jonathan Giay,
Right Hon. Sir S. H. Northcote, Bart., M.P., Rev. T. PhiU-
potts, Mr. S. Pitman, Mr. J. Woolcombe Sillifant, Mr. P. P.
Smith, Mr. R. J. Spiers, Mr. J. R. Stebbing (Mayor of South-
ampton, 1867-68), and J. W. Walrond, M.P.

Stewards of Implements (Yard). — Mr. John Gray and
Mr. ^Y. Froude. -, ,^ -r. „

Stewards of Implements (Field).— Mr. J.E. KnoUys
and Mr. H. P. Jones.

Stewards of Stock.— Mr. H. Fookes, Mr. J. Hole, Mr.
John IVy, and Mr. J. S. Turner.

Stewards oe Horses. — Mr. C. Gordon and Colonel Lut-
trell.

Stewards of Poultry. — Lieutenant-Colonel Brent and
Mr. R. H. Bush.

Steward of Horticulture. — Rev. T. Phillpotts,

SteW/Uid of Music. — Mr. Jonathan Gray.

Stewards of Library.— Mr. Jonathan Gray and Mr.
WiUiam Thompson.

Stewards of Plaot. — Mr John Gray, Mr. Jonathan
Gray, Mr. J. E. Knollys, and Mr. Herbert Williams.

Stewards of Arrangements. — Mr. John Gray and Mr,
Jonathan Gray.

Honorary Secretary. — Mr. H. St. John Made.

Arts Honorary Secretary. — Mr. R. R. M. Daw,

Treasurers. — Mr. R. Badcock and Mr. F. W. Dymond.

Official Superintendent. — Mr. H. Spackman.

Official AccounTjVNT. — Mr. William Smith.

Consulting Chemist. — Dr. Augustus Voelcker.

Veterinary Inspector. — Professor Brown.

Assistant-Secretary (Exeter). — Mr. W. Roberts.

Secretary and Editor of Journal. — Mr. Josi^fe
Goodwin.

The Secretary having reported the occurrence of a vacancy

4l2

l^HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

in Council for tlie Eastern district, owing to the death of Mr.
Jacob Henry Cotterell, of Bath, Mr. Aciand, M.P., took the
opportunity of eulogising his high character and the eminent
services rendered by him as a member of the Journal Com-
mittee.

On the motion of Mr. Neville Grenville, M.P., seconded
by Mr. John Gray, the vacancy in the Council occasioned by
the lamented death of Mr. W. R. Hicks, of Bodmin, was filled
by the election of the Hon. and Rev. Jolin Townsend Bosca-
wen, of Lamorran, Truro.

Southampton Meeting, 1869. — The Stock prize-sheet for
this meeting was brought up by Colonel Luttrell, chairman of
the Committee, and finally approved by the Council. In the
offer of prizes Devon, Shorthorn, and Hereford cattle are placed
on the same footing as at the Falmouth meeting ; but as the
county of Sussex is now an integral part of the Society's terri-
tory, it was resolved that the Sussex breed of cattle be recog-
nised by the Society as an established breed, with the same
number and amount of prizes as offered for Devons, Shorthorns,
and Herefords. Channel Islands cattle have also, for the first
time, three classes assigned to them in the Society's prize-
sheet, whilst separate classes are opened for Shropshire sheep

and Oxfordshire Downs. In order tliat the practice of the
Society may be assimilated to that of the Royal Agricultural
Society, it was also resolved that the time for shearing should
be altered from on or after the 1st of May to " on or after the
1st of April."

Tlie Poultry prize -sheet presented by Mr. R. H. Bush was
also approved by the Council, the amount offered in prizes
being £150 ; Mr. Bush expressing a hope that some special
prizes may be offered by the Southampton Local Committee.

The Society's Journal. — A motion introduced by Mr.
Herbert Williams, having reference to the Journal, was with-
drawn by that gentleman, on the understanding that, after the
present year, the Journal will be published half-yearly instead
of annually.

A motion limiting the number of complimentary tickets
issued at the annual meetings of the Society was carried
nem. con.

The following new members were elected: Mr. William
Neal, Yew Tree Farm, Yeovil; Mr. T. Sharland, Three
Choughs Hotel, Y'eovil ; Mr. John Barton, Hackwood Farm,
Basingstoke; and Mr. James Howard BuUer, Downes,
Crediton.

THE PARIS EXHIBITION
NOTES ON SOME OF ITS NOVELTIES.

The latter part of our last paper was taken np with a
very brief resume of the advantages, or some of them,
obtaiuable by the use of covered dung-courts or pits, and
concluded with a statement that, when wc illustrated one
of these improved appliances to a farmery, we should
offer a few I'cmarks still further, bearing upon these ad-
vantages. We begin, then, by illustrating, in figs. 1, 2,

' and 3, a covered dung pit, as built upon the farm of
Br.roa Peers, near Bruges, ia Belgium, a plan of which
was exhibited in the Belgian department of the Paris
Exhibition. Fig. 1 is a plan ; fig. 2, a side elevation ; and
fig. 3, a cross section. The following is a resume of the
Baron's own description of its features, and statement of
its advantages :

Fig. 1.

Eig. 2.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

41 J

"^^,>,^^ Ir;

Fig. 3.
The covered dung pit — " fumier convert " — as shown
by the plan in fig. 1, is longer than it is broad ; and the
dimensions are proportioned to the number of stock kept.
The earth is dug out to a depth from three feet to four
feet, according to circumstances of soil and locality. This
is filled up with brickwork or masonry, around the sides and
ends, this retaining wall being carried up to a height of
five or six feet above the level of the surrounding ground.
The bottom of the pit may be also finished with brick-
work, or it may be well puddled with clay. If brick-
work is used, the joints should be cemented with hydraulic
cement, or the bricks laid on a bed of good puddle, the great
object being to prevent the liquid from passing throuijh
the bottom, and from percolating into the soil. Above
the brickwork of the sides, timber posts are
placed, which support the sides. Between these
are filled in railings, as shown. Gates are made at the
sides and at each end, to facilitate the supply to and the
removal from the pit of the manure. A pit 65 feet long
and 26 feet broad will hold about seventy-two horse-loads
of manure. Baron Peers has not hesitated to use the
upper part of the frame-work as a granary, the space be-

tween the rafters being filled in with planks to form a
floor for support of the grain. He has found the grain
there placed kept in admirable condition ; the air circu-
lating freely all round rapidly dries it ; and there is an
absolute freedom from attacks of mice and rats. One
would think that the emanations from the pit beneatli
would have a prejudicial effect upon the quality of the
grain ; but Baron Peers states that during an experience
of many years he has not found any evil effects from this
cause. In commencing to fill the pit, the manure taken
from the cattle-stalls, stables, &e., &c.,is spread evenly over
the bottom ; and thereafter the dung is put in as regularly as
possible. The Baron turns in his sheep, young calves,
and pigs, which help further to distribute the manure
and to press it down. In taking out the manure, the
carts enter at one end empty, and drive out full at the
other. In filling the pit any use of the side or end "-ates
is used, according to convenience of position. Baron
Peers is a great advocate for the use of " short" or well-
rotted manure in preference to " long" or " fresh," al-
though he does not ignore, but fully admits the value of
the fresh long manure, in the case of heavy soils, which
requu'e to be mechanically opened up ; only that where
thus used it must be ploughed into the land in autumn •
for aU spring cultivation he advocates the use of well-
rotted manure. It will be well here to notice
the method by which he obtains this condition in
the manure, and which may be done in a brief sentence or
two. He carts the manure from the dung-pit (covered)
to a convenient corner of the field, some four or five
weeks before the time at which it will be required for the
land. The d\mg is well mixed, and if other fertilizina;
materials are obtainable he disposes them and the duno- in
alternate layers, till the mass is of the depth of two yards
or thereabouts ; it is allowed to lie for two or three weeks
till fermentation and the consequent heat removes such of
the white mould which may be present. The whole is

then well turned over, and then placed in heaps as before,
when a new fermentation sets in, and in ten or twelve
days it is reduced to a degree of decomposition which
makes it at once easily mixed in the soil, and taken up
by the plants. Manure in this finely decomposed or
short condition, our authority admits, in common with all
thinking agriculturi^s, is not so well adapted for heavy,
close, and retentive soils, these requiring to be opened up
to receive the advantages of the atmospheric influences
require, on the contrary, dung which is in a fresh and un-
decomposed condition. In fig. 4 we give part longitudinal
elevation and part section of an open manure-pit or stance,
in which a a are the walls ; the floor, b b, slopes towards
the centre c, at which place there is a communication with
the liquid-manure tank, d d — a cross section of which is
given in fig. 5. The drainage of the whole dung-heap
passes into this tank ; and the liquid-manm-e from the
stalls is also led into it by pipes specially laid, the end

of which opens into the dung-heap, as shown at c. The
floor of the heap may be made of brick, or a layer of

Kg. 5.
concrete may be placed there ; but if the natural soil be
clay, if this is well rammed-down a sufficiently impervious
floor will be obtained.

414

THE PARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

EYERGEEEN HEDGES.

Mr. Hoopes, in his new work, " The book of Evergreens,"
which, hy the way, we must take occasion to again commend
to our readers, speaks very liighly of evergreen hedges. He
talks about varieties and treatment in the Ibllowuig plain and
sensible manner :

" Nothing, in our opinion, is so peculiarly attractive in a
well kept place as an evergreen hedge, neatly and frequently
trimmed ; and notliing really injures tlie appearance of a place
more than one that is neglected and allowed to grow at will.
Either as an ornamental boundary, or for a protective screen,
no class of plants can equal those with persistent or evergreen
leaves. Always green and cheerful throughout the M-hole
year, an impassable barrier to \rinds and storms, easily clipped,
and remarkably beautiful when properly cared for, of rapid
and intense growth, and comparatively free from disease, they
comprise indeed nearly all the requisites needed for a hedge.

" True, they cannot be formed into a defensive barrier
against the incursions of unruly cattle and the depredations of
the fruit stealer ; but in beautifying our homes and endeavour-
ing to create additional attractions in their surroundings, we
desire something more than the merely practical ; and we
therefore insist that there can be no place, however small, but
what may receive an added charm by the introduction of a
neat evergreen hedge, such as we have described. Such im-
provements are invariably associated with good taste and re-
finement,

" Evergreen hedges may very properly be divided into two
distinct classes, which, in the planting, selection of varieties,
and after-management, ditfer very essentially from each other :
first, those intended strictly for shelter or to conceal unsiglitly
objects ; and secondly, the true ornamental hedge. The for-
mer requires less care ; and is intended mainlji for the unfre-
quented portion of the grounds, and very frequently needs no
attention, excepting an occasional clipping of the stronger
branches, and a heading-in of the taller plants.

" What is needed more particularly in a screen or barrier to
break tlie force of storms is a stroug-gn'owing hardy species
that is not easUy affected by tlie wind, and such we find in the
hardier class of pines and spruces, as tlie white, Scotch, and
Austrian pines, and Norway spruce.

" Although we find the common red cedar (J. Virginiana),
Chinese arbor vitte (Biota orieutalis), and common juniper
(Jimiperus communis), occasionally recommended for this
purpose, we are compelled to discourage their use owing to
their unfortunate habit of dying out near tlie base, and tlms
disfiguring the symmetry of the screen, as well as opening a
passage for the cold winds. This may not be the case through-
out the West ; and, indeed. Dr. Warder, in his work on
' Hedges and Evergreens,' maintains the contrary opinion ;
but in the Eastern States we have frequently noticed this draw-
back to their culture. The late William Reed, of Elizabeth,
New Jersey, than wliom no more skilful hedge-grower could
be found, stated to tlie writer that these plants would never
answer the purpose, and that after several years of patient trial
he had entirely given them up. The American arbor vita?
(Thuja occidentaUs) affords an excellent protective screen in a
small place ; but on an extensive scale we prefer the pines and
spruces.

" The true ornamental hedge, to please the eye by its symme-
trical proportions and ricliness of colour, should receive' a full
amount of care and attention, for the neglect of one season
will very frequently cause it to become disfigured to such a
degree as to require several years to rectify the damage caused
by the remissness.

" After determining the location for the hedge, the ground
should be ploughed or dug deeply, about four feet (or even
•more) in widtli, and the plants set along the centre of the pul-
verized strip. The proper distance apart for tlie plants will be
determined in a great measure by their size and the species
used. We prefer the height from" twelve to fifteen inches for
arbor vita", hemlock, and other plants of medium and slender
growth. In large screens this distance must be modified, and
the plants set three, four, and even a greater number of feet
apart, according to the required densitj' of the screen.

" Nothing further is needed during the first season than to
ti-im off the tops of the larger plants, or an occasional side-
shoot that projects further out than the main portion of the

hedge. Always bear in mind that the ground must be kept
scrupulously clear of weeds, and be frequently stirred. Mice
very often attack a neglected hedge, but very seldom a clean,
well-cultivated one. In stirring the soil, the hoe or cultivator
should not run so deeply as to destroy the numerous small
rootlets with which the couifenc are so abundantly furnished.
We usually scatter a slight dressing of well-rotted manure over
the surface of the soil during the winter, and thus at the same
time protect the roots and furnish nutriment for the ensuing
season's growth.

" The second year the plants ought to make a reasonable
growth, and a clipping during the summer will be required in
addition to the regular autumnal shearing, if inclined to grow
strongly, a frequent trimming will be beneficial, as it should
always be the aim of the cultivator to produce an impenetrable
mass of foliage, especially at the base of the hedge. The
requisite shape should also be given iis soon as circumstances
will permit.

" We prefer the curvilinear form for many reasons, the most
practical of which is its ability to shed a lieavy weight of snow
that M'ould otherwise adhere, and, by pressing out the side
branches, mar tlie beauty of the hedge. Novices must always
bear in mind that it is very easy to produce a tall hedge, but
to form one with a close broad bottom requires frequent trim-
ming, and a proper amount of atteution ; for after tlie hedge
is grown this cannot be accomplished. Tu after years, when
the hedge arrives at its required height, all that will be neces-
sary is the frequent use of shears and due attention to keep
the' weeds and other strong growing plants clear from the row."

THE ADULTEEATION OP SEEDS.

The results of sowing, as shown by the average of two trials
(which, it is right to say, in general corresponded very closely),
were as foUows :

Out of the eighteen packages of 100 cauliflower-seeds the
following numbers respectively came up, viz., S6, 70, 66, 60,
56, 5i, 54, i>-2, 51, 51, 50, U, U, U, 4-3, 39, 36, 2-1.

Out of the eighteen packages of 100 broccoli-seeds the fol-
lowing numbers respectively came up, viz., 86, S3, 70, 68, 65,
62, 60, 59, 56, 55, 50, 46, 43, 42, 39, 35.

Out of the eighteen packages of 100 carrot-seeds the fol-
lowiiig were the numbers wliich came up, viz., 61, 56, 54, 48,
47, 45,44, 43, 41, 38, 38, 37, 37, 35, 33, 30, 19, 14.

Out of the eighteen packages of 100 white-tumip-seeds the
following numbers respectively came up, viz., 98, 95, 93, 87,
87, S3, 82, 71, 70, 68, 68, 66, 65, 64, 62, 60, 58, 57.

Out of the eighteen packages of 100 yeUow-turnip-seeds the
following numbers respectivelv came up, viz., 95, 84, 79, 79,
78, 77, 72, 72, 67, 66, 65, 64," 62, 58, 55, 55, 44, 28.

It should be added tliat the quality of different kinds of
seeds obtained from the same tradesman was not always uni-
form, aU good or all bad ; tlie cauliflower would sometimes
be inferior and the turnip superior, and so on ; but, on the
whole, a good position in one kind was generally accompanied
by a good position in all. It is also to be observed that the
general per-centage is less on some seeds than others — a dif-
ference probably due to the greater care required in harvesting
them, and, in the case of carrots, to the ditficulty in separating
the good seed from tlie bad.

In seeking a remedy for the evil, your committee recognized
the existence of two distinct elements in it, each requiring dif-
ferent treatment: 1, the actual adulteration of seeds; and, 2,
the mere keeping them too long and selling them when
too old. •

Actual adulteration is entitled to no mercy. It is a deli-
berate and intentional fraud, in the suppression of which the
trade is as much interested as the general pubhc, and ought to
be suppressed by the strong hand of the law in the same way
as any other fraud.

It is different with the selling of old seed. The seeds pro-
duced in different years, like different vintages, vary
in their quality and in their power of retaining their
vitahty. It thus sometimes happens that two-years' old seed
is better than one-year's old. There is thus a special ditticulty
in dealing with it ;" but it is clear that the public are entitled

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

415

to set what they pay for ; and if it is necessary, to secure this,
that the dealer should test the (quality of his seeds each year,
it is his duty to do so.

It seems a right and proper thing that Government should
bestow some pains in protecting the very large numbers of
ignorant and uneducated people who have to purchase seeds.
In Prussia, sachverstandigen, or, as we should call them, ex-
perts, are appointed by Government, whose duty it is, for a
certain fee, to test the quality of the seeds of such merchants
as apply to them, and to puljlish the results ; and in some
districts (Saxony and Wurtemberg, for example) there are
officials, paid by the Government or district, whose business it
is to look after the culture of fruit-trees and to give gratuitous
advice to all who apply to them for it.

But, independently of the action of Government, your com-
mittee are disposed to think that the Council of the Royal
Horticultural Society might itself do much to encourage the
sale of good seeds, if not to prevent the sale of bad. How it
can most effectually exert its influence for this purpose, is a
question on whicli the Council might probably obtain useful
suggestions from the respectable members of the seed trade ;
and your committee recommend that a number of them be in-
vited to meet the Council and give their views as to the best
steps to be taken to remedy the evil. — From the Report of the
Council of the Royal HortiouUv.ral Society.

THE OLD RUSTIC APHORISMS.

At the American Farmers' Club held in New York, Dr.
J. V. C. Smith of Boston, read this short but entertaining
paper. He said that for 300 years in England, and 100 years
in America, the most valuable literature of agriculture con-
sisted of old saws or maxims, generally thrown into rhyme,
some of them quaint and homely, but often spicy and valuable.
He had been at some pains in gleaning in old books and
papers, and would read a few of the most pertinent.

If butter churned in morning air
Is kept in a cool place with care,

The taste is nice ;
But that which shows the butter-milk
Don't sell to those who dress in silk— *

For any price.

To be in debt
Brings out the sweat.

No half-cooked meat
Is fit to eat.

A woman who sneezes
Ought not to make cheeses,
Put her hands in a mulf,
Or ever take snuff.

When the wind is east, and turkeys gobble,
It is no time a horse to hobble ;
But let him range to catch the breeze —
Should he be troubled with the heaves.

An OS with I)road horns and short glossy hair.
Is good for a team, the market, or fair.

One white foot is bad, and two are too many,
Tliat horse is best that does not have any.

Safe bind.
Sure find.

A farm without hogs,

But an army of dogs.
Will have more puppies than pork ;

For the swill will be lost,

To the husbandman's cost-
Dogs are good for nothing to work.

The slackest farmer, strange to say,
Is known for being out of hay.

It does not pay in any way,

To milk a cow three times a day.

When chickens roost above the mowe,
It spoils the hay for horse or cow.
The well-bred daughter of a farmer,
A prudent helpmeet and a charmer.

Geese in a pasture spoil the grass.
For horses, donkeys, and the ass.

It is no place to set poles

AVhere moles or mice have dug their holes.

Cobs make no food for kine to eat,
But they are good for smoking meat.

Pork and beans make muscles strong-
Something farmers seek ;

It is a dish to make life long,
When cooked but once a week.

A slovenly dress, a shaggy pate,
The fences down, a broken gate.
Pigs in the garden, weeds very high,
Children unwashed, no bacon to fry,
Lots of great dogs and yawling torn cats,
Windows repaired with a dozen old hats.
An empty barn — not a spear of hay.
Cows in the clover, horse run away,
Things sold by guess without being weighed.
Bills coming in, and taxes unpaid.
Pipes and tobacco, whiskey, neglect.
Drag in their train, as all might expect.
All sorts of troubles to fret away life —
But worst of the whole, an unhappy wife.

Little boats should keep near shore.
But larger ships may venture more.

Many estates are lost in the getting.

Since men have forsaken hewing and splitting,

And women their sewing and knitting.

A mackerel sky —
The wind will be liigh.
Then bring in the grain.
Close by there is rain.

A smoky cliimney may be cured,
A scolding woman not endured,
A farmer's wife, like cream or curd.
Is to be seen but seldom heardi

Bare-footed girls,
With floating curls

About the gate —
Though quite content,
Are no ornament

To the estate.
If you would thrive.
Be up by five ;
For there is health
And certain wealth.
When at the plough.
Or mUking cow.

A farmer should at home be found,
And often looking at his ground —
Inspecting fields, repairing fence —
For dollars come by saving pence.

Clear the soil from moles and slugs.
Prune the trees — keep olf the bugs.
Then fruits and melons, rich and fair.
Will recompense for aU your care.

Rutabaga, carrots, and beets.
Improve the character of meats ;
They make good beef, and quicker, too,
Than any other feed will do.

At the farmer's cost
Is an early frost.
Exercise reason —
Harvest in season.

Of all the crops a farmer raises,

Or capital employs.
Brings back such comfort and such praises.

As a crop of girls and boys.

416

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE QUALITY OF WHEAT.

The conditions which influence the quality of wheat
may at the present time fairly claim attention, more espe-
cially such us are readily under our control. It is a well
recognized fact that the quality of corn is very materially
influenced by the time at which it is cut. We propose
briefly to notice some of the circumstances which co-
operate in bringing about so important a result.

The production of a perfect seed is the ultimate result
naturally arising from the growth of the wheat plant ;
and its habit of growth is eminently adapted for its at-
tainment. In its uncultivated state the perfection of such
seed is secured by the natural habit of the plant, and
withoiit the care of the husbandman it will produce seed
of that character which is best adapted for securing its
reproduction ia all its natural hardihood of growth. Under
such circumstances it is produced in such a state that it
can best withstand decay until the natural season for its
growth returns. Such specimens of corn are usually ex-
ceedingly tough, and well coated wath a covering almost
flinty m character. This results from the growth being
continued until the seed is fully matured, and its outer
coating being fully charged with siliceous matter. This
is a condition eminently desirable for the protection of
the seed, but it is a very great drawback to its value for
the purpose for which we require it, viz., the production
of flour. Corn of this description would yield very little
flour, but a large proportion of hard and valueless
bran.

The object of the cultivator is manifestly opposed to
such a result. We require corn which shall yield a large
proportion of the best quality flour and the smallest pro-
portion of bran. We also desire that the bran which is
produced should be of a nutritious character, and not
merely a siliceous coating, valueless as food. The quality
of the seed has an important influence upon the quality of
the crop, and so also has the general system of cultiva-
tion which may be adopted; but both of these influences
are beyond the subject we now wish to notice. We rather
purpose noticing tlie influence which is exerted upon the
quality of the wheat by the condition of the plant at the
time of cutting.

The undesirable results we have mentioned may be, to
a great extent, produced even when seed of good quality
ha^ been used, by allowing the corn to become very ripe
before it is cut. It wiU be readily admitted that much
injury does arise from this cause, when a quick season
cai-ries on the ripening more rapidly than the labour of
cutting can be accomplished. The miller soon detects
the injury which has been produced, and the increase of
the less valuable portions necessarily decreases, the value of
the sample. Numerous carefully conducted experiments
upon the products derived from corn, cut in different stages
of ripeness, clearly prove that corn cut whilst the straw
is greenish not only produces most flour and least sharps
and bran, but produces all of them of higher nutritious
value than at any more advanced period of ripeness. The
relative proportions steadily decrease in value through
the several stages of the advance towards extreme ripe-
ness.

This result readily admits of an explanation from the
fact that the grains in an ear of wheat become charged
with rich nutritious matter before the coarser supplies of
siliceous matter are deposited around them. The internal
structure of the grain is first of all charged with the albu-

minous matter of the juices of the plant, from which the
gluten of wheat is produced, whilst at the same time the
saccharine products thus carried iuto the grain become
charged with starchy matter. The production of the
husky envelope is, comparatively speaking, a later stage
of development, too often carried on at the cost of the
partially matured gluten and starch supplied to the grain.

One of the great advantages of the early cutting of corn
appears to be the interruption thus occasioned in the de-
velopment of the grain. It appears to check the transfer
of the material passing through its stages of chemical
change within the grain, and prevents its appropriation
for the formation of the envelope. The result is that we
secure a thinner skin and the grain pi'cserves its supplies,
and retains a fulness and plumpness which is not usual in
wheat which is allowed to become fully ripe before it is
cut. The same remark holds good as to the mineral
matter, which is diverted in a similar manner from the
interior of the gi'ain to its surface. It is a singular fact
that the chemical constituents, which in the interior of
the grain become formed into gluten, starch, and the
mineral matter of flour, each and all of which are ex-
ceedingly valuable in rendering the flour of wheat a per-
fect food for man, when these ingredients are diverted
therefrom and converted into a husky envelope they lose
very much of their nutritions value, and frequently be-
come quite valueless as food. We have a familiar ex-
ample of a somewhat similar character in the over-i-ipen-
ing of the stems of grass and clover. Here we observe
soft and nutritious vegetable matter assuming a hard and
tough condition, containing very similar chemical consti-
tuents, but in a state most diflicnlt of digestion and assi-
milation when used as food.

The prejudicial influence does not limit itself to the
relative condition of the internal and external portions of
the grain. It is observable in the condition of the husky
envelope itself. There is a very great diff"erence in the
nutritious value of bran : some samples rank high as feed-
ing material, whilst others are comparatively valueless.
To this fact alone can we satifactorily trace the difl"erence
of opinion entertained respecting the value of bran as a
food. Tried under exactly similar circumstances, the
results have been most conflicting ; but the discrepancy
is fully explained when we find that the nutritious cha-
racter of bran is not in any way definite, being entirely
dependent upon the state of ripeness at the time of cut-
ting the corn.

There are, therefore, very clear and powerful iuduce-
ments for the early cutting of corn, but at the same time
it must be carried out with discretion. A reckless adop-
tion of the practice would have a tendency to decrease the
crop, because of the grains of wheat not being sufliciently
developed, and therefore smaller in size than they should
be. Under ordinary circumstances the grain in the ear
gains considerably after the cutting has been carried out,
from the fact that whilst the straw hardens much of the
sap contained in the stem is drawn up into the ear, and
its valuable ingredients are taken up by the grain. All
the energy of the plant is at this stage of growth directed
to the development of the seed, and hence there is a
powerful tendency in the plant to make use of any valu-
able matter remaining in the stem. Much of the success
attendant upon the early cutting of wheat may be traced
to these conditions of growth, and in many respects they
are worthy of careful consideration.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

417

AUTUMN CULTIVATION

Such a lengthened period having elapsed since the
wind-up of the harvest, the agricultural mind finds it
difficult to realise that the season is still so early — that
in fact there is nearly a whole month of autumn yet to
elapse before winter is reached even by name. It is a
most unusual thing to find September almost or, as has
been the case iu many of the earlier districts, altogether
clear of harvest operations ; and, with the most of Oc-
tober still to run, a booa of inestimable value has thus
been presented to the agriculturists, the most valuable
period of the entire year for pushing on field-work being
left fi-ee to him, untrammelled by the usual important
considerations which occupy his attention during the
greater portion of these months. Much can be done in
the way of clearing, cultivating, and generally preparing
the land for the reception of the futm-e crops ; and what
adds greatly -increased value to the mere performance of
these operations is the thoroughly efficient manner in
which they can be put out of hands. The soil is now in
the best possible condition for working, being firm and
dry ; and (unless on the heavier clays) work can be pro-
ceeded with immediately after moderate rain with perfect
propriety, the moisture which it has already received hav-
ing done no more than bring the land into good working
condition. What a difi'erent position a man who has got
through the preparatory cultural operations during the
autumnal months finds himself from him who has allowed
them to lie over till winter and spring, after having be-
come sodden and saturated by heavy rains. The one is
all that could possibly be desired for economical and pro-
fitable cultivation, combining that friability and mellow-
ness of surface and fineness of tilth which is so eminently
a requisite of successful production. Other things being
equal, the crops, whatever their nature or character, get
away without the slightest check, and, being vigorous
from the very starting-point of their growth, have a much
better prospect of reaching successful maturity. On the
other hand, land that has been ploughed late in the
season, and lain in an unbroken mass, becomes hard and
obdurate under the drying influence of the March winds,
and requires the exercise of immense power and the aid
of powerful and heavy implements to reduce it to the
mellowness of condition so highly essential for the health-
ful germination of the seed, and the consequent future
weU-doing of the crop. At no time can the cleaning be
so well done as now, or with so little expense ; the
thorough eradication of weeds ought therefore to be as
much the object of the farmer as the stirring of the soil.
In such a season as the present, when keep is scarce, there
is great inducement to throw a little grass seed on the
stubbles to help the sheep iii early spring, some men
doing it nearly every year. The object certainly is a
good one ; but an addition to the available stock of food
in this way is dearly bought at the expense of having all
the cleaning and cultivation of the green- crop laud thrown
over upon the spring. The trampling of the animals too
acts injuriously on the land, rendering it difficult to work ;
and, moreover, by having the soil thus occupied during
the winter months, it is deprived of all the ameliorating
influence of frost and other valuable atmospheric influences.
We therefore think, with all due deference, however, to
the opinions of those who follow the system, that it is
only admissable under peculiarly exceptional circum-
stances. On the score of economy autumn-working of
the fields intended for green crop haa much to recommend

it, and on that account alone deserves the careful con-
sideration of every farmer. When the teams are set to
work immediately after the fields are cleared of the corn,
there is still a long day available, and the interruptions
from broken weather being neither so frequent nor so
lengthened as at a later period of the year, the busines«
is got through with great rapidity. A great saving is
eff'ected in horse keep by this mode of management ; the
work being more evenly distributed over the year, fewer
horses can overtake it than could possibly be the case
when the greater portion of the cultivation has been
left over until spring. Neither is there so much work
to be done, as when the soil is worked in autumn
it is in most cases so dry and friable that half the
ordinary labour will suffice to bring it to the required
fineness of tilth. With horse provender so high as it is
at present, and every prospect of its being much higher
as spring comes on, the saving of the keep of even one
horse is a consideration. But where the occupation is
large, and the saving amounts to the keep of several,
whose services have been dispensed with on account of
the cultivation of the land being got through in autumn,
the saving becomes so important as not to be beneath the
notice of even the most wealthy. The earlier the scari-
fying process can be got through the better for its
efllciency, the sun being stiU powerful, assisting most
materially in destroying the weeds, both annual and
perennial. Yet, as it is not always this particular de-
partment can be attended to all at once, it does not by any
means follow that because it is not done early it should
not be done at all ; on the contrary, there is all the more
reason to attend to the destruction of weeds, as from the
time they were relieved by the presence of the corn they
have been growing vigorously, extending their roots in
every direction, and rapidly preparing to take complete
possession of the soil. All that is required for the com-
plete eradication of weeds is to take care that they are
completely loosened by the grubber or cultivator ;
thoroughly disintegrated and cleared from the adhering
particles of earth by the action of the harrow, then
ploughed down at once, with a furrow as deep as the
horses can draw, or the nature of the subsoil permit.
When properly shaken out, even those weeds which are
most tenacious of life can never again catch hold of the soil,
but quickly decompose and die completely out. The
plough alone cannot possibly eradicate weeds, but acts
more as a propagator, dividing the roots by its action
into numberless cuttings or oft'-sets, and thus speedily
filling the soil and covering the surface with an unbroken
mass of the very vilest weeds known to agriculture. To
pick ofi" the weeds which have been up-rooted by the
grubbers is mere labour lost, and if present in any appre-
ciable quantity to some extent an injury, robbing the soil
of a portion of its nourishment. It is wholly unnecessary
to take any such trouble, the ploughing-down being quite
efi'ectual, and the rotting of the weeds forming a great
addition to the resources of the soil, in the shajie of rich
vegetable mould. There is an exception to this of course
in the case of those who do not use the plough at all in
autumn cultivation, but let the land lie during the winter
in the state it has been left by the cultivator. When
this mode is followed, and it happens that root weeds
are present to such extent as to be an eye-sore, they can
be collected, and either burned or carted away to a com-
post heap, as when rotted they make excellent material

F F

418

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

for mixing with lime, the mixture making au admirably
suitable top-dressing for grass. We cannot help thinking,
however, that the cultivator and plough combined make
far the best work, and form the best preparation for the
future crops. The deep furrow, which is so eminently
suitable, and, in fact, so highly necessary for keeping up a
high state of fertility, can only be given with any degree
of safety in autumn. By it a portion of the virgin soil is
brought to the surface, and there submitted to the
influence of the weather and action of the air, thus
neuti'alizing the injurious effects which are sure to arise to
any tender rootlet by coming into contact with any portion
of the subsoil. When the operation of broad-sharing has
been properly performed, that is, when no portion of the
surface has been passed over without being stirred, and
the depth sufficient to get under the roots of the weeds,
there is real pleasure and an immense amount of satisfac-
tion to be derived on examination of the furrow when
turned over by the plough. Not the slightest trace of a
weed is to be seen, however foul the field may have been
previously ; and the dryness and friability of the soil it-
self, the result of being worked early, augurs well for its
working kindly in spring, and for its being prepared for
the reception of the crops at a very slight expenditure of
labour.

For occupations of small size there is not the slightest
occasion for going to the expense of getting an expensive
implenaent, as there are many modes of performing the
work of paring the surface inexpensively and yet efB-
ciently when the extent to be gone over is not great. We
have seen a breadth of nearly twenty acres gone over by
one plough to which a pairing- sock had been attached, and
done in a style too which left nothing to be desired in the
way of economy or thorough performance of the work.
In the broad-share and cultivator we have exemplified the
best class of implements suited for autumn cultivation, as
they not only clean the laud of all root-weeds but stir it at
the same time. Although not, in our opinion, doing
away with all necessity for the plough, they yet assist its
action most materially ; and from fewer ploughings being
required to bring the soil to the necessary degree of fine-
ness, the expenses of preparing for the green crops are very
considerably lessened.

We use the cultivator ourselves, and although the
implement has been in use for eight seasons it looks as if
it would last for a generation without injury. If the sur-
face is hard from long drought, it may not be quite so
steady in the ground as the others named, but when ordi-
narUy free the quality of work done cannot easily be sur-
passed. The narrow grubbing-shares are most suitable
for the first stroke, relieving the horses, and enabling
them to go over a much greater extent. When crossing,
the duck-footed shares can be substituted for the narrow
ones, and not an inch of the sm'face will escape being
stu-red, or a weed left growing, unless through the negli-
gence of the driver.

From French experiments, recently published, we are
constrained to believe that the English farmers' theory
with regard to the cutting of corn rather early or while
the grain is still capable of being squeezed between the
finger and thumb, is entirely wrong in principle. It is
quite possible that the French theory is right, and the
English wrong ; yet, instead of the grain crops being al-
lowed to stand longer before being cut than is at present
the practice, they could be cut even earlier, and that with
great propriety, and save much more money per acre than
the amount indicated by these experiments. The loss
from shedding is a very serious one, much more so than
is generally imagined ; often amounting, in the case of
black oats and some varieties of wheat, to several bushels
per acre. In no way is this so clearly ascertained as
when the stubbles have beea gone over by the cultivator

and allowed to rest for a couple of weeks before being
tm'ncd down by the plough. The soil being made so fine
by the action of this implement, and in every way ren-
dered so favourable for vegetation, there is not a seed
left but germinates ; and unless much care has been taken
in the handling of the corn, or the precaution taken of
cutting while there is a green tinge on the straw and the
grain somewhat soft, the surface of the field will present
all the appearance of having been seeded liberally for a
fresh crop of corn.

There is thus a valuable lesson to be learned by stir-
ring the soil in this way during the autumn months,
which well repays any farmer who acts upon it ; a very
trifling sum saved per acre, amounting to a respectable
thing when multiplied by eighty or a hundred ; or, in the
case of large farmers, even a great deal more.

In preparation for sowing winter vetches there can be
no more useful implement than the grubber, the weeds
being first of all torn out and left on the surface, and the
soil moved to a considerable depth, and rendered so mel-
low that fertility is actually imparted to it by the very
process of working. This occurs from the thorough
smashing up of the soil enabling the roots of the plants
to penetrate in aU directions in search of food ; the whole
of the soil within their reach becoming filled with
fibres. When, however, a light dressing of dung is laid
over the grubbed land, and ploughed-in with a light
fiuTow, then the seed has an excellent bed ; is sown
under the very best possible conditions ; and its future
well provided for. Land prepared in this way may be
seeded much less liberally than is safe to attempt when
but little trouble has been taken wath its preparation.
There is, first of aU, no waste of seed from its getting
down under the furrow-slice, the fine earth created by
the action of the cultivator running into all interstices
and completely preventing any loss of seed. Again :
When the growing season comes round the plants are so
vigorous that they branch out abundantly into strong
succulent stems, covering the surface with a perfect mass
of verdure ; and more cutting is got from two bushels
under such favourable conditions than could be got fi'ora
three-and-a-half when the cultivation has been slovenly
performed. The saving of one bushel of seed on an
acre of vetches would this year be equivelant to the
entu'C working expenses in preparing the land for the
reception of the crop, and is well worth a trial. Autumn
presents an excellent opportunity for the carriage of lime
to a farm and its application to the stubbles. During
the winter the soil has all the benefit of its warming and
sweetening properties, and when applied now to the more
adhesive soils an amount of friability is imparted which
renders them comparatively easy to work in spring.
Lying-over the winter gives ample time for lime which
has been put on fresh from the kiln to lose its causticity ;
and on the land to which it has been applied now fresh
manure, guano, or other dressings, evanescent in their
nature, may be applied with perfect safety, there being by
that time no danger whatever of their active properties
being neutralized by the action of the lime. For mixing
the lime intimately with the surface and preventing its
being turned over underneath the furrow, there is no
better plan than lying it on previous to the grubbing.
The subsequent stirring it receives blends it so completely
with the soU as to check in a gi'cat measure the tendency
to sink down through the soil, which is such a peculiar
feature of this mineral substance. While the weather con-
tinues suitable it is excellent policy to push on the work
of autumn cultivation with all the strength of the farm
that can be spared from other pressing operations. In
particular the cultivator should not be stojiped if at all
possible, unless by bad weather, uutQ the entire breadth
inteaded for greeu crop is 'gone over. The preparation

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

419

of the soil uow enables the farmer to get quickly on in
spring, and thus obtain an earlier seed-time than he could
otherwise do had the entire working been postponed
until that time. The early-sown mangolds, carrots, and
swedes get all the advantage of the winter sap not yet

exhausted by a powerful sun, and, having the advantage
of a good start, and covering the ground early, have a
better chance of resisting the injurious effects of a dry
sumnjer, J. S.

LIME AS A MANURE.

The employment of lime as a manure is a practice
which boasts of as early an origin as any now adopted
for adding to the land any of the materials removed by
heavy cropping. In some districts the use of lime is
even already placed in the category of antiquated prac-
tices, having yielded to the competing rivalry of more
concentrated manures ; but from these same districts wc
hear of occasional difficulties in the cultivation of certain
crops — difficulties which are imdeniably on the increase,
and which some few years since were far less frequent in
their occurrence. Can there be any connection between
the two facts ? It is, we think, worthy of inquiry whe-
ther or not such be tlie case, arising as they do in the
same disti-icts.

The value of lime as a manure is and has been well
recognised ; its action has been perhaps more fully and
deeply studied than any similar material ; and the sphere
of its influence is unquestionably greater than any other
manurial agent. The use of phospliate of lime in its
various forms we would not for a moment undervalue ;
but it has not that varied action which results fi'om the
employment of lime. It is truly expressed in homely
phrase that the use of lime " sweetens" the land, and
we shall some day more fully appreciate its value in this
respect than is generally acknowledged at the present
time. Without adopting the views which were at one
time commonly entertained by scientific men — that, after
the growth of a crop upon the land, it became year by
year less capable of producing a succession of such crops,
because certain excrementitious matter was thrown off by
the plant, which, however valuable it might be for other
classes of plants, was objectionable for the crop by which
it had been produced — we may with perfect safety state
that these principles which have been so discarded have
some truth intermixed with them which our daily practice
gives no indication of. ,If we attempt to account for
such a result by saying that it arises from the soil being
exhausted of certain materials required for that particular
crop, and that a luxm-iant crop of another class may be
grown, provided it requires only the materials that remain
in the land, and does not require those materials which
have been removed by the preceding crop, we fail to
give a full explanation of the difficulty. Take, for
example, the substitution of turnips instead of swedes or
of the cow-grass or white clover for red clover in the
foUowing rotation ; and such cases are becoming more
and more frequent every year, where changes have to be
made in the variety of root-crop or the seeds selected.
If we attempt to explain away the fact on the ground of
the exhaustion of the soil, we signally fail, and for this
simple reason, if for no other — that chemical science fails
to show that the difference in the materials drawn from
the land by a crop of clover or cow-grass as contrasted
with the materials removed by a crop of red clover, or by
a crop of turnips as contrasted with a crop of swedes, is
equal to the difference observable in the requirements of
theqe respective crops, even upon adjoining fields. We
are, therefore, disposed to believe that the complaint now
so frequently heard that fields are tired of certain crops,
and the confidence with which many farmers express

their conviction that the sowing of a particular crop must
result in a failure, can only have a satisfactory explana-
tion given by something more than the mere proposal
of exhaustion. The observant eye of the practical man
has linked together these facts ; and although we cannot
as yet fuUy explain why the land becomes tired of a cer-
tain crop, yet we do see reason for connecting this fact
with the popular impression as to the sweetening of the
land.

This is rendered the more curious and interesting by
this additional fact — that, where the use of lime has been
persevered in, there we do not observe the difficulty com-
plained of elsewhere. It is perfectly clear that the action
of lime upon a soil admits of a more frequent and healthy
growth of the same crop, and that, whatever may be the
manner of its action, the power of lime to " sweeten"
the soil admits of no doubt. If we look upon the action
of lime on the organic matter of the soil we see in
this alone sufficient to explain much that arises there.
It is well known that acrid vegetable matter, which is
exceedingly injurious to vegetation, is, under the influence
of lime, rendered not only harmless, but really nutri-
tious. We feel the necessity of drawing attention
to this agricultural difficulty ; for, whilst we do not pre-
tend to explain it with any degree of completeness, we
recognize it as an important point, and hope that it
may receive that consideration of which it is worthy from
those competent to cany out the necessary research.

The employment of lime as a manure had another
advantage than that already named. Its action was not
limited to the organic matter of the soil, but it had a
powerful influence upon the mineral matter with which
it came in contact. It is generally known that the soil
contains vast stores of fertilizing matter which are locked
up, as is were, from use : there they are, but only a small
proportion are available for use. Indeed, even the poor
soils, which are regarded as almost valueless for culti-
vation, contain supplies of fertiKzing matter vastly in
excess of what is available on our best soils ; but the
difference lies in the fact that in the one case the store is
locked up, and a very limited supply only within reach ;
but, in the other, there is a liberal supply ready for use,
as well as a considerable quantity locked away. Now, the
action of lime may be compared to the blacksmith opening
some of these stores, and rendering useful that which
was previously in such a condition as to be practically
valueless to the growing crop. Lime, therefore, becomes
a most important agent in promoting the fertility of the
land, even when regarded in its influence upon other
bodies which may be present in the land, in addition to
any value which may be attached to it as a food for
plants. In its direct action as a manure, considered
simply as food necessary for pi'omoting vegetable growth,
its value is great. All our cultivated crops require it,
and some require it in large quantities; and although
it exists abundantly in many soils, and in al-
most all soils to a greater or less extent, it
does not always exist in such a condition as to be avail-
able for vegetation, and hence we see one reason why
the use of lime is not unfrequent, even upon limestone

3F F S

420

THE FARMBE'S MAGAZINE.

soils. There is no doubt that what has, in a great mea-
sure,' tended to diminish the use of lime upon the land is
the cost attendant upon its application, and this has, in
some degree, encouraged the substitution of cheaper com-
petitors. It is, however, well worthy ot careful consider-
ation and trial how far the large applications of lime
which were so usual, and which still continue to be
made in some districts, are essentially necessary. It is
by no means unlikely that we may find that frequent ap-
plications, and in much smaller quantities than are

usual, may prove to be valuable stimulants, and purify the
ground, 'if we notice the small dusting which an ordi-
nary application of artificial appears to give, and the
marked results wbicli arise from the admixture of such
small quantities, it should not at any rate discourage the
use of small quantities, and more especially when the use
of a manure of undoubted value has been disregarded in
consequence of its bulky character and cost rather than
from any doubt as to its value.

THICK VERSUS THIN SOWING.

The question of thick versics thin-sowing still remains
a debatable one. As the season, however, for wheat-
sowing is now coming in, it may be useful to call the at-
tention of our readers to an experiment made in France,
where, as in England, the custom of thick-sowing has been
the rule time out of mind. M. Vilmorin gives the usual
amount of seed- wheat in France at three hectolitres (or 84
bushels) per hectare, or rather more than three bushels per
acre, which is about the average sown in this country ; and
he estimates the number of grains per square metre, or yard,
in that quantity at 450. " It is evident," he says, " that
no one, in sowing so thickly, thinks or expects that this
number of seeds on the square yard shoidd germinate,
grow up, produce grain, and ripen so many plants of
wheat ; for experience proves that the richest and best-
manured soil would be insufficient to carry out such a
production, which, reckoning only one ear to the stem,
and forty grains to the ear, would represent a return of
no less than 120 hectolitres per hectare (or about 133
bushels per acre) ; but we know that many grains buried
too deep do not vegetate, and that others near the surface
are the prey of birds, field-mice, and other causes of
destruction : in fact, we sow too thick to have the plants
thick fiiotcffh." This supposes broad-cast sowing; but
even with the drill-machine the same practice of thick-
sowing, though to a less extent, is carried on, and few
farmers will allow the cups to be set at a less rate than
from 2 to 2^ bushels per acre. We have before shown
the estimate made by Stephens, in his " Book of the
Farm," of the number of plants there oiiffht to be
when three bushels per acre are sown. "Wheat,"
he says, "of 631bs. per bushel, gives 87 seeds to
the drachm, or 865,770 to the bushel avoirdupoise.
Three bushels, therefore — the common seeding per
acre— contain 2,595,510 grains. Suppose each grain
produces one stem, and each stem one ear, it
will produce the same number of ears of 32 grains
each. Multiply, therefore, 2,595,510 by 32, it gives
85,056,320 grains. Divide this by 87, and we have
954,670 drachms. Divide again by 256, the number of
drachms to the pound, and the product is 3,729 pounds,
which, at 63 pounds per bushel, gives 59 l-5th bushels."
This produce has sometimes been exceeded by sowing half
a bushel, and even one peck per acre.

But we set out with the intention of giving the results
of the experiment of M. Vilmorin, and must now hasten
to do so. The extent of laud on which it was made con-
sisted of five ares, of about 120 square yards each. This
■was divided into five equal parts, numbered 1 to 5. In
No. 1, the rows v/ere about 7 inches apart, and the seed
in the rows at the same distance, there being therefore

25 to the square yard. In No. 2, the rows were the
same distance from each other, but the seeds at about 6|
inches, or say 33 to the square yard. In No. 3, the
rows preserved the same distance, but the seeds were
planted at 3i inches, or 50 to the square yard. In No. 4,
the rows were only H inches from each other, and
the seeds the same distance, giving 100 to the
square yard. In No. 5, the rows were at 3^ inches apart,
but the seeds only If inches, giving 200 to the square
yard. We should state that the soil was of a sandy cha-
racter, and of an average degree of fertility, and having
received a light manuring with horse-dung. The follow-
ing were the results :

No. of grains per square

yard

Weight of seed in

grammes

Gross produce in kilos.
Weight of grain in

ditto

Weight of grain per

litre iu grammes

No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. No. 5

25

125
119

18.100
760

33

165
117

17.700

748

50

250
98

16.700

742

100

500
107

13.800
716

200

1000
99

12.300

702

These figures, the author says, speak for themselves
for a glance at them shows that in proportion as the
quantity of seed increases, we find not only the quantity
of grain produced but also its specific weight decreases in
a regular proportion, or, in other words, its quality. The
quantity of straw in each does not much differ except in
No. 3, which was lodged more than the others. The
seed was the red Scotch. The little difference in the
straw, as the experimenter observes, shows that a plant
of wheat requires more from the land in forming and
ripening the grain than it does to develop itself from its
germination to the period of flowering ; and that where
we plant ten seeds we must not look for more than two
or three to arrive at perfection. The writer adds that the
ears were finer, longer, and contained more grains in the
thin-sown parcels, and that the straw, while stronger,
was neither too harsh nor bent, nor were there amongst
them a greater number of backward ears than amongst
the close-planted. _ .

In Italy they grow wheat expressly for plaiting, the
straw being the first and the grain only the secondary
consideration. They there sow very thick to get the
straw as fine and white as possible. As to the ears,
the finest are not more than an inch and a-half (5 centi-
metres) long, and most of them not more than half that
length ; but they use the grain for seed, if harvested well,
and obtain good average crops from it.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

421

AERATION OF LAND.

Although modern systems of cultivating land are greatly
more in favour of its aeration than the old plans, the differ-
ences in favour of the former are often not perhaps so great
and numerous as they might be, and the current season is one
wluch illustrates very forcibly the soundness of the conclusion.
The discussion on the subject involves the peculiarities of
modern agriculture in favour of aeration, and their contraries
as compared with the old practice.

The more thorough drainage of the land ; the use of im-
proved implements of husbandry, with the deeper and more
effective tillage produced by them ; and more scientific systems
of manuring and cropping ; may be instanced as the leading
characteristics in favour of improved aeration. The per contra
view of the subject is not so easily placed in readable form be-
fore the reader, as it includes neglected duties, and mismanage-
ment in so many ways as to render it all but impossible to
give an intelligent account of them. In other words, they
belong to that category of facts in farm practice which are said
to be more easily understood than expressed. For this reason
it will be more convenient to discuss the above favourable cha-
racteristics and their contraries together than separately.

Too much cannot be said in favour of the thorough drainage
of land, either naturally or artificially, in order to effect its
proper aeration ; but in nine cases out of ten porosity of sub-
soil and the mere putting iu of an artificial drain are not all
that require to be done, much of the success of both kinds of
drainage, more especially of the successful working of the
drains in the latter examples, depending upon the mode of
cultivation and cropping pursued by the farmer afterwards,
while much of the efficiency of the latter agaiu depends upon
the nature of the seasons, some seasons being more in favour
of aeration than others. In short, the aeration of the land
may not inaptly be termed a work per se, every example being
exclusively subject to its own peculiar rule, less or more modi-
fied by season, soil, and climate, too much air in the soil being
just as bad as too little.

The proper aeration of the land involves both a chemical
and a mechanical process, the former having reference chiefly
to its fertilization, and the latter to its disintegration, or
mechanical subdivision; and most farmers know when
their land is in a healthy state of aeration rather from expe-
rience than from scientific data, always assuming the season
to be propitious ; and those who farm thoroughly-drained
land, whether by natural or artificial drainage, are familiar
with the advantages of the same, let the season be either or-
dinary or in the extreme of wet or dry. But wet seasons
demand a different practice from dry seasons, and neither rule
is in liarmony with that of the ordinary weather of the dis-
trict; and then how different is the ordinary weather in one
district from that of another. Such being the facts of the case,
it is easy to understand how farmers are guided more by their
own experience than by any scientific rule which can be laid
down in books.

It would, however, be very wrong to conclude from this that
the experience of the farmer is not guided by science — the
very reverse of this erroneous conclusion being true. Tliis
will appear manifest when it is considered that the most suc-
cessful practice is but another way of expressing the most
successful example of appliud science. The successful farmer
may not be able to express himself in the language of scientific
works ; but in the field he knows the application of science,
and this in the majority of instances is more than scientific
authors do. At the same time, it must be borno in mind that
an elementary knowledge of science, or a thorough acquaint-
ance with the elements of science, is of paramount importance
to the practical farmer in the putting of his land into a proper
state of aeration. In this respect the modern farmer, who
has received a scientific education, and who has made himself
master of the application of elementary data to his field
practice, enjoys many advantages over his ancestors of tlie
olden time, whose knowledge of chemistry was much less per-
fect, and who laboured under innumerable disadvantages be-
sides in carrying out into practice the limited knowledge which
they thus possessed.
• This naturally brings us to the next division of our subject

— improved field implements, and their use as compared with
the few rude instruments of the olden time. The proper
aeration of the land is synonymous with its proper cultivation,
and its proper cultivation with the use of improved implements.
No doubt the practical rule applies here — viz., to make the
best use of ihe implements you have, the most improved de-
scription being beyond the reach of the pockets of very many
of our most successful farmers. To this old familiar rule any-
body may subscribe. It is, however, no argument against the
use of most improved field implements, but the contrary ; for
if the ploughman makes good work with a bad plough, he
will obviously make better work with a good one. But the
plough thus individualised is only quoted accidentally ; for it
is on the auxiliary implements of modern invention — as subsoil
ploughs, clod-crushers, grubbers, and the long list of tillage
implements of this class — that the more successful aeration of
the land depends. So important has the use of these become,
that many farmers would find it difficult, if not impossible, to
get on successfully without them. Under the old practice,
stiff tenacious clay lands were subject to two opposite and
adverse extremes ; for in dry weather it was often impossible
to prevent them getting cloddy like brick-bats, and in wet
weather to prevent them running together like well-tempered
mortar. To break the clods involved an amount of trampling
with the horses' feet as greatly to consolidate the subsoil; and
to work the land when wet poached it with the feet of the
teams, every foot-print becoming a pool of water the first
shower of rain, which is now avoided under good management.

It is, however, to the proper use of steam-culture imple-
ments that farmers are now to look for the most successful
mode of aerating the land. The feet of horses always do an
immense deal of harm — more than many imagine ; for as the
ground under their feet form the fulcrage of the leverage of
the animal-hauling apparatus, it follows that the consolidating
pressure is much greater than the weight of the horses them-
selves. Under steam tillage this is obviated, the fulcrage
being at the headland. It is even more than obviated, espe-
cially by the use of implements constructed on the principle
of grubbers, usually termed cultivators ; for in smashing up the
staple they at the same time less or more tear up and loosen
the subsoil ; and, under proper management, they do so in
such a manner as to give the land the requisite degree of
aeration it requires, letting in an abundance of air when such
is needed, and " keeping in the sap" when such is the rule.
It requires more experience than farmers yet possess to put a
proper estimate upon such advantages in favour of steam cul-
ture in the aeration of land.

Lastly, under ordinary good management and seasons, mo-
dern systems of manuring and cropping are in favour of
aeration, as compared witli the old practice. Guano, bone-
dust, and other artificial manures, it is true, do not keep the
land so open as farmyard manure ; but keeping the soil open
thus is often not successful aeration, and the difference in this
respect is even in favour of artificial manures for the aeration
of clay lands when such are properly cultivated, while, to
open, porous soUs, their use is attended with advantages not
easily estimated. Indeed, under the old practice, the most
successful mode of applying farmyard manure was in the form
of compost, or in a greatly rotten and subdivided state, so as
to permit of its being thoroughly incorporated with tlie land,
without giving itan undue porosity. In other words, clayey soils
and porous soils are both liable to be too mucli aerated during
the summer-time ; and with artificial manure the sap is more
easUy retained in the soU than with farmyard manure. It
must be admitted that opinion is somewhat divided on this
point, many farmers preferring farmyard manure on clayey
land, others half-and-half; but such generally turn upon
special management in other respects, rather than upon the
use of guano, &c., in aeration, for, without plenty of sap in
the land, its proper aeration is impracticable. But further
into details of this kind our limits will not permit us to enter
at present ; and, with regard to the modern system of alter-
nate cropping, as compared with the old outfield and infield
system, the advantages in favour of the former are so many
and manifest as hardly to admit of enumeration. Sureet.

422

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

The following paper and correspondence on this subject was
read by Mr. D. Cunningham, of the Ulster Model Farm, at a
recent meeting of the Chemico-Agricultural Society of
Ulster:—

Agricultural education' has not received such attention in
this country as its importance deserves. That there is a neces-
sity of some systematic course of agricultural instruction being
adopted in our rural schools no one for a moment can deny.
The science of agriculture may be neglected in countries where
there is a wide extent of new and virgin soil, which demands
little or no skill to make it produce abundantly, and, where
one portion does become exhausted, new fields can be occu-
pied and the old ones neglected ; but in this country, with a
dense population confined to the same ground, we require the
aid of science to enable us to keep up the fertility of our fields.
By the aid of education in a right direction in our national
and other schools the art of agriculture can be made a most
intelligent and pleasant pursuit. The boy who is to become
the future farmer leaves school and commences work upon the
farm without one idea ever given to liim as to the nature of
the soil out of which he is to obtain his livelihood ; knows
nothing of the beautiful laws of vegetation ; has not the
slightest idea of races and breeds of cattle ; aud with not one
general principle to guide him and make intelligent the labour
he is performing. Now, all other pursuits and professions
demand some previous preparation, by instilling into the mind,
when young and plastic, those general principles and teach-
ings which lie at the foundation of all success. One fact, how-
ever, is certain, that in the majority of our schools there is
nothing taught which has special bearing upon the future edu-
cation of that large class whose lives are devoted to the culti.
vation of the soil. We have scliools, and colleges, aud acade-
mies for the education of the youth for all other callings in
life, but none, I may say, for the farmer, who requires as much,
if not more, than any other class, a special training for his
profession. Labour to a boy is irksome at the best ; but it is
worse than this ; it is deadening to his mental faculties at a
time when they are most capable of being quickened and im-
proved. If he had been taught the elementary principles of
geology, of agricultural chemistry, of physiology, and of botany
at school, his intellect would be excited, aud this education
would give dignity to his profession aud his labour, aud tliere
is no calUng would rank as high as that of a farmer, and he
would enter upon it sufliciently educated to make it successful
and profitable. He would then be able to attend and take an
active part in such societies as this one, join farmers' clubs,
in which lectures upon scientific subjects would be given, and
papers upon agricultural matters be read aud discussed.

It is as important to a boy to know why deep ploughing
prevents the severities of drought, or why manure acts diffe-
rently on different soils, or from whence plants obtain their
carbon, as to name the rivers of Ethiopia or Siberia, or tell
how far distant the planet Jupiter with his moons is from the
earth, or to know how to extract the cube root. They should
understand, from germination to maturity, the process of
growth, and the food of every crop and of every vegetable
raised. They should know why it is that bones and similar
compounds are applied to one kind of crops, and why animo-
niacal manure to another class, as cereals. Our system of
school education is seriously defective in this respect ; arithme-
tic, geography, and grammar are studied to the neglect of more
important and attractive branches of knowledge. Teachers
should be trained in the knowledge of chemistry and botany,
as well as in algebra and geometry.

The foundation of all secular pursuits, the moving sprmg
of all worldly enterprise, is found in the cultivation of the
earth. Husbandry, and especially that department which we
denominate agriculture, is the great central wheel in the
mighty machinery of business, which sets all other wheels in
motion. But for this, the ocean would never be whitened with
canvas, and the timber and iron now converted into mighty
ships would remain unmolested in its native forests and in its
e in the bowels of the earth. But for this not a spindle

would have been set In motion, nor the walls of a manufactory
ever have been raised. But for this no banking house would
exist, and no investment of great moneyed capital have been
made to carry forward useful arts. Tlie cultivation of mother
earth forms the basis of all secular business. Erom this source
is to be derived, as long as the world stands, everything that
goes to enrich its inhabitants. It is the great central sun
around which all business pursuits revolve, as so many satel-
lites, borrowing all their light and heat from this one foun-
tain.

It needs no argument to proye this ; it requires but a mo-
ment's reilection to see that if agriculture and its legitimate
fruits should cease, the wheels of business of every department
would come to a stand-still. Agriculture is, therefore, the
most important and noblest of all arts ; and it is most import-
ant that agricultural education should be encouraged and en-
grafted upon our present school system.

The following letters, which, with your permission, I will
read, show the facility by which the schools under the National
Board can be attached to the agricultural department, and also
the success which has attended the teaching of agriculture on a
farm under the patronage of the Eari of Bessborough, county
Kilkenny :—

4, Bmmcondra-terrace, Buhlhi,
\st Jnhj, 1868.
My Dear Sik,— Having been absent in the south, I was
prevented sending an earlier reply to yours of the 20th. ult.

It is now comparatively easy to get national schools recog-
nised iu the class ' ordinary agricultural.' All that is essential .
is, that at least two statute acres of laud be connected with >
the school, either adjoining it or at a convenient distance ;
that oitices (at least a byre and piggery) be erected upon, or a
guarantee given for their speedy erection in the event of a
grant being made in aid of the agricultural department ; that
the farm be cidtivated in some approved rotation of cropping ;
and that the teacher, who need not have been specially trained
in the agricidtural department, nor even in tlie literary de-
partment, be a man of fair ability, with a reasonable knowledge
of the theory and practice of agriculture. In fact, I have
known many teachers who knew very little of either the theory
or practice of agriculture at the outset, by their own applica-
tion, aided by my examination and instruction at my subse-
quent visits, become very intelligent and successful agricultural
teachers in a short time.

It is not rendered imperative on the pupils composing the
agricultural classes in such schools to work on the model
farms, as it has been found that a prejudice exists against
their working in the farms in the evening during recreation
time, when their doing so would not interfere with their atten-
tion to the ordinary school business. I invariably suggest to
the teachers to get them to go and assist in the farm operations
occasionally as a voluntary act on their part, but never to en-
force such an arrangement. Even where they don't work on
the model farm, they can see it and become familiar with the
course of cropping and with other details of farming economy.
The course to be adopted by any manager disposed to estabhsh
an agricultural department in connection with an existing na-
tional school, wdiere the necessary amount of land is available,
is to apply to the secretaries for the usual ofiicial form of
application ; when such is returned to the offices, after being
filled UT) by the managers, I will be directed to visit and report,
which I will do as soon as possible ; and if the circumstances
will be at all favourable, I recommend it to be received into
connection, Tlie board invariably acts on my recommenda-
tion in such matters. I also give all the advice and informa-
tion in my power to the teachers, to enable them to remedy
any existing defects, put everything in proper order, and work
the department successfully.

Hoping tliis information may supply all that Dr. H. re-
quires, I remain, dear sir, yours very faithftilly,

M. BfiOGAW,
Mr. D. Cunningham.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

423

PiUown, Znd July, 1867.

Dear Sir,— In" reply to yours respecting small farms
being attached to each of our rural national schools, I would,
from my experience, strongly advise any gentleman or landlord
who has the well-being of his people at heart to do so, be-
cause I know and believe that a vast amount of instruction is
imparted in agricultural knowledge and other sciences con-
nected with agriculture, which must prove beneficial to a rural
population.

More than one pupil who has left' me has expressed to me
the benefit which he has derived from the instruction imparted
on agriculture when at school, and even those who have not
turned their attention to agriculture have told me that the
rudiments of chemistry which they learned at school were of
the greatest possible benefit to them when prosecuting their
studies at college. A prejudice to a certain extent does exist
amongst some parents regarding their children taking a part
in the work of the farm for a short space of time during literary
instruction ; but I never found a boy to object ; and where I
found the parent had a prejudice I was always careful never to
interfere with it, but to pass it over quietly, taking no notice
of its existence. A judicious teacher can always manage those
matters without raising active opposition. However, in this
matter a great deal will always depend on the interest evinced
by the patroa of the school. I always found it best never to

force the pupils to work ; and if 1 found any pupU had an
aversion, or his parents had prejudice, to his working, to take
no notice of it ; but I always refrained asking such pupils to
engage in the work, as I had always plenty of volunteers to
work, and after a time those who had an aversion soon got
over it, or got aslmmed of it. I frequently take out all the
agricultural pupils upon the farm, and explain any practical
operation then going on. All should attend this.

Agricultural Instruction is given to,' all the pupUs in the
third and higjier classes for half an hour daily, and I take the
opportunity of play half-hour for practical work on the farm,
so as to interfere as little as possible with the ordinary course
of literary instruction. The pupils do not engage daily in
practical work, as I frequently have nothing for them to do,
or work which they cannot perform.

An industrial class works two hours daily. The teacher
may arrange either before or after school hours, as best suits
his own convenience. This class is paid 6d. per week either
by the teacher or patron and ' board.' To take the lowest pos-
sible view ol the benefit of adding small farms to our national
schools, they will be found to be a great pecuniary benefit to
the teachers, many of whom are hardly able to support them-
selves in that position wliich they should occupy in society.

R. S. CUWNINGHAM.

Mr. D. Cunningham.

MILK.

In some countries, as Switzerland, it is the chief diet of the
peasantry; and everywhere, if easily obtained, it is largely
consumed. 76 per cent, of the labouring classes of England
p make use of it. [We fear this is a prodigious over-estimate. Ed.]
23 per cent, take it as butter-milk ; and 53 per cent, as skimmed
milk. In Wales, the average consumption of it by farm-
labourers is 4i pints per adult weekly— South Wales averaging
only 3 pints, while in North Wales it is 1\. In Scotland the
consumption among the labouring classes is still larger, for it
amounts to 6^- pints per head weekly, and in Ireland it reaches
6f pints. Those who take least of it are the poor in-door
operatives of London ; the weavers of Spitalfields, for example,
use only about 7.0 oz. per head weekly, and those of Eethnal
Green only a fraction above 1^ oz. per head. When examined
under the microscope, milk is found to consist of myriads of
little globules of butter floating in a clear liquid. On standing
for a few hours the oily particles rise to the surface and form
a cream, the proportion of which' is the test of quality. Cows'
milk is heavier than water in the proportion of from 1030 or
1033 to 1000. Asses' milk is the lightest, for its gravity is
only about 1019 ; tlien comes human milk, 1020 ; and, lastly,
goat and ewes' milk, which is the heaviest of all, from i035 to
1043.

The quaUty of milk varies with the breed of the cow, the
nature of its food, and the time of milking, for afternoon milk
is always richer than morning, and the last drawn than the
first. Taking, however, the average of a large number of
samples, it may be said that cows' milk contains 14 per cent,
of soUd matter, 4.1 of which are casein, 5.3 sugar, 3.9 butter,
and 0.8 saUne matter. The relations of nitrogenous to the
carbonaceous is 1 to 2.3 ; but as fat is 2J times more powerful
tlian starch, the relation may be said to be as 1 to 3.6,

When milk is heated to the boiling temperature, the casein
is coagulated to some extent ; and if the milk has stood before
it is heated, so that the cream may rise, the coagulum includes
the cream, and makes the so-called Devonshire or clotted
cream.

Acids also coagulate the casein, and produce a curd, as in
the making of cheese and curds and whey.

Cream is rich in butter. It contains 34 per cent, of solid
matter, 36.7 of wliich are butter, and its gravity is about 1013.
Shm Milk is the milk from which the cream has been re-
inoved. It contains only about half as much butter as new
milk and its gravity is about 1037. In all other respects it is
similar to new milk.

Buiter Milk is the residue of the milk or cream from which
the butter has been removed by churning, ft is still poorer iu
fat than skim milk, coutaining, in fact, only about half as
much. Unless it is very fresh, it is generally a little acid, and
frequently the acidity has gone so far as to set the milk into a
kind of jelly.

The Whey of milk is the opalescent liquor from which the
curd has been removed in making cheese. Although not highly
nutritious it still holds a little casein in solution, as well as the
sugar and saline matter of the milk. It is rarely used as food
by the poor, but i.s given to pigs. In Switzerland, however, it
is considered to have medicinal virtues, especially for the cure
of chronic disorders of tlie abdominal organs, and the treat-
ment, which is somewhat fashionable, goes by the name of
cure de petit hit. There is a popular notion that the whey of
milk is sudorific, and hence we have our wine whey, cream of
tartar whey, alum whey, tamarind whey, &c., when the milk
has been curdled by these several substances.

Cheese is the coagulated product of milk, obtained by the
addition of rennet or a little vinegar. When cream is coagu-
lated it makes cream cheese, which will hardly bear keeping,
but must be eaten fresh. It contains about half its weight of
butter, and a fifth of its weight only of curd. Wlieu cream is
added to new milk, and the mixture is curdled, it forms veiy
rich cheese, as double Gloucester and Stilton. When new milk
alone is used tlie cheese is less rich, but still of high quahty
as Cheddar. When au eighth or a tenth of the cream lias been
taken off, it produces the quahty of cheese which is most
sought after, as single Gloucester, Chester, American, &c.
And when all the cream has been removed, and the skim milk
IS curdled, it forms the poor cheese of Holland, Eriesland, Suf-
folk, Somersetsliire, and South Wales.

From analyses of hvo of the most important of them, it will
be noticed that they contain from 56 to 64 per cent, of sohd mat-
ter, about half of which is curd. Li skim-milk-cheese the cord
amounts to 44.8 per cent., and the fat to only 3.6 ; whereas
in Cheddar, the curd is only 38.4 per cent., and the fat 31.1,'
In nutritive power, therefore, especially in nitrogenous matter,
cheese ranks high, and is a valuable article of diet ; but there
is a limit to its digestibility, and hence it cannot be taken in
large quantity. Considering its price also, it is hardly so pro-
fitable as many other foods ; although, where good skim-milk
cheese can be purchased at from 3^d. to 3d. a lb., it forms in
small quantities at a time, a good adjunct to bread,— lOr.
Leihely before tho Society of Arts.

424

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

"THE FARM OF MASNY."

[translated from the rHEXCII.]

The departement of the North is the best cultivated dis-
tricts of rrance, and one of the best in the world. The land
there produces thrice as much as the average of the country,
and the population is three times as dense. In 1863 a com-
petition was opened between the best managed farms of this
prosperous region, and the farm of Masny obtained the prize.
This farm therefore ought to exhibit one of the finest examples
of agricultural wealth; and thus thought M. Barral, the
Director of the " Journal of Agriculture," who has devoted
an entire volume to the examination of Masny ; and so thought
also, with him, all those who read that interesting description.

The farm of Masuy belongs to three brothers, Messrs.
ri6vet, one of whom is a colonel of artillery, the second a
counsellor at the Court of Douai, and the third a fanner.
This last has for thirty-five years farmed the family estate,
which now comprises 232 hectares (or about 572 acres) ; an
extent remarkable for the departement of the North, which is
in general a small-farm country. Fifty hectares belong of
riglit to M. Constant Fie vet, director of the farm ; one hun-
dred and seven are the property of his two brothers; and
seventy-five are hired of different proprietors. Plans and de-
signs annexed to M. Barral's work, show the house and farm-
buildings. These, valued at 130,000 francs (or £5,200) are
the personal property of Constant Frevet. A glance at the
distribution of the crops shows at once the exceptional cha-
racter of the farm of Masny :

hectares.

hectares.

Beet-root

... 78

Natural pastures

... 3

Wheat

... 75

Rye

... 6

Flax

... 23

Gardens, buildings,

Oats

... 15

roads, &c. ...

... 6

Artificial grasses

... 12

Winter fodder

... 14

Total ...

... 232

What strikes us liere is the almost complete absence of na-
tural meadows, the limited extent of the artificial pastures and
winter-fodder (a mixture of rye and tares, cut green for the
cattle), and the extension given to beetroot. A sugar factory
is annexed to the farm : the beetroot produces at Masny
50,000 kilos, per hectare (or about 28^ tons per acre), which
at 20 francs (about 16s. 8d.) per 1,000 kilos., gives a gross
produce of 1,000 francs. In spite of this large return, the
roots raised on the farm are only about a fourth of the re-
quirements of the sugar-works, which consume annually from
10 to 20 million kilos, of beetroots, manufacturing from it
about 10,000 sacks of sugar. All the pulps, the residue of
this manufacture, are charged again to the farm at the rate of
12 fr. 50c. (10s. 5d.) per kilo., and are employed in feeding
the cattle. The water from the works is used for irrigation,
and furnishes an abundant source of manure.

The wheat covers nearly the same extent as the beet-root,
or about one-third of the area of the farm, and yields an
average of 32 hectolitres (about 88 bushels) per hectare (or
about 35J bushels per acre). In favourable seasons the return
has risen to 38 hectolitres, and in some places they have even
reported 59 ; and reckoning the straw, the gross product of
wheat reached almost that of the beet-root, or 1,000 fr. per
hectare. The flax gave a still greater return, its mean product
being from 1,200 to 1,500 fr. ; other crops disappear before
these. Oats produce 60 and sometimes up to 80 hectolitres
per hectare (from 165 to 220 bushels, or from 66 to 88 bushels
per acre) ; but the low price of this grain greatly restricts the
net profit. Uye serves only to supply straw for the bands in
harvest. No potatoes are cultivated, although many are grown
in the department of the north.

M. Fievet cultivates witli horses, and has thirty-seven work-
ing horses. The dairy is small, consisting of seven Flemish
cows, the milk from wliich is all consumed on the farm.
There is no piggery, properly speaking, the true speculation
consisting of fattening horned cattle and sheep. M. Fievet
purchases lean bullocks, and sells them again fat ; 500 head of
large beasts, and 2,400 sheep pass thus every year through his

sheds. The process lasts about three months, which gives an
average of 125 cattle and 600 sheep at once. The benefit de-
rived from this operation chiefly consists of the dung produced
by the animals.

Upon the whole, the gross product of the cultivation and
the cattle, without reckoning the sugar-works, is about 850 fr.
per hectare, or 200,000 fr. (£8,000) in all. In this, however,
is included the straw and the seed-corn ; and the gross product
realizable in money appears to be 170,000 fr., or 740 fr. per
hectare. These large results are not obtained without a power-
ful working capital— M. Burral estimates it at 370,000 fr., and,
with the buildings, at 500,000 fr. This gigantic capital is un-
equally divided between the four departments destined to receive
it : firstly, the live-stock, horses and cattle ; secondly, the
dead-stock, implements of husbandry ; thirdly, the manures
and the crops on the ground ; fourthly, the crops stored and
money in hand. The collection of machinery is particularly
complete and good.

This is certainly one of the finest specimens of large farming
that can be seen ; and we ought to thank M. Barral for having
made it known to us. Accounts carefully kept have enabled
him to enter into the most minute details ; and after having
ascertained the general results, he compares them with those I
have given for France and England taken together, and shovvs
for Masny a decided superiority. I have only one small recti-
fication to make, which reduces a little the difference without
altering anything of the basis. When I valued at 100 fr. per
hectare the gross average product of agriculture in France, I
comprehended in the calculation the entire country, without
deducting from it the uncultivated land and the woods. The
cultivated land is estimated at 150 fr. (or £6) per hectare,
which rose to 200 fr. (£8) in the north-west region, and ex-
ceeded 300 fr. (£12) in the departement of the North. The
same observation applies to England, the gross product of
which ought to be taken at 250 fr. (£10) for the cultivated
land, rising sometimes up to 500 fr. (£20). It is with these
figures that we must compare the returns of Masny, and it is
still enormous.

The realizable products being taken at 170,000 fr., they are
approximately distributed as follows :

Francs.

Rent of the land 30,000

Litercst on the working capital 18,000

Rental of buildings 6,000

Taxes 4,000

Expense of culbire and maintenance ... 80,000
Profit on the whole 32,000

Total 170,000

These figures are not exactly those given by M. Barral, be-
cause he thought he ought to make an average of eleven years ;
but this average does not represent the last condition of
Masny, since the culture has been constantly a progressive one.

I have attempted to separate the last results. There is also
between us a slight difference in the manner of calculating the
rough product. M. Barral makes a very proper distinction
between what lie calls the cultural gross product and the
social gross product: the first comprises the straw and the
seed-corn that are not included in the second ; but is it neces-
sary also to deduct the equivalent of food and the imported
manure ? For part I have always added to the passive por-
tion of the cultivation the food and the purchased manure, by
including them in what I call the accessory expenses, and I
ought consequently to add to the active all the realizable
products.

According to what precedes, the remuneration of the farming
of Masny has now reached 56,006 fr. per annum, viz., 18,000 fr.
for interest on the working capital, 6,000 fr. for the hire of the
buildings, and 32,000 fr. for the profit properly called, or about

II per cent, on the capital, including the value of the buildings
(or 500,000 fr.), and 14 per cent, on the working capital of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

425

370,000 fr, I have here a last observation to make : M. Barral
carries the interest of the working capital into the accessory
expenses, whilst I have always confounded it witli the farmer's
profit. We may separate it if we wish, but then it will be ne-
cessary to make it a separate entry.

Of this increase of the interest on the working capital the
proportion of the manager does not exceed in i ranee on;an
average a tenth of the gross product, and in England a lifth :
at Masny it amounts to a third. On the other hand, the rent
of the land, which ordinarily takes one-third, does not quite
reach the sixth ; and the wages and other expenses, which
generally exceed the half, are rather below it. The 80,000 fr.
of cultivating expenses, &c., are divided as follows :

Francs.

Manures purchased 20,000

Food purchased 20,000

Various wages' 40,000

Total 80,000

On dividing the whole by the hectare we find nearly the
following result :

Francs.

Rent of the land 131

Interest of capital 78

Rent of buUdiugs 26

Taxes... 18

Accessory expenses 174

Wages 174

Profits 139

Total 740 (or about £29)

These figures represent the result of intensive culture, which,
however, does not prevent M. Fievet from sustaining losses.
For instance, the year 1861 closed its accounts with a deficiency
of 34,000 francs ; but, on the other hand, that of 1857 yielded
a profit nearly double the average.

After testifying to the importance and originality of the
work of M. Barral, I ought to say a word on the doctrines he
attaches to it. I am not always in agreement with him, cither
in regard to the definition of the terms or in the conclusions he
draws from the facts ; and I believe 1 cannot do better to show
liim my estimation of his work than by frankly discussing his
propositions. In stating the extraordinary profits of the farmer
of Masny, M. Barral adds : " This profit is generally below the
rent in agricultural statistics ; but at Masny, on the contrary,
it is superior, and we believe that this result is the same on all
prosperous farms" If M. Barral had confined himself to saying
that, the more perfect the agriculture, the more profitable it is
to the farmer, he would have kept to the truth ; but he has too
much generalized what is still only an exception. Up to the
present time there are few farms even in England on which the
farmer's profit exceeds or equals the rent of the laud, and yet
it cannot be denied that many of them are prosperous. All de-
pends on the working capital compared with the fixed capital :
the larger the former the greater the profit ; and this is only
just. Thus the rent of the land is not arbitrarily regulated.
The capital belonging to the proprietor is in most cases very
superior to the working capital, the former returning only 2^ to
3, whilst the latter ought to yield 10 per cent., and yet the dif-
ference of capital is so great that the amount of income of the
first greatly exceeds that of the second.

According to M. Barral,", there is no other 7iet-product than
the profit of the farmer. It is not thus that the French econo-
mists of the sighteenth century have defined that word, of
which they have made great use. According to them, the net-
produce includes, with the farmer's profit, the rent and taxes.
This produce is divided into three, because the proprietor, the
farmer, and the State have contributed to its formation. M.
Barral places the rent and taxes in what he calls charges of
agriculture. This term may be useful in current language,
but it does not express a correct idea. The rent and taxes are
charges only so far as the assessment of them is excessive : in
a just proportion they no more constitute charges than the
farmer's profit. Suppress the rent and taxes, and the proprie-
tor will no longer bear those expenses that are called " land
advances" {avances fonciercs), nor will the State execute any
more public works, nor guarantee justice and security : aU will
be stopped. In what proportion have the proprietor, the
farmer, and the State contributed to the produce ? That is the

whole question. Wo can understand M. Barral's pre'dilectiou
for the chief manager of the farm ; but the workman who
ploughs, sows, and reaps may also consider himself as tlie sole
agricultural agent. Would he be right ? In order to work
the land he requires a plough and horses ; to sow he wan! i
seed and manures ; and to reap, carry away, and thrash the
crops he wants implements and carriages : in order to sow
and crop properly, by varying judiciously his cultivation and
the introduction of new improvements in his processes, he re-
quires a mind that can direct : lastly, to realize his wages he
must sell his produce. It is the chief manager of the farm
who provides everything, and who consequently to a great ex-
tent contributes to the result, although he does not work with
his own hands.

In the same manner, in order that the chief manager may
exercise his industry, he must find buildings already prepared,
lands opened and improved of old, irrigations, drainmgs, mea-
dows, a course of husbandry, all established. It is the pro-
prietor who supplies them for liim. If he had to do with the
naked land, it would not produce a tenth. We can cite cases
in which the rent has increased, from an element which has
been much talked of — the natural fertility of the soil ; but these
cases are rare and transient. Analyze the venal value of the
land in the most fertile country, and you will find that the value
of the naked soil stands for nothing, or nearly so. It is the
capital sunk that does everything. In all eases, this original
value, supposing it to exist, has paid only the first occupant.
Tlie actual possessor has acquired it by the same title as other
capitalists. " Rent always increases," says M. Barral, with
regret ; but is it not customary that the capital sunk on land
returns only about half the interest of floating capital, and is
it not just that the second half should capitalize itself? The
proprietor relinquishes part of his income in order to increase
his capital : the land acts as a savings-bank.

In a backward state of agriculture, rent, profits, and wages
descend together ; and when it improves, all rise at once. I
acknowledge without hesitation that the most important ele-
ment is the profit of the farmer, because it proves the applica-
tion of the greatest capital and the greatest skill in the culti-
vation. If that part is weak in France, it is not because the
rent is too high, but because the capital and skiU are too fre-
quently wanting : if it is high in England, it is because both
these are present. The farmer of Masny has an exceptional
income because he has an exceptional capital and superior
skill. The rent of the land should also have increased in order
to bring it into the ordinary condition, with the hire of the
buildings, whicli belong generally to the proprietors ; and it
may be that from family considerations the rent is not raised
to the same extent as elsewhere.

The working capital amounts to 1,600 francs per hectare
(£64, or nearly £26 per acre). Would the Masny farmer have
been able to gain so much if he had spent less ? This is a
delicate question which I do not undertake to solve. All we
can say is, that with half or even one-fourth of that capita
many farmers make a good profit. I have valued the working
capital at an average of 100 fr. per hectare in France and
400 fr. for England. But these figures stOl embrace the total
surface of the country ; and in reducing them to the cultivated
land, we make it 150 fr. for France and 500 fr. for England,
We should be glad to find that the average of the French
capital was doubled. Even at Masny the working capital did
not begin with the amount it now is : it was scarcely half two
years ago, and still longer back it did not exceed a fourth :
the Masuy farm, however, from that time was known and
esteemed, as may be learned by the report of the Inspectors of
Agriculture on the Departement of the North in 1843.

In spite of his ((efinition exclusive, of" the net produce," M.
Barral attaches stiU greater importance to the gross produce.
" The gross produce," he says, " is of more consequence to a
country than the net produce : the latter specially interests the
farmer of the land ; the gross produce is what concerns the
country." Here, again, I cannot endorse his opinion. The
net produce, even understood in the largest sense and com-
prising the rent and taxes, interests the country as much as the
gross produce. Without the hope of increasing the net pro-
duce there would be much less produce, which would at once
suftice to show the narrow tie that unites them ; but there ia
another point of view which reveals in the net produce the
principal agent of civilization and wealth. This excess over
the expense of production serves to support that part of the

426

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

jiopulatioii which contributes nothing to agriculture. If the
net produce did not exist every one ouglit to work the land,
and there would remain no one to work at manufacture, com-
merce, or the liberal professions.

In treating on cliemical statistics, M. Barral raises another
class of questions, which has also its importance. He has no
ditiiculty in showing that, with such products, the exportation
of olemputary principles ought to be enormous at Masny.
Such large quantities of wheat, meat, sugar, ilax, cannot be
sent away annually off 230 hectares witliout leaving a great
void. M. Barral estimates the annual loss at 93 kilogrammes
of azote, 26 of phosphoric acid, and 42 of potash, per hectare.
I accept these figures conditionally ; but they are not in my
department. M. Barral afterwards calculates the restitution
effected by the manure ; and he finds tliat in the pulps of the
sugar factory, the cake from the linseed and colza, and the
defecating scums, commercial manures, &c., M. Muvet annually
imports a quantity more than equivalent of azote, four times
more phosphoric acid, and rather less of potash, from whence
it follows that the richness of the soil goes on increasing, ex-
cept in potash. In order to repair the waste of this latter
element, M. Barral advises M. Eievet to annex to his sugar-
works a distUlery for molasses, or to have recourse to an im-
portation of nitrate of potash, to be spread over his dung.

Hitherto all is for the best ; but M. Barral adds, by way of
conclusion : " Chemical statistics can only be obtained upon
an estate in progress, on condition of a supply from without
superior to the exportation of agricultural products. As soon
as a domain exports, it is necessary to import directly, by the
efforts of the farmer, or indirectly, by particular natural con-
ditions. Those who have sought the equilibrium or the pro-
gress in the simple rotation of crops, in a certain relation
between forage crops not irrigated and corn lands, have only
removed and accumulated errors." This absolute theory ap-
pears to me in contradiction of facts. The result would be
that every farmtliat exported produce in whatever proportion,
without importing manures, would be impoverished. Now aU
lands dispose more or less of wheat, meat, and wool ; and very
few of the farmers purchase manure. Many parts of our soU
have been cultivated for centuries, with a constant exportation
of products, without any importation of manure ; and, far from
exhibiting signs of exhaustion, they display an increasing fer-
tility. According to M. Barral's theory, they ought to have
been barren long ago.

This does not show that it is not good to purchase manure,
because an increase of fertility never does harm, and there is
a certain degree of production that renders such an importa-
tion necessary ; but it must be acknowledged that other means
exist of repairing, to a certain extent, the losses caused by
cousiunption. These means are two — namely, the primitive
one and the improved one, the bare fallow and the alternate
cropping. During a long time the fallow was sufficient.
While the population was comparatively small, it was enough
to let the soil rest for one year in two or three, in order to
ensure the perpetuity of the crops. Even at the present time
the fallow plays an important part ; for there are not less than
five million of hectares under fallow in France (nearly 12^
million acres), and this proportion suffices to repair the losses
of half our territory. The alternate husbandry enables the
other lialf, the cultivation of which is more extensive, not only
to sustain but to increase its fertility. To deny the theory of
alternate cropping would be to erase by a stroke of the pen
the demonstrations of experience. The purchase of manure
gives one element more, powerful and rapid. But, setting
aside a few brilliant exceptions, as Masny, the rotation of
crops IS the rule : it is to it that we have owed, do owe, and
shall owe the greater part of our progress. Applied with har-
mony, it has sufficed to double our present products.

The chemical theory of M, Barral is incontestable in itself;
lor we must return to the soil what the crops have taken
away, and above that. It only remains to know how. Na-
ture has provided for it to a certain extent, since the fallow is
sufficient to re-establish the balance in a limited state of pro-
duction. Chemistry will teach us some day— it has begun to
teach us— how to reproduce in the soil, by the single influence
01 rest and atmospheric agents, the azotes, phosphates, potash,
carlion— all the elementary principles. It will not rive us an
explanation of the fact; but the fact wiU not be the less
certain. In the same manner, experience proves that, by the
siae ot crops that exhaust, there are others that fertilize : and

if chemistry does not completely explain this phenomenon, it
is because she does not know everything. Consult the first
farmer yon meet, and he will reply that, by appropriating to
cereals only one-half, one-third, or one-fourth of the farm, ac-
cording to circumstances, and devoting the rest to meadows
and root-crops, consuming by cattle all the green crops, and
restoring to the soil the straw and other residues, we largely
repair the losses. The farm-dung is the principal agent of
this restitution ; but it is not the only one. The air, the
water, the light, the heat, all contribute to it ; and Nature
has endowed certain plants with the faculty of appropriating
by their vegetation what others dispense with. One of the
greatest proofs of tJiis property is shown in what we call
green manures — that is, the ploughing-in of green crops, such
as buckwheat, colza, spurry, lupins, &c. Experience proves
that we render fruitful by it the most impoverished soils.
Green manures are at this moment transforming the sands of
Prussia.

The necessity of importations of manures is explained at
Masny by the immensity of its produce. M. Fievct, let us re-
member, has almost renounced pastures both natural and ar-
tificial, and he exports a part of his roots. These means of
fertilisation are wanting with hinr, and lie has all the more
need of foreign lielp. In the same departement of the North,
where maniilacturing [agriculture enjoys so much favour, we
find stiU more of a cultivation which feeds upon itself, with-
out at the same time degenerating. That departement pos-
sesses 90,000 hectares (or 222,187 acres) of natural pastures,
and 50,000 hectares (or 123,4375- acres) of artificial pastures,
which proves that they have not renounced the ordinary
means of making manure. Previous to 1789, the sugar-beet
was unknown, and Flanders was then the first agricultural
country of France, Certainly, I wiU say nothing iU of the
sugar-beet. No one admires more than myself that magnifi-
cent culture ; but a doubt rests upon its future from the in-
sufficiency of its market. The consumption of sugar and
alcohol cannot be extended so much as that of meat and
bread, and these two products of beet-root meet with fonnidable
competition in Colonial sugar and grape brandy. Tlie great
mass of French farmers ought to seek elsewhere for their pro-
fits and manures.

Notwithstanding the decisiveness of his. final declaration,
M. Barral makes several concessions in detail. The first re-
lates to the carbon, which is exported from Masny like other
elementary matters, and is not renewed by special importations.
" In the case," he says, " of a husbandry like that of Masny,
wliich rests essentially on the production of the sugar-beet,
there is a great quantity of carbon exported ; but an indirect
2>ruof of the excess of rc-importation is found in the increase
of the returns of the estate. It is necessary to consider tliat
the subterranean and surface-waters bring much carbonic acid
in solution ; one part of the crops of the farm are uprooted,
which draw from the subsoil, and bring to the surface a
nourishment, whicli enriches the bed reached by the plough.
The rain-waters wash the atmosphere of a locality, in which
there are so many chimneys vomiting enormous quantities of
carbonic acid, and are richer than anywhere else in a gas the
source of the carbon of plants. It is thus that the humus of
lands of Masny has not decreased." Cannot that which takes
place with carbon do so likewise with the other elements, al-
though we have not yet been able to detect all their transfor-
mations ?

M. Barral makes a distinction between irrigated pastures
and those not so treated. He appears to admit that irrigation
brings sources of manure which are wanting in other meadows.
The waters of irrigation ought, in fact, in passing over the
land to convey to it fertilising principles ; but nothing proves
that meadows not irrigated have not also the means of profit-
ably decomposing the water, the air, and the soil. When we
compare the countries in which irrigated natural pastures
abound with those that may be said to have only artificial pas-
tures, we find the second generally richer than the first. The
departements of Seine-et-Oise, Seine- et-Marne, the Oise, the
Soinme, have few natural meadows, and hardly any that are
irrigated ; yet they rank amongst the richest. On the con-
trary, the departements that possess the most irrigated mea-
dows— the Creuse, the Haute- Vienne, and the mountainous
countries in general — are reckoned amongst the least produc-
tive. Tills difference arises undoubtedly from a variety of
causes ; but it proves in all cases that the irrigated meadows

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

427

liave not the superiority over the artificial pastures tliat is
attributed to them.

The authors lyho eatertaia the same theory as M. Barral
bring iu support of their opinion historical examples. " See,"
they say to us, " the oldest countries inhabited by man ; they
are exhausted. Look in particular at Sicily ; that island has
consumed the phosphate of its soil in selhng wheat to the
Romans, and can no longer produce anything." This obser-
vation would be true, but it would prove nothing against
alternate husbandry, which was nearly unknown to the ancients.
But there is more ; for the facts do not say what they make
them say. It is not cultivation that has impoverished Asia
Minor, for example ; revolutions and wars have destroyed the
cultivators, and uncultivation has followed depopulation.
Fertility always returns with the return of labour. Sicily,
amongst others, does not exhibit those signs of exhaustion
which they attribute to it ; she is proportionally as well peopled
as France, and it produces wheat enough to furnish a consider-
able exportation. It certainly raises more than formerly ; for
that pompous phrase " granary of the Romans" was applied
to the city of Rome alone, which did not draw its supplies
from Sicily only, but laid under contributions also Italy and
Africa.

It suffices to bear in mind the feeble means of navigation
known to the ancients, to reduce to their proper value those
importations of grain which troubled the sleep of Augustus.
England now purchases in aU the world ten times more wheat
than was formerly purchased for the city of Rome ; and yet
we do not find that the producing countries are exhausted in
order to supply her with it where they are well cultivated.
Wherever the alternate husbandry is not employed exhaustion
quickly comes ; but the alternate husbandry brings fertihty.
We must not confound the eff'ects of bad cultivation with those
of good. The destruction of the forests, for instance, is one
powerful cause of barrenness : is that cultivation ? No ; it is
devastation. A certain proportion of wood land is necessary,
above all in southern countries : it is one form of cropping.
Is it necessary to take a part of it for cultivation if Algeria
and Castile have lost that element of equilibrium ?

It is true, with alternate husbandry alone, production is
not illimitable. There is a point at which the stLU-increasing
exportation wLU render the balance insufficient ; but that point
is very distant from most of the land in France and Europe.
The termination would be brought still nearer if the theory of
the necessary importations was true to the letter. We cannot,
by this system, enrich some without impoverishing the others.
We see an instance of this at Masny. The manure appUed is
composed of the pulp of the beet-root, purchased off the farm.
Now, what do those who sell these pulps do to escape ex-
haustion ? The manures purchased consist chiefly of oil-cake,
and how do the sellers escape the same fate ? Masny is there-
fore a vampire, which preys on the substance of its neigh-
bours ; and these ought, iu their turn, to support themselves on
that of others, and so on. The alternate husbandry is less
selfish, and seeks only from itself tlie means of support.

There is another species of Diauure which does not con-

stitute, strictly speaking, an importation, and which comes
powerfully to the lielp of alternate husbandry. This is human
manure, or night-soil. By restoring to the land the residues
of those wlio have been fed by it, we add nothing to its sub-
stance, only returning what she has given. China aftbrds a
striking specimen of the strength of that manure. Although
the land has fed with it for ages hundreds of milhons of men,
it goes on enrichmg itself ; and we have still nearer to us, in
Flanders, other proofs of this fertilizing effect.

Nevertheless, chemistry daily confers immense services on
agriculture. It suggests to us, when the soil has reached a
high degree of productiveness, the employment of special
manures, the true title of which is auxihary or supplementary
manures. When the earth is naturally infertile, it teaches us
to know in what it is deficient, and to give to it, not what it
has lost, but what it has never had. Nature has denied to
many lands the calcareous element, for example ; and bringing
lime or marl to them is not returning what has been earned
off by cultivation. It is making, not repairing, the soil. The
only fault of chemistry would be to deny what she cannot at
present explain. The chemical theory of absolute exhaustion
goes much farther than tlie famous theory of Malthus, for he
admits of a progressive growth of agriculture and population,
provided that it be not too rapid; whilst the system of
chemical exhaustion leads to an immediate check, and even to
an inevitable decay.

Let us therefore admire the farm of Masny, but without
di'awing from it consequences too decided. For the character
and distribution of the crops, the large amount of the working
capital, the proportion of net produce, the method of restoring
exported substances, &c. this farm has very few equals. Let us
recommend the employment of the largest possible working
capital, and consequently the benefits it secures, but without
injury to the rest of the land. Let us advise the employ-
ment of auxiliary manures, without offering them as the only
means of safety. Let us speak of the wealth produced by the
sugar-beet without attempting to generalize it. There is only
one system that can apply to every case — to small as well as
large farming — to poor as well as to rich countries : it is al-
ternate husbandry with or without a basis of natural pastures,
with the addition of night-soU. Above all, the soil should
repair and enrich itself out of itself, the auxiliary manures
only coming after.

M. Barral is not satisfied with this deep study of the farm
of Masny ; he proposes to pass in review the prLucipal culti-
vations of the departement of the North, and we can only con-
gratulate him on tliis undertaking. Agriculture is no longer a
blind routine : it has become at once a science and a manu-
facture, and we render it the greatest service to the country by
calling its attention to the best types. We have learned to
see how. much this class of interests justifies the meditations
of theory and the efforts of practice. The whole social me-
chanism is employed on questions of rural economy, and the
physical sciences find in it their principal apphcations.

L. DE Laveegne,

EXHAUSTION OF SOILS.

To dilate upon the dangef of exhausting the soU by a dis-
regard of the inflexible laws which regulate its productiveness
is unquestionably to tell an oft-repeated tale. But no less true
is it that the necessity for reiteration exists. This disregard
is most habitually and perversely displayed, particularly in new
settlements. In older countries, where land is scarce and val-
uable, and population dense, it is impossible to pursue such a
course of action ; but where a large territory is opened up to
the husbandman, a wasteful and negligent system of culture is
greatly encouraged. The injurious results which must attend
such a system have been most forcibly nointed out by men
who have made the subject a life-long study ; but in this mat-
ter the superiority of experience over precept is wonderfully^
illustrated. So long as the farmer can extort from the soil
a crop sufiicient to remunerate him for liis trouble, he takes
little note of friendly exhortations. The gradual decrease of

his yearly averages causes him some anxiety, but it is not until
he actually feels the pressure of the dimmished yield that he
tolerates the advice of men whom he is apt to stigmatize as
mere theorists. These remarks arc specially applicable to the
persons who form, perhaps, the bulk of our farming population.
A commendable wish to become landowners on their own
account possessed the majority of the labouring men who first
emigrated to these shores. The many advantages held out
to them to obtain money sufficient to purchase a farm, and the
facOities for settlement offered under our land system, enabled
them to become freeholders. The suitability of the soil for
wheat-growing induced them to turn their attention to that
branch of cultivation. Season after season they sowed the
same kind of grain and reaped good crops. Their want of
knowledge restrained them from making adventurous experi-
ments in other branches of agriculture, and thus the process

4'28

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

of exhaustion was being vigorously promoted, for they ignored
the demands of the soil for uourisliment, or only met them in
a rude and imperfect way, und, at the same time, they drained
its supplies from it by an unvarying routine of wheat crops.

The best system of husbandry is that which most nearly
approximates in its processes to the processes of nature. A
field innocent of the interference of man sustains vegetation
during one period [of the year, and during another receives
back by the decay of that vegetation the fertilizing elements
which liad been expended in its production. But where the
seed is sown, and the produce is reaped and taken away, those
elements are entirely lost to the soil, and some artificial method
of replenishment must be resorted to. New earth may be
turned up, but that will only be to be drained in time. Soils
do not contain an unlimited stock of nourishment, and if their
quality is to be maintained, they must be fed judiciously and
regularly. Upon the subject of how they are to be fed
volumes have been written, and we shall have frequent oppor-
tunities of adverting to the subject.

But pursuing stOl the subject of exhaustion, we have a no-
table instance of it in the history of American agriculture.
The vast tracts of arable land in that great country were sup-
posed to possess an almost inexhaustible fertility. But the
croppings of many years have made an astonishing impression
on their richness. It is not much over half a century since
some of the Western States were first brought under tillage ;
but the scourging process which was so rife has diminished
their averages from sixty bushels of maize to thirty, and in
wheat the proportion of decrease is about the same. And
throughout the Union the effects of reckless tillage are to be
traced. Eighty years ago, and the virgin areas in New York
returned twenty-five to thirty bushels an acre ; now they can-
not be said to exceed one half tliat quantity. In the Western
States the yield Jias been reduced to seven bushels, and a
widespread deterioration of land has given force to the vigorous
warnings of men like Liebig, who have protested against the
senseless waste of the resources of the soil merely because of
their abundance. Whole regions have gone out of cultivation

because of this improvidence, aud long years of laborious at-
tention must be expended in restoring their producing capaci-
ties. Already measures are being concocted for retrieving the
errors of the past, but the process will be an expensive one.
The American farmers are beginning to realize by degrees that
their patrimony is not absolutely without limit, and that the
convenient plan of abandoning one allotment when its fertility
begins to fail for another which had not yet been touched by
the plough will not be available for ever. Besides, as they
recede from the centres of population the difficulties of finding
an accessible market become too immediate and practical to be
overlooked. Canals and railways have been formed or are
being formed to obviate these difficulties ; but at present the
cost of transit is a great bar to profitable cultivation.

If in America, with its fertile prairie wastes, the evil results
of exhaustive tillage are becoming so manifest, it is highly
important that the colonies of Australia should avoid so dan-
gerous a precedent. They have not such large areas to operate
upon, and those which they have cannot compare in richness
with the agricultural territory of America. The average yield
of twelve bushels, which here would be regarded as passably
good, seems in the States to be treated as a notice to quit.
There is, therefore, no very great analogy between the two
countries in point of productiveness ; but in reference to the
danger of exhaustive tillage the analogy is striking. The
mischief flowing from it has been felt in America, and is being
felt in Australia ; and when we speak of Australia, the re-
mark has an especial bearing upon South Australia — the lead-
ing province of them all in respect to wheat-growing. It is
absurd to talk of this as a necessary evil. Necessary it is so
long as the farmers will inconsiderately keep to one kind of
crop, and neglect the all-important subject of manuring ; but
hard-bought experience ought to teach them that such a
mode of acting brings its own punishment. No doubt there
are many who are not open to censure on the ground of neg-
lecting these essential points, but that there are numbers be-
longing to the opposite class is indisputable. — Adelaide Ob-
server.

THE ECONOMY OF STRAW AS LITTER.

How to provide fodder and litter for stock kept on the farm
during the ensuing winter and spring is to many owners of
cattle a most perplexing question. As regards the economy of
straw for litter, tliis can be best accomplished by using sub-
stitutes for straw. Terns, rushes, and other coarse plants,
when dried, can only be made partially available, as com-
paratively few farmers have access to those places where they
grow. Dried peat earth is an excellent absorbent of liquid
manure, besides they prove powerful deodorisers, so also is dry
lime compost. Sawdust, when dry, is an absorber of the
liquid coming from animals, but none of these substances can
be rendered generally applicable ; and while they should be
taken advantage of to the fullest extent possible, other sub-
stitutes for straw litter require to be used. The most generally
available substitute for straw is the stubbles of corn fields.
The stubbles should be uprooted by the use of grubbers on
those fields where grass seeds were not sown in spring. The
stubbles so uprooted should be freed of the adhering earth by
harrows, passed over the field when the ground and the moved
stubbles are dry. This necessitates the general use of the
grubbers and harrows during a tract of dry weather. After
the stubbles have been partially freed of earth, they should be
collected into rows preparatory to being placed in heaps, for
the purpose of drying them more thoroughly. Harrows armed
with long teeth will generally collect the stubbles in rows,
provided the person guiding the harrows raises them frequently
and at equal distances. For this purpose a rope may be
attached to each harrow, to enable the ploughman to lift the
harrows without stopping the horses. A horse-rake wiU also
prove an efficient implement for collecting stubbles which have
been well freed of the earth which adhered to their roots.
The portion of earth which will remain attached to the roots
of the stubbles after the harrows have been passed two or
three times over the field wiU depend in some degree upon the
character of the crop, of the soil, condition as regards dry-

ness, and the state of the weather during the time that the
grubbing and harrowing is being proceeded with. "VAlieat
stubbles have longer roots than either barley or oats ; con-
sequently more earth will generally adhere to wheat than to
barley or oat stubbles. Owing, however, to the greater stiff-
ness of the roots and stems of the wheat stubbles, they prove
the most serviceable for the bedding of cattle-sheds and
courts.

When the stubbles collected in heaps in the fields have
become comparatively dry, the heaps should be carted to the
farm buildings during dry weather, as it is most desirable to
clear the field of the heaps when the state of the surface of
the ground admits of the carts bemg fully loaded, without
muc h compression of the surface of the land. Those cattle-
sheds and courts which have been cleared of dung should be
bedded with the stubbles to the depth of one foot or more.
After they are levelled, a thin layer of straw can be spread in
the sheds over the layer of stubbles. This will render the
sheds more comfortable for the cattle, besides, their feet will
not cause a displacement in parts of the layer of stubbles.
What is not required for littering the sheds should be stored
for after use. If an empty shed can be made available for
tliis purpose the stubbles will become drier, and consequently
will prove more suitable for litter during the winter. In the
absence of a shed, the stubbles as they are brought to the
steading can be formed into a large heap, or two or more
heaps, the sides of which can be partially smoothed to prevent
the rain from penetrating.

By the use of the stubbles for littering, breeding, and
feeding stock, the quantity of dung ^vill be largely increased ;
the health of the stock kept will be generally good, as the
earth which adheres to the stubbles will absorb the gases
escaping from the decomposing dung and urine voided by the
animals. The two important conditions—a laige quantity of
farmyard dung, available for application in spring, and the

[^HE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

429

general improved health of tlie animals kept, will amply repay
the expenses incurred in the uprooting, drying, and carting of
stubbles from the fields to the farm buildings. The success of
the several operations connected with drying them wiU depend
ia some measure upon the state of the weather during the
present and succeeding months ; but as fine drying weather is
of frequent occurrence during the greater part of September
and October, there will generally be little difficulty experienced
beyond the extra labour which the preparing and carting of
the stubbles for litter entail.

We will mention one case as an example of what can be
effected by the careful economising of straw by the substitution
of stubbles iu part for litter. The farm we refer to came

frequently under our observation. The soil is generally thin
resting upon the trap rock, which appeared at the surface in
almost every field of the farm ; consequently droughts rendered
the corn crops short in the straw. This led to the drying of
the stubbles, these beine grubbed up after harvest nnd dried.
The stubbles enabled the occupier to fatten annually under
cover — one ox for each two acres of the farm. This was
successfully practised for the greater part of a lease of nineteen
years, during which time the hiring value of the farm was
materially raised, owing chiefly to the large quantities of
farmyard duug annually prepared and applied. Previous to
this tenant's occupancy no cattle were fattened on the farm.—
North British AgricvKvrisi,

PUTRID MEAT,

Putrid meat is, perhaps, wasteful, rather than actually in-
. jurious ; but there are plenty of cases in which it has caused
disease. Fodere tells us that at the siege of Mantua, those
who vpere shut up in the city, and were obliged to eat the
half-putrid flesh of horses, suffered from gangrene and scurvy ;
and in Czant's history of Greenland there is an account of the
death of thirty-two persons at a missionary station called
Kangek, from a repast on the putrid brains of a walrus.
Similar cases are recorded in all the books on legal medicine.
Even game, when only sufficiently tainted to please the palate
of the epicure, has caused severe cholera in persons lanaccus-
tomed to it ; but as Dr. Christison observes, " the power of
habit in reconciling the stomach to the digestion of decayed
meat is inconceivable. Some epicures in civilized countries
prefer a slight taint even in their beef and mutton ; and there
are tribes of savages still further advanced in the cultivation of
this department of gastronomy, who eat with impunity rancid
oil, putrid blubber, and stinking offal." The Zulus of Natal,
according to Dr. Colenso, are so fond of putrid meat that they
call it vbomi, which literally means to be superlatively happy.
But, as a rule, there is a natural abhorrence of tainted food,
insomuch that with most persons the mere commencement of
decay is sufficient to excite disgust ; and rarely do we find,
except among savages, that an entire meal is made of putrid
flesh. A little game or venison, or ripe cheese at the end of a
feast, with just a piquant touch of decay, is, perhaps, not ob-
jectionable ; for it may, as Liebig supposes, promote digestion
by communicating its own quality of transformation to the rest
of the food ; but it is another thing to fiU the stomach wdth
putrid flesh, for if the corrective power of the gastric juice
should fail, the effect of it might be serious. We have, in-
deed, abundant evidence of the terrible consequences of admit-
ting putrid matter into the circulation, for they were once too
common among those engaged in the dissection of the human
body. In fact, the mere handling of decomposing animal
matter for any time, will often produce disease of the hands or
other parts of the body with which it comes into contact. Our
safety, perhaps, in using such food is the antiseptic power of
good cooking ; but this is not always an easy affair ; for the
tissues are generally so soft from decay that they will hardly
bear the common action of heat ; so that if they be boiled for
any length of time they will fall to pieces ; and if they be
roasted they will shrink without forming that delicious crust
of osmazone which is characteristic of good meat. Let them,
however, be cooked as they may, they always require a nice
adjustment of strong flavours to make them palatable ; and
those who have dined in ihe cheap restaurants of Paris, or at
the still worse table d'hote of a German watering-place, wiU
have experienced the art of the cook in this respect, in such
dishes as turhot envol-au-vent, Raie au heurrc noir,sole en.
matelote Normande, and in the various forms of fish au gratin ;
or game en salmis.

But bad as this sort of tainted food is, it is nothing in com-
parison to the sausage poison, which is produced by a sort of
modified putrefaction, to which the large sausages of Ger-
many, and especially those of Wurtemburg, are occasionally
subject. According to an official return, there have been more
than 400 cases of poisoning from these sausages in Wurtem-
burg alone during the last fifty years, and of these about 150

were fatal. The effects are generally observed in spring, and
mostly in April, when the sausages become musty, and acquire
a soft consistence in the interior. They have also a peculiarly
nauseous and rather putrid taste, and are very acid to test-
paper. If eaten in this condition they produce dangerous
effects in from twelve to twenty-four hours — the first symptoms
being pain in the stomach, with vomiting and diarrhoea, and
dryness of the nose and mouth ; then comes a feeling of pro-
found depression, with coldness of the limbs, weakness, and
irregularity of the pulse, and frequent fainting. Fatal cases
end with convulsions and oppressed breathing between the
third and eighth day. The precise cause of these effects is still
a mystery ; some have thought that rancid fatty acids are pro-
duced during the decomposition of the meat ; others that in
the process of drying and smoking acrid pyrogenous acids have
been developed ; others that during the decay of the sausages,
a poisonous organic alkaloid is generated. Liebig is of opin-
ion that the effects are due to an animal ferment, which pro-
duces in the blood, by catalysis, a state of putridity analogous
to its own, and that the molecular movements of the putre-
factive change in the decaying meat are thus communicated to
the living organism. M. Vanden Corput, who is one of the
most recent investigators of the subject, attributes the morbific
action of such meat to the presence of a minute fungus, o
the nature of a sarcina, which he calls sarcina botuUna. This
view is confirmed by the fact that there is always a peculiar
mouldiness of the sausages ; and the poisonous property is
generally observed in April, when these cryptogamic organisms
are most freely developed.

Similar effects have occasionally been produced by other
kinds of animal food — as veal, bacon, ham, salt-beef, salt-fish,
cheese, &c., and the food has usually been in a decayed and
mouldy condition. It would be tedious if I were to detail, or
even to enumerate the cases recorded by medico-legal writers ■
but I may, perhaps, refer to a few of them. In 1839 there
was a popular /c7e at Zurich, and about 600 persons partook
of a repast of cold roast veal and ham. In a few hours most
of them were suffering from pain in the stomach, with vomiting
and diarrhoea ; and before a week had elapsed nearly all of them
were seriously ill in bed. They complained of shivering, giddi-
ness, headache, and burning fever. In a few cases there was
delirium ; and when they terminated fatally there was extreme
prostration of the vital powers. Careful inquiry was instituted
into the matter, and the only discoverable cause of the mis-
chief was incipient putrefaction and slight mouldiness of the
meat. Dr. Geiseler relates an instance where a family of
eight persons were made ill by musty bacon ; and M. Ollivier
has given an account of six persons who were poisoned by
mutton in a state of modified decay, four of whom died from
it within eight days. In Russia, where it is the practice to
eat largely of salt fish in a raw condition, it is not at all un-
common to witness the dangerous effects of it when it has be-
come mouldy, or putrid ; and, in fact, it is within the
experience of every one who is concerned in medico-
legal inquiries, that serious symptoms are frequently traced to
the use of food in a modified condition ot decay. This is
especially so with bad cheese, the effects of which on the con
stitution have been so severe that ofllcial investigations hav-
been called for. These effects have been noticed at Schwe-

430

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

rin (1823), at Minden (1835), at Hameln (1826), at
Griefswald (1827), Frankfort (1828), and elsewhere; and
they have been the subjects of interesting essays by
Henneman, Hunefeld, Westrumb, and others. At first
the effects were attributed to the copper vessels used in
the dairies, and therefore the Austrian, Wurtemberg, and
Ratesberg States prohibited the use of that metal for such
purposes ; but the subsequent inquiries of Hiinefeld, Ser-
tiirner, and other chemists established the fact that no metallic
poison was discoverable in the cheese. In the police report
wliich was published in Fraukfort, in January, 1828, inform-
ing the public of numerous cases of poisoning in that city
from spoiled cheese, it was declared that no poisonous prin-
ciple could be detected by chemical re-agents. Professor
Hiinefeld, and subsequently Sertiirner, were of opinion that
the effects were due to certain poisonous fatty acids, analogous
to, if not identical with, casseic and sebacic acids ; and they
even describe the way in which they are produced in the
cheese during the process of ripening, attributing them to the
imperfect removal of the acid liquor from the curd when the

cheese was made, or to the putrefaction of the curd before it
was salted, or to the mixture of flour with the curd ; but it is
far more likely that the poisonous effects are due, as Vanden
Corput supposes, to the presence of a peculiar mould or
fungus. I have myself seen the most terrible consequences
from the use of such cheese, and have failed to discover any-
tliing unusual in the acidity or other chemical reactions of the
cheese. Hiinefeld says it is commonly of a yeUowish-red
colour, and is soft and tough, with harder and darker lumps
interspersed throughout it ; and it has a disagreeable taste,
and an acid reaction. The symptoms wMch it produces are
very much like those of sausage-poisoning — namely, irritation
of the stomach and bowels, with great prostration of the vital
powers. These effects have been witnessed not only in Ger-
many, where the cheese is generally rancid and bad, but also
in this country, and particularly among the small hiU-farms of
Cheshire, where the limited extent of the dairies obhges the
farmer to curd for several days before a sufficient quantity of
it is accumulated to make a large c\\eesQ.—Lecli<re hy Br.
Lethely.

STATISTICS OF LIVE STOCK AND DEAD MEAT FOR LONDON.

By Robekt Hekbeets

(from the new NUMBEE or the "SOYAL agricultural society's JOURNAl.")

Although there was a decided falling off in the imports of
foreign stock during the first six months of the present year,
when compared with the corresponding periods in 1866 and
1867, the general condition of the beasts and sheep at hand
was good ; consequently the deficiency in the supply of im-
ported food was comparatively trifling. During the greater
portion of the season some remarkably fine stock was received
in the metropolis from Norfolk and Suffolk ; but towards its
close the weight and condition of both beasts and sheep,
arising from the severe drought in all parts of England and
the great scarcity of pasture-food, fell off considerably. The
season, therefore, closed badly. The graziers in Lincolnshire,
Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire have, however, suffered
severely. The drought wholly prevented them from finishing
off their beasts, and many of them, owing to the scarcity of
food, were compelled in July to sell large numbers of beasts in
very little more tlian a half-fat state. The almost total failure
of the turnip-crop, and the moderate yield of the new barley
and oats, have led to the inference that meat, especially that
of fine quality, will Ije very high in price during the last three
months of the present year.* The enormous growth of swedes
in 1867 has been a great boon to cattle-feeders; indeed, the
cowkeepers of London — who were well supplied with swedes
till the end of July — would have found it a matter of great
difficulty to keep their cows alive had it not been for the splen-
did crop of roots grown in this country last year. Although
the restrictions compelling all cattle exhibited in the Metro-
politan Market to be slaughtered within the four-mile radius
from Charing-cross continue in force, the trade throughout
has been steady, and the fluctuations in prices have been un-
important. Prime Scots and crosses were 2d. per 81bs. dearer
at the close than at the commencement of the first half of the
present year. The general top quotation has been Ss. per
81bs. The arrivals of dead meat from Continental ports have
been on a very limited scale ; indeed, this branch of the trade,
which formerly occupied a rather important position, appears
to have sunk into comparative insignificance, so trilling have
the receipts lately been. Although the imports have been
diminislied by more than one-half, the supply of sheep exhi-
bited has been fully equal to the number last year ; but the
quality of nearly all breeds, arising from the scarcity of food,
has shown a considerable deficiency. Prime lireeds have,
therefore, been in improved request at advanced rates ; but in-
ferior sheep have moved off slowly. The large quantities of

Eortuuately, the country lias been visited by some splendid
rams the growth of grass has been somewhat rapid, the potato-
crop has shown signs of improvement, and there is every pros-
pect of a full average growth of wliite turuips.'-Aug, 18th.

meat brought forward in Newgate and LeadenhaU have pre-
vented a serious rise in the quotations. The best Downs and
half-breds, in the wool, have sold at from 5s. 2d. to 5s. 4d. ;
out of the wool, 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d. per 81bs. A large number
of English lambs have been on offer, but only moderate receipts
of foreign. The trade has been fairly active. At the opening
of the season prices ranged from 8s. to 9s., but they soon re-
ceded to 5s. 6d. to 7s. per Slbs. The supply of calves has been
somewhat limited ; nevertheless sales have progressed slowly
at from 4s. to 5s. 4d. per Slbs. For prime small pigs there has
been a healthy inquiry atrfuU currencies ; otherwise tlie market
has ruled heavy, and the quotations have been drooping. The
highest price has been 4s. 4d. per Slbs. The hay crop has
lieen very small throughout the country, but its quality has
been good. The root-crops having proved a complete failure,
a strong damand has sprung \\\i for artificial food, and a good
business has been transacted in linseed, rapeseed, and oilcakes,
at advancing prices. The probable scarcity of fat stock during
the winter has also caused more firmness to prevail iu the
tallow-market. The price of rough fat has advanced to 2s.
2|d. per Slbs. Prime stock has, this year, been very firm in
price ; but that a decUne has taken place iu the value of in-
ferior animals, caused by the very middling condition in which
they were exhibited. The total imports of foreign stock into
Loudon have amounted to 112,790 head, against 248,212 in
1867, being a decline of 135,422 head.

The supplies of meat at Newgate and LeadenhaU, although
almost entirely composed of the carcases of home-fed beasts,
have been extensive. Generally speaking the ti-ade has been
quiet, and prices have been easy. Beef has sold at from 2s.
lOd. to 4s. 8d. ; mutton, 2s. lOd. to 4s. lOd. ; lamb, 4s. to 6s.
8d. ; veal, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 8d. ; and pork, 2s. lOd. to 4s. 6d. per
Slbs. by the carcase.

The high prices at which both beasts and sheep are selling
throughout the continent, but more especially in France and
Holland, the failure of our root-crops, and the scarcity of hay,
lead to the conclusion that really prime meat will maintain its
present price for several months. Inferior stock, from the large
consumption going on, is likely to command strong quotations
during the remainder of the year.

The Wool Trade. — In the early part of the year, not-
withstanding the high duties levied upon woollen goods in the
United States, there was no improved feeling in the wool
trade generally. Prices of colonial wool, arising from the large
quantities taken by continental houses, were on the advance.
Since then, however, as the imports have been on a very large
scale, the quotations have given way Id. to 3d. per lb. ; the

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

431

quantity of colonial wool advertised for the July sales amount-
ing to 226,000 bales — a quantity greatly in excess of all pre-
vious years. The new clip of Englisli wool has turned out
very large and of unusually fine quality- Yet prices, in com-
parison with colonial, have iiot suffered materially, although

the want of orders for woollen goods for export has heen
much complained of. The severe pressure of colonial wools
upon the market, and the moderate shipments of woollen goods
now being made to the United States, render it uncertain
whether prices will recover themselves this year.

THE METROPOLITAN FOREIGN CATTLE MARKET.

At the Court of Common Council,

Mr. T. RuDKiN, chairman of the Markets' Committee,
brought up a report detailing the proceedings in Parliament in
relation to the above hiU, which was withdrawn at tlie close of
the last session, and recommending that the committee be
authorised to inquire into the whole subject, and to consider
and report to the court the best course that ought to be pur-
sued in order to meet the requirements of the cattle and meat
trades, and to prevent, as far as may be practicable, tlie re-in-
troduction of the cattle plague ; and, while protecting the fair
and proper interests of the corporation, to promote the advan-
tage of the public ; and that the committee be authorised to
confer on the subject with her Majesty's Government, and such
other i)arties as the committee might consider advisable. Mr.
Kudkin, in moving tlie adoption of the report, said that unless
the corporation fought the battle themselves they would have
again to go over the same ground they went over last session.
The agriculturists, it was stated, did not want cattle imported
that might introduce the cattle plague, but, at the same tlme,^
they had to consider the price of meat to the inhabitants of
London. Had the Government of the day adopted the sug-
gestion of the Markets' Committee, he believed the rinderpest
would not liave spread as it did. They went to Lord Gran-
ville, and said it was necessary to establish a cordon of con-
stables round the metropolis to prevent any cattle going out
of London, and this would have confined the plague to London.
That was a step the Government did not adopt ; but if they
had had then the experience they have now they would have
adopted it, Ostensibly the object of the agriculturists in
wishing for a new foreign cattle market was to prevent the
plague extending to the country, but their real object was
conclusively shown to be to create a monopoly for the con-
sumption of Eughsh beef only. The ordinary profit of a bul-
lock coming from abroad did not exceed 10s., and if they di-
minished the value of that animal by 30s. or 40s., which, he
contended, would be the consequence of the Government pro-
posal, it would be tantamount to prohibiting altogether the im-
portation of foreign cattle. First of all there would be
an increased expense to the butcher in liaving a slaughter-
house at the New Market. The man who slaughtered his
own animals now on his own premises would not be able to
go to the Cattle Market to slaughter his animals ; a separate
gang of men would have to be kept for that purpose. Then
there was the depreciation in the value of the offal, owing to
its not being sold on the same night that the animals were
slaughtered, and also the loss that occurred in all public
slaughter-houses from the want of personal control. The ex-
pense of an animal now in travelling alive from the market to
the butcher's-shop was something like sixpence, whereas Lf it
had to be carted wlien slaughtered it would cost at least 5s.
All these things tended to increase the expenses of the butcher
to about 30s. per head on foreign cattle. That would not
arise in the case of English cattle, because, under the scheme
proposed by the Government, they would be permitted to
travel anywhere about London as they do now, aud therefore,
as he had already said, it was practically giving English agri-
culturists a monopoly of the trade. Tlie notion that London
can be supplied solely with dead meat, Mr. Rudkiu proceeded
to say, was utterly fallacious. In that case it would be im-
possible for many families to get a joint of meat during the
summer months. It was, therefore, absolutely necessary that
slaughter-houses should exist to a very large extent in the
metropolis. The question was, under what arrangements
should these slaughter-houses be provided ? The opinion of
the committee was that a series of abattoirs should be estab-

lished throughout the metropolis, with direct communication
with the Metropolitan Cattle Market by railway. That scheme
would do away entirely with the driving of cattle through the
streets ; it would bring the slaughter-houses within a mile or
three-quarters of a mile of the butchers ; aud the slaughter-
houses could be so fitted up as to accommodate horses aud
carts, and he under the butchers' own individual control.
More than that, they could have accommodation for milk cows
and fancy stock. The erection of another cattle market would
involve an enormous outlay, and at the same time prohibit the
importation of foreigu animals and increase the price of meat
to the extent of at least one penny per pound, and that for the
benefit of the English agriculturists. He hoped the committee
would agree to the report, and refer it back to the committee
for consideration.

Mr. WooDLEY thought that tliis scheme ought to have
been printed before being brought before them.

Mr. RuDKiN said he did not propose a scheme ; he only
stated what the views of some of the committee were on the
subject.

Mr. WoODLEY said that power was asked to confer witli
the Government, and he hoped the court would pause before
giving the committee authority to go to the Government and
foreshadow measures which would be very sweeping and very
objectionable to the trade. Let them not play fast and loose
with the Government. If they had been more decided last
year they would have been saved a great deal of trouble. He
did not think that anything should be done until the court had
approved of a scheme and were prepared to carry it out. Mr.
"Woodley concluded bj moving that the report be printed and
circulated, and the consideration of it adjourned.

Mr. R. N. Philipps seconded the amendment.

Mr. Deputy De Jersey thought the chairman of the com-
mittee was quite right in proposing to take the initiative.
They ought to be prepared to meet any bill brought forward
by the present or any future Government, and know what they
were going to do. Even although they were to build abattoirs
the expense would be nothing compared with that of building
a new cattle market, and he would support any inquiry that
would get them out of the difiiculty, and prevent the re-intro-
duction of such a bill as that of last session.

The amendment was then put to the meeting, and lost on a
show of hands.

While a division was being taken on the subject notice was
taken that only one alderman was present , and as the standing
orders of the court require the presence of at least two alder-
men in order to constitute a court the proceedings came ab-
ruptly to a close.

HARDENING THE MOULD-BOARD OF PLOUGHS.
— A new method has been discovered for the manufacture of the
mould-board of ploughs, which gives them all the hardness and
temper of steel, in combination with the toughness or iron.
The mould-board (good iron) is heated and dipped into mol-
ten iron. It remains there ten seconds, when the two surfaces
become heated to a white heat, while the centre is not heated
through. It is then immediately dipped into water ; the sur-
face comes out harder than the highest tempered steel, while
the interior is still iron, aud retains all the toughness and
strength of the iron. The advantage claimed for this inven-
tion is that the ploughs made by the process wiU take the finest
and hardest polish, while they will be tough enough to endure
any reasonable knocking 'about iu stony ^soils, — JVi?w Zor^
Weekly Herald,

4 32

THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE.

ECHOES FROM THE AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS.

FROM BERKSHIRE.
At Abingdon, Mr. Benton, M.P., said he had as great
a pride in endeavouring to get the best price for his produce
and stock as the farmers had. He thought that they had good
reason to be satisfied with tlie result of this year's harvest.
He knew that in Essex 10 or 11 acres had been thrashed out
for straw, and the yield had been 6 quarters and 6| quarters
per acre ; and coining nearer home, in the adjoining county
of Oxford, the yield had been 12 quarters. He hoped the
Berkshire farmers would be able to tell the same tale. No
doubt they liad had a very exceptional year, and had passed
through a season of extraordinary drought and excessive heat,
and [surely this ought to suggest to their minds the advisa-
bility of deep cultivation — he meant increasing the depth of
soil, increasing the thickness of the sponge, which not only
acted as manure but as a moisture to feed the growing crops.
The question was — How could they eifect this most efficiently
and most economically P Now, he apprehended that steam-
power was unrivalled as an agent to break up the soil, and by
this means 8, 13, and 14-horse power was brought to bear on
a field which horses could not touch, on account of the ground
being so dry. A large number of farmers in Oxfordshire had
their own steam-ploughs, and had availed themselves of the
last new invention of a double steam-engine, at an expense of
£1,200 or £1,500. This brought them to consider the ques-
tion of economy. £1,400 was a large sum for a farmer to
spend for such a purpose, but if the result was a paying result,
immediate capital could surely be found in the same way as
for thrashing-machines. He had heard that ploughing by the
new steam-engines could be done at 7s. 6d. per acre, the
owner of the land finding coals and water, which would cost
about Is. 6d. or 2s. more. It was, therefore, laid down as a
broad fact that land could be ploughed at a cost not exceeding
10s. per acre. If that was so, he thought it was well worth
the expense, and he thought it was a hard thing to say that
that outlay was suftieient to condemn the system. He was
sure that if otlier counties could embark in sucli an undertak-
ing, and that if the Berksliire farmers could only satisfy them-
selves that it would be a paying operation, their pluck and
courage would never allow them to be beaten by other far-
mers, and it would be for their interest as well as for the good
of the country.

Mr. Walter said he for one had long looked to the intro-
duction of machinery as beyond aU others the most powerful
agent in promoting the education and welfare of the labouring
class. They would find wherever machinery was introduced
wages rose and the material welfare of the labouring class im-
proved. A most remarkable instance of this was given in the
results of the Commission to the l>ench Exhibition. They
all knew the state of the needle-women in London was one
of proverbial misery and horror. If they wislied to draw a
picture of irremediable distress, they pointed to those wretched
creatures who were cooped up in garrets making shirts and
dresses. But the remarkable fact was that since the introduc-
tion of sewing-machines the wages of tliose women had in-
creased 30 per cent. And so it was in agriculture ; wherever
steam-ploughing had been introduced wages had risen. On
his own farm he had not only a single engine, but within the
last week he had started a double-engine plough ; so that he
believed he had cut out Mr. Benyon on his own ground. He
had only seen it at work yesterday morning for the first time,
and he was delighted to find that, instead of being looked on
with horror by the farmers, they were all crying out for the
loan of it. He believed, though costly at first, it would be
found exceedingly advantageous. When they had got
it they would find they must have more intelligent
farmers, more intelligent lads and labourers; and thus the
problem which had so long puzzled political economists would
soon be solved — how to raise the wages and improve the con-
dition of the agricultural labourer.

At HiGHCLERC, Mr. W. W. B. Beach, M.P., said so-
cieties hke this were calculated to carry out healthy and bene-
ficial objects. In the first place, they conduced to the progress

and success of agriculture ; and secondly, they materially
benefited the agricultural labourer himself. They brought the
agriculturists together from various localities, and placed be-
fore their eyes the improvements which were made in different
quarters, thus enabling them to judge how far it was open for
them to improve their own mode of cultivation. In the pre-
sent day it was of the utmost importance that the application
of machinery to agriculture should be thoroughly understood.
Some years ago the idea of ploughing by means of a steam-
plough would have astonished and surprised the fanner ; but
now the agriculturists were alive to the value of machinery,
and had an anxious desire to see how far it could be made ap-
plicable to 'their own mode of cultivation. But if societies
like that did nothing to promote the general improvement of
agriculture they did much towards improving the status and
position of the agricultural labourer. They gave him an iu-
ducement to cultivate his own little piece of land in the best
mode, and by showing him what others were doing in the
parishes around him they enabled him to judge whether it was
not possible for him to improve his cultivation in another year.
Personally he regarded it as of the highest importance to agri-
culture in the present day that they should do all in their
power to make the agricultural labourer prosperous and happy.
At this moment great inducements were being held out to the
agricultural labourer to enter the army, but the farmers, in
tiieir own interests, should try how they could induce him to
stop at home. This could only be done by attending to their
wants and wishes and making them happy and comfortable, for
there were many inducements to take them away to more
crowded districts in search of their future livelihood. In the (

present day there was a strong feeling in favour of education. ^

They might depend upon it that education judiciously applied
would place at their disposal more capable and willing men
than if tJiey were obliged to engage labourers who had not
had the benefits of education and knowledge instilled into their
minds in youth.

FROM WORCESTERSHIRE.

At Worcester, Mr. H. Allsop said it was a practice on
occasions of that kind to advert to many subjects which in-
terested both landlords and tenants, but he did not think this
was the place for suggesting to landlords what were their
duties to their servants, and to tenants what were their duties
to the landlords. He believed the landlords and tenants of
the county generally endeavoured to do their duty, but of
course there were exceptions. There might be bad landlords,
aud the worst thing he wished them was that they might have
bad tenants. Bad tenants were also deserving of bad land-
lords, and he hoped both might go together aud continue to-
gether. There were certain subjects which without infringing
the rule he had laid down he might allude to. They knew in
how many respects a landlord might afi'ord facilities to his
tenants for improving agriculture, and thereby benefiting
landlord, tenants, and the community at large. It was for
the landlord to induce his tenant to invest as much as he could
in the better cultivation of the soil. If a tenant wanted to
cultivate the land 12 inches deep instead of six the landlord
ought, wherever he could, to afford him facility for doing so.
They knew from practical experience that the deeper the clay
lands of this county were cultivated the greater would be the
return. Until they broke up the land they did not know what
were its powers of production, what treasures lay hidden in it.
He did not wish to magnify his own doings in this respect, but
bethought he might say he had cultivated his land to a greater
depth than many of his neighbours. He believed that by deep
cultivation they might raise anything they liked ; they might
grow any amount of mangold wurtzel and turnips. Deep
cultivation would tend to increase the stock, to improve their
grass lands, and, what had been regarded as impossible, after
the growth of mangolds or swedes to produce as good barley
as could be grown. There must be one system, autumn cul-
tivation, deep cultivation, <ind early planting. He believed in
this county they might grow as fine wheat and beans as in any

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

433

part, and, in his opinion, the county was admirably adapted
lor the cultivation of hops. He was sorry to say he coiild
not compliment Worcestershire or Herefordshire growers on
their management. There was a greater quantity of hops
grown than the growers had the means of drying. There
must be additional kiln-room, and more attention paid to dif-
ferent sorts. They had to compete witii the world, and they
must produce hops in large quantity and good quality, or they
would be left beliiud in the race. Another article for which
the county was celebrated was fruit, and there was no reason
why they should grow bad fruit when they could grow good.
If tliey produced cider they must have it good ; many farms
were studded with trees of no value, and which interfered with
the cultivation of the soil.

FROM HERTFORDSHIRE.
At Hertford : The Hon. H. Cooper, M.P., said at the
last anniversary, he was some 2,000 miles west of New York,
aud could not help smiling at the contrast between the stats of
things here and in that country. It had been said that it
would be possible to assimilate American and English insti-
tutions to each other. He was not prepared off-hand to ex-
press an opinion as to how far he agreed or disagreed with
that sentiment. But he must say that he could not imagine
two agricultural institutions more unlike. Here the great
pressure of the population was such as in many places to depre-
ciate the wages of the agricultural peasantry. There were
many places in which they could find no work at all, and in
the dead time of tiie year the ingenuity of charitable people
was taxed to the utmost to create work for the labourers.
Now, in America the reverse was the case. A man going out
to work sometimes did not find another within five or six miles
of him. By paying six dollars to the Government he could
have 150 acres of land assigned him. It seemed strange to us
in this crowded country, but there he could settle down and cul-
tivate an acre or two, until he could get machinery and go on
J cultivating to a larger extent, and in the course of a few years
he was able to bring the whole of his 150 acres into cultiva-
tion with no capital at all. Another striking thing was the
enormous number of agricultural machines used in that coun-
try. There were implements of every kind, and a man might
be seen sitting in the centre of his machinery, like a spider in
his web, watching the movements of everything around him,
and turning them to his profit and advantage in the best pos-
sible manner. One man had a great number of cows, and he
invented a machine for milking them. One day he fixed the
machines upon the cowr ; but from some cause or other the
cows got away, and were wandering about in the woods several
days with the milking machines fixed on them all the while.
That was not a very successful experiment ; but there were
American machines which we might adopt with great advan-
tage to ourselves.

Mr. DiNSDALE, M.P., said : Some reference had been made
to the Metropolitan Cattle Markets BQl, and he alluded to it
now, to bring out a strong illustration of the great changes in
the past year. In the divisions that took place on the Bill,
their honourable chairman and other members for the county
threw aside political differences and went side by side into the
same lobby. He did not think that could have taken place 10
or 15 years ago. There was another question of great interest
to agriculturists — the repeal of the malt-tax ; for that he was
an advocate ; but he never supported it as for the interest of
the producer only, he believed it was equally for the interest of
the consumer as the producer that the malt-tax should be re-
pealed. They could not expect it to take place at the present
time ; but he was sure that if the farmers and agriculturists
were strongly united when the period arrived for the revison of
our financial system, the agricultural interest would not be
neglected : for the members of an agricultural town and of an
agricultural county they might be assured would be united in
pressing the demands of the agriculturists on the Government.
Another question had been alluded to, which he thought
would come into great prominence the next few years — the
question of rating ; and he did not think that unjust system
would then be allowed to continue in force, by which tlie
largest burdens were thrown on the land, whilst a great pro-
portion of other kinds of property was allowed to escape. The
great injustice of the present system had been pointed out ;
and he felt sure that it was a question on which the agricultu-
ral interest would be defended, and that they all, the mem-

bers both for the town and county, would be prepared to take
their part and see justice done to all.

Mr. C. Lattimore said: Gentlemen, landlords did not
hear the feeling of men out of doors ; it was his fate to go
amongst tliose men. He believed he never had and never
would deceive any class of men. And he did not deceive
them when he told them that a main question with tenant-
farmers was the ground game. There was a great deal of dis-
content amongst the tenant-farmers in that respect. He knew
many farmers who had suffered very much from ground game
in a dry season like this. Mr. Smith had alluded to the elements.
They could not interlere with the order of Nature; they could
not control the rising of the Pleiades or the setting of Orion ;
but the landlords had it in their power to a great extent to
control the destruction by the grouud game. He knew of an
instance where a nobleman of that county hearing that the
game had doue injury to hia tenantry, with the true nobility of
his character set to work and had the rabbits aU destroyed.
That nobleman was Earl Cowper, a young man, fond of sport;
and he, therefore, honoured him the more for doing what he
felt to be his duty to his country.

At Tring : Mr. Abel Smith said there was only one bill last
session which particularly affected the agricultural interest ;
that was the bill for slaughtering foreign animals at the port
of debarcation. The three county members for Herts all cor-
dially joined in supporting the bill, aud remained in town for
that purpose so long as there was a chance of carrying it.
The necessity of such a bill was apparent ; for when the cattle-
plague visited this country three years ago, it was brought in
by cattle from abroad. They had some excellent animals in
the shovv-yard, several that would successfully vie with those
exhibited at the meeting of the county society at Hertford the
previous week, where they had a very excellent show. The
tenant-farmers at Hertford thought tiiey could not compete
vrith their landlords, and the society had to offer prizes for
tenant-farmers only ; but one of his (Mr. Smith's) beat him
hollow in sheep. Amongst other questions that affected the
agricultural interest there was the important one of sewage.
It was important for the sake of people's health that they
should have pure water — that was indeed a necessity. A.
good system of sewage would produce great results. It would
help the agriculturists by increasing the produce of the soil.
We pay high sums for guano ; but he hoped before long the
sewage of our towns and villages would be successfully applied
to the land. The experiments at Barking were very interest-
ing. The sewage had been tried on wheat, oats, and rye, and
had been of special use during the present dry summer. After
the corn was olf the land the sewage was put on, and it had
an increased produce by £10 per acre. It was important that
they should endeavour to do all they could to increase the pro-
duce of the soil. They could not grow too much in England ;
for there is an increase of population of 240,000 a-year, aud
an enormous amount of extra food is required to be produced,
to feed the ever-increasing quantity of people. How was that
to be obtained ? They could not extend tlie acreage of Eng-
land, but they could extend its producing power by drainage.
It was calculated that there were five million acres of land in
England that required drainage. This could be done for £6
per acre, so that it would require 30 million pounds to do it.
But the increased annual yield would be from 12 to 20 per
cent. ; and even if the yield was only 10 per cent, more, that
would be money well spent. It would not only employ laliour,
but while it increased the produce of the soil it would add to
the value of the land, and be a source of profit to the capitalists
engaged in the work.

Mr. Freeman said, with respect to cattle, there was one
thing which, in the interest of the consumers, he felt bound to
state. Mr. Bright was always recommending us to go and
take pattern from the Americans. Now, he would advise
Messrs. Bright, Milner Gibson, and Co., who had opposed the
Foreign Cattle Markets Bill, to go and take pattern from the
Americans. They would not allow the importation of cattle
into their country, nor even from an infected State to another
part of the country : they prohibited importation altogether.
But those who refused to pass this bill were doing their best
to perpetuate disease amongst us. The tenant-farmers, who
were doing their best to provide meat for the country, ought
to be protected from the invasion of foreign disease, and he
saw no other plan than that of slaughtering foreign cattle at
the port of debarcatioQ ; and as regards raising the price of

G G

■iU

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

meat, it was all moonshine. Could not the dead meat be sent
to London from all the ports, as it is from the country at pre-
sent ? The foreigners are allowed to send their cargoes of
diseased meat into this country, and we are liable to have our
flocks and herds destroyed by it ; and if they are destroyed,
the consumers must of course have to pay more for what they
do get, and it could not be expected that the farmers could
till their land as they should do, if they lose their stock. He
Jioped the representatives of the tenant-farmers would do their
best to pass a bill preventing the spread of foreign cattle in
the country. There was one more question likely to affect the
farmers — tliat was tlie education of the labourers' children.
He understood an Act was to be passed to compel children
under ten years of age to go to school, and not to work. But
if they merely passed an Act for children not to work
under that age, without compelling them to go to school, they
would lead a life of idleness, and be a source of miscliief and
distress to all around them. He did not think much good
would be done by interfering with the children further than
seeing they were properly educated. There were times of the
year when the work of a child under ten years of age is useful,
and a help to the means of the parents. And he tliought the
costs of such education ouglit to come out of the income-tax,
and not out of the poor-rates. With regard to drainage, no
doubt there was a great quantity of laud that would pay well
for draining ; and he knew that land could be effectually
drained for £3 per acre. [" No, no."] He (Mr. Freeman)
repeated that it could. [A voice : " If the landlord finds
tiles."] He agreed with that. [" Why not say it, then ?"]
Why, it could be done if the tenant found tiles. [" No, no."]
Yes : he told them it could be done at £3 and find your own
tiles ; and tliey would drain more effectually up a furrow at
three feet, than at four feet if they went across. They could
buy drain-pipes at lOs. per 1,000 [A farmer : " 20s. to 22s.
per 1,000] ; and 1,000 would do an acre.

Mr. Treadwell said there was little use in offering special
prizes for stock, so long as they were lable to be infected with
diseased foreign cattle. Mr. Smitli had called their attention
to the bill, which was not passed, and they might look for-
ward to renewed opposition to it from certain parties in the
House of Commons. It was evident to him that the bill had
been burked ; and he wished to impress upon the mind
of Mr. Cowper that he would be tarred witli one brush witli
those who opposed the bill, if he walked into the lobby
to vote for the bill, and did not sit in the House to face the
opponents of a bill that was supported by a majority of the
House of Commons. It was a question of town as well as
country. They were not protectionists : tliey were free-traders.
They wanted to be allowed to send their stock to London, and
from thence, if necessary, into the country, and not to be
obliged to have it sacrificed at the London butchers' mercy.
No doubt they had read the speech of Lord Robert Montagu in
Huntingdonshire. He told them about the inspectors who
had been so much lauded by Milner Gibson and his pretty
crew. They had had passed a cargo of sheep as good ; but
Mr. Waller, who had sat by his side all the evening and had
just left, would have told them that cargo had the small-pox,
and had he not gone to Romford and had them slaughtered
there, they would probably have spread iufection all over the
country ; and he would ask, if a small minority could stop a
bill, could not a large majority do the same ? lie fancied that
factious opposition was a gnme two parties could play at.
There were one or two questions he would like to allude to.
It liad been suggested that they should offer prizes for corn ;
but he did not think much of tliat : it was well known that, as
a rule, the best farmers do not grow the best quality of corn.
As to draining, he never knew that any one could drain at £3
per acre, unless the landlord find tiles. But the great question
was how were they to winter the cattle and sheep ? He had
not heard one word about it that night, and yet it was a most
important subject. He did not profess to be an authority, but
he c^uld see they would have to economize all they could.
tor himself, he should cut up all liis hay and straw into chafl",
and mix it with oil-cake and cotton-cake, and mix malt-dust
with it— make the best of his roots, grind down his rivet
J«heats, and that would be as cheap as anything; and if the
larmer was allowed to convert his barley into malt, that would
»e a tine thing to mix with the short supply of other food this
season. But this he could not do, because the malt-tax was
not repealed, or that would be the best thing to keep

thcra over the winter, and he did not know how it was to 1)0
done.

FROM CHESHIRE.
At Tarporley, Lord Binning said : Gentlemen, it is not
my intention to enter upon the merits or demerits of the
various classes of animals exhibited, because I feel sure the
judges are much more competent connoisseurs of such matters,
and they will no doubt, if asked, favour us with their opinions,
I believe I said that it was a matter of congratulation that
we had so good a show to-day ; but I think it ought to be
something more than a matter of mere congratulation. Re-
membering that little more than two years have elapsed, re-
membering that in 1866, within five months, from the 12th of
December to the 12th of May, no fewer than 23,400 of the
flower of the dairy stock of Cheshire were swept off by that
dire calamity, the cattle plague — remembering this, it ought
not only to be a matter of congratulation, but a cause of
heartfelt thankfulness to see the farmers, Cheshire farmers,
again in such a position as to hold such a show as we have
seen to-day. That such is the case it reflects, I think, the
highest credit on the Cheshire farmer, recognising of course
in the first place the goodness of Him from whom alone
coraeth the increase. I tliink also we cannot fail to recognise
that energy — that indomitable British pluck, if I may so speak
— which has kept the Cheshire farmer's head above water,
and prevented him from succumbing to the difliculties with
which he was beset. As Mr. Finchett has said, tenant-farmers
are sometimes spoken of, and not unfrequently, as a grumbling
or a murmuring class. Now, gentlemen, I believe that is a
very common complaint of farmers, but I can only say — I
don't mean to say it attaches to farmers, but it is said of them
— that so far as my experience goes such is not the case. I
have witnessed loss after loss, health broken by watching, and
the use of appliances to prevent the ravages among stock — I
have seen ruiu apparently staring him in the face — and all
this without a murmur from the Cheshire farmer, and, if you
will allow me to say so, borne with a manly resignation and a
Christian fortitude. Therefore, gentlemen, I can give you my
word that I shall not be one to join in the popular cry that
farmers are a grumbling or a murmuring class. I remember
reading, if I mistake not in 1863, the first year a show was
held at Tarpoiiey, a report of a remarkably good paper by
Mr. Rigby, and there were two or three sentences whicli con-
tained so much truth that I thought it worth while to make K
note of them. They are these : '' There are many agencies
and associations at work in the world which proceed so noise-
lessly that we are scarcely aware of their existence ; but if
their action were to cease, their usefulness would soon be
manifest. Blot them out of existence, and the blank they
would leave would soon disclose their worth." With these
remarks I fully agree, and with Mr. Rigby I believe that
quietly perhaps, but steadily and surely, our local associations
are doing their work — not only in producing a better class of
stock, but in general agricultural improvements. The lact is,
and Mr. Rigby made some such remark in the same paper,
that no farmer can pass through even a local show-yard, even
such an exhibition as the one to-day, without having his eyes
opened, and especially that man whom we wish to encourage,
who thinks his ducks are geese and his geese better than any-
body else's. Such a man looks at the horses, the bulls, the
cows, or the turnips, aud goes home. Perhaps he looks at his
own swede, but he has the form of the prize swede in his eye,
aud having made his own private notes at the show, he re-
members that what he has seen is far better than anytliing he
can show. His first object is to attain nearer to what he has
seen liy giving iiis crop a little extra manure, a little extra
hoeing and attention ; or, in regard to stock, he will endea-
vour, if possible, to get the same blood; and in tliis such
shows must be of the highest advantage. These annual
meetings too tend to sharpen the wits, to stretch the intellect,
and to open men's understandings. It does a man good to
talk to a practical man — I am not speaking now of the
scientific men, because I have no faith in them ; but in a meet-
ing of farmers conversation shows that in one place they have a
light soil, and in another a stiff clayey soU, and that what will
answer in one place will not answer in another. Rotation of
crops may do in one place and not in another. Uon't misunder-
stand me when I say I have no faith in scientific men. There
is a certain class of men — I don't mean to include my-
self—who give expression to theories sometimes of the

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

4SS

Vaguest description, who indulge in long words, and talk
fluently about hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon, which they
think .'necessary in the cultivation of the soil, but many of
them have never attempted to reduce to a practice a portion or
one-half of the theories they bring before the public. Give
me a thoroughly practical farmer, wlio has reduced his own
or other men's theories to practice, who has proved by his own
experience what is the best and most economic system of farm-
ing. I believe there are many in an association like this who
may learn something by coming into contact with each other.
There is one other way in wliich I think these shows are of
the greatest possible use, and that is in bringing the landlords
and tenant-farmers together— as the landlords may learn a
good deal from farmers' discussions, and I only wish there
were more of them, and hope that they will be continued this
year at Tarporley. The farmers may learn a great deal, and
landlords, too, may learn something which is not always pa-
latable. But I tliink the landlords ought to be glad to receive
these hints, when they meet with their tenants at these meet-
ings on common ground. The mutual interchange of thought
and idea on agricultural topics ought to teach them that their
interests are not antagonistic, but pretty nearly identical.
That, gentlemen, is I think one advantage of these associa-
tions, and I only wish it were more readily received by both
landowners and tenant than it is, as I am convinced it would
be very much to their benefit. The condition of the agricul-
tural labour is a question which affects not the man alone, not
his family only, not the farmer only, but the world at large.
The first method of improving the moral, social, and intellec-
tual condition of the agricultural labourer is, no doubt, by giv-
ing him a house fit for a man to live in. T am sorry to say
this is not always done. There are not many landlords who
look upon cottage property as a most undesirable possession ;
and so it is, regarding its returns ; but then every landlord
should remember there are heavy responsibilities attaching to
property — that there is something more than a financial re-
turn to be expected ; there is such a thing as a moral return.
To the landlord I say, on you devolves the duty of providing the
agricultural labourer with a suitable house. Now, in what way
is this productive of benefit? It is productive of benefit in the
first place, physically. Sanitary conditions surely must be those
which enable a man to go forth with energy and strength to
perform his duty for his master, the farmer. But, putting this
aside, and, looking at it from a higher point of view, how can
decency, how can morality be observed by a class whose habi-
tations are such that young men and women are huddled to-
gether ? "Why, gentlemen, I believe there is no country in the
world where such a system could take place as exists in some
parts of our own. The system is disgraceful ; but the disgrace
comes upon us landlords. Gentlemen, this great disgrace can-
not be remedied in one day. My vice-chairman will bear me
out in saying that I am alive to this crying grievance, and
that if there is anything in this world I want to do it is to im-
prove the condition of the labourer on the estates with which
I am connected, and to give him a house of which I shall not
be ashamed. Well, gentlemen, next to the duty of the land-
lord comes the duty of the tenant ; and I believe that tenant-
farmers, as a rule, do evince great interest in the social and
moral condition of our servants ; but still I think there is
something more required on this head. I think more might
he done by the tenant-farmer — I will not say by example, be-
cause we all know what that is — in promoting the education
of his servants. This is a great point, and in the promotion
of their moral and spiritual education farmers' wives have much
in their liands. What is woman's influence ? I think the
Cheshire farmers' wives might do more than they do in pro-
moting the moral good of their servants. I may be wrong,
gentlemen, but it has struck me that there is not such care
devoted by farmers' wives to the moral culture of their servants
as there might be, because it is a grave responsibility when
these young men and young women come into service, unedu-
cated and subject to great temptation ; and I think farmers and
farmers' wives should be alive to the opportunities of doing
what they can to promote the spiritual as weU as the moral
welfare of their servants. You may say the condition of that
class affects every other class of society, in this way : the chil-
dren of the agricultural labourer go out to learn a trade, or to
service, and some time or other, by ties of relationship, or ser-
vice, or neighbourhood, the agricultural labourer or his family
become in some way coimected with every class of society

throughout our country, and it is on the moral status of the
inhabitants of the country that success and prosperity depend;
and therefore, gentlemen, in going to the house of the agncul-
tural labourer,! look upon it that we are going to the root ot
a very great social and moral evil in our country,

FROM SHBOPSHIRE.
At Ludlow : General Heebert, M. P., said in the next Par-
liament no doubt several important questions relating to ag-
riculture would be raised. Protection from cattle plague
would be regarded as important, and he trusted that the
unanimity which was shown in the last session by members
on l)oth sides of the House would be continued in the next.
He hoped the senseless opposition to the Cattle Market Bill
would not be persisted in. He was astonished to see men like
Mr. Miluer Gibson and Mr. Goschen, ex-Cabinet Ministers,
taking so violent a part in that opposition. He believed the
members in the Southern Division were unanimous in their
opinions upon that question, and would very probably be again
if they were returned to the House of Commons, The ques-
tion of financial boards would no doubt occupy the attention
of the house ; it would no doubt require great consideration as
to the shape in which the biU should be framed. There had
been a great deal of evidence placed before the House of Com-
mons on the subject, and it was difficult to say how the subject
was to be dealt with. It was very natural that everybody
should wish to know how their money was spent, but they very
often found that it was better spent by small parties than large
numbers.

Mr. Jasper More, M.P., said : The Chairman has very
wisely defined the extent to which we may touch on politics.
I think it a great mistake on these occasions to restrain even
the just expression of opinion on the Parliamentary interests
of agriculture, because the occasions we have for meeting,
compared with the facilities for combined action in towns, are
so few that we cannot afford to lose any opportunity of dis-
cussing our common interests. Also, I believe that more may
be gained for agriculture from public opinion than from legis-
lation, for the latter is always difficult to obtain, but the former
takes effect not gradually, but at once. Take the question of
the over preservation of game. From the year 1846, when a
committee, of which the noble lord present was a member,
reported on the game laws, to the present time, there has
been no legislation on game-preserving from the farmers' view
of the question ; and yet within that time the expression of
their opinion has put down excessive game-preserving to an
extent which it was then taking, one county with another,
which has made it cease to be the grievance it was then. And
here I wish to remark that one of the ablest friends of agricul-
ture, the Editor of the Mark Lane Express, who, I beheve,
has never been in Shropshire, [he Ms had that pleasure] though
we should be very glad to see ,him here, has mentioned my
name on several occasions as one who ought to originate some
motion on the subject of game. Now I wish to state from ray
knowledge of the county and of other counties that excessive
game-preserving is not a special Shropshire grievance. I saw
it stated last year that a party had been shooting for a week in
Suffolk, and that they had not had particularly good sport,
as 1,200 head was their best day. I happened to meet a gen-
tleman who has the most thorough knowledge of Shropsliire
estates and famiUes, and I asked him on how many estates in
Shropshire he thought it possible, under the most favourable
circumstances, 1,000 head of game could be killed in one day.
He said he m-t^ not sure that there were two estates in tlie
county on whicii this coidd be made on any one day in the
season, but that his opinion was there were not more than
two at'which it could be done. If, therefore, 1,200 head is no
remarkable day for Suffolk, and 1,000 is a rarity in any part
of Shropshire, it is clear that to vest the duty of initiating
fresh legislation on game on a Shropshire member is calculated
to give a wrong impression] of the state of game-preserving
in the county. On the fate of two agricultural questions in
Parliament he would say a few words. He did so with the
satisfaction of knowing 'that on these two subjects all the
county members for Shropshire had voted together. The first
was the Metropolitan Cattle Market Bill. He supported that
bill in all its stages, but there was a member of the Central
Chamber of Agriculture present (Mr. Duckham) who might
remember that he expressed his opinion before the Central
Chamber, when they first considered the ' bUl, that Lord R.

G Q 2

486

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Montagu's bill could not possibly pass. He found many
farmers did not understand the point which was really fatal
to the bill. The opposition was successful, and the bill was
withdrawn, simply because there were uo funds to make the
market. The faulty principle of the bill was exactly analogous
to his proposing that, for the good of his constituents, a mar-
ket slwuld be built at Ludlow for the slaughter of all cattle
imported from tlie southern counties, aud that the expense of
making it sliould be paid out of the Shropshire county rate, or,
if the quarter sessions declined, tlieu the expense should be paid
by the Corporation of Ludlow. Would not any friend in such
a case liave advised him to be sure before he proposed such a
measure that one of tliese bodies would pay the expenses ?
But tliis is just what the Government did not do when they
gave tlie Metropolitan Board of Works and the Corporation of
London tlie option of paying for the market. If the market
was of national importance he never could see much use in
proceeding with the measure after Mr. Hunt had said the
Government would give no guarantee for the expenses, and he
fully believed that the reluctance of Mr. Disraeli to proceed
with the measure was solely explicable by liis knowledge wheu
lie came to consider Lord R. Montagu's bill, that to "proceed
with it must cause failure and disappointment. He wished
to state his experience of the last moments of that bill. Mr.
W«ller, secretary of the Home Cattle Defence Association — a
gentleman most assiduous in his attention to this bill — came
to him and asked him if notlung could be done to save the
bill. He told him one thing only, viz., to produce £500.000
for the market. Mr. Waller authorised him to state in the
House of Commons that he would produce the money. He
advised him to WTite and inform Mr. Hunt that he would do
so. He accordingly did, in a letter which, unfortunately, con-
tained no detailed statement of his securities for the money,
and though this statement had evidently some etfect on Mr.
Hunt, it had not sufficient to prevent the bill being withdrawn,
as he found the next morning. If Mr. Waller supplied the
money now he would no doubt assist the introduction of another
bill next session, when tlie thermometer should not again be,
as General Herbert had reminded them it was last session, at
90 deg. ; he trusted the majority in favour of tlie bill would
be again what it was then, 120. The only other question to
which he would briefly allude was the policy of licences for
brewing, as a substitute for the malt tax. It was a difficult
question, but one that required the utmost consideration, and
he lioped Chambers of Agriculture would go into the question
with brewers, public and private, and that before they did so
the evidence of the five last witnesses before the malt tax com-
mittee would be well studied aud considered. Nothing had
given him greater satisfaction in being their member than the
part he had beeu able to take in promoting these Chambers.
There were sixty-seven of them now formed, with 15,000 mem-
bers. How they could influence public opinion was beginning
to be seen by the unanimity with which the representative
principle for ratepayers was assented to in the House of Com-
mons, compared with the strenuous opposition for three years
to the application of this principle to county business when
last proposed.

Mr. DucKHAM said, a very few days ago a report was made
before the Court of Common Council, by Mr. Rudkiu the
chairman of the Jlarket Committee on the Metropolitan Cattle
Market Bill, and introducing that report, he said, " Ostensibly
the object of the agriculturists in wishing for a new foreign
cattle market was to prevent the plague extending to the
country, but their real object was conclusively shown to be to
create a monopoly for the consumption of English beef ouly."
If the farmers of England were canvassed whether they would
return to protection or whether free-trade should continue, the
majority would be vastly in favour of free-trade. He believed
that mue-tenths of the farmers of England would say " let well
alone '—that since free-trade had been the law the trade aud
commerce of the nation had flourished in such a manner that
they would be sorry to see it interfered with. His conviction
was that under God's blessing, and with a fair field and no
tavour the EugUsh farmer could compete with all the world,
i hat, lie believed, was something like the opiuiou of the
majority of farmers— at least it was the opinion of the majority
ot those he knew. A more fallacious statement was never
uttered by any man. Therefore sucli an assertion as Mr.
ttuakiu s had cast an unwarrantable imputation ou the
J'armers of England.

FROM NORFOLK.

At North Walsham : Mr. C. S. Read said they had
on the present occasion several important questions before
them, but party politics were properly excluded. He should
not break that salutary law, but, happily for them, farmers'
agricultural politics were common to both parties. He could
not resist congratulating his brother fanners ou the difference
there was now as far as agricultural politics were concerned,
wiien he contrasted what was the state some three years ago.
He very well remembered how they ran about the county tear-
ing their hair iu despair, because they could not find what
they considered an agricultural candidate, aud how, at the last
moment, in their desperation and despair, they fell back upon
liini ; but now no one solicited the honour of representing
them iu the next parliament but he told them boldly and
frankly what were his views on all the iraportaut questions
which afl'ected agriculture. Unsolicited, came forth expres-
sions of opinion not only on the malt-tax, not only on the
vexed question of rating and the representation of ratepayers
at Quarter Sessions, but also on that still more important and
pressing question of the separation of the home and the
foreign stock. If they had become better citizens it was the
duty of every one to encourage the independence of tlie far-
mer, and he was confident that in this county at least the idea
of undue territorial influence would not exist, and would not
be exerted iu any contest they were about to have, whether in
the North, South, or West ; that the aristocracy would not
only give formal permission to their tenants to vote, but would
give them that spontaneous and hearty expression which would
tell every tenant he was to exercise the franchise as a free and
independent Englishman (loud laughter) !

Lord KiMBERLEY said Mr. Read had very naturally entered
upon a question which touched them all — namely, the inde-
pendent exercise of the franchise by the voters of this county.
Now, he (tlie noble Earl) had never wished to keep his opin-
ions secret on this head. He was a liberal by conviction, and
he had always shown it by action ; but he held it to be the
undoubted right of every man to exercise his franchise as an
Englishman, according to his own opinions. It was very well
known that some persons connected with himself supported
Mr. Read at the last election, aud he could confidently ask any
man whether he saw his (Earl Kimberly's) face darker or had
been treated by him dilfereutly, because he did not happen to
vote upon the side he did. Don't let them mistake him ; his
view on this matter was clear. Business was a matter of
business ; tliey had no rigiit to mix up their business relations
with politics ; and if they sought by their business relations
with auy man to make him vote contrary to his conviction
they were guilty of a great act of oppression aud unfairness.
But at the same time — aud he should be ashamed to make the
declaration he had done, knowing that he could be contra-
dicted, if he did not practice what he preached — he was not
one who admitted that auy man, when called upon, was doing
his duty, if he did not endeavour, by every legitimate means
of persuasion, to induce his friends to vote according to his
views. Why, if they did not do this they would be mere
units. The question was — " Does a man make his business re-
lations the means of inducing a man to vote contrary
to his opinions ?" If he did not, then lie had
done all he could be caUed upon to do as an
honest Englishman. Mr. Read spoke of himself as the
agricultural candidate par excellence. Now he (Earl Kim-
berley) held that landlords aud tenants were equally interested
in agriculture, and he wished to see them represented — and he
considered he himself was represented as well as every other
man by those whom they sent to parliament as members — he
wished to see them represented by the mau best qualified, be
he landlord or tenant farmer. Some friends of his had thought
he might be annoyed at what took place at the last election in
their returning a tenant farmer ; but he was far from objecting
to their returning a tenant farmer, if they found a tenant far-
mer well able to represent them aud no man more fit ; his only
objection was this — audit was a natural one — that they elected
a Conservative and not a Liberal ; and the best wish he had
for his party was that they had a tenant farmer so able to
represent them, and who would do his duty so well, as the
tenant farmer whom the constituency elected. He (Dhe noble
Earl) liad alluded to the relations between landlord and tenant.
He had so frequently addressed them in that room — often at
much length — tiiat he should detain them but a short time on

teE FARMEiEl'S MAGAZINE.

437

the present occasion, but the mention of the relation of laud-
lord and tenant led him to say a word on a subject of great
public importance at the present time. His theory had always
been that landlords and tenants being jointly interested in the
land, the proper duty of each was very clearly defined — that
the landlord should make the permanent improvements instead
of the tenant, wlio otherwise might have to do improvements
which would last longer than his tenancy, and that the ten-
ant should have his capital unimpaired for cultivation. He
wished to make an application of this. One of the questions
most difficult to deal with at the present time was one on which
tiiey as farmers were eminently qualified to form an opinion —
namely,,the condition of the tenureofland in Ireland. He na-
turally took great interest in this question, having passed a long
time in that country. Many of the difficulties in Ireland had
arisen from the neglecting of what he held to be a cardinal prin-
ciple between landlords and tenants. In many cases the landlords
had not done their duty, by not executing tlie permanent im-
provements and leaving the tenants' capital unimpaired for
cultivation. Independently of this, the tenants who had spent
their capital in the erection of farm buildings, the draining of
lands, and many other permanent improvements, naturally con-
ceived that they had acquired over and above that ordinary
interest which they all knew a tenant had in the soil ; and
then came a question extremely difficult to deal with, so tliat
matters of contention arose between the two classes, and there
was a continual bickering between them which was destructive
to all advancement of agriculture and to all good society.
This he believed to be one of the cardinal defects which existed
in Ireland, and unfortunately it had grown np in such a long
course of years, and was so interwoven with the people, that
it was difficult for Englishmen to understand the difficulty
that exists there, and he was going to say to deal with it in a
proper way. He would not enter further into the question
than to say that he entreated them not to look upon the
question purely with English eyes ; it was absolutely impossible
to deal with Ireland upon a principle purely English — the
state of society was entirely different ; it was a state which
had grown out of a previous history so fraught witli calamities
and sad reminiscences that they could not apply absolutely the
rules and principles which govern this country and by which
they knew its prosperity had been secured. They might tend
towards them, but he was certain they would never succeed in
introducing any great improvements in that country, if they
judged everything by an English standard, and applied their
remedies accordingly.

Lord SuriiELD said Mr. Read thought it was desirable, as
no doubt it was, that the landlords should not only formally
say that .they wished their tenants to vote as they pleased,
freely and openly, but that they should really mean what they
said. He was not inclined to quarrel with this ; but he did
say that in that district it was not necessary for him to state —
for he was confident that every tenant of his in that room
knew it — that he wished them to vote according to tlieir con-
sciences. In the prospect of an arduous contest things might
be said and heard, but there was no occasion to pay any heed
to them, inasmuch as he was perfectly satisfied with leaving
himself in the hands of those who knew him. He was sure
the sentiment he had expressed was entertained by the landed
proprietors of the county generally.

Sir T. Powell Buxton asked to be permitted to touch
upon one matter of public policy which he believed was of
great public importance at the present time — of so much im-
portance that it did not approach to a party question. He re-
ferred to the incidence of taxation of different classes of men^
It appeared to him that the tone of poHtical feeling on this
subject was far from being so favourable as they should wish
it to be. Men's minds were most earnestly set in diminishing
the taxes which fell upon themselves ; they perhaps felt more
now than ever, from a variety of causes, a horror and abomina-
tion of all taxes. This Reeling was leading men to see how
they could push taxes oft' their own shoulders to those of their
neighbours. Not long ago, no doubt, most of the gentlemen
present heard, and certainly all would have read, the report of
a discussion which took place at the Chamber of Agriculture,
where a great deal was said, and most weighty arguments were
used, in favour of diminishing taxes which fell upon localities
— local, union, and other rates, and numerous rates which fell
upon the land and the occupiers of land ; and the proposition
which met favour was, that the resources of the country should

lie called upon to take the burden. This involved an increase
of the income-tax. He observed in a great many printed ad-
dresses, especially among the candidates for the metropolitan
constituencies, that there was a great outcry against " the
mischief and evil" of the income-tax ; and some were setting
up their backs against the tax, and were trying to get rid of
it. Their object was to throw it upon articles of general con-
sumption. This attempt would be met by a pretty strong op-
position from a society called the Einancial Reform Union, es-
tablished in the North, whose members were using great
influence in the direction of diminishing taxes upon articles
of consumption. He need not allude to the malt-tax or to
other questions, sach as the reduction of the duties upon tea,
sugar, and tobacco, to show them that no doubt there was a
strong feeling to diminish taxes upon articles of consumption.
If they had the income-tax lessened, and taxes upon articles
of consumption decreased, how were they to get on without
there being a further tax upon real and personal property?
Men were striving to throw off the burden from one point to
another ; but what they ought to do was to utilize that energy
and strong feeling in the direction of diminishing expenditure.
What they ought to aim at was the reduction of that ninety
millions a year which the country spent in its local, borough,
and county expenses ; and also consider the enormous cost of
their naval and military forces in some of the colonies which
were rising to independence, and would be able to take care of
themselves. He had ventured to allude to this subject be-
cause of its importance, and because it was one on which he
thought all parties ought to unite to try and carry out some
good.

Mr. Charles Buxton described an estate which he pur-
chased in Ireland, with a view to show the condition of the
land in that country, and the reluctance of the tenants to
make those improvements which were so much needed. The
treatment of the land was entirely beyond their conception ;
he found it all cut into very small pieces, as if they had been
shaken out of a pepper-box — a man having a quarter of an
acre in one place, another 150 yards off, and another 300
yards off. About one-fifth or one-sixth of the land was taken
up in banks, and his tenant, to whom he had given a thirty
years' lease, had cleared away those fences, so that he had
turned 200 fields into 10, and had drained it in such a way
as to do all his churning by water-power. He (Mr. Buxton)
did not think there was a more enterprising farmer anywhere
than he (the tenant) was, and what he had eft'eeted showed
what mi'^ht be done if the land was not subject to the cruel
and wicked treatment it received from the tenants in many
parts.

FROM ESSEX.

At DuNMOW : Mr. W. F. Clayton Glynn said a nobler
science than that of a farmer could not be found. The manu-
facturer was far from lieing in such an unselfish position. No
farmer could say that at the end of twelve months he should
have an adequate return for his labour, whereas a manufacturer
could if his machines were in order ; therefore he considered
that the man wlio conscientiously became a farmer was worthy
of the support of every one. lu Denbighshire the cow did all
the work ; they went on in a dull way from generation to
generation, which was enough to make an Essex man mad.
Has agriculture in this district prospered as it ought to do ?
What has been done for agriculture ? Does every farmer of
the district feel that he is a unit in a vast machine ? Is the
labourer better olf than he should be ? Does the tenant-farmer
know the nature of each field ; the seed each field reciuires ;
how much manure it needs ? Do they all keep accounts ?
He trusted the keeping of accounts was more in use than it
was formerly, and was belter understood. He believed Mr.
Meclii was the only man who really kept accounts. (Roars of
laughter). Well, but he did not know whether any other
man dared to throw a stone at him. He (the chairman) knew
the fanners had carried out the poor-laws ; there were cer-
tainly ex-officios, but they were getting a very lazy set. Having
been on the Finance Committee himself he would welcome
any one who would come forward to the Finance Board. Then
again the farmers must elevate themselves, because, as every-
thing was progressing rapidly, the farmer himself must pro-
gress. It would be found that farmers must educate their
children more highly, so that when they succeeded their fathers
they would be prepared for the improvements which would
take place. As to the labourer he was such a difficult topic

438

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

tliat perJi;i|)s lie liad better leave liiin alone; but they must
understand that they could not do without him, notwithstanding
machinery was so much in use. Perhaps the labourer's temper
was not what it used to be, when fustian went out and broad-
cloth came in ; and as there was said to be such a difficulty in
getting the labourers to go to church, he could only say the
church should go to them. This had had a great eifect in
London. He suggested the question whether the employer
might not spend a certain smn among his labourers when good
prices were obtained. The bankers had been in a manner
doing this, and if the farmers were to do so would not the
labourer say he had a share in the farm ? He did not know
whether this was a practical matter ; but at all events the wel-
fare of the labourer shoiJd be sought, for he aided very largely
in the production of the soil.

At OxdAR : Lord Eustace Cecil, M.P., said : I feel con-
vinced you will agree with me that the condition of the la-
bourer IS very different now to what it was thirty years ago,
when a nobleman who took an interest in the events of the
day— the Duke of Richmond, I think it was— stated in the
House of Lords that no serts in any country in the world
were worse used than our labourers, and none were worse pro-
"/^f, ^P^> ^°'"8<= fed, or worse clothed— not even the negroes
ot Africa. I believe that condition has now entirely passed
away— at least, _I hope so. I am quite sure it has in this
district. But, if the labourer's condition is improved, I think
his wants are also increased; and he now requires better edu-
cation, better food, better clothing, better living for his fa-
inily ; and there is no doubt that railways, telegraphs, and all
the inventions of modern science have acted on him as they
have acted on every other class of society. I say nothing
about his wages remaining at a standstill. I know what a
delicate subject that is ; and I believe it is very partially true,
and that it is only in some districts that it is so. I believe
that, generally speaking, the wages of the labourer have risen
twenty and thirty per cent, all over the country ; and I don't
think, theretore, there is any ground, in the district in wlrich
you live, for the remarks that have been made and the move-
ment that has been got up in some parts of the country.
±5ut stiil, I wUl say, I think the problem we have to solve—
i may say the problem of the hour— is how to enable hijii to
meet the increased expenditure which undoubtedly his better
condition and state of living so imperatively re<iuire; and I
cannot help thinking— and I throw it out merely in the form
ot a suggestion or a hint— that societies like these might very
well lend a hand in some way or another to enable the la-
bourer to provide for those fresh expenses which he is caUed
on behalf ot his family to meet— not by contributing in any
way to the support of what to my mind is a most objection-
able system, the system of trades' unions, which I observe has
been advocated at meetings in various parts of the country,
but perhaps by developing more fully what is called the co-
operative system. I cannot but believe that what the labourer
wants is the power of spending his money so as to get the real
value of it. This is no new thing. Co-operative societies
iiave been founded all over the country. We have a great
number now existing in the manufacturing North; and I
cannot see why the system should not be extended with
an immense degree of advantage to the agricultural
bouth. But if any movement of this kind is to take
place, it must come from above, and not from below; for
f, '^'f s^'p that the labourer has not the time, has not
the knowledge, does not know where to go to the cheap-
est market, and must entirely depend on those above
mm, and on those who employ him to carry out the movement,
It practical experience shows it can be carried out to his benefit.
1 Happened a day or two shice to see some statistics not very
long ago on the subject of co-operative societies. The para-
graph caught my eye ; and as it struck me as having an im-
portant bearing on the suljject on which I might have to speak
I cut It out, and I find it states that there are in yorkshireand
Ajancashire a very large number of societies already established,
ana that in the year 186? the goods sold by registered societies
in these two counties amounted to over £4,250,000. Returns
nave been received from 577 registered societies of which 128
were in Yorkshire, and 127 in Lancashire. Now, I do not
imd the name of Essex even mentioned in tliis list, but when
A look at the paragraph again I discover that there are co-
operative societies, though to a very small extent, in Essex,
and that only .^23,346 was taken for goods sold during the

past year, as compared with £264,492 in Durham, £307,765
in Northumberland, £173,243 in Cheshire, and so on — it is
not necessary to read all the numbers, for they don't very well
come in in an after-dinner speech ; but I quote them to show
that a good deal of good lias been done in many districts, and if
the movement be approved of here, as I think upon considera-
tion it will, I don't know a better work than, lending a help-
ing hand in the formation of societies of the kind, and thus
anabling the labourer to eke out the wages, good or bad, he
may receive. I think this is a matter to which gentlemen in-
terested in this society should turn their thoughts. We all of
us wish to help the society to do as much good as possible, and
I cannot help bringing my small quantum, and very small
it is, in the way of a suggestion or hint, and I sincerely hope
others will improve upon it.

Mr. Selwin-Ibbetson, M.P., was glad that the improve-
ment of the labourers' cottages had been referred to, for he
had always felt a deep interest in the subject as one having an
important bearing on the welfare of the labourer. He was
glad to see that a change for the better had for some time
been taking place in that neighbourhood and in the county
generally, and he almost wished the time might come when
the labourer here might say to them what a labourer said to
a friend of his in Durham the other day. His friend was
talking to the man about his having no cause for dissatisfaction,
for he had good wages, a good house, and so on, and his reply
was, " Well, every mon must have a hoose." (Hear and
laughter). There, in fact, the rent of a man's cottage was
considered as part of his wages, and he should like to see the
day come when in this part of the country the rent of the cot-
tage would be considered as part of the payment of the la-
bourer, and he was sure they would be able to get back the
rent in the impreved work of the labourer.

FROM SOMERSET.
At EvERCREEcn : Mr. Neville Gkenville said he might
congratulate them on having certain poHtical matters to dis-
cuss in which they were all equally concerned, and those
politics had the other day been brought before a great meeting
at Frome with much eloquence by gentlemen thoroughly ac-
quainted with the agricultural interest. Three leading points
were there introduced. Pirst, the provision of a proper mar-
ket for beasts, so that this country might run no risk of the
rinderpest or of a new murrain in our cattle. Secondly, that
during transit cattle should be properly protected, and that
care should be taken of stock during transit on railways, and
at the places of consignment; and he was quite sure that
owners of stock were great losers by over-driven and uncared-
for beasts, who so often infected whole herds with the foot-
and-mouth disease. There was also the question of local taxa-
tion, so briefly yet ably brought forward by Mr. Andrews.
The local taxes were increasing more and more, and yet we
were told that the poor-rate had not been increased. But still
it was the fact that the poor-rate we^s increasing day by day ;
and if those who had the rate did not lift up their hands to
protest against the injustice done them, they might depend
they would be taken advantage of. He had before quoted
Horace Walpole's illustration made in the House of Commons,
which was to the effect that the agricultural body were like a
flock of sheep ; you may shear them year after year, but they
would not complain. On the other hand, the manufacturers
were like the hog, which, if you touch one bristle, they will
set up such a grunting and such a roaring noise, that you are
glad to let them alone at any price. At the approach of a
contested election (a laugh) — well, he would say, a general
election — he might congratulate them on their prospects in
respect to this question. There were forty gentlemen in the
House of Commons connected with the Government who
were not like the pigs ; but if there were forty who thought
thus, there were three times forty who were anxious to keep
their present positions. What he wished to impress upon
them was the fact of the huge burden upon them, and that
each party said to the other, " It was you, and you, and you."
It was the case of Peachuin and Locket over again : " Brother,
we be both in the wrong." But having found the cause of
the excessive expenditure, it was their duty to consider by
vvhat means that expenditure could be decreased. However,
he feared they must not expect any great decrease in taxation.
John Bull was too extravagant a gentleman for that, and
there was an increase in his family every year— an example

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

■iSB

which he (the Chairman) had followed in liis own family this
year, and everyone indulging in sueh luxuries must make up
his mind to pay for them. Moreover, they owned that if John
EulFs family increased in number liis wealth also increased,
but in tliat respect he (the Chairman) differed from Mr. 13nll.
Major Paget, M.P., said the agricultural world was crying
out, and with great reason, for the more active and accurate in-
spection of stock into England, so as to save our stocks from
the enormous risks of foreign disease. Besides this, there
was another great interest gradually rising, an interest wliich
was not derived simply from one class, but from the towns as
well as the country, and wliich now asked energetically for
redress from the present system of local taxation. They told
us, not without good reason, that there were anomalies and
inequalities to he redressed, which are indefensible, and which
should no longer exist. But there was a very long way be-
tween finding out a grievance and removing it ; but he thought
this question might be grappled by the next Parliament. The
expenditure of the nation was another great question wliich
came home to all, one which must have great attention before
we could decrease the public expenditure, without also de-
creasing the public efficiency.

FROM BERKSHIRE,

At Maidenhead : Sir Charles Russell said that those
meetings were held in the main for the benefit of the labomung
class, and the condition of this class was about to engage the
attention of Parliament. He said this because " Coming
events cast their shadows before," and the other day he chanced
to meet a gentleman who was drawing up a report of the
condition of the hop-pickers, and although it was hardly fair
to class them with the agricultural labourer, because the
former really belonged to the scum of London, yet, notwith-
standing that, the condition of the agricultural labourer was
one that unquestionably required looking into. No doubt it
was more a landlord's than a tenant's question. The subject
of labourers' cottages had very much to do with this matter,
and it was not merely whether the cottages were good or other-

wise, but whether they were situated at a long distance from
the farm where the labourers were employed. He hoped that
landlords would do their best to forward education. It was
the fashion to say that agriculturists were a very grumbling-,
discontented, people, and he believed that they did enjoy a
grumble as well as other people; but grumbhug was not con-
fined to them. An umbrella-maker was once asked how he
was getting on, when he replied " How am I likely to get on
when it won't rain ?" After there had been rain the person
happened to call again on the umbrella-maker, and made the
same inquiry, when the reply was " How am I to get on P I
ain't sold a parasol all the week." He beheved agriculturists
were disposed heart and soul to go into the question of the
condition of the agricultural labourer, and in their hands he
believed it was safe.

Mr. BuLSTRODE, in alluding to steam cultivation, said those
who liave to-day watched the progress of the teams in our
field, and have examined the result of that progress in the
straight and beautifully -laid furrows, and those who witnessed,
as I did, the trials at Leicester during the last summer, and saw
the teams of magnificent horses fairly tearing themselves to
pieces, or positively stranded,in their attempts to crack the hard-
baked soil — and who saw also that same soil and subsoil rent
and shattered to double the depth, with the most perfect ease,
by the agency of steam — could scarcely fail of having the con-
viction forced upon them that, however beautiful and valuable
may be the horse-plough in its place, it cannot for one moment
compare with the steam-drawn implement, for grand efiiciency,
rapidity, and power, and therefore for economy. Proved appa-
ratus, suited to every soil and every situation, is ready to our
hands, and, depend upon it, the sooner we make it our own,
the better sliall we be prepared to face those fluctuations in the
price of wheat which we have most of us known before to our
cost, and shall doubtless know again. Strongly as I would
advocate its use, we must not trifle with steam cultivation ; it
must not be taken up as the toy of the fanciful, or the forlone
hope of the bankrupt ; but it must be regarded and used by
the practical man as his " bank of power," the bank upon
wliich to draw for his supplies of power.

THE RELATION BETWEEN LANDLORD AND TENANT.

At the annual dinner of the Boroughhridge Agricultural
Society, Sir George 0. Wombwell said : Gentlemen, in
fulfilment of my promise I shall, with your leave, read a short
paper on the relationship which I think ought to exist between
landlord and tenant. It is a delicate subject to handle, and
I am anxious not to give offence to my brother landlords or
to the tenant-farmers ; and I must ask your kind forgiveness
if my paper is not up to your expectations, as my time has
been taken up so much of late. Last night at nine o'clock I
was in London, so you see that I have had to travel all night
in order to be witli you here to-day. Now, I have no wish
to boast of what I have done, or to sound my own praises too
loudly. I am only going to give you a truthful statement of
what I have done, and my views on various subjects connected
with the question that I have been requested to write a paper
upon. I have devoted, as many of you know, a great deal of
my time for the last fourteen years to the improvement of my
estates in the North Riding, and in endeavouring to advance
the position of my tenantry. Now my first object was to make
my tenants thoroughly understand what I required of them,
and my next care was not to allow any obstacle to intervene
which might prevent my tenants from farming well, and pro-
fitably to themselves ; and by acting upon these principles, my
tenants, I have reason to believe, gained confidence, for I
have seen decided improvements in their farming every year
since we became better acquainted and better understood each
other. In my opinion there ought to he a most distinct un-
derstanding between landlord and tenant, with a feeling of
confidence and security, and unless this exists, it is impossible,
I think, tor things to go on smoothly and well, as they ought
to do, on every estate. Whilst upon this subject, with your
permission, I wiU touch upon two or three subjects connected
with nearly all estates. I have before told you that I never

permitted any obstacle to intervene to prevent my tenants
from farming well. The chief object I meant to allude to was
game. I may tell you, gentlemen, that I have seen the ill
effects of game. About twelve or fourteen years ago my estate
was overrun with hares and rabbits, and I saw directly that if
I wanted to get the estate into good order these animals must
be swept away from the face of it, so accordingly I liad them
kiUed down. Now, in saying this, I should be very sorry to
see the game laws abolished, and this for many reasons, one
reason being that if it were not for the game and shooting
many noblemen and gentlemen would never visit their estates
at all, and consequently would spend their money elsewhere,
instead of circulating it about in the locality in which they
Uved, and we all know that it is a most disastrous thing for
that estate which the owner never resides on or sees from one
year to another. Now, I like to have game in a reasonable
quantity for the purposes of pure sport, and I do not think
that a fair number of pheasants and partridges can do any
harm, because it is the ground game no doubt that does
the mischief, and therefore I am desirious of having
hares and rabbits kept down within due limits. There
are some of you who may perhaps say that it is
better to farm under an absentee landlord, and have no
game, than to farm under a resident landlord who has a great
quantity. In this I do not agree, inasmuch as, if I were a
tenant-farmer, I would a thousand times sooner farm under
the gentleman who lives amongst his tenantry, and has much
game, than he who never comes near them ; for there are, as
you know, many little things that a tenant can get from his
landlord who is resident on his estate (and this may make up
for a little damage done by the game), which he would never
get from the agents. I know no time when a landlord is so
vulnerable as when he has had first-rate sport on his farms ;

m

THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE.

and that is the time, you may depend upon it, for the tenant
to attack hira, sliould he require a little drainage or help to-
wards improvements. Let us look, gentlemen, in the next
place, on the other side of the picture. If there was no resi-
dent landlord and no game, the tenant would have to apply
for any assistance he might need to the agent, who was pro-
bably a respectable old family solicitor, living one hundred and
fifty miles away, and whose reply would be (if he condescended
to reply at all before the rent-day) that lis had orders from
the absentee proprietor not to lay out a single shilling. I may
tell you that ground game, in my opinion, is the curse of
many estates in this country and also in Scotland, and mainly
the cause of half the bad farming we see in this and other
counties. You must please to bear in mind that I allude
only to hares and rabbits; for I feel quite sure that
no tenant farmer would ever object to any quantity of par-
tridges and pheasants, so long as his landlord kept down the
ground game. I have asked my own tenants, and many large
tenant farmers in this and other counties, if they objected to
winged game ? and one and all have told me that they do not,
but, on the contrary, they like to see it, because it affords
pleasure to their landlord and his friends. The fact of game
being on the estate brings the landlord amongst his tenants ;
and on my own estates I do not hesitate to say tliat not one
of my tenants would wilfully destroy a nest. How different
this feeling would probably be, if I allowed their crops to be
eaten up ! Upon some large estates that I know the land is
let much under its real value, in consequence of the landlords
wishing to liave an immense head of game. On one fine pro-
perty in Nottinghamshire the landlord, who is a great friend
of mine, lets his land much under its rent value (and on his
estate is some of the finest laud in the kingdom), simply be-
cause he likes a great quantity of game of all kinds. The
tenants of this landlord, many of whom I am acquainted with,
have been, with their families before them, there for genera-
tions. They are men of capital and enterprise, and to all ap-
pearance a most respectable class of tenants. It is certain
that they are perfectly satisfied, and that they are glad at all
times to see their landlords ; for they come out for a day's
sport along with the shooting party. If they complained of
damages by game — which they did not — nobody, I should
think, would pity them. How different would this state of
things be, if their farms were let to them at their full value !
I do not wish to oflTend ray brother-landlords ; but my advice
to them upon this subject is, it they desire to sec their estates
and their pockets improve at the same time, not to allow
their tenants to have their produce eaten up with game, but to
be contented with good average sport. In such case, the te-
nant farmer will then be glad to see his landlord enjoying his
legitimate sport on his estate, and the landlord will also have
, the pleasure of being able to look his tenant in the face with
the satisfaction of knowing that he is not letting him his land
and stocking it himself. Now I will touch upon another sub-
ject, namely, upon the question of security. In my opinion
every tenant farmer in these days ought to ask for and have
good security for the capital he invests on his farms, either in
the shape of a well-framed yearly agreement, or a fourteen or
a twenty-one years' lease. I have often been asked
what I think of the lease, and I will tell you my
opinion respecting it, and the experience I have had
of leases on my estates. About eight years ago I found ray-
self in possession of some farms in a terribly run-out and ex-
hausted state, and as the farms became at liberty I determined
to try the experiment of granting fourteen-years' leases to the
in-coming tenants. I took care to ascertain the character of
these men, as to capital and other matters, and I selected those
whom I thought tlie most suitable. I gave one a twenty-one
years' lease, and ti\e other a fourteen years' lease, and I am
glad to say that I have never yet had cause to repent of the
step I took upon that occasion. These tenants have made
great improvements on their farms at their own expense, and
are farming now in a way that only a man can farm who knows
he has good security for the money he invests. I was told
by some of ray friends that I was making a great mistake in
introducing leases into this part of the country, and that I
sliouUl regret it. Well, so far from regretting, I shoidd now
like to show the six farms I have let upon lease to them or
to you, gentlemen, who are well-knoM-n good judges, and I frel
conhdent that both you and they would say that the experi-
ment liad proved eminently successful. Upon some large

estates that I know of the lease is unknown and unasked for, so
great probably is the confidence and goodwill and relationship
that exists between landlord and tenant ; and, in my own case,
not long ago a tenant of mine, for whom I entertain the
greatest respect, on hearing that I had granted a fourteen
years' lease, went to my agent, and asked him if he thought
Sir George would give him a lease. The agent replied that
he felt sure I would if he asked, and on hearing this the tenant
felt confidence, and said that was quite enough for him, adding
that he would not have a lease, as he was made aware that Sir
George was ready to grant him one. Now this, in my opinion,
is the sort of feeling that ought to prevail between landlord
and tenant. In these days, however, I cannot blame a farmer
of capital, skill, and energy, for asking for security. He may
have a good landlord, but that landlord is only mortal, and
may die at any time, and another king may spring up " that
knoweth not Joseph," of quite a different stamp altogether, or
the heir may be a minor, and the estates may fall into the
hands of trustees, whose duties are well known to you, and
perhaps the estate may get into Chancery. I do not mean
to say that the lease ought to be the rule, and, in my
opinion, the landlord ought to be very particular to whom he
parts with his property for a length of time. I do think there
ought to be some better security than the absurdly old agree-
ments now in use on some estates, which frequently tie down
and hamper the tenant, and prevent him farming in a pro-
fitable manner to himself, for it ought to be remembered that
no man, in these days of progress and civilization, doing well
on his farm, and being anxious to remain as tenant, will be
such a fool as to try to injure it. As to the management of an
estate a good agent is everything to most landlords, and I must
say that most fortunate am I in this respect. 13ut however
good the agent may be, there is notliing in my humble opinion
like the master' s[[eye taking a glance as to how matters are going
on, and if the landlord knows anything about the management
of his estate, and can distingiiisli between good and bad farming,
such landlord I am sure will agree with me that it is a fatal
mistake to keep a sloven upon his estate, not even if he pays
his rent with the greatest punctuality. I know well that there
are plenty ot good tenants to be got for farms on estates which
are well cared for and looked after, tenants who will not only
pay their rent regularly, but farm well and improve their farms
and also themselves, for it is a well-known fact that a man who
does well to his farm docs well at the same time to his landlord
and likewise himself. I would now say a word or two about
the labourer. After all, both landlord and tenant are muck
indebted to him, and I do think that we, as landlords and you
as tenants, do not pay that attention to his social condition we
ought to do. On many large farms that have cottages let with
them the labourer's dwelling is often most wretched, and some-
times dirtier than the buildings on wliicli the fanner houses
his stock. Anything in some people's eyes (I will not say all)
is good enough for tlie labourer, and yet how could we get on
without him, for notwithstanding the progress which has been
made in machinery we are stiU obliged to employ the labourer.
If we are, therefore, indebted to him, ought we not to devote
some of our time and care to the improvement of his condi-
tion in the scale of society ? I think that it is the duty of
every landlord to provide the labourers upon his estate with
proper dwellings. I know as well as any man, by experience,
what an unprofitable investment, in a pecuniary point of view,
the building of cottages is upon an estate ; but I am con-
vinced, and I speak from a practical knowledge on the subject,
that the landlordisintheendweU repaid in providing gooddwell-
ings for his labourers, inasmuch as although the cost may be
considerable in the first instance, as I know it is by experience
myself, yet the landlord for his outlay obtains a better class of
men, and his work is more efficiently done. To conclude my
paper, I may say in general terms that in ray opinion the right
feeling which ought really to exist between landlord and ten-
ant is a confidence on the part of the tenant that lie is safe on
his farm, and never likely to be disturbed, either by having his
rent raised or his land taken from hira, so long as he farms weU
and keeps liis house, buildings, and everything belonging to
the farm in good order and repair ; and on the other hand a
feeling on the part of the landlord that he has a good tenant,
and that he would be sorry to lose him. Depend upon it, and
I speak from experience, that when this proper feeling exists,
everything will work well, the tenant will prosper as he ought
to do, and make money, and the landlord will have the pleasure

I'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

441

of seelnff his estate going on improving, and becoming more
valuable ever day.

Mr. Brogden would just make oue remark with respect to
game, as to which he agreed in the main with the hon. Baro-
net. He should prefer having a farm upon lease, at a fair
rent, whea the game was kept under, than pay a low rent with
the game lu abundance.

Mr. Jacob Smith said that Sir George Wombwell had taken
up the question so fully that scarcely any room was left for
further observations, and he seemed to be more in favour of
tlie tenant farmers than the landlords. If a tenant farmer had
delivered the address he could not have put the case of the
tenant more strongly than the hon. Baronet had done. With
Sir George's remarks upon game he generally agreed, and he
felt quite satisfied that in England non-resident landlords would
be a curse to the country. The state of Ireland he attributed
to absenteeism on the part of landlords. He hoped that laud-
lords would not be so selfish of their own pleasure as to have
an excess of game on their estates. A superabundance of
ground game was most injurious to the community, and it
tended to lessen the supply of bread. He, therefore, trusted
that for the sake of a few days good sport landlords would not
encourage to an undue extent the ground game. The question
of leases was rather of a ticklish character, and it could be
viewed in different lights. There was an immense difference
now in farming to what was the case thirty or forty years ago,
as now-a-days double the capital was required, and therefore
the tenant stood in need of greater security. A good yearly
tenancy upon a large estate with a liberal-minded landlord
might answer better than a lease, but then it must be remem-
bered, as Sir George had said, that a good landlord might die
unexpectedly, his property might come into the hands of a
diU'ereut kind of landlord, or it might go into the hands of
trustees, or perhaps into Chancery, and the tenant might be
placed in difficulty. He thought that a tenancy with good
I security had its advantages, but a lease was the safest in the

^ long run. Tenant right upon paper seemed all very well, but

he travelled over parts of the country where tenant right was
much in fashion, but he had never seen good farming with it.
The county of Surrey, in which tenant right prevailed, was
very badly farmed. An objection to leases was that the ten-
ants having them did not pay proper respect to their landlords
like yearly tenants, but he did not think such was the case. A
lease was safe for the landlord as well as the tenant, and it was
well, as Sir G. Wombwell had done, to intiuire into the charac-
ter of a tenant before a lease was granted to him.

Mr. EoKD said he must take exception to the remarks of
Mr. Smith relative to tenant-right. In North Lincolnshire
tenant-right was the general rule, and the lease was there un-
known. The regular system of farming there was regulated
according to tenant-right, which answered remarkably well, and
was thorouglily appreciated, compensation being allowed for
drainage, liming, and other things. If the farmers had a lease
offered to them it would not be accepted. He hoped the re-

marks made by Sir G. 0. Wombwell would be extensively cir-
culated through the press, and bear fruit a liundred fold to th e
benefit of the tenant-farmers of this country.

Sir G. 0. Wombwell said lie agreed with the remarks of
Mr. Brogden, observing that if he were a tenant he had rather
pay a larger sum per acre for his land which had little game
upon it, than take a farm at £2 per acre worth £3, where the
game was numerous. At the same time a landlord had a right
to let his laud at £2 per acre under such circumstances, and a
tenant who took a farm of this sort with his eyes open had
no cause to complain if he was damaged by game, seeing that
he paid a low rent.

Mr. Scott said that about nine months age a list of the

lectures for the year 1868 was published, since which time he

had frequently been asked by landowners and others how Sir

George would get out of the difficulty of disposing of the subject

that he had undertaken. Now he thought that Sir George had

done so most satisfactorily, and at the same time he liad spoken

in an unreserved manner ; but he believed that Sir George had

done more towards the improvement of his estates than any

other landlord in the county, and therefore he was more at ease

in dealing with this subject than most landlords would have

been. With respect to the game question there was but one

opinion amongst well-thinking farmers, namely, that nothing

gave them greater pleasure than to see their landlords and

friends have good sport whenever they shot over their farms,

and that they had no objections at all to keep a good show of

birds and hares ; but to have their fences, their expensive

drains, and their embankments uprooted and spoilt by rabbits

was what soured the majority of farmers, and he was sure that

if the latter were kept down, complaints would scarcely be

heard of. He believed that farms generally held under leases

were better farmed, and that such circumstances were scarcely

ever abused by the lessee ; on the other hand he thought that

the generaUty of our landed proprietors were to be trusted,

and would not quit a tenant without sufficient cause, yet there

were instances where great injustice had been done in this

way. He thought that most of the farm agreements were as

objectionable and unbusiness-like as they well could be, and

some of them were drawn-up without regard to practical

matters, and so framed that it was impossible for a tenant to

fulfil the conditions thereof, and he thought that nothing was

more needed than a fair agreement binding alike the landlord

and tenant. With respect to tenant-right he had observed

that in several counties where it existed, superior farming

generally prevailed, and he should be glad to see its operations

more extended.

Mr. ToiiD expressed the pleasure he felt at the admirable
paper read by Sir G. O. Wombwell, who had given utterance
to sentiments which would be appreciated by the whole of the
farmers of the district. He moved that the thanks of the
society be given to the hon. baronet and entered on the minutes.
Mr. Jacob Smith seconded the motion, and it was adopted
by acclamation.

WHEAT SOWIKG.

The autumnal rains which have fallen so copiously on
the previously parched and crackiuR soil, have acted
most favourably in bringing it into the best possible con-
dition for the reception of the seed of this the most valu-
able and important of the cereals. The grand crop of
the present season, even although the price is a compara-
tively moderate one, will make the acreable return con-
siderable ; and, consequently, farmers will be induced to
get as much land seeded with wheat as their arrange-
ments and the state of their land will permit. Already
we find there are men proposing to take wheat after
wheat, and even after barley and oats, the latter being
unusual, although by no means unprecedented. Taking
wheat after barley is but reversing a very ordinary course,
and one that, while holding out manifest pecuniai'y ad-
vantages to the fai'mer following it, does no injury to the
land. When the preceding green crop has been treated

with liberality the soil after the barley is still in excellent
condition for being laid down to grass ; the clover doing
splendidly, and affording as good cuttings as if it had been
sown with the first crop. Providing the land possesses
good natural stamina it is difficult to see how wheat would
not do quite as well after barley as barley after wheat, of
the two the latter being the least exhaustive. Local in-
fluences have frequently a good deal to do with the suc-
cess of particular crops, hence a departure from the usual
rotation may be perfectly successful, and, consequently,
admissible in one district ; while in another the same ex-
periment would be totally unsuccessful. Oats diiferfrom
barley thus far : that the land on which they are grown
is not generally in such good mannrial condition, and,
therefore, when wheat is attempted after this ci'op it can
only be done under exceptionally favom-able circumstances^
The suitable conditions for obtaining successfid results,

442

THE FAEMEB'S MAGAZINE.

wlieu sucli a deviation as lliis is attempted, ai*e found when
the oat crop which the wheat succeeds has beeu grown on
rich, or even on only moderately rich, grass land, which
has been broken up for the lirst time after having lain to
pasture for several years. The half-rotten skin aids, by
its gradual decomposition, the growth of the wheat plant
in all the different stages of its growth, and proves quite
capable of nourishing the crop until it arrives at the
period of maturity. We have proved this experimentally,
under the exact conditions uow stated, having grown a
field of wheat after oats about ten years ago. The soil
was light, portions of it rather thin and brashy, and very
stony ; yet the straw was exceedingly tall and strong,
bulking largely, and the produce in marketable grain of
the very shiniest and best quality, so near four quarters to
the statute acre that at 60s. a quarter it made within the
merest trifle of £12. This crop was assisted by a dress-
ing of uitro-phosphate, costing about 30s. per acre, har-
rowed in with the seed, the latter being sown broadcast
at the rate of as nearly as possible 2i bushels per acre.
We have never repeated the experiment, not, however,
from its non-success, the very opposite in our opinion
being the case ; but simply because, apart from its
interfering with existing arrangements, a crop of
swedes grown with artilicial manure is better farming,
let the land be ever so rich, and pays better both for the
present and in the future. So much of the fallow-break,
even on heavy clays, being now occupied with green crop,
and time having to be allowed for theii' coming to ma-
turity, and also for their removal to some convenient
place to be stored for the winter, November has become of
late years the principal month for wheat-sowing. The
present season, however exceptional in many of its
phases, and presentiug as it has done so many disturbing
influences to the ordinary farm routine, is still true to its
character, and a considerable breadth of land on which
turnips had been sown, and, fi'om the excessive dryness of
the season, proved a failure, has been already seeded with
wheat. Although on those soils favourable to the growth
of the turnip there has been a marked improvement on
the crop since the rain, yet on much of the heavy soils so
complete has been the failure that there was actually
nothing on the land to prevent the seed-furrow being
given save a lew miserable tops, fit for no purpose but
that of being thi'own on the pastures for the sheep to
pick at, and of but little use even for that. The latter
half of October, and the whole of November, would seem
to be the period indicated by Nature for wheat-sowing, as
when then sown there is much greater surety for the crop ;
it is better filled, and heavier, and sounder in every way
than is the case generally speaking when the sowing has
been delayed until December, unless the season is exceed-
ingly favourable. This of course refers to those wheats
suited for autumn-sowing only ; as there are certain va-
rieties of wheat which do admirably for spring- sowing,
superseding barley on land in high niannrial condition,
where the latter would be in danger of rotting, or at
least becoming so much injm'ed as to produce but a poor
return. If at all possible, some little time should be
permitted to elapse between the giving of the seed-
furrow and the sowing of the seed, a certain amount
of firmness, and even solidity, being highly essential
to its future well-doing. This feature in the character of
the wheat-plant was well illustrated in Ireland during
the palmy days of the potato, when the lazy bed system
was almost the only way in which this crop was grown.
Whatever the rotation followed, the potato invariably
took the first place, the grass being ploughed just as light
as could well be managed into narrow beds, and the sets
inserted in the soil through holes cut with the long-
handled spade peculiar to the country. By the time the
potatoes were lifted the grass was only half-rotted, and

covered the surface in little lumps, abounding witii all
the constituents of plant-life. Wheat always followed
the potato, and throve amazingly even on the lightest
land, the firm bottom and decaying matter abounding in
the soil being eminently conducive to its vigorous and
successful growth. On farms where this system is still
continued, the superiority of the wheat crop on the
thinner soils is easily perceptible, one great advantage
being that it is not nearly so liable to injury from the
vicissitudes of the weather as when grown on land ren-
dered porous and open by one or two years' extra working.
There are many favourite modes of seeding the land with
wheat ; and much diversity of opinion exists as to the
quantity which should be given per acre. Whilst the
most forward and pain's-taking agriculturists of the pre-
sent day confine themselves to 1 bushel per statute
acre, considering it ample, and showing, without the
shadow of a doubt, by the excellence of the crops they
raise that it is so, the great bulk of British farmers
continue to sow fi'om 2-} to 3 bushels ; and comparatively
few converts are made to the thin-sowing system, not-
withstanding the large amount of publicity courted by its
advocates and followers. The broadcast-machines, as now
constructed, deposit the seed with unfailing precision,
and are a great improvement on the hand-sowing system,
as, however small the quantity of seed used, it can be
distributed over the surface with the utmost regularity.
The di-ill-machine is an improvement on the broadcast ;
inasmuch as the soil can be cleaned and aerated by the
use of the hoe during the growth of the crop, thus ren-
dering it two important services ; and the land, at the
same time, is materially served by being freed from the
presence of annual and other weeds. Unless the hoeing
is properly performed, it is of but little use getting a drill,
or attempting to raise a full crop of wheat on the minimum
quantity of seed, as, under ordinary conditions, it can only
result in failm'e, the weeds, fi'om the thinness of the plant,
having abundance of both light and air to enable them to
do battle successfully with the cereals. Many men, from
neglect of this, have become discouraged at the very out-
set, and condemned a good principle as a failure — at least
on such land as they themselves farm — solely on account
of their omitting to carry out the necessary details re-
quired for profitable cultivation. A great deal also lies
with having a proper drill ; the use of an inefficient im-
plement by a beginner being quite enough of itself to
drive him from again trying the system for years. If
the drill is not sufficiently powerfid. to lay the seed
to the proper depth, much disappointment will result
at the ingathering of the crop, as the straw wiU
be unhealthy, and the ears, although large, soft, and
flabby, sadly deficient in both quantity and quality.
It is true economy to get a drill of the best construction
at the very outset ; although the first cost is high, it
amply repays itself in the end. It first of all does the
work properly ; and second, is of general utility : sowing
turnips, mangolds, and even carrots on the flat, and doing
all in such a superior manner as to leave nothing to be
desired in the shape of improvement. A beginner, to
satisfy himself of the improved results to be obtained by
using the drill, could, before investing his money, borrow
one from a neighbour, and sow a field or portion of a
field with it ; or hire one, which can easily be done in
many districts, and then he is able to decide from practical
experience on his own fields whether it suits him or not.
To obtain a successful braird, and healthy growth after-
wards, wheat requires a moderately-good covering, seldom
doing well on light land when simj^ly harrowed in. If
frosts occur, many of the plants get thrown out, and
unless the maximum quantity of seed has been used, the
crop stands in great danger of failure, often requiring to
be ploughed up, and a spring crop substituted. To secure

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

443

the necessary amount of covering, it is excellent policy
when the seed is sown broad-cast to harrow down the
last furrow, sow on the smooth surface, and cover in with
the small seeding plough. Each horse will cover in about
an acre, so that the extra expense is not much, and the
improvement great, there being almost no danger of the
plants being thi'own out by frost when they have such a
firm hold of the ground as this mode gives them. On
small farms, where the land was in a very fine state as
regards tUth, and the help not over abundant, so as to
overtake any extras of this sort, we have seen excellent
work made by having a plough with a hinge across the
centre of the mould-board, with which to give the seed
furrow. The outer edge of the board being turned in a
little to the plough, the furrow is not closed completely,
a small groove being left, iuto which the seed falls, and
wheu coming up it has all the appearance of having been
drilled, which i^ reahty it was, though without the aid of
a machine. This method of sowing wheat can only be
adopted, as will readily be seen, when the land is exceed-
ingly fine, and occurs mostly on land which, being near a
good market for the sale of potatoes, is seldom permitted
to be long enough in grass to acquire any amount of

solidity. To grow wheat successfully, it is necessary that
the land, whether light or heavy, should be in good
manurial condition, and if any portion of a field has not
been over well treated for the green crop, a little well-
rotted yard dung, or a slight dressing of town manure
will well repay the expenses incurred in its application.
If these are not to be had conveniently, a quantity of
fresh mould dug out from the edge of the headland,
when it can be had, and gpread over the lighter parts
of the field, will greatly assist the growing crop,
rendering if more even, and prevent it in a great
measure from withering off in the event of a lengthened
drought. Portable manures, rich in ammonia, are pecu-
liarly efficacious in promoting the growth of wheat, and
Peruvian guano and nitro-phosphate on that account
form excellent fertilizers. Some men apply at the time
of sowing ; but, in general, if the winter is mild, there
is considerable danger of too luxuriant a growth being
induced, and it is therefore considered better policy to
delay its application until the spring. When put on,
then, its effects are immediate; the colour changing at
once into a rich dark green, the plant tillering out,
and starting into vigorous growth.

SALES OF STOCK.

THE KILLHOW SHORTHORN SALE.

BY MR. STRAPFORD.

The Nunwick and Blencow sales in the east of Cum-
berland are now fairly matched by those at Brayton and
KiUhow in the west. Mr. Foster's herd was not of long
standing, but he had bought with great care and spirit,
and the presence, more especially, of old Moss Rose and
two of the Princess tribe made it certain that the sale
would have a large following from the south and else-
where. The list was strengthened by four bulls from
the Duke of Devonshire's herd, to wit. Baron Oxford 3rd,
from the 600-guinea Lady Oxford 5th, a level stylish
beast, but rather light of flesh ; Windermere, of the Wild
Eyes tribe, of fine colom- and quality ; Dunkeld, from the
Blanche tribe, thick, and with good hair; and Seven-
teenth Duke of Oxford, from Grand Duchess of Oxford
9th, a straight-topped calf, and a little plain at the tail-
head. The respective purchasers were Lord Kenlis
(250 gs.), Mr. Hunt (105 gs.), Lord Zetland (130 gs.),
and Mr. George Moore (100 gs.), for a friend whose
name did not transpire.

Killhow is situated about five miles from Wigton, to
whose Farmers' Club Professor Voelcker, at Mr. I'oster's
invitation, delivered a very interesting lecture upon
manures and feeding-stuffs, which was enlivened at last
by some interesting facts as to a vegetable and meat diet
in the cases of men in general, and of Mr. William Lawson
of the Co-operative Farm at Blennerhasset in particular.
Both sects had full scope next day, as friends and neigh-
bours were all welcome at Killhow, and no less than eight
hundred sat down to a lunch in a tent hard by the sale-
ring. Sir Wilfrid Lawson took the chair, and in the few
well-chosen sentences in which he sjjoke to Mr. Foster's
worth as a friend and neighbour received the fullest in-
dorsement from the company, when that gentleman pre-
sented himself to reply. The spot was a very beautiful
one, with the massive white stone turrets of Mr. Foster's
new home in the bacii-ground, and Skiddaw looking down
upon many a deep valley aud silent tarn in the far dis-
tance. The quiet dalesmen trudged to the scene of action,
and made quite a day of it ; and the agricultural worthies

of Cumberland, headed by Tom Gibbons, might be seen
seated round the ring for four long hours, cheering
whenever the biddings rose to fever-heat, and smoking
their " churchwardens" in supreme enjoyment. The
buj^rs and bidders from a distance composed Lord Kenlis,
Lord Duumore, Lord Feversham, Lord Zetland, Messrs.
Clayden, Cheney, Lynn, Lawson, Gell, Lace, Adcock,
Balmers, Culshaw, Sheraton, Roper, Slye, Simmons,
Atkinson, Bamford, and others.

PoUy Gwynne, a large, sweet-looking cow, the very
type of old Elvu'a, except in colour, and bearing her
fifteen years bravely, made 28gs., or a guinea advance
upon what was originally paid for her. Old Fairlight,
a particularly short-legged and massive cow, but rather
gaudy behind, had to bate 23gs. of what she cost at Clif-
ton Pastures ; and the low and lengthy Lady Oxford 12gs.
of her Lawford price. Moss Rose then entered the ring,
looking remarkably well for ten years and a quarter.
Mr. Drewry started her at a hundred, and Lord Kenlis,
Mr. Brogden, Mr. Clayden, Mr. Davies, and Mr. Slye
soon drove her along up to 800. At that point
Mr. Davies was left in, and a series of ten-guinea
bids between him and Mr. Strafford, who held a commis-
sion for Mr. Leney, resulted in the mother joining her
daughter in the Mere Old Hall herd. The old cow has
now been sold four times — for 260gs. as a calf at Cobham,
for 245gs. at Mr. Hales's, for 230gs. at Mr. Betts', and
now for 400gs. Tm-k's Darling, a deep massive cow, with
quite the frame for a Smithfield Club winner, became
Lord Kealis' at 75gs. ; and his Lordship had to fight
hard for the next lot. Duchess Gwynne, another of the
thick good sort which Mr. Foster always went for. Mr.
Thornton made a couple of bids, but Mr. Brogden and his
Lordship were soon left alone, and it ended in favour of the
latter at ISOgs. Their positions were reversed at another
close finish, when the good-loined Princess 2nd was soon
after knocked down, amid loud cheering, for 300gs. The
return match between the pair was fought out over Princess
3rd, by Fawsley Baronet from Princess 2nd, a nice heifer,
with a sweet head, but rather drooping behind, and ended
in favour of his Lordship at 330gs. Mr. Foster only paid
71gs. fpr her at the Havering Park sale last year. Oxford

444

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Lily (85gs.) was a very clever yearling, and Mr. George
Moore, who bid most perseveriugly for several of the lots,
took her for 85gs. Fantail 4th, a lengthy, deep-fleshed
heifer, with rare crops, but with a slight tendency to go
in the back, brought out some capital biddings, and Mr.
Stewart eventually bought her for Mr. Fawcett of Scaleby.
Countess Gwynne had a very neat forequarter, and Sir
Wilfrid put her in. at 80, but Mr. Brogden, whose plat-
form had broken down, " under the weight of the brass,"
bid as hard as ever from thebox of a neighbouring barouche,
and added her to his store at 240gs. There were no more
female purchases of importance, and the average for the
56 was £67 16s. 9d.

Royal Cambridge by Grand Duke 4th from Moss Rose,
and a private purchase for 200 gs. from Mr. Betts headed
the bulls. He is now nearly three years old, very mas-
sive and level, but still showing his hind legs the effects
of early forcing. There was some good bidding for him,
but Sir Wilfrid's mind was made up, and at 240 gs. the
royal roan was bound to the Brayton pastures, where he
will no doubt beget many royal Doras and Fops, if the
" Darlings" and " Flirts" are worthy of him. His own
brother Royal Cumberland was sent for next, out of his
turn, and his hue promise at seven months, and especially
good long quarters, tempted Mr. Fawcett at 160 gs.
Fop, from Flirt, was a very useful young bull, and Mr.
Blackstock also kept him in the neighbourhood at 65 gs.
Ten bulls averaged £64 13s. 7d. The principal buyers
beyond Mr. Davies, who had fulfilled his mission when he
took Moss Rose, were Lord Zetland (2), Lord Dunmare
(2), Lord Kenlis (10), Sir Wilfrid Lawson (10), Mr. S.
Moore (4), Mr. Brogden (4) ; but Mr. Cheney only bid
once. Moss Rose's two sons made, conjointly, just as
much as herself, and the old cow was sel'vcd on July 13th
by Tenth Grand Duke. The average of the four Fantalls
was 63 gs., and the two Princesses 315 gs., and
the three Gwynnes 149 gs. The whole proceeds of the
sale were £4,445 14s., which gives the excellent average
of £67 7s. 9d. for sixty-sis head. With the exception of
a slight shower the weather, till within a few minutes of
the end, was unexceptionable, and a large number of
Shorthorn visitors sojourned at Carlisle to be off betimes
to Scaleby Castle next morning .

THE SCALEBY SHORTHORN SALE.

BY MR. STRAFFORD.

Mr. Fawcett's herd is of long standing in the district,
but although containing many very useful animals, it
lacked that fashion which made the great attraction at
Killhow. Much of the stock could be traced to a cow
Butterfly that had been purchased by the advice of Mr.
Bates, of Kirklevington, where Mr. Fawcett was a pupil.
He had, however, always adhered to the old Elvira stock
of the " Princess" blood, and the earliest bulls were all
bred from that family. Later on he used bulls from
Kirklevington or of Bates's blood ; Disraeli (10125), was
one of the best, and Fourteenth Duke of Oxford (21605)
had been in use for the last four years, and now headed
the buUs. The sale consisted mainly of a selection from
the large herd, and the 71 animals sold averaged within
a few shillings of £30 each. The cows were quite of a
type level and straight, with much style and good udders,
several with capital calves at their side. 48 gs., the
highest price for a female, was given by Mr. Drewry for
Elvira lOh, a nice square weU-made cow ; and he also
took Lady Butterfly Princess for 46 gs. Mr. Foster, of
Ivillhow, bought half-a-dozen young cows and heifers by
way of stock in the place of the herd just sold, and three
tine young heifers found a customer in Mr. Brierley, of
Rochdale, at 46 gs., 37 gs., and 26 gs., respectively, to go

as companions for the unbeaten Bolivar. Mr. Binning
Home purchased three, which will find fresh pasture on
the banks of " Bonnie Doon." Eliza (29 gs.) a nice one
and a capital breeder goes with Queen 5th (35 gs.) to
Mr. Beattie, of Newby House, by the Solway's side, and
Mr. Sheraton bought Antonia 4th, to go into Shropshire.
Messrs. Parker, Highfield, Wilson, Bell, Todd, Richarson,
Norman, Thompson, Senhouse, and Head were the prin-
cipal county customers.

Fourteenth Duke of Oxford, a thick good bull, and the
sire of all the two-year-old and younger animals, was put
up at 25 gs., and went on slowly at single guinea bids up
to 71 gs., at which sum he was bought by Mr. Hether-
ington. Among the fourteen bulls, which averaged just
30 gs., Mr. Topham bought Duke de Morny, shown at
Wetherby, for 55 gs. : two made 38 gs. a-piece, and Duke
of Edinburgh, a dark roan, useful animal, fetched 40 gs.
from Mr. Johnson. Theremainingportion ef thelarge herd
was in a field some little distance from the place of sale,
and the several good lots which Mr. Fawcett has of late
purchased tempted many to go and see them. A Sera-
phina heifer and some " Sylphs" wei'e of much promise,
and with Royal Cumberland will form the nucleus of a
fine herd. About eleven years since 84 head were sold
from the herd at an average of £20 5s.

SALE OF THE BEAUMONT SHORT-
HORNS,
BY MR. STRAFFORD.

Scarcely a sixth of the number of the KUlhow com-
pany came to bid or witness the dispersion of Mr.
Slye's 29 head, at Beaumont Grange ; and save a few
s, there wa^ but little attraction in the pedigrees,
moug the sixteen cows and heifers, were three of the
arniey Millicent family, which were all bought by Mr.
.Tohn Hetherington for 95 gs. the lot, and go to form
another herd, with Fourteenth Duke of Oxford, at Middle
Farm, Brampton. Royal Charmer 3rd, a thick and deep
seven-months-old red heifer, of the Sylph tribe, and
Duchess of Lancaster, a square and straight six-months-
old roan heifer, descended from Mason's No. 25,
were the only two really attractive females. The first
brought out some spirited bidding. Mr. Thornton, on
the part of Mr. George Adkins, put her up at 25 gs., and
with Mr. Willingham Fowler went along till 55 gs. were
reached : at this point, Mr. Adcock, of Farndish, and
Mr. Culshaw came in against Mr. Fowler up to 100 gs.,
and then Lord Kenlis bid 105 gs. Mr. Fowler, how-
ever, was not to be beaten, and ultimately got the heifer
at 115 gs., for Mr. George Savill, of Ingthorpe. Similar
opposition took place for Duchess of Lancaster, Mr.
Clayden being among the bidders ; but Mr. Fowler also
got" this calf for Mr. Savill at 110 gs. Much difference
of opinion prevailed as to the merits of the two. The
Towneley and Farnley representatives were said to be for
the red; but Mr. S. E. Bolden went in for the roan as
being the one likely to make the better cow. The aver-
age, which had stood at 23 gs., was soon shot up to £36
16s. 4d. for the 16 females. The bulls ranged from 8 to
50 gs. each, Golden Duke selling for the highest price,
50 gs., to Mr. W. T. Rothwell. Snowball, a good white
calf, runniag down to Chas. CoUing's Countess, fetched
41 gs., and the deep, thick, red Sir William Gwynne only
made 46 gs. to Mr. Walker. Fawsley Baronet, a descend-
ant of the Fawsley Fillet, could only be got up to 38 gs.
to Mr. Parker after much exertion, and with his good head
and capital coat seemed remarkably cheap at the price.
Mr. Sturgeon bought a cow and two bull calves, to go into
Essex, at"20 gs. a-piece ; and Mr. R. L. Fell took a year-
ling bull and heifer to Cork for 42 gs.

Mr. Strafford had the most favourable weather until

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

U6

ust as Mr. Slye's sale began, when a fierce storm of wind
and rain arose, to the discomfiture of the company, who
departed immediately the proceedings had closed.

SALE OF MR. RICH'S SHORTHORNS,

AT DIDMARTON.

BY MR. STRAFFORD.

This sale took place oa October 14th, when the first half of

the herd was offered, consequent on Mr. Rich leaving his farm

at Didmarton. There was a very large attendance, and a very

good sale ; 48 cows and heifers realising £3,531 3s., and 10

young buUs £481 19s., or upwards of £4,000 for the 58 head,

and nearly £70 average. The stock, which showed in very

good condition, is mainly of Bates' blood, and Mr. Strafford's

heart was of course in his work. The remainder of the herd

will be sold in the spring of nest year. The picked lots so

far, it will be seen, go to Mr. Leney, in Kent ; and some of

the lower priced stock will, it was rumoured, go to Egypt.

Cows AND Heifers. gs.

Duchess of Beaufort, Mr. Larking 34

Serairamis, Mr. Peasey 01

Hollyberry, Mr. Larking 37

Waterloo 28th, Mr. Leney 270

Florentia 2nd, Mr. Larking 53

Ketura 3rd, Mr. Peasey 50

Rose of Glo'ster, Lord Fitzhardinge 37

Florentia 4th, Mr. Hosegood 40

Kirklevington 12th, Mr.Leney 380

Petu, Mr. Dausey 50

Ursula 13th, Mr. Williams 45

Ursula 14th, Mr. Larking 60

Florentia 5th, Mr. Carter 51

Sylvan Queen, Hon. C. W. Fitzwilliam 52

Wild Wave, Mr. Savage 31

Flora M'lvor, Lord Kemis 120

Florentia 6th, Mr. Larking 86

Ursula 16th, Mr. Hosegood 56

■ Florentia 7th, Mr. Downing 110

Ursida 16th, Mr. Butler 50

Elfin Queen, Mr. Edmonds 45

Fair Maid of York, Lord Kenlis 70

Yewberry, Mr. AUen 45

Belvoir BeU, Lord Fitzhardinge 53

Elderberry, Mr. Larking 48

Florentia 10th, Hon. C. Fitzwilliam 130

Enchantress, Mr. Thayer 66

Florentina 11th, Mr. Downing 91

Tyriau Belle, Mr. Roper 50

Florentia 14th, Mr. Roper 92

Ursula 23rd, Mr. Downing 60

Prairie Flower, Mr. C. Simmons 36

Star of Eve, Lord Fitzhardinge 71

Empress Maude, Mr. Thayer 40

Guefder Rose 4th, Lord St. Germans 55

Ursula 24th, Mr. Playne 71

Ursula 25th, Mr. Williams 46

Florentia 15th, Mr Williams 75

Florentia 16th, Mr. Larking 36

Florentia 17th, Hon. C. Fitzwilliam 55

Ursula 26th, Mr. Larking 27

Carolina 7th, Lord Kenlis 130

Silver Spray, Captain Blathwayt 31

Florentm 19th, Mr. Downing 90

Ursula 28th, Mr. J. K. Fowler 61

Ivy berry. Captain Blathwayt 30

Florentia 20th, Lord Fitzliardinge 45

Ursula 29th, Mr. Butler 41

Bulls.

Second Duke of Waterloo, Mr. Adcock 55

Faustulus, Mr. Larking 45

Duke of Monmouth, Mr. Larking 51

Prometheus, Mr. Hosegood 36

Baron Waverley, Lord Fitzhardinge 70

Baron of Glo'ster, Mr. Kyte 41

Prince Ulric, Mr. Fowle 30

Count Kenric, Right Hon. S. Eastcourt 59

Duke of Brout«, Mr. Roberts 40

Duke of Freshwater, Marquis of Lansdowue .., 32

THE CENTRAL SALE OF SHROPSHIRE

SHEEP AT BIRMINGHAM.

BY MR. LYTHALL.

In some imitation of Mr. Preece's Shropshire sales at
Shrewsbury, Mr. LythaU is establishing similar gather-
ings in Bingley Hall, Birmingham, where he announced
another "great" day in a catalogue which in-
cluded sheep from the following breeders : — Lord Wen-
lock, Lord Willoughby de Broke, Mr. S. Byrd, Messrs.
Beach, Mr. G. Coleman, Mr. D. R. Dav'ies, Mr. W.
Dester, Mr. J. Dugdale, Mr. E. Glover, Mr. Ivens, Mr.
W. Lort, Mr. E. Lythall, Mr. A. A. Morrall, Mr. T.
Nock, Mr. PL Smith, Mr. E. Tongue, Mr. E. Umbers,
Mr. W. Wiuterton, Mr. H. Wiggiu, and Mr. W. Yates,
In some further imitation of his great original, Mr.
Lythall indulges in a certain flow of eulogistic commentary,
to which, indeed, it appears the Shropshire is inevitably
subjected. We learn accordingly that these sheep " pos-
sess great hardiness of constitution, thriving in almost
every variety of climate and on every description of soil"
— that "their mutton is of excellent quality" — that
" they attain a great weight at an early age, without ex-
pensive food" — and that " they carry a heavy fleece of fine
quality and good staple ;" while the ewes " are most pro-
lific breeders, and well adapted for crossing purposes."
Mr. Lythall goes on to speak of " the true attributes of
the Shropshires, which have earned for the breed its pre-
sent popular position," although any such character was
not very strikingly illustrated by the animals about to
come before him. One of the chief attributes of the
Shropshire sheep, as tested by the specimens sent in to
this sale, would be a want of uniformity. Some were
great coarse useful rams with big heads and dark faces,
standing all in a row, side by side, with neat trim grey-
visaged Downs, and others that looked outright quite as
much like Oxfordshire Downs as anything else. A glance
through the several lots went to assure one that it was
not a very extraordinary collection, with, if any ex-
ception were to be made, more especially in favour of Mr.
Nock's thick sorty good-coated rams. Lord WiUonghby
de Broke also sent some roughish serviceable lengthy ani-
mals; but Lord Wenlock's flocks do but little credit
to the care with which they have been cultivated.
Mr. Henry Smitli, again, does not shine so much with
rams as with his Royal ewes and Christmas wethers;
but Mrs. Beach showed some smart, well-bred, but not too
highly-bred, rams ; whereas Mr. Davies, of Mere Old
Hall, was not in form, as his entries seemed weak and
poor, though all " descended purely fi-om prize blood."
Taken generally, the rams were in pretty good condition ;
but some of the ewes were in a terrible state, and it was
difficult to understand how they were suffered to face the
public unless under force of circumstances and a stress of
hard weather.

Mr. Preece, at Shrewsbury, with a punctuality that
should and shall stand in the way of a good example,
keeps his announced time to a minute : Mr. Lythall, at
Birmingham, does, alas ! nothing of the kind. The title-
page of the catalogue stated that the sale would commence
at eleven o'clock ; and it was half-past twelve before the
auctioneer entered his box. For an hour or so, previously,
people were wandering about with their watches in their
hands, asking each other when " it was going to begin ?"
so that nothing could well be flatter or tamer. As the
hall is opened an hour or two earlier, there seems to be
no valid reason why Mr. Lythall should not keep to his
eleven o'clock time at Birmingham, if Mr. Preece and
his company can be ready by ten precisely at Shrewsbury.
More curiously still, in his introductory remarks, Mr.
Lythall impressed upon his audience the value of time,
for many, as he knew, would be leaving again by the three

446

THE FARMER'S MAGAZmE.

or four o'clock trains, and he should certainly not waste
any — having already lost one or two of the best hoiu's in
the day ! When we left, at a little after two o'clock, the
hall was already thinning, though not two pages in the
seven of which the catalogue consisted had been then
got through.

Of the rams we saw sold, Mr. Lythall's made 9, 10,
Gi over and over again, 7, 9, 8, 11 and 12 ; amongst the
top-prices being the Warwick prize ram of the previous
day, and the average reaching to somewhere about 8
guineas. The next lot in were Mr. Yates', of Grindle,
whose best price was 17 guineas, and his worst 42- ; the
average for twenty or twenty-one sheep being about
7i guineas each. Mr. Nock did better with eleven
rams averaging over 11 guineas, and two making
eighteen guineas each. Lord Wenlock's first-prize
Wetherby ram made 7i guineas, and his twin-
brother a guinea more, nine sheep reaching to an
average of 6^ guineas. Lord Willoughby de Broke's
dozen or so of sheep reached to about 8 guineas each, a
two-shear going for 15 guineas, and a four-shear for 7
guineas. The first up of Mrs. Beach's lot made 9 guineas ;
and so the sale was going when we left, and with little
promise of its ever coming to an end. So far it would
seem that either the individual prices or averages cannot
compare with the Shrewsbury Sale of the previous week.

SALES OF SUSSEX STOCK.

During last month the herd of Susses stock, belonging to
Mr. Benjamin Noakes, of Guillhope Farm, Mayfield, were sold.
COWS.

Lusty, 7 years old, 33 gs., Mr. Isaac Hoadley, Wadhurst.

Berry, 7 years old, 32 gs., Mr. Mercer.

Lustv, 5 years old, 29 gs., Mr. Turvill, Hampshire.

Gentle, 5 years old, 29-^ gs., Mr. Turvill.

Gentle, 5 years old, 36Jgs., Mr. Mercer.

Damsel, 4 years old, 29 gs., Mr. Clement Mannington,
Battle.

Beauty, 4 years old, Sl^- gs., Mr. Mercer.

Lusty, 3 years old, 25 gs., Mr. A. Donovan.

Christmas, 3 years old, 33 gs., Mr. Isaac Hoadley, Wad-
hurst.

Noble, 3 years old, 23J gs., Mr, Mannington, Battle.

Strawberry, 3 years old, 37 gs., Mr. J. Hoadley, Wad-
hurst.

Beauty, 3 years old, 25 gs., Mr. J. Hoadley, Wadhurst.

TWO YEARS OLD HEIf ERS.

Cherry, 37^ gs., Mr. John Shoosmith.

Gentle, 27| gs., Mr. John Shoosmith.

Chrismas, 36 gs., Mr. James Brooker.

Gentle, 22-| gs., Mr. C. Mannington.

Lusty, 25 gs., Mr. Hilder,

The splendid bull. Sultan, 3 years old, 33 gs., Mr. Turvill,
Harasphire. All tlie cows and heifers are in-calf from this
bull.

On Wednesday, Sept. 30,'at Ewhurst Earm, Shermanbury, a
herd of pure-bred Susses stock, the property of Mr. W.
Martin, was sold. The cows and heifers were the first
sold, aad two of these, Lizzie Lee, and Eanny Fern,
made £48 6s. each, both purchased by Mr. Agate. Several
others made over £30 each, and about twenty others
made between £30 and £30 each. Calves reahsed from
£10 upwards. Tliere were ten yearlings, wliich averaged
about £14 14s. The higliest price, £18 18s., Myrtle, pur-
chased by Mr. Heasraan. There were seven calves, and the
highest figure was £31, knocked down to Mr. Wood. Three
bulls, two of which were purchased by Mr. Stanford, one at
£58 16s., and tlie other at £37 ; and the other by Mr. Turrell, at
£23 12s. 6d. The stock was selected from the herds of Mr.
Edward Cane, Berwick ; Mr. Wm. Botting, Westmeston ;
Mr. Wm. Marshall, Bolney]; aud the Michelham herd.

THE GORDON CASTLE SALE.— The annual sale of
pure.bred Shorthorn cattle and Leicester and Southdown

sheep, the property of the Duko of Hichmond, took place at
Gordon Castle Farm, Fochabers, on Friday sc'nnight. The
Shorthorns comprised 14 bull-calves, and 8 cows and heifers.
The Shorthorn calves were mostly a strong, promising lot, and
realised fair prices. For the cows and heifers fair prices were
also realised, although in neither case so high as on the pre-
vious year. The average for the 14 bidl-calves was £33 Is.,
and for the 8 cows and heifers £31 15s. 6d. The sheep,
wliich were nest disposed of, were a remarkably fine lot, espe-
cially the Southdown ewes and gimmers, some of which
brought very good prices. The average price of 100 ewes,
put up in lots of five, was 33s. lOd. ; and the average of 78
gimmers, also sold ui lots, was 35s. 8d. 58 Leicester rams,
put up singly, averaged within a fraction of 82s. ; 10 South-
do\vn ewes, in lots of 5, 33s. 6d. ; four do. rams, 65s. ; and
10 Southdown gimmers, 80s. 6d.

SALE AT LILLINGSTONE DAYRELL, BUCKING-
HAM.—A draught of 45 head, from Mr. Roberts' herd of
Shorthorns was sold l)y Mr. Strafford. The 45 head realised
£29 4s. each, being a total of £1,314 Is. 6d., or an average
of £28 12s. for 33 cows, and ^30 17 for 12 bulls. Princess
Royal, hea\7 with calf, made 43 gs. to Mr. J. K. Fowler. Cies-
sida, 36 gs. Queen of Spring, also 36 gs., to Mr. C. Sturgeon.
Amy Robsartwas bought by Mr. J. Aubrey, Mmnford, for 43,
gs. : he also took Etona for 33 gs., and Prima Donna, a calf
17 gs. "Wliite Princess, a daughter of Princess Royal, 35 gs. ;
aud her own sister. Roan Princess, was bought by Mr. F. Sar-
toris for 36 gs. The only " Foggathorpe," a wliito neat heifer,
made the highest price of the day (48 gs.), purchased by Mr.
Thornton, Mr. Sturgeon bought two bulls for 70 gs., and the
others went fi-om 13| to to 45 gs. each.

THE GRENDON HERD was sold also by Mr. Straiford.
The cows went at poor prices. Rose of Thorndale 2nd brought
34 gs. Duchess of Oslbrd, a three-year-old was bought by
Mr. Bletson for 33 gs. ; and Nighthght, for the same price,
by Ml'. Brooke. The highest figm-o realised for l)uUs was
obtained for 13th Duke of Oxford, purchased for 80 gs. by
Mr. Sartoris. Mr. Adcock's Dnnkeld sold at 58 gs. The
average price for 36 cows was £22 13s. 8d.; 17 buUs averaged
£34 Is. 3d.

THE CADEBY RAMS.— At Messrs. Briggs sale 33 rams
realized £443 2s., the average being £13 8s. 6d. The highest-
priced shearhng was bought for 36 gs. by Mr. Marshall, Hum-
berstone. A ram was bought by Mr. G. Nelson for 29 gs.,
and a sheep of very commanding character and heavily coated
was secured by Mr. Tomlinsou for 23 gs.

RAM SALES AT PARTNEY FAIR.— The Huttoft rams
(40), the property of Mr. Needham, obtained the higliest
average of any in the fair : one was purchased by Mr. May-
field for £33, another by Mr. Webster for £29, and another
by Mr. Cartwright for £27. The average was £11 13s. The
Langton Grange sheep, the property of Mr. Harwood Mac-
kinder (40), desc ended from some of the best sheep of
the best flocks in the county, commanded great attention. Mr.
Turner, of Ulceby Grange, obtained one for £38, Mr. RiggaU
one for £35 aud another for £31, the Rev. W. A. Peacock
one for £25, and Mr. Fleldsend one for £21. The average
was £11 6s. Mr. Walesby's (24) sheep averaged £9 16s. ;
Mr. Grimes', of West Keal, averaged £9 5s. ; Mr. Parish's, of
Toynton-house (17), averaged £8 13. A lot of Mr. Thomas
Heanley's, grass fed, sold for about £5. Altogether, tlie ram
fair was considered very satisfactory.

THE SALE OF THE HAUGHAM SHORTHORNS.—
Took place at Haugham last mouth. There was a very
large gathering of shorthorn breeders. The herd was estab-
lished in 1819 ; Laura, purchased at Wyham sale for 100 gs.
being the starting point of its history. For many years it
was in the hands of the present T. Cartwright, Esq., of Well ;
aud in 1844, it was handed over to the late Mr. N. Cart-
wright, under whose management it remained until liis death.
Very good prices were reahzed, especially for the calves, the
yearling and two-year-old heifers. No. 23, Nonpareil 5tli, a
heifer, was sold to Mr. J. King for 44 gs. No 34, Lady 5th,
was sold to Mr. T. Heanly for 53 gs. Her calf also made
25 gs. No. 66, Amber 3rd, also made 53 gs. No. 65, Nou-
poreil 9tli, was bought by Mr. Thornton for 42 gs. The 79
beasts sold realized over £2,000, being an average of about
£25 each,

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

447

THE GRENDON SALE.— Mrs. Baker's flock has attained
a high reputation. Oe September 7, at au early hour, uume-
rous flockmasters arrived from almost all parts of the kinptdom
(as tlie result showed), when animals were sent into no fewer
than twelve different counties. Although the company was
very larpje, there was no extravagant price realized for any lot,
18 gs. (given by Mr. Bate) Ijeing the top figure ; but the
trade was brisk throughout, the 36 rams and 130 ewes being
disposed of in little over an hour. Three of the rams were
let for the latter portion of the season only at IG, 13, and 10
guineas. The five-shear ram, " Model," from Mr. S. Byrd's
flock, was purchased by Mr. Wood, at 11 gs., and Dowager
Lady Hewitt, the Rev. H. Hanmer, Messrs. Ashford, Alkin,
Glover, Wolferstan, BaUard, Powers, Adcock, Johnson,
Summers, Lees, Beardall, Langham, Keeling, Shitter, Jones,
Parsons, Carter, and RatcliiT, were purchasers of rams, at
from six to 17 gs. each. The ewes sold cheaply, making from
4.2s. 6d. to 60s. ; average, SOs. for 130. Mr. Lythall, of Bir-
mingham, conducted the sale.

THE AYLESBY RAM SHOW.— The annual show of the
Aylesby sheep took place upon tlie farmstead of Mr. W. Torr,
of Aylesby Manor, on September 9, when about 60 of his pure
bred Leicesters were exhibited. There was a numerous com-
pany. The result of the letting was very satisfactory to the
proprietor, yielding an average of about 16 or 17 guineas.
Omitting mention of two or three " fancy" prices, several lots
at 30 guineas, and nothing went below 10 guineas. Of the
entire flock shown, Mr. Torr reserves several for home use ;
amongst them " Quid," a four-shear sheep, the best at Aylesby,
although a large price was offered for him by Mr. Fisher, a
noted Leicester breeder, of Leckonfieid. Mr. Torr also re-
tains " Patron" (five-shear), the second-best. One was pur-
chased for Jamaica: others have gone into Scotland and
Ireland ; also into Worcester, York, and various other coun-
ties. The Duke of Devonshire takes a two-shear, and two
^. have gone into the hands of the Hon. Mr. Lascelles, of Thirsk,
and one to the well-known firm of Garde and Meade, of
Pierrepoint. " PLomeo," a three-shear, has gone to Cork.

THE BISCATHORPE RAMS.— The annual letting of the
Biscathorpe rams took place on the Aug. 27, the result being
very satisfactory to Mr. Kirkham. 113 rams realise £1,752,
being an average of nearly £16. The finest shearling was
hired by ilr. J. Davy, of Owersby, for £75- Mr. R. Howard,
of Temple Bruer, hired No. 8 for £42, aud No. 36 was let to
Mr. T. Heanley, of Croft, for £40. No. 56, a splendid two-
shear, was let to Mr. H. Maekiuder, of Langton, for £60.
The best letting of the day was that of " Volunteer," an aged
ram, whose previous four lettings had realised £473 : he was
let to Mr. Chaplin, of Tathwell, for £63. No. 86, a fine old
ram, was hired by Mr. W. lies, of Wold Newton, for £55.

Mr. DAVY'S RAMS.— The sale at Owersby, on Sept. 7,
was attended by a large company, and 140 were disposed of at
an average of £11 Is. The highest price realised was £50,
which was given by Mr. Howard, of Temple Bruer ; and the
next highest was £33 lOs., giuen by Mr. John Mackinder, of
Hackthom. Tliere were buyers from all parts. Proceeds of
the letting amounted to £1,535.

THE TEMPLE BRUER RAMS.— Tlie annual sale of
these well-known rales took place on Sept. 10, when 70 sheep
were penned. The day was fine, and a large company assem-
bled. Owing to the late dry season and the consequent diffi-
culty of procuring feed, the sheep were scarcely in such a high
condition as usual ; but we are glad to learn that, considering
tlie circumstances, good prices were realised. — Lincoln
Chronicle.

THE WOLD NEWTON RAMS.— The annual sale of
these well descended rams took place at Caistor, on Saturday,
Sept. 13. For No. 5 there was an animated struggle. Mr.
Turner, of Ulceby, secured him for £30, and No. 15 fell also
to that gentleman's bid for £30. Mr. Hudson took No. 30
at £13 10s., and No. 13 for £9 10s. No. 13 went to Mr.
Empson for £13 10s., and No 33 to Mr. Dixon for £13 10s. ;
and tlie general average reached nearly £10 per head.

MESSRS. BUDDING'S SALE AT PANTON took place
on Sept. 8. There were 56 sheep offered. Shearlings came
first : Four let at £14,_^ £18, £30, and £42 respectively ;
Mr. Broadhurst, of Nottinghamshire, bought several, t|ie
prices of three being respectively £37, £31, and £35 ; Mr.

R. Wright, of Nocton, bought cue at £33, The two-shear
sheep made good prices : Mr; Kemp hired the first, at £31 ;
Mr, Thomas Kirkham, of Biscathorpe, the second, at £40 ;
Mr. Pilby bought the third, at £33 10s. ; and Mr. Abrahams
hired the fourth, aud last, at £46. The average of the whole,
taking the sold and let together, was £15 14s.

MR. WILLIAM CHAPLIN'S SALE AT TATHWELL,
LOUTH. — Although the Tathwell flock was dispersed three
or four years ago, subsequently to the death of its late pro-
prietor, enough have returned to, and increased at, Tathwell to
present a highly respectable and promising flock, as the fol-
lowing prices will indicate ; Mr. Walsh, of Ireland, bought
two at 38^. each, and one at 27^. each ; Mr. Marshall, Bran-
stone, two at 36i^., and one at 19/. ; Mr. Rinder, two at 16/. ;
Mr. Paddison, one at 20/. ; and Mr. CaswSll, one at 45/. The
48 sheep realised 603/., or an average of about 12/. 10s. each.

THE LAUGHTON RAMS.— Mr. John Henry Casswell
has fairly attained a flrst position as a ram breeder. This
flock on Saturday se'nnight were let as follows : One to Mr.
Dean of Dowsby at £60, one to Mr. Lynn of Stroxton at £33,
and one to Mr. G. Casswell of Harpswell at £30. Among
the 53 sheep sold the following prices were given : By Mr.
Wallace £34, Mr. Looker of Huntingdonshire £38, Mr. Dud-
ding of Panton £33, Mr. Tirrill of Eggleton £37, Mr. Si-
monds £33, Mr. Watts £31, Mr. Byron £31, ,Mr. Boyer £33,
Mr. Dean of Dowsby £30, Mr. Dalton £31, Mr. Ward £30,
and by Mr. Spafford of Boothby, for a three-shear, £37. The
average of the 53 rams sold was £16 5s. 7d., and of the three
let £37 6s. 8d. The sum total of the whole was £969 10s.,
which gives an average for the 55 of a trifle over £17 13g. 6d.,
and as 35 per cent, is considered to be the difference between
letting and selling a sheep, if the whole of the 55 had been
sold they would have realised the great average of £18 each.
Three were let for the season for £113.

THE POINTON RAMS.— Mr. Tom Casswell's flock gives
the great averages of above £16 14s. each. Some oi^ the
prices at which they were bought aie the following : By Mr.
Broomwich at 18 gs., Mr. Simpkins of Halaton at 35 gs., Mr.
W. GiUiat of Ashby at 31 gs., Mr. W. Goodliffe of Carriugton-
lane, Huntingdon, at 33 gs., Mr. Rayment at 31gs., Mr. Mann
of Rockland, Attleborough, at 50 gs., Mr. J. Scales of Graby
at 33 gs., Mr. Norman at 38 gs., "Mr. Rooke at 20 gs., Mr.
Pagson of Anwick, Sleaford, 36 gs., and by Mr. Sneath at
30 gs. These sheep were sold by Messrs. Mason aud Son of
Louth.

THE ASHBY RAMS.— Mr. C Clarke's rams were 50 in
number, the average being something over 10 gs. each. Mr,
Brereton bought one at 335 Ks-, Mr. Wilders one at 15 gs.,
Mr. Holland one at 21 gs., Mr. Mann one at 28 gs., Mr.
Gruramett one at 13 gs., Mr. Aggreton one at 13 gs., Mr.
Walker one at 13 gs., Mr. Sampey one at 11 gs., Mr. Pick-
worth one at 14 gs., Mr. Wilders one at 15 gs., and Mr. Ro-
gers one at 14 gs. Of other sheep, one of Mr. Cartwright's
of Dunston Pillar, a very fine shearling, was sold to Mr. Mar-
shall of Branston at 35 gs. ; Mr. Graves' of Bloxholme made
£16 10s., £11, £10, down to £6 10s., the average being
about £8.

MR. MASFEN'S SALE OF SHROPSHIRE RAMS
AND SHEEP AT PENDEFORD.— On September 7, Mr.
R. H. Masfen, whose name, like that of his father, is well
known as a breeder of this increasingly popular description of
sheep, held his annual sale of rams and ewes, on his farm at
Pendeford, near Wolverhampton, the event attracting an in-
fluential and very numerous company, comprising many of the
most celebrated sheep breeders of Staffordshire, Shropshire,
and adjoining counties. The biddings were very brisk, and in
several instances offers were made before the auctioneer had
made his descriptive and recommendatory remarks. Tiie fol-
lowing is a list of the rams aud prices : Shearlings — Standard
Bearer (let) 31 gs., Dandy 30 gs,. Premier 20 gs.. Common-
wealth, by Turpin, dam by Competiton, let to Lord Sudeley,
for 18 gs. for the season ; the Sprite, sire Corsair, dam by
Brother to Gratitude, let to Mr. F. Byrd for 13 gs.. Lord Na-
pier (sold) 12 gs. ; Iron Duke, by Pride of Pendeford, dam by
Mainstay, 30 gs. (Mr. Cheatle) ; Ironmaster 16 gs.. Cannon
Ball 14 gs.. Merry Andrew 14 gs.; Lord of the Manor, by
Turpin, dam by Gratitiule's Brother (a prize ewe), 46 gs. (Mr.
Hardy) ; Tlie Peer 13 gs., Patrician 13 gs., Firate 16 gs. ;

448

THE FAKMEE'S MAGAZINE.

Theodore, by Young Duke, dam by Maccaroni, 34! gs. (Mr.
German, Meesham Lodge) ; Hob Roy 13 gs. ; Blue Gown, by
Turpin, dam by Mainstay, 27 gs. (Mr. Gnossall, Hindlip) ;
Bed Rover 18 gs.. Coxswain 20 gs.. Outlaw 12 gs. ; Yeoman,
sire Corinthian, dam by Mainstay, 30 gs. (Mr. Wardle, Bur-
ton); Jack TarlOgs., Prince of Peudeford 20 gs.. Hotspur

14 gs.. Diamond 13 gs., Dick Turpin 23 gs. (Mr. Robins) ;
Bonne Bouche 10 gs., Sampson 10 gs.. Captain 11 gs.. Touch-
stone 11 gs.. Ranger 10 gs., Rambler 12 gs.. Bounce 12 gs.,
Early Bird 10 gs., Rival 10 gs.. Attraction 11 gs., The Brick
10 gs.. Crusader 9 gs., Magnum 11 gs.. Juggler 9 gs.. Forester
10 gs.. Ugly Buck 12 gs. Two Shears— Crystal 13 gs., Milton
20 gs. (Mr. Keeling), Mayfly 10 gs., Ploughboy 8 gs., Burke
8 gs. Three Shears — Lord Caines 14 gs„ Young Duke 20 gs.
(Mr. Bowen), Triplet 10 gs.. Sweet William 8|gs. The ave-
rage price of the 42 shearling rams sold and tlie three rams
let was £16 13s. 2|d., and of the nine older sheep £13 Os. 2d.;
average of the whole 51, £16 4s. 4jd. each. The stock ewes
were afterwards very rapidly sold, the highest price realised
being 75s., and the average of the 100, 57s. 9d. each.

RAM SALE AT KELSO.— The assemblage was large,
including proprietors and flock-masters fi-omthe neighbouring
Border counties, and from more distant parts of the United
Kingdom. There were in all sixty-one lots — fifty-two of
Leicesters, and nine of half-breds. The biddings were not
so spirited as last year, and the averages in the majority of
instances were lower, the depreciation in the price of sheep no
doubt being the cause of the dull sale and smaller prices.
Among those who purchased were Mr. Goodiet, one at £62 ;
Mr. Foster, EOingham, one at £40 ; Mr. Harris, Earnhill,
Morayshire, one at £31 ; Mr. Laing, Burton, one at £20 ; Mr
Laing, Cornhill, one at £21 ; Mr. Nisbet, Lambden, one at £24;
Mr. Lang, £22 ; Messrs. Swan, Edinburgh, £22 ; Mr. Lumsden,
Mousden, £22. Among Mr. Bell's (Linton) lot.jMr. Howie got
£26; Mr. Pord,Hardengreen, £21. Lord Polwarth's lot also
excited much interest, the biddings being very spirited, and
the sale a good one. Among those who purchased the highest
priced sheep were the following : — The Marquis of Tweeddale
bought the highest priced ram, sold at £86 ; Mr. Hardie,
Harrietfield, one at £51; Mr. Dean's, Dalkeith, and Mr.
Simson, Courthill, rams at £50 each ; Mr. Usher, Stodrig,
one at £70 ; Lord Penrliyn, Penrhyn Castle, Wales, bought
one at £26 ; Mr. Wilson, Haymount, one at £33 ; Mr. Sim-
son, Courthill, one at £28 ; Mr. Brunton, Eastfield, one at
£24 ; Mr. Robeson, Springwells, one at £20. Twenty-four
gimmers belonging to R. K. Elliot, Esq., of Clinton, and bred
by Mr. Purves, Linton Burnfoot, were sold in the morning,
and brought an average of £2 5s. — the highest £2 7s.6d., and
the lowest £2 2s. 6d. In Mr. Ord's lot of half-bpeds, the
oighestprice was £47s. 6d. Mr, Elliot's (Galalaw) highest
price was £6 15s.

The annual sale of Shropshire sheep at Packington was con-
ducted this year by Mr. H, Strafford, vi^hose services were
secured in consequence of a portion of the shorthorn herd being
included in the catalogue ; but these were only a draft of un-
fnshionably-bred animals, and attracted very few buyers be-
>ond those in the immediate vicinity. The cows changed
liands at prices very little, if anything, over their value in the
open market. The highest-priced cow was "Britannia,"
37 gs., purchased by Mr. S. Burchnall, Catton; and a three-
year-old heifer, "Rosamond," was secured by Mr. Butler at
the same figure, the average of the females being £18 lis. 4d.
The bulls went rather higher ; one, by " Grand Duke Ninth,"
going to Mr. J. P. Evans, at 45 gs., which sum Mr. Sturgeon
gave for " Bridegroom." Mr. Newdegate purchased " AUius,"
at 40 gs. ; one or two yearlings were cheap to kill, making but

15 or 16 gs., the average price for eleven, including two three-
weeks' old calves, bein? £24 7s. 9d., bringing the general
average of the sale up to £20 5s. Id. The Shropshire rams
included two or three useful old sheep, one of which, a four-
shear, made only 5 gs. ; Mrs. Baker took one at 6 gs. ; and the
gem of the flock was secured by Mr. E. Lythall, of Radford,
at 27 gs. The highest-priced shearling went at 17 gs., and
others at 16, Vih, 13, 12^, down to five guineas. The ewes
were low in condition, but sold well, making from 36s. to 71s.,
averaging about 44s.

RAM SALES AT GLOUCESTER PAIR.— Rams from
the flocks of several Cotswold and other sheepbreeders
were sold by Mr. James Villar, The competition was
good, and the sale was one of the best Mr. Villar has

ever held at Barton Pair, The sales actually made were— H
Cotswolds, from Mr. J. Game, Pilk'ins, at an average of £5
15s. ; 3 from Mr. E. Handy, Sierford, average £9 16s. ; 8
from Mr. W. Hewer, Northleach, average £8 10s. ; 7 from
Mr. T.Porter, Baunton, average £5 15s. 6d. ; 2 from W.
Hitchcock, Esq., Miserden, average £7 2s. ; 7 from Mr. Lim-
brick, Horton, average £6 7s. 6d. ; 11 from Mr. James
Humphries, Hawling, average £4 12s. ; 5 from Mr. T. B.
Browne, Salperton, average £6 2s. ; 3 from Mr. Cripps, Coles-
borne, average £4 lis.; also 11 Oxford Downs, from Mr. C.
Hobbs, Maiseyhampton, average £9 12s. ; 5 Oxford from Mr.
G. Wallis, Old Sheflbrd, average £13 ; 6 Shropshiresfrom Lord
Sudeley, Toddington, average £8 15s. ; 1 Down from Captain
de Winton, £4 10s. and 1 from Mr. W. S. Davis, £3 15s.

RAM SALES AT WORCESTER PAIR.— 15 Shropshire
Down rams, the property of Mr. Robert Berkeley, sold at
from £6 6s. to £23 2s. 7 pure-bred Shropshire rams, the pro-
perty of Mr. Henry AUsop, of Hindlip-hall, sold at prices
ranging from £5 15s. 6d. to 9 gs. 12 shearling Leicester rams,
the property of Mr. N. Cotterell, from £2 12s. 6d. to £3.
Leicester rams, the property of Mr. J. V. Hornyold, of Black-
more-park, at from 4 to 9 gs. Leicester rams, the property
of Mr. T. G. Curtler, at an average of 33s. 6d. Leicester
rams, the property of Mr. H. Lingen, of Liucombe, at about
35s. 15 shearling Cotswold rams, the property of Mr. John
Game, of Northleach (only a few of these found purchasers), at
£5 15s. 6d. each. 20 Leicester rams, the property of Mr.
Joseph Lett, of Scampton, York, realized prices varying
from 5 gs. to 9 gs., average £6 16s. 6d. 12 Oxford rams, the
the property of and bred by Mr. Charles GUlett, of Cote-
house, Bampton, made an average of £10 each, the highest
being 16 gs., lowest £6 16s. 6d. 15 Cotswold rams, the pro-
perty of Mr. John Gillett, of Oaklands, made 7 gs. each. 13
capital rams of the Oxford Down cross made an average of
£6 10s. 4d. each. 6 grey-faced Cotswolds, the property of
Mr. Byrd, of Aldington, made 6 gs. Of 8 Shropshire
shearling rams, the property of Mr. C. Randell, from the
Chadburyflock, the highest prices obtained 17 gs. and
the lowest 8| guineas, the average being a little over
£13. 8 superior shearling Lincoln rams and two older
rams, the property of Mr. Eastland, Aconbury Court, Here-
ford, at prices ranging from £5 10s. to 13 gs. each. 15 shear,
ling Lincoln rams, belonging to Mr. J. R. Pearamore, of
Dinedor, Hereford, from £3 7s. 6d. to £8 5s. ; and 10 prime
cross-bred Lincoln and Cotswold shearlings, the property of
Mr. Kempson, Dinedor Court, Hereford, realised from £3 2s.
6d. to to 5 gs. each. 10 Cotswold rams, the property of Mr.
6. Pletcher, of Shipton, Andoversford, realised from 5|- to 6
gs., the average being £6. 15 Cotswold grey rams, belonging
to Mr. W. Smith, Bibury, Fairford, an average of 6 gs., the
highest fetching 72- gs. and the lowest 5^ gs. 10 Cotswold
rams, the property of Mr. E. Andoversford, from 5|- to 6| gs.,
the average being about 6 gs., and 10 Oxford DoMai rams, be-
longing to Mr. G. Wallis, Old Shiflbrd, Bampton, realised 7 to
14| gs., £9 2s. being the average.

MR. R. SMITH'S EXMOOR PONIES.— The eighteenth
annual sale of these ponies, cobs, and galloways took place at
the Bristol Repository on Wednesday last. The following
were the best prices of nearly forty lots : — Maggie, by Y.
Port (Mr. Nash), 25| gs. ; Hippo, by Ilippocastiana (Mr.
Geming), 41 gs. ; King of the Cobs, by King of the West
(Mr. Wilshire), 50 gs. ; Punch Bowl, by Young Port (Mr.
Keeue), 33 gs. ; Crusader, by Epinician (Dr. Fisk), 30 gs. ;
King of the West, by King of the West (Mr. Gilbings), 38
gs. ; Lady Mary, by Sea King (Mr. Smellt), 31 gs. ; Lady
Florence, by Epinician (Mr. Thomas), 26 gs. ; Forest King,
by Nutshell (Mr. Leigh), 33 gs. ; Madcap, by Swalchfl'e (Mr.
Bailwood), 31| gs. ; Windsor, by SwalcUffe (Mr. Wilshire),
26 gs. ; Neptune (Mr. Leigh), 24^ gs. ; Satanella, by Kid-
napper (Mr. Osborne), 23|- gs. ; Homebush, by Young Bow-
string (Mr. Redgrave), 52 gs. ; Surveyor, by Silverlocks (Mr.
Thompson), 20 gs. ; Queen Bee, by Nutshell (Mr. Sloman),
26 gs. ; Vaudine, by Frederic (Mr. Bawtrey), 35 gs. ; Sambo,
by Nutshell (Mr. CheflBns), 43 gs. ; Moselle, by The Gem
(Mr. Gardener), 25 gs. ; Farleigh (Mr. Pendall), 23| ; Cob-
nut, by Nutshell (Mr. Smith), 22 gs. ; Roan Px)bin, by Nut-
shell (Colonel Lutterell), 45 gs. The others sold some at under
20 gs , and others under 10 gs. each. There was a very large
attendance, and the sale may be considered on the whole a
good one.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

449'

B ALL YW ALTER SHORTHORNS.

Tvveuty-three bull calves and four two-years-old heifers
were sold by auction, by Marsh and Son, of Cork, at Bally-
walter. The following was the result : —

BULL C.VLVES GOT 15Y SIR JAMES (16,98(3). gS.

Ellin Duke, red, calved Dec. 37, 1SG7 (Mr. Annesley) 15

Paymaster, roan, calved January 23, 1868 (Mr. O'Rcgan) 31

Old Joe, red, calved Jan. 29, 1868 (Mr. Hartigan) 16

Perfection, roan, calved February 2, 1868 (Mr. O'Grady)... 38

Vahant, white, calved February 3, 1868 (Mr. Flynn) 14

Royal Knight, roan, calvedPeb. 11, 1868(Mr. J.N.Beamish) 63

Daylight, roan, calved Feb. 18, 1868 (Mr. Mosse) 20

Woodranger, red and white, calved April 6 (Mr. O'Donnell) 15

Envoy, rich roan, calved April 9, 1868 (Mr. Briscoe) 19

True Knight, red, calved April 9, 1868 (Mr. Harrold) 23

Sir Arthur, white, calved April 28, 1868 (Mr. S. Hawkes) 13
Lord Advocate, red and white, calved April 28, 1868 (Mr.

W. Hungerford) 31

Solicitor, red and white, calved May 4, 1868 (Mr. Hunt) ... 9
Freeman, roan, calved April 34, 1868 (Mr. Donegan) 26

BULL CALVES GOT BY UNCLE NED (19,026).

Fisherman, red, calved January 17, 1868 (Mr. Hickey) .... 16

Sweet William, roan, calved Jan. 21, 1868 (Mr. Hurley)... 16

Paragon, red & white, calved Jan. 30, 1868 (Mr. Campbell) 36

Skyrocket, red, calved Feb. 19, 1868 (Mr. Murnane) 18

Felix, red, calved March 5, 1868 (Mr. Ahern) 18

Knight of the Shire, red, calved March 6, 1868 (Sir G.

Colthurst) 40

Othello, red and white, calved Mar. 19, 1868 (Mr. Bolster) 18

HisLordship,red, calved April 3, 1868 (Mr. Forrest) 20

Orator, red and white, calved June 29, 1868 (Mr. Buckley) 7

IIEIIEKS.

Olivia 8th, roan, calved Sept. 21, 1865 ; to calve 6th April,

1869 (Mr.Massey) 27

M Sophy 9th, roan, calved Feb. 27, 1866 ; to calve 14th Mar.,
^ 1869 (Mr. Clancy) 32

Sophy 10th, red, calved April 17th, 1866, not in calf
(Mr.Furney) 26

Frances Gth, red, calved April 19th, 1866 ; to calve 11th

May, 1869 (Mr. Barry) • 23

The fourteen bull calves, got by Sir James (bred by Mr.

Booth, of Warlaby), produced £349 13s., or an average of

£24 19s. 6d. ; the other nine, got by Uncle Ned (bred by

Mr. Welsted), produced £198 9s., or an average of £33 Is.

The four heifers made an average of £28 7s.

SALE OF SHORTHORNS.— Mr. Nathaniel Reid, Danes-
town, exposed for sale his entire herd of Shorthorns, with the
exception only of a few two-year-old heifers, on Thursday. The
young bulls were first offered, and brought an average of 25
guineas nearly. The heifer calves realised an average of 17
guineas ; the one-year-old heifer calves brought on an average
21^ guineas ; and 4 two-year-old heifers 26 guineas on an
average.

SHORTHORN SALES.— Mr. Dugdale's young shorthorn
bull Duke of Brunswick, a prize winner, has been purchased
for exportation to Australia. He is consigned to Mr. R. C.
Morton of Mount Derriraut, Victoria, whose herd of 70 head
was sold in the colony last November for over £5,000, at an
average of about £75. Two yearling heifers and a roan bull
calf have been recently sold to Mr. R. Ratcliffe of AValton Hall,
Burton-on-Trent, from the Yardley herd ; they are all three by
Knightley bulls, from dams descended from the Foggathorpe
tribe. Messrs. Downing and Harward bought from Capt.
Gunter some time back, Third Duke of Claro (23729), and hired
Fifth Duke of Wharfdale. They have now made the purchase
of half-a-dozen young heifers of Kirklevingtou blood from Mr.
Harvey, Walton-on-the-Hill. Col. Kingscote's Duke of Hazle-
cote, having three Bates' crosses upon the Honey tribe, has
been purchased with five heifers from Mr. Thompson, of Bad-
minton, by Mr. Camm, for the Speaker's estate at Ossington,
Newark.

The annual sale of the Ulceby Grange rams was held on
the 7th Sept. Seventy sheep were penned, and only five passed
through the ring unsold. Satisfactory prices were realised ; one
fine animal was sold for £36, and seven for £30 aud upwards.
The whole averaged £10 l-t's. 6U. each.

LUDLOW AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

After an interval of two years, the shows of this society
have been resumed ; but the meeting this year was by no
means equal to those of former years. In many of the classes
there were not more than two exhibitors, and in not a few only
one. The bull by which Mr. Rogers secured the twenty pound
prize in the sweepstakes was a good animal, thick and full of
flesh, without being over fat. The bull and offspring shown
by Mr. Thomas Rogers were also good, and the bull calves
shown by Mr. Tudge and Mr. John Rawlings were the best
class in the yard. The class of heifers was good, as also
were the cows with calves, and the fat cows, especially the
one shown by Mr. Ridgley. In sheep the Shropshires, as
usual stood pre-eminent, Mr. Henry Smith, of Sutton Maddock,
standing first with his rams and yearling ewes.and Mr. Hand also
showed well to the front. Of pigs there were only four pens.
The horses were the best class of any as regards numbers, and
among them were some very good and useful animals, but
nothing particularly gaudy. There was a large entry of
implements shown by Mrs. Jessie Cooper, Ludlow, Mr. Black,
Ludlow, and Mr. Corbett, Shrewsbury.

The judges were— for stock : Mr. W. Taylor, Thingehill
Court, and Mr. Corfield, Greete ; for horses : Mr. Vaughau,
the Moor, Welshpool, and Mr. Bryan Davis, Newtown.
PRIZE LIST.
CATTLE.
Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, witli 30 sovs. added, for the
best stock bull, of any breed, open to all England. The owner
of the second to receive 4 sovs. out of the stakes, and the
third 3 sovs. — 1st, Mr. Thomas Rogers, Coxall ; 3nd, Mr. John
Williams ; 3rd, Mr. Aaron Rogers.

Bull, of any age, and four of his offspring, under one year
and three mouths old, bred by one person that has used the
bull— £5, T. Rogers.

Bull, under fifteen months old, bred by and the property of
the exhibitor. — First prize, £5, William Tudge ; second, £3
10s., J. Rawlings, Stoke ; third, £1, J. Rawlings.

Four steers, under two years and three months old. — First
prize, £5, W. Tudge ; second, £2 10s., T. Farmer.

Pair of steers, under two years and three months old. — £5,
W. Tudge.

i'our heifers, under two years and three months old. — First
prize, £5, T. Rogers ; second, £2 10s. R. Tanner.

Pair of heifers, under two years and three months old. — £5,
T. Rogers.

Four steer calves, under fifteen months old. — £5, T.
Rogers.

i'our|lieifei\calves, under fifteen months old. — £5, W. Tudge.
Four breeding cows, with their calves. — First prize, £5, T.
Rogers ; second best four, £2 10s., R. Tanner.

Fat cow or heifer.— First prise, £5, H. Ridgley ; second, £2
10s., R. Hill, Orleton.

SHEEP.
Yearling ram. — First prize, £5, H. Smith, Sutton Maddock ;
second, £3 10s., F. Bach, Onibury.

Ram, more than two years old.— First prize, £5, H. Smith ;
second, £3 10s., C. Blakeway.

Ten breeding ewes, two years old and upwards, to have pro-
duced and reared lamb up to the 3nd of May, 1868.— First
prize, £5, J. Hand, Ludlow; second, £3 10s., F. Bach.

Ten yearling ewes. — First prize, £5, J. Hand ; second, £3
10s., H. Smith.
Ten fat yearling wethers. — £5 James Hand.
Ten wether lambs.— First prize £5, R. Edwards, Ludlow ;
second, £3 10s., R. Tanner.

Ten ewe lambs.- First prize, £5, E. Tanner ; second, £3
10s., R. Edwards.

PIGS.
Boar, under two years old. — First prize, £2, J.Price ; second,
£1, J. Tench.

HORSES.
Nag mare and foal at foot at least six months. — First prize,
£5, J. Hand ; second, £3 10s., T. Griffiths.

Cart mare and foal at foot. — First prize, ,£5, R. Coston,
Hayton ; second, £3 10s., T. Griffiths.

Nag gelding or mare, for a hunter and the road, under five
years old. — First prize, £5, J. Hand ; second, £3 lOs., J. Tench.
Two-year-old cart gelding or filly. — Fir.st prize, £5, T,
Rogers ; s-econd, £3 Ws., H, Lippetti

n ti

450

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

EXTRA STOCK.
a. Edvvards (fifty store ewes) £1 ; R. Bach (teu three-year-
old wethers), 30s. ; R. Shirley (bull), 10s. ; J. Rawlings (bull
calf) £1 ; J, Rawliags (five ram lambs), 10s. ; T. Costou nag
horse), 10s.

IMPLEMENTS.
For the best assortment of agricultural implements.— £5,
Mrs. Jessie Cooper, Ludlow.

THE NEW SMITHFIELD MARKET.

On October 15 the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London,
accompanied by Sir John Thwaites, Chairman of the Metro-
politan Board of Works, went from Guildhall to inspect the
new Meat and Poultry Market in Smithfield, which is heing
erected under the auspices of the Corporation and at their
cost, and which is now so far advanced towards completion
that arrangements are being made for opening it for public use
in the middle of the ensuing month of November. It will
certainly be in full working order, from all accounts, by
Christmas.

The site on which the new market has been erected is con-
sidered by the Corporation to be the most central in London.
Below, and communicating with the buUding, is a spacious
and central dep6t in connexion with several converging lines
of railway, where meat and poultry can be brought from any
part of the kingdom and raised by hydraidic agency directly
into the market and in the trucks in which they are conveyed.
This convenient arrangement of the market over the railway
depot has been necessarily difficult and costly in construction,
and is understood to have affected the design of the market to
a great extent. The excavation under the market site alone,
exclusive of the vaulting around, required the removal of
3,500,000 cubic feet of earth, weighing about 172,000 tons.
This was necessarily a work of time, and some impatience was
expressed by many who were unaware of the huge preparations
necessary before the market building could be commenced.
The roof of the railway depot forming the floor of the market
had then to be made. Some idea may be formed of the extent
of these works when it is stated that nearly five miles of
girders are employed, carried on 180 columns, and that 3,000
tons of wrought-iron are used to support the floor of the
market. As soon as a portion of the floor was sufiiciently ad-
vanced to permit it, the erection of the market was begun.
The foundation stone at the south-east angle having been
laid on the 5th of June, 18G7. Since that time the biiilding
has been carried on with remarkable energy by the contrac-
tors, Messrs. Brown and Robinson; The area of this building
is a parallelogram, 631 feet by 240 feet, and extends over about
3^ acres. The style of the architecture is that generally ex-
pressed by the term Italian. The prevailing feature is a series
of arcaded recesses between Doric pilasters, fluted in the upper
parts and elevated on pedestals. The entablature is ornamen-
tal over the pilasters, and has vase-like terminations, recurring
at regular distances throughout the length of the building.
The general height of the external wall is 33 feet, and the
lower parts of the recesses between the Portland stone pilasters
are built in red brickwork, which adds to the pleasing appear-
ance of the whole. The semi-circular heads of the arches
above are filled with iron scroll-work, so ample in design as to
occupy the space, and yet leave room for the admission of air
and light. The keystones of the arches are richly carved,
those especially over the side entrances. The chief points of
architectural eflfect are the fronts of the public roadway which
passes through the market. The roadway is 50 feet wide, and
its sides are shut ofi' from the market by an elaborate screen of
open ironwork, 14 feet high, while at the intersection with
the central avenue which runs east and west the market is
closed by gates of ornamental ironwork. Towards the north
end of the roadway access is obtained by a double staircase to
the railway depot below ; near this the post and telegraph
ofiices and market officers' rooms are placed, and four lolty and
ornamental towers mark the angles. The gates at the east and
vvest ends are of elaborate design and great size. Although as
hght in construction as is consistent with strength they weigh
15 tons each, and each of them is 20 feet high by 19 feet wide.
The twelve side entrances, six on the north and six on the
Bonth fronts, are also of considerable size and similar in design.
ihe interior of the market has been of necessity even more

subservient to the purposes of the building than the exterior.
One of the leading features in the arrangements is that for
securing light without sunshine, and free ventilation without
exposure to rain. During the excessive heat of last summer
the efl'ect was tested by thermometers placed in various parts
of the building, and the result found to be highly satisfactory,
the interior never being less than ten degrees cooler than the
shade outside. The importance of this in a meat-market will
be apparent, but it has disadvantages, and these furnished the
theme of some comment on Thursday. The upper parts of the
roof all over the building are of wood, and communicate with
other portions of the fabric, which are also of wood. In the
event of fire it would probably spread with terrific rapidity
through the building. The wooden portions of the roof have
also the effect of throwing the avenues somewhat into the
shade. The shops are arranged on each side of the side
avenues which cross the market from north to soutli, and in-
tersect the central avenue. The latter is 27 feet wide, and the
six side avenues IS feet wide each. There are 162 shops, 30
feet by 15 feet. At the western end space is reserved for
dealers in poultry and game, but no fish or vegetables will bo
sold in this market. The backs of the shops are closed in, but
at the sides are screened by liglit iron-work, to insure ventila-
tion. The floor of the market is paved with wood blocks.
Twelve hydrants, always at high pressure, will supply ample
means of washing out the market avenues and stalls, and could
be used in case of fire.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF

IRELAND.

JUDGES' REPORT ON DRAINAGE.

Sir, — We beg to forward you, for the information of the
council, our report on the several lots of drainage, which we
were deputed to inspect, for the purpose of awarding the
several prizes offered by the. society ; and, at starting, we beg
to observe, that all the work we inspected was done in a
careful and workmanlike manner — that in all cases the outlets
were well secured, and the main outfalls well cleaned up, and
due precautions taken to make the works permanent ; so that
in the following remarks it must be understood that this was
a competitive examination, and when the main features of all
were done in a creditable manner, the award of the judges
must turn on some portion of the details. The first drainage
we inspected was the lots entered for competition by the
Honourable King Harman. The fault we found with this
drainage was an unnecessary number of outlets for the dis-
charge of the water by the covered submaius into the open
mains. Now, as the permanence of each section of drainage
depends on these outfaUs being kept clean, the unnecesary
multiplication of them is a serious error, entailing much and
constant watching, particularly when discharged into ditches,
liable to have their banks broken down by cattle sliding down
into them, more especially when the discharge is in the low
side of the ditch. In the drainage of Keel, which was the
largest section of Mr. K. Harraan's drainage, there were some
outlets badly placed, which might, we think, have been avoided.
The drainage on this property is only 40 inches to 42 inches
deep, and 30 feet apart. The distance apart is well chosen,
but the depth might have been increased, we think, with
advantage. The other portions of this drainage are the same
depth, but 40 feet apart. Taking into consideration the nature
of the soil, we think the width apart well chosen, but regret
that increased depth was not given.

The next drainage we inspected was Mr. Cosby's. Here
the drainage was well laid out, so as to give each drain its fair
share of work to do, which the lie of the ground, by its great
variation, made troublesome. The great fault we had to find
with the work here was, that the cutting of the open mam
drain was not well laid out, not so much in its direction, as
that there did not appear to have been a proper plan and
working section made before the work was begun, so as to
ensure a proper and well-defined slope to the bank. The
bottom was in all cases too wide, and the banks too straight.
The outfaUs might have been fewer, with advantage to the
permanence of the drainage, and the grates to the covered
sub-main were rather sliglit. The depth of the drains was
fairly kept, but, if anything, it vras rather under than over

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451

the depth of i feet. On Knockleag it was only 3^ feet, which
is a depth, we tliink, which might have heen judiciously in-
creased. Broken stones were used in these works, and also in
those of Mr. King Harraan's ; and we are of opinion that
where stones alone are used, the minor drains should never he
a less depth than 4 feet, as in all drainage there must be more
or less silting.

The next drainage we inspected was Lord Digby's, and it
certainly was most efficient. The care shown in the cutting
of the open mains will add much to the permanence of this
work. The townland of Ballyknockan, where seventy of the
eighty acrgs entered for competition lie, is almost flat, so that
to obtain the necessary outfall, these open mains have to be
cut to a very considerable depth ; and if they had not been
laid out at first with a clear view of the object to be attained,
the slopes and after expenses would have been very serious,
aud the proprietor would liave had no certainty of the efficiency
or permanence of his works. We examined miles of them
open. We saw, in our drive through the estate, some cut for
a considerable period, and all in perfect working order. The
safety of the outfalls has been strictly attended to ; for in the
whole seventy acres there are only two, which are utilised as
watering places for cattle, and are built in such a way as to
make their damage impossible. There has been some con-
troversy as to the propriety bf using stones and tiles in the
same drains here. Twelve inches of stones, and less would
not do, is dearer than 5 inches of stones and 1| inch pipe,
and certainly not more permanent.

As we considered that, on the whole, Mr. Cosby's drainage
was superior to Mr. K. Harman's, we will proceed, before
making our award, to institute a comparison between Mr.
Cosby's and Lord Digby's ; and first as to price : taking Mr.
Cosby's, which varies from 4 feet to 3 feet 6 inches in depth,
and from 30 feet to 40 and 45 feet apart, it averages
£5 17s. 4d. per acre. Now Lord Digby's for 70 acres, ex-
cluding Killom, is £6 13s., or only 15s. 8d. per acre more than
Mr. Cosby's, although the minor drains are folly 4 feet deep
(the depth being more strictly attended to than on the other
works we inspected), and only 30 feet apart, a closeness of
distance apart rendered necessary by the nature of the ground.
We therefore think that, considering the nature of the land
and the disadvantages it laboured under, as compared with the
others, the work on Lord Digby's property has been as
economically done as Mr. Crosby's.

Looking at all the circumstances, if we are not coerced by
the terms of the articles to give the prize to the greatest
amount, we should feel inclined to award the prize to Lord
Digby ; but if on the contrary, we are bound by the greatest
quantity, we are bound to say that Mr. Cosby's drainage has
great merit, and we have no hesitation in saying that it is a
most creditable work, and well deserves the prize which it
will gain.

We would beg to call attention to Mr. Trench's plough for
cutting drains, which, in a soil so free from stones as the
Boharaha drainage is, must be a most valuable implement, and
save a great deal of money in labour. In conclusion, we
cannot help remarking the great pleasure it gave us to see so
much good drainage work doing ; it was all well executed, and
any lot would have, in our judgment, well merited a prize'.
R. C. Wjuje.

John Frederick Meekings.
J. M. ROYSE.
September 22nd, 1868.
To J. B. ThornhiU, Esq., Secretary,
Royal Agricultural Society.

PRESENTATION OF THE BRERETON
TESTIMONIAL.

The Rev. Prebendary Brereton, who for several years
was incumbent of West Buckland, near Barnstaple, where his
labours in connexion with the establishment of the Devon
County School, at that place, are familiar to friends of the
middle-class education movement throughout the country,
having become rector of Massingham, Norfolk, it was deter-
mined that he should not be allowed to leave North Devon
without some substantial token of the esteem in which he is

held by all classes of the community. A subscription soon
produced the sum of three hundred guineas, and it was de-
cided that the testimonial should assume the form of portraits
of Mr. Brereton and his wife. The commission was given to
Mr. George Richmond, R.A., who has discharged it in the most
satisfactory manner, producing not only faithful likenesses, but
genuine works of art. The presentation took place on Friday
afternoon (at a public dinner in Barnstaple), by Earl For-
tescue. The attendance was large, and included men of all
ranks and interests. We briefly noticed this meeting last week,
but here give a further report.

The Chairman in presenting the pictures said : Li trying
to take as it were a judicial view of his claims to this signal
mark of esteem and regard from his friends and former neigh-
bours in North Devon, I think we should consider his ser-
vices in three points of view, and I do not ascribe this tribute
to any one of them exclusively. In the first place, I think we may
ascribe it in part to the services he has rendered to the middle-
classes not only of this county, but I venture to say (on the
authority of the Bishop of Ely and others) of the country at
large, by the tact, energy, foresight, and public-spirited devo-
tion by which he, beginning at first with a school of three
boys, under the present admirable head master, in a farm
house, has enabled us to witness such a scene as several of us
had the pleasure of seeing yesterday — something like a hun-
dred boys of whom more than one-third obtained honours, or at
least certificates from the Universities of Oxford and Cam-
bridge— in a building which, though not absurdly magnificent,
is most seemingly and appropriate and thoroughly well pro-
vided, both with regard to comfort and to sanitary arrange-
ments. The next point of view in wliich we may regard him is
as one who has deservedly obtained the confidence of the far-
mers of North Devon by the zealous, disinterested, and intelli-
gent manner in which he has laboured to promote their in-
terests. His labours for the establishment of the wool fair ;
the active part he took in promoting the establishment,
and keeping up the spirit after it had been established, of
the Barnstaple Farmers' Club ; the ready assistance he has
given on more than one occasion to the Bideford Farmers'
Club ; the sympathy shown in our movement for the estab-
lishment of the Devonshire Chamber of Agriculture ; the
example he set and the spirit of inquiry and discussion with
reference to agriculture wliich he kept alive while he was at
West Buckland — I think may be taken as the second ground
for the feeling of gratitude and respect with which he is re-
garded by the farmers and landowners and land occupiers of
North Devon. The third is the way in which he has laboured
for the spiritual, moral, intellectual, and physical benefit of
his own parish. One much-lamented friend of mine — the
late Chairman of Quarter Sessions — in sending his contribu-
tion to the testimonial, said that he did it not only as one of
the earliest friends and supporters of the Devon County School,
but also as an old ex-magistrate of the Southmolton Division,
where he remembered that West Buckland enjoyed a character
somewhat resembling, though inferior in bad pre-eminence,
the notorious Knowstone ; and another relative of mine, when
I mentioned this to him, heartily concurred, and said that of
all the changes wrought in North Devon none had more sur-
prised him than those he had witnessed in the parish of West
Buckland.

The Rev. Prebendary Brereton, in responding, said a
large portion of his life had been spent in that neighbourhood.
West Buckland was his first settled home, and it was thither
that he brought the dear companion whose portrait they had
so kindly joined with his own. The man of North Devon
were deeply attached to their beautiful county ; yet he ven-
tured to think that none of its true-born sons had ever loved
it more sincerely than himself.

THE SHEPHERD'S DOG TAX.—" Ah, ha !" exclaimed
the shepherd, with a scowl which to me was incomprehensible,
" here's another !" He whistled his dog, and the animal not
coming up, with a Gaehc execration he smashed every egg in
the grouse's nest. I asked him indignantly what he meant
by a destruction so wanton. " Mean !" he replied, and stared
at me as if I had been the party on whom he would fain have
had his revenge. " What I mean is this, Mr., and Til put the
question to yourself. All we shepherds in A— shire have to a

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452

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

man agreed to train our dogs to eat the grouse eggs in every
nest on the hills, and break ourselves every egg we come across,
as a revenge for making us poor shepherds pay 5s. a year for
each of our dogs. Our Scottish gentry in your Parliament
ought to have stood to us, and kept us out of this damua])le
tax, because we can't do without our dogs. I am a poor man.
I have a wife and nine cliildrcn, and my wages are only £25 a
year. Last winter we lost our little boy. . . . We lost
him, and we are £2 in debt to this day for the doctor and the

funeral expenses. Now, Mr., I'll leave it to yourself. Where
am I to get [the money to pay this tax for my four dogs ?
Tfiose men who make such laws in London o\ight to exempt
us, or the landowners should agree to pay it for us. If not,"
he said, stretching out his arms, " while there is life in these
limbs, I swear, as the other shepherds have done, when your
Sasseuachs come down again, that their sport will be like my
wife's gown and my children's meal — not so plentiful as it used
to be." — The London Scotsman,

LOUD LAUGHTER.

It is to be hoped that the latest echoes from the
county of Norfolk have not escaped that attention they
deserve. The proceedings, indeed, at the North Walsham
dinner were singularly opportune and significant. On
the very eve of a general election, INIr. Sevvell Read, the
tenant-farmer member, ventured to ask, amidst roars of
laughter, that " the aristocracy would not only give formal
permission to their tenants to vote, but would give them
that spontaneous and hearty expression which would tell
every tenant he was to exercise the franchise as a free and
independent Englishman." Of course, to the mere out-
sider the altogether inexplicable thing here is the intense
amusement which so becoming an aspiration appeared to
create. It is certainly said that the very feeblest attempt
at wit is sufficient to raise a laugh at a public meeting, but
in this case one utterly fails to see the joke. Nor would
the subsequent speeches seem in any way to warrant
the disi)lay of such incongruous hilarity. Lord Kim-
berley, who followed Mr. Read, held it to be "the
undoubted right of every man to exercise his franchise as
an Englishman, according to his own oinnious. It was
very well known that some persons connected with him-
self supported Mr. Read at the last election, and he (Lord
Kimberley) could confidently ask any man whether he saw
his face darker or had been treated diil'erently because he
did not happen to vote on the side he (Lord Kimberley)
did." Lord Suffield, again, was " confident that every
tenant of his in that room knew that he wished them to
vote according to their consciences ; and he was sure that
the sentiment he had expressed was entertained by the
landed proprietors of the county generally."

Nothing could be possibly better than this ; nothing
more worthy of the serious . consideration of those to
whom such good words were addressed. Why then the
loud laughter that broke out when the subject was
broached ? If the landed proprietors of Norfolk feel as
Mr. SeweU Read and Lord Kimberley do — that every man
should exercise his franchise as an Englishman — this may
be a matter for some mutual gratulation, but scarcely the
occasion for indulgence in upi-oarious merriment. There
must be an under-current here, a certain experience at
any rate, of some previous contests that will occasionally
prompt one well-to-do man to ask of another the price he
has paid for his independence? Lord Kimberley may
"not look black," and Lord Sutfield may be "^perfectly
satisfied;" but the election of a tenant farmer has so far
not been without its consequences. Singularly enough,
on one nobleman's estate, in Norfolk, the only three
tenants who voted for Mr. Sewell Read have since left
their farms. On another property, the noble owner suf-
fered a tenant, who had voted the wrong way and with
whom he had previously been on the most cordial terms,
to sicken for six months without making a call or even
an inquiry, although the dying man's house was just out-
side the Park gate. The son of another tenant, on the
same land, was refused his grandfather's farm, for
no other reason that oonld be imagined than that

his father had exercised the franchise according to
his own opinions ; and every man who polled
on the tenant fanner's side is now iu the agent's
black books. The landlord will certainly here and
there stand aloof; will say nothing, do nothing, and
ostensibly take no part, while his own relatives will be
unmistakably decided in the language they use in can-
vassing his lordship's tenants. Some ten years since —
long before Mr. Read's day — a lai'ge occupier on being
instructed how to vote answered, "We came on the estate
in the last generation Tories, and now we have got our
orders to turn AVhigs." The loud laughter at Walsham
is not so inscrutable after all ; nor a public permission
from Norfolk landlords to their tenants to vote as they
please quite such a mere matter of course.

But it may be wholesome to change the venue and look
a little in other directions. The Duke of Marlborough
in Oxfordshire decHnes to interfere or to make any sign to
his tenantry because his agent has a vote, and is engaged
on one of the candidate's committees — the reason of all
others, one would have imagined, that should have
induced his Grace to declare that he was not to he
identified with his agent's electioneering business. In
Nottinghamshire, the Duke of Portland's agent sends a
circular to the tenants, instructing them how to vote, as
his eraploj^er has just changed sides, without even
thinking it necessary to consult the Duke as to ven-
turing on so monstrous a piece of impertinence ; and in
Staifordshire, Mr. Harvey WVatt, yer j)ro. is giving the
tenants of Lord Lichfield notice to quit. The corres-
pondent of a daily paper thus puts the case : " There are
two candidates for Lichfield, Major Anson and Colonel
Dyott, the first a Liberal and the second a Conservative.
At the Revising Barrister's Court the Conservatives made
a gain, and it is my opinion, and the opinion of many
other citizens, that Colonel Dyott will be returned if he
has fair-play ; but Major Anson's relative, his brother,
the Earl of Lichfield, owns a great deal of property in the
city, and many of the tenants who have Dyottic pi-oclivities
have received notices." The writer, after quoting the ac-
tual form of these ejectments, goes on to say : " Lest you
should not believe me, I enclose one for your inspection,
served upon a tenant of Lord Lichfield, who has occupied
his holding for more than a quarter of a century, and
never been in arrear with his rent." These are of course
borough householders, but Lord Lichfield has of late taken
such a lead in agricultural matters that the " explanation"
which thecorrespondent of ourcontemporary suggests would
come all the more acceptable, although, so fer, we believe,
none has been offered. Lord Lichfield, if our memory serve
us so far, not long since took a very prominent part in fa-
shioning the best form of agreement, which, however, did
not in any way provide for the exercise of the franchise in
accordance with the occupier's own opinions. It would
no doubt at the time have been thought exceedingly absui'd
to introduce anything of the sort for discussion at a
Faj-iuers' Club, although our Norfolk echoes scarcely go

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

453

to this. Lord Lichfield, agaiu, is au active supporter of
Chambers of Agriculture ; and the chief object of these
Societies is, if we read it aright, to have the tenant-
farmer's influence more directly felt in the House of
Commons. But if a man in a town is tm-ned out because
he is suspected of going the other way at election-time, it
is only fair to assume that the same tiling may happen in
the country, and thou the business of the Cham-
ber of Agriculture becomes simply a burlesque.
The writer of the letter we have quoted, and who signs
hinrself " One of Lord Lichfield's Tenants in Lichfield,"
has " a high opinion" of his Lordship, as we ourselves
have always had. In declaring himself on agricul-
tural topics he has almost invariably spoken with efl'ect
and to the point. But agricidtural topics and agricul-
tural politics are now becoming inseparable, and it will

be idle to go into debates on the tenure of land, the ad-
justment of taxation, and so forth, if the independence
of the tenant-farmer be not in the outset admitted. There
must, however, be no mere make-believe in dealing with
this matter ; and a landlord who publicly proclaims his
desire that his tenants should vote as they please, while
his own family and agents are working in a very con-
trary direction, must not be surprised to iind his announce-
ment received with luiul lauyhter. All the several kinds
of coercion employed are now pretty certain to be made
known, and the more they are known the less and less
will they be practised. But, perhaps, above all things, it
behoves the Societies of Agriculture to try their forces
in this way ; and however well a man may promise
abroad, to be careful to ascertain how he behaves about
home.

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL GOSSIP.

The effect of the period of scarcity which France has just
succeeded in weathering, is forcibly reflected ia the great con-
traction in the exports of wheat from Eraucc this year. Thus,
in the seven months ending July 31, tliis year, the total quan-
tity exported was only 43,637 metrical quintals, as compared
with 175,23'1' metrical quintals in the corresponding period of
1867, and 3,157,768 metrical quintals in the corresponding
period of 1860. In tliese exports the United Kingdom figured
for 11,850 metrical quintals to July 31, this year, as compared
with 103,80'J metrical quintals in the corresponding period of
1867, and 1,505,341 metrical qiuntals in the corresponding
period of 1866. Wheat flour, again, was exported France to
the extent of only 51,536 metrical quintals in the first seven
months of this year as compared with 80,305 metrical quin-
tals in the corresponding period of 1807, and 1,791,156 me-
trical quintals in the corresponding period of 1866. In these
exports tlie quantity of wheat flour exported from France to
the United Kingdom figured for only 1,8'J3 metrical quintals
to July 31, this year, as compared witli 13,945 metrical quin-
tals to the correspondmg date of 1867, and 1,386,430 metrical
quintals to the corresponding date of 1860. On the other
hand, the imports of Wheat into France to July 31, this year,
attained the very heavy total of 7,306,100 metrical quintals
as compared with 1,933,900 metrical quintals in the corres-
ponding period of 1867, and 53,500 metrical quintals in the cor-
responding period of 1866. The largest share of the external
wheat supplies received by France this year is set down as hav-
ing been received from " Turkey," an expression whicli may be
probably taken to indicate the Uanubiau Principalities. The
French administration of agriculture has just published the
programme of the exhibition of fat stock proposed to be held
in France in 1869. These exhibitions will take place March
16, at St. Quentin, Nancy, jNfevers, and Nimes ; and on the
following day, March 17, at Nantes, Lyons, and Bordeaux.
A general exhibiton of fat stock will be held, according to the
system adopted last year, at the market of La Villette, March
24. Without taking into account the value of tlie medals
given, we find that the prizes to be awarded at these various
meetings are of tlie following aggregate value : —

CENTRE.

CATTLE.

SHEEP.

PIGS.

TOTAL

St. Quentin ..

.... £341

.. £80 ..

. £35 .

.. £446

Nancy

.... 330 .

.. 80 .

. 35

.. 435

.... 396 .

.. 108 .
.. 67 .

. 38

. 23

.. 543

Nimes

.... 244 .

.. 333

Nantes

.... 474

.. 74 .

. 43

.. 591

Lyons

.... 408

.. 53 .

. 43

.. 503

Bordeaux ....

.... 476

.. 60 .

. 33

.. 569

La Villette

.... 2646 .

.. 306 .

. 170

.. 3132

The general arrangements for the various meetings present no
material variation. The La Villette meeting will commence
on Saturday, March 30 ; on Monday, March 23, the various
sections of the jury will proceed with their operations, and
the pubUc will be admitted at a charge of 4s. each person ; on
the following day the charge will be reduced to lOd. (one
franc) each person ; and on Wednesday, March 24, the exhi-
bition will become a public and gratuitous one, the Minister
of Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works, distributing the

prizes and medals at one p. m. — The Baron de Marignon, pre-
sident of the Agricultural and Viticultural Society of Miranda,
has just died, after a short illness. The baron was one of the
first to inscribe his name on the list of promoters and founders
of the new Society of Agriculturists of France. — Encouraged
by the success which has attended certain steam-ploughing
experiments in the plains of the Capitanate,the Italian i^Jinis-
ter of Agriculture has acquired one of Fowler's apparatus,
which he has entrusted to the agricultural committee of Fer-
rara, for the purpose of making experiments with it. The
trials, which have been directed by Professor Paul Botter, have
attracted a very large concourse of landed-proprietors, farmers,
and peasants, without speaking as we ought to speak of the
pupils of the Bologna Scliool of Agriculture. The experi-
ments were so successful that several landed-proprietors
applied for a loan of the machine, in order that it might be
tried on their estates ; and the Marquis de Ilevedin, upon
whose land the otticial trials took place, resolved to purchase
one of Fowler's apparatus, in order to break up and bring
into cultivation the old pastures which abound on his property.
Finally, the Agricultural Society of Ferrara has determined to
undertake at its own expense, and in its own workshops, the
construction of a steam-plough of the same type. The
Academy of Sciences at Milan awards every three years two
gold medals, of the value of £40, to the invention or improve-
ment which most interests or concerns Lombaidian agriculture
or industry : the next triennial period expires in 1870. — The
eastern provinces of Austria are unfortunately not altogether
without uneasiness as to the health of their live-stock, the
cattle-plague having invaded thirteen new localities in
Gallieia, increasing the number of centres of infection at the
close of September to 33. The disease had, it is true, disap-
peared at other points ; but upon the wliole, the germs of the
malady were not so completely extinguished as had been at first
announced, as out of an ett'ective total of 5,643 animals spread
over 397 farms or estates 936 were attacked by the cattle
plague, which caused 389 to perish, while 519 others were
slaughtered exclusive of 124 which were slaughtered as a mea-
sure of precaution. From Prussia the advices received are
much more re-assuring ; no fresh case of cattle plague is re-
ported ; and attention is a good deal occupied by the recent
opening of a new royal poinological institute at Proskau. —
The Scientific Congress of France will open its thirty-fifth
session at Montpellier, Dec. 1. Among the subjects which
will be considered by the section which will apply itself to
agriculture, commerce, and industry, the following may be
mentioned: — 1. Agricultural credit. 2. Agricultural instruc-
tion. 3. Ilural roads and the means of improving them. 4.
Meteorology apphed to agriculture. 5. The cost price of manures
in farm w-orkings. 6. The transformation of cultivation in
Lower Languedoc. 7. Drainage and its eifects iu the South
of France. 8. The role of agents and their influence on the
price of food products. 9. The means of developing the con-
sumption of French wines abroad. 10. The rule of sheep in
the working of certain soils. 11. The wools of Lower Lan-
guedoc, considered both from an agricultural and au industrial
point of view. 13. The insects which attack lucerne, &c. The
congress will last until Dec. 10.

m

THE FAEMEK'S MAGAZINE,

PLOUaHING MATCHES.

The season for ploughing matches is at its full tide.
Good ploughing is one of the best foundations upon
which the best farming, or true culture is based. True
rectangular furrows are the perfection of ploughing, the
straighter in outline the better. They form perfect
right-angles for the harrow, so that every furrow pre-
sents the same surface for pulverization, whereby they
are readily broken down for a satisfactory seed-bed.
Moreover this true ploughing provides a firm furrow-
sole, so universally sought for, to make a compressed
seed-bed, of sufficient solidity to withstand the winter's
frost, or the summer's drought. Every furrow in true
plonj^hing rests the bottom section of the furrow upon
the furrow-sole, so that all when weU harrowed forms one
uniformly broken soil, easily to be compressed to the so-
lidity required for the safe and satisfactory progress
throughout its growth of every corn plant, but most as-
suredly of the wheat-plant; but ii-regular, uneven, bad
ploughing is exceedingly detrimental to the progress of
every plant growing upon land so ploughed. Bad
ploughing is irregular in width, depth of furrow, and
rectilinear outline ; consequently as the furrows are irre-
gular in width and depth, they press upon each other
rather than the furrow -sole, and, without imiformity,
the haiTow slides over a part of the surface held off by
the large high-crested furrows upon which it rides : these
only are well han'owed ; the under furrows are missed,
and in many places there are vacuums between the fur-
row-slice and fm-row-sole, so that with the missed furrows
in harrowing, the vacuums left, and the imperfect pul-
verization attained a very unsatisfactory seed-bed is the
result, and the consolidation necessary for the future pro-
gress of the crop cannot be evenly obtained; the
crop, therefore, like the ploughing is irregular. It is
overgrown, rough, and, flagging on the doubly-pulverised
fm-rows ; it is thin and dwindling on the partially-broken,
or rather missed furrows ; the final residt is an inferior
crop, very uneven in the sample. Good ploughing then
is the true basis upon which good crops are raised, and to
encourage and promote this great desideratum, competi-
tive ploughing matches have been very generally esta-
blished throughout the United Kingdom, and with im-
mense benefit in practical agriculture, and no little ad-
vantage to the farming interest, and the general public.
It is one of the most gratifying of rural sights, to witness
a large, well-appointed, and well-contested ploughing-
match. The fields in which the competition is to take
place are chosen for their convenience, proximity to each
other, and suitability to exhibit superior work ; generally
clover ley or grass seeds are selected ; but wheat-stubble
land, nicely mown, is occasionally provided, care beiag
taken to ascertain that the soil is sufficiently consolidated
to insure a perfect furrow-slice in ploughing it. This done,
the various works are set out according to the number of
entries previously made to the managers or secretary of
the match, or the society under whose direction the match
is instituted. In the majority of matches, the extent of
land to be ploughed by each ploughman is fixed and
limited to half-an-acre ; this to be ploughed within a
given time, and at not less than a certain fixed depth.
It is customary on these occasions for the farmer
to send his best team with which his ploughmen are
to contest the match. This adds gi'eatly to the interest
of the gathering. The various ploughs from the various
plough-makers brought into competition form another
object of considerable interest, both to the farmers and

the plough-makers. The latter class frequently providing
their improved ploughs to be put into the hands of supe-
rior ploughmen of the district, whilst others wiU bring
their own teams, men, and ploughs for competition, and
the exhibition of their implement in work. To describe
one of these very attractive rural gatherings will suffice
for our purpose, in showing what a good local ploughing
match really is, and how it is conducted and carried out.
In prospect of the forthcoming match, neighbouring farmers
are invited to offer to the secretary of the association suit-
able fields for the match. The most eligible offer is of course
accepted. The number of entries being ascertained, the
stewards for the match set out the works in half-acres,
according to the numbers required for each class, each
work having a space between, and each work is denoted
by a peg or stake at each corner, upon one of which is the
number of the work, and by which the judges decide. In
this case the number of works thus set out amounted to
88, and very few of the ploughmen were absent at the
match. It requires gi-eat care to set out several fields cor-
rectly so that every work shall be of uniform width
throughout each field, and each separate work of exact
width at both ends, othermse the furrows would not be of
equal width at each end, and thus expose the ploughman
to difficulty and perhaps loss of a prize. At this meeting
the match was divided into nine classes : farmers' sons
from 21 yi-s. to 24 yrs., ditto from 18 yrs. to 22yrs., and
ditto under 18 yrs. Of farmers' sons collectively there
were 19 entries and three others not eligible according to
rule — 22 farmers' sons at one match. Thirty years since
great difficulty was experienced in persuading three young
farmers to enter for competition. The foui'th class is
yearly servants ; fifth, labourers ; sixth, single men under
25 yrs. ; seventh, ploughboys under 18 yrs. ; eighth,
prizemen with swing ploughs ; ninth, prizemen with wheel
ploughs. The two latter classes open to all England.
Great interest occasionally attaches to these displays, owing
to the skill of the ploughmen, but recently " The Farmers'
Sons" classes have attracted equal attention. The morn-
ing anives ; the teams assemble at the appointed place by
eight o'clock according to the stipulations ; upwards of 80
teams are drawn up ; they are cGvided into classes ; tic-
kets are provided according to classes and numbers. Each
ploughman draws by lot a ticket from the hat, and is
directed to the corresponding number in his class for his
half-acre or work. The general direction is then given.
Fai'mers' sons to theii' works south end of the 18 acres.
All England classes to the northern end, &c. Class fourth,
yearly servants, to the northern end of 22 acres. Class
fifth, labourers, to the southern end. Class sixth, single-
men, to the two far nine acres. The ploughboys to the
near nine acres. By nine o'clock all are in their places,
their plough-irons reversed. The steward takes a con-
spicuous position, waves his hat and cries, " Set your
irons," for which 15 minutes is allowed ; he then again
waves his hat and cries, " Off." In an instant all the
ploughmen are seen running and hurrying to set up their
beacons and marks to ensure their drawing a straight
ridge or fui'row across the field. In a very few minutes
all are in full competition, and a most interesting and
pleasing sight it is. Their work must be completed within
four hours, so no time must be lost, all is full activity
without hurry. The intense interest and care showni by each
competitor create a corresponding feeling in the visitors,
and, in its way, is equal to the excitement experienced in
many less useful matches. The match goes on. The

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

455

company increases every minute. The headlands are
crowded. Some favourite ploughman or some likely com-
petitor receives their ovation as he approaches the head-
land ; and, according to puhlic opinion, he stands fore-
most in his class. Occasionally matches are made
between individual ploughmen, or some crack local
ploughman more especially competes with the renowned
ploughman usually sent out. Fai'mers' sons, to their
credit and honour, wiU occasionally pit themselves
against these practised men. In the late Lincolnshire
ploughing matches Mr. H. Goodyear has frequently con-
tested the " AU England" prizes, and won too. To see
two such ploughmen as Goodyear and Barker in close
competition is, to admirers of good ploughing and well-
executed farm-work, a matter of great interest and plea-
sure. It is marvellous to see with what straightness and
precision every furrow is laid. The exact width and
depth is upheld throughout the half-acre ; and in the
finish the balk and mould-furrow is so taken up as to be
like, or equally level with, the rest, and as ready for the
harrow. Owing to these especial competitions, and the
excellency of the general ploughing, these matches have
become very popular in very many rural districts ; and it
is no unusual thing to see not only hundreds, but thou-
sands, of spectators, taking great interest in the proceed-
ings, and anxiously watching the successful eiforts of
some, or the inferior doings or mistakes of others. In
this way the match goes on, the stewards endeavouring to
keep all in order, and watchful to see that every plough-
man completes his work in the given time : if not, it is his
duty to di'aw up the stakes or pegs denoting the work,
which is thus thrown out of competition. When all is
finished, the judges, who are generally three well-known,
respectable farmers, who in their own day could win a prize
at a ploughing match, go over the work in the classes
separately, taking both ends and across the works when
needful, so as to come to a correct decision, from viewing
the work in every part. The stewards assist, by re-
maining at the ends, and announcing the number of each
work, taking care to conceal the name of every plough-
man, as only by the number of the work the decision is
given. In tliis way satisfaction is given, and is depended
upon by the ploughmen.

In the most popular matches a dinner is subsequently
given to the ploughmen, at a moderate cost ; and a truly
pleasant meeting it is. They discuss all matters con-
nected with the labourers' department of these associa-
tions. The ploughing which they have scrutinized, the
stacking, thatching, shepherding, hedging, and ditching,
till the secretary or other officer comes before them
to read the award of prizes. The excitement is
then at its height. Every countenance shows the most
encouraging interest. They take a precursor for future
years. To increase their pleasure and prove their judg-
ment, the secretary occasionally asks, as class after class
is about to be read out, " Who wins the silver cup ?"
" Mr. A. !" shout a number of them. " No, no !" shout
a dozen others : " Mr. B. has it !" The secretary reads
" Mr. B.," sure enough. " Who wins the new watch ?"
"Harry A. !" shout a large number. " No ! Jem B. !"
say several. " No, no ! Harry has it 1" and, sure
enough, Harry is the winner. " WeU, now, who wins
the new hat ?" (the highest honour.) " J. B. !" shout
the majority. " No ! H. G. is first 1" " No, no I J.
B.'s is the best work !" and, true enough, he had the
award; and in the case alluded to, out of twenty-one
prizes or awards, these men — about sixty in number —
only differed from the judges in their awards of three
or four minor prizes, in a truly weU-contested match.
This gives the men great confidence in the judges, and
ensm-es their future competition. The prizes are then
distributed; and, amidst a few hearty cheers, the
men retire to their homes, and, to their credit be it
spoken, without any symptoms of inebriation or dis-
satisfaction.

Agricultural societies making great efforts to improve
the labouring population in skill, industry, and good
conduct are worthy of every support ; and these efforts
have already so influenced them as a class, that they now
hail almost as a boon every new appliance for the
economising labom', feeling assured that ultimately, in
the management of the soil upon improved modem
principles, a greater demand for manual labour is created
— a fact long established beyond dispute.

CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE.

Finish the sowing of wheat, if any remains un-
done from last month. Remove Swedish turnips
from the ground in fine weather. Cut by hand-
sickle the roots and tops from the bulbs, and give
the tops to the sheep in the fields, or to the store
cattle in the yards. Carry the crop to the home-
stead, and place the roots in a long heap, to be
thatched with straw, as a store.

Flood-watered meadows : clean out and put into
proper order for use the main channels, the con-
veying gutters, with the sluices of flood-gates.

Begin to cut underwoods; plant forest trees in
clumps at corners and in single standards, in
places where shelter and shade may be required,
or eflFect can be produced. A clump of a few trees
is useful in permanent pastures for rubbing posts,
and as a shelter from heats and rains, placed on any
knoll in the field, or in the corners to face all direc-
tions. The position will depend on the formation
and elevation of the ground. The sycamore, beech,
and ash are well adapted for this purpose, with an

early and wide-spreading foliage, and in growing
quickly beyond harm's-reach from animals.

Open drains in plantations by means of cuts
directed along the bottom of hollows, and strictly
following the natural formation of the surface.
The main channels must be kept well open and
clear, to receive the contents of the small drains
that are in extent to receive and convey the surface-
water — in width two feet, and depth one and a-half
feet, at an average extent. The declivity of the
ground will direct the course and size of the open
drains.

Repair old fences : cut all old growths that are
yet fresh close by the ground, in order to obtain a
wholly new growth of hedge, and in blanks place
strong young sets, cut short, in a bed of fresh soil,
so as not to touch the old dry bank of foundation.
Slant the cuts upwards, and alternate the face and
backs of the cuts to each other. The plashing
and layering of branches is not much to be used
as the gash of incision generally inflicts a mortal

t-56

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

wound, and kills the branch into dead timber, not
at all agreeable to any living growth. In making
new hedges of thorn, draw a straight line of in-
cision by spade ; invert the turf or spit of earth ;
slope it backwards to receive the sets of a strong
growth cut into lengths, four inches apart, and
covered with soil, leaving the upper end of the set
bare to view. In wet soils a ditch is dug in front
of the line of hedge, and the excavated materials
are thrown over the sets, making an open mound
to receive rains and meltings of snows, to be con-
veyed downwards as moisture to the young roots
of the sets, which thrive best on a grassy turf, of
which the decomposition affords the best food of
plants. In dry grounds a hollow excavation in
front of the hedge affords the materials to be
thrown over the hedge to form the mound, which
remains loose and open, and along with the hedge
is protected on both sides by a rail of fences for
about eight years, till the hedge is grown into a
fence beyond damage. During that period of time
no cuttings are done of the young thorns, save
lopping any shoots that very far overgrow their
neighbours, and filling gaps by bending and fixing
side-branches over the vacancy. When the hedge
has reached a height of six feet, the form may be
cut into any shape, if at any time the free and wild
luxuriance of nature be not more pleasing than
the uniform sameness produced by the shears of
the gardener. On lands that produce large growths
the free luxuriance will be most pleasing. The
general mode of planting hedges raises a large dry
mound cf earth, with a sloped wall over it, which
excludes all moisture from the plants, which must
have access to air in the nearest possible approach,
along with moisture. Roads are generally sunk in
a trench, instead of being made on the surface of
the ground.

Cast open ditches in all places that require that
provision for the conveyance of water, confining
the use of open cuts for a fence in all possible
cases, as no ditches must incommode the cultiva-
tion of lands or the pasturage of fields. Side
ditches must be covered up.

Repair roads by laying broken stones on the
sunken places, and by keeping all roads in a dry
condition, by throwing the water sideways into the
ditches, or longitudinally along a declivity of the
road. A convexity of the body of the road is the
most eligible.

Thrash grains regularly by machinery every ten
days, and constantly by flail, to supply provender
for cattle and litter for the yards. Sell and deliver
all grains on being thrashed. Forestalling is sel-
dom profitable, and a granary is little useful as a
farm-building, except for holding any seed grains
before being sown. Saleable produce goes from
the barn much more conveniently and directly.
Horses' corn may be laid in granary to wait being
used ; but a mustiness succeeds the freshness,
which is ever most agreeable to the taste of animals,
and also for any use of grains.

The fatting bullocks are placed in yards (two and
three together of the largest size, and not exceeding
four), with a shelter-shed, with one opening,
and the roof filled with straw to the top, for sake
of warmth, which in a moderate degree is essential

to the existence of organised life. An exposure in
a yard of fresh air is also indispensable. Wooden
cribs, with latticed bottoms, are preferable for
holding the turnips, and passing downwards the
rains and the filth from the roots. These cribs arc
fixed along a side wall, with straw cribs two in
number, which are placed in the yards, and fre-
quently moved, in order to prevent a dry position
of the straw into dung underneath. The turnips
and other food is given early in the morning to
serve the day, or again at noon, Store cattle are
l^laced. in yards in six or eight together, and sup-
plied with food in the same way, with a trough of
fresh water, where succulent food is not very
abundant.

The horned cattle of North Britain are best tied
to stake in houses, as the restless disposition pre-
vents the quietness that is necessary to fattening.
The dung must be kept in a level position, in
order to be equally moistened in the yards, that
are basin-shaped in the bottoms, and pitched to
retain the moisture from rains, snows, and urine,
and regularly and thinly covered over with litter of
straws cut into short lengths by the steam-thrash-
ing machinery. This condition of short litters will
very much facilitate the impregnation of the straws
by the urinary liquids, and the subsequent covering
of the dung in the land as manure. After all that
has been spoken and written on the subject of
liquid manure, and of fattening cattle in stalls or
sheds, the preference is yet to be given to the yard
with shelter-sheds, and to absorption of liquids by
earths and vegetable matters. This conclusion
was evident from the first mooting of the question.

Animals of the same age and size should be
placed together in fattening or in store condition.
The arrangement will produce a most agreeable
and beneficial evenness of advancement, and shows
a professional skilfulness in the production and
adaptation of animal life. An incongruous assort-
ment of any articles is ever displeasing and un-
profitable, a sign of ignorance, and a sure mark
of the want of system that is so necessary in any
profession or employment.

Feed sheep, as directed last, with fresh food every
two days in the fattening flocks on the ground,
and the store flocks on stubbles and grass leys.
Give milch cows beet and cabbages, alternated
with one meal of steamed chaffs. Feed pigs as
directed last month ; give ample littering, and keep
the animals dry. Feed poultry with light grains
of oats and barley, and with steamed potatoes
mixed with meals, placed in a trough in the yard
imder cover.

Place young horses in a roomy yard, with a
shelter-shed and ample supply of fresh water.
Feed the animals plentifully with chaffs of hay and
straw, oats, and bran, and once a day with raw or
steamed roots. The first winter's keep has a very
large share in making good animals. The calves
of this year deserve the best treatment in a warm
yard and shed : a good supply of water, food, and
litter.

Plant potatoes in the fields, after they have been
fallowed for the purpose during last month. Open
drills thirty inches wide, and deep as possible.
Apply a large quantity of half-rotted farmyard

TBTE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

dung, in which the sets are sunk, and protected by
a covering of earth thrown over it by two deep
and heavy furrows of the common plough, which
apht and never set the ridglets. The crops are

,457

earUer and more abundant than from the spring
planting, but can only be done under the benign
climate of South Britain.

CALENDAR OF GARDENING.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Artichokes : protect the plants by mulch or
masses of leaves, after removing all the old stalks
and decayed foliage. Dig the roots for temporary
supply of the so-called Jerusalem artichoke. Dig
potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and beet. Secure all
roots in dry sand, carefully observing the condition
as to soundness or decay. Keep the store very
dry.

Brocoli and cauliflower in the open ground
should be laid down, and be guarded with a cover-
ing of dry earth laid close over the stems.

Finish the earthing-up of celery ; if frost
threatens, cover the ridges and tops with dry
haulm.

Tie up some plants of endive, and remove others
to dry for blanching.

Give air occasionally to any lettuces in frames.
Do the same by radish and salad.

Try again for early peas and beans. Transplant
more spring cabbage, and fill up blanks in the
cauhflowers of August, sowing into warm borders
where they could be occasionally protected.

Cover sea- kail for forcing, and prepare more
asparagus plants, placing them in pits with a bed
of tree leaves under the earth.

Leave strawberries for the winter, protected by
their own foliage.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Gardeners in full practice are forced to prune
the wall-trees and the berry-bearing shrubs at
almost any time ; but the plants gain nothing by
pruning now, February being sufficiently early.
However, if apple and pear trees, or espaliers, have
not been already finished, the regular spur pruning
should be performed in mild weather.

Raspberries may be tied by cords neatly to
stakes, six rods to each, stopping at angle towards
the north, or to a neat open trellis. It is a good
policy to secure by this means the full exposure of
next year's growing canes to the sun. The plants
are too much crowded by the perpendicular con-
fined tying to the stakes.

Spur prune and nail in the branches of plum
and cherry trees.

FLOWER GARDEN,

Plant bulbs— tuHps, hyacinths, crocus, narcissus,
&c., &c., in grounds of rich sandy beds. Open
the holes neatly, place the bulb an inch or two
deep ; introduce the dry fine earth around each,
observing that every part, particularly at the base,
be touched. Move a few herbaceous plants ;
roughly fork the surface of beds, and scatter de-
cayed leaf-mould and old dung of animals over it.
Observe neatness and order everywhere.

Pits, frames, and similar erections, with semi-
hardy plants, should be kept as dry as possible,
and aired at every convenient opportunity. Dry

sawdust is a fine material to plunge in, as it guards
the mould effectually.

This month ends the labours of the year, and
begins the preparations for the crops of the coming
seasons. Some few root plants are left in the
ground to be dug fresh for daily use, and in hard
weather require a covering of fern or rough straws,
which protect better than earth, being lighter,
drier, and open to fresh air when the temperature
has changed. The vegetable freshness is also
secured— an inestimable advantage to the quahty of
all esculent plants. Except in the stormiest lati-
tudes, where deep snows of long duration, with
frost of intensity, prevent access to the plants, all
roots should remam in the ground over winter, in
order to be freshly dug for use, until the spring
crops require to be sown on the ground. The
faecal exudation that proceeds from all fleshy plants,
of which the tap roots penetrate and divide the
ground, will be amply developed by the winter's
residence, and forms a powerful aliment to the
future crops with creeping roots. The tops being
closely shaved from the plants, the spring vegeta-
tion will be delayed as late as possible, but not to
allow any damage to the crops that follow. There
is a wide difference between a vegetable taken dry
from a store pit, in which it has lain for some time,
and a root cut or dug from the ground on the
morning of its use. The quahty and value of the
vegetable in the fresh condition is preserved in the
ground, and lost in the store pit. Vegetables lose
quality by separation from the ground in any
length of time, and the exposure by the shcing of
roots, especially in dry weather, evaporates the
juice, and diminishes the quality of the plant.

Dung is applied at this season of the year to any
out-grounds in fallow, and to lands for the coming
crops. The manure has been prepared as directed
in liquid tanks, with the mixture of grassy herbage
and tall succulent weeds cut into short lengths,
saturated with suds from the kitchen and scullery,
and fine earths and scrapings, with the droppings
of animals. These dry articles may be prepared in
a compost with old lime, forming a manure of a
rich value. For this use there is no better material
than the grassy earths from the sides of roads and
ditches ; being fresh and unused, a ready mode is
afforded of reciprocal action. The cheapness of
the article is a very high recommendation. These
manures are now dug into the soil by being placed
in a thin layer on the breast of the trench, and
covered with next spit that is moved with the
spade. The decomposition of the applied sub-
stances with the soil during the winter months will
produce for the spring movements a black clammy
mouldiness — a most powerful fertilizer in the
humus of scientific distinctions. This purpose
will be much advanced by a mixture of hot lime

458

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

cinders along with the dung ; will dissolve slowly
in the soil, evolving much heat, which will per-
meate the whole mass, warming it and raising the
temperature of the ground by the moist exhala-
tions. These agents will produce a most excellent
state of ground for the spring crops.
The beds of ground for strawberries and flowers

being formed or renewed with fresh soil, are to be
laid in the subsoil, with a stratum of the dung,
which is covered with a fine earth, the mixture
with the dung being performed by the subsequent
digging of the ground. The manures and the soil
being equally fine in condition, a very ready and
a most beneficial mixture will be effected.

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTUflAL REPORT FOR
OCTOBER.

The weather having been all that could be desired, farmers
have been enabled to proceed with sowing operations with
rapidity, and a large breadth of laud has been placed under
wheat. At the same time, thrasliing has progressed slowly,
and the quantities of wheat sent forward have been somewhat
limited. This has greatly retarded the downward progress in
prices ; but millers, being convinced that the arrivals will in a
short time be on a larger scale, have operated with caution,
and only to supply immediate wants. The fall has not ex-
ceeded 3s. per qr., the trade having ruled very quiet through-
out the month. The supplies of foreign wheat on sale at
Mark Lane have been on a full average scale, and the quality
of the produce has generally been excellent. Nevertheless,
the demand has ruled inactive, and Baltic wheats, although
offered at a considerable reduction, have found few purchasers.
The late arrivals of American wheats were in excellent condi-
tion, but they could only be disposed of on lower terms.
Prices on this side must still be considered high, and a com-
parison with former years shows that the quotations uow
current here are far above the average. Under these circum-
stances, the English markets will continue to be remunerative
outlets for the superfluous produce of foreign countries, and
we may anticipate that our imports will continue on an ex-
tensive scale for some time to come. Stocks of wheat here
are much exhausted, and large quantities must come forward
before they can be replenished and brought to their natural
level. The unsettled state of the home market, liowever, has
rectricted operations in wheat for shipment, and the attention
of the floating-cargo trade has been confined to parcels off the
coast. Speculators are not sufficiently advised of the future
course of the market to enter into business for future delivery.
There is no doubt but that prices will continue to recede ; but
the question as to the extent of the fall is not so easQy
answered. Much will depend upon the shipments from
America, but we apprehend that, at the present prices ruling at
New York, there is not much margin left for profit on this
side. Freights from the other side still rule high, notwith-
standing the recent reduction, but it is probable that a compe-
tent supply of tonnage will soon be forthcoming. Taking into
account the large yield throughout America, and the superior
quality of the produce, any considerable shipments will un-
doubtedly influence the quotations here. Until some con-
siderable reduction takes place in values at New York, how-
ever, we cannot look for any extensive operations. On the
Continent very httle has been doing on English account,
speculation having for the moment ceased, and prices have
been on the decline in sympathy with the English markets.

Only moderate supplies of barley have come to hand, but
the general quality has been good, especially of that grown on
heavy lands. Fine malting barley has realized 53s. per qr.,
and Saa] and French qualities have changed hands at that
ngure. This is the highest price that barley has touched for
a long time past.

An extensive business has been done in oats, and the quota-
tions have been on the advance. Notwithstanding the heavy
importations of Russian descriptions, they have all been taken
ott at improving rates.

Beans and peas have been scarce, and prices have tended
upwards. Probably the crop of beans this year is the worst
inat has ever been known in this country.

The flour trade has been very inanimate, but the top price
of town-made remains unaltered. Foreign and country marks
have been difficult to quit on lower terms.

A great improvement is noticeable in the pastures. The
recent heavy rains have produced a good growth of grass, but
the stock is still sutfering from the continued drought during
the summer months. Many of the beasts sent to market are
in poor condition, although a great improvement is observable.
Swedes, turnips, mangolds, &c., have progressed more favour-
ably than could have been expected, but the season is too far
advanced to look for any great yield ; we shall, therefore,
probably experience a great scarcity of food for stock during
the winter months.

The supplies of hay and straw on sale in the metropolitan
markets have been only moderate, but of good quality. The
demand has ruled fairly active, but the quotations have given
way in consequence of the improved appearance of the grass
lands. Meadow hay is now quoted at £i 4s. to £5 15s., clover
£4 4s. to £6 10s., and straw £1 5s. to £1 15s. per load.

The potato crop is turning out much better than was ex-
pected, and the accounts from Yorkshire and from Ireland
have been more encouraging. The importations have been
heavy, and of very various quality, many having been much
affected by blight. The supplies having been in excess of the
demand, however, prices have ruled low. French and Belgian
whites have sold as low as 40s. to 75s., the quotation for
English regents being 90s. to 140s. per ton.

The yield of hops has not proved so large as was, at one
time, anticipated. At the time of throwing out the burr, it
was thought that the yield would have been unprecedented,
but the subsequent unfavourable weather greatly changed the
aspect of affairs. Still, we believe the out-turn here to be a
fair average one, while on the Continent and in America the
greatest success appears to have attended the planters. Our
imports have consequently been heavy, and prices have been
on the decline. English hops are quoted at £4 4s. to £8
and foreign qualities at £3 3s. to £5 10s. per cwt.

The wool trade has continued greatly depressed, and English
descriptions have further given way in value. Large qaantities
of Colonial produce have come to hand, and for the November
sales it is estimated that about 110,000 bales will be cata-
logued, namely, 70,000 Australian and 40,000 Cape. This is
a large amount for the November series, and it is not impro-
bable that, notwithstanding an apparent revival of trade in
the manufacturing districts, prices will further decline. It is
evident that production lias, for the moment, overtaken the
powers of consumption in this country.

The Scotch and Irish markets have been fairly supplied with
produce of all descriptions, and prices have fluctuated in sym-
pathy with the quotations here. Some considerable shipments
of Irish oats have been made to the London markets, but only
limited quantities of Scotch grain have been sent south.

REVIEW OE THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE

PAST MONTH.

The steady rains which have fallen in all parts of the
country since our last report have ■\M-ought a material
improvement in the condition of the pastures, and cattle have
fared much better on the land than could have been expected,
considering tlie drought which prevailed for so long a time.
There being less necessity for forcing beasts to market, the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

amv^s of stock from our own grazing districts show a fallino-
ott, when compared with the previous month, whUst its quaHty
ftas slightly improved. Very few prime breeds, however,
n ^l-.f?JT.^^^- ^' ^^S--^""^^ number, the Continent has
contributed fairly to the wants of the metropolis, but the
weight ot most breeds has been considerably below an average •
nevertheless, the later arrivals have been received in rather
better condition. With the exception of prime stock, which
nas met a tair sale, inactivity has characterised the demand for
Dotli ±;nghsh aud foreign beasts, and prices, although not
quotably lower, have had a drooping tendency. The extreme
quotation for the best Scots and crosses throughout the month
has been 5s. 4d. per 81bs.

Notwithstanding that tlie proliibitory measures respecting,
the removal of foreign sheep have continued in force, fair sup-
plies are still forwarded from the continent, the arrivals durin"-
the month having amounted to nearly 18,000 head, the whole
ot which after being slaughtered at the waterside, liave been
sent to Newgate and Leadenhall markets for disposal. The
receipts of English sheep have been much less than in the pre-
ceding month, and but little improvement has been noticed in
their condition. The few prime Downs and half-breds offered
have met a ready sale, at from 5s. 2d. to 5s. 4d. per 8 lbs. In
other respects the trade has ruled heavy, and previous quota-
tions have been with difficulty obtained.

Only moderate supplies of calves have been brought for-
ward. Prime breeds have moved off freely at very full curren-
cies, otherwise the inquiry has been limited. Prices have
ranged from 3s. 6d. to 5s. 4d. for 8 lbs.

For the time of year the supply of pigs has been limited,
ihe trade tor them has ruled steady, at from 3s. 4d. to 4s. 4d.
per 8 lbs.

.TJiere is no doubt that there will be strong demand for arti-
ficial food during the winter months, in consequence of the
scarcity of grass, and the failure of the root crops.

For oil cakes there has been a healthy inquiry. Best New
York linseed cakes in barrels are now selling at £13 7s. 6d. to
il3 10s., ditto in bags, £12 5s.; Western in bags, £11 15s.
P^"" *.?'^'.^^"®'"P- Ordinary to well-ground cotton cakes are
worth £7 12s. 6d. to £8 per ton.

The total supplies exhibited in the Metropolitan market
have been as under ;— .

Head.

26,569

109,160

1,446

1,383

Comparison of Supplies.

9nL Beasts. Cows. Sheep. Calves. Pies.

1867 28,340 170 103,870 1,129 3

1866 27,600 200 99,200 1,666 4

1865 30,310 132 157,840 3 932 i

1864 33,840 519 137,434 3 671 3

1863 30,513 535 110,800 2!o29 3

1863 28,975 526 118,780 1,855 3

1861 28,220 539 121,390 1,636 3

I860 36,340 535 128,350 3 389

Sheep
Calves

,865
,340
,478
,820
,439
,386
,650
,630

The supplies of English, Scotch, and Irish beasts thus com-
pare with the three previous years : —

Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct.
From— 1864. 1865. 1866. 1867, 1868.
Lincolnshire, Leices-
tershire, and North-
amptonshire 10,600 8,450 6,000 7,340 11,160

Other parts of England 3,500 3,700 3,000 3,800 1790

Scotland 123 53 16 7 267

Ireland 3,070 990 580 1,820 1,110

The Imports of foreign stock into London liave been :— ■

Head.

Beasts , ... 13,744,

Sheep ,. ... 17,891

Calves 963

I'igs 1,948

Total

... 33,545

459

Comparison of iMroRTf?.
Oct. Beasts. Sheep, Calves. Pigs.

1867 13,061 29,365 957 2 911

1866 15,876 30,108 1,378 4,859

1865 15,344 69,611 1,953 9,135

1864 16,074 38,715 3,339 5,537

1863 11,560 37,531 1,139 3,965

1863 7,906 38,109 1,337 1,600

1861 5,577 43,538 1,307 5,315

I860 6,750 24,980 1,663 3,074

1859 6,026 24,323 784 878

1858 4,600 24,145 1,581 553

1857 5,819 24,103 1,998 1333

1856 8,871 10,502 1,280 895

1855 8,136 31,137 1,358 1,501

1864 6,894 16,338 1,009 1,063

Beef has sold at Irom 3s. 3d. to 5s. 4d. ; mutton, 3s. 3d. to

5s. 4d. ; veal, 3s. 6d. to 5s. 4d. ; and pork, 3s. 4d. to 43. 4d. per

81bs., to sink the offal. ^

Comparison of Prices.

Oct., 1864. Oct., 1865. Oct., 1866. Oct., 1867.

s. d. s, d. s. d. 8. d. 8. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Leef from 33 to 5 4 34 to 5 4 36 to 54 33 to 5 0

Mutton... 38 5 6 44 68 38 6433 4 10

"Veal 40 5 4 44 56 43 56 43 54

Fork 3 6 4 10 44 5 10 40 52 34 42

The dead meat markets have been fairly supplied. The
trade has ruled heavy, at the annexed quotations. Beef from
3s, to 4s. 8d., mutton, 3s. 3d. to 4s, 8d. ; veal, 3s, 6d. to
4s. lOd. ; and pork, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 8d. per 81bs, by the carcase.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE,
FAIRS, &c.

ALCESTER FAIR. — There was a larger supply of sheep
and cattle than has been seen here for a long time, but very
few of good quality. Mutton varied from 4|d. to 7d. per lb. ;
prime beasts sold well, but others changed hands at a low
rate.

COLCHESTER FAIR.-Welsh and Irish stores ranged
from £5 to £15, Galloway Scots from £10 to £13. Fat beasts
ranged from £15 to £18. A few fat sheep made from 40s. to
45s., lambs from 12s. to 16s. A good supply of cart-horses
and colts, the best horses realising from £30 to £40, and good
colts from £25 to £30. Mr. W. Fenner, of Colchester,
showed a capital group of ponies, some of which sold at from
£5 to £20.

GLOUCESTER MONTHLY MARKET was well supplied
with aU descriptions of stock. Trade was languid at the fol-
lowing prices : Beef 7d. to 7id., mutton 6d. to 7d. per lb.,
bacon pigs 10s, 6d. per score, porkers 10s. 6d.to 10s. 9d. each.
Almost an entire clearance was effected.

HELSTON MONTHLY MARKET.-There was a small
supply, and no fat cattle. Lean cattle brought from 40s, to
45s. per cwt. Sheep were rather low.

PRIZES AT WINCHESTER FAIR.-A piece of plate,
value £30, given by Mr. Jas. Dear, for the best 100 Hamp-
shire Down Wether Lambs, bred by the exhibiter, Mr E
bailey, jun.. Worthy; second prize, £10, Mr. W. Cordery
Hazely.— A piece of plate, value £15, for the best 100 fuU-
mouth Hampshire Down Ewes, which have been in the pos-
session of the exhibiter 13 months, Mr. W. Cordery Hazely •
second prize, Mr. Fitt, Westley.— A piece of plate, value £6'
tor the best 50 lambs of any breed, the exhibiter's farm not
exceeding 400 acres, Mr. Vokes, Worthy.— A piece of plate
value £5, for the best 50 ewes of any breed, the exhibiter's
farm not exceeding 400 acres, Mr. Bowker, Harestock,— A
cup, value £10 10s., given by C. W. Benny, Esq., for the best
lUO Hampshire Down wether lambs, that have never been fed
on corn, cake, or pulse, and have been bred by the exhibiter
from a regular flock, consisting of one-third two-tooth ewes
Mr. Fitt, Chenton.—Wiuc/ies/er Tradesmen's Prizes: A piece
of plate, or £5 5s., for the best pen of 100 stock ewes, which
have never been separated from the flock till the day of exhi-
bition, and kept by the exhibiter for breeding purposes, Mr.
n . Warwick, Eastou ; second prize, £3 2s., Mr, E. Fitt
Littleton.— A piece of plate, or £5 5s., for the best pen of
100 ewe lambs, bred by the exhibiter, never having been fed

Tol°''\P''-^^\^-'?^^: T- Warwick, Easton; second prize,
^3 2s,, Mr. E, Fitt, Littleton. ^ '

460

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE PAST MONTH.

At the commencement of the past month, large
arrears of rain were due as the consequence of the
severe and protracted drought, and tillage was
much hindered in consequence; but before a week
had passed the needed supplies came in plenty over
all parts of the country, and with the abundance of
latent heat in the soil, the renewal of vegetation
was marvellous. The meadows renewed their fresh-
ness, and all the outstanding esculents made rapid
progress, the most telling effects being produced in
the late sown turnips, about which there was a
general despondency. The rain, however, was of
no use to the late potatoes, whose qualities have
been much deteriorated by an unequal growth,
and whether they will keep is very questionable.
Every preparation for wheat-planting was rapidly
made, and a good quantity has already been sown,
not only in this country, but in France, Beleium,
Holland, and Germany ; under most favourable
circumstances. The increased dampness of the
atmosphere has somewhat affected the condition of
the newly-thrashed samples of wheat ; but the bulk
has been so thoroughly well harvested, the injury,
hitherto, is small. We have, however, in times
past found the driest seasons no security against
the all-pervious influence of winter fogs ; but the
grain this year is generally so plump and full, that
we hope its quality will carry it through the vicissi-
tudes of winter and spring, for the most part,
unharmed. After a good crop there generally
comes a succession of dull and drooping markets,
and the past month have been no exception to the
rule, not one of the markets have been of the for-
ward kind, everybody being fully assured we were
well provided for, till spring, out of our own re-
sources and the ordinary foreign imports. Prices
have, therefore, given way 2s. to 3s. per qr. This
reduction has made wheat actually cheaper than
some sorts of spring corn, which has kept advanc-
ing, and we hear already that some low qualities
have been used for feeding purposes and malting.
The foreign imports have not been on such a scale
as to justify the present depression, nor do the
deliveries show that farmers have been anxious to
sell for the past month, compared with its immediate
predecessor, the sales having been S 0,000 qrs.
less. It may be, however, that dulness will be in
the ascendant till Christmas is past, as the payment
of rents must be met by available stock, and there
is no good stock to fall back upon but wheat. But
if farmers can meet their engagements without a
present sacrifice, we fully expect they will get
better prices. The wants of Spain are said to be
great, and the prices paid there are greater than our
own. Europe having lately been influenced by
London rates, has had calm or declining markets'.
American reports are yet conflicting, but the last
advices from New York show a partial rally. The
rates herewith quoted, are from recent advices.
White wheat at Paris, 56s. 6d., red, 53s. Wheat

in several Belgian towns, 54s. ; white Zealand at
Rotterdam, 57s.; Holstein at Hambro', 53s.; Saale
and Marks, 51s. ; high mixed at Danzic, 55s. free
on board. Cologne red, 51s.; Romanshorn in
Switzerland for red Banat, 52s.; at Pesth in Hun-
gary, the same kind of wheat was 42s. : wheat at
Galatz, 40s. 9d.; atlbrail, 39s., at Alexandria, 38s.;
hard at Algiers, 49s. 66., soft 51s. Spring wheat
at Montreal, 1 dol. 22^c. (4ls.) per 4S0 lbs. The
same at New York, 47s. per 480 lbs. Quotations
at Milwaukie, for No. 1 . spring wheat, 1 dol. 50c.
per bush. (40s.) per qr. of 480 lbs. ; at Chicago,
1 dol. 47c. (39s. 3d.) per 480 Ibs-

The first Monday in Mark Lane commenced in
moderate supplies of English wheat, with good
arrivals of foreign. The show of samples during
the morning on the Essex and Kentish stands was
small, and there was an improved demand for fine
white samples, at fully the rates of the previous
Monday ; but red sorts were not in favour. The
foreign trade was limited, Russian and American
qualities selling at a reduction of Is. per qr.
Cargoes afloat were, however, fully as dear, and
found a ready sale. The country trade this week
was of a heavy character, with few exceptions.
There were Lynn, Hull, Leeds, Rochester, and
Bury St. Edmund's ; but Bristol, Newbury,
Boston, and Barnsley were severally Is. per qr.
lower, Liverpool giving way on Tuesday 2d. to 3d.
per cental. Edinjjurgh and Glasgow yielded Is.
per qr. with but a slow sale at the decline. Dublin
was extremely quiet, and without quotable change
in values.

On the second Monday the English supplies
were somewhat lessened ; while those from abroad
were increased. The exhibition of samples from
the near counties was again scanty : but the dull
reports from the country and plentiful arrival of
foreign determined millers to hold off till they
had secured a decline of Is. to 2s. per qr., and
even then the small quantity offering was not
cleared. The foreign trade was quite on a small
scale, and holders found it necessary to make a
concession of Is. per qr. en all qualites, in order to
make sales even in retail. With but few floating
cargoes unsold, prices were unchanged. The ex-
ample of London was followed throughout the
country, there being a slow trade at 1 s. to 2s. per
qr. reduction at Stockton, Melton Mowbray, New-
castle-upon-Tyne, Worksop, &c. ; but a greater
number did not yield to the same extent, reporting
the decline only Is. per qr., and a few were only
dull, with rates unchanged— as Hull, Sheffield,
Chichester, Bristol, and Gloucester. Glasgow and
Edinburgh were each Is. jier qr. lower. Dublin
stood out for former prices ; but no progress could
be made without some concession.

On the third Monday there was a moderate
arrival of English wheat; but tha foreign supplies
were somewhat less. The show of samples on the

was small; but millers were very careless alinnt
makmg purchases till towards the close of Lrt*
veZZT 'r'''^^ offeringtheirrun a it
per q^dechne^wheu only a portion was disposed

and some o^hF *''^.' '°"'f"^^ extremely quiet,
very inS. ?o IT""' ^'•"vals from America being
oSd a 9« P'!"^' shipments they werl

Ottered at 2s. per qr. decline without a clearance

numb 1 Ih Jth. f ° '""^''^ °^^""^ ^^^'■^ «« f^^v in
numoei that the former rates were maintained T^

thn, F^"^'*^ '^"^^ ^^•^^^'" '^^ country market
though offers were Hot plentiful, manj being en-'
gaged m wheat-plantmg. In the majoritY of

some places gav<i way is. per qr., as Hull Barton
Spalding, and Market nLbo^ro^gl, "hie o hers

Bourn' M "iT^' ^^- \r- P^' V'^ as Oakham
Bourn, Market Rasen, Melton Mowbray, and
Rochester. Liverpool was quiet, excepting for
white wheat, which went off freely for export at
prernus rates. Glasgow was quite^IepresseS as to I
bcotch samples, acceptmg a decline of is. 6d. per
bo^ and on foreign of 3d. to 6d. Edinburgh was '

wneat at Dublin being short, it went off well at

wtds ™'' ''*''' ^"* ^''''S'' '''^' t^^ded down

On the fourth Monday the English arrivals were

r 7'"'/ u"i'^"^^ f'-^'" ^^^'•^^d were fair Se

but"a nnn '^f ^'"tl^ ^"u'^ ^^^^"^ f«^'«^« exhibited
but a poor show of fresh samples; yet there was

famuleTthr\'S *'^*^^'^^' '^P^^''^^ f- ^hi
samples, though line red were rather more in re-

realized. 1 he foreign business was very limited
and scarcely anything was doing, excepting o^ fine
Russian qualities, which commanded fuli; Wer

in Fnli"^''''/"^'' ^'"'^«" ^°'" fo"r ^veeks were
in English qualities 29,758 qrs., in foreign 96 330
qrs., against 35,948 qrs. English, 97 7/3 ors
foreign for the same period last year.' The London
averages commenced at 58s. /id., and closed at
oS ^ 1 ^^"^'?^ averages opened at 53s. 7d.
dl for'f h V'- '^; '^\^.i™P«^t« ^nto the king.'
9 .m ««* "' T'^' '"^'"^ C»ctober ]7th weVe

2,501,88/ cwts. wheat, 316,350 cwts. flour The
exports from London during the month were 1 045
qrs. wheat, 475 cwts. flour.

The flour trade all through the month has been
heavy, with some decline in country-made sorts,
which have been very abundant-say, is. to 2s
per sack. To sell foreign sacks woukl have re^
quired a similar reduction, though stocks were not
large. American barrels were by no means abund-
ant; yet the m.oderate recent arrivals were enough
to lower prices is. per barrel, and slacken the de-
mand. Town rates have not varied, the top price
continuing 50s. per sack. The imports into Ion.
flon for four weeks were 83,051 sacks countrv-
^5^50'. '^^L^ '^'^' ^'^^'^ ^^"-^^^ f«^^i^"' against

for'pian r^l '''""''^' '^'^^^ ''''^' 19'491 barrels
foreign for the same period in 1867.

Ihe supplies of maize have increased during the

month ; but values have in^proved is, per q "f and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

461

the high rates of grinding barley and beans seem
iikely to force them still more, notwithstanding the
reports of a large crop in America and immense
purchases on contract from the Danubian Princi-
palities, &c. The imports into London were
40_^55 qrs., against 18,943 qrs. last year.

1 he supplies of barley through the month have
gradually increased, but not sufficiently to meet
the demand, either for malting or feeding purposes -
consequently, all descriptions have advanced fully
Is. per qr., and fine medium foreign as much as
2s per qr., with a ready sale. The best English
malting has sold freely at 51s. to 52s., and grind-
ing were as low as 29s. to 30s. to 33s. Maize
being relatively cheaper, may check much further
advance in the low descriptions, and the price
alone of malting sorts must moderate the demand
as Revett wheat has been sold at 45s. and oveS
raaltmg purposes. The imports into London for
four weeks were 15,345 qrs. British, 40,761 ors
foreign, against 10,505 qrs. British, 18,477 ors'
foreign for the same period last year. The sip-'
plies of foreign being more than double what thev
then were, prove how low stocks had been reduced
in London.

The malt trade, slowly following that of barley
has gradually been moving upwards, and rates
have advanced Is. per qr.

fJ^'^ «f^ trade has had a twofold aspect during
the month New oats not finding favour, havf
declined about Is per qr.; while old, especially
Kussian qualities, have advanced about 2s 6d per
qr., 38lbs. Russian being worth about 27s. 6d* per
fJiV -^^"J^fs^of 'his advance has been the"late
taUing off from Russia, and the probability that
very few more w. 1 come. As the country began
without any stocks, it is even possible that high
as prices are we may see a further advance in old
unless shipments of new are pressed in such quan-
tity from the Baltic as shall serve to keep them
down. Our English supplies have been nothing
to wha they were, and though the Irish arrivals
have about doubled, this increase, together with
the increase in foreign, have not been enough to
meet the wants of the trade. The imports into
London for four weeks were 3,093 qrs. Engbsh
79 qrs. Scotch, 32,124 qrs. Irish, 143,151 ors'
foreign, against 21,194 qrs. English, 305 qrs'
Scotch, 17,820 qrs. Irish, 107,126 Vs. foreign^ in

Notwithstanding the high price with which the
bean trade commenced, values have been further
enhanced fully Is. per qr., so that French mazagans
have become worth 47s., and Egyptian qualities
43s Scarcely any old English come to market
and very few new, farmers probably, from their
small crop finding it more profitable fo us^ them
for pig-feed, &c than send them to London. S
probability is that they will keep dear, unkss we
should have such plentiful supplies of maize as To
over their relative value. The arrivals in London
this month were 3,177 qrs. English, 11,915 nrs
foreign, against 5,753 qrs. English, 12 460 nrs

oreignml867. In Egy^t they hav'e be'en Jely
advancing. iatciy

The pea trade though English supplies have
been small, has been kept from rising by fair

462

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

foreign arrivals, chiefly from America, in white
sorts. The coming winter, should it bring the ac-
customed demand for boilers, may cause some ad-
vance; but we do not anticipate much change in
the value of hog-feed, such sorts being relatively
the dearest. Good English white were worth 50s.,
grey 466. The imports into London for four
weeks were 1,933 qrs. English, 8,386 qrs. foreign,
against 2,272 qrs. English, 3,497 qrs. foreign in
1867.

The linseed supplies have been rather in excess
of what they were last year ; but prices have been
well maintained, and the demand for cake, which
commenced through the drought, has been active,
and raised prices 5s. to 10s. per ton.

Cloverseed and trefoil have been fully as dear.
It would seem this season that neither France nor
America has much to spare, and the prospect cer-
tainly favours increased rates. Spring foreign
tares have been arriving lately, and are worth
about 48s. per qr.

OURRBNT PSICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR

IN MARK LANE.

ShiUings per Quarter.

WHEAT, new, Essezand Kent, white 56to60

„ ,, red 53 55

Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire 53

BARLEY 36 to 3S Chevalier 45

Grinding 34 37 DistUUng 41

MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk 69 extra 70

Kingston, Ware, and town-made 69 „ 70

Brown 51

RYE 40

OATS,"Engiish,* feed"28"to SS.V.'.V.".'.^^^^^^^^^

Scotch, feed 00 00 Potato 00

Irish, feed, white24 27 Fine 28

" " 27 Potato 28

47 Ticks 45

49 Pigeon 52

43 Maple 46 to 48 Grey, new 44

FLOUR, per'sack of 2801bs., Town, Households 44

Country, on shore 39 to 40 „ 41

Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 35

Ditto, black 24

BEANS, Mazagan ...45

Harrow 46

PB AS , white, boilers. .44

COMPARATIVE AVERAGES.

WHEAT.

BARLEY.

OATS.

Years.

Qrs. 8. d.

Qrs. s. d.

Qrs. s. d.

1864..

. 75,364 ... 38 1

62,4711 ... 29 11

5,684 ...20 1

1865..

78,4041 ... 42 1

46,447^ ... 30 11

4,665i ... 20 11

1866..

. 73,880i ... 52 2

64,874i ... 42 11

6,772^ ... 22 11

1867..

. 79.2921 ... 67 6

58,967i ... 41 8

9,788i ... 25 10

1868..

. 70,763J ... 53 8

54,9691 ... 45 7

3,293J ... 27 1

AVERAGE S

Fob the last Six
Weeks :

Sept. 14, 1868

Sept. 19, 1868

Sept. 26, 1868

Oct. 3, 1868

Oct. 10, 1868

Oct. 17, 1868

Aggregate of the above .,
Thesameweekinl867 1 67

Wheat.

Barley.

8. d.

B. d.

65 5

43 8

64 4

44 0

63 7

44 4

54 4

44 9

54 3

45 2

53 8

45 7

54 3

44 7

67 6

41 8

Oats.

B. d.

28 3

28 5

26 8

26 11

27 9
27 1
27 6
25 10

HOP MARKETS.
BOROUGH, Monday, Oct. 26.— The same inactive trade
which has now continued so long, still prevails, and the increas-
ing desire on the part of holders to realize, tends still further to
depress prices, without producing the slightest impression upon
buyers, as far as large operations are concerned. Continental
markets are reported dull and declining. The firmer tone which
existed in Belgium has given way, and a fall from 3s. to 5s. has
been submitted to. New York advices to the 14th inst., report
the market as without change, with a tendency to advance in
the prices of fine qualities.
Mid and East Kent £3 10 £5 15

Weald of Kents 3 0

Sussex 2 10

Farnham 4 10

Country 4; 4

Bavarians „., ,.i„,>i.«i 3 10

35 15 ...

... £8 0

4 5 ...

.. 4 15

3 10 ...

..4 4

5 15 ...

.. 6 10

4 15 ...

..5 5

4 4 ,„

.. 6 13

POTATO MARKETS.
SOUTHWARK WATERSIDE,

Yorkshire Regents lOOs. to 140s. per ton,

Lincolnshire ditto SOs. to llOs. „

Dunbar and East Lothian ditto 90s. to 120s. „

Perth, Forfar, and Eife Regents SOs. to 110s. „

French and Belgian whites 40s. to 708. „

BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS.

English Regents SOs. to 1408. per ton.

Scotch Regents 90s. to 130s. „

French 40s. to 85s. „

COUNTRY POTATO iLAHKETS.— Barnsley (Saturday
last) : Rocks 12s. 6d. to 13s., and regents 13s. to 13s. Cd. per
load ; retail Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per peck. — Doncaster (Satur-
day last) : A fair supply of potatoes on offer, without alteration
in prices; regents lis. to 12s., rocks 8s. per load. — Malton
(Saturday last) : The flush on the potato-market at the hfting
is subsiding, and the occurrence of frost and the necessity for
winter storing has given strength to the market. Dealers free
buyers at 2s. Gd. for rounds, and 3s. 6d. flukes per bushel. —
M.anchester (Saturday last) : Cheshire potatoes 8s. to 12s.,
Yorkshire do. 14s. to 20s., and Scotch do. 14s. to 15s. per
2521bs. — York (Saturday last) : There was a considerable in-
crease in the supply ; but as there were several purchasers
from a distance previous prices were maintained, the average
being from lis. 6d. to 12s. per tub of 2801bs., and from lOd.
to lid., and in some cases Is. per peck.

PRICES of BUTTER, CHEESE, HAMS, &c.

BUTTER, per CWt. : 8. 8.

Dorset 136 to 140

Carlow — —

Waterford — —

Cork — —

Limerick — —

SUgo — —

Friesland 134 136

Jersey 112 130

Fbesh, per doz., 15s. Od. to
17s, 6d.

CHEESE, per cwt.: s.

Cheshire 66

Dble. Gloucester.,, 68

Cheddar 66

American 64

HAMS: York 100

Cumberland 100

Irish —

BACON :

Wiltshire 76

Irish, green 68

to 74

68

76

62

110

110

POULTRY, &c., MARKETS.— Turkeys 5s. to 7s., turkey
poults 5s. to 7s., Geese 5s. to Cs., Goslings 5s. to 6s., Ducks
2s. to 3s., Ducilings 2s. to 3s., tame rabbits Is. to Is. 9d,,
wild do. is. to Is. 3d,, pigeons 6d. to 9d., pheasants 3s. to
3s. Cd., partridges Is. 3d. to Is. 9d., hares 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d.,
leverets 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d., grouse 3s. to 4s. each. Surrey
Fowls 7s. to lOs., do. Chickens 5s. to 6s., Barndoor Fowls
4s. to 6s. per couple. English Eggs 12s., French 10s. per 100.

CARMARTHEN BUTTER l\LiRKET, (Saturday last).—
We have again to note an advance in Butter. Best mild
quality fetched 14d. per lb., and ordinary quality 13Jd.
These are high prices, but we do not expect to see lower this
season. Farmers will not sell for less — stocks in country get-
ting exhausted. Cheese advancing with Butters ; average
26s., picked dairies 28s. to 30s. per cwt.

CORK BUTTER EXCHANGE, (Friday last.) — Ordi-
nary : first quality 130s. to 133s., second quahty 126s. to 129s.,
third quality 124s. to 121s., fourth quality 119s. to 122s., fifth
quality 107s. to 110s., sixth quality 83s. to 86s. per cwt. Mild
cured : first quahty 137s. to 140s., second quality 129s. to
132s., third quality 122s. to 125s. per cwt. Thirds, fourths,
fifths, and sixths of kegs 4s. per cwt. less. Re-packed and
dairies : Currency — Ordinary butter, 10s, per cwt, less j mild-
cured, 10s. do. ; sponged butter, 2s. do;

GLOUCESTER CHEESE MARKET was moderately sup-
plied ; about 40 tons were pitched. The sale was dull at the
following prices : Best 62s. to 64s., seconds 54s. to 56s. At
these rates nearly all changed hands.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKETS,

CUBEENT PeICBS OF ENGtlSH WoOL,

Fleeces— Southdown hoggets per lb.

Half-bred ditto „

Kent fleeces „

Southdown ewes and wethers „
Leicester ditto „

SoETS— Combing ,

Clothing ,,

s.

d. s.

d.

2itOl

3

4 1

5

3 1

H

^ 1

34

3 1

34

0 1

6

2 1

7

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WHEAT : ITS HISTORY, CHARAC-
TEEISTICS, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
and NUTRITIVE PROPERTIES. By "The Old
Norfolk Faemek," Author of " Agriculture, Ancient
and Modern," &c., &c.

THE AGRICULTURIST'S WEATHER.
GUIDE AND MANUAL OF METEOROLOGY.
By Keney 0. Obeswick, Assistant Observer in the
Magnetical and Meteorological Departmont of the
Eoyal Observatory at Greenwich, Authoir sf several
papers on Meteorology.

TTORSES: THEIR VARIETIES, BREED-

^t J^^' ^^ MANAGEMENT.-Edited bv

M. M. MlLBUEN, •*

IX.

OGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VA.

RIETIES.

IGS: THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE-

TIES.

III.

11.1.
-pLAX: ITS CULTIVATION AND PRE-

JL PARATION, and BEST MODE OP CON-
YiiESION. — By James Waed, Author of "The
World and its Workshops," &c.

XI.

OWS AND DAIRY HUSBANDRY.—

J! m?^ l^: ^- ^^ii-BURN, Author of "The Sheep,"
&c. Ihe Dairy Department Revised by T. Hoesfall,

13 URAL ARCHITECTURE: a SERIES

-IX OF DESIGNS FOR RURAL AND OTHER
DWELLINGS The Ground Plans, Elevations, and
a^ificationa by James Sandeeson, Burgh Bimneers'
Office, Liverpool.

xir.
QHEEPAND SHEPHERDING: embrac

*^ mg the History, Varieties, Rearing, Feedine.
and General Management of Sheep ; with Treatises on
AustraLan Sheep Farming, the Spanish and Saxon
Mermos, &c. By M. M. Milbuen, Author of "The
Cow," and various Agricultural Prize Essays.

nPHE AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR:

J- or, YOUNG FARMER'S CLASS BOOK.-Bv
Edmund Mubpht, A.B. ^

VI.

■pvOMESTIC fowl': THEIE NATURAL

XIII.

HE HIVE AND THE HONEY
BEE. yy^^^ i

XIV,

pESTS OF THE FARM. A New Edition.
-■- By M. M. MiLBUEN, Author of " The Sheep,", &c

VII.

TTXl.
HE FLOWER GARDEN.-By George

Flower^™'. ^•''•'•' ^°"^^^ '^^ "^^P^^- of

XV.

T AND DRAINAGE, EMBANKMENT

-1^ AND IRRIGATION.-By James Donald'
Civil Engineer, Derby. *

COILS AND MANURES, with INSTRUC-

>^ TIONS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.— Bt.
John Donaldson, Government Land Drainage Sur".
I veyor.

Tin the Press, m conimuaUon of the same Series,
HE IMPLEMENTS OF THE FARM
—By Br. Scott Buen, O.E.

THE POTATO: ITS HISTORY, CUL^
TURE, AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.^
By S: Copland.

london: 2°^st^&Wt^^^

iJubiin. J.McGlashan, Upper SackviUe Street. And all Booksellers.

ROGEBSON & TUXFOBD,]

[PRINTERS, 246, STRANG

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

NOVEMBER, 18 68.

CONTENTS.

Plate I.— A "ROYAL" SOUTHDOWN;

THE PROPERTY OF MR. WILLIAM RIGDEN, HOVE, BRIGHTON.

Plate II. — THE OYSTER BEDS ON HAYLING ISLAND.

Description of the Plates .....

The Clover Plant. — By Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S,

The Farm Buildings at Luton Hoo ....

The Herefordshire Agricultural Society : Meeting at Hereford
Sale of Yearling Hereford Bulls ....

Corn Averages ......

The Production of Milk in France ....

The Cheshire Agricultural Society : Meeting at Crewe
Agricultural Authorities in Essex ....

Stray Grains for Chickens .....

The Larder of a Provident Fox ....

Central Chamber of Agriculture : The Coming Elections
Local Taxation ......

Worcestershire Agricultural Society

Agricultural Returns of Great Britain for 1868

Agricultural Statistics. Ireland, 1868

The Royal and Central Bucks Agricultural Association : Meeting at Aylesbury

Artificial Manures .

A "Model" Agreement

Clover as a Fertilizer

The New Farm

Bath and West of England Society and Southern Counties Association

The Paris Exhibition: Notes on some of its Novelties

Evergreen Hedges

The Adulteration of Seeds

The Old Rustic Aphorisms

The Quality of Wheat

Autumn Cultivation

Lime as a Manure

Thick versus Thin Sowing

Aeration of Land

Agricultural Education

Milk

The Farm of Masny (Translased from the French)

Exhaustion of Soils .

The Economy of Straw as Lit'

Putrid Meat .

Statistics of Live Stock and Dead Meat for London. — By Robert He

The Metropolitan Foreign Cattle Market

Echoes from the Agricultural Meetings

The Relation between Landlord and Tenant

Wheat Sowing

Sales of Stock

The New Smitiifield Market

Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland ; Judges' Report on Drainag

Presentation of the Brereton Testimonial

Loud Laughter

Foreign Agricultural Gossip

Ploughing Matches

Calendar of Agriculture

Calendar of Gardening

Agricultural Reports

Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c.

Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month

Market Currencies^ Impbkial Averages, &c.

PAGF.

369
373
376
381
383
384
385
386
388
389
389
390
395, 410
398
399
399
399
400
401
407
408
411
412
414
414
415
416
417-
419
420
421
422
423
424
427
428
429
430
431
432
439
441
443
450
450
451
452
453
454
455
457
458
459
460
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WHEAT : ITS HISTORY, CHARAC-
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and NUTRITIVE PROPERTIES. By "The Old
Norfolk Pakmeh," Author of " Agriculture, Ancient
and Modern," &o,, &o.

THE AGRICULTURIST'S WEATHER.
GUIDE AND MANUAL OF METEOROLOGY.
By Heney 0. Cekswick, Assistant Observer in tlie
Magnetical and Meteorological Departmout of the
Royal Observatory at Greenwich, Authwf of several
papers on Meteorology.

FLAX: ITS CULTIVATION AND PRE-
PARATION, and BEST MODE OP CON-
VERSION. — By James Waed, Author of "The
World and its Workshops," &o.

HORSES: THEIR VARIETIES, BREED-
ING, AND MANAGEMENT.— Edited bj

M. M. MlLBUBN.

DOGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VA-
RIETIES.

HGS: THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE-

TIES.

COWS AND DAIRY HUSBANDRY.^
By M. M. MiLBUEN, Author of "The Sheep,**
«S;c. The Daii-y Department Revised by T. Hoespali.,

T> URAL ARCHITECTURE : a SERIES
J-t. OF DESIGNS FOR RURAL AND OTHER
DWELLINGS. The Ground Plans, Elevations, and
Specifications by James Sandeeson, Burgh BIngineera'
Office, Liverpool.

THE AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR:
or, YOUNG FARMER'S CLASS BOOK.— By
Edmund Muepht, A.B.

DOMESTIC fowl': THEIR NATURAL
HISTORY, BREEDING, AIrt) GENERAL
MANAGEMENT. ...

SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING : embrac-
ing the History, Varieties, Rearing, Feeding,
and General Management of Sheep ; with Treatises on
Australian Sheep Farming, the Spanish and Sason
Merinos, &c. By M. M. Milbuen, Author of " Th«
Cow," and various Agricultural Prize Essays.

I^HE HIVE AND THE HONEY
- BEE.

lESTS OF THE FARM. A New Editioa.
By M. M. Milbuen, Author of " The Sheep,", &o.

XY.

LAND DRAINAGE, EMBANKMENT,
AND IRRIGATION.— By James Donald,
CivU Engineer, Derby.

rpHE FLOWER GARDEN— By George

Jr ^^.*^^^» ^•^•S'l Author of "Properties of
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SOILS AND MANURES, with INSTRUC-
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John Donaldson, Governiuent Laud Drainage Sur-
veyor.

In the Press, in contimiaUon of the same Series,

nPHE IMPLEMENTS OF THE FARM. I rpHE POTATO: ITS HISTORY, CUL-

-*- —Jiy iJ. Bcoxx BuEN, O.E. X TURE, AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.—

I B; B: Cofland.

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No. 6, Vol. XXXIV.] DECEMBER, 1868. Third Series.

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PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.

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warmmasmmm

IMPORTANT TO FLOCKMASTERS.

rn SOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary

J. Chemist, by Appointment to His late Royal Highness Tiie
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Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac-
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To Mr, Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry,

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T ^r^r'^^^r ^^1° especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, oi
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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE

DECEMBEH, 1868.

PLATE I.

LADY FRAGRANT; a Prize Shorthorn Cow.

THE PROPERTY OK MR. THOMAS C. BOOTH, OP WAR.ABV, NORTHALLEKTOX.

Lady Fragrant, a roan cow, calved 28th
February, 1863, and bred by the late Mr. Richard
Booth fs got by Lord of the Valley (14837). out
of Lad^ Bhthe^by Windsor (14013) her dam
Blithe by Hopewell (10332), - Bliss by Leonard
(4210) - Young Broughton by Young Matchera
(iiR'2'\ — Broughton by Jerry (4097), — by
Young Pilot (497), - by Pilot (496), - by a son
of Apollo (36). „ , , » J

Lord Of the Valley, a red bal. calved August
30th 1856, and bred by Mr. Richard Booth at
Warlaby. was by Crown Prince (10087), out of
Red Ro e. by Harbinger (10297), her dam, Me-
dora. by Buckingham (3239). - Monica, by
Raspberry (8475). - White Strawberry by
Rockingham (2551), - by Young Alexander
(2977), _ by Pilot (496). -by The Lame BuU
>35Q) L by Easby (232), - by buwarrow (636)
^ Lady Blithe, a' white cow. calved J^ly, 2nd.
1857, and bred by the late Mr R>chara Booth
produced in I860 a roan cow-calf to Sir Samuel
(15302), called Lady Mirth ; in 1861 a roan cow-
calf to Lord of the Valley, called Lady Joyful ; in
1862 a roan cow-calf also to Lord of the Valley,
called Lady Blithesome; and Lady Fragrant in

Beyond her head and forehand, we confess to
have not been much taken with Lady Fragrant,
when we first saw her at Howden; but at Ply-
mouth, in the following year we wrote thus :
"We owe some apology to the best of them. Lady
Fraerant. in whom there is an extraordinary im-
provement since we last saw her ; and she has now
developed into a really sweet animal, full of the
best female character, with a pretty head and
placid expression, a rare quality of flesh and as
lieht in her bone as a roe-deer :" while at Leicester
our report runs in this wise : " One of the
sweetest, straightest, and altogether most charming
cows out for many a long day is Mr. Booth s
Old Sebiis.]

Lady Fragrant, who still gathers graces with her
years, and is really ripening into perfection. Her
read and ' expression' would furn.sh the study f^.r
a picture ; and, so far as the chief prize could be
concerned, there was no competition.

The Judges at Plymouth said she had grown
into a great beauty," and, to the mind of one o
them, was « the most stylish Shorthorn exhibited ;
as at Leicester the authorities "doubt i a bette.
animal was ever exhibited under that distmguished
name"— of Booth.

In 1864 Lady Fragrant won the following
prizes : The first prize for yearling heifers at the
aT Yorkshire Show, at Howden ; the first prize
of the Cleveland, at Redcar ; and the first prize at

^'in^'lS^she won the first prize for two-year-old
heifers at the Royal Agricultural Society s Show,
at Plymouth ; the ^first 'prize of the YoH<shire at
Doncaster, and the Champion Cup at Doncaster,
as the be t animal in the yard ; the first pr>ze for
t^-year-old heifers at the Durham County Show,
at Durham, and the 100-gmneas Challenge Cup,
as the best animal in the yard ; the first pnze for
Uvo-year-old heifers at the Northamptonshire So-
cTety's show, at Peterborough ; and the first prize
of the Northumberland Society, at Morpeth

In 1866 and 1867 there were no cattle shows ;
but in 18G8 Lady Fragrant took the first prize for
Shonhorn cows, at the Royal Agricultural Society a
meeting, at Leicester ; the first prize of the South
Lmco"n hire Society, at Grantham ; the first prize
o the Yorkshire Society, at Wetherby with the
£20 cup as " the best female in yard ; and the
f?stprfze for cows at the Craven Show at Sk.pton,
where she was one of the four animals that won
the 20-guineas cup, for " the best lot in the yard

Lady Fragrant has had two heifer-calves by
Commander-in-Chief, and is now near calvinor to

i him again.

' J I [Vol. LSIV.-No. 6.

401

TUB FAEMBE'S MAGAZINE.

PLATE II.
BLUE GOWN.

THE PROPERTY OF SIR JOSEPH HAVVLEY, BART.

Blue Gown, bred by Sir Joseph Hawley in
1865, is by Beadsman, out of Bas-Bleu by Stock-
well, her dam Vexation by Touchstone, — Vat by
Langar, — Wire by Waxy.

Beadsman, bred by Sir Joseph Hawley in 1855,
is by Weatherbit, out of Mendicant by Touch-
stone. He won the Derby ; but his career on the
Turf was not a very long one, and his stock came
out in 1 863, when lie was credited with one winner
in Mulberry, followed by Merry Wife in 1864,
Caryophyllus in 1865, Arapeile, The Palmer, and
Red Shoes in 1866, and Belphegor, Blue Gown,
Greensleeve, and Rosicrucian in 1867. It is no-
ticeable that, with the exception of Mr. Meredyth's
Mulberry and the Duke of Newcastle's Belphegor,
and one or two others which have recently appeared,
all the winners are the property of Sir Joseph
Hawley, Beadsman having had but very few mares
beyond those of his owner, who still keeps the use
of his horse mainly to himself 'and his friends.
Beadsman's fee is now 100 guineas a mare.

Bas-Bleu, bred by Sir Joseph Hawley in 1858,
ran a few times at three years old, but with no
success. She threw a filly to Beadsman in 1863,
another filly (that died immediately after foahng)
to him in 1864, Blue Gown in 1865, a filly by
Asteroid in 1866, and a filly by Thormanby in
1867 ; but ths mare has no produce this season.

Blue Gown is a hard-wearing bay, standing
close upon fifteen hands three inches high ; while,
to repeat ourselves, we may say, as we did of him
immediately after the race, he is a little big, com-
pact horse, that wants something more of the
blood-like elegance of his half-brother and sister.

and indeed, in his appearance, takes much more
after his dam than his sire's family. But he was
manifestly the fittest of the three, and, in a word,
all over muscle. He has a lean, knowing head,
with rather lop ears, a strong neck and shoulders,
and good middle. He has great powerful quarters,
with remarkable width across the stifles, is short
in his cannon from the knee to the ground, but
not so from the hock, standing a little high be-
hind. In temper, there never apparently was so
placid a creature. When led back to the rubbing-
house, after the race for the Derby, with the
trainer at his head, a crowd responding to " one
cheer more!" at his side; and one of the lads
hanging on to his long, thin tail, he submitted
with as true an air cf the nil admirari as a dandy
in a drawing-room, or one of "the Tenth" going
into action. Still it had not been altogether so
easy a victory, as the big " swan's eggs" on his
sides went to show ; but gamely had he answered
the call. Bluegown, since winning the Derby, has
proved that he possesses in the highest degree
those great but rare essentials — pace, strength,
and stoutness. He can run a distance, and can
carry weight.

With either Rosicrucian or Green Sleeve Sir
Joseph Hawley would have preferred, as he de-
clared, to have won the Derby, as he stood no
money himself on Blue Gown, and only started
this colt from the favour he had found with the
public — a piece of noble sportsmanship that comes
in strange contrast to some of the miserable con-
trivances adopted over the race.

SEWAGE lEEIGATION, FEOM THE £. a. d. POINT OF VIEW.

BY CUTHBEET W. JOHNSON, F.E.S.

A few factSj which duriug the past season have been
ascertained in the sewage irrigation fields at Croydon, are
well worthy of the attention of the landowner, and of the
local boards of other districts.

The reader should be aware that the large and popu-
lous parish of Croydon is formed of very different soils.
It has three water sheds, which require seperate drainage
works, viz., 1. Part of the Norwood district, resting on
the London Basin clay, which drains into the Eifra
Brook. 2. A larger portion of the same district, on the
same formation, which drains into the River Ravens-
bourne. 3. The larger portion of the parish, which
chiefly rests on the chalk formation, and the diluvium
which forms the valley of, and drains into, the River
Wandle.

It is the drainge of the town of Croydon on this last
formation that the lai'ge sewage meads at JBeddington

receive. This farm, of between two and three hundred
acres, is let to Mr. Marriage, upon a lease, whose term is
now nearly expired. Upon this highly profitable irrigated
farm we have no very precise account of the amount of
the profit derived, but as our board has lately taken into
its own hands another small sewage-watered farm, I am
able to give a tolerably accui'ate accoimt of its income and
expenditure.

It must be understood by the reader unacquainted
with Croydon, that owing to our proximity to the metro-
polis and other causes, the value of the land in our neigh-
bourhood is very high. In the case of the fields at Nor-
wood, of which I am about to report, we have to pay for
thirty-six acres of a cold, hungry, stiff" clay soil, £36U
per annum. These are in the water-shed No. 3, which
drains into the River Ravensbourne.

When we took possession of this land and had some

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

4'65

years siuce prepared it to receive the sewage of a portiou
of Norwood, it was let to a farmer, for a rent of £!300
per aunum. His term expired at Lady -day, 1868 ; and
although he otfered to renew his holding at £300 per an-
num, the Croydon Board of Health, on the recommenda-
tion of their engineer (Mr. Bal win Latham), resolved to
take it into their owii hands. Of this little farm, six
acres are occupied by roads, buildings, and portions not
irrigated, leaving thirty acres only in grass. When we
took possession at Lady-day of this year, we found that
the land was in Italian rye-grass, and that a large first
crop had been already cut by the outgoing tenant.

The following account of receipts and expenditure,
therefore, only includes the time from Lady-day to Octo-
ber the 30th. In this tabic the first column gives the
amount received by the sale of the grass, at one shilling
per rod (the purchaser cutting and carting the grass at
his own expense). Tlie second column shows the expen-
diture during that period for superintendence and other
labour : —

1868.

Receipts.

ExrE^'DITORE.

April.

March.

Wages.

24

. i6

7

27

£1 10

May.

April.

I

. 17 13

3

1 10

8

. 30 17
. 30 0
. 37 0

10

17

24

1 10

15

1 10

22

1 10

29

. 24

0

May.

June.

1

3 18

5

. 20
. 33
. 33
. 30

0
0
0
0

8

3 14

12

15

2 14

19

23

2 14

26

29

2 14

Joly.

June.

3

. 23
. 17

u

0

5

2 14

10

12

2 14

17

. 16

0

19

2 14

24

. 26

0

26

3 14

31

. 24

0

July.

August.

3

2 14

7

. 21

0

10

2 14

14.

. 24

0

17

2 14

21

. 23

0

24

3 14

28

. 21

0

31

2 14

September.

August.

4

. 18

0

7

3 14

11

. 21

0

14

2 14

18

. 23

0

21

3 14

25

. 19

0

28

September.

2 14

October.

2

. 17

0

4

2 14

y

. 15

0

11

2 14

16

. 19

0

18

2 14

23

. 15
. 12

0
0

25

3 14

30 ■■.

October.

2

2 14

9

3 14

16

2 14

23

2 14

30

2 14

3 6

Total

Total

£613

17

£114 18

The irregular expenditure for labour arises from the
fact that we have to dig our land when we need a renewal
of the crop. This should be done every third ycarj and
costs us about four pounds per acre. The Italian rye-
grass for the first season or two affords five or six heavy
cuttings ; but after that time only about three. It must
also be borne in mind that the cutting of the grass
continues until Christmas. The reader must not con-
conclude that the exceedingly dry season of 18G8 has
been in favour of our sewage irrigated meads, since, in

fact, the yield of grass on these meadows is much greater
in rainy weather than in dry times. After the first cut-
ting there is a strong tendency in irrigated grass to run
to seed, and this inclination is the most decided in diy
warm weather.

We find then, that allowing eight pounds per acre for
the value of the first cutting, and oidy two pounds an
acre as that of the cutting until Christmas, that then
the gross produce of the grass from the thirty acres of
rye-grass at Norwood, will be as follows :

The first cutting £240 0

Cash received since 613 18

Produce till Christmas say 60 0

£913 18
Or £38 2s. Gd. per acre.

We may here remind ourselves that the expense of
labour is the only outlay, except the rent ; the sewage
spreads itself over the soil, the purchasers of the grass
cut and carry it away.

Fi'om our own experience at Croydon, viewing the
question from its essential two points of view, viz., the
sanitary and the economical, we are driven to the con-
clusion that sewage irrigation is best adapted for grass
lands. It is true that an occasional watering with
sewage adds fertility to the soils upon which root and
cereal crops are afterwards produced ; but, then, such
lands are only capable of receiving with advantage a veiy
limited number of waterings. At certain seasons such
soakages would be injurious to the crops to which we-
have referred, and yet the deodorising action of the plants
is always required ; for night and day the sewage as poured
forth from the sewers must be passed over the growing
crop, and thus purified before it is allowed to enter the
river. At Croydon, for instance, during every four-and-
twenty hours, never less than 3,000,000 gallons of town
sewage are received on to the grass lands of Beddington ;
and this stream, although it sometimes increases to more
than double its ordinary flow, never decreases — at all
times, winter and summer, spring or autumn, this great
stream of sewage has to be purified. Now, there are no
other crops except the grasses that have the power at all
seasons to accomplish such a task.

The amount of profit derivable from the sewage irriga-
tion of grass lands at Croydon I have already given. It
is hardly necessary to cite other instances of very large
crops being obtained by similar means. To show, how-
ever, the effect of applying sewage to arable land, I will
give an extract from a recent report from the Hon. Henry
W. Petre, upon the irrigated Lodge Parm at Barking,
and its crops in the year ending August 31, 1868.

He observes, " It may be well to state, with reference
to the unusual dryness of the season, and consequent
capacity of the land to receive a very large quantity of
sewage, that my object has been to use such a quantity of
sewage. as could be profitably applied to the crops, con-
sidering the sewage as an article of commerce ; and
whilst I have no doubt that if it had been necessary a
very largely increased quantity of sewage could have
been thoroughly deodorised, it is doubtful whether, in
the exhausted state of the grass plants, a proportionate
increase of gi'ass could have been obtained. In addition
to feeding from 50 to 60 milking cows entirely on sewage-
grown grass, with most satisfactory results, two young
steers have been fed exclusively on that grass from May
18. On August 7, their respective live weights had risen
from 71 cwt. to 9i cwt., and from 0 cwt. to 74 cwt. I
now propose to detail the results of an experiment that
has excited much interest. A field of 13 acres of poor
gravel that was in wheat last year was sown in the follow-
ing manner : 41 acres were sown with wheat early in
November, 2 acres of red wheat and 2^ acres of white

I r ^

466

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

rough chaif ; 2i acres were sown in October with win-
ter oats ; 4 acres were sown in October with rye ;
3 acres were planted with cabbage in October, which was
taken oft' in March, and mangel sown in their place.
This wheat was twice flooded with sewage, iu March and
in April, 450 to 500 tons to the acre being applied in the
two dressings. This crop was ent in the second week of
July, and was thrashed in the field, producing 5| qrs. to
the acre, weighing 631b. to the bushel ; three loads of
straw to the acre. The white wheat was sold at Mark-
lane, by Messrs. James and Son, on July 27, at 60s. per
qr., the exceptional price of the day being 62s. The red
wheat was sold by the same firm on August 3, at 54s.
per qr., the market having fallen considerably during the
interval. The winter oats were three times flooded iu
March and iu April, over the whole, and over a part in
June — in all, about 500 tons to the acre. These oats
were cut in July, thrafehed in the field, yielding 8 quarters
to the acre, with three loads of straw per acre, and were
valued on August 3 at 27s. per qr. The rye was flooded
twice, in March and in April, in all with about 450 to
500 tons per acre, was cut in July, and thrashed in the
field, yielding 6 qrs. to the acre, with three loads of
straw, and was sold at Mark-lane on July 27 at 40s. per
qr., weighing 5751b. to the bushel. The mangel, follow-
ing the cabbage adjoining the last crop, has been sewaged
three times, and the crop is now estimated at 20 tons
per acre. It is unnecessary to expatiate upon these
results, as it is difficult to imagine anything more con-
clusive as to the value of sewage as a manure for cereah,
although it has hitherto been the almost universally
received opinion that town sewage is not applicable to
cereal crops. Before leaving these experiments, I will
refer to what is almost the crop of another year. As
soon as the oats and rye were removed, the land (being
so hard no plough could touch it) was flooded with
sewage, ploughed up, and sown with white turnips.
Within the week, without any rain, the turnips were up,
and they now present, in spite of the attacks of the fly,
the appearance of a good early crop, calculated to be
worth .^10 per acre before the end of September. The
results of the three-acre piece of black oats after cabbage
on a jjoor gravel are equally satisfactory. These oats
were sown in the end of March, were flooded with sew-
age in May and in June, in all 400 tons to the acre ;
were thrashed iu the field on July 26, and produced 6
qrs. to the acre, valued on August 3 at 26s. per qr. A
plot of ray-grass was sown in September, 1866, from
which was cut 58 tons of grass to the acre during the
spring and summer of 1867. This plot was ploughed up,
and sown with black oats in the end of February of this
year. No sewage whatever was directly applied to this
crop, but from its position it may be said to have stolen a
certain quantity, as the land around it was flooded, and
one of the channels passed through it. These oats were
thrashed in the field on July 26, and yielded 8 qrs. to
the acre, valued on August 3 at 26s. per qr. I will now
describe the not less interesting, but smaller experiments,
tried in what is called the experimental field of the farm.
A piece of ground, one-third of an acre, was sown on
March 26 with canary seed, was flooded in April, and
produced 12 bushels of seed. A plot of half an acre
was sown with linseed, or flax, in April, was pulled in
July, and yielded 8 bushels. An acre of parsnips, sown,
in February, was flooded twice with sewage, and is cal-
culated in the end of August to be worth £35 per acre.
A piece of potatoes, consisting of ' Shaws,' ' Regents,'
and ' Rocks,' was planted on February 22, twice flooded
with sewage, and produced at the rate of 4i- tons, 5 tons,
and 8 tons respectively, being dug during the months of
June, July, and August. A plot of half an acre was
planted with sugar-beet, sown iu April j was twice

dressed with sewage, and the crop is calculated at 20 to
25 tons per acre. Half an acre of red cabbage was
planted out on April 10, was dressed with sewage three
times, and sold in August at £33 per acre. Half an
acre was sown in March with onions, and was sold iu
August for £15. This plant seems very reluctant to
acknowledge the virtue of town sewage, and at some of
the stages of its growth appeared likely to prove a failure.
The result, however, now attained only proves that more
experience is required in applying the sewage, and in the
time of sowing. The dift'erent sorts of cabbage appear
in strong contrast to the onions, as under all circum-
stances the sewage appears to suit them ; and in such a
season as the present summer it is indispensable, its
application ensuring a crop proportioned to the amount
of sewage put on the land, and the care with which it is
applied, as is evidenced by the following instances :
An acre and a half of drumhead savoy was planted out
in May, and may be valued now, at the end of August,
at £35 per acre. Half an acre of cabbage, planted out
in March, was sold in June for £9. In May 60 poles
were planted with cauliflower, and although a large pro-
portion of the plants proved to be of a bad description,
the piece realised £4. In fact two or three floodings of
sewage will ensure such a crop of cabbage as can only be
obtained by very heavy dressings of farm manure, and
the necessary amount of rain. Perhaps the most satis-
factoiy result is that with the mangel wurzel, though
quite expected, from the experience of the crop of last
year on a smaller scale. A plot of ray-grass of about 3
acres, sown in August, 1866, and producing the following
summer more than 60 tons of grass to the acre, was
ploughed up in November, sown with mangel early in g
April — long red and yellow globe. A sprinkling of *
sewage was applied to start the plants, and the land was
flooded in May and August ; the crop is now (the end of
August) calculated at 40 tons per acre."

The use of impure water on grass-land is no very
modern discovery. The Egyptian cultivators, bordering
on the Nile, could not avoid observing the good effects
upon their crops of the turbid waters of that mysterious
river. The dwellers near rivers subject to floods must ia
very early times have made similar observations. And in
the ease of sewage irrigation it was, I believe, the over-
flowing at Edinburgh of a large drain from that city, ex-
tending across a sandbank to the sea, that, by the fer-
tility it caused to that hitherto barren sand, first
suggested its systematic employment. The extend and
value of that irrigation, since its first employment nearly
a eentury-and-a-half since, was some time since described
by the late Mr. Stephens (" Practical Irrigator, p. 75) :
"Edinburgh," he observed, " has many advantages over
the most of her sister-cities. The large supply of excel-
lent spring-water is one of the greatest blessings to her
numerous inhabitants, both in respect to household pur-
poses and keeping her streets clean, as well as irrigating
the extensive meadows situated below the town, where
the art of man, with the common-sewer water, has made
even sand-hillocks produce riches far superior to anything
of the kind in the kingdom, or in any other country. By
this sewer-water about two hundred acres of grass-land,
for the most part laid into catch-work meadow, are irri-
gated, whereof one hundred and thirty belong to W. H.
Miller, Esq., of Craigintinny, and the remainder to the
Earls of Haddington and Moray, and other proprietors.
The meadows belonging to these noblemen, and part of
the Craigintinny meadows, or what are called the old
meadows, contain about fifty acres, and have been
irrigated for nearly a century. They are by far the most
valuable, on account of the long and continual accumula-
tion of the rich sediment left by the water ; indeed, the
water is so very rich that the tenants of the meadows

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

467

lying nearest the town liave found it advisable to cany
the conimon-sewer water tlirough deep ponds, into which
the water deposits part of the superliuous manure before
It runs over the ground. Although the formation of
these meadows is irregular, and the management very
imperfect, the effects of the water are aston'ishing : they
produce crops of grass uot to be equalled, being cut from
four to six times a year, and the grass given green to
milch cows. Tlie grass is let every year by public sale,
in small patches of a quarter of an "acre and upwards, and
generally brings yearly from tweuty-four to thirty pounds
per acre. lu 1826, part of the Earl of iMoray's meadow
fetched fifty-seven pounds per acre (this was owing to the
fact that iu the year 1826 forage was exceedingly scarce).
About forty acres of the Craigintinny lands were formed
into catch-work water-meadow before the year 1800,
which comprises what is called Fillieside Bank old mea-
dows, and is generally let at a rent of from twenty to
thirty pounds per acre. In the spring of 1821 thirty
acres of waste-land, called the Freegate Whins, and ten
.ncres of poor sandy soil, were levelled and formed into'
irrigated meadow, at an expense of one thousand pounds.
The pasturage of the Freegate Whins was let previously
to this improvement for forty pounds per annum, and the
ten acres for sixty pounds. They now bring from fifteen
to twenty pounds an acre per annum, and may be much
improved. This (continues Mr. Stephens) is one of the
most beneficial agricultural improvements ever under-
taken ; for the whole of the Freegate Whins is composed
of nothing but sand, deposited from time to time by the
action of the waves of the sea. Never was one thousand
pounds more happily spent in agriculture: it not only
required a common-sewer to bring about this change, but I
a resolution iu the proprietor to launch out his capital on !

an experiment of a soil of such a nature. Oue hundred
and ten of Mr. Miller's meadows iu one year gave a clear
profit of two thousand and ten pounds. The yearly ex-
pense of keeping these meadows in repair is from ten to
fifteen shillings per acre, which is more than double the
expense of keeping water-meadows in repair in general ;
for the watering of them is not only through the winter
season, but the water is put on them for one or two days
togethei", immediately after every cutting of the grass,
throughout the whole of the season."

With these facts iu evidence, is it not to be lamented
that the sewage of so many populous places is still allowed
to pollute our rivers ? that the extension of the works
of the great company at Barking are suspended for want
of public support ? Surely it would be well if the Metro-
politan Commissioners were either to advance the com-
pauy, on mortgage, the requisite sum needed to carry their
sewer to the Maplin Sands, or else take the undertaking
into their own hands. It would be well, too, if certain
vexatious and absurd restrictions relating to the construc-
tion of these works were removed, and that a little more
common-sense was employed in their support. If those
to whom these matters are entrusted, still fail to be con-
vinced that, first, the public health only, and, secondly,
the profit to be derived from the disposal of the sewage,
are to be regarded, then the sooner they make way for
others, the better it will be for our country. It fortu-
nately happens that sewage irrigation far more than pays
its own way ; but if that was not the case, the improve-
ment of the public health, and the restoration of the fish,
now banished from our polluted rivers, are objects of still
greater importance than even the considerable profit de-
rivable from the use .of sewage in agriculture.

HOW SHEEP PAY,

This question presents itself very forcibly to the mind
of most owners of that description of property, and but
few purely agricultural topics are more frtely orfrequently
discussed at the present time than this, in the places
where those interested are in ihe habit of meeting. The
solutions given to the question are very diverse, numbers
saying that it is utterly impossible they can pay, triumph-
antly quoting the prices at present ruling for wool, lambs,
and muttou in support of their statements, and most de-
cidedly giving it as their opinion that sheep can never
leave a profit, unlil their produce commands a consider-
ably higher price in the market. Others again, whose
expressions of opinion have the merit and weight with
their associates, only to be gained by long experience and
successful management of their own affairs, confidently
assert that a flock of sheep will pay when managed pro-
perly, and that as well as any other kind of stock. The
latter differ from the former in this material point, that,
instead of thinking the produce of the flock exceedingly
low in value, they consider it quite high enough, unless
only that part of the community which are in easy cir-
cumstances arc to be looked upon as consumers, and the
bulk of the population excluded, which they must be if
mutton is always to be kept at famine prices. As is
usually the case, when opinions of exactly opposite charac-
ter are held by diftcrcnt parties on a certain subject, the
truth is generally found to be pretty nearly between the
two, the matter being about balanced by adding some-
thing to the one, and slightly taking from the other. In
a modified sense therefore both views are correct, the
difference being made to appear so much greater than it

really is, by each party bringing forward only those ar-
guments which bear upon and elucidate his own view of
the matter which is being discussed. Thus, he who says
sheep will not aud cannot pay, dwells at considerable
length on its impossibility when wool has to be sold for
Is. 3d. per lb., lambs at 12s. each, aud mutton at 5d. per
lb. ; the other quickly puts wool up to Is. 6d. per lb.,
lambs to 25s. or 30s., and muttou to 8d. per lb., all of
which prices he endeavours to make clear are easily at-
tainable by keeping the right sort of auimals, selling at
the proper time, and by improved modes of management,
the latter consisting mainly in uot overstocking the
pastures and liberal feeding, with several varieties of food,
all of a highly nutritious character. It is generally ad-
mitted that the somewhat sluggish state of the markets
for sheep and their produce, and their comparatively low
value when former prices are taken into consideration,
is mainly attributable to overstocking. The very natural
dread felt by owners of cattle when the rinderpest reached
these shores caused many to sell them out, aud re-stock
with sheep, so as to avoid a heavy loss in the event of the
plague reaching them. Those, again, who actually lost
their cattle, had no alternative but to purchase sheep in
their place, although it might be eveu for but a short
time, until the disease had ceased its ravages, and the
danger of infection was past. All this gave an impetus
to the sheep trade, causing a demand for store animals,
which the country could scarcely supply, aud prices were
accordingly driven up to a point much beyond their value.
The scarcity and dearness of labour in many districts has
also had the effect of turning the attention of many men

468

THE FAEMEB'S MAGAZINE.

to sheep as a means of reducing their weekly bill, and at
the same time enabling them to keep up the full amount
of the gross proceeds of their farms. In numerous in-
stances this has been overdone ; and the neglect of pro-
viding sufficient winter food for the animals, under the
greatly-mistaken notion that on the pastures they could
eke out a living, has been undoubtedly the reason why so
many people have been unsuccessful with sheep. By in-
creasing them, and neglecting to provide extra food, the
constitution of the stock became injured, they decreased
in size and weight, the wool lost both in length and lustre
and in value accordingly, and when, as has been too
often the case, disease got into the flock, the owner has
been forced to declare that sheep-breeding was a tissue of
vexatious disappointments and serious losses. This is no
overdrawn picture, the instances of heavy losses during
the past two years being too frequent all over the
country to permit of any mistake being made, or the
reason of the breaking up of a flock not accurately
known. The best agricultural authorities state that
sheep have always been liable to great fluctuations in
value, being for a few years far beyond their value, and
then again for a consecutive number of years correspond-
ingly low. AVhen high, people who are not accustomed
to the management of a flock of sheep are induced to
purchase as largely as their means or extent of surface
will permit ; and hence when the reaction comes they
ardently desire to get rid of them, and, forcing them on
markets, aid in bringing about the very state of matters
most injurious to their own interests.

Wc once heard a gentleman farmer speak largely of the
wonderful advantage of stocking with sheep over every other
mode of either stocking or working ^the land. His prin-
cipal argument was the saving of labour, both of men and
horses. " You purchase your stock ; you have a man to
attend to them ; he reports to you occasionally — say,
every morning; and. the thing is done. If the morning
or day is disagreeable there is no necessity for going out ;
there is not a body of labourers to look after, and there-
fore no expenses rising, one's mind is at ease, and there is
no unpleasant interruption." "When we ventured to sug-
gest the importance of growing a quantity of green
crops, on which to finish the way-going stock, and so
command the highest prices going, by being enabled to
hold till spring, he replied that " in that case a man be-
came the servant of his labourers, handing them over the
greater portion, if not all, of the extra cash received by
their exertions." Now there is no doubt but that such a
system as this does prove eminently successful on land in
a high state of fertility, and possessing natural ly the
power of laying on fat quickly on whatever animals that
may be put on it ; yet as these lands are the exception
and not the rule, it may just follow that any one at-
tempting this mode of procedure may find himself seriously
embarrassed before he finds it possible to resume the method
of farming he has been accustomed to.

In the autumn of 1865 breeding ewes were bought up
at prices far beyond their value— from £3 10s. to M 10s.
being given for animals of large size and good blood.
The anxiety displayed by almost every one at that time
to purchase sheep caused this enormous rise, as in reality
these very sheep were not worth more than from 42s. to
50s. This, many of the purchasers have proved to their
cost, the succeeding two years' produce of lambs and
fleece in many cases not being sufficient to cover the first
cost of the e*e ; and it is questionable whether the three
years' produce even will amount to the original purchase-
money, when the ewe herself is sold at a considerable
reduction, a contingency at the present price of ewe
muttou absolutely unavoidable. Land on which sheep
have been largely kept for many years to the exclusion of

other stock becomes at last so impregnated with their
droppings as to prove highly injurious to the health of
the animals, and very careful management is required,
and a variety of food essentially necessary to preserve the
flock in a healthy state. A familiar example of this is found
in the lawns and wooded enclosures surrounding a gentle-
man's seat, sheep being usually, for various reasons, the
most suitable stock for such places. The presence of a large
number of trees, inducing a rank growth of sour and
innutritious herbage, aids materially in retarding the pro-
gress of the stock to maturity. They are extremely liable
to scour ; seldom are without foot-rot ; and a larg er pro-
portion of the lambs come under the denomination of
culls or dwindles than is the case in open land, where the
sheep are not kept so constantly nor so thick on the
gi'ound, and where the air circulates freely, not per-
mitting the fleece to remain long wet and cold and clung
to their backs.

Having now glanced at the modes of manage-
ment which cause loss, or at least a decreased return from
.capital invested in sheep, we will take a look at the other
side of the question and see how loss may be avoided,
and a profit made. Buymg at the present price of store
stock, it must surely be wretched management which
would permit of a loss ; in fact, one would think the
animals should be starved outright if they did not leave
a fair return for time, trouble, and outlay when disposed
of. It is of the most vital importance when purchasing
ewes to get a breed of good milking property. Let the
mother be ever so shabby-looking, if she is descended
from a race of milkers she will reai' her lamb, or a
couple of them with great ease, keeping them fit for the
butcher during the whole time they are running with her,
providing her own wants ai'e plentifully supplied. The
Cheviot, the Highland blackface, the South, and the
Shropshire Downs all possess this quality in a remark-
able degree, and are highly prized as nurses when their
lambs are intended to be disposed of early. Crossed .
with a Leicester ram there cannot be found a happier
combination of Wood to efi'eet the desired object in the
shortest space of time. Many of the whitefaeed breeds
are very inferior milkers, and for this reason are quite
unfit for the purpose we speak of ; the great weight they
attain to, both of carcase and fleece, rendering them
valuable at a more advanced period of their existence.
To instance one case where there is every pi'ospect of pay-
ment, and that too on a liberal scale, we select a lot of
Cheviot ewes ; they are purchased at one of the great
autumn fairs, whither they have been brought from their
native hills for disposal. They are wondrously slim when
brought to their new quarters, looking like lambs in com-
parison to the sturdy, comfortably-fleeced Leicester ram
which has been purchased for crossing with them. The
price of each ewe is probably from 21s. to 25s., accord-
ing to quality and to the season, at which figm-e no great
expenditure of capital is involved. The pasture they are
put upon must be poor indeed if it is not better than
what they were accustomed to ; and with liberal treat-
ment the bulk of the flock are likely to have twins, the
whole of which being cleared off as fat lambs abundant
time is given to get the ewes themselves finished and sold
to the butcher at an advance on the original price.
Another advantageous feature in the character of this
breed is, that being small they can run thick on the pas-
tures, and thus increase the monetary return per acre
very considerably. The Shropshire Downs have of late
years become great favourites, having proved themselves
excellent milkers, and prime killing sheep as well. The
only point in which they yield to the very best of the
whitefaeed breeds is in the fleece, which has neither the
length of staple, lustre, nor weight possessed by the
latter. This slight difference, however, is more than

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

469

counterbalanced by their greater thriftiuess and hardy
nature, being nearly always in good condition even al-
though the keep they are on is but moderate.

Our view on the subject of being able to obtain a fair
return from a Hock of sheep, is now fairly laid before the
I'eader, and is simple ; consisting first, in purchasing ani-
mals at a low figure, so that when again disposed of there
shall be no loss on the original outlay, but every prospect
of an increase. Second, taking care that the breeding
stock shall be descended from a race celebrated for
their milking properties, so that Avhen the slieep herself
is properly nourished the lamb will be sure to obtain such
an abundant supply of milk as to keep it growing and
fattening at the same time. Third, crossing with a ram
of the most approved breed, so that the progeny will be
valuable alike for wool, weight of carcase, and early ma-
tm'ity. Had these requisites been attended to by many
who got largely into sheep for the first time when they
were lately so much run on, a fair profit would have been
made in numerous instances where heavy loss was sus-
tained, and where it was almost unavoidable, except on the
very best lands, it having been absolutely impossible to
clear off the ewes at more than half the original cost.
The heavier breeds of sheep, such as the Leicester, Cots-
wold, and Lincoln, in the hands of those who hold land
suitable for them, and who make it their business to
attend mainly to the keeping up of a permanent fiock,
can also be made to return a great deal of money. "When
the necessary quantity of green crops is grown, and the
young stock cleared off fat at the age of twelve months,
after consuming a quantity of cake and corn, the farmer is
reimbursed for his outlay and expenditure of time and
trouble, and his land put in first-rate heart for the growth
of future crops. "When this system is carried on regu-
lai'ly year after year, and not by fits and starts, the re-
turn made by sheep, taking one year with another, is
highly satisfactory. The farmer who grass-fattens and
who has to clear away his stock when the pastures fail at
the end of autumn, necessarily sells at a time when the
markets are crowded and the price of mutton at its

lowest, so many following the same system, the profit for
this reason being cut very fine.

Those who finish on turnips and sell in spring have the
advantage of scarcer markets and much higher prices iu
consequence, and with the attendant circumstances so
exceedingly favourable the management must be very
careless indeed if sheep finished in this way and sold at
this time of year do not pay. There is another source of
profit from a flock which has made for itself a name now
largely availed of, viz., the sale of the rams for breeding.
The anxiety to obtain specimens from a flock which has
become celebrated for hardiness of constitution, early
maturity, and general usefulness, and the large sums paid
for them, shows most forcibly the value now attached to
the procuring of good sires, and the improvement they
effect on the stock they are placed with. It has been so
much the habit of late years to overdo the condition of
these rams when being made up for sale by pampering
the appetite with every kind of nutritious food sheep will
eat, and shielding them from sun, rain, and wind, that
the usefulness of the animals has too often been seriously
impaired. Not only this, but so much expense has been
gone to in bringing them out that the extra prices ob,-
tained have scarcely recouped their owners for the hard cash
invested in putting them into condition. A reaction is
gradually coming about, and the most choice blood is
now to be had, in natural condition, grass-fed, or at least
but with very little assistance from other foods. By this
judicious and sensible treatment the interests of both
buyer ^nd seller are consulted, the former in getting an
extra price for his good blood, which thus becomes a,B
profit, and the latter instead of laying out good money
on an unwieldy mass of fat, gets a useful animal, active
and lively, able and quite satisfied to subsist on the food
which supports the other members of the flock. An
average of several pounds less on each animal becomes in
this way better payment therefore than the same amount
of increase when it was obtained purely through giving
the unfortunate animals an unlimited supply of rich
food. J. S.

THE VALUE OE SEED CAREFULLY GROWN,

We recently had occasion to refer to the influence of
seed upon the growth of the root crop ; but the de-
generacy of seed demands some fuller notice than we were
then able to give to it. Important as it has been shown
to be in relation to these particular crops, its influence
extends over a far wider field of action. In the growth
of the corn crops the importance has long been recog-
nized, and the general practice has been guided with due
consideration thereto. The connection is much more
evident between the seed sown and the seed produced
therefrom, than between the seed and the hei'bage or
bulbs which may be grown from it. Although the con-
nection is less evident, it is not the less real, as in both
cases the habit of life and the constitutional character
are conveyed from the seed.

In the selection of seed for a corn crop many circum-
stances are taken into consideration, such, for instance,
as the variety, the soil upon which it has been grown,
and the climate of the district in which it has been culti-
vated. Tliese details of growth are inquired into with
commendable zeal, and by the discretion shown in select-
ing the best sort of seed the ultimate result is very much
regulated. It is true that so far as variety extends some
inquiry is usually made prior to the purchase of ordinary
agricultural seeds ; but how far does the consideration of

soil and climate generally extend ? Practically it ia
overlooked, and yet it is well known to be as influential
upon root and fodder crops as upon corn.

The question naturally arises, Do the soil and climate
affect the selection of seed-corn, and does any practical
advantage result from the care thus taken? The reply
will be unanimously in support of such discretion, because
of its well-known effect upon the quality of the corn, and
the general vigour of the plant. This probably arises
from the growth being more perfect under certain con-
ditions of soil and climate than under others. We are
perfectly familiar with such occurrences as white wheat
being sown upon certain farms, and the farmer is not
able to use even his own seed without danger of it losing
its character ; whilst on other farms the home-grown seed
may be used once, but cannot safely be repeated. So also
Scotch oats have been received from their own district,
and used with great success ; the produce of the same
employed with a lesser benefit, but the use of succeeding
growths no longer considered advantageous. Instances
might be increased indefinitely to support the value of
the practice of selecting seed-corn with doe consideration
to soil and climate.

We have every reason to believe that similar care is
desirable iu the selection of all farm seeds, and that it

470

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

will materially promote successful cultivation if prudent
measures are adopted to secure a vigorous constitution,
higli-feeding character, and powers of steady growth.
Very much more may be done in this direction than
would at first sight appear probable. As an example of
each of these conditions being successfully secured, take
the several varieties of turnips and swedes grown, and
they illustrate most fully the control which man can
exert by cultivation upon the plants he takes under his
care. We do not purpose noticing at this time the effect
which good and bad management have exerted upon our
root crops, further than to remark that they afford us
some of the best illustrations of what the judicious culti-
vation can do, and what is done by those who grow their
crops from seed which has been purchased regardless of
its history.

The same prejudicial infiuence extends to other crops.
Take, for instance, our clovers ; and it must be admitted
that the cases are very exceptional in which due care is
taken as to the growth of seed. "VVe know that where
such care has been taken an abundant recompense has
been gained in the luxuriant and healthy growth which
bas followed. Is it any surprise that complaints should
be constantly arising that the clovers fail dui-ing the
winter months when no care is taken to secure such a
hardy growth as shall be capable of withstanding the
severities of climate and other hardships with which the
plant has to contend ? "VVe do not attribute the failure of
the clover plant entirely to this cause, because we are
well aware that there are several other circumstances
whicli act in the same direction. At the same time we do
not hesitate to urge the great importance to be attached
to the constitutional character of the seed. A neglect of
this consideration has already produced, and probably will
continue to produce, disappointment and loss, against
which we desire to guard our friends. It will be readily
acknowledged that the question of climate is rarely con-
sidered in the purchase of cloverseed. It may be Eng-
lish, or it may be foreign seed ; it may be grown in a
warm climate, or the opposite. Its cultivation may have
been such as was best calculated to produce a heavy crop
of seed, even with a delicacy of habit which is totally

unprepared to grapple with the rigour of severe winter
weather. The winter and spring vetch very w-ell illustrate
this change, for it is well known that winter vetches of
hardy character can be so cultivated that they shall lose
that strength of constitution, and become unfit for ex-
posure during the winter months. The same thing
happens with a considerable quantity of our cloverseed,
and much of the plant dies oft" in the winter simply be-
cause we have purchased seed regardless of the circum-
stances under which it may have been grown.

We have scarcely yet realized the real difference in the
value of seed grown under proper care and management,
as compared with seed produced without regard to the
circumstances which influence its successful employment.
The time wiU come when we shall appreciate more highly
than we now do the labours of those who are promoting
their improvement. At one time the principles of animal
life were equally disregarded, and it was commonly held
that so long as an animal was got into breeding condition it
was a matter of perfect indifference how the result was
arrived at. We now regard a person holding such views
with feelings near akin to pity ; but it must be acknow-
ledged that we are too generally overlooking similar prin-
ciples in reference to vegetable life : these agencies are
equally influential in their respective provinces, and the
time will come when we shall regard the indifference now
so generally existing in reference to the growth of seed
with feelings of astonishment and surprise.

So long as the course of procedure is of a retrograde
character little need be said about progressive improve-
ments ; but it is perfectly clear that when the cultivation
of farm seeds receives that attention and judicious care of
which they are worthy, that we shall soon advance, and
produce those improved varieties which yield the most
nutritious food under the special climatic peculiarities
of difl'erent districts. The influence of sucli progress w^ould
be important in its bearings upon agriculture. Not only
shall we thus secure seed possessing that constitutional
strength which local requirements render desirable, but
we shall economize the labour and expenses of the farm
by producing upon each acre of cultivated land an in-
crciised amount of more valuable food.

HOW TO FEED LIVE STOCK DURING THE WINTER.

The following interesting discussion took place at the recent
meeting of the Moraysliire farmers' Club. Provost Grant, of
Elgin, annouuccd the subject for discussion as follows : "Tur-
nips and straw being very scanty crops this season, what sys-
tem would members recommend for carrying their live stock
judiciously and economically through the winter ?"

Mr. Waj.kek, Leucliars, said he would suggest that farmers
should be very careful in the beginning of tlie season in giving
their cattle straw and turnips. He would not starve the cattle,
but he would deal out turnips and straw very carefully. Asa
substitute, or auxiliai-y, when the turnips ran short, he knew
nothing better than a little oilcake, say a pound or pound and
a-half a day. He had tried notliing else thau that.

Mr. Maukessack, of Ardgye, said he did not quite agree
with Mr. Walker about giving the cattle short allowance
about this time of the year. They must go on feed-
mg tlie cattle from their infancy ; begin by milking a
calf well, and keep it on. The way 'in a year of this kind
was to give each day some little extras, such as oilcake, bean-
meal, rape-cake, kc. No doubt, there was plenty of feeding
stulls to be got in the country, to keep their cattle in good con-
dition. There was no use in giving a full supply of straw and
turnips. He liad a pulping machine, and made pulp with
straw and turnips and bran, or any other available material.
He found it good for young stock, but not for bullocks. This

season he would be like an old farmer in the vicinity of Forres,
who, when asked by a gentleman what shift he farmed upon,
replied, " 'Deed, sir, every houest shift." He woiild adopt
every lionest sliift to get their stock through the winter.

Mr. Walker, Altyre, said that, to begin with, this was a
very serious and ditficult question. Yet there were few seasons
on wliich they had had such an opportunity of facing their diffi-
culties as this. Up till now, the 11th November, they had
been able to keep their stock in the fields. There was, how-
ever, a long winter before them, and it would, no doubt, be dif-
ficult for many of them to get comfortably through it. Like
Mr. Mackessack, he had tried pulping turnips, and mixing them
with chaff and cut straw, and wlien the mixture got a little
heated, gave it to the cattle. Tiie stock had certainly done
very well upon tliat. A much smaller proportion of turnips
than they would have used otherwise had served them. The
expediency of pulping seemed to him to be a question of
power. If they had plenty of water power at hand,
they could pulp cheaply ; but if they had not water
power, he questioned very much whether pulping could
be done to advantage. Witli water power and a pulping ma-
chine, a farmer could face a winter of tliis kind with much
brighter prospects than without tliese aids. He rather doubted
Mr. Mackessack's remark that there was plenty of food to be
got, though he covered it with a rider that every honest shift

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471

should be adopted, ilr. Mackessack seemed to expect that a
man should buy oilcake and such like for stock. He questioned
very much, if that would pay ; although if given in small
quantities as an auxiliary, it might do for a time. He thought
that this would be one of the most useful meetings they liad
ever had, if they were able to arrive at any general conclusion
as to how they could adapt their limited supplies of feeding
stuff upon tlie farm to meet the necessities of the winter.

Mr. Ross said that, in a season such as this, he called in
the aid of bean-meal, oilcake, and other extra stuffs.

Mr. Gra>'t said his attention has been directed to saving
corn in tlie feeding of bis horses. He had used potatoes and
straw, both cut very small aud well mixed. He gave tlie horses
two feeds of corn and a feed of cut potatoes and straw each day.
He used the potatoes fresh, and he might mention that they
were Am.erican globes, a very productive variety. The other
day, when digging them, he picked out two potatoes from the
produce of one stem which weighed 5|lbs. He would not
give his cattle potatoes and straw at this season of the year.

Mr. Yooi, thought this a difficult question to deal with, and
one of the very greatest concern to the farmers in Morayshire.
Last year he Imd a small crop of turnips and a large crop of
straw, and he felt inclined to use a pulper. Hemadfe inquiries,
and the result was that, from the number of liands required to
be employed, and tlie want of power, lie could not have pulped
profitably. He had no power except liorses or steam, and he
found it would be ibetter to use an extra quantity of oilcake,
and leave the pulping alone. He believed, where there was a
supply of water, pulping \vould be profitable ; but \ihere they
required to employ horses or steam it would not be profitable.
This year his crop of turnips was urifortunately worse than
last year, and he had less straw. His mode of feeding was to
give the store stock an allowance of rape-cake, cotton-cake,
beans, and bean-meal. He gave them from 2|-lbs. to 31bs.
a-day of that, with plenty of straw. i?or his feeding stock he
had bean-meal, linseed-cake, and oilcake. All his stock were
doing first-rate. Of course these extra stuffs were a consi-
derable expense, but he could not lielp that. If they could
get their stock disposed of at a fair price, in such a season as
this, it would he well to sell them early, but the markets for
store stock had been so wretched that it was useless for a man
who could pay for extra food to sell them. He thought the
cheapest way was to give them rape and cotton-cake, and as
much straw as they could take. He had also used potatoes pretty
considerably. Small potatoes he gave to cattle, sheep, and
horses. They helped very well, indeed, if used judiciously.
The potatoes for cattle ought to be pulped or sliced, and given
in small quantities at a time. If given in large quantities
they caused swelling, but if they did not give too many of
them they would find the cattle graz,e well after them. In
using potatoes, they had to consider that they were perhaps
two or three times as nutritious as turnips, aud if the animals
got as many potatoes as turnips, they would not thrive well,
nor eat grass after them. He thought they should not force
potatoes into the market in the meantime. They would find
that potatoes at oOs. a ton were as cheap food as any cakes
they could get. He had a large quantity of potatoes, and he
intended to keep them unless the prices rose.

Mr. Geddes, Orbliston, quite agreed that this was a very
important discussion, and a question very difficult to decide.
It must be admitted that in Morayshire this year they had very
scanty crops of turnips and straw. The great difficulty, there-
fore, with men situated as he and others were, with large
breeding stocks, was to get them through. Where there was
a feeding stock, such as he had on some of his places, there
was not so much difficulty, because he thought everybody
would agree that rather thau buy food at a risk, it was better
to sell the stock. But, on the other hand, if they had a number
of young valuable stock, which, on account of their blood, would
assume a value, it became a quesf ion how they were to get
them through. He had himself seen a little of pulping, but
not upon his own farm ; for, although he thought of trying it
on account of his limited crop of turnips, he was deterred from
doing so by the want of water, His friend, Mr. Maclean, on
his farm of Westfield, had had a pulper at work for tliree or
four years. lie had obviated the difficulty of a want of water
power by having a small donkey engine, which consumed a
small quantity of coals, w hich was not very difficult to keep
in order, and which was very easily managed. He found that,
by steaming once every two days or three times a-week, he

could get on very well. The pulped food was found very
beneficial for small stock ; although he could not go into the
matter minutely, neither, he believed, could Mr. Maclean, al-
though he knew he would be able to do so by-and-bye, as he
was testing the weights. He knew, however, as a general
result, that young stock were carried through at a much less
expense upon pulped food than they could be upon turnips
alone. On the other hand, he did not approve of giving pulped
food to larger cattle, unless they \\ere to accompany it with
grain or cake. He had always observed that large cattle, fed
upon pulped food, were not making the .same pro-
gress as upon turnips alone. He did not see that
the mixing of turnips and straw did well with large
cattle, unless a quantity of cake were also given. He lately
came into contact with a friend in Aberdeenshire, who was the
first man he ever heard talk about pulping ; and he went to
meet him, to see whether he was satisfied with the system.
From the time tliat gentleman spoke to him first on the sub-
ject five years had elapsed ; and he put the question, whether
his friend was equally well pleased with the system ? His
friend was one of the best farmers in Aberdeenshire ; and he
declared, after the experience of so many years, that he was
equally well satisfied with it. He had been working by water-
power ; and tlie result was, that lie found a given extent of
turnip-crop and a given extent of corn-crop would keep a
much larger number of young cattle than it did before pulping
was commenced. He more particularly recommended it for
milk-cows, and mentioned as a proof of this that, when any-
thing went wrong with the pulper, which prevented it being
wrought for some days, and the cows were consequently put
upon turnips and straw, the diminution in the quantity and
quality of the milk and butter was very great. (The Chair-
man : " Nearly one-third.") He had stated these circum-
stances which he had become acquainted with regarding
pulpers, as tending to throw hght on the question. There
was, however, a great deal in what had been said about the
necessity for water-power in pulping profitably. Hatlier than
use a big engine, he believed it would be cheaper to use cake.
He was satisfied that, where they could use water-power, or
where they could employ a small donkey-engine, they could
bring on a much larger number of young cattle by pulping
than without it. Of course, pulping and straw-cutting must
go together. The great question with him was how to carry
his stock through the winter economically and judiciously, be-
cause they must carry them through judiciously, the starvation
system being the worst thing possible. Failing the pulping
of turnips and straw, he thought there was nothing left but to
go in for cakes, buying them in the cheapest way they could.

Mr. YooL said there was one thing to consider, that, as they
used a larger quantity of cakes, their manure was better.

Mr. Gepdes said he had a conversation with Mr. Cooper,
Spynie, who had been using a pulper for some years, and who
expressed himself as quite satisfied that he could carry through
his young stock at much less expense than upon turnips and
straw alone; andthatinayearsuch as this, he could turn a scanty
crop of turnips aud a scanty crop of straw to much lietter ad-
vantage by pulping vrith the aid of water power.

Mr. Williamson, Shempston, said he never had a pulper.
He had a conversation that afternoon with Mr. Cooper, Spynie,
who regretted that he could not be present at this meeting,
because he would have been able to tell them that he thought
the pulper a great advantage. He did not think the want of
water should be a very great objection after all, because he
would make one or two of the cattle that were to get the food
drive the pulper, and he was perfectly convinced they would
thrive with the work as well as any bullock in the byre. Of
course, the extra hands that were required came to be a great
consideration. If they required to employ extra hands, and
paying attention to the manure heap, as Mr. Yool suggested,
it was very doubtful whether it would not be better to buy
extra cake. In such a year as this, fat cattle were very dear,
aud his impression was to hold on what was best fitted to
bring them to maturity, and sell them oft' a month or six weeks
earlier than usual. If they thus pushed on what was to be
ripe and got clear of them early, there would be a greater
quantify of keep left for tlie young stock that must he kept on.
Mr. Walker, AKyre, said that since he spoke a new fea-
ture in the question had presented itself to hira. A pulper in
full swing would pulp turnips as fast as any two women could
throw them into it. The expense of their labour would be

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very little. They would tiud wheat and barley chatT about a
farm which would be sufficient to mix about two-thirds of the
food required, and that would be a great saving in straw. The
cost of bauds to work the machine would be comparatively
nothiug : it was the want of driving power that was the great
drawback. A woman employed one-half of lier time, along
with the cattleman, would keep the machine cutting.

Mr. Mackessack said that a man and two women pulped
as much food in one hour as did for two days for from 20 to
25 young cattle. He did not give it to his fat stock. He
mixed the turnips with chaff, and he had as much of it on the
farm as enabled him to do without cutting straw at all. He
cut off the sandy roots of the turnips, but he pulped the
tops.

The CUAIRMAJV said he had not. much experience, but he
liad been very much interested in the discussion. He had
been using a pulper for the last two years, and could tell them
how he wrought it to feed about 30 cattle. The time occu-
pied at the machine did not exceed two hours a day. He em-
ployed two men and two women in working it, and he found
that it did not incur any additional expense for hands. The
women threw the turnips into the machine, and one of the
men attended to the straw-cutter, which is combined with the
machinery of the pulper, and cuts as much straw as is sufficient
to mix with the turnips passing through the pulper. The
other man, the cattle-man, drives out the turnips and straw as
they come from the machine, mixing them as regularly as
possible. They generally cut as much as will serve about 30
cattle for two days, lu two or two and a-half hours. The

pulping was always done in the morning, aiul the women em-
ployed their time in pulling turnips or other work, and the
men attended to their ordinary duties about the fann. He
used water-power alone. He stored large quantities of tur-
nips at a time in the vicinity of the machine, so that they
might be kept going a month or six weeks, if necessary. He
had adopted a new plan this season. Draif, which he had in
quantities, commanded a high price this year compared with
ordinary years, and he thought it too expensive to give to his
cattle. He had disposed of his draif, and gave his cattle as
many turnips as they could eat, along with ten gallons of wash.
He found they took it greedily. Of course, farmers had not
wash to give, and he gave his evidence on the question under
discussion apart from that. He thought, where they had
water-power, and could cut the turnips and straw with the
ordinary hands on the farm, it was an advantage to have a
pulper. They could economise more with it than in any other
way. He thought it seemed to be the feeling of the meeting
that if it was necessary to economise this year in every way
that it could be done ; and that, while various plans had been
mooted, the plan of pulping turnips and cutting straw, and
feeding off as early as possible, particularly where they had
water-power to pulp and cut the straw, was preferable to all
others. With farmers who had not water-power, it came to
be a question of comparison in figures, whether it was better
to pulp by other means more expensive than by water, or to
purchase oilcake and other feeding articles. That was a
matter for every one's calculation, while they must try every
" honest shift" to do their best.

ROAD REFORM, AND THE ABOLITION OF TOLLS IN SCOTLAND.

At the quarterly meeting of the Ayrshire Farmers' Club,
held on November 3rd, Mr. William Merry, of Drumbowie,
Ochiltree, read a paper on " Roads Heform, and the Abolition
of Tolls," as follows : — If this paper, which I am about to read
to you, and the discussion which will foDow upon it, tend in
any degree to arouse public attention to the subject, the end
which this Club has in view will, in a great measure, have
been attained. It has long appeared to me that the toll-bar
system was a most expensive, cumbrous, and unfair way of
raising the funds for making and maintaining the public roads ;
and the almost universal insolvency of the various road trusts
which have that system in operation, is to my miiul couclu-
sive proof that my opinion is correct, and that the entire sys-
tem is a miserable failure. In the days before railways were
made, there were, perhaps, some grounds for supporting the
toll-bar system, for then the through traffic between the large
towns, situated it might be in different counties, passed along
the turnpike roads ; and on the- first view of the case, it seems
but fair that they who use the roads should pay for them. Now,
assuming this view of the case to be correct, though not grant-
ing it, it must now be admitted that in the existing and
changed circumstances many who use tlie roads don't pay their
fair share for them ; and so long as llic toll-bar system exists
it is impossible that it can be othei wise. Paradoxical as it
may appear, it is not the less true, that the fewer the toll-bars
the more unjust and unequal is the exaction, and in order to
render the system as etiuitable as it is possible to be made, a
toll-bar would require to be placed at every man's gate, or the
rate should be levied at so much per mile, and every person
using the the roads with rateable subjects should be com-
pelled to keep a log book, showing his place of departure <ind
number of miles run — after the fashion of a shipmaster. It is
surely a sufficient condemnation of any system, that when the
nearest approach to perfection it admits of is made, it ends in
sheer absurdity, and is provocative only of ridicule. They
who have the management of our turnpike roads in Ayrshire
have approached as nearly to the summit of perfection as is
safely possible. In this county there are 172 toll-bars, or with-
in four of double the number of I'erthshire, which is the next
highest county, and exactly double the number of Lanark ; and
it is an interesting fact, that in the counties where the tolls are
most numerous the debts are largest. The revenue of the
Ayrsliire turnpike roads is about £17,000, or about £100
on an average for each toll-bar. Now, asuming the ex-

pense of each toll-bar to be £25, and that is the lowest
estimate we have seen made — that is at the rate of 25 per
cent, for collection, and the salaries of the various officials
connected with the roads amount to somewhere about £1,500,
or about one-eleventh of the sum collected, which is at the
rate of fully 9 per cent., so that it takes nearly 35 per cent; of
the income of the roads to collect it, and pay it away. In the
presence of these facts it is not surprising that the Ayrshire-
road trusts are hopelessly insolvent. But it is surely a matter
for surprise that the road trustees had not long ere now de-
vised and adopted some more business-like and economical
system. The debts on the turnpike roads, bridges, &c., in
Ayrshire, amount to £140,800 ; of this about £06,800 is un-
paid interest. Only £070 of interest was paid from Whit-
sunday 1865 to Whitsunday 1866, the year of the latest Parlia-
mentary returns — which at 4*j per cent., the average interest
as set down in these returns, represents a capital of only about
£14,000. So that commerciallv considered, the Ayrshire road
debts are worth only one-tenth of their nominal value. No
unprejudiced person witli these statistics before him can surely
have the audacity to defend a system which can admit of such
condemnatory disclosures being made respecting it. And I
am satisfied that it is only from a groundless fear in the minds
of some of the public that they would perhaps be called upon to
pay more under a different system, that has prevented them
hitherto from demanding to have a complete and radical
change. I think it is clear beyond question that there cannot
possibly be a reform of the abuses of the toll-bar system. It
must be entirely swept away. Much as we are accustomed to
consider ourselves in advance of the Irish in some things, they
beat us completely here. There are no toll-bars in Ireland ;
few in Wales ; they are greatly reduced in number in England;
and already eighteen counties in Scotland have abolished tolls,
so that there are only fifteen which adhere to the antiquated
and ruinous system, and our own county figures at the top of
the black list. The greatest apparent difficulty in the way to
a change of system is the formidable amount of debt which
was contracted, and has amassed under the toU-bar system.
But the difliculty is more apparent than real ; as, for example,
in the case of Aberdeenshire, whose road debt was almost
double that of Ayrshire, when valued it was fstimated at less
than one-fifth of its nominal value ; and the statistics
show that the debts on the Ayrshire roads are being paid
interest which represents only about one-tenth of their

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

473

nominal value ; so tliat under a different system, by paying
perhaps 2 per cent, per annum more of interest than is paid
at present, the debt would be extinguished in the course of say
25 years. Indeed, by the sale of the toll-houses, bars, weigh-
ing-machines, &c., a sum would be realised whicli would go
far to pay off the del)t, estimated at its present worth. The
first step towards road reform should be the consolidation of
tlie various road and bridge trusts, the abolition of tolls, hav-
ing the debt valued by the Sheriff or some competent actuary,
and the placing of the turnpike and statute labour roads upon
tlie same footing and under the same management. No good
grounds now exist why there should be any distinction be-
tween them, because iu many instances the parish roads are now
the more important of the two. One important advantage
would be obtained by this cliange of system, viz., the im-
provement of those roads which are heavily burdened with
debt, and whose revenues are inconsiderable. Under the pre-
sent system certain portions of the debt are allocated upon
particular roads, and secured over the revenue derived from
the toll- rates thereon. And when these roads chance to be
situated in a district where there is not much traffic, and when
much of the traffic that would naturally pass over them is di-
verted owing to the badness of such roads, the revenues are
necessarily small, and are, perhaps, barely sufficient to keep
them in a passable state of repair. In such circumstances, of
course, there can be no money with which to pay interest or
make improvements ; and parties who have the misfortune to
be obliged to use these roads are compelled to pay toll upon
them — when the thought that naturally arises iu the mind of
an unsophisticated person is that he ought rather to be paid a
bonus for bis temerity in risking his property, and perhaps bis
neck upon them. Tliis anomalous state of matters would be
eutirely done away with under a change of system, because
the funds would be more readily available for making im-
provements where these were considered necessary. Various
substitutes have been proposed for the toll-bar system, each
doubtless having some particular merit of its own ; but the
best to my mind is that proposed by the Royal Commissioners
on Scotch roads in 1859, and which was given effect to in the
Road Act of the counties of Elgin and Nairn. The valua-
tion roll of the county is the basis of the system, and an assess-
ment is levied upon owners of real property for payment of the
interest for the road debt, and for making new roads, bridges,
&c. ; and proprietors and occupiers are equally assessed to raise
funds for the maintenance and management of the roads. Ou
the first view ot the case, this plan would appear to include
some parties who have no direct connection with roads, and
who consequently ought to be exempted from contributing to-
wards their maintenance. But in reality there are none who
are not benefited by good roads either directly or indirectly,
except those who have no property either real or personal, and
there are none such except those who are upon the poor's roll.
vVgain it is argued that this system would give great advantage
to other parties who make great use of the roads — as pro-
prietors of posting establishments, public caiTiers, those wlio
keep a horse or so and veliicle, and who are perhaps either
very small owners of real property, or occupiers to a very
limited extent as respects rent. There is no doubt there is
some force in these objections ; Init the general simplicity and
workability of the plan otherwise more than counterbalances
all these objections. Another exception might be taken in
the case of pastoral farms, whose occupiers rarely use the
roads, and others think that injustice would be done unless
there were a classification of subjects; but in my opinion,
once introduce the element of classification into the system,
and inextricable confusion would be the inevitable result, as
there are scarcely half-a-dozen farms or other subjects in the
county but what could furnish sufficient grounds to an in-
genious person to clamour for separate classification, and' no
practicable system that could be devised would ensure absolute
and universal fairness. I would therefore urge upon this club
to give its countenance to the plan of the Royal Commission
as being the least objectionable and simplest of the many that
have been brought forward ; and the machinery already exists
in most parishes for its cheap and efficient working, in the
persons of tlie collectors of the poor's-rates. The two rates
might be levied and collected at the same time, and the ex-
pense would be trifling compared to what it is under the pre-
sent system. It should also be borne in mind that turnpike
roads Ijear but a ^mall proportion to the parish or statute la-

bour roads throughout Scotland; and these latter roads, as
y.ou all know, arc maintained and managed out of monies
levied from occupiers exclusively. Now, under the system
recommended by the Royal Commissioners, the maintenance
and management of all roads, whether turnpike or statute la-
bour, would be apportioned equally betwixt proprietors and
occupiers. So that there is no fear of the burden being
heavier upon the occupiers under that than it is under the
present system. Nay, there is every reason to believe that
occupiers would have less to pay than tliey have now, and all
the annoyance and inconvenience of toll-bars would be got rid
of. The rate of assessment or conversion money varies in
different parishes. In some parishes with which I am ac-
quainted the rate is 3d. per pound of rental, which the occu-
piers have to pay in full. Now, the rate to be levied this year
iu the county of Wigtown for the maintenance and manage-
ment of all the public roads is just 3d. per pound, and that is
divided equally between proprietors and occupiers, which
makes the rate but l^d. per pound upon occupiers. We can-
not hope for so low a rate in the county of Ayr, as this county
is somewhat differently circumstanced from Wigtown ; but
there is strong reason for believing that we Mould not he re-
quired to pay more for all the roads than we do at present for
parish roads alone, and the money which we have to pay for
toll would remain in our pockets. If the change we advocate
were adopted, the ratepayers would be entitled to have a voice
in the management, which should be vested in a board, com-
posed of proprietors and representatives of the other rate-
payers, say one representative from each parish. But I think
we should confine ourselves at present to demonstrating that a
reform of the road system is urgently needed, and to impress
upon the public the expediency of striving by all legitimate
means to obtain a general Act, to embrace at least the fifteen
counties of Scotland which are yet suffering under the toll-bar
system ; to legislate upon the recommendations of the Royal
Commissioners ; to make the Act compulsory, for were it per-
missive there would likely be some recusant counties, and there-
fore much of the benefit resulting from the reform in the
counties which adopted the Act would be neutralised. And it
seems to me but fair that were toll-bars abolished throughout
Scotland, all pontages and causeway customs in burghs should
likewise be abolished. But the details of the Act would have
to be conceived by the framers of the Bill to suit the peculiar
exigencies of the several counties.

Mr. Dalglisu (Templaud) said he had been greatly de-
lighted with tlie manner in which Mr. Merry had brought
this subject before them. There were objections raised to
every change of system that was proposed, but every Objection
he had heard stated to the plan of road reform set forth in
Mr. Merry's paper appeared to him to be without foundation.
One objection put forward was, that those who had few or no
horses would, under that system, be equally taxed with those
who had a good many. But if they just looked for a moment,
say at the individual who kept a number of horses for hire,
they would find that the tolls were paid, not by the man to
whom the horses belonged, but by those who hired them.
Tlien it was objected that people away in the uncultivated
moorland districts, being so little on the roads, would have less
to pay under the present system than they would have to do if
their farms were taxed according to their rents. But if they
looked into the matter they would see that those parties were
as much interested in having good roads as those in better
peopled districts. An individual for instance coming from one
of these moorland places to Ayr would find it a heavy burden
upon him if he had to make a road for himself all the way —
iu fact it would be impossible for him to do it ; so that what-
ever would be the amount he would have to pay, it would
surely be better than to have to wade through moss all the
way down. For his own part he never grudged tolls provided
he got a good road, and people who were of the same mind as
he would never grudge a tax for good roads. One thing they
ought also to bring before tlie country besides the reform of
the revenue system, was tlve necessity of some improvement in
the management and keeping up of the roads. From what he
had seen lately in the public prints, it was obvious that in this
country they were far behind their continental neighbours in
keeping their roads in repair. All who were in the habit of
drivingatthis season must have felt great inconveuiencefrom the
new metal put upon the roads. On the continent it was be-
coming universally the practice to have large heavy rollers of

474

T^HE FARMER'S MAaAZtNE.

4 or 5 tons, and wcighlcil somctiiiics up to 8 or 10 tons, and
these were drawn by a number of horses, so as to consolidate
the new melal in such a way as to put it at once into per-
nuinent condition, and make it more useful to go upon. If
they looked at a piece of road newly laid with metal they
would see the wheels turning it out of its position, and the
surfaceman turning it in again, this mode of dealing wearing
the corners off the stones, and spoiling their properties for
holding and making a good permanent road ; whereas, if by a
great weight it was sufficiently crushed into its position at first
and then remained, how much more agreeable would it be to
travel upon, and how much longer would it last ? In Liver-
pool he understood they had adopted a roller of this sort ; hut
instead of drawing it with horses they liad adopted steam-
power, and it was capable of going up gradients as steep as
any they had in Ayrshire. He believed the use of such
rollers would prove a great saving in the long run, and that
their adoption should be immediately recommended to the
managers of the roads.

Mr. Caldwell (Knockshoggle) said he had not studied
this question much, but any fears that might be entertained
with regard to a change had been already well met. He was
afraid that any new system that might be devised would bear
unfairly on some parties. He was not sure that it would be
fair to require tliat all the debt at present on the roads should
be paid otf by the landowners. If the debts were once cleared
away, he thought the system proposed by Mr. Merry could be
easily worked.

Mr. Bo^'E (East Sanquhar) said he happened to he in
Kirkcudbrightshire lately, and met there with an acquaintance
wlio occupied tjiree extensive farms. He had a conversation
with him on the subject of roads, and asked liow they had got
along since the toll-bars were abolished. He said they were
far better off than they were previously ; and for his own part,
he was only paying about 10s. a year more than he had been
paying before for conversion money alone. He also stated
tliat the roads were kept as well, if not better than be-
fore.

Mr. You>,'& (Highfield) said lie was glad this subject had
been taken up by the Farmers' Club, as lie considered toll-bars
a great grievance. He thought the roads could be mucli more
cheaply kept up under the system pointed out by Mr. Merry ;
and tarmers generally should use every ell'ort to get the tolls
done away with.

Mr. Lindsay (Pinmore) said the system proposed by Mr.
Merry was based on principles of true economy, while under
the present system the expenses were out of proportion alto-
gether to the amount of the revenue.

Mr. TnojiAS M'Creatii, grain-merchant, said tiic present
toll system was indefensible, and the only question was as to
what would be the best substitute for it. He thought the
mode indicated hy Mr. Merry was, on the wjiole, the most
equitable, lie had no doubt there would he cases of hardship
Under it ; but in connection with the toll-system there were
as many and far more. As to the debts on the roads in tiiis
county, Mr. Merry had estimated that if they were valued ac-
cording to the amount of interest actuaUy paid upon them,
they would be found not to amount to above a tenth of the
nominal sum, or about £14.,000 or £15,000, instead of
£l'iO,000 ; and when they reckoned the amount that would
be realized by the sale of toll-houses and weigliing-machines,
the sum that the proprietors would be liable for would
b every small indeed. Tliat difficulty once got rid of, he saw
no difficulty aliout proprietors and occupiers paying equally
for the maintenance of the roads. The sum required to keep
them up would be a great deal less than they were paying at
present. The fact that so many counties had gone to Parlia-
ment and got Bills for themselves to abolish tolls, proved con-
clusively that the system they were proposing was a sound
one ; for the expeuse of getting a general Bill would bo no
more than each of these counties must have paid for getting a
Bill for itself. He might observe that the Royal Commission,
whose report they desired now to see adopted, was issued by
the Government now in power, and that would he a good
argument for asking them to take u]) the question and legis-
late upon it. He believed if the report had not recommended
a radical change, legislation would have fcdlowed upon it long
ago. When a Royal Commission reported in favour of doing
a little, as in the case of the Commission on Hypothec, it led
to legislation ; but when it reported iu favour of a thorough

radical change, no legislation followed. But if influence was
brought to bear upon the present Government, they could not
get over dealing with the question ; and the fact of their present
county member having been one of tlie Commissioners would
do away with any charge that might he brought against the
Ayrshire Farmers' Club of being " radical." There was one
point in the paper he begged to refer to, that was in regard to
the causeway custom in burglis. What Mr. Merry had said iu
reference to it was perfectly riglit. It was like the toll system
— it had lived out its day, and there were anomalies connected
with it that would warrant them in taking action to have it
abolished. There were taxes which at one time might have
been just and equitable, but which were now no longer so. For
instance, a ton of cheese coming into the town had to pay 7s.
9d., and the taxman could not even give the name of the tax
or custom which he thus imposed. It might be said that this
tax was to assist in keeping up the streets ; but if so, why was
it that a ton of wool did not pay a farthing ? WHiy tax one
industry and not another ? He believed that the origin of the
tax was that once upon a time they had public weighs, which
was the place for turning over the cheese between buyer and
seller. But long before his day that had been done away with ;
and although a merchant wanted his cheese weighed now by a
public weigher, he could not get it done. When the weighing
was discontinued, the tax should be discontinued too.

Mr. Stevexson (Silverwood) expressed his general concur-
rence in the views set forth in Mr. Merry's excellent paper. He
heard from friends in neighbouring counties, where they had
no toUs, that the money they required to pay for the main-
tenance of the roads during the year was much less than he
had to pay for the parish roads in this county. There might
be some circumstances that might render the roads in this
county more expensive to keep up ; but he did not tliink tliese
could be so great as to make a material difference in the
amount of the assessment. He thought the employment of a
heavy roUer on the roads, as spoken of by Mr. Dalglish, would
be a great advantage.

Mr. Clella:n (Knockinlaw) said he knew few things that
this county stood more in need of than road reform. Even if
the present system of tolls was to be kept up, they were very
unequally distributed. He had heard that there were parishes
where there were no such things as poor-rates or tolls ; but he
could assure them it was not the case in the district where he
lived. He had to use a road every morning, and in going two
miles he had to pay three tolls, while in going in another
direction he could travel eight miles and not meet a toll-bar.
He believed that even though the tenant had to pay the whole
of the road-rate, it would be cheaper than the present system,
and more equally divided among them.

Mr. Gemmell (Wyllielaud) said he did not happen to live
near a toll-bar ; he had not a toll within three or four miles of
him, and yet he decidedly approved of Uie abolition of toUs ;
and unless the rate was higher than 6d. in the pound on the
tenant, it would be cheaper than it was at present. He said
this although he lived so far from tolls, and occupied a dairy
farm. He believed the proposal to levy a rate equally on land-
lord and tenant was the most equitable one, even for the dairy
and pastoral farmer. He was speaking the other day to a
sheep farmer from the head of Fenwick moor, and he said he
was quite in favour of the proposed system, even although he
had only one horse. He could see no objection to the land-
lords being required to pay off the debt. It must be laid on
the land sometime. It was entirely for the benefit of the estates
that the roads were made, and the making of the roads improved
the value of the estates.

Mr. Young (Dunduff) said his opinion was that no sy.stem
could be worse than the present. He thought the system pro-
posed by Mr. Merry was an admirable one ; but he would
agree to any system rather tlian have the tolls as they are.
Hitherto those who had paid the most for the roads had no-
thing to say in the making or repairing of them. That was
a thing that ouglit also to be remedied. A very small pro-
prietor had his say iu the management of the roads, while a
farmer \i ho paid as much for the support of the roads as three
or four of those proprietors had not a voice at all. In file
meantime, however, the great thing was to have the tolls
^jbolished.

Mr. Martin (Knockshinnoch) agreed with Mr. Young that
they could not have a worse system than the present. If they
had the tolls once swept off the face of the earth, he was not

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

475

afraid but tliey would get a system that would work to better
purpose.

Mr. KiLPATRicK (Smitlistou) said he thought Mr. Merry
had presented the main aspects of the road question to them
in a very concise form. He agreed with him on a great many
points ; and from all lie could gather he tliought the statistics
he had given were quite correct. With regard to representa-
tion at the Board, he thought one ratepayer from each parish
would be too few. That would be all very well if there was
only one proprietor from each parish ; but if the proprietors
and occupiers were to pay equally for the maintenance of the
roads, they should be equally represented at the Board. It
was felt to be a very unjust thing at present that those who
paid the conversion money had no voice in expending the
money. With regard to the road debt being paid off, he
thought if looked at in a proper light it was paid off long
ago, in the improved value of the properties which the roads
accommodated. What would have been the use of the lands
had the roads not been made. He believed if matters were to
continue long as they were, the roads would become bankrupt ;
while if the debt could be dealt with in the way pointed out
by Mr. Merry, the debt would be all wiped off in 20 or 35
years.

Mr. Young (Kilhenzie) said a number of people were
ready to ask whether they would not have to pay more under
the proposed system than under the present one. The best
proof they would not was that in the counties of Scotland
where tolls were already abolished, it was found that tlie ave-
rage amount of assessment was 2fd. per pound. Another thing
he would say was that toll-bars were a great hindrance to
trade and commerce ; and if they were swept away all parties
could resort freely to the roads, whether country gentlemen,
traders, or farmers. With regard to the point alluded to by
Mr. M'Creath, he thought if they abolished tolls on the roads
in the county, the corporations of towns could not for very
shame continue to levy vexatious imposts for the use of their
streets. With regard to the paying off of the debt, he believed
the proprietors in other counties where tolls had been abolished
had not objected to paying off the debt.

The Chairman (Mr. Cunuinghame, of Chapeltown) said
he thought the meeting had been unanimous in condemnation
of tolls, and in favour of the system advocated by Mr. Merry.
Mr. Caldwell had felt a little difficulty about the debts ; and
he (the Chairman) wiis afraid that Mr. Merry might possibly
have rather uuder-estinuited their present value ; but be that
as it might, he thought the proprietors would not object to
pay off the debt. They got tliese roads made for the benefit
of their own properties, and it was well known tliat wherever
a road was made, the value of the properties increased. He
knew of a case in his own neighbourhood where the turnpike
road led through a village, and because a certain proprietor's
lands lay oft' to the left, they made a new turnpike road, and
accommodated them, and immediately alter one farm rose
£300, another £150, and another £70 a year. Nor was that
an isolated case. There was no proprietor in the county who
had not been paid ten times over for tlie money expended on
making the roads through his property. He had a higher
opinion of the landlords than to believe that they would reluse
to pay oft' the debt, and he believed if a bill was brought for-
ward they would not stand in the way. The Chairman con-
cluded by moving tlie following resohition: "That the Club
are of opinion that a General Road Act for Scotland should be
forthwith prosecuted and passed by Government on the prin-
ciples and recommendations contained in the report of the
Royal Commissioners on Scottish roads — viz. : (1) The
liquidation of road debt by owners of lands and heritages ; (2)
the consolidation of turnpike, statute labour, and bridge
trusts ; (3) the abolition of tolls, pontages, statute labour, and
bridge money assessments ; (+) the maintaining and repairing
of roads equally by owners and occupants of lands and herit-
ages ; and (5) the expense of making new roads and bridges
to be borne exclusively by owners of lands and heritages iii
Scotland, and that the owners and occupiers should be equally
represented at the different local boards."

Mr. Stevenson (Silverwood) seconded the motion, which
was unanimously agreed to, and the Secretary instructed to
forward copies to whoever might be the future members of tlie
county.

THE POOES' EATB IN EEFEEENCE TO THE LABOUEERS' DWELLINGS.

At a meeting of the members of the Midland T^'armers' Club,
11. C. Chawner, Esq., in the chair, Mr. Startin read a paper
" On the Unjust Incidence of the Poor Rate, with especial re-
ference to its pernicious effects on the dwellings of the la-
bouring classes ;" being a continuation of the paper on the
sam.e subject read by him last year. He said it was about
twelve months since tlie Club gave its attention to the present
system of compulsory relief to the poor ; and it was not quite
ten months since he had the privilege of opening in that room
a discussion upon the " unjust incidence of the poor rate."
In the short time which had elapsed since then, the public
mind had, indeed, made a very great advance towards sounder
and more statesmanlike views upon this important question.
It was now admitted by many of tlie ablest members of the
House of Commons, and by some the deepest and most phi-
losophical thinkers, that in the present Poor Laws there were
anomalies and abuses which ought to be reformed ; that
there was injustice which demanded redress ; and it was, he
thought, now conceded by all those who had given their at-
tention to the subject that the classification in our workhouses
might be greatly improved — that the sick and infirm poor might
be better cared for ; and that a check might be given to im-
providence, and pauperism ultimately be diminished, by remov-
ing pauper children to district schools, and not suffering them
any longer to grow up subject to the contamination of the
Union house. Mr. Startin next referred to the action of many
of the Parmer' Clubs and the Central Chamber of Agriculture,
and to the attempts made atlegislation upon the question. There
was one especially pernicious effect of the poor rate that, so far
as he was aware, had in all these debates and discussions only
been recognised on three occasions — by a member of their
own club, by Mr. Mill, in the debate on Sir M. Lopes's mo-
tion, and by Mr. H. G. Andrews, in drawing up a series of
resolutions for the Somerset Chamber of Agriculture. He

alluded to the injurious influence of the poor rate iu pre-
venting or discouraging improvements iu house property, and
especially in the dwellings of the labouring classes. Mr. J. S.
Mill, in the debate to which he had alluded, recognised the fact
that the poor rate upon houses was simply a house tax in
disguise. Undoubtledly this was the case ; and if the question
were probed to the bottom, it would be found that this poor
rate or house tax might be divided into two parts : firstly, the
tax upon the ground-rent, which varied greatly in amount,
according to the value of the geographical position of the site
on which the house stands. This portion was in the long
run borne by the landlord. Secondly, the tax on the house
itself, which, as he thought, was undoubtedly borne by the
occupier. If they considered the subject, they would find that
a house was as much an article of consumption as a loaf of
bread, the only difference being that a longer time was re-
([uired for its consumption in the one case than in the other.
It was, therefore, perfectly clear that not only must tlie capital
expended in the construction of the house, together with the
average rate of interest on the outlay, be returned to the capi-
talist, but also that all rates and taxes levied during the exist-
ence of the house would fall on the consumer — that was the oc-
cupier. Nowthe quality of the house tenanted by the artisan de-
pended entirely on what he could afford to pay for it ; and if he
were compelled to pay a very heavy house-tax, for which lie
received no quid pro 'jiio, in addition to the genuine rent he
paid his landlord in return for the capital invested, it was
{)erfectly clear that the quality of the house he was enabled
to inhabit was diminished iu exact proportion to the amount of
house-tax he was obliged to pay. To illustrate this by an ex-
.araple, let them take the case of an artisan whose wages
enable him to give £10 per annum for his house. If out of
these £10 he was compelled to pay £2 as a house-tax, from
wliich neither he nor his landlord received any direct benefit,

476

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

caviii" only £8 :is real rent, was it uot manifest that
were this house-tax removed, and the whole £10 paid lo the
landlord as genuine rent, the latter would be able to build thB
artisan a better house in the exact proportion of 10 to 8, or 5
to 4 ? Mr. Startiu adduced statistics to prove that this system
most perniciously aflects the poor of this town and actually
imposes an income tax of about G^d. in the pound on their
annual earnings. He next read an extract from the Lancet,
with reference to the monstrous evils, both physical and moral,
resulting from over-crowding in the dwellings of the poor.
In the face of such facts, was it, he asked, not incumbent upon
them to remove every ftscal obstruction to the improvement
of this class of dwellings ? The Legislature had already
removed the duties on bricks, timber, and glass, for this very
purpose. That abominable tax — the window tax — although
the artizan was beneath its range, for sanitary reasons had
been repealed. But here was a tax upon houses in the shape
of poor rate, which ranged from the peer to the peasant, but
was most oppressive on the poorest of the artizan class, still
allowed to remain on the Statute Book. It was uot for one
moment contended that the labouring class sliould not contri-
bute to the support of the poor in proportion to its ability ;
but policy demanded that the funds for this purpose should be
raised in the most just and least obstructive manner ; and lie
was still of opinion that this could be done through the general
taxation of the country. The more this question of the poor
rate was examined, the more unjust, impolitic, and inefficient
it appeared to him to be. Among the objections which had
been raised against transferring the poor rate to the Exchequer,
and so bringing income from personal property to charge ; and
also placing tlie administration of relief under the care of a
Minister of State, responsible to Parliament, it had been said
that real property was uot entitled to any concession, inasmuch
as in this country only a nominal land tax was paid, whilst in
[France 3-7ths of the revenue was raised from this source
alone. " It may be," said Mr. Startin, " that the land tax in
Prance is, in reality, no tax at all. It is simply a rent reserved
to the State, similar to the tithe-rent charge. It represents
property tliat has never been alienated by the State, or been in
the absolute possession of the landowner. Wiiat is called
land-tax here is a very different impost. In the reign of
William III. this tax stood at 'is. in the pound on all real
estates, offices, and pensions, and was evidently very similar
to the present income-tax. The tax, at the same rate of valu-
ation as at lirst imposed, continued for a lengthened period to
be annually voted by Parhanient, until, in 1798, Mr. Pitt
made the impost perpetual, leaving it optional witli the land-
owner to redeem or purchase on certain terms. The greater
part of this tax has now been bought up and redeemed. To
say, therefore, that a tax should be levied on income from real
property, while at the same time income from personal pro-
perty is exempt, is simply to advocate injustice. But, it is
said, that real property pays no probate duty, and only a
moderate succession duty. If real property has any advan-
tage over personal estate, it ought, undoubtedly, to be taken
away. It may be a question, however, whether it would not
be politic to repeal the whole of the legacy, probate, and suc-
cession duties, and in lieu thereof to impose an equivalent
income-tax. Ileal and personal property would then be placed
on a par. Tlie annual expenditure of the country would then
be provided out of the annual income, instead of drawing
heavily on capit.il, at times most inconvenient for families.
Then, again, it is alleged that farming stock is exempt from
fire insurance duty. At the first opportunity the duty on fire
insurance ought to be repealed. Horses employed in agricul-
ture are said to be exempt from assessed tax, whilst the com-
mon carrier is charged. This is, no doubt, unfair, and the
duty on the carrier's horse ought to be repealed. It may be a
question whether tlie proceeds of the assessed taxes on horses
and carriages should not be applied towards the repair of the
main roads of the country, in lieu of the turnpike system. It
is also alleged that the poor rate is simply a fund in aid of
wages ; that the occupier of teal property suffers no wrong,
as he is only paying wages indirectly when he pays the poor
rate. Eeally, this is puerile, and scarcely worth notice. Real
property gives no employment to labour. The wages fund of
tlie country, which employs labour, must manifestly be personal
property, that which the political economist very properly
denominates circulating capital." An objection which had
some weight had been made by Earl Fortescue and Mr. J. S.

Mill. The former said in the House of Lords, that " nothing
could be more dangerous than extending the area of charge
beyond the area of administration, and that he looked with
the greatest alarm on the agitation now going on in favour of a
national poor rate. With local areas of administration, a
national rate would pave the way for almost an unlimited
amount of profusion and waste, and by spreading pauperism,
with all its recklessness and other evils, moral and physical,
would tend to the deterioration of the national character."
Mr. Mill feared " that making the relief of the poor a national
charge would be destructive of that economy and vigUauce in
the bestowal of relief which aie necessary to prevent a public
provision for the poor from being that source of general de-
moralisation which it was becoming before the reform of the
poor laws in 1834;." Mr. Startin went on to say ; " An objec-
tion coming from so high an authority as Mr. Mill is undoubt-
edly entitled to the greatest respect, and I confess that it is with
very considerable diffidence that I have arrived at the conclu-
sion that the change I have'advocated may be carried out with
less risk of that reckless extravagance which is feared. I must,
however, in the first place, enter an emphatic protest against
the implied doctrine that it is tlie duty of one class, not only to
find the funds wherewith to relieve the poor, but also to give
their time in watching over its expenditure, in order that the
nation may not be injured by the general demoralisation of a
portion of its people. I think, on the contrary, that it is the
duty ofthe State to carefully guard the public welfare, and
that it is unreai-onable and unjust to thrust this duty on a sec-
tion of the community. Earl Portescue states ' that nothing
could be more dangerous than extending the area of charge
beyond the area of administration.' I agree entirely with that
opinion ; and, so far as I am aware, that extension has not
been advocated. Certainly, I for one have never proposed
anything so impolitic. I have simply pointed out that the
present unions, as local areas of administration, may be conve-
nient, and that gentlemen of leisure residing in the locality,
aud possessed of local knowledge, may probably be induced to
give their assistance gratuitously in the administration of relief.
But having had an extensive experience myself, I should be tlie
last to advocate any measure by which an irresponsible body
could draw unlimitedly from a central national exchequer. As
a temporary expedient to facilitate the transition, an average
may be taken of the present expenditure for a certain number
of years last past, and the guardians may be allowed to draw
from the exchequer a fixed per centage of the average expendi-
ture, the remainder to be a charge on the locality as at present.
The Poor Law Board has now become a permanent depart-
ment of the State, presided over by a Cabinet Minister. I
have, therefore, but little fear that an effectual check wiU be
given at once to any local extravagance. Besides, in what way
can the local boards go to any great lengths ? The necessary
articles for in-door relief are supplied by public competition.
The able-bodied poor must be relieved in the workhouse.
There remain, then, the sick and infirm poor, and, in the
words of Mr. H. G. Andrews, in his address to the Somerset
Chamber of Agriculture, at Bristol, which I strongly recom-
mend you to peruse : ' Suppose the guardians did slightly in-
crease the relief to the sick and infirm poor, w'ould that be an
unmitigated evil ?' Tiiere has been one other objection raised,
which requires a word or two in reply. It is said that if you
abolish the poor rate, you will simply make a present to the
existing generation of owners of real property. In every case
in which property has recently changed hands it has undoubt-
edly been purchased subject to the average rates for the time
being ; and, of course, in all such cases the purchaser would
have anunlooked!for advantage. But in the vast majority of cases
the property has remained in the possession of the same family
for a considerable number of years. Charge after charge has
been imposed until the present rates are enormously in excess
ofthe rates at the time of purchase. In other cases the pro-
perty has remained in the same family for many generations.
Is it alleged that the State, having piled injustice upon injus-
tice, ought now to set up a vested interest in its own wroiTg ?
Have not these owners of real property, on the other hand,
a good ground of complaint against the State for its tactics in
having allowed the possessors of large incomes from personal
property to escape for so long a period of time their fair share
of charge towards a common obligation ? If, however, it can
be demonstrated that the great measure that has been shadowed
forth will be for the general good of the nation at large, an

THE FARMBE,'S MAGAZINE,

477

objection of this kiud will never be allowed to have much
weight. I'arliauieut has already, in passing the Uiuou Chargea-
bihty Act, proved amply that the gain or the loss of indivi-
duals must be regarded in every case in which the public
welfare demands that it should be so. In conclusion, I have
great pleasure in saying that it has been stated to me, on very
high authority, that ' the mode in which the local taxation of
the country may be most justly apportioned must soon engage
the attention of the reformed Parliament.' It is highly pro-
bable that a select committee of the House of Commons \yill
have to investigate this question and ascertain and determine
what portion of our local expenditure is incurred for purposes
specially benetlcial to the locality, and as such fairly chargeable
on the local funds. On the other liand there are ckarges
for purposes with which the locality has no especial connection
—charges clearly incurred for the general advantage ot the
empire, and which ought in common fairness to be borne by
the National Exchequer." n ^, c ■ i

Councillor Lowe tliouglit the paper was full ot interest,
and contained a very considerable amount of information on
tlie great subject Mr. Startin had taken in .hand. They were
all agreed that with regard to rating, either locally or
universally, there were many anomalies which required con-
sideration and amendment ; and he hoped the matter would
now be taken up by Parliament. The question ot rating tor
the rehef of the poor was one which concerned the inliabitants
of every town in the kingdom as well as residents m the coun-
try. We had in Birmingham, perhaps, one of tlie greatest
anomalies which could be lound anywhere. It was that the
Corporation of Birmingham were required by Act ot Parlia-
ment to send a precept to the overseers for them to collect
under the head of poor-rate something like £iO,000 or £50,000
per annum) whicli was spent upon baths, wash-houses, and
hghting, and in support of the police. To his mind that was
to some extent obtaining money from the inhabitants ot the
borough under false pretences. With regard to the dwellings
of the poor, all were agreed that the time had come when
some important improvement should take place in regard to
tliem ; for it was not likely that any improvement could lie
made in the morals of the poorer classes, if such glaring evils
as Mr. Startin had pointed out oi only one sleeping-room be-
ing available for several persons of both sexes was allowed to
exist.

Dr. Evans said he had paid a good deal of attention to the
question of rating ; but he never could make out who it was
who really paid the poor-rate in the case of the compound
householders. Now that the system of compounding had
been abolished in Birmingham, he found that a vast majority
of the landlords had not reduced their rents, and that the
tenants were paying exactly the some as More, plus the poor-
rate which had been laid upon them. The only way he could
account for it was that the landlords had for a long time past
been endeavouring to raise the rents, and had not seen then-
way to doing it, until now the opportunity had been offered,
and they had ' dropped upon it. Another point that struck
him very much in the paper was as to the poor-rate being a
kind of aid to payment of wages. Of course, in the form m
which Mr. Startin mentioned it, it appeared an absurd pro-
position ; but still it was true to this extent— that where the
average of wages ranked lowest, there the average of poor-
rates ranked highest. Therefore the two were in a certain
sense co-ordinate. When they got a high rate of wages they
"ot a low poor-rate, and vice versa. He thought there could
be no doubt whatever that the progress of future legislation
must be in the direction of transferring a vast amount ot the
present local burdens to the shoulders of the general taxation
of the country. He did not see how tliat could possibly be
avoided Of course, the great argument was the one advanced
by Mr. McCuUoch, and taken up by later writers, that they
ought not to come upon the imperial treasury for local pur-
poses, for the reason that, if they did, they were certain to be
extravagant, and that no one would look after the money ex-
cept those who had to raise it themselves. Mr. Startin had
pointed out that there were a great number of fixed charges
which by no superintendence on the spot, could be diminishea,
and which would not he increased if they were transferred to
the national exchequer, instead of the local ones, ihat was
the line which ought to be drawn. Let all those charges
which could be increased or diminished by supenntendence on
the spot still remain part of the local burdens, but all that

could not be affected by local superintendence form part of the
burdens ou the nation. . • i „

Mr. STA.RTIN said he could not acquiesce in sucli an ar-
rangement except as a temporary expedient. ,

Mr Mllntz said the great question they nad to dealwth
appeared to be whether it was right that local taxation should
rest on real property, or whether part should not rest on per-
sonal property. He could not see how it was fair or just that
all the expenditure of the country should rest on property tliat
always remained about the same value, while personal pro-
perty, which was annually increasing in value did not pay to
it at all He (luite agreed with the remark that it would
never do to give local authorities power to expend money
from national funds, and that the idea of dividing it in tlie
manner suggested was worthy of consideration. ....

Mr MvY^iroposed a vote of thanks to Mr. btartin for Jus
valuable paper. He regretted that this important question
had not been taken up as a national one by all the L-hambers
of Agriculture. He referred to the able papers ot Mr. Read,
MP and Mr. Jasper More, M.P., and to the praiseworthy
efforts that had been made in Somersetshire, where a society
had been formed for the express purpose of giving expression
to the national opinion on the subject. He hoped those views
would be seconded by agriciUturists generally throughout

tlie country. . t .1 ^■

Mr. WiiiGHT had great pleasure in seconding the motion.
There could (he said) be no doubt whatever as to the great
importance of the question they were discussing, and lie was
quite sure there was no difference of opinion as to the value ot
the two papers read by Mr. Startin before that Club. As re-
o-arded the first, he did not know of any paper read at any
Sther meeting which had attracted a greater amount of atten-
tion than that one had done. He thought tlie ]\Iidlaud
I'armers' Club was exceedingly fortunate in having m their
ranks a gentleman so practicaUy acquainted as Mr. Startin was
with a subiect that must engage the attention of the country
for a long time to come. It would be a mistake, however, to
suppose that the question of the weight and pressure ot local
rates was first mooted in that room last December ; ior iji the me-
tropolis and many provincial towns it had been found that the
limit of local taxation had been reached, and that if any great
improvements were to be carried on some new mode of raising
revenue must be adopted. It would, he had no doubt, be in
tlie recollection of some of the gentlemen present that on the
18th of February last Mr. Goschen brought the question ot
local taxation before the House of Commons in an able
speech in the course of wliich lie put fortli some exceedingly
import'ant statements. He said that " in every direction they
saw that greater expenditure was unavoidable, and there was a
desire that these improvments should be carried on not by means
of imperial but out of local funds. The question then was,
how could they be carried out with the present limited re-
sources at the disposal of the municipal and parochial
authorities? Were the improvements to give way tx. the
financial difficulty, or was the financial difficulty so great that
the improvements could not be had ? In a great part ot the
country the burden of the rates was so heavy that there was
little possibility of carrying out great improvements without
re-casting the present system of municipal and local taxation.
The point then clearly came to this-that the limit of local
taxation in our large towns had been reached ; and that, either
by extending the areas of rating or otherwise, some alteration
must he made. He thought that was sufficient to show that
the question as aff-ecting towns was pressing more severely on
them at the present moment than it did on the country.
There was another point in which a mistake had been maxle
bv many persons, which was that the question related to land
and houses only. Now the real question was whether incomes
arisin- from all sources should not be made to bear their lair
proportion of the burdens. Witli regard to that town and the
couipound-rate, he understood that it was now the general
rule to allow on the receipt of the poor-rate the amount for-
merly paid under the system of compounding. Coming back
to tlie general and great question, whether the poor-rate shoud
not be levied on all descriptions of property if tliey would
take the trouble to refer to Sir George Nicholl s " History of
the Poor-laws," they would see that in the reign of Queen
Ehzabeth that principle was adopted, and they would certainly
do credit to themselves if they carried out at the present day the
spirit of the laws then enaeted. Referring to the paper tead

478

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

by Mr. Jasper More, M.P., before the Sliropshire Chamber of
Agriculture, lie went on to say he thought that gentleman was
not quite sound in his conclusions. In that paper Mr More
pointed out that the principles upon which the poor-rates
were assessed in the reigii of Queen Elizabeth were at the
present time carried out in Scotland to some extent viz the
old principle of assessing persons on their whole ineaiis''and
substance; but he remarked that although they had been
empowered in Scotland, after the alteration of the law
in i84o, to levy on personal property, that only seventy-
four distnc s carried out that plan, while 499 assessed parishes
had voluntarily repudiated it. He (Mr. Wright) thou-ht
It desirable that they should come to some distinct and clea
conclusion on the subject they were discussing, and
that Mr. More was in error in so far that he would adopt
some temporary e.xpedients instead of going at once into the
^vhole question. He said let us rate woo'ds and mines first
and in that he seemed to be departing from what had been
■.igreed upon by the Central Chamber of Agriculture. What
they could fairly ask tor was a full inquiry into the whole
question of local taxation. He (Mr. W.) thouo-ht the best
course they could pursue would be to take advantage of tie
valuable organisation which had been secured in the formation
of Chambers of Agriculture, and to support, as far as possible
the views put forth by the Central Chanibe;. With regard to
a national rate there would undoubtedly be many diftfculties
to contend with; bnthe did not think the argument of ext a
vagaace was a bugbear which they needed to be very much
alarmed at Therefore, with a view to bring the matt^erTo a '
practical shape, he thought they might embody in one the two
resolutions issued by the Central Chamber during the present
year, and with their permission, at the proper time, he^ouU
propose such a resolution. He had very great pleasure in
seconding the resolution of thanks to Mr. Startin for 1 "s ve ?
valuable paper. ^

The Chairman said they were under a great debt of obli-
gation to Mr. Startin for the admirable manner in which he
had introduee^d the subject of that debate ; and he was glad to
find that the C ub, which he had been instrumental in forming
had had so good and substantial a subject brought before thorn
Wih regard t^ the future, it would be for Parliament far
more than for Farmers' Clubs like their own to attempt to

remedy the injustice which tlie present system inflicted. It wasl
lor them to point out the miscliief and oppression of local tax-
ation, audi would be for the Legislature to devise the proper
means for their removal. If any one attended to the adminis-
tration o the Poor Laws he would find this to be the case, '
that whether the rehef was administered at home or in the ,
workliouse every industry, every circumstance in Euo-land as
regards pauperism, was brought forward there, and st^range to
say one kind of property only had to bear the burthen of it
U hy that in itself ought to draw tlie attention of the Legisla-
ture to the subject. Why, when every industry in England
uf 'm?^^®'^ ^°- ^h ^^'°'^^'^ °°^ property only be charged with
It ^ The great difliculty, if they called upon Government to
supply any portion of the fund which was to support the poor
or meet other local demands, was that they must have an im-
perial inspector. The Government must always exercise a
supervision over the distribution of such funds ; and he be-
lieved the only proper way in which they could have it was bv
the appointment of an auditor. He believed that principle as
apphed by the poor law board at the present time was the
most beneficial and practical one he could suggest.

The resolution was then put and carried unanimously, after
which Mr. Staktin briefly replied.

Mr. Wmght then moved: "That in the opinion of this
meeting the tax raised under the name of poor rate, amount-
ing at the present tune to nearly ten millions per annum
should not be levied exclusively on incomes arising from real
property, and that the subject is one that requires the early
and serious consideration of Parliament." That seemed to be
tlie practical conclusion of their discussion that dav What
ever else they required they certainly wanted the question
tlioroughly ventilated.

Mr. Lowe seconded the proposition.
The CnAiRM.vN suggested that they should regard the ques-
tion as one of local taxation simply. If they made it a ques-
tion of poor rate only, they would shut out many other matters
ot local taxation which required attention.

Mr. Wright accordingly moved the following resolution
which was unanimously passed: "That in the opinion of
this meeting the general question of local taxation requires the
serious and early consideration of Parliament."

A mee ing of the Smithfield Club was held at the Agricul-
tural Hall, Nov 4th, 18G8 ; present, the Earl of Hafdw eke
president, m the chair; Lords Berners, Walsingham, and
Tredeg:ar, vice-presidents ; Messrs. J. Baldwin, J. B Dovvnino-
Thos Duekham, Josh. Druce, Chas. Howard, H W Kearv'

Sewell Read, M.P., W. Rigden, J. T. Senior, Rich Stratton
Wm. Torr (trustee), J. S. Turner, and Brandreth G bbs ( on
secretary). \,'iuu.

The minutes of the last council were read and confirmed
Authority was given for the necessary steps to be taken'for
obtaining the licence for holding the show as last year

On the motion of Lord Walsingham, seconded by Lord
Tredegar it was resolved-" That the council expre ses Tts
opinion that all cattle exhibited at the Smithfield shows lould
under proper regulations, be allowed to be removed into the
country at the close of the show.

x,a?nn Vll!^''r"^/r"'l''! T'*; '^PPointe'l ^^ a deputation to
Tame vi7 ftf i '"t°^T?^ *'^' ^"^^ C°""<^il ^'o urge the
■Z\w h ^ Stewards Honorary-Secretary, Mr. Clayden,

authoHz;d Jo ;, l'"^;/^'^-' ^""^ '^' ^'"^^ committee wa
Sn" .111 .. *'" "f '''^"■y arrangements as to disin-

lecnng cattle-conveyances &c

BrewpdTw'/ '^'"'^f.i^^'P Judges for the ensuing show, and
prepared the house-list of eight members of the Club vvl om

sueceed the eight members ot council who wiU then retire bv
rotation, and will not be eligible for re-election ^

tnrtl HTr"""'""" ''f'"^' ^''''' "'«"^-^'l from the Agricul-
re?erredttelT/ '■''""'"''? ^''''^"'' ^P^^"^' "'« subject was

MUward, and Twitcheil ' ' ^- toward, Moore,

SMITHFIELD CLUB

The Honorary-Secretaiy was empowered to make the neces-
sary arrangements for the luncheon, which the Club is to have
this year in the new dining-hall adjoining the show, at two
o clock, on Tuesday, the 8th December, in place of the Chib'.s
annual dinner.

The President was requested to revise the toast-list, to make
It suitable to the occasion.

The usual order was given for the silver cups to be pre-
^'"^f Z, ^^'^'' ^° *^'' ^-mnfTS at the ensuing show.
I he tollowing were elected members of the Club :—
Jno. B. Aylmer, Fincham, Downham, iS'orfolk.
Ihos. Brown, Marham, Downham, Norfolk
Herbert Farthing, Nether Stowey, Bridgewater
Henry Lugar, Ingham, Bury St. Edmunds.
W. G. Nixey, Springfield, Upton, Slough.
Henry Robertson, Over Stowey, Bridgewater.
W. B. Shacklady, Uptou Court Farm, Slough.
Martin Jno. Sutton, Cintra Lodge, Reading.
Alfred Jas. Sutton, Greenlands, Reading.
John Thompson, Badminton, Chippenham.
The Right Hon. Lord Vernon, Sudbury Hall, Derby
lie council determined on point of qualification submitted
by tlie Honorary-Secretary.

Tlie ofl-er of Mr. Robt. Overman to lend the Club some
olding hurdles, to be used by the judges during their inspec-
tion ol the sheep, was accepted, with thanks

It was resolved that Mr. H. H. Dixon should again write
the report on the animals exhibited at the Club's show

Various notices of motion were given for the next council
meeting.

The council then adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday,
Uecember the 8th, unless any business should make it de-
sirable for the President to summons a meeting before that date.

THE FABMEB'S MAGAZINE.

479

NOTES ON SOME POINTS OF PRESENT AGRICULTURAL INTEREST.

In the first of our papers under the present heading
we ])ropo3ed to take up the subject of beet-root cultiva-
tion in its manufacturing or industrial as well as its agri-
cultural aspect, and devoted the paper chieily to a rapid
resume of its historical points. We now proceed to dis-
cuss its practical ones.

And first, as to the soil and its preparation : The soil
which gives the best results is a clayey loam, moderately
tenacious. It is of the most essential importance that
the soil should be rich. Poor, sandy, and cold soils give
poor results in the way of crops. It must, therefore, be
well manured ; but care should be taken that the manure
be not applied to the soil immediately preceding the
sowing of the seed, for it is worthy of note that fresh
manure has a very deleterious influence upon the flavour
of the beet. Hence, the safest way is to manure the
soil in the autumn, using well-rotted dung. An au-
thority, indeed, in view of the effect which manure has
upon the flavour of the root, recommends it as the best
plan to grow the crop upon laud which has previously
borne a manured crop. If manure is applied to the soil
in the spring, it must only be applied in the form of
well-rotted dung; and where the soil is natm-ally compact,
it is essential to have it deeply cultivated and well
worked. A ploughing in winter, to cover the manure, and
a second in spring, will be sufficient. If the season is
dry, a good working of the roller will be beneficial. Lime
and' phosphate of lime applied to the soil are said to have
a very favourable influence upon the quality as well as the
quantity of the saccharine matter in beet. As regards
the rotation of the crop, a general rule which it is tho-
roughly safe to follow is, not to grow it after any crop
which is likely to leave decomposed roots or root-fibre in
the ground : this precludes it, then, in this country, from
following the clover-crop. A four-years' rotation, which
continental practice has shown to be a good one, is
wheat (manured) in the first year, the beet-root following
as the second year's crop, oats making the third, and
clover the fourth, which, as all our readers know, is a
capital crop to precede the wheat which begins the rota-
tion again. Potatoes (manured) are also used as a crop
to precede the beet-root, wheat following the beet-root,
thus making a three-years' rotation. It may be grown
as a substitute for the mangold-crop.

The sowing season is the spring, from the middle of
April to the end of May, if the seed is drilled or dib-
bled ; but if sown in seed-bed, and the young plants
transplanted, the seed wUl have to be sown towards the
end of March or beginning of April. Very early sowing
is not advisable, as the young plants are very liable to be
destroyed by frosts. Transplanting is cai-ried out to a
considerable extent on the Continent, where, indeed, we
must go to witness the perfection of beetroot cultivation,
and generally it is successful in yielding large produce. The
seed-bed should be in a spot well sheltered from the
biting east or north-east winds, and should be well worked
and manured. The extent of seed-bed necessary to grow
the required number of plants will be from one-twelfth
to one-fifteenth of such of the land destined for the main
crop, if the seed is to be sown in drills in the seed-bed ;
but, 'if sown broadcast, a much less proportion of seed-
bed land will be required. The sowing in drills enables
the seed-bed to be kept clear of weeds, which is an im-
portant consideration. The plants should be thinned out
to about one inch apart as soon as they show three or

four leaves, a good stirring and hoeing of the soil at the
same time being attended to— this being repeated at the
end of fifteen or eighteen days. By the end of May, the
plants will be sufficiently forward to be taken up for trans-
planting. After rain is the best time for taking the
plants from the seed-bed, as they come easily from the
soil, without leaving any of the tender rootlets in it— a
point of some importance. To preserve these rootlets
and the plants generally from being crushed, they should be
reo-nlarly disposed of in baskets— not thrown therein,
ov' carried off to the field in heaps in any fashion.
By far the best way to transplant the plants in
the drills in the field is by the use of the dibble-
stick, after the manner of transplanting cabbage,
great care being taken to see that each plant
has the earth well pressed up against it. The depth to
which the plant should be put in the soil should be as
near as possible the same as it had in the seed-bed ; it is
surprising how very rapidly the eye wiU enable this to be
decided. It is also essential to notice that the root or
tap of the plant be not doubled up in the dibble hole ;
if this is the case an abnormal growth will be the result.
Some advocate the nipping off the extreme tap-root : this
is not only a tedious, but it is an unusual practice. The
reader may rely upon it, that if the tap-root was not
wanted it would not be there ; as it is, let it remain.
Nature does not work in the hap-hazard conjectural way
we do sometimes. The kind of weather, or rather the
state of the soil in which the weather has left it, best
adapted for the process of transplanting is much dis-
puted ; our experience, and we may say that nearly uni-
versal' experience points to the condition of soil after
o-entle rain, sufficient to moisten and loosen it to the depth
of a few inches, is the best : we have tried transplanting
in all kinds of soil, and this we could invariably rely upon.
We rarely ever found the plants to droop. Transplanting
mayalsobedone,and done more expeditiously.although not
so well, by the plough, the plants being placed in the furrow
made by the plough, a second bout of which in the oppo-
site direction closes the earth up against the plants. The
spade may also be used to open up a trench by inserting
it into the soil a short depth and pressing it a little to
one side ; a second workman following the man with the
spade puts the plant in the trench and presses the earth
up against it with his foot. The distance between the
plant varies from 12 to 15 inches, the distance between
the rows of plants 18 to 20 inches where the horse-hoe
is intended to be used for clearing the crop, 15 to 18 if
the hand-hoe is to be used.

In sowing the seed in the field, the usual sowing time,
which, as before stated, is from the middle of April to
the end of May, three modes are open : broadcasting,
rarely used on good farms, and never yielding good crops,
drilling, and dibbling. Of these two laft, drilling is the
most expeditiously done; dibbling, although the most
tedious, gives the best results, as the mowing, weeding,
and hoeing can be done more readily and with greater
precision, besides being capable of being begun too at an
earlier period of the growth of the plant than when
drilling is gone into. The variety of beet best adapted for
the production of sugar is the white Silesian.

Both dibbling and drilling may be carried out either
on the "flat" or with the field surface "ridged'' or
" drilled," as for turnip-cultivation. When dibbling is to
be the mode of sowing the seed, the system of sowing on

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480

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

tlie flat is the best. To divide the surface into the regular
distances a very simple contrivance should be adopted. A
long piece of wood, sufSciently heavy, should be provided,
with pegs or pins projecting from its under-surfacc, some
three inches long ; there may be five or six of these pegs
in the length of the piece of wood, the distance between
each being 14 to 18 inches. As the distance between the
plants may be varied according to the richness of the
soil — the richer the soil the closer the plants — it may be
as well to have the means to vary the distance between
the working pegs, which may be easily effected by having
a narrow slot made in the long piece of wood in the
direction of its length ; and the pins may in this case be
made of iron, with a projecting shoulder or boss, and
the upper bolt, which is to pass through the slot, pro-
vided with screw and nut at its extremity. By means of
the nut the bolt and pin may be placed at any desired
distance fi'om its neighbour. The wood thus provided
with pins is to be dragged over the surface of the land,
marking in its passage a series of parallel lines : by
dragging the tines in a direction at right-angles to these,
other lines wiU be drawn across the field — thus marking
at the intersections a series of squares, at which the
root seeds are to be dibbled in. The hole at these points
may be made with an ordinary dibble ; but, to prevent
the hole being made too deep, a cross piece of wood
should be fixed as thus, which will press on the earth and
adjust the depth, which should not exceed an inch and
a quarter. The following are simple type diagi'ama of
the dibbling tools, which may be used as described :

Kg. 1.

Fig. 3.
d

I I

d

b h h

Fig. 1 represents the line-marking tool; a the heavy
piece of wood ; h, the handle to drag it over the ground ;
c, the teeth or pins. Fig. 3, the hand dibble ; a, h, the
cross handle ; c c, the piece of flat wood to prevent the
point 00 going too deeply into the soil. In fig. 3 we give
another diagram illustrative of a hand dibblcr for making
a number of holes at one time ; a a the piece of wood,
with pins (b b) on its outer surface ; c, d, the handle and
cross. This is the form we have used, and with a little
practice it is sm'prising what a surface of land may be
dibbled in a day. When the land is thrown up into
drills or ridges turnip fashion, this last dib^ilc (fig. 3) is
the one which should be used. As fast as the holes are
made on the crown of the ridges, the seeds — three or
four to each hole — should be dropped in by a workman
following the dibbler, the seeds being covered with soil
by a small broad-nosed dibbler, and well-pressed down by
the end of this, or, better still, by the foot. Or a small
roller may he run by hand over the drills, which will by
one operation cover the seed and press the earth down
firmly upon it. In both drilling and dibbling it is a good
plan to place the seed in basins of water, rejecting all
which float. The water should then be poured ofi", and
the seeds allowed to remain till softened. Some allow

them to remain till germination or sprouting sets in,
0/ is about to set in. Damping the seed gives
it a good start in the soil, as it is a very hard-
surfaced seed. We need say little as to the opera-
tion of drilling, which is familiar to every one. The
next operation is the thinning of the plants in the dibble
holes and along the tops of the drills, according to
whether the one plan or other of sowing has been
adopted. This thinning is a very important operation,
and upon its being properly done depends the future value
of the crop. Let it be remembered that the great object
to be attained is to place the root under such circum-
stances that it will be able to grow of its usual fonn : all
abnormal growth or deformity is a sign of, if indeed it be
not a cause of, organic weakness. Now, in addi-
tion to such causes as may and do often exist
in ill-prepared soil, or soil manured with fresh
long strawy dung, and are, indeed, the most frequently
met with, one predisposing cause of abnormal or
deformed growth is the crowding of two or more plants
in a space where one only should grow. This can only
be prevented by careful thinning, and should be pre-
vented if good results are desired. This careful thinning,
the object of which is to have only one plant growing in
each space, can be done, and done only — if doing is doing
well and thoroughly, as it should be — by hand ; no ma-
chine can possibly thin root plants in the proper sense of
the term ; selection is needed ; and the mind of man only
can select — a machine never. We say selection is needed ;
for if a bunch of young plants be observed growing from
the dibble-hole, or a row of them in the di'ill, it will be
noticed that one of them at once is marked by the eye as
the strongest and the best plant. Let this one, often
called the " king plant," be the one selected to be left in
the soU, all others being carefully taken out. It often
happens that the plant designed to be left in is much
loosened in the soil by pulling the others out ; in this case
it wiU be necessary to bring up the soil about the plant,
and press it firmly around it. All this, or much of all
this, which we have given, as to the sowing and cultiva-
tion of the plant in its earlier stages, may seem to some
to be mere trifling, the dilettanteism of farming. We, how-
ever, maintain the contrary, for reasons such as this — that
the object, in view is to obtain the best produce, and that
nothing should be overlooked which tends to bring about
this result ; that if a business is worth doing at all it is
worth doing well ; and if not so, it is not worth doing at
all. Now, what we have recommended to be done is, we
venture to say, what should be done. If the farmer thinks
itwill not do, it is because, as he says, it wiU not pay to
bestow so much labour on the crop ; then no more need
be said. We only say this, that it wiU not pay, in the truest
sense, not to do the work properly. All good fai-mers are
distinguished ^by the j)ainstaldng care with which they
perform every operation ; that the "kernel of the nut" lies
in that one sentence in which everything is involved —
" painstaking care." But to return: The thinning of the
plants should be done when the leaves attain the length
of two inches or thereabouts ; some say that the loots
should be at least half-an-inch in diameter before the
thinning is commenced. We have found this stage of
growth too advanced for the thinning to be delayed to, as
abnormal or deformed growth is likely to set in before
this stage is reached, and to be confirmed to the root, or
likely to be confirmed, which is the very point the farmer
wishes to avoid.

When the thinning is done, the opportunity should be
taken to weed the spaces between the plants, and to well
stir up the soil between the ridges. This weeding and
hoeing of the soil, so as to keep down all weeds and allow
the atmospheric efi'erts to act upon the plants, constitute
the whole of the after-culture of tlie crop, and upon the

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

481

painstaking cave with which these operations are per-
formed depends the ultimate results. The time for tak-
ing up the roots is towards the middle or end of October,
and they are known to be ready by the leaves di'ooping
and turning yellow.

As connected with the after-culture of the crop, a
good deal has been said both ;)ro and con. as to the well
earthing up of the plants during their growth. Some
observations and investigations which have been made
upon this point may be worthy of special notice here.
Thus M. Rehring found that a beet had what we may
here call zones of different value as far as regards
saccharine properties. Thus, by dividing a beet into five
slices or zones — each slice being cut across the beet — he
found iho. first zone or " crown" (which included the top
down to a point where the leaf insertion terminated) to
contain 2.01 percentage of sugar ; the second zone^ (being
a slice varying from the fourth of an inch to an inch in
thickness below the crown) to contain 3.74 per cent, of
sugar; the third zone (constituted by the body of the
root) to contain 12.07 per cent.; SX\^ fourth zone (made
up of the point of the root, where it was about one inch
in diameter, and about two inches in length) to contain
10.47 per cent, of sugar ; the fifth zone (continuing the
bifurcation of the root, together with the small rootlets)
to contain 5.41 per cent, of sugar. Thus, by these ex-
periments, we find that the first and second zones contain
the smallest percentages of sugar, and that these are in-
creased iu thickness by allowing the root to protrude
above the soil ; the largest percentage of sugar is on the
contrary contained in the third zone, being that which is
or should be covered with the soil. So far we find scien-
tific investigation in favour of earthing up the root, so as
to reduce the tendency of the non-producing or least-
producing parts to increase in thickness.

The next part of the subject coming under discussion
brings to our mind a ludicrous story of a Lancashii-e man
who, in bed in the winter, felt, as he expressed it, " rare
an' ill-starved," for want of bed-clothing. After vainly
endeavouring to gain the necessary warmth by heaping
on his body-clothes, he at last had recourse to the bed-
room door, which he took off its hinges and put on the
bed, for he said, " It's weit (weight) I want." Now, this
is precisely the position of the farmer who grows beet-
roots for feeding purposes. " It's weight he wants ;" aud
the larger the roots the greater the weight. But directly
antagonistia to this is the want of the sugar manufac-
turer ; he V ants small roots. This desire on his part is
easily accouuted for, because, up to the present time, the
small beet generally grown for sugar-making purposes is
found to possess the highest percentage of sugar. It is
pretty well established amongst scientific men that the
value of », root is indicated by the percentage of solid

matter which the root contains. The result of a series
of experiments which were made by Mr. Sullivan, at the
Irish Museum of Industry, extending over as large a
number of roots as 430, showed conclusively that the
smallest roots yielded the largest percentage of solid
matter. Thus, roots which weighed from 5 lbs. 13§oz3.
to 13 lbs. 4 ozs., showed a percentage of solid matter
equal to 8.731 ; while small roots, weighing from lib.
12fozs. to 31bs., yielded a percentage of solid matter
equal to 11.194. The difference in favour of the small
roots will be more observable if we place the contrast
between them and the larger roots in ordinary terms, as
thus— that it takes, at the percentages above stated,
128 tons and one-fifth of a ton of the large roots to give
the same amount of solid matter that 100 tons of the
small roots give. In another experiment which was made
in order to test the mean diminution of solid matter as
the roots increased in size, the following results were ob-
tained : 100 tons of roots under 31bs. gave as much solid
matter as 125^ tons of roots from 6 to 81bs. each, and
111 tons nearly of roots from 3 to Slbs. each. And so
far as the variety is concerned, the white Silesian beet
yields the largest amount of solid matter. We noticed
in a recent number of the Mark-Lane Express a
statement to the effect that a new variety of beet
cultivated by M. Hette, at Bresle Oise, gives not only
large results as regards weight — the cattle feeders' desi-
deratum—but at the same time a very high percentage of
sugar. If this variety turns out to be a widely practical
success, the difficulty "hitherto attendant upon the cultiva-
tion of the sugar-beet will be got over, for it will on the
one hand meet the requirements of the feeder, and on the
other that of the sugar manufacturer.

One word as to the objection often offered as to the
beet-root cultivation, namely, that it is an exhausting
crop. This objection should never be met with as pro-
ceeding from one who lays claim to be considered a good
practical, to say nothing of a scientific farmer. What
crop, we should like to know, is not exhausting ? All crops
are exhausting ; true, some more than others ; but in the
case of all it is the farmer's business to know how to re-
store the balance so as to make it in favour of fertility of
the soil. This can be done; and where it is not done, we
fear there is good ground for holding the belief that the
fault is in the farmer. On all hands it is admitted, by
those who have investigated the results of systematic
beet-root cultivation, that it is so far from an exhausting
crop in the sense of spoiling the soil— it is precisely the
very reverse, for it compels good farming; and as we begun
so we end this paper with the remark, good beet-root
cultivation and bad farming are quite incompatible. Into
the commercial aspect of the question it is not the pro-
vince of this paper to go.

MALT AS FOOD FOR STOCK.

Malt as an article of food has had, and still has, many
advocates. There are circumstances under which its
value is undoubtedly great ; but it must be acknowledged
that the anticipated results have not as yet been fully
realised. Can this want of success be traced to the malt
not being as good a food as was anticipated, or to any
want of judgment in its use ? The Report of the Malt
Tax Committee, recently issued by order of the House of
Commons, contains extended evidence upon this subject,
and gives additional information as to the causes which
have led to the doubts entertained by some as to the
value of malt as food. The recommendation of the Com-
mittee shows that the evidence given satisfied the minds

of the majority as to the increase in the value of barley by
the process of malting. The agricultural witnesses, with
one exception, testified to the especial advantages they
had derived from the use of malt, and gave instances of
its successful use, which were duly accepted and adopted
by the Committee. It cannot, however, be denied that
the principles involved in the action of malt as food have
not been duly considered. We have little doubt but that
a careful examination of the subject will tend to reconcile
some of the differences of opinion which now exist upon
this important subject.

The difference between malt and barley is that the
former has undergone a process by which the growth of

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482

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the seed has been encouraged and then stopped. The
peculiar functions of malt may be traced to the presence
of a very powerful agent known as " diastase." If grains
of barley are examined, they will be found perfectly free
from it ; but when the barley has been moistened and
germination encouraged, then diastase is formed in the
seed. Its production is sinmltaneous with the commence-
ment of germination ; and it has been discovered that its
presence is essentially necessary for the growth of the
seed. The diastase is a powerful chemical agent ; and it
has the power of converting starch, which cannot dissolve
in cold water, into sugar, which is easily soluble. There
is a supply of starch in barley, for the support of the
germ when it commences its growth ; but, as starch, it is
valueless for jiromoting its development, because it cannot
be assimilated in the process of growth ; but the produc-
tion of triis diastase supplies food to the young germ, by
turning the starch into sugar, in which form it is readily
available. If the growth of the seed is allowed to pro-
ceed in the ordinary way, nourishment is thus supplied
until the green leaf makes its appearance ; but the dia-
stase then disappears as suddenly and mysteriously as it
first came into existence.

The value of malt entirely depends upon the presence
of this body; and the process of malting, from first en-
couraging the growth of the barley, and then checking
the growth before the diastase disappears, is eminently
calculated to give a supply of this agent. In the process
of brewing, the same action takes place which we noticed
in the seed. The starchy particles of barley must be
converted into sugar before the fermentation takes place
under which spirit is formed. Unmalted barley can yield
starch ; but it must be malted before it possesses the
power of changing that starch into sugar, aud therefore
this is the principal reason for carrying out the process
of malting. We shall therefore more clearly understand
the action of malt, if we consider it as barley possessing
the power of yielding sugar instead of starch.

In che use of malt as food, it clearly has a value which
barley does not possess ; for, whereas starch is not taken
up by the animal tissues, sugar, from being readily so-
luble in water, rapidly passes into the circulation, aud is
easily made use of in the system. In the use of ordinary
barley-meal, which contains a large proportion of starch,
it rarely hajipens that the processes of digestion are suffi-
ciently active to enable the animal to make a full use of
the farinaceous matter thus supplied. JMuch of it, there-
fore, passes to the manure-heap, which should have been
added to the animal. This is more particularly the case
when any animal is very highly fed, as in the case of
show-stock. The use of malt instead of barley clearly
avoids this loss, because the malt is sure to turn all the
starchy matter into sugar, aud this ensures its passing
into the blood. The value of malt as food is therefore
unquestionable, and especially so in the case of fattening
stock or animals of delicate constitution.

This brings us fairly to the question with which we
commenced. Can the want of success attending the use
of malt be traced to its character as a food, or to any
want of judgment in its use ? The statements already
made clearly show its advantages as a food, and it now
remains for us to see how far there is any point connected
with its use which will economise its employment.
Happily on this point it can be clearly shown that there
is a considerable margin for its improved use. It is a
fact well known to scientific men that malt contains a
supply of diastase considerably in excess of what is
needed for converting the starch it contains iuto sugar,
and there is reason to believe that it possesses au overplus
of ^ power sufficient to act upon four or six times its
weight of barley. This rather points to the mixing of
ground malt with crushed corn or meal, in the pro-

portions of one of the former to four or six of the latter ;
and thus the full power of malt is brought into play,
whereas when malt is used alone we are really wasting
the greater part of that power upon which its special
value depends. If the powerful action of malt is to be
fully employed it must be brought into contact with
additional meal, flour, or food of some kind. To use
malt in any other way clearly entails a loss ; for the ex-
pense of producing malt having been incuiTcd, if we
allow the greater part of its special powers to pass un-
employed, we certainly cannot claim credit for its econo-
mical use. Little if any advantage is gained by its use
with such food as linseeds. This food contains but a
small proportion of starch, for the fatty matter is present
as oil, upon which the action of malt is powerless aud
unnecessary.

Bearing these principles in mind, it is clear that it is
erroneous to state that barley contains all the valuable
properties of malt. The essential value of malt is de-
pendent upon the presence of a powerful agency which
does not exist in barley ; but it is equally true that malt
may be— and often has been — so injudiciously used that this
power is rendered valueless. The evidence before referred
to shows that malt used in combination with other corn
produces results of the most satisfactory character, and
uothing more is necessary to show that this is the mode
of employing it. The value of malt for forcing on any
stock intended for exhibition has long been recognised.
In such cases food is supplied very liberally, often beyond
the limit which the powers of the animal system can
digest and assimilate, but this is just the opportunity for
showing beneticial action of malt. As we have already
shown, the malt really acts as a solvent of the food, and
does much of the work otherwise devolving upon the
over-taxed digestive processes.

If we notice other portions of the evidence we see in
the improved health of the flock, and the greatly di-
minished losses of the lambs, abundant inducement to
lead to the extended use of malt. It has been shown
that the use of malt for a short time prior to the lambing
season, and for a few weeks after, has produced such an
improvement in the supply of milk as abundantly com-
pensated for the expense incurred. In like manner its
action upon cows has been equally beneficial, the yield of
milk being increased in quantity and improved in quality.
The use of malt for calves has been exceedingly satisfac-
tory, especially where it has been mixed with ground
corn and locust beans, and made into a sort of soup.
Ind eed, for whatever class of stock malt has been em-
ployed— provided it has been used judiciously, so as to
take advantage of its special powers — the results have
been of such a character as to lead to a strong desire that
all restrictions upon its production should be removed.
It is, therefore, with feelings of satisfaction that we
observe that the committee recommend that as the Malt-
tax prevents the farmer cultivating his land to the greatest
advantage, and that it obstructs him in the use of a
valuable article of food for cattle, it should with justice
be repealed.

The use of malt as a food wiU survive and surmount
all the obstacles which have hitherto impeded its progress,
and the time is not far distant when it will be freely used
as an addition to the meal, flour, aud other food given to
all kinds of stock, and especially in those cases where
from high-feeding or any other cause the appetite and the
digestion are weak. To use it as a food apart from the
opportunity of acting beneficially upon other food is
manifestly impolitic, for it is creating an expensive agent
to use only one-fifth of its power. The importance of
the subject renders it worthy of the attention of feeders,
aud we shall hope to hear of many instances of the
successful and economical use of malt as a food for stock.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

483

THE HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE,

BY II. 11. DIXON.

PRIZE ESSAY.

Some are of opkiou tliat the cattle of the county were
originally brown or reddish-brown, from Devon or Normandy,
and that the appearance of a white-faced bull-calf at Hunting-
ton in the middle of the eighteenth ceutury, was deemed akin
to a prodigy by the TuUy of that day. Allusion are also
found in old chronicles to white cattle with red ears on the
north side of the Wye, with which the Welsh princes were
■wont to compensate each other for injuries, or soothe an angry
king. It is also on record that Lord Scudamore, who died in
1671, introduced red cows with white faces from Plauders,
which may have cropped up in the Tully bull-calf; so that,
after all, the theory of some of the Hereford breeders, that
the pride of their pastures and their platters have as inde-
feasible a two hundred years' title to the soil as the " Duchess"
tribe to Stanwick Park, or the Loughorns to Bosworth Eield,
may he correct in the main. Old cattle-books have it that
one William Town sold " nine Hereford oxen for £53" on
August 25th, leg* ; and then a veil, which no chronicler can
lift, is drawn over their history till about 1766, when Messrs.
Tomkius (who was also a great breeder of Ryeland sheep),
Weyman, Yeomans, Hewer, and Tully, stood out from their
fellows, as the special champions of a county breed. The late
Mr. John Monkhouse, of The Stow, was, at the time of his
death, in the autumn of sixty-six, the oldest breeder-link vidth
the past. Speaking to us of 1809, when he and his trusty-
cousin, Mr. Hutchinson, left Cumberland, to push their joint-
fortunes on a Radnorshire farm, he thus epitomized the Here-
fordshire breeders, who were then giants in the land : " I
found Ben Tomkins, Price of Ryall, and Smythies of tJie
Lynch, the great mottle-face men ; Tully and Knight had the
best light greys ; and Walker of Burton Court, Hewer,
Yeomans, and Weyman, with his strong-boned tribes, were the
most noted for the white-faces. We young fellows thought
we should like to lay in a stock from Mr. Ben Tomkins, and so
we drove over to see him. He asked us a hundred guineas —
not pounds, mind you — for an in-calf heifer, to calve at Christ-
mas, and that was all the satisfaction tve had." Mr.Eyton did not
commence his Herd-Book until 1845, and then the jealousy as
to cattle caste between the rival breeders of the white and the
mottle-faces not only went far towards jeopardising its success,
but almost strangled it in its birth. The mottle-faced party
seem to have brought most influence to bear, and, as Mr.
Duckham has pointed out, by leading off with " Leopold" (1),
and throwing back " Aaron" (83), they disarranged the whole
of the numbering. It was not, however, a mere county strike
of the white and mottled roses, as the dark and the light grey
breeds possessed some very loyal adherents. All four had
their claims allowed in the drawings on stone, and the mottle-
faced "Wellington," which was sold for £383 in 1816, the
dark-grey " Victory," the white-faced " Cotmore" (376) — a
first prize Royal Agricultural Society's bull at Oxford — and the
light-grey " Brockswood," were the chosen portraits for the
first volume. Mr. Eytou did not receive any very hearty sup-
port, and resigned his task after the second volume to Mr. W.
Styles Powell, who died before he had completed Hie third, and
Mr. Duckham, the present editor, entered upon liis labours in
1857. A more able Registrar-General could not have been
found. The sixth volume carries the bulls down to" Zouavite"
(2905), and contains entries — of which Mr. Naylor furnished
57, and the late Mr. Rea, of Monaughty, 60 — from no less
than 331 breeders. Among them are a few names from
America, Canada, Germany, Australia, Ireland, and Jamaica ;
but, with the exception of one in Aberdeenshire, there are no
breeders f\irther north than Shropshire and Montgomeryshire.
The mottle-faces were generally supposed to be akin to the
dark, and the white-faces to the light -grey; but the four
varieties have pretty nearly merged into the red with white
face, mane, and throat. In fact, it has been very reasonably
argued from the circumstance of " a Hereford with a red ring

round his eye" being specially alluded to in Mr. Brandretll
Gibbs's " History of the Smithfield Club," as one of the Show
beasts in 1812, that the Hereford of that day was chiefly con-
nected in graziers' minds with a white face. Still Mr. Monk-
house's evidence, which virtually refers to the same period,
does not favour tlie idea that such a complete fusion of the
sorts had then taken place. Those cousins-german, the
mottle-faces and the dark-greys, had not many points of dif-
ference. In both of them small red spots were plentifully in-
terspersed among the white ; but in the former these spots
were of a darker colour, and more on the face and feet, while
the broad white stripe along the back was wanting. The horn
of the dark-greys was shorter, and had more of the " Ayrshire
cock," and no black tip. These dark-greys were also smaller
in size than the mottle-faces, smoother in their coats— a point
which Herefordshire breeders do not covet— and better both
in their crops and their temper. The mottle-faces were popu-
larly known as "Ben Tomkins' sort;" but although they
made his fame at Wellington Court, he attributed much of his
success to the use of " Silver" (-ll), a white-faced bull. The
picture of that eciually eminent breeder, the late Mr. Pnce of
Rvall, which meets the eye in so many West-Midland homes,
is 'as true an emblem of faith in the Hereford, as that of the
late Mr. Frank Quartly in the " red and all red" Devon, as
you roam away to the west. When the century was young,
the Hereford breeders' pride was wont to develop itself in
giving show-yard challenges. Mr. Meek, of Lichfield, was as
unlucky in 1812, when he accepted the Ryall deji to show a
score of Hereford cows against as many Longhorns, as he had
been two years before, when he himself threw down a challenge
to the same amount to show single bulls, and dare not meet
Mr. Walker's " Crickneck" (175). Mr. Price did not shrink
from giving the Shorthorn men the same offer in 1839, with
twenty cows and a buU, when Mr. Bates was flushed with his
Oxford victories ; but the Kirk-Levington philosopher did not
come to terms, and the stipulated month passed over without
any results. Mr. Ben Tomkins did not care to send cows from
home on such a mission ; but he offered to pitch " twenty for
a hundred" against all comers at Hereford. The Rev. Mr.
Smythies of The Lynch, " a singular grand divine" (so Cheviot
shepherds phrase it) among Herefords, as the Rev. Henry
Berry was among Shorthorns, felt anxious to show five times as
many of all ages for the same sum ; and Mr. Weyman was
ready to bring out his white-faced bull " Stockton" (237)
against AU England for five times as much. Such praise-
worthy pugnacity met with no response, and the breeders had
to content themselves with a more solid proof of excellence, in
the prices made by the herd of Mr. Ben Tomkins after his
death in 1819. Twenty-eight breeding animals averaged
£152, and Lord Talbot, who always stood very stoutly by the
sort, gave £363 16s. for a cow, and considerably more for a
bull. Long before this, Mr. Westcar, of Creslow, had set the
hall-mark upon the Hereford bullocks. He is said to have
first apppeared at the Hereford October fair in 1779, and it
was witli beasts purchased there for fortj- years in succession
that he won so many first prizes from the very commencement
of the Smithfield Club Show in 1799, when cattle of all breeds
came into competition, and were merely classed as light, middle,
and heavy weights. He principally owed his success to the
light or Tully greys, and one of his most celebrated six-year-
old winners, whose dead weight was 368 stone of 8 lbs. was
from this stock, and by a white-faced bull. It was some time
before Mr. Tully felt quite reconciled to the fall of hght-grey
calves by this sire ; but Mr. T. A. Knight of Downton Castle
fancied them, and a tribe which Mr. Duckham has described
as " smaller in size, more even and firmer in their flesh, and with
an upward tendency of horn, showing that a commingling had
taken place with the light and dark grey," became known as
the " Knight's Greys." Some of those exhibited from the

48-4

I'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

])owntou herd of late years liave Ijccu pcrlcctly white. Mr.
Salvvey, of Ashley Moor, was a great admirer of the light-
greys, and it was with cows purchased at his sale in 1844 that
Lord Berwick laid that foundation, on which he built so judi-
ciously, with white-faced bulls from the herds of Messrs.
Hewer, Carpenter, Longmore, and Williams. At his lordship's
death, eighteenyears later, there was only one light-grey " Lord
Grey" in the herd, and Mr. Knight purcliased liira. The love
of good bullocks is an honest prejudice which cleaves to the
heart of the county. Its beef raising system is its especial
glory, and farm after farm has played its part well, not only
on the " home-fields" of Hereford and Leominster, and under
the Norman fortress of Ludlow, but in a wider sphere each
Deceniber and July, or on the Smithfield stones. It would
be invidious to speak of one county-man above another, but
crossing over the boundary line near Moor Court, with its
quaint gables aad black Cheshire cross-gartering, and its recol-
lections of " Cotmore" (376), who could pull dowu 35 cwt.
on the scales, we enter Raduorsliire, and reach Monaughty or
the Monk's House. Here for nearly half a century, the late
Mr. Thomas Hea followed up what the white " Snowball" had
begun, with the choicest bred sires from "Crabstock" (303)
to " Sir Benjamin" (1387), and "Grenadier" (961), and won
fully two hundred prizes. Tlie late Mr. Marsh, of Elkstone,
also backed up the breed well outside the county limits ; and
" Battersea" (1865), and five Royal Society female firsts have
graced at one and the same time the Luddiugton herd near
Stratford-upon-Avon. "Claret" (1177), "Milton" (2114),
and "Lady Ash" are stiU well remembered names round
Golding Hall in Shropshire, although Mr. Hill has quitted it ;
and we find sold traces of The Knight" (185), "Sir David''
(349), and " Big Ben" (24.8), in the Vale country near Welsli-
pool. "Wonder" (420), " Walford" (871), "Attingliam"
(911), "Albert Edward" (859), and "Severn" (1382), have
all borne their part in the Attingham and Cronkhill pastures,
which sent up in their day twenty-severu firsts and seconds to
the Royal Agricultural lists. " Tom Thumb" (243), was a
very favourite bull at Cronkhill, and his lordship was wont to
quote him as an instance of the thriftiness of the sort — " one
which will get fat upon nettles." The " Silver" tribe, consisting
of tlie old cow, whose origin was not very clearly known, six
daughters and a calf, made £376 17s., and one of them, tlie
prize cow " Carlisle," by " Albert Edward" (859), passed into
Mr. Duckham'g hands, as a doubtful breeder, and became the
dam of the double first " Commodore" (2472), by " Castor"
(1900). Herefords have been bred at Woburu Abbey as far
back as 1790. Three first Smithfield Club prizes feU to their
kt, and it was witli three of the breed that John Duke of
Bedford, in 1825, beat three of the Hon. Charles Arbutlmott's
Shorthorns in a sweepstakes. The Keightley, with its rather
light flesh, white sides, and deeper milking powers, was a very
choice tribe, but it is the best of the Bright-eyea which is
preserved with Mr. Hewer's bull " Favorite," in a pleasant
pastoral picture, with a sheep aad shepherd background, in
the Abbey Collection. The breed as been well tested as
milkers, but although we pressed him hard on the point,
Ricketts, the old herdsman, could not speak to more than 16
quarts per day from any cow in the height of the grass, and
w® u ^^^^^ '^ *^"^'*^ calving. The chief difficulty with them at
Woburu has been to make them milk, and latterly they have
merely suckled their calves, while Suffolk-polls and Alderneys
have been their dairy substitutes. As regards milk, " the
Herefords generally dry themselves fast enough." Still, if in
point of quantity they fall below many other pure breeds, the
quality of their milk, like the Galloway's, is undeniable. The
l-rmoe Consort's Flemish Farm (where the Herefords were
first especially located in 1855) has held its own well, under
ijieut.-General Lord Bridport's management, both with fat
and store beasts at the Royal Agricultural and the two great
Christmas Shows. The Royal Farm winnings with the breed
fjiWf *nn^*' ■^'■®'^^^' ^P '° t'"^ end of 1867, amounted to
^lUO tor 29 prizes, a large proportion of which were firsts,
exclusive of gold and silver medals. Among the latter, is the
Birmingham Gold Medal of 1851, for the best bullock in the
yard which was bred by Mr. Stedman of Bedstone. " Brecon"
(.yiS), was the first Hereford bull tjiat the Prince Consort ever
purchased; and his son " Masimus" (1650) -who goes back
t rough his dam " Superb" to Mr. Price of RyaU's breed, and
mff^^ *iy^ i° *^** distinguished winner, " High Sheriff"

(,oot.),^was the first to bring the Royal Agriciatural Society's

orange card to Windsor. The rule as to not exhibiting any store
stock not bred at the Flemish Farm, was broken for " Adela,"
a purchase at Lord Berwick's sale, when she came in " the
holiday time of her beauty," as a yearling heifer to " Battersea."
She and " Maximus" (1650) took a first there, when all Here-
fordshire with its fifty entries could boast of no more than
two ; and Shropshire, Dorsetshire, Gloucestershire, and War-
wickshire divided the other four. Never did the sup-
porters of the breed close their ranks so well ; as
the cow, two-year-old buU, yearling heifer, and heifer-
calf classes were universally commended. Eight prize
takers out of the twenty-four were bred in or directly descended
from the Cronkhill herd, and " Ada," " Adela," and " Adelina,"
were aU of its Silver tribe. " Milton " (2 1 14), the Gold Medal
bull, was one of the eight, through his grandsire " Attingham "
(911), and " Matchless," which took the same honour among
the females, was a model of symmetry and making up. The
breeders of Herefords have always been keen showers. They
began their R.oyal Agricultural career with only 24 entries at
Oxford, but the numbers swelled to 97 at Battersea, and to 113
when the Society was last within hail of them at Worces-
ter. No men have invested the cattle portion of their shows
with more life and novelty ; and the bull, cow, and offspring ;
the buU, with three of his calves ; and the cow groups, one for
every fifty acres of occupation, contrast pleasantly with the
somewhat monotonous routine elsewhere. The late Mr, Clark
HiUyard, one of the oldest and most eminent graziers in the
Midlands, considered that in 1843 the Hereford men were
" breeding their beasts rather too fine, too narrow in the chine,
and too thin through the heart." Emulation has been con-
siderably quickened since then, not only by shows and the
Herd-book, but by the steady demand for steers from other
shires, which have " Joseph-like, a better coat than their own."
Deep, close-grained flesh and firm handling have been consist-
ently aimed at, and achieved in herds, as well as neat and nicely
covered points. We need not go back to " Cotmore " (376)
for heavy-fleshed buUs, if we wished to draw a sample. We
may point to " Sir Benjamin" (1387), who weighed 24 cwt. and
girthed Oft. 6in., before he was three years old ; to his son
" Plato " (2160), whose back was like a table ; to " Will-o'-the-
Wisp" (1454), whose twist seemed to fall below his hocks; to
"Silvius" (1726), whose bosom almost touched the ground;
and then to the gallant fine-handling " Severn " (1382). As to
thickness, Severn's great rival " Claret" (1171) was almost un-
equalled ; and after his high pressure for shows, he was
thought to be so useless, that when he went as a forlorn hope
to Shrawardine Castle, " those bet against him wJio had never
bet before," and saw him at the end of two seasons the sire of
nearly four score calves. " Sir Thomas" (2228) has also earned
a name, not only as a prize-heifer getter, but as having brought
back nearly 400 per cent, on his 100-guiuea purchase of two
years before, when he again came to the hammer at G years
and 10 mouths. The females can also speak for themselves,
through Mr. Peng's Worcester " Beauty " and the very dif-
ferent types of tli6 massive " Bella " and the elegant " Spangle
the Second." The lower price of good Herefords as' compared
with Shorthorns, brings the best blood more within the tenant-
farmers' reach. They rely on their own, and not on the parish
bull ; and it cannot be said of them, as it has been with too
much truth of others, that " a half-crown bull flourishes where
a crown bull starves." StiU, carefully as the blood may be at-
tended to at head-quarters, there is some truth in the remark
that Herefords are not a very favourite sort with the London
butchers. The fault is not with the beasts, but with this com-
petitive age, which forces a man to " grind up his saplings." It
woiild be strange if they or any other breed could bear a com-
parison with their forerunners of the more orthodox five-year-
old beef era ; and salesmen can say with justice that such noble
bidlocks as Westcar and Rowlands used to pitch in Smithfield
Market are not seen at Islington now. White-faced cattle, like
black-faced sheep, are a breed wliich of all otliers require time to
ripen ; and that is just what their own thriftiness and modern
usage combine to deny them. Hence they flourished best under
the old school of graziers, who knew too well the roast-beef
stomach they had to deal with to offer it young steers, and
sometimes, when capital was plentiful, kept them even to six or
seven years old. At present they are more profitable to the
breeder and the grazier than they are to the butcher. In the
grass season, owing to their remarkable aptitude to grow fat
quickly, they are sent <rff to market estriiei tha.B the others. Many

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

485

of them are disposed of to get very " creamy " in butcher's
language, or to put on too much of their fat outside, and
thus they do not "prove" as they ought. It is only with age that
their meat attains its beautiful appearance, or intermixture of
fat and lean. The liest come up from the Midland counties
between July and December; a fair number are sent from
Herefordshire, and none from Norfollc. An experienced feeder
of both sorts writes us his opinion that "they will not graze to
the size of the best Shorthorns, but are quite their equals as
feeders. They have generally," he adds, " a good chance, as
the graziers can pick a more sorty lot out of them for his pet
field, and therefore they often get the best of the grass." This
testimony, as far as we can ascertain, is quite confirmed both
by general observation and experience since J'lr. Curwen's day.
A rough, curly coat is always preferred to a smooth one ; it was
possessed in perfection by Mr. Shirley's Gold Medal Smithfield
Club ox of 1859, and has been a still greater point of ambition
with breeders sLiice. The dark-claret colour is more orthodox
than the light or yellow red. " Claret" (1177) himself was a
fine specimen of it, and his coat seemed almost black as he stood
in the shade of his house. Sparkiness is not liked, but still it
does not constitute a valid objection or Mr. Naylor's " Variety"
would not have followed up her Bingley Hall first at
Baker Street. Their fine, placid tempers are a very great
point, as tliey not only feed better, but will bear packing closer
in the strawyard, where the West Highlander's horn is never
in rest. This remark does not apply merely to bullocks, as
we have seen at Croukhill three two-year-old bulls enjoying a
happy fellowship in one box. In the yoke they combine the
activity of the Devon and the strength of the Durham. They
are very little used in their own county ; but the Wiltshire
men sometimes buy them at Hereford i'air, and, after plough-
ing with them for a year or two in teams of four or six on tlie
downs, pass tliem on to the Bucks graziers. We have met
with eight of them in the drag-harrows on a Susses farm,
whose tenant found them quite equal in powers of draught to
the county reds, and answering with as much docility to the
" Duke !" and " Diamond !" " Love !" and " Lovely !"— es-
liortations and mysterious pricks of the goad, with which the
di-iver-boys guide their steps. Those who have tried all three
sorts assure us that they have not the pace of the Devon, but
that they go quite as fast as the Shorthorn. The late Mr.
Forbes, of Lcht, in the north of Scotland, used them in teams
of sis to trench-ploughs, wliich turned up whin, heather, and
stones to the depth of nearly 14 inches. Despite the immense
strain upon them, they never broke step ; whereas horses, if
such a task had been set them, would most probably have
snapped every trace. They are remarkably easy to break to
the collar : hut if there is a recusant among them, he is pretty
certain to he a mottle-face. The great majority of the calves
are dropped in April, May, June, and July ; but the breeders,
wliere they are not tied down by the Royal Agricultural Show
date of July 1st, prefer their cows calving before the hot wea-
ther sets in. yearling heifers are very seldom pxit to the bull.
Nearly all the calves are suckled for six months, and run with

their dams, unless they come at the commencement of winter,
and they are very rarely weaned on oilcake. The young
steers are fed upon grass, and get turnips and cut straw, and
sometimes a little cake in the winter. No pastures send them
along quicker than those by the Wye side. Ludlow, Leomin-
ster, and Hereford are the markets at which they principally
come out in their third autumn ; but many of the more tor-
ward lots have been sent off before the Hereford October lair,
and a great many never enter the fair at all, but are lifted at
once from the pastures. Hence, the general mass of buyers
do not see the best of them, and remark, not without reason,
on the falling-off both in number and stamp from what they
can remember. Leading buyers will not wait as they did
when there were no railway facilities for travellmg about to
see and for removmg the lots, and the presHye of a fair, be it
horse or cattle, is heavily discounted by so many previous bar-
gains in private.

Hereford Great Fair takes place on the third Tuesday and
Wednesday of October, simultaneously with the Herefordshire
Cattle Show. "The red line tippped with white" begins
nearly at the station, and extends right through the heart ot
the town as far as the " Cornewall Lewis" statue, and also
branches off past the Cathedral. Eight thousand bullocks
have been brigaded there ; but since the new cattle market
was opened seven or eight years ago, the muster-roU has barely
reached five. Carwardine the elder was once wont to fillEign
Street witli his lot, and his son still comes with a goodly num-
ber, and supports the family name, as he marches up and
down their ranks in his long coat, and with his trusty ashen
plant. The vounger steers are generally offered at Leominster
Fair on or about October 17th, and there in old times the
Midland graziers would meet Carwardine, Pardington (who
still pitclies some large lots at Hereford), Knight, and Jones,
to learn from them privately what lots they had, and " to take
a feeler for the big day." Hereford seems fairly invested by
"white faces" for the time being; windows are barricaded
against them, and trap-doors burst in by them ; but still the
inhabitants acquiesce gi-acefully, and feel thankful that such
an invasion comes but once a year. Many of the first Mid-
land and West-Midland graziers hail from this great Bullock
'Change each October, and chaffer with double zest for a lot,
if it is headed by something that looks likely to " train on for
Christmas year." " A real topper" has reached 50 guineas, if
sold singly ; and the late Mr. Monkhouse, who dehghted to
o-o through the market on " Sam's" arm, and to put his hand
on all the prime beasts, more than once headed the quotations
with a lot of his " Chieftain" (930) on "Madoc" (899) blood.
The unsold lots are at their places again by dawn on the se-
cond day, and sometimes a show-beast bears them company,
with his prize ribbons or his show-card for a token on his
head. A large number are sent off by rail ; but tlie high road
to the JMidland pastures by Worcester and Stratford-upon-
Avon is still vocal for many days after with the drover's cry.—
Journal of the R. A, S.

NATURAL LAWS OF AGRICULTURE.

At the meeting of the Ballymakon Farmers' Club, the fol-
lowing paper was read by Mr. J. Boswell : When we gaze
far into the landscape or stroll over the verdant fields, how
very few there are of us that reflect on the perfect and maclune-
hke action that is working around, above, and beneath us— in
cloud, air, and earth. Yes, it is almost incredible and beyond
our hmited comprehension, the vastness, the beautiful and ex-
quisite harmony that reigns throughout nature's school of che-
mistry, in supplying to animate and inanimate life the food for
their existence, bringmg each and all to light and perfection,
that man may comprehend and return thanks to his beneficent
Creator. If we go back but a few years, and, indeed, I regret
to say at tlie present day, we find men sowing and reaping with-
out troubling themselves to ascertain the whys or the where-
fores, the pros or the cons ; and as darkness was given to us at
the same time as her fairer sister light, so the former in agri-
cultural chemistry is too often and in too many instances a

successful rival in keeping pace with the light and knowledg-e,
that should be the presiding deity, especially in the walk
that man was preordained to tread—" agriculture." Destined
as we are to have our houses washed away if not founded on
this rock, a true and comprehensive knowledge of its chemistry
is, therefore, absolutely indispensable to attain the satisfactory
results, in enabling us to reap the full measure of the fruits of
the earth, and stand unrivalled in their production. But, as I
have remarked of the apparent apathy of our forefathers as to
how these fruits were produced, so that their measure was full
and that they exacted the pound of flesh, this system has en-
tailed on us a double necessity to use a careful scrutiny of the
laws of agriculture, especially chemistry, to resuscitate the
goose that had laid for our ancestors those wondrous golden
eggs, now in many instances barren, through their imprudence
and want of knowledge. But we must confess in their days the
land was such as then appeared inexhaustible in food for plants ;

486

THE* lARMER'S MAGAZINE.

uo shortcomings, no disease, uo blight, no want of manure, tlie
land frequently yielded over twenty cereal crops in succession ;
and so the tiller, living contentedly, ate, drank, and was merry.
JBut a day of reckoning came ; the land was impoverished ;
disease, blight, and all the concomitant results of worn-out and
exhausted land made themselves manifest. It then became evi-
dent that something should be done to return to the land what
would enable it to reproduce those crops that were by injudi-
cious treatment placed almost beyond the possibility of its grow-
ing. At an exceedingly early age, and, perhaps, the first system
put into practice for restoring fertility to the earth was by ex-
posing the different ingredients of the clays to be acted upon
by the solvents of the atmosphere. This was effected by re-
peated turnings of the clay, since known more generally by the
terra fallowing. Now, we have only to refer to the analyses that
are every other day put forward of the composition of rain-
water, working, if I may so call it, in conjunction with the
strong impregnations of saline and other matters that our insu-
lar position, girt by the great Atlantic, showers down upon us ■
so that, in fact, with judicious treatment and a knowledge of
how far we should go and no further, our climate affords us an
abundant auxiliary m the growth of our crops. Next in ao-ri-
cultural chemistry, and what is almost universal, but, unfor-
tunately, most commonly neglected, is lime. So essential is
lime in a first or secondary state in one form or another, that
without it there can be no perfection of sample. It is one of
the most potent sweeteners and solvents. To learn its effects
on the different clays would more than repay any one disposed
to study the matter in all its bearings. To give a full detail
ID a paper like this would lengthen it beyond what some would
desire. However, there are a few remarks I shall feel justified
in making. The state of the land should be first fully ascer-
tained and be carefully analysed before applying lime. Your
land may not require any more than is present, or it may re-
quire a small dressing of 20 to 40 barrels as a purifier in old
tillage, toul from effete vegetable matter, or it may require 80
barrels, lo a casual observer a difference might not appear in
any one of those treatments, so that he limed his land and went
on ins way rejoicing ; but actual results might be murderously
clitterent to his most sanguine expectations. The land over-
limed becomes in a measure barren, forming an excess of acids
set tree by the presence of an over-dressing of lime, especially
in a limestone soil. And then, again, iu the same description
ot soil with an abundance of limestone there may not be a suf-
ficiency of lime in a caustic state to act as a solvent on the part
ot food of the plant ; for limestone in a carbonate state is not
much of a solvent, but in some instances dissipates or condenses
fluids from the effects of the weather. This is what causes the
arought to be so seriously felt by crops grown on a limestone
sou during a hot season, and making a dressing of salt of such
value retarding the evaporation of moisture until ffraduallv
absorbed by the plant. Then, again, in applying caustic lime,
this should be done m dry weather, and in a dry, slaked state
—not like paste or putty— evenly shook on the surface, then
harrowed in, and thoroughly incorporated with the vegetable
soi . it otherwise applied, tiie lime becomes almost powerless
ana weak, ihe atmosphere has a very beneficial effect in some
instances, chemically aiding its transformation when it comes
m contact with the various substances latent in clays for the
purpose of assimilating into vegetable food, for which it was
administered. On other soils, such as our peaty tracts, which
are very generally strongly impregnated with sulphate of iron
caustic hme changes into sulphate of lime— a most valuable
ingredient in the production of all leguminous plants, opemng
and rendermg friable the tough, adhesive clays, adding strength
and sobdity to the lighter or sandy soils. Having said so much
ft^T 'J^ ^ ^'^^"^ measure acting as a vehicle in preparing the
tood for the vegetable kingdom, we come to consider it in its
several states presented to us through the different chemical or
Tbp in^n"''? °%H''°"''' ^' P"""^""^!^ o"" ""ficial manures.
uV^r T °^ *''"'' l"""^"'^'^ ^^'^^■■e^ ^ tlie agriculturist
saiiVpV.^'/'^'rj^ri"'^"''" ''^ e^^Penmental research-it
knowWWr^" f^'"'''/ "^'■""S fact, when applied with
Eow tf pl J'^dgment I merely make these remarks as I

IToLt^F ^^ "'"^ ^l^*"" ^'""'^S'^ their several courses of
ZT.yi °'^' ^ ^y "° '"^^'^^ underrate the value of

CoSv'r"''''' 'V '*' 7'^™ P^'^P^ly composed and
morouglily decomposed, you have aU that is essential in
the construction of plants-the portable manures aTding is j

to extend our system of feeding, consequently supplyine
us with the very best of putrescent manure at a profit in
place of an expenditure, when compared with the old system of
fallowing. In reverting to the ammoniaeal and chemical ma-
nures, we find that in guano we have all the ingredients neces-
sary tfl produce immediate effect, principally from the quan-
tity of ammonia it contains— the most valuable, and, perhaps
volatile of our gases— potash, lime, &c., &c. Phospho guano'
if genuine, is an excellent manure, immediate, and more last-
ing in Its effects, presenting phosphates of Hme in a soluble and
insoluble state ; and vitriolised bones actually become super-
lihosphate of lime. Then we have sulphate of lime, known by
the name of gypsum, very much used in England, the States
and other countries. Now, all these principal manures, as I
have endeavoured to show, present us with lime in one form or
another ; but so as in using caustic lime, so it is in using each
ot the several ammoniaeal and chemical manures. We must
be guided by a careful judgment of what the ground requires
and apply that fertiliser that wiU yield, or cause the land to
yield, tlie most nutriment to the crop about tobesoNvn; at the
same time, [carefully bearing in mind the succeeding crops
Laustic hme should not be applied to land that has recently
been dressed by any of the ammoniaeal manures or that has
received a heavy dressing of farm-yard manure ; it expels the
essential gases ; and in reverse, guano or a putrescent manure
should not be in junction with caustic lime. Potash is another
essential ingredient in the production of vegetable growth •
and \vlien we consider the vast quantities of potash taken from'
the soil in the constant drain of succeeding crops, it should
the more cause us to extend our knowledge and anxietj-, lest at
a future day it would cease to grow any crop for us ; for I am
tulJy convinced that potash is essential to a perfect develop-
ment^ot most crops. Now, in farm-yard manure we have pot-
ash frequently in very great quantities, and when iu this state
returned to the land, we have no cause of alarm ; indeed, there
IS no better way of procuring the essential fertilizers than a
mixed course of husbandry, that enables us to give back to the
land the lertihsers that the plant had previously drawn from
It ; thus, we cannot alone preserve the land's fertility, but
when we consider the great amount of food that has been de-
rived from the atmosphere in conjunction with the earth, to
build up the vegetable in its construction, the balance is often
in the food properties returned. This is more particularly the
case in green manuring or ploughing in green crops, such as
rape, clover, vetches, buckwheat, &e., that derive a very con-
siderable portion of their food from the atmosphere. Now in
treating on the food supplied through the chemical ingredients
contained in the various manures, and yielded up to the plant
aided by the skill of the agriculturist, there is one in-
surmountable barrier— want of drainage ; it is this want of
drainage and a free access of carbon that is instrumental in
producing fevers, rheumatism, agues, cS:c., to our peasants, rot
and disease to our flocks. Land in such a state, saturated and
covered with stagnant water, becomes the reverse of what it
was intended it should be, perpetuating the growth of fungus
and acting the part of wet nurse for the production of count-
less myriads of the insect tribe, always ready to prey on and
devour all vegetable growth in their reach, rendering veo'eta-
tion impossible, the land stagnant and in every way unprofit-
able to the farmer. No matter what expenditure he may incur
in the purchase of manures, it comes to no account; for both
the organic and inorganic elements of the land are held in a
perfect state of lethargy. When drained, on the other hand
the earth acts in a two-fold manner of bringing sunply to the'
plant— first, by receiving the rain-water and mists in summer
snow and congealed fogs in winter, from which it gathers
oxygen, ammonia, carbonic acid, filtering the water as it
percolates through. Then, in a reverse state, in bad weather
the vapours ascend through the soil after depositing their tinota
in a like manner, and thus beautifully tempering the land to
the season ; for what can be more unreasonable to expect than
a submerged wheat plant to thrive in winter, and on a hard
impervious pan of earth to grow in summer ? Certainly'
nothing can be more impracticable or obtuse, except the head
ot the man that would expect it.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

487

COMPULSORY versits VOLUNTARY EDUCATION.

At the first meeting of this winter's session of the Wiufrith
I'armer's Club, Mr. T CirA.PJi.vN Saunders, of Waterconibe,
reminded the meeting that they were met to discuss, not
one of the ordinary practical subjects which they had been in
the habit of listening to, connected with agricultural opera-
tions ; but at the same time it was a questioa which more or
less concerned the agricultural body generally, from its having
received some attention at the hands of the late Parliament,
with a view to some legislation on the subject of education.
Although tlie question had uot been carried far towards its
solution, yet there could be no doubt it would form a subject
for the earnest consideration of the reformed House of Com-
mons (Hear, hear.) He was glad to find, therefore, that the
club had j thought it advisable to entertain the question at
once, and he trusted there would be a full and free expression
of opinion upon it. It was his intention to confine his obser-
vations more particularly to the education of the agricultural
poor ; and he would briefly mention that during the past week
he had read a communication to the Dorset Cou/ifi/ Chro)iicle
from Mr. Stanhope, an assistant commissioner, to the efi:'ect
that a commission of inquiry was shortly about to be insti-
tuted into the employment of children, young persons and wo-
men, in the county of Dorset, " for the purpose of ascertain-
ing to what extent, and with what modifications, the principles
of the Factory Acts can be adopted for the regulation of such
employment, and especially with a view to the better education
of children." Having spoken of the apathy which had ever
been manifested in regard to education, both by employers of
labour and the lower classes themselves, he said employers on
the one hand might have been led to observe that some of the
more highly educated members of their own body had occa-
sionally proved less successful in business than others whose
opportunities had not been of such high order, and the infer-
ence drawn was that this failure might be attributed equally to
a want of good early training and natural ability as to a defi-
cient education at school. After all, the instruction received
in schools was but a part of one's education, for the circum-
stances of the home and the disposition of the parents had
much to do, either for good or evil, with the formation and
building up of the character of the child (applause) . The
labourers also frequently showed an indisposition to send their
children to school, even when the opportunity was presented to
them on the most advantageous terms. Moreover, when an
attempt was sometimes made to point out to parents the advan-
tages of sending them, the argument was turned in a wrong
direction to that whicli was intended, and a false idea was en-
tertained that some personal end is to be gained, and one
never contemplated. Would a compulsory system remedy the
evils that exist, without doing a positive harm in some in-
stances? He believed not (Hear, hear). Education, to be
compulsory, must in the first place be subject to the law of the
land, and heavy penalties must be enforced so as to prevent
children from being employed in agricultural work at too early
an age. The questions of education and employment were so
intimately connected that it was quite impossible to enter
fully into the consideration of the one without involving the
other. Therefore, in order to carry out what had been pro-
posed, it would become absolutely necessary to restrict parents
from sending their children to work — and also employers of
labour from engaging them — under a certain age, and to en-
force a penalty for infringing the law, with a view to their
compulsory attendance at school. This would prove a great
hardship, to say the least of it (Hear, hear). It was well
known that in many families there were several children, pro-
bably five or six, all under the age of ten years, and these
would be reduced to the most penurious condition of depending
solely upon the father's limited earnings. Probably one or two
of the elder boys might be enabled to earn 2s. a week each
by working on the iarm, and this would be the means of keep-
ing the family in better circumstances. He thought it would
not be unreasonable to suppose that in such instances a deter-
mined, and he thought a just, resistance would be made
against an attempt to compel them to keep such boys at school

(Hear, hear). The education of such children would involve
the destitution of the family, and he could not conceal from
himselfthe belief that such a system would create a greater
present evil than it would confer future benefit (applause).
They would no doubt be told that the application of what
was called the Factory Act to children employed in manu-
factories had tluis far worked well. By that Act, he believed,
no employer was allowed to hire children under a certain age,
unless they had previously given the required number of
attendances at school. Such a course might have been
desirable or necessary for various reasons. The extent to
which division of labour was carried out in such places created
in itself a greater demand for children of tender age, girls, for
instance, being hired so young as to be of no service whatever
in agricultural pursuits. Greater facilities were also aft'orded
for part work and part school ; nor must they forget altogether
the difference between the atmosphere of a close room, with
all kinds of particles of small fibrous matter floating about and
taken into the human system imperceptibly through the lungs
day after day, to that of breathing a pure atmosphere in the
open fields. And as to the instruction of those children, it
was far more easy, convenient, and practical in the application
than would be the case were it attempted to carry out a
similar course among the agricultural poor. It might be a
matter of easy arrangement for factory children to work one
half the day at the mill, the other half being devoted to
instruction, when the school was within 100 yards' distance ; •
whilst in some country places it was frequently and unavoidably
a mile and often more from their work (Hear, hear). He
said therefore, that the children employed in factories and those
in agriculture could not admit of a fair comparison. They
must not deny, as he had already said, that greater education
amona- the labouring classes was needed ; but all must admit
it would be of advantage both to the employers and the
employed, provided that the course of study was confined
within fair bounds. He agreed that the children of the
labourers should be instructed in reading, \vriting, and arith-
metic, but believed that a simple elementary education was
much more suitable and advantageous to them than the extreme
system which was adopted in some villages, and which tended
to raise them above their station, and to incapacitate them
from fulfilling the duties of the station which they would here-
after he called to fill. Practically speaking, and being himself
an extensive employer of labour, he had reason to appreciate
the value of men who were able to give an account of them-
selves in writing, of work done, the counting of stock and the
receipt of wages due, after deducting for cash and goods paid
on account. Such men were undoubtedly to be preferred before
those who could neither read nor write, though in other
respects they might be equally valuable on the farm (Hear,
hear). He considered a compulsory system of education was
opposed to sound principle, in that it took out of the parents'
hands that responsibility which they must naturally feel
incumbent upou them, to educate their children. Moreover,
he questioned whether they could succeed in drawing a line
between those who were willing to afford their children such
advantages, but who were totally unable to pay for them, by
the loss of wages which such children would otherwise earn.
If education was a matter of public and imperial necessity, the
expense of such a system should be borne by all who shared
in its benefits, including the owners of every description of
property in the kingdom. It was only just that before any
additions were made to the already excessive local taxation on
real property, oa account of tiiis national necessity, to say
" Let us see incomes, and every description of property which
is convertible into capital, made to contribute their fair share"
(applause). Untfi that took place justice could not be done
in ordering an educational rate, whether it was to be collected
locally or from the nation. Nor would it be just that those
parishes in which — through the interest taken in the poor by
the clergy and laity — education had advanced beyond the
necessity of further aid, should be called to contribute to the
raising of a neighbouring parish, in which such local interest

488

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

had uot been evinced to the same high standard of excellenee
(Hear, hear). He urged upon agriculturists to do all they
possibly could to induce parents to send their children to
properly-conducted schools, hut do uot let them enforce a
system which threatened to prove still heavier upon the so-
called " poor-rate," and which, being under the sanction of
the State, must necessarily be in liarmony with Church and
State principles. He thought that could not be made satis-
factoiy to people holding different views (applause). He felt
sure that a greater extension of Government grants, with the
present voluntary system— which in many places had not yet
had a fair trial— would answer far better than resorting to that
most un-English course of compulsion (applause).

In the com-se of the very practical discussion which fol-
lowed upon the subject, it. was acknowledged that the question
was one which intimately affected the interests of the agri-
cultural body. Although it was not at present quite clear as
to what was the best mode of solving the somewhat difficult
problem, yet the manner in wliich the matter was being dis-
cussed in so many quarters fully testified as to what was the
popular feeling in respect to it. It was now agreed on all
hands that the labouring classes ouglit to have a certain
amount of education given them, and the agricultural body did
not wish that this education should be limited in any way.
But at the same time it was urged that if too liberal an edu-
cation were given to them, a greater part of it would be
thrown away or turned to bad account. The labouring classes
should have sufficient education to enable them to perform
their duties in the best possible manner, aUke with regard to
their employers, themselves, and their families ; they ought
to be able to make an estimate of their \\ork and wages, and
also how to spend tlieir earnings to the greatest advantage;
for if a man was incapable of making a calculation beyond
the money which was actually in his pocket, he would be
likely to go wrong one way or the other. Admitting that en-
larged instruction was desirable, how was it to be obtained ?
for it was quite certain that a compulsory system was im-
practicable and entirely out of the question. It was unsound
in principle and impracticable in practice. Even iu those
parishes where efficient means of education were provided at a
merely nominal cost, they saw an almost positive neglect on
the part of parents to send their children — and particularly
hoys, and no doubt they were those who ought 1o receive the
education, as it ^'ould become their especial duty to take care
of the £ s. d. It was generally found that directly a boy was
enabled to earn Is. 6d. or 2s. a week upon the farm, he was
taken from school. That 2s. was of more importance to the
poor parents than the education of the children, and it would
require a considerable amount of compulsion to alter the
present system. It was stated that in the parish of East
Lulworth a good school had been established for many years,
at which instruction «as given comparatively free of cost;
but for years there had not been more than one or two boys
who had remained there till they reached the age of 11 years,
and they were not the children of agricultural labourers.
Some of the girls remained till they were li or 15 years of
age. It was considered the best means was to show the
parents the importance of education and to give them the
greatest indu.cement to take advantage of the voluntary mode
according to their own tastes and ideas. It was utterly im-
possible that a Government scheme could be made available

for the labouring classes ; but if our rulers in their better
judgment decided to introduce the compulsory system, then
came the question how was it to be paid for ? The general
feeling was that it would come as so many other charges had
done, under the head of poor-rates, which seemed to include
everything in the shape of expense— all to be home by the
and or " real" property. There could be no doubt that the
' outlay necessary to provide a national system of education
would be included in the same impost. It therefore behoved
the ratepayers to exert themselves at once to express their
opinions in respect to the threatened injustice. If tlie educa-
tional system were adopted, the benefit would be felt by the
country generally, and consequently every description of
property ought to have its share of the expense, and uot leave
the great bulk ofthe property to be exempt while in the equal
enjoyment of the advantages secured by it. It was therefore
the duty of the agricultural body to do all they could to get the
local taxation fairly adjusted, and to get the impost commonly
called " Poor-rate" spread over a larger area of property.
Then it was just possible that if a compulsory rate were levied
it would not fall upon a minority ofthe tax-paying community.
Whilst the real property of the country was so heavily bur-
dened, it would be the height of injustice to saddle it with a
further expense. Tlie agriculturists and landed proprietors
were now suffering from the extremely high rate of taxation,
and if anything was done it was to be hoped that the strongest
move would be made to spread it over a larger area, and to
bring it more generally upon property as at present assessed to
the income-tax, and not to exempt £300,000,000 of property
that actually participated in the lienefits, while it shared none
of the burdens. They must not stand still and wait for those
who were now escaping these burdens to take the initiative in
the matter ; it was for those who suffered to rebel, and not to
be like the ass — to carry all the burdens put upon them with-
out speaking. It was of no use to protest after the impost had
been fixed upon them, to hear the burden grumbhngly ; ^tliey
wanted a charge that they could bear cheerfully. The meeting
was congratulated upon the fact that upwards of 70 chambers
of agriculture, numbering something like 15,000 members,
iu different parts of the country, had been established, and it
was incumlient on farmers' clubs and associations to combine
with a view to bring their grievances under the Legislature.
If they went tlie riglit way to work they must be entitled to
some consideration ; hut money was influence, and they had to
fight against the £200,000,000 that were now exempted from
the burdens of local taxation. A strong objection was ex-
pressed to the cost of maintaining the militia stores out of the
poor-rate, aud it was urged that all kinds of property enjoyed
the benefits of the county constabulary, the highways, and
other subjects included in the poor rate, and all classes of in-
comes should bear their fair and just share of the expense.
At the close of the discussion tlie following resolution was
unanimously passed : —

" That this club views with alarm any scheme for making
education compulsory, believing that the {ijresent voluntary
system, with increased assistance from the State, if :given a
fair trial, would work well and receive gi-eater impetus at the
hands of all classes of society."

The proceedings concluded with the customary votes of
thanks to the lecturer and chairman.

KON-DRIED MALT— CATTLE-FEEDINa EXPERIMENTS.

1. The use of non-dried wheat and barley-malt as food for her.
bivorous animals, extend over a period of 15 years, ending 1865.
-. Until 1860, horses alone liad been the subjects ofmy experi-
ments. 3. 1861, a flock of 200 lambing-ewes and their lambs
were fed with non-dried wheat malt. The flock continuedhealthy
during the whole season ; the lambs fatted fast, and at the age
ot 12 weeks were sold at from 40s. to 41s. each. 4. At the
end of the next two years, non-dried wheat and barley malt,
as toud for cattle and sheep, had come into general use in this
neighbourhood, increasing aud increasing until autumn, 1865,

when the number of sheep within an area of 10 miles of this
borough feeding upon the food, had increased to upwards of
12,000 producing upwards of 30,0001bs. of mutton weekly. 5,
During the winter, 1S64-5 and following spring and summer,
the weekly consumption of non- dried wheat and barley malt
on the farms of one proprietor amounted to 25 sacks weekly,
aud upon the farms of another to 16 sacks weeldy, as food for
sheep, Iambs, horses, and oxen. Eaihire of the roots and grass-
crops during the four years ending 1865, the increasing rise in
the price of all kinds of cakes, aud the low price of wheat and

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

489

barley being the stockmaster's maiu iuduceuieiit lor substitut-
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health by the use of non-di-ied malt ; but raw barley or whea^-
will destroy life. Sows and sucking pigs may be fattened
with non-dried malt ; while raw barley will vitiate the milk,
and poison the young pig. Tor producing pork upon old pigs
raw barley-meal only is superior to non-dried malt.

A horse at rest and required to be made fat for market,
non-dried wheat and barley malt is the only single food con-
sistent with the health of the animal that can be used : no ex-
perienced grazier would think of using raw barley for the pur-
pose ; au aggravated skin disease, depilatiou, or eye disease,
would be the attending consequences. Whereas non-dried
malt will restore a debilitated horse to health : raw Ijarley wdl
aggravate the disease. Non-dried malt is most wholesome and
nutritious food for lambing ewes and their lambs ; but
raw barley is deleterious. "Non-dried malt will restore a
diseased flock to health ; while raw barley will have prejudicial
effects. Non-dried malt alone will fatten the leanest sheep
in 12 weeks. The only exception to the use of non-dried
malt in preference to raw grain is in the case of fattening pigs.
The first week of using non-dried malt, the produce of 1 lb. of
raw g-rain daily will be found to Imve produced 2 lbs. of mut-
ton upon each sheep : this cannot be said of any other single
or mixed food. Every experienced grazier knows that sheep
or oxen add but little weight to the carcase during the first
month up of fattening when fed upon the ordinary food, but
from the easy digestibiUty of non-dried malt an immediate and
rapid increase of flesh is the result. The evidence of farmers
shows that oxen are frequently not so good at the end as at
the beginning of the first month. Sheep are fed in companies
or flocks in open fields from mangers common to the whole ;
and for the safety of the lives of the sheep it is important that,
whilst nutritious, their food should be of a harmless nature :
hence the superiority of malted over raw grain ; the former is
harmless if eaten to excess ; tfie latter poisons in the small
quantity of a pint taken at oue meal.

Isaac Seaman.

Ten oxen, each consuming non-dried malt tlie produce of
one stone of raw barley, straw chaff, and li bushel of turnips
daily, vidll produce 100 stone of beef in 10 weeks ; whereas 15
weeks are required to produce the same quantity of beef upon
the same number of oxen, with any weight of other mixed food ;
or 6 lbs. of hnseed-cake, in addition to the stone of raw grain,
will produce only the same quantity of l)eef in the same time as
the non-dried malted grain. A horse daily consuming non-
dried malt, the produce of one stone of raw giain, witli 10 lbs. of
hay, will increase 15 stone in weight in 10 weeks ; whereas,
with raw grain, it becomes diseased, hair falls from the skin,
loses eye-sight, is attacked with grease, aad becomes an useless
animsJ. A horse debilitated by disease is quickly restored to

ROSS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.— At the show of
this Society, the chief class, as at Hereford, was that of lots
of breeding cows entered in proportion to the acreage in
the occnpatiou of the exliil)itor, each lot of cattle to be of one
breed. There were four entries in this class, producing 33
animals, the Rev. W. Holt Beever showing seven Shorthorns
of vfirious ages ; Mr. A. Armitage eight Hereford heifers,
under three years old ; IMr. J. Wigraore twelve Heiefords, of
various ages ; and Mr. T. P. Brown six Herefords, of various
ages. The Herefords were again successful over the Short-
horns, Mr. Wigmore taking ftrst prize, as he did last year.
Eor the second prize the judges selected the Shorthorns, and
the other Wo lots of Herefords were highly commended. There
were only five Hereford bulls entered in two classes, and
amongst the Shorthorns Mr. Beever had it tdl his own way.
There were only a few pigs exliiljited, but Mr. Smith,
of Bibury, one of the judges, said of the sheep :
They were a great ornament to the county, and were shown in
such a state as was scarcely seen at any other show in the
kingdom. They were brought forward in tlieir natural state,
not in small numbers, but in twenties and sixties, and in the
whole flock. It had been a neck and neck race in a great many
of the classes, and they had to examine them very closely, and
more tliau once, before coming to a decision. He compli-
mented the exliibitors upon showing such a splendid lot of
auinuds, and said he did not know where others would come
from to beat tliem. They were shown in an honest and fair
condition, and were not pampered up as is customary with
many sheep sent for exhilntion. As to the objection that Cots-
wolds deteriorate and lose their character when tliey come iuto
Herefordshire, he maintained there were sheep exhibited at
that show with as good coats as any in their own country. If
they continued to have as good a show of sheep, and better if
Ihey could, lie would defy any exhibitors to come forward and
beat them. Mr. Holt Beever, speaking from his own connec-
tion with tlie press, declared that unless a person had a real
and thorough coUegiate education for ten or twelve years, he
was no more fit to write articles for the newspapers than a
" young bull."

490

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE REARING OF CALVES.

BY A PRACTICAL FAEMER.

At the time of calving great care should be obser\red in
taking the calf from the cow, as in most cases it is desira-
ble, and often necessary, to assist the cow at calving-time.
In drawing a calf away from the cow as she stands, it is
the common custom to aUow it to fall upon the ground,
by which it is frequently injured : this is because of its
foul and bloody state, that no one likes to support it tiU it
gradually reaches the grouud. This is wrong, and might
be easily prevented by an attendant holding a sack or
other convenient thing to catch part of its weight as it
comes away, and let it gently down. Its mouth should
be immediately cleansed, and the nostrils freed from the
adhering filament or transparent skin, so that it may
breathe freely. The next thing is to partially clean it
with a wisp of straw, gently rubbing it all over. The
cow should then be permitted to lick it for a short time,
till it appears able to suck, when it should be lifted up
and held to the cow's teats. If a protracted calving-time,
it may require suckling by hand, owing to weakness, &c.
After the first suckling it will generally take care of itself,
and readily find the teats. The navel-string should be
attended to, lest bleeding should ensue, which, however,
is seldom serious : should it become sore, a pledget of
tow wetted with Friar's-balsam should be frequently ap-
plied, and, if necessary, kept on a while by a bandage.
In some parts of the country it assumes the character "of
a disease, attended with inflammation and swelling or
tumour, and is termed navel-ill. Fomentation, and if
requisite lancing the part swelled, with a two-ounce dose
or two of castor-oil, followed by a little gentian or lauda-
num, and nutritious drinks, wiU constitute the chief
remedy. The calf should remain at least three days at
full liberty with the cow, to suck as it pleases: the
beastliugs are highly conducive to its progress from
their aperient properties, being powerful in removing from
the intestines the black and glutinous freces that accumu-
late there in the latter months of gestation. Upon taking
the calf from the cow, it should be supplied with new milk
in moderate quantities three times a day for one, two, or
three weeks, according to its strength or healthy stale.
Skim-milk, boiled or scalded, and mixed with a little
bean, pea, or oat meal, and cooled to new-milk heat, may
gradually be substituted, and continued till it is sufficiently
grown to eat freely grass, hay, or other food, when it
may be fed on skim-milk alone, or skim-milk and oilcake
porridge mixed, till it is strong and well-grown. Many
breeders persist in this course for a whole year as a
system, when they are separated as yearlings to fight for
themselves. In dairy countries it is customary "to sell
many of the calves ; but those to be reared are mainly
reared after the,first two or three weeks' subsistence upon
new milk, upon warm new whey, or scalded whey and
buttermilk mixed, aided by either' oatmeal, or wheat and
bean flour. A quart of meal or flour is thought sufficient
to mix with from forty to fifty quarts of liquid. Oat-
meal gruel and buttermilk, with occasional additions of
skim-milk, are also used, together with regular supplies
of such food as above-named. An old writer upon rear-
ing calves in dairy countries says—" The best method is
this : the calves suck a week or a fortnight, according to
their strength (a good rule) ; new milk in the pail, a few
meals; next, new milk and skim-milk mixed, a few
meals more; then, skim-milk alone, or porridge made

with milk, water, ground oats, &c., and sometimes oil-
cake, until cheesemaking commences ; after which, wheyj
porridge or sweet whey in the field, being careful to house]
them at night until warm weather be confirmed." A]
little objection arises relative to the time the calves are
allowed to suck. It is not requisite that they should ex-
ceed two or three days, as by that time the action of the
beastlings has cleansed the intestines from superfluous
accumulations. A week's new milk is of value in a dairy '
country. It is more economical to rear calves fi'om the
pail, and, upon the whole, the best plan for the calf's
prosperity, as having free access to the teat its supply is i
irregular, often taking too much ; whereas from the pail
it may be regulated according to requirements andjud_
ments. Our best breeders are very particular upon this i
point. Their calves are reared upon a lengthened-out I
supply of new milk, often extending beyond a year ; but
it is supplied from the pail according as good judgment !
and caution dictate, and is aided by such other food
as is most desirable — I. c, cake, meal, roots, hay, and corn.
In this way calves make the most rapid and satisfactory
progress. It is the way in which many of our prize ani-
mals are brought up. The quantity of milk allowed to
each calf in ordinary reai-ing is in accordance with
its strength aud growth ; and will be about from li
to 2i gallons daily for the first ten or twelve weeks.
The first three or four weeks to consist entirely of
new milk, to be gradually reduced to skim-milk,
aided by linseed-porridge, cake-meal, and a few sliced
turnips, grass, and hay. The time to give these
meals of milk should be about 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. As
it grows and thrives, more milk and more food may
be given. The milk in all cases, except direct from the
cow, should be boiled, and cooled to the temperatux-e of
mQk when first drawn from the cow: cold milk will
speedily cause the calf to " skit or scour," and occasion-
ally bring on colic ; an excessive quantity often imme-
diate death. To boil milk improves its nutritive quali-
ties, and prevents scouring. In about three months, if
well reared thus far, the calf should be able to sustain it-
self upon grass or other food, with but little aid from the
pail or artificial food. A little bran however, or a little
hay or grass, and about a pint of crushed oats daily, will
be admirable additions to its food, and should be given
with discretion. The hay should be of the sweetest and
best, and be given sparingly as required. In the summer,
rank or strong-grown grass must be avoided : green clo-
ver may be used, but it should be slightly withered before
being given to the calf. As the calf continues to grow
and thrive, these precautions may gradually be dispensed
with : the great care being to provide the best natural
food suited to yonug animals, /. e., a second-rate pasture
field iu the summer, sliced turnips, carrots, or (if given
very sparingly) mangolds, sweet hay, and crushed oats
and cake in the winter. Much injury is frequently done
to calves in the late autumn in permitting their continu-
ance upon pasture during cold and frosty nights. Slight
rime, autumnal frosts, are very detrimental, often
fatal. Calves ought always to be taken to shelters or
warm yards, and dry food and dry lairage before cold or
frosty weather sets in, or colds, inflammatory attacks, and
excessive scouring will occur. After all, the principal thing
in rearing calves is great watchfulness and care on behalf

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

491

of the breeder to supply their wants as his best judgment
dictates upon daily inspection. No rule, however good,
will apply to all cases. " It is the eye of the master that
grazes the ox," says the old adage. It is equally appli-
cable to rearing the calf.

The foregoing remarks, or directions, chiefly refer to
rearing calves by the pail, but the most popular course
now is to real" them with the dam, or to make one dam
rear two calves, i. e., " as running sucklers." The pre-
vailing modern practice is to provide a calf in readiness,
in anticipation of the cows calving. As soon as that
takes place, the bastard calf and the dropped calf are both
put to the cow, and it is remarkable how kindly she will
generally take to both calves, and permit both to suck at
once. If she is a good milker and is well kept, she will
profitably suckle and rear both without much injmy to her-
self. Many breeders would urge that this com-se would ruin
both the cow and her two calves, but such is not the
fact if they are well managed. The cow, in addition to
her pasture food in summer, and her turnips, hay, &c., in
the winter, must have other artificial aid, L e., cake,

corn, meal, &c., or she cannot sustain the drain made
upon her system. The calves too should have bran and
oats, or other nutritive food. In this way a good
" milcher" will occasionally rear three calves. If ample
provision has been made to sustain the continuous pro-
gress of the two calves, they may be taken from the cow
at the age of four months. Of course they must be well
kept, or they will soon shrink, which is the precursor of
certain loss either of the calf or its healthy condition.
The period for castration is important : it should take
place before the calf is weaned either from the cow or
pail. About from six weeks to four months old would
appear, from experience, to be the best time. Heifers to
be spayed should not exceed ten or twelve weeks in age.
The chief thing to be observed after these operations is to
keep the calves in perfect quietude for a day or two, and
to watch against inflammation of the parts, and act
promptly if aughf goes wrong. [It is questionable whether
prize stock do not often live yet more luxuriously than our
correspondent describes. — Editor F.M.]

THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
TRIAL OE IMPLEMENTS.

The public trial of implements set aside by the Judges,
other than reaping machines, at the recent show of the High-
land and Agricultural Society, took place at Broomhill, Huth-
rieston, on the farm of Mr. Muiiro. There was a consider-
able attendance of farmers and others, some from a distance.
The implements set apart for a trial by tlie Judges were as
follows : —

Plou/jhs. — William Craig, Oldmeldrum ; Thos. Pirie & Co.,
Kinmundy, Longside (2) ; Wm. Shivas, Kinmundy, Summer-
hill.

Grubbers. — William Craig, Oldmeldrum ; William Smith,
Skelmuir, Mintlaw ; John Thomson, King Street Road, Aber-
deen,

Zand Roller. — Benjamin Reid & Co., Aberdeen.

Rotatory Bir/r/er. — ^Thomas Duff, Perth.

Turnip Sower. — Wm. Rae, Bourtie, Oldmeldrum.

The Judges present were — Messrs. Alex. Campbell, Blair-
ton ; Porter, Monymusk ; Abernethy & Co., Aberdeen ; and
R. Walker, Portlethen.

The chief interest was taken in the ploughs. Of these there
were four — two for single and two for double furrows. Mr.
Pirie, Kinmundy, exMbited his patent implement, which has
been commended wherever it has been seen at work. Both
the single and the double furrow ploughs fuUy substantiated
the claims of the patentee in their favour as regards economy
in draught, economy in manual labour, economy in tear and
wear, and excellence of work. Another plough on the ground
which attracted a good deal of attention, and which displayed
in its construction much in common with Mr. Pirie's patented
implement, was a double-furrow plough made by Mr. Shivas,
Siimmerhiil, New Machar. It performed its work well, and,
by means of a contrivance peculiar to itself, made a fearin
to begin the field, one coulter only being brought to operate on
the ground. If we remember rightly, this implement, when
exhibited at Aberdeen, had no bevel wheels ; but it was now
wrought with wheels of that description similar to those
patented by Mr. Pirie. This plough differs from Mr. Pirie's
in having stilts. Mr. Craig's double-mould plough was much
praised.

Perhaps none of the implements was deserving more of the
attention of northern farmers than the Rotatory Digger shown
by Mr. T. Duff, Perth. The implement is a very ingeniously-
constructed one, and simple withal. The tines are set three by
three, like a series of steel graips round a drum, and every trio
of tines is made to act, by means of a curious chain, in the pecu-
liar manner whicli enables them to operate so efficiently in pul-
verising the soil. The teeth are not dragged backwards in the

ground, but are gradually pressed down, the machine meanwhile
moving forward, and pulling them rapidly out in a jerking
fashion ; and the number of tines with which the machine is
supplied prevents any portion of the ground from remaining
undisturbed, thereby providing full, thorough pulverisation of
the whole. The great advantage that the Rotatory Digger has
over the plough is that it does not leave a hard body under
the turned-up soil impervious to the valuable atmospheric in-
fluences, but leaves a number of small holes through which the
atmospheric influence can permeate freely. The machme was
tried on the old cart road of the field, with two pairs of horses,
and although some gentlemen thought an extra pair of horses
would be necessary for regular work of a similar kind, all agreed
that the work was capitally done. But for economical pur-
poses, and considering the quality of the work, even six horses
would not be too many. The machine cultivates 44 inches
wide, and from 9 to 10 inches deep. Its peculiar adaptabUity
is to breaking up the stubble immediately after harvest, parti-
cularly on clay land, and leaving it, as we have said, open to
the influences of snow, frost, rains, and vapours during the
winter.

The trial of Reid & Co.'s Excelsior Land Roller and
Clod Crustier was very satisfactory, although the absence
of clods prevented its capabilities from being fully tested. It
is formed of a series of discs, each revolving separately, and
every alternate one placed loose on the axil, so that when it is
at work it is self-cleaning. It makes an impression on tha
ground like the footmarks ofsheep, and this peculiarity renders
it very useful in fixing the roots of grass and of corn crops in
spring.

All the three grubbers worked weU, and as none of them
presented any striking speciality, it would be somewhat invi-
dious to anticipate the report of the judges in placing one
before another.

There were two ploughs, which were not considered legiti-
mately in the field for trial — one by Mr. Buchan, Hazelhead,
and the other by Mr. P. Wilson, Strachan, Banchory. They
had beeu set aside by some means or other at the show, but
tlie judges had no instructions to report upon them. Mr.
Buchan's plough has three wheels — a bearing wheel in front,
and a sole or side wheel behind the mould-board. It is in-
tended for one horse on stubble or light lea land. It was
shown at work with two horses on rather stiff lea, on which it
operated easily and eificiently. Mr. Wilson's plough has no
peculiarity beyond an improvement in the mode of fastening
and adjusting the coulter. It seemed of light draught, and
made excellent ^/oxk^-m-Banff Journal,

492

THE FAEMER'S MAaAZINE.

THE CULTIVATION OF LAND IN AMERICA.

A frequent reference has been made by public writers
in the Tluited States, as well as in England, to the ex-
haustive system pursued by the agriculturists in the former
country, by growing wheat year after year on the same
land, without applying manure to compensate the soil for
the loss it thus sustains. The natural effect has been the
imporerishment of the land to that degree that it yields
not more than half what it formerly did where still cul-
tivated, while large tracts have been abandoned to their
former state of wildness, and others have ceased to be
sown with wheat. This is the case not only in the New
England and other States on the eastern seaboard, but
also in the western and north-western new States, of com-
paratively recent occupation. In these the same ex-
haustive system has been pivrsued with the same de-
teriorating effects upon the soil, diminished production,
and giving a prospect of speedy and utter impoverishment.

In the adoption of this system, which has been carried
on, as a general rule, from the flrst occupation of the
land, there was only one consideration that engaged the
attention and the efforts of the cultivator, namely, to
produce, at the least possible expense, a crop that was
capable of being converted into money ; and as wheat
would always be in demand for exportation, and maize for
home-consumption, whether as cattle-food or for bread, it
was to the! cultivation of these two articles of produce
that the immigrants to the New States turned their at-
tention upon taking possession of fresh tracts of land.
Maize was planted the first two or three years, in order
to reduce the raging fertility of the soil, and impart to it
that solidity required for the successful cultivation of
wheat. As soon as these objects are attained, wheat is
sown year after year as long as the land is capable of
yielding enough to pay a profit ; and when this condition
no longer exists, it is abandoned or sold, and a fresh tract
is entered upon, to be treated in the same reckless manner,
which, although answering the purpose of the farmer for
a time, is destructive to the country. We can illustrate
the effect of this system best 1)y a reference to the statis-
tics of the produce of wheat since 1840.

In the ten years from 1810 to 1850, the entire crop of
wheat increased from 10,602,633 qrs. in the first, to
12,560,743 qrs. in the latter year, being an increase of
1,958,110 qrs. only. But in the next ten years — 1850
to 1860— the crop rose from 12,560,743 to 21,638,115
qrs., being an increase of 9,077,372 qrs. Now as it is
an admitted fact that the acreage yield of both wheat
and maize has regularly declined in both the older
and newer States, the aggregate increase in the latter
decade can only be ascribed to the large extent of
new prairie-land brought into cultivation during that
period. In the same ten years, the exportation of wheat
rose to 7i million quarters, although the population had
also increased to the extent of seven millions. Erom
1861, however, various causes have combined to reduce
both the crop of wheat and, as a consequence, the export-
ing power of the States. The most prominent of these
causes is the civil war that has raged for thi'ee years, by
which, not only was the cultivation of land to a large ex-
tent in the seat of war arrested, but thousands of farmers
in the north and west abandoned their farms, to join their
countrymen in what they considered a patriotic contest.
But the fact still remains, that, with the return of peace
and the resumption of industrial pursuits by the soldiers,
the produce of wheat in the United States has not so

much increased as to admit of an export equal to that of
1861, and it has even been reduced to 454,167 quarters,
although in the interval large tracts of fresh prairie-land
have been brought under cultivation. This last fact
ought to have greatly increased the aggregate crop of
wheat, if the same system was pursued as heretofore ;
there must therefore be some deeper and more general and
permanent cause for this decrease in the quantity of wheat
produced in the States, and their inability to export as
much as they did ten years since. We shall endeavour
to point out what we have gathered of this cause, from
accounts we have received from reliable authorities, the
confirmation of which involves the beginning of a new
system of agriculture in that countiy.

It appears that the exhaustive practice of cultivation so
long adhered to in the United States has necessarily di'iven
the new settlers further and further westward, thereby
increasing the expense of transit to the eastern shipping
ports, from whence the surplus must be conveyed to the
European markets, which are the only ones of any extent,
or where a constant demand exists. The high rate of
taxation in the States, consequent on the debt incurred
during the civil war, renders necessaxy high prices for all
kinds of agricultural produce, as well as for other mer-
chandise. It is therefore only when high prices rule on
the European markets that the United States fanners can
grow, or the merchants ship, wheat to advantage. These
conditions begin to operate seriously in that country, and
the more intelligent men begin to open their eyes to the
fact that, by exhausting the soil and pushing cultivation
further westward, they are running away fi-ora the seat of
the demand, and at the same time increasing the expense
of conveying their produce to market. They have conse-
quently begun to alter their system of farming, by adopt-
ing an alternate husbandry, including forage crops and the
rearing of cattle and sheep ; in fact, they are introducing
the English system of husbandry so far as the nature of the
country and other circumstances will allow. The posi-
tion of the farmers of the Far West are now such that
they cannot grow wheat for exportation on the new lands,
although the price they obtain for it at the Lake ports is
relatively high. Some of the new farms are hundreds of
miles to the west beyond Chicago or Milwaukie, and the
expense of conveying wheat or maize to either of those
ports swallows up the entire produce or value of the wheat
when it arrives. On the other hand, the exhausted state
of the soil left behind them, by which the yield of wheat
is reduced to a minimum, is equally adverse to the culti-
vation of that grain for exportation. One of the essential
and indispensable conditions of commerce no longer exists
— namely, iirice ; for no farmer will continue to grow
wheat except to the extent to which he has a demand at a
price that wiU pay him a profit for his trouble and outlay.
And this is the view taken of it by the prairie farmers of
the West. We have hitherto been taught to look to that
country as the source from whence the teeming popula-
tions of Europe must resort for the supplementary supply
of wheat they required. But those who took that view
of the matter did not take into their calculation the in-
creased expense of transit from the new States, nor the
exhausted condition and decreased production of the old
ones. The American farmers have been slow to find
this out, but are now rectifying the error by no longer
making the cultivation of wheat their almost sole
object.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

493

This imperfect cultivation of the land was a necessity in
the infancy of the Republic; and the reply of President
"Washington to an English agriculturist, that land was so
cheap and laboui- so dear that it was more profitable to
farm a large quantity of land badly than a small one well,
was rational. This evil — the dearness of labour — still
exists, as well as the cheapness of land; but the system
referred to has its limits, and those limits have evidently
been reached, and the agriculturists must now retrace
their steps and fall back upon the deteriorated lands, and
restore them to fertility by a more rational cultivation ;
the effect of which amongst increasing populations cannot
fail to be successful in the end.

The irrational character of the exhaustive system is
strongly illustrated in the decrease of agriculture in the
old States. Take that of New York itself, for instance,
in the five years from 1845 to 1850, during which 671,693
acres had been added to the cultivated land. Notwith-
standing this, the produce had fallen off to the following
extent :

Flax lbs. 1,956,485

Wool ... lbs. 3,793,527
Potatoes bush. 7,255,066
Peas & Beans „ 1,132,054
Wheat... „ 270,724
Buck Wheat „ 450,734

This State is now dependent upon the West for half its
consumption of wheat, whilst some of the New England
States do not grow enough for more than two months'
consumptiou. Even the comparatively new lands of
Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, &c., have fallen off already to
the extent of half their former yield. It is high time
that a new system should be adopted ; and we may expect
in a few years to find the value of land in the United
States rising in proportion to its nearness to the markets
for its produce.

The inference, however, that it is our main object to
draw from this new movement in the husbandry of the
United States is, that under present circumstances we
have no reason to expect that they will be able to ship
wheat to any large extent untU either the price in Europe
is permanently high, or the new system shall have re-
stored the deteriorated land in the nearer States to fertility
again ; and the cultivators are able not only to supply their
own populations, but to raise a surplus, as formerly, for
exportation. A high price they viusf have in the States
or for what is exported. The first must be agreed upon at
home ; the second depends upon circumstances over which
no human power has any control.

Horses 58,141

Cows 63,066

Other Cattle 127,535

Sheep 2,990,632

Swine 556,003

AN EDEN IN GALTFOENIA.— It is the vineyards and
orange and lemon orchards that make Los Angeles the garden-
spot of California. Just imagine a collection of gardens, sLx
miles square, and producing at aU times of the year almost
everything that grows under the sim. One of the largest and
most beautiful places in the city is the WoIfskiU vineyards,
containing 2,000 orange-trees, 1,000 lemon-trees, 500 walnut,
100 fig, and 100 lime-trees, and 55,00 grape-vines. Nearby
is the vineyard of Mr. Childs, containing 500 orange, the same
number each of peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, olive, walnut,
and chesnut-trees, and 10,000 viues. Eight in tlie heart of
the city is Don Mateo Keller's place, containing 100,000 grape-
vines, 1,000 lemon, 500 orange, 100 hme, 100 olive, 200 wal-
nut, and 100 fig-trees, and all of the other variety of fruits
known in the south and in the semi-tropics. He also raises
hops, cotton and tobacco, wheat, barley, corn, all kinds of
vegetables, and everything of the berry-tribe. Last fidl, Mr.
Keller made 100,000 gallons of wine, and nearly as much
brandy. A few miles from the city a Mr. Rose has a vineyard
of 200,000 grape-vines. Near him is the vineyard of Colonel
Kewen, containing 75,000 vines, 800 walnut, 500 orange, and

300 each of lemon and oUve-trees, It must be recollected that
from a little elevation m the centre of this garden-city may be
seen the broad Pacific on the one hand, and upon the other 200
miles of mountains covered with snow. No such picture may
be seen upon the Mediterranean Sea, if, indeed, anywhere ia
the world.

RESULT OF FEEDING 14 AND 9 BUL-
LOCKS AT WENDEN HALL, ESSEX.

COST OF THE 14 BULLOCKS.

1st periool, 13 weeks, from June 30tli to Sept 30th—

Grass £0 3 6

Linseed Cake daily 6 lbs 0 4 6

Hay and Straw Chaff 0 2 0

Attendance for the whole 0 0 1

Weekly cost of each Bullock ... £0 10 1
Weekly cost of the 14 Bullocks ... 7 1 2
Total cost each period feeding ... £9115

2nd period, 4 weeks, from October 1st to 28th —

Linseed Cake, 6 lbs. daily 0 4 6

Bean Meal, 8 lbs. daily 0 4 8

Hay and Straw ChaflT 0 3 0

Turnips 0 19

Weekly cost of each Bullock ... £0 12 11
Weekly cost of the 14 Bullocks ... 9 0 10
Total cost each period feeding ... 36 3

3rd period, 9 weeks, from Oct. 29th to Dec. 30th—

Linseed Cake, 7 lbs. daily £0 4 1

Bean Meal, 16 lbs. daily 0 9 4

Hay and Straw Chaff 0 2 0

Weekly cost of each BuUock ...£0 15 5
Weakly cost of the 14 Bullocks ... 10 11 10
Total cost each period feeding ...

97

Total cost of the tlrree periods ...£225 1 0

Average cost of feeding each Bullock ... 16 0 0

Value of each Bullock on 30th .June ... 20 0 0

Total cost of each Bullock to December 30th 36 0 0

The 14 Bullocks sold for £413 10s., being at the rate of

£29 10s. 9d. each, thus showing an absolute loss of £6 10s. 9d.

per head to the feeder.

COST OF THE 9 BULLOCKS.
1st period, 13 weeks, from .Tune 30th to Sept. 30th—
Grass £o 4 6

Weekly cost of each Bullock ...£0 4 6

Weekly cost of the 9 Bullocks ... 2 0 6
Total cost for each period feeding £26 6 6

2nd period, 4 weeks, from October 1st to 28th—

Grass £0 3 6

Non-cU-ied Malt the produce of half

peck Raw Barley daUy, 7 lbs. ... 0 3 6

Straw Chaff 0 0 6

Weekly cost of each Bullock ...£0 7 6

Weekly cost of the 9 BuUocks ... 3 17 6
Total cost for each period feeding 13 10 0
3rd period, 9 weeks, from Oct. 29th to Dec. 30th—

Non-dried Malt the produce of 1 peck

of Raw Barley, 14 lbs. daily ...£0 7 0

Straw Chaff 0 0 6

Weekly cost of each Brdlock ...£0 7 6
Weekly cost of the 9 BuUocks ... 3 7 6
Total cost for each period feeding

30 7 6

Total cost of the three periods ... £70 4 0

Average cost of feeding each Bullock ... 7 16 0

Value of each Bullock on 30th June ... 15 0 0

Total cost of each Bullock to December 30th 22 16 6

The 9 Bullocks cost £8 5s. Cd. per head less to feed than

the 14.

The 9 BuUocks sold for £235, being at the rate of £26 2s. 2d.
each Bullock, showing a clear profit of £3 6s. 2d. per head to
the feeder.

The loss per head upon the 14 BuUocks fed

on artificial food was £6 10 9

The gain per head upon the 9 ditto fed on
Non-dried Malt 3 6 2

Balance per head in favour of the

9 BuUocks £9 16 11

ISAAC SEAMAN.

494

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

GREEN CROPS.

At the usual monthly meeting of the Kilkenny Farmer's
Clul), Mr. Reade read a paper illustrated by the exhibition
on the table of a number of roots of long red and yellow
globe mangels, and Swede turnips, grown at Birchfield.
He said : In treating of the growing of green crops, T will
commence at the iirst operation, namely, the ploughing of the
land, which is of the greatest importance. It should be done
in antumn, before the soil becomes too wet. The ploughing
should be deep, for on this depends much of the productiveness
of the succeeding crops, as well as of the immediate one ; for
the turnip, the mangel, and the carrot all send their roots deep
into the earth in search of their food when it is properly tilled
for them. On moderate sized and small farms, where the sub-
soil plough is not used, I would recommend an ordinary
plougli, stripped of its mould-board, to be sent into the furrow
after the turning plough, to rip up the subsoil, and open it for
the roots of the coming crop. This plan, when adopted, will
help to carry down superfluous surface water, and to retain
sufficient moisture in the earth during the drought of the sum-
mer. In fact, to make a comparison, I would liken deep
ploughing and shallow ploughing to two sponges, the one
large and the other small. The large one will absorb more
water, without overflowing, than the small one ; and when
exposed to parching winds and a hot sun, will retain its mois-
ture much longer. So in deeply-ploughed soil, in the heat of
a dry summer, such as the last one was, green crops will
flourish ; whilst in the shallowly ploughed ground they will
wither ofl^ and become mildewed from drought. The advantage
of ploughing in autumn will be felt in the spring ; for by
leaving the land roughed up and exposed to the frost and snow
of winter it becomes more friable, or gentle, and is more easily
refined to a proper tilth to receive the seeds, and cause them to
vegetate evenly and quickly, which is oi^ great importance.
Now, we wiU suppose the winter passed, and the sprintr come.
There is much work to he done in cross-ploughing, grubbing,
harrowing, rolling, and weeding ; for the more the earth is
refined, deepened, and cleansed of weeds now, so much the
better for the succeeding crops, till the rotation comes round
to green ones again. I will not detain you by particularizing
all these operations, for you know how to perform them as
well, or perhaps better, than I do ; but let us come to the
opening of the drills, which should be 28 inches apart, to re-
ceive the manure, which should he well rotted, and not, as is
too often the case, mere straw which has been lately cast out
of the stable or cow-shed; for if the manure be not well de-
composed, you cannot expect an even or early growth of seeds.
Wlien the manure is spread in the drlUs, I run a light stone
roller along them, which takes the tops off two drills and
breaks down the clods. Then a drill roller, shaped like an
egg with both ends cut off, to press down the manure (of which
you will see the use presently), and to break any lumps of clay
that may have escaped the long roller. After the manure has
been spread, in order to counteract the padding of the clay in
the bottoms of the drills, along which the rays of dung have
been carted, I run a stripped plough to rip up the hardened
earth, and then scuffle wdth a one-horse scufller. This plan I
only think necessary with carrots, mangels, and parsnips.
Swedes do not require it. Then the earth is closed on the
manure with a double plough, after some bone manure has
been scattered on the dung. When all the drills are closed in,
then I come to the part of the work where I adopt a system of
my own, and which I never heard of being tried by any person
before, but which I find to completelv baffle the ravages of the
turnip beetle. The usual metliod of "sowing the seed is to run
the seed-sowing machine on the top of the drill, like as if it
were on the ridge of a house, and the seed is deposited in the
apex of an angle, exposed to the scorching winds and drought
ot spring and summer. The consequence is that it does not
vegetate evenly or vigorously, and the progress of the little
plant is feeble, irregular, and slow, and so becomes a prey to
the fly. Thus whole fields are eaten off, or perhaps a few
patches of turnips are to be seen scattered here and there.
Now the mode I adopt, when all the drills are closed, is to

run along them a chain-harrow, or the half of a light double
seed harrow, with the pins driven back so as not to scrape out
the manure, and thus take two drills in each stroke as it is
drawn along by a donkey or pony. This removes the upper
parts of the drills into the furrovi's between, and with them the
clods and lumps, and leaves the fine earth for the seed bed.
The shape of the drills is thus changed from sharp ridges to a
succession of slight undulations, and the manure is brought
within two inches or less of the surface ; so that when the
seed is deposited out of the sowing machine, or dibbled in, as
the case may be, it is in close proximity to the manure, sur-
rounded by earth of the finest tilth, with sufficient moisture.
The consequence is that it vegetates evenly and rapidly, and as
soon as the roots of the young plants touch the manure they
go ahead in such a manner as to defy the fly. Whereas, if the
seed were deposited on the top of the drill, it might remain for
several weeks (I have known seed to remain six weeks) with-
out vegetating, from want of siilficient moisture, and when
vegetated the young plant would remain in a state of starva-
tion till its little roots reached the manure so deeply seated
beneath it. It lingers till it is devoured. Talking of seeds,
particularly of turnip seeds, I would recommend the use of a
liberal quantity, say from 5 to 71bs. per Irish acre, partly on
account of the great adulteration of them which is practised iu
the seed trade, and which I am informed is done by kiUing
rape seed, or other seeds which resemble turnip seed, and mix-
ing these dead seeds, or dummies as they are called, amongst
the live seeds. The process of killing, I am told, is done by
steeping the seeds in some acid, or by submitting them to a
certain degree of heat, sufficient to destroy the germ. The
best way I have found to detect adulteration, not only of tur-
nip, but of all other small seeds, is to get a piece of thick
flannel, and wet it thoroughly in soft water, then scatter some
of the seeds evenly on it, and keep it moist and in a warm
place till such time as the seeds that are alive vegetate. The
dummies will show no sign of life, and are easily discovered.
If you put them to this test you will be surprised to find the
amount of adulteration that exists in some cases. In the next
place, summer tillage is of much consequence to all green
crops, and I have found from experiments that the deeper, and
I might almost say the oftener, till the spreading leaves pre-
vent, that the ground is stirred between the drills the better,
not only for the growing crop, but for the succeeding ones.
This I proved by a rood of swedes ^vliich I only grubbed once
between the drills during the summer, and the consequence
was, that the turnips were worse, the succeeding wheat was
worse, and the meadow worse, with more scutch grass through
it, than in the rest of the field, which was cut deeply \nth the
stripped plough, and grubbed also deeply, in consequence of
tlie ground being softened by the previous ploughing. As to
thinning swedes : When the drills have been cut with the
skeleton plough, I space them by crossing them with an im-
plement which leaves them in buuches thirteen inches apart
from centre to centre. Then single them with the hand hoe,
so that each tui'nip throughout the field will be equi-distant,
say thirteen inches by twenty-eight inches. I think fi'om
twelve to fourteen and even fifteen inches, according to the
depth and richness of the soil, the most productive distances
for the swedes, and fiom fourteen to sixteen inches, or even
more, for mangels, with twenty-eight-inch drills. The richer
and deeper the soil the greater the space will require to be.
If carrots and mangels are grown in alternate drills they do
very well, as the mangel is much improved in size by the extra
room it gets, and the carrot is not deteriorated by the proxi-
mity of the mangel. The mode of cultivation described in the
foregoing will answer for carrots, mangels, swedes, and pars-
nips, except that I prefer to dibble the long roots — the mangels
at fourteen to sixteen inches apart, and the carrots and parsnips
at seven inches, or six inches in poor soil. To show the ne-
cessity of deep and perfect tillage, if any of you will take the
trouble to examine the earth between the drills of swedes or
mangels, he will find it fiUed with a close network of small
roots running in all directions through it, in a very wonderful

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

495

manner, and to a great depth, where it has heen properly
tilled. I would recommeud the early sowing of all greeu
crops, because those sown early come to maturity early, and
are fit to be removed from the land before it becomes so wet
as to be injured by the trampling and carting unavoidable in
the process of removal. It also enables the farmer to prepare
his land in good condition for the succeeding crop. Again,
early-sown seed vegetates more early and quickly, in conse-
quence of the great moisture of the earth in the early season.
I would say, sow carrot and mangel seeds early in April, aad
swedes in May. If very dry weather should succeed the sow-
ing of Swede turnips, and when the young plant is in first leaf
and progressing slowly, then is the period of danger from the
fly. The best remedy I have found is, to roll frequently with
a light stone roller ; for the fly takes refuge between the clefts
of the earth and under the small lumps of clay, which, when
pressed by the roller, he becomes embedded luider, and cannot
escape. Also, as the roller approaches him, if he be on the

plant, he jumps off and is crushed beneath it. Besides, rolling
breaks the crust on the earth, and closes it about the roots of
the young plant, and protects it fi-om drought. I am aware
that some very excellent farmers in this neighbourhood give a
preference to the cultivation of potatoes, as more suitable to
their wants ; but in these very uncertain potato seasons it is
well to have two strings to one's bow. They also say that the
summer culture of turnips is more expensive, but in this
opinion I do not agree ; for the cost of seed alone for the
potato crop would more than pay for the cultivation of the
turnip one. I think the soil and climate of this island better
suited to the successful growth of green crops than either
England or Scotland, of which we have an example this sea-
son ; as in those countries, where every care and attention is
lavished on their culture, they have proved an almost total
failure from the dryness of the atmosphere and the soil,
whereas in Ireland they are very fair crops,

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.

Monthly Council : Wednesdai/, Novemhur 4, 1868.
—Present, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, K.G., President,
in the chair; the Duke of Richmond, K.G. ; the Earl of
Lichfield, Lord Berners, Lord Chesham, Lord Tredegar,
Lord V^ernon, Lord Walsingham, Sir T. Western, Bart.,
M.P. ; Sir Watkin W. Wynn, Bart., M.P. ; Mr. Baldwin,
Mr. Barnett, Mr. Barthropp, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Bramston,
Mr. Cantrell, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Clayden, Mr. Clive,
M.P. ; Mr. Davies, Mr. Dent, M.P. ; Mr. Druce, Mr.
Edmonds, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Hassall, Mr.
Holland, M.P. ; Mr. Hornsby, Mr. Hoskyns, Mr. Jonas,
Colonel Kingscote, M.P. ; Mr. Milward, Mr. Pain, Mr.
RandeU, Mr. Read, M.P. ; Mr. Rigden, Mr. Sanday, Mr.
Shuttleworth, Mr. Stone, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Torr, Mr.
Turner, Mr. Webb, Major Wilson, Mr. Jacob Wilson,
Professor Simonds, and Dr. Voelckcr.

Finances. — Mr. Bramston presented the report, from
yrMcli it appeared that the Secretary's receipts, during
the past three months, had been duly examined by the
Committee, and by Messrs. Quilter, Ball, & Co., the
Society's accountants, and found correct. The balance
in the hands of the bankers on the 31st October was
£1,483 2s. The quarterly statement of subscriptions and
arrears to the 30th September and the quarterly cash
account were laid on the table. The arrears then
amounted to £1,417.

Journal. — Mr. Thompson, Chairman, i-eported that
the Committee had examined and passed Mr. Goodwin's
account for editing the last Number of the Journal,
amounting to £85 7s. 6d. Mr. Goodwin was requested
to undertake to bring out the February Number of the
Journal, in accordance with the resolution of the Council
in July last, Mr. Goodwin to receive £100, including
travelling expenses. Mr. Lawes' application for permis-
sion to publish his paper on Wheat in the last Number
of the Journal as a separate pamphlet was agreed to on
the usual conditions.

Essay Prizes. — In Class VIII. the judges award the
prize of £15 to the paper bearing the motto, " Abun-
dance," which, on being opened by the President, was
found to be written by Mr. R. L. Everett, Rushmere,
Ipswich. The Essay bearing the signature John Chambers
would have been commended, had it not been signed by
the author. In Class VII. the prize of £10 is awarded
to Mr. Robert Vallentine, Burcott Lodge, Leighton
Buzzard. — This report was adopted.

Agricultural Education. — Mr. Holland, M.P.,
reported that the Committee had resolved that applica-

tion be made to the Council for another grant of £200,
for the purpose of carrying out in 18G9 the same scheme
of examination as that which was adopted for the current
year, which was acceded to.

Implements. — Colonel Challoner, Chairman, reported
that the Committee recommended the offer of prizes for a
sheaf-binding machine at the ensuing Manchester meet-
ing, and that the sum of £20 be given in the class. An
amendment was moved by Mr. Dent, M.P., supported by
Mr. Thompson, that the sum offered should be reduced to
£10 ; but, on a division, eight votes only were given for
the amendment, and the repoi't of the Committee was
carried. The offer of £20 for the class of carriage with
low body, adapted for moving stock, implements, &c., on
a farm, in the most conveaient form, was also adopted by
the Council.

Showyard Contract. — Lord Vernon reported that
the contractor's account, as certified by the surveyor, had
been considered and allowed. The Committee had re-
solved that, in order to secure uniformity in the system
of valuing works done by special contract, all future spe-
cial contracts shall be based on the prices inserted in the
general contract, and be subject to the same discount of
2^ per cent. The surveyor's report had been considered,
and certain recommendations had been adopted. Colonel
Challoner moved that a detailed account of the expenses
connected with the buildings, fences, surveyor's, and
contractor's charges for the showyard at Leicester be pre-
pared and laid before the Council at the first meeting in
February, which was agreed to%

Secretary and Editor. — Mr. Thompson reported
that the Committee met on the 2nd inst., and examined
the testimonials of 46 candidates for the office ; of these
two were disqualified from being sent in too late ; of
the remaining 44, seven were requested to attend a
meeting of the Committee on the following day. The
seven selected for a personal interview were Captain
Burgess, Dr. Bond, and Messrs. Eastlake, Jenkins,
Harrison, Little, and Dr. Nicholson. At a further
meeting of the Committee on the 3rd instant, after a
personal interview with each of the seven selected candi-
dates, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. H. M.
Jenkins be recommended to the Council to fill the post of
Editor and Secretary of the Society from the 1st Janu-
ary next. Mr. Jenkins is at present discharging the
duties of Assistant Secretary, Curator, and Librarian
of the Geological Society of London : he is also the
Editor of the Quarterly Journal of that Society, aud

496

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Sub-Editor of the " Quarterly Journal of Science." His
present duties are, tliercfore, very muck of the same charac-
ter, as those which he would be called upon to perform if
appointed to the Secretary and Editorship of this Society.
Mr. Jenkins satisfied the Committee that he possesses
intellectual qualifications of a high order, and his tho-
rough knowledge of geology, chemistry, botany, and
zoology will give him considerable assistance in acquir-
ing a" thorough knowledge of agriculture, which it will
be his first object to attain. This report was adopted,
and on the motion of Mr. Torr, seconded by Mr. Bovvly,
Mr. H. M. Jenkins was then unanimously elected Secre-
taiy and Editor of this Society. It was resolved, on the
motion of Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, that the Finance Com-
mittee be requested to make the necessary arrangements
with 3Ir. Jenkins as the agreement to be signed by him,
and as to his sureties, &c.

Leicester Show Protests. — The following report
of the Stewards of Stock on the protests at the Leices-
ter meeting was presented by Mr. Bowly :

" Mr. Treadwell has sent us a certificate from three of his
neighboui's, saying bis sheep were close-shorn at the proper
time. With due respect for tliese gentlemen, we consider that
so long as the Council employs inspectors they are bound to
act on their decision. Although the shearing inspection
sometimes leads to unpleasant feeling, we cannot recommend
its discontinuance, as we are of the opinion that it insures the
sheep generally being shown in a less artificial state.

" Mr. George Turner's protest against Mr. Walter Farthing's
painted Devon bull-calf. — Mr. Turner's protest was not made
in time, and as the judges inform us they should have given
Mr. Fartliing's calf tlie prize if he had not been coloured, we
cannot do otherwise tlian confirm their decision. We tliink,
however, such attempts at deception cannot be too strongly

condemned, and we recommend that this expression of cue
feelings be conveyed to Mr, Farthing.

(Signed) " E. Bowly,

" David Reynolds Davies."

Mr. Dent having moved that the prize in question be
withheld from Mr, Farthing, a discussion ensued, in
which the Duke of Richmond, Lord Berners, and Mr.
Clayden took part, when the Secretary was instmcted to
invite an explanation of the circumstances from Mr,
Farthing, On the motion of Colonel Challoner, the re- j
port was confirmed by 23 ayes to 8 noes. I

On the motion of Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, seconded by «
Mr, Dent, the Council resolved that in future the adver-
tisements calling the general meetings of the Society shall
give the heads of the agenda of such meetings ; and that
the advertisement for the May meeting shall specially an-
nounce that the President, Trustees, Vice-Presidents, and
25 members of Council will then be elected by the gene-
ral body of the members of the Society,

Mr. Jacob Wilson, having called attention to the pre-
sent system of veterinary inspection in the show-yard,
moved that at the Manchester show in 1869 no veteri-
nary inspection of horses be required, except when consi-
dered necessary by the judges, who shall be accompanied
by the veterinary inspectors. This resolution was
agreed to.

The Council resolved that live stock intended for ex-
hibition at the Manchester meeting should arrive on
Saturday, July 17, 1869, and that the show should close
on the following Saturday evening, July 24.

The Council decided that the general meeting of the
Society should be held on Wednesday, the 9th December,
at noon.

FARM-YARD DUNG UPON CLOVER.

The practice of putting farm-yard dung upon the
clovers is becoming more general, and it appears to in-
crease in favour more and more every year. No better
evidence of the successful residts which attend this
practice could be given than is applied by this fact ; for,
after all, we must come back to the results of the practical
man as the proof on which alone we can rely. The im-
portance of the clover crop is not only to be looked at as
regards the growth of herbage produced, but also in its
influence upon the wheat crop. If a strong growth of
clover has been gained, it may be confidently asserted that
it vnll be accompanied by a good clover-layer for
ploughing- in for the wheat ; and it is to attain this com-
bined result that the use of farm-yard dung in the
summer months is chiefly carried out. In practice it is
found very desirable to make such an application as
promptly after the mo^dng has been finished as the re-
moval of the hay will permit.

It is probable that this is desirable because of the pro-
tection which is thus given to the roots of the growing
plant, which by the action of the scythe has been left in
a very unprotected state and liable to be scorched up by
continued dry weather. It is also especially desirable be-
cause of the fertilizing nourishment which is thus placed
within reach of the plant, and which acts as a powerful
stimulant to its general growth. The success which at-
tends the attainment of these results very chiefly depends
upon the manner in which the manure is applied to the
land, and upon the condition of the manm-e when it is
distributed over the soil.

It was at one time held, that the spreading of farm-
yard dung upon the land in hot weather was" an extra-

vagant and wasteful mode of using such manure. It was
argued on the one side that such exposure enabled the
sun and hot air to carry away the volatile ingredients of
the manure, and that when the ammoniacal constituents
of the dung were thus removed the residue was of com-
paratively small value. This was met on the other hand
by the statements of those most interested in the success
of the trial, by a declaration that practically no such loss
arose, and the practice was justified by the results. But
practice also showed that for this purpose the farm-yard
manure should be well-rotted and reduced into a thorough
state of decay, and here was the secret of the success.
Had this same manure been applied fresh it would not
have produced as good results. Loss, and probably
a very considerable loss, would have been the
result ; for in the one case we should have
had the farm-yard in a state of active decom-
position, and the sun would have drawn off much of
the ammonia it contained ; whereas, by using well-rotted
dung, which has become short by occasional turning, the
chief portion of the ammonia has changed from its volatile
condition, and its consequent liability to loss, into a
volatile but fixed state. Thus, whilst safe from the sun
and air, it was quite ready for being carried into the land
by the first shower of rain, and there made use of imme-
diately by the growing crop.

If we compare this practice of applying farm-yard
dung to the clover crop in the summer with that which is
even more extensively carried out by its application in the
winter month, we cannot fail to notice a very striking
contrast ; and in no respect is this more worthy of com-
ment than in the condition of the dung. That advanced

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

497

condition of decay which is so desirable for summer use
is not advisable for winter use. In the suininer the clover
plant is in a condition of active growth, and the solu-
bility of the manure is desirable, for the rapid supply is
met by activity in the clover root in making use of it.
In the winter the condition of growth is altered : activity
is replaced by sluggishness, and the large supplies which
at one time could be advantageously used would now be
wasted to a great extent. It is therefore desirable that
when farm-yard dung is used upon clovers in the winter
that it should be fresh and long.

Another advantage which results from the use of dung
in this fresh state is the protection which the weakly
clover gains during severe weather. Growth is much
more continuous under such conditions, and the roots
make far greater growth under the encouragement and
protection thus given than under other circumstances.
The growth of the root is practically an accumulation of
power for growth when the spring season is favourable
for the production of leaf. Progress in the growth of
the root secures a proportionate increase in the upper
growth when the fitting time arrives. If the plant be
weU established and firmly rooted in the soO, the best
foundation has been laid for its future luxuriant growth ;
but when the young plant is not firmly established, various
circumstances check and often stop its growth, which
would have produced no effect upon a strong and healthy
plant.

One of the great advantages of the use of dung in
winter may be traced to this action, inducing as it does
an active and vigorous growth. There is scarcely any
crop in which the ultimate result of the growth is so
accurately indicated by its early growth. A poor start
is rarely followed by a good crop, whereas if the early
stages promise a luxuriant growth the result is most
hopeful. The help and shelter given to the clover in the
winter enables its successful cultivation to be carried out

upon soils where failure would otherwise have marked the
attempt, and the same is frequently observable upon land
which is getting tii-ed of the crop. This need not cause
surprise; "for the manure thus supplied encourages the
clover-root to strike more deeply and spread more widely,
and thus it gets increased supplies of nutriment.

In many parts it was the custom to dung the land for
wheat, it "being considered a necessary preparation for
this corn crop ; but this practice has to a large extent
yielded to the prior claims of the clover. Some have
given up the practice of putting on dung for the wheat,
and use the manure upon the clover after mowing ; others
use the manure still earlier by putting it upon the young
seeds. Both of these alterations, however, may be looked
upon as a preparation for wheat, and in the majority of
cases the earlier use of the manure is even more beneficial
to the wheat than its direct application for the corn crop.
In point of fact, the intermediate growth of clover may
be looked upon as promoting a modification of the fer-
tilizing element of the manure, whereby its character is
improved for the corn crop, and its quantity increased.
For, although by the use of the manm-e an active growth
of the clover is encouraged, and a heavier crop of herbage
is removed from the land, the strength of the clover layer
being increased, an improved growth of the corn crop is
sure to result.

The practice of manuring the clover has much to re-
commend its more extended adoption; tor, whilst the
success which attends it gives proof of its advisability,
the increasing area over which it is carried out shows how
very general and regular it is in its influence. The vary-
ing influence of soil and climate do not appear to diminish
its beneficial action ; and on many farms the only limit
which now practically bounds its adoption is the amount
of farmyard manure which can thus be appropriated with
due consideration to the demands for other parts of the
farm.

HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND.

The monthly meeting of the directors of this Society was
held on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Edinburgh, in tlieir chambers,
No. 3, George IV. Bridge, Mr. Dundas, of Arniston, and after-
wards ]Mr. Graham Binny, in the chair.

On reports by the Local Committee on Implements, silver
medals were awarded to (1) Benjamin Reid and Co., Aber-
deen, for improvements in fixing the coulter of their general
purpose lever driU, combined with the power of adaptation to
act as a horse-hoe when required ; (3) to George Sellar and
Son, Huntley, for the improved form and mode of fixing the
tines of their zigzag harrows ; and (3) to J. Bissett and Sons,
Blairgowrie, for their reaping machine exhibited at the trial
held at Portlethen, after the Aberdeen Show.

The Secretary stated that the report by the Local Com-
mittee on the ploughs tried at Broomhill, near Aberdeen, on
the S-itli of October, had not yet been received, but that it
would come before the board at their next meeting on the 2nd
of December.

On the motion of tlie Chairman, it was remitted to the
Committee on General Shows to fix the money premiums, and
adjust the regulations for the show to be held at Edinburgh
next year.

The Secretary read a letter from the Town Council of
Edinburgh, agreeing to give the West Meadow Park as a site
for the showyard ; and he was instructed to convey to the
Town Council tlie thanks of the Board.

The following requisition, addressed to the Secretary, and
forwarded to liim by Mr. Dudgeon, of Cargen, was read :
*' Dumfries, 5th August, 186S. Sir, — It being now eight year-.

since a meeting of the Highland and Agricultural Society has
been held at Dumfries, we think the time is now approaching
wlien it would be of great advantage to this district to have
another show here ; and we would feel obliged if you would
take an early opportunity of laying before the directors of
the society our request with regard to this matter, feeling
assured that it is the universal wish of the district that such
a meeting should be held. And we take this opportunity of
informing the directors that we will do all in our power to
promote the success of the meeting. We would suggest that
if it does not interfere with the other arrangements of the
society, that the meeting be held here in 1870."

On the motion of Mr. Dundas of Arniston, seconded by Mr.
Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame, it was unanimously re-
solved to recommend the general meeting in January to
comply with the request, and it was remitted to the Com-
mittee on General Shows to suggest the classes of stock for
which premiums will be afterwards offered, and to make other
arrangements.

The following remits were made :

1. To the Committee on Office-bearers to report on the va-
cancies for 1869,

2. To the Reading Committee to consider and report on the
papers lodged in competition.

3. To the Committee on Premiums for Essays and Reports
to revise the list of 1868 and consider the suggestions for
1869.

4'. To the Committee on District Competitions to revise the
reports for 1868 and consider the applications for 1869,

L L 2

498

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

A letter was fead from Mi*. Curror on behalf the Edinburgli
Christmas Club, of which he is honorary secretary, expressing
a hope that the directors would double the grant of £50 voted
to the club last year, and stating that it was proposed this year to
apply the money in payment of the ordinary club prizes. The
application was supported by Mr. Mylne, Niddrie Mains ; and,
after some discussion, it was, on the motion of the Chairman,
resolved to repeat the grant on the understanding that the sub-
ject of grants for fat-stock shows will be brought before the
general meeting of the sociely in January.

On an application by Mr. Hugh Rose, Inverness, four silver
medals were placed at the disposal of the Northern Counties'
Fat Show Club for (1st) best o.x, (2nd) best cow or heifer,
(3rd) best pen of sheep, (4th) best pig — to be competed for at
Inverness on the 4th of December nest.

Letters from Mr. Grant, Kincorth ; Mr. Geddes, Orbliston ;
Mr. Scott, Glendronach ; and Mr. Harris, Earnhill, on the
subject of a grant to the Eorres and Northern Fat Cattle Club
for 1869, were remitted to the Committee on District Shows —
the club being already on the list for medals for the current
year.

A communication was read from Messrs. James Stewart, J.
and W. Martin, and Thomas Kuowles, Aberdeen, suggesting
that the prizes of the medium gold, silver, and medium silver
medals, now offered as first, second, and third premiums for
fat stock at the society's general shews, should in future be
£15, £10, and £5 ; and that the successful exhibitors of fat
stock should each receive a medal in addition to the money

prize. The letter was referred to the Committee on General
Shows.

A letter was read from Mr. Hamilton Hay, secretary of the
Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
calling attention to the want of some rule with reference to
the milking of dairy stock within a limited time, prior to their
passing the judges in agricultural exhibitions. Mr. Hay states
that " at present practices are resorted to which create a vei-y
unnecessary amount of suffering, to say nothing either of the
injury to the animals kept so long in milk, whether by arti-
ficial obstruction, or simply from want of natural relief, or to
the unfairness of such practices towards other competitors,
who do not resort to such inhuman methods of showing a
good milker," and it is thought that " the evil would be most
effectually met by some resolution or recommendation from
the Highland Society, which would doubtless be speedily
adopted by miuor afliliated societies." The commnnication
was, on the motion of the Chairman, remitted for considera-
tion to the Committee on General Shows.

Communications from Mr. Thomas Stevenson Johnstone,
and from Mr. Taylor Howwood Johnstone, on the potato
disease ; and from Mons. X. de Bouge in regard to his work,
entitled " The Continental Tutor," were brought under the
notice of the board.

The premiums awarded at the Aberdeen Show in July
last were confirmed by the board, and the Chairman was
authorised to sign the necessary precepts to be issued by the
Secretary.

THE CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB.
THE UNDEVELOPED POWER OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE.

The first monthly meeting for discussion, after the summer
recess, took place on Monday evening, November 3, at the Club-
house, Salisbury-square, Mr.C. S. Read, M.P.,in the chair. The
subject to be introduced by Mr. J. J. Mechi, of Tiptree Hall,
Kelvedon, was "The Undeveloped Power of British Agri-
culture."

The Chairman, after a very cordial greeting, said : Gentle-
men,— I believe it is permitted to the Chairman of this
meeting, after our long summer recess, to make a few remarks
on the agricultural season through which we have passed
(Hear, hear) ; and I wUl do so in a very few words. Last
May it was, I think, admitted on all sides that a more glorious
prospect never dawned upon the face of England (Hear, hear).
Our pastures were full of luxuriant grass ; our wheat crops
were undeniably in an excellent position ; our spring crops
had been got in in most capital order ; and they were all pro-
mising an abundant harvest. But it pleased Providence to
visit us with an intense and protracted drought — a drought
which was, I beheve, without any parallel in my recollection
and, I dare say, in the recollection of almost every gentleman
present, and the effects of which will be felt for many a long
year (Hear, hear). We have, I think, in this kingdom, a
good crop of wheat (Hear, hear) — a crop excellent in quality,
and plentiful and abundant in quantity (cheers). But I be-
lieve there is a very short crop of all spring corn. We in
Norfolk, with our hot soils and our dry climate, have suffered,
I suppose, more than almost any other district of England ;
our grass was clean burnt up, and we have further to deplore
a very short crop of hay, and an almost total absence of any-
thing like roots.

Mr. Thomas Congreve : That remark applies to the whole
kingdom (Hear, hear).

The Chairman : Now that brings us very close to the sub-
.iect for discussion. The " undeveloped power of British agri-

culture" will have to tell us this winter how we are to maintain
our stock without roots (Hear, hear). There is another thing
wliich greatly aftlicts us in Norfolk, and it is this : The loss of
our clover and grass seeds in'the present year, will militate very
considerably against anything like a full crop of wheat in the
year 1870. Well, gentlemen, we have to-day to discuss " the
undeveloped power of British agriculture," and to no hands
could that question be so well committed as to those of
our friend, Mr. Mechi (cheers) ; a man who has not
merely an European reputation, but a world-wide-fame
(Hear, hear), for I will venture to say that where
anything like advanced agriculture is practised there the
name of Mr. Mechi is known and honoured (cheers). If I
might be allowed to say one thing more in that gentleman's
presence, I would just qualify my praise by hinting in tliemost
delicate terms, that when a man is a very skilful pilot, he should
not only sliow us those channels through which we may safely
sail, but he should also tell us of those rocks, shoals, and
quicksands on which we may be wrecked (Hear, hear) . Now
if I recollect aright, there are a few rocks, shoals, and quick-
sands which Mr. Mechi has struck, but we never hear of them
now. It is incumbent on him to tell us all about these, besides
laying down on a chart the channels through which we may
sail to future prosperity (Hear, hear). Gentlemen, I wUl not
detain you any longer, but will now ask Mr. Mechi to read his
paper, which I am sure will delight us all (cheers).

Mr. Mecui then said : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen — If
the land of Britain were owned by such noblemen and gentle-
men as I could name, and farmed by such members of our Club
as I could designate, there would be much less need for my
reading this paper ; but we have to deal this evening with the
whole area of the United Kingdom, containing 77,513,685
acres, the utilized portion of it, 45,491,097 acres, being Jield
or occupied by no less than 1,069,452 farmers, of which Ire-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

499

a nd claims nearly 600,000- I think we shall all agree that
the wealth, power, dignity, and happiness of this kingdom de-
pend fully as much, or prohably more, on the proper use of its
soil as on the utilisation of its other industrial arts, and its
mines, fisheries, commerce, and shipping. We must admit that
the stomach is the predominant power, demanding regular and
continuous supplies, to procure which, at whatever cost, all
other interests must subserve or succumb. We have very cer-
tain proof of this, for although always dependent on foreigners
for one-third (more or less) of our daily bread, an increase of
that dependency, caused by a failure in our harvest, knocks
down Consols, depreciates every other security, involves us in
financial and commercial panics and embarrassments, stops
progress, and throws out of employ large masses of our indus-
trial population. In fact it comes to this, that the greater or
less home production of our food acts barometrically for good
or for evil on the national welfare. Admitting this to be so,
it follows that it is our primary duty and interest to extract
from the soil by every profitable means in our power the great-
est possible amount of human food, just as by improved, costly,
aud scientific means and machinery we are enabled to clothe
ourselves and other nations in cheap and plentiful clothing, or
supply them with other requisite manufactures. My object,
therefore, in reading this paper, is to inquire whether we
have developed sufficiently or perfectly our agricultural power,
and if not why not, and how great is our opportunity of so
doing ? British agriculture (as regards, landowners, tenants,
land stewards, and lawyers) is at present in a transition state.
It may be represented, jocularly, as old Mr. John Bull, jog-
ging along on the old road, looking wistfully but doubtingly
at the new road which steam-power has made for liim, but
which is still unused except by a few daring agriculturists, who
seem to be calling out to the old gentleman — i" Come on,
don't be afraid ; see how fast, safe, and cheap we go ; this is
the right road to profit, you will find it better and cheaper than
the old one— come and try." But the old gentleman shakes
his head, and say, , " I shall take time to consider of it, and
make up my mind ; for your new ways require much capital,
and give much more trouble than the old ones." Joking
apart, I ventured to suggest this subject for discussion by our
Club, because I have an honest conviction, resulting from 35
years of practice and observation, that our agriculture stiU
presents a vast field for jtlie profitable investment of greatly
increased skiU and capital. Let us take stock of our present
agricultural position, remembering that our acres have no
children, and that our population has increased from 10 mil-
lions to 30 millions since the year 1800. The present food-
producing power of British agriculture is shown in the Board
of Trade returns for 1866, issued in 1867. According to them,
the whole area of the United Kingdom consists of 77,513,585
acres, and our population 30,315,073 ; but only 45,491,097
acres are accounted for as under crops, excluding mountain
and waste ; so that we have still a considerable portion of
32 millions of acres to operate upon. In Ireland alone
there are 4,423,34;0 acres in bog and waste. We have in

Acres. Occupiers.

England 32,590,397 338,588

Scotland 19,639,377 78,792

Wales 4,734,486 53,072

Ireland 20,332,641 600,000

Isle of Man 180,000

Jersey 38,717

Gu6rnsey,&c 17,967

Total area 77,513,585

The cropping of the United Kingdom in the area under culti-
vation is as follows : —

Acres.

Corn crops > 11,431,440

Root and green crops 4,951,796

Clover and grass 5,679,433

Bare fallow 953,998

23,016,667

Permanent pasture not broken up In
rotation, exclusive of heath or moun-
tain land 22,156,541

Total under cultivation 45,491,097

In the United Kingdom we have live stock : Cattle, 8,731 ,473 ;
sheep, 33,817,951 ; pigs, 4,221,100. We have no estimate in
England of the value of our live stock, but the returns in
Ireland are more minute and explicit. There the valuation is,
per head of

Cattle (3,629,352)
Sheep (4,832,244)

Pigs (852,443)

Horses

16 10 0

12 0

15 0

8 0 0

The live stock of Ireland, including 523,865 horses, is valued
at £34,000,000. I hope our Board of Trade returns for Eng-
land will some day be much more minute, and give us also
the number of horses and estimated value of live stock. We
also ought to know how much of our country is occupied by
roads, canals, railways, rivers, lakes, fences, woods, and towns,
cities, and villages, &c., that we might more accurately esti-
mate our undeveloped power of cultivation. It will be noticed
in the foregoing returns that in pluvial Ireland hairy animals
greatly exceed the woolly ones, while the latter are much in
excess in dry and cereal England. Wet and mild climates are
not so well suited to the woolly tribe. Cattle also greatly
preponderate in English pluvial counties.

How MUCH OF Human Pood does the Soil of Britain
Yield, and what is its Money Value Received by the
British Farmer ? — Unfortunately, our food statistics are at
present so general and incomplete, that there are no data for
an exact computation. I will, however, endeavour to test it
by a roughly-estimated consumption (per head of the popula-
tion) of home-produced food and drink — I mean the sum that
reaches the farmer's pocket, independent of Malt-tax or Spirit-
tax, or trade and intermediate profits aud charges : —

Annual consumption per head.
Wheat, 4 bushels at 6s. 6d £1 6 0 ...£39,000,000

Meat, 531b., at ejd 18 2

Potatoes 0 10 0

MUk, butter, cheese, eggs, and

poultry 0 11 0

Oats (as meal, &c.) 0 5 0

Barley, hops (as beer, &;c.) 0 11 0

Fruit and vegetables 0 3 0

42,250,000
15,000,000

16,500,000
7,500,000

16,500,000
3,000,000

£4 13 2 ...£139,750,000

Potatoes in Ireland and oatmeal in Scotland and the north of
England are the principal articles of food. Oatmeal is also
consumed in Ireland. England consumes more wheat and
meat per head than either Scotland or Ireland. Our popula-
tion consume, in addition to the above, a large amount of
foreign agricultural produce, probably to the extent of £1 5s.
per head, exclusive of tea, sugar, or coffee.

500

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Consumed by 30,000,000 of population, at M

133. 2d. per head 1139,750,000

Wool, hides, tallow, and ofFal 10,000,000

Hay and corn consumed by 500,000 horses (non
agricultural), at £20 per annum 10,000,000

60,000 horses (non-agricultural) sold annually
by farmers, at £25 each 1,500,000

£161,200,000

This would give about £3 16s. per acre for the whole of the
United Kingdom (returned by the Board of Trade at 45| mil-
lions of acres under cultivation). There are probably a roilliou
of farm horses, consuming annually £20,000,000 of fami pro-
duce, for which the farmer gets no money payment, I there-
fore take no account of tliis, nor of the horst s he rears for fann
use. That million of horses probably consume the produce of
5,000,000 acres, landlord's measure. M. Lavergne, the cele-
brated French agricultural statistician, in his valuable book,
"On the Rural Economy of England," published in 1855 by
Blackwood, and ably translated by a Scotch farmer, thus esti-
mates our gross acreable produce :—

England £3 15 0 per acre

Lowlands of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. . 1 17 6 „
Highlands of Scotland 0 84 „

His total agrees very nearly with mine. He puts it at
£164,000,000, half animal, half vegetable ; but his estimate
of meat at 8d. per lb., is too high by Ud, I estimate three-
fifths vegetable, two-fifths animal. I would strongly recom-
mend a perusal of his valuable work. Although M. Lavergne
considers France equal in soil and climate with our own, he
estimates French produce at only one-half the acreable value
of ours. This is somewhat to our credit by comparison, I
rouglily estimate our—

Acres. Value.

Corn Crops 11,431,940 £8.3,000,000

Potato do 1,155,609 20,000,000

Green and root do 3,400,000 10,000,000

Clover and Grass 5,679,433 17,000,000

Bare fallow 953,998

22,017,167 130,000,000
Permanent pasture, exclusive of
mountain and waste 22,156,441 50,000,000

44,173,608 180,000,000

Consumed by one million of farm horses, for
which the farmer receives no money payment 20,000,000

£160,000,000
M. Lavergne estimates the rent of our land as follows : —

England , 20s. per acre.

Lowlands of Scotland and Wales 10s. „

Highlands of Scotland lOd. „

Three-fourths of Ireland 13s, „

North-west of Ireland 5s. „

General average .' 13s. „

Our Board of Trade return take no account of mountain,
heath, or waste, therefore probably the average rental of the
44^ millions of acres so returned would be 20s. per acre (see
M'Culloch, Porter, and Spackmau), and the value of the land
£25 per acre. Having stated what is, I think, about our
acreable agricultural production, I shall endeavour to poin
out presently what it might be if we brought to bear upon the
improvement of the soil a great increase of capital and intelli-
gence. But sucli results can only be produced gradually. I
know many intelligent farmers wlio liired their farms when
steam c\iltivators, steam eiigiue.s, and other expensive ma-

chinery were not much in vogue. Such men admit candidly
that they would, if they could, now greatly diminish their hold-
ings, so that their capital would be more in proportion to mo-
dern agricultural requirements, especially to the keeping of
lUflre stock fed on imported food. Land-owners, too, arc
gradually arriving at similar conclusions in regard to their
estates. These changes and investments will necessitate a valua-
tion for improvements and security of tenure by lease, and pro-
bably a modification and enlarged freedom of action as regards
entailed estates. I am not so sanguine as to expect ^that such
vast changes as I indicate and consider necessary and profita-
Ijle can take place, except gradually, by the force of opinion and
discussion, and by the necessity for meeting the pressure for
food for our rapidly increasing population.

WUAT MIGHT THE SOIL OF BRITAIN PkODUCE ? — I haVe

no difficulty in answering this question. The soil of Tiptree,
poor as it is, and naturally much below the average of the
kingdom in quality, has enlightened me on this matter. The
25 years of practical residental experience which I have had
there has taught me that Britain could profitably feed all her
children without foreign aid, if she chose to do so. Tliis is no
dream or speculation, it is a fact, true and indisputable ; but I
do not expect every one to believe it, but rather the reverse.
Tiptree HaU Farm is an instance of increased development
with profit. Bent, farmer's capital, and employment of labour
liave been all doubled, and the produce and acreable profit
proportionally increased. This year the produce is as follows,
the farm being 170 acres, landlord's measure: — wheat,
450 qrs. ; barley, 27 ; oats, 40 ; beans, 18 ; peas (for
Loudon), £66 net; red clover-hay and grass-hay, 30 tons; 6
acres of good mangel, 150 tons ; and 6 of strong green tares,
followed by cabbage ; some 20 acres of rape, white turnip,
and cabbage. The live stock consists of 40 liuUocks and 235
sheep. The average produce of wheat at Tiptree is 40 bushels
per acre ; this good year it is 48 busliels per acre. The
average of the United Kingdom is 27i bushels ; tliis good
year, 32 bushels per acre. The percentage of wheat at Tip-
tree is 33 of the whole farm, of the United Kingdom only
9 per cent. At Tiptree permanent pasture is only 8 per cent ;
the United Kingdom 48 per cent. The rent of Tiptree is 40s.
per acre ; the rent of the United Kiugdou 20s. per acre. The
gross produce at Tiptree is equal to six rents per acre (£12) ;
the gi'oss produce of the United Kingdom, 3| rents per acre
(£3 15s.) The meat made at Tiptree is £5 per acre ; the
meat made in the United Kingdom, £1 per acre. The quantity
of manure made exactly follows the quantity of meat made,
tlierefore Tiptree makes five times as inucli manure per acre as
the United Kingdom. Can we, then, wonder at its produce
being greater ? The labour employed at Tiptree is 50s. per
acre ; the labour of the United Kingdom, probably only 15s.
per acre. The tenant's capital at Tiptree is £17 per acre ;
that of the United Kingdom under £5. Corn, cake, &c., con-
sumed by live stock at Tiptree, £3 10s. ; corn, cake, &c., con-
sumed per acre in the United Kingdom, 13s. per acre.
According to the Tiptree returns, our 44* millions of acres
would give £534,000,000 ; our present returns are
£170,000,000— increase, £364,000,000. But we need not be
alarmed by this prospect of possible increase. There is no
fear of our arriving too soon at tliis happy condition. It will
take centuries to remove the impeding causes of non-improve-
ment, and within that period (assuming that we have not yet
as a nation reached our zenith), population will have overtaken
even improved production, Altliough so large my produce

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

501

how small comparatively is the cost of seed, horse labour, and
other expenses ? A.lthough I have quoted Tiptree as an
instance, I could name many farms and many estates, equally
or even better farmed, and were the tenant's capital is from
£20 to £30 per acre. Norfolk and Lincolnshire have become
the butchers and bakers for the metropolis by their enormous
purchases of stock food imported on the farm and not grown
there ; and by the great quantity of resulting manure and corn.
Security of tenure, valuation for improvements, and a freedom
of action, have there attracted a fixed and ample capital.

TIPTREE HALL EAKJI BALANCE-SHEET.

Average price of Wheat
per qr.

1865 ... 40s. 2d. ...

1866 ... 46s. 6d. ...

1867 ... 61s. 7Jd. ...

Net surplus for Landlord
and Tenant.

£543 7 4

573 11 6

773 5 10

Tenant's Profit on Tenant's Capital p

Capital. at Tiptree Farm.

£2165 £238=11 per cent £119 5

2503 268=101 „ 1 16 7

2571 463=18 „ 3 12

Havinef thrashed and sold most of my wheat I am enabled to
calculate safely that the profit on tenant's capital for 1868 will
be quite equal to, perhaps more than, that of 1867. The
average price of wheat for 1868 will probably be above 60s.

Apportionment oe Farm Capital.

1866.

1867.

t/ive stock....

£6 0

1 0

2 10

2 10

3 0

0
0
0
0
0

£6 10

1 0
3 10

2 10

3 5

n

Horses

0

Tillages, &c

0

Implements and machinfirv

n

Hav, corn, &c

., unsold

6

capital per acre

Tenant's

£15 0

0

£16 15

6

Causes of Non-development. — This is a painful subject,
but we must deal with it candidly and fearlessly. Agriculture
is not yet treated on commercial or business principles. When
it is looked upon as a business by our landowners, their agents,
and tenants, the practice in letting, hiring, and holding will
be more assimilated to the customs of our towns and cities.
Landowners in the country seem indisposed to part with the
control of their land for a period, while in a town they cheer-
fully grant a 99 years' building lease, or a 21 years' lease of
premises. Here the tenant has not only undisputed posses-
sion, but, if he effects improvements, has also the right of selling
his lease and his improvements to proper persons, without in-
terference by the landlord or his agents : here there is no
ground game or annoying gamekeeper. See what consequences
flow from tliis sense of security and freedom of action. Men
of spirit and capital pnU down old houses, and raise upon their
ruins business or manufacturing palaces. Under such cii-cum-
stances our good old city of London is being rebuilt. Every-
thing progresses aud improves — property is constantly and
rapidly increasing in value, ultimately much to the benefit of
the original or ground landlord. AU tliis results from security
of tenure and freedom of action ; and where these principles
are carried out in agriculture, depend upon it, similar results
will take place — it must be so, as a natural consequence ; and
I am delighted to be able to say that I know of great aud im-
proving estates where the teuants are secured by leases, i^itli
the addition of a valuation for unexhausted improvements,
and poHtical freedom, aud in some cases the right of sporting.
I will give au instance of what is doing very generally in our

good old city of London, where laud has advanced in some
cases to £2,000,000 per acre (some £60 or £70 per square
foot). Not long ago I purchased of a friend, for a bank with
which I was connected, an old, tumble- down house, not far
from the Royal Exchange, that used to be let for £160 per-
annum. The new conditions were, a lease for SO years, at a
ground rent of £500 per annum — the tenant to build a house
at a cost of £3,000. Well, we erected one that cost £6,000.
In 18 months it became necessary to close our bank (having
first paid every depositor in full without delay) . The lease was
sold for £10,300, and we realised an increase of more than
£4,000 on our expenditure. So it has been in many other ■
cases, and so it would be in degree in agriculture, if men of
capital had security of tenure, freedom of action, power to sell
or transfer their leases, and thus derive the proper advantages
of their improvements ; we should then no longer witness
that wretched unalterability, which is too often the pre-
sent characteristic of British agriculture — the antiquated
gable-ended tenements, called farm-houses, with their pro-
jecting beams and ceilings a few inches above one's head,
the old crooked Adam-and-Eve fences, and the antiquarianism
of the whole concern, wliich indicate a primitive, unaltered,
and unbusiness-like condition of things, unworthy of
the rapidly-increasing intelligence, wealth, enterprise, and
population of this great commercial, manufacturing, and
bread-and-beef-consuming country. I recently read a
paper before the Midland Counties Farmers' Club at Birming-
ham, where I met the most wealthy, inteUigent, and enter-
prising farmers of an extensive district. In the discussion
that followed it was painful to me to hear from every speaker
that the want of security of tenure and valuation for improve-
ments sat upon them like a heavy cloud, aud prevented them
from investing increased capital in what they admitted to be
necessary amendments. To my surprise, they were cramped
and restricted iu action by the knowledge that they might be
turned out of their holdings at a six months' notice ! I could
hardly believe that I was in the commercial atmosphere of
Birmingham ! Would any man in Birmingham or London
make au improvement on his premises under such circum-
stances ? It may be true, and is, in fact, true, that on mauy^
noble estates tenants are seldom changed, but they may be at
any moment, by death, by temper, by game, or by politics. I
have seen enough of tliis to know that the tenant always feels
insecure, and that this fear operates as a bar or impediment to
agricultural development. It is particularly annoying and re-
pulsive to a man of capital, intelligence, and independent feel-
ing, that the game on his farm should be alienated from him,
and his land appropriated and opened to a stranger and
strange gamekeeper for a paltry consideration of a shilling
per acre. I know some noble and wise landowners who do
let the shooting to their tenants, and thus attract a superior
class of capitalists. It astonishes me that we have even pro-
gressed thus far in agriculture under the present almost
feudal restrictions. A man farming 500 acres, \rith a capital
of £10,000, is entitled to a good and suitable house and farm
buildings, and the right of shooting ; but now I know of
farms, larger than that, with wretched old buildings a cen-
tury or two old, aud only suited to the circivmstances of that
remote and primitive period. The consequence is, that
spirited men of capital wiU have nothing to do with such
farms. Give them a 30, 40, or 50 years' lease (transferable),
on condition of their laying out a large sum on a good new
house, farm-buildings, aud abourers' cottages, draining, raak-

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iiig road, &c., and you would soon see estates ia a very
dilTerout and improved condition, mncli as you do in towns,
wlierc cabbage gardens have been changed into Belgravias and
Tyburnias, and wealth of the noble owners presently and ul-
timately enormously increased. It is certainly, in my opinion,
far more dignified to be the owner of an estate occupied by
men of great intelligence, capital, and independence, than of
one held by humble and servile dependants. iVot only so, but
as a question of £ s. d. there is no mistake as to wliich is
most advantageous to the landowner and the country at large.
If the same fear of parting with property for a given period
had operated in our towns and cities as in our rural districts,
the former would be now in a most antiquated condition. The
Scotch system of 19 years' leases lias improved farming and
raised the rent of land in Scotland. Tarmers now often buy
farm and mortgage them, so that they may be secure in their
tenancy, an have the full benefit of their improvements. If
companies w'ere formed for the advancement of capital on
mortgage for long periods, say 20 years or more, on equitable
conditions, this practice would be considerably extended.
Now the expenses of frequent transfer of the mortages mili-
tates against the system. Among the many obstructions to
agricultural development may be mentioned the existing
ownership of land by entail, and this must be extensive, see-
ing that one-half of England is owned by only 150 individuals,
while one-half of the 10^ millions of acres of Scotland are
owned by only 13 persons. The owners of the entailed pro-
perties having only a life interest in them, could do little in
improving them until some recent Acts of Parliament per-
mitted a certain charge to be made annually on the estate for
improvements. As most of our great landowners are legisla-
tors, let us hope that their well-informed and inteUigeut minds
will still further untrammel the land, so that it may produce
more abundantly food for the people and profit for themselves.
A vast proportion of the other half of the kingdom is under
mortgage, which again militates greatly against agricultural
progression. If public companies were formed to redeem the
mortgages, purchase lands and improve them, good tenants
could be readily found, willing to pay a suitable rent. Men of
capital would eagerly compete for such farms, seeing that they
would be secured by leases and other liberal arrangements.
They would be free from political subserviency, iind have the
sole right of sporting, which men of capital and position
highly prize. Another impediment to a development is that
farmers take too much land in proportion to their capital, and
so do landowners. £10 per acre used to be considered as
ample farm capital : luider modern requirements of arable
farming, even £20 or £30 is not too much. I have £17, and
that is not near enough. The live stock on an arable larm
should never be less than £6 per acre— £10 would be better.
The average farm capital of the United Kingdom is under £5
per acre. Capital alone will not ensure profitable fanning :
it must be accompanied by business aptitude ; in fac':, a know-
ledge of agi'icultural practice, and a proper carrying of it out.

Grass Land — PERMAiSE:xT Pasture. — Here is the grand
field to which w-e must look for development and progress.
One-half of the kingdom is in permanent pasture. The last
Board of Trade returns give 32,156,541 acres in 1867 as
against 21,174,787 in 1366, showing an increase of 981,754
in grass land. These returns are exclusive of heath or moun-
tain land. Our grass lands are now in the hands of Nature :
they should, and I hope will, pass into the hands of man. We
have beard too much lately about laying-down land to grass

and depending on foreign countries for cOrn. Judging from
the latest statistics, that opinion appears to have been acted
upon. I protest against this mistaken practice, as most in-
jurious to the country at large. I shall show you by a state-
ment of facts that the grass land of this kingdom is a great
national loss and mistake — that it is starving our people, and
that to advocate its extension is a cruel error. Not one loaf
of bread for man is produced by more than one-half the land
of this kingdom. What would have been our fate this year
had all the kingdom been in grass ? In lieu of a superabundant
wh?at cfop, we should have had a famine. The twenty-two
millions of acres of grass lands have, this unusually dry
season, been almost unproductive, and caused a heavy loss to
the occupiers and to the country at large, while our heavy
wheat crop, with its unusual breadth and superior quality, is a
blessing and a profit. We must, as a result of the season, have
dear meat, at any rate for some time to come. Laying down
to grass means starving the people and depriving them of em-
ployment. It means stagnation in trade and manufactures,
and a throwing out of employment a very large portion of our
artisan population. Natural grass lands employs little labour,
capital, or machinery, and produces little food for the people.
The pastoral day has gone by : it cannot remain in the face of
an overwhelming and industrial population demanding food
and emjiloyment. Grass lands are coveted just because they
require little capital and less skill, and therefore landowners
find always plenty of tenants for them. Landowners like them
because the buildings are few, primitive, and uncostly, repairs
small, drainage seldom asked for, residences mean, and suited
to uncapitalled tenants. There is not much trouble about this
sort of landowning or farming. It is in an unaltered state of
Nature — uo change, no progress, and very little increase of
rent as compared with arable land. All this is contrary to the
general advance of the country in wealth, intelligence, and
population, and totally unworthy of the British people.
We must infer from the increase of grass land that
there exists an opinion that it does not pay to convert
it into corn laud. The proofs, however, are all the
other way, as I purpose presently to show. In pluvial
districts and suitable soils, especially where irrigated, there may
be some excuse found for grass lands, but in our dry cereal dis-
tricts permanent grass is a mistake — nationally, almost a
crime. An experience of 25 years enables me to speak prac-
tically on this matter, for out of 170 acres I have only 14 acres
in permanent pasture, as a run for my stock ; and instead of
robbing and starving it, I never allow any animals to feed upon
it without giving them cake, corn, &c., as supplemental food.
For all that, its produce this dry season is at a minimum of
value, while my 73 acres of Wheat yield 6 quarters of corn
and 2 tons of straw per acre, the latter available as food for
stock ; representing together a value of £20 per acre. But
let me proceed to show you how little our grass land produces
compared with our arable land, and then you will at once
perceive how great is the national loss it causes. Our
11,431,440 acres in corn crops produce, on an average, an
annual sum of about £83,000,000, besides straw. What do
our 22,156,541 acres of permanent pasture produce ? — accord-
ing to my rough or approximate estimate only about
£50,000,000, or about 43s. per acre ; while our 11,431,440
acres in corn produce £8 per acre, besides about £2 worth of
straw. We can tiius understand why the gross produce of the
kingdom is only £3 15s. per acre, and its capital between £4
and £5 per acre ; and we can imagine Iiow wretchedly robbed

THE FARMER\S MAGAZINE.

S03

aiut starved must be the bulk of tlie grassland of the kingdom.
Grass lands, instead of being well fed with manure, are too
often used as milch cows for the arable land. But poor,
wretched, exhausted pastures not only keep everyone at low
water-mark, but the labourer on such lands should be of the
Maltliusian or Millite school, and not marry ; for how can an
increasing population find food or employment on a never-
changing and non-improving soil and crop ? It is this unfor-
tunate fixity and stagnation that beget a bad name for our
western and grass land districts, and furnish Canon Girdlestone
and others with the means to attack agriculture. Grass land,
looked at from every side, presents weak points, and is no
longer consonant with our tripled population and the progres-
sive spirit of the age. To show bow little labour is employed
on permanent pasture, a friend, who was steward over a large
grass estate in Northamptonshire, assured me that the shep-
herding was only Is. Gd. per acre, the attendance on cattle
proportionate ; one-third of the grass being mowed for hay
would require more labour, but the average would probably be
under 5s. per acre ; on arable tarms it would be from 30s. to
40s. per acre ; on my farm it is 50s. per acre.
In confirmation of my censure of grass lands let me
refer you to the late Mr. John Morton's report on the
condition of the Whitfield Example Farm before and after its
imprevement (see " Morton on Soils," p. 248) : " Before Im-
provement.— Total acreage, 332, of which 164 were pasture,
68 arable. Tenant's capital, £736, or £3 per acre. Annual
produce £463, or £3 per acre. Labour employed, 8s. 7d. per
acre, rent and taxes, 22s. per acre. Afler Breakiitg-up. —
Landlord's improvements on the farm by drainage, new roads,
new buildings, &c., £15 per acre, or £3,500. Increased rent,
£175 per annum ; tenant's capital, £16 per acre ; increased
produce, £3,904." Mr. Morton estimated the value of the
whole produce of the farm in its improved condition at four
times that of the produce of the farm for the last 31 years.
Mr. Morton made these remarks : " Houses and buildings
very limited and in a very bad state of repair. Eorest-like ap-
pearance presented by pasture land. Immense number of trees
crowded together in the hedgerows, injuring the pasture, des-
troying the fences, preventing the drainage, and shading the
Grass, thus making it unpalatable." These remarks would
apply now to immense tracts of land, undrained and unim-
proved. At vol. ix., p. 54, of the Royal Agricultural Society's
Journal, the late Mr. Woodward, a wealthy and successful
farmer, whom I knew, gives an account of the advantages he
derived from breaking up poor worn-out pasture land.
Mr. Woodward, in 1844, pared, dug, levelled, and drained
20 acres, at a cost of £7 10s. per acre. The first year it
produced 43 bushels of Wheat per acre, sold for 14 gs. ■
the second year 50 bushels of wheat per acre, the tliird year
48 bushels per acre — all without manure ; the fourth year,
with 2^ cwt. of guano per acre, it promised to be a large crop.
This poor grass land was only worth 25s. per acre before im-
provement. By this operation Mr. Woodward was enabled,
besides other advantages, to give employment to 40 labourers
for nearly three mouths in the dead of vrinter. At that period
a great many labourers were out of employ. This was also
the case hereabout when I carried out my drainage, digging,
and other improvements, wages being then only 8s. per week,
with a considerable over-supply. I dug with forks much of
my land at 2d. per rod, or £1 6s. 8d. per acre. It would cost
50 per cent, more now. In my own case, after draining a
piece of wretched pasture, I pared and burned it, and for the

last 34 years it has yielded abundant crops of wheat, man
golds, beans, clover, &c. I could greatly multiply these in-
stances of the individual and national advantages of passing
from a pastoral to a mixed arable husbandry ; but it is un-
necessary, for it is so obvious, that none can doubt it who read
Mr. John C. Morton's elaborate prize essay " On Increasing
our Supplies of Animal food, vol. x., p. 341, Royal Agricul-
tural Society's Journal.

Capital and Drainage. — Are we, as a nation, short of
the capital required for agricultural development ? I can
safely answer. Decidedly not. It is only the inclination to so
apply it that is wanting. Our annual increase of capital or
wealth is estimated at £50,000,000. Cannot a large portion
of this be spared for profitable investment in the increased
production of our food? If not, what becomes of it? I
think I can tell you. Almost daily, as I read the money
article of the Times, I see announcements of projected as-
sociated companies for various undertakings both at home and
abroad, and millions are at once cheerfully poured into the
treasury of any foreign potentate who happens to be " short
of tin," but not a word do we hear about poor British agri-
culture. Money can be readily found for the Mont Cenis
Railway, Berlin Waterworks, and a hundred other foreign
schemes ; but poor primitive, pastoral agriculture, with its bad
roads, ill-shaped fields, wretched buildings, undrained clays
and swamps, and half-manured lands, is unseen and unknown
on the London Stock Exchange, or, as the late Baron Roths-
child called it, the financial heart of the world. Run your
eye down the very long list of associated undertakings in any
day's Times, and you cannot fail to be struck with their num-
ber and variety, but not one line about that most important
of aU — the productions of food for the British people. It is
true we have had recently formed two or thiee successful land
drainage and laud improvement companies ; but at present
they are little known or availed of, although so valuable and
profitable. Their names and shares are never quoted on the
Stock Exchange list, and I presume that their directors do
not see any necessity for placing them on that list ; but that
I consider to be a great mistake, for if you want money, the
City of London is the place to supply it, as all Chancellors of
the Exchequer well know. I extract the following from a re-
cent agricultural paper : " Lands Improvement Company. —
The 39th half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders in
this company was held on Saturday, in London, Mr. W.
Wynn, M.P., in the chair. The report of the directors stated
that the new business for the half-year amounted to £116,931,
the outlay by landowners to £85,901, the commission and
interest earned to £4,501, and that, after paying and pro-
viding for all current expenses, there remained a net profit
for the half-year of £1,689, which, with £139 carried for-
ward from the half-year ending 31st December, 1867, made
a total available balance of £1,818. The reserve fund
on the interest account was £1,110, the general reserve
fund £4,471, and the preliminaiy expense account amounts to
£4,438. The directors recommend that a dividend at the rate
of 6 per cent, per annum should be paid for the past half-year
on the paid-up capital of the company, free of income-tax, and
payable forthwith ; and that a bonus at the rate of 2 per cent,
per annum shall also at the same time he. paid for the past half-
year on the paid-up capital of the company, free of income-
tax, and payable fortliwith. The report was adopted." One
would naturally conclude that with such a perfectly safe invest-
ment, yielding 8 per cent, per annum, there would be

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a rush of capital to the pxtent of luillious, seeing that the
500 millions sterling in railways barely pay 4 per cent., with
sadly fluctuating and depressed prices — that consols only give
3^, and that many millions have been lost by the failures of
banks and other public companies, so that the public are ear-
nestly looking for safe investments. Witness, that money on
the Stock Exchange is only worth 1 to IJ- per cent, per
annum, and on first-class bills 2 per cent, per annum. But if
tJie public are unaware of the existence of such companies,
liow can they invest in tligm ? In these agricultural com-
panies uo losses can occur, for the money advanced is secured
by a first charge upon the land, and yet the investments and
transactions are puny as compared with the requirements.
And as shown by the following extract from Mr. James San-
derson's able pamphlet on agricultural progress: "Drainage
generally yields from 13 to 20 per cent. In a few instances I
have known the total cost repaid by the first crop. As a rule,
drainage executed by farmers is unsuccessful, and in nine cases
out of ten, where land owners contribute pipes and tenants
labour, both labour and material are thrown away. Ovraers
and occupiers, indeed, reap equally satisfactory returns from
drainage, the former getting their estates permanently improved
without expending one shilling of their own, the latter, by
paying 7 per cent, interest per annum, realising in lieu 15 per
cent, value. Since the Government loan, which gave the first
impulse to drainage, was taken up, financial companies have
greatly facilitated the execution of drainage works. During
the last 10 years the Land Improvement Company has advanced
loans on drainage in England to about £1,500,000. Estimat-
ing that the half of that sum has been advanced by all other
financial companies and landlords together, the extent of laud
annually drained in England, computing the cost as £G per
acre, is only 37,500 acres. Progressing, therefore, only at the
present rate it will take 133 years to complete the drainage of
wet land. Adding to the uudrained area the extensive breadth
of uudrained land in Scotland and Ireland the large reclaim-
able mountain area, the wide tract of convertible forest and
moorland, and the very large area reclaimable from the sea,
and from the straightening and embanking of rivers, we see
that the undeveloped food resources of Great Britain are still
vast." I find practically that all my drains laid 25 years ago
are still perfect. In fact deep pipe drainage appears to me to
be a pemianent operation, provided the proper outlets are kept
free, and that roots of iTces are not permitted to enter spring
drains. Mr. Bailey Denton calculates that 20 millions of our
acres stiU require draining, at a cost of £100,000,000. The
importance of keeping heavy land dry is well illustrated this
remarkable season, when we have abundant wheat crops on
farms that in a wet season would, for want of drainage, have
grown wretched crops. The floodless winter of 1867-68, and
this dry and warm spring and summer, rendered drains less
necessary, for there was no excess of moisture to be carried
from the land by drains. The great and deep cracks or fissures
effected an upward drainage by evaporation. In a letter I
addressed to the Times in 1861 (see page 464 of my book) I
said : "There are many millions of acres of exhausted grass-
lands and poor stiff clays which now bind the tenants in
poverty and discontent that would be rendered profitable by an
investment of £20 to £36 per acre in the following improve-
ments : —

Drainage ,

Subsoiliiig or deepened cultivation .

... £7 0 U
...300

Uemoval of hedgerows, trees, and improved

roads £2 0 0

Covered yards and good farm buildings... 7 0 0

Suitable residence for a tenant with capital 5 0 0

Steam machinery for various purposes ... 2 10 0

Burnt clay, chalk, or Hrae 5 0 0

Guano, bones, or other manures 3 0 0

Sewage irrigation where practicable ... 3 0 0

So here is a total of landlord's and tenant's improvements,
which conjointly would certainly result in individual and
national profit. I am speaking practically in this matter, and
I know that it would be a happy circumstance for the gene-
rality of clay-land farmers to have their present rents doubled,
or even tripled, provided that the increased rental represented
a fair interest on the sum expended on landlord's improve-
ments." My balance-sheets confirm the foregoing opinion,

Steam-powek is now so well known to be profitable that
I need hardly advert to it. Besides cultivation, it should on
arable farms work millstones, pumps, chaff-cutters, cake-
breakers, root-pulpers, thrashing and dressing machines. Much
extension is required in this matter of steam. It is only as
yet in its infancy; I have worked my engine for twenty years.
Before fixed steam-engines can become general, special agree-
ments with the landowner, as to removal or transfer, wiU be
required. No arable farm of 150 acres should be without a
steam-engine.

'^o^n Sevtage. — It does astonish me that landowners do
not associate themselves by Act of Parliament, for tlie purpose
of obtaining sewage, just as they do in the Fen districts for
the removal of surplus or injurious water. The system has
worked well for centuries ; why should it not in sewage. It
is of no use to carry either gas, sewage, or water to those who
do not care to receive or pay for it, and no company can
succeed unless in conjunction with the landowners under Acts
of Parliament, the same as railways, canals, and other great
undertakings. Take the case of the great Metropolitan sewers,
with the mountain of food and lake of liquids consumed by
3| millions of people (agriculturally, I would compare them,
weight for weight, with an equal number of sheep). Here a
company has a grant of 50 years of the North London sewage
(a river of sewage), and yet agriculture shows no sign of de-
mand for that precious stream of the life-blood of the natioft ;
so the company languishes. Something compulsory must soon
be done, or the navigation of the Thames will be imperilled.
The 150 landowners who hold one-half of England, and the
12 who own half Scotland, have the matter to a great extent
in their own hands, for they are mostly legislators. I calcu-
late that at least six millions of acres are exhausted annually
in producing food for the population and horses of the metro-
polis. Mr. Morton has just informed us that some of the
sewaged laud of Barking, that last year produced 40 tons of
rye-grass per acre (equal to 16 tons of hay), has tliis diy year
yielded 43 tons of mangel per acre. [Is not this sufficient
evidence of profit ? Many of our great estates will require a
icmodelling on a scale of arrangement suited to the modern
requirements of steam-cultivators, sewage-irrigation, &c. It
would pay well.

Farming is as Certain a Source of Prot'it as any
OTHER Business, on an Average of Clears. — On this
point I speak practically. The return is slow but sure. I
speak, of course, of well-managed farms — drained, free from
fences and timber, and with suitable buildings — where there
is capital and judgment. A clear 10 per cent, on farm'capital,
and a house rent-free may safely be taken as a minimum aver-

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SOS

age.> If farming was generally unprofitable, it would be giveu
up ; or rents would be reduced to a minimum.

Live Stock. — A very important source of agi-icultural
development is the better management of cattle. I speak
practically ou this matter, for I have annually quite 40 bul-
locks and 300 sheep, sometimes many more, and we have very
rarely any loss of consequence ; but before this development
can take place fully, there must be a reform in our homesteads.
The open farmyard must be abolished, and replaced by en-
closed and covered sheds, well ventilated in the roof, and with
paved floors. These operations are certainly profitable. The
comminution, intervarying, and intermixing the food by means
of steam-power is an essential, also free access to good water,
and to rock-salt in the mangers. Exposure and mismanage-
ment of cattle inflict a loss of several millions annually ou the
British farmer. The turning out of cattle must, as a rule, be
given up, and will be gradually done away with as we break
up our pastures. These are matters that I have long since
tested by £, s. d. If an account could be taken of farm-horses
dying as a result of drinking cold water wlien they are heated,
and getting gripes and inflammation from tough unprepared
tares and clover, the total annual loss, added to that of cattle,
would be found to be sometliing astounding. Let us remem-
ber that Is. per acre is over £2,000,000 per annum. Taking
the whole country, very much more than this is lost annually
to the farmer by disease and death in stock.

Let us Import Cattle Food in lieu of Mam's Food.—
lu the former case the results go to enrich our soil, in the lat-
ter they are wasted in our rivers. By a large consumption of
foreign cattle food we are enabled to procure our manure at
the cheapest rate, and most effective in quality ; and we can then
produce more corn and meat, at a dimislied cost. If our grass
lands are to be converted into arable, such a course becomes
absolutely necessary. My own experience teaches me that
this consumption of much foreign ^food is the certain key to
profit, by forcing maximum crops. By tliis practice we feed
the people and the land at the same time. Our annual pro-
duce of wheat does not increase, because the wheat after con-
siunption does not return to the soil, but goes down to the
sewers ; and but for the enormous sum paid by farmers for
guano, bones, and artificial manures, the land of England
would be still further impoverished. If we could see in one
great heap the food supply of London for one year, it would
be found to be a mountain, and its drink a great lake. The fact
that our growth of wheat remains stationary, or rather retro-
grades, proves, what we already know, that the land of Eng-
land does not receive more than one-third its proper supply of
manure, or in other words, food-producing power.

SUMJiARY AND CONCLUSION. — I think that you will agree
with me that I have clearly proved by this paper, and by my
practical experience of 25 years at Tiptree, that by an in-
creased investment of capital, both on the part of landlord
and tenant, the produce of the United Kingdom might be
much more than doubled — tliat our undeveloped power is
immense, and that its being called into action would greatly
benefit the country at large. It would be irrational to expect
that such a change can take place suddenly — that both land-
owners and tenants would be content to diminish their holdings
to the level of the required capital, but it is well to discuss such
matters in public, and to prepare our minds for a great and
profitable change and progress. Where there is a will a way
.may be found, and, I trust, will be found good for agricul-
ture, and for the country at large. In conclusion, I fully en-

dorse the opinion expressed by that eminent Frenchman, J\L
Lavergne, in p. 237 of his " Rural Economy of England :" —
" An English farmer is capable of any effort when he feels
confident that he is under a good landlord, who does not tic
him down too strictly, and who will help him at a pinch."

Mr. T. W. Morris (Bedgrove, Aylesbuiy) said he should
like to ask Mr. Mechi what sort of wheat he grew. He had
told them that he grew 48 bushels of wheat per acre. That;
was no very uncommon crop ; it had been exceeded in many
instances.

Mr. Mechi repHed, that he gi-ew prmcipally club-headed
rough-chaff white wheat.

Mr. Morris about a fortnight ago was visited by an eminent
fanner of Surrey (Mr. Thos. Drewills, Pucards Fann, Guild-
ford), and showed him a sample of " rivets" wheat — a worse,
but prolific wheat. This year I grew 80 bushels per acre of it.
He said, this is the sort Mr. Mechi grows. I said, then that
accounts for the large crops we sometimes hear of being grown
by Mr. Mechi.

Mr. Mechi observed, that of 73 acres of wheat which he
grew, only 20 acres were revet, that being grown after white
wheat.

Mr. L. A. CoussMAKER (Westwood,Guildibrd) said he might
appear a bold man for rising thus early, to answer some of the
remarks of Mr. Mechi. He always looked forward to Mr.
Mechi's papers with considerable interest, believing that, on
the whole, they did a great deal of good. On many points he
did not agree with that gentleman, but he directed their at-
tention to, and caused the ventilation of subjects, which might
otherwise have lain dormant. What had particularly struck
him that evening was, that while insisting on the advantages
of arable land, Mr. Mechi depreciated those of grass land. He
agreed with him, that a great deal of the poor grass land of
this country might be profitably broken up, and turned into
arable (Hear, hear) ; but if a man possessed grass land of fair
quality he should consider him almost mad if he were to break
it up for tillage (Hear, hear) . Grass land had its value as well
as arable. They must not consider one year alone. The pre-
sent year had been a remarkably dry one, and very favourable
for the growth of the wheat ciop, with the exception of spring
corn, and it had been very unfavouraljle, generally speaking,
for grass land; but it was an exceptional year. Did any of
them remember a year with such a completely tropical sum-
mer? (Hear, hear). Despite all that Mr. Mechi had said, he
believed that on the average, grass land was more profitable
than arable. He had himself as nearly as possible half grass
and half arable, and therefore he was quite unprejudiced on
tiie subject. He was not in a rich grazing county, but on the
contrary, in a poor one ; but nevertheless he could declare that
the half of his farm, which was in grass paid him better than
ihe half which was in arable. On many of the valuable farms
of the midland districts — Warwickshire, Leicestersliire, and
other counties, a man must be perfectly mad to break up the
grass land to grow crops ; but on poor land the case was alto
gether different. To suppose that because a man farmed only-
grass land he had nothing to do was a very great mistake
(Hear, hear). The proper stocking and management of such
land required as much skill, capital, and inteUigence as was
needed on any arable farm (Hear, hear).

Mr. T. CoNbREVE (Peter Hall, Briuklow, Coventry) said he
di tiered on one essential point from Mr. Mechi. That gentleman
had talked about grass land. He (Mr. Congreve) maintained
without fear of contradiction tjiat lie knew nothing abou t

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

grass land (laughter) ; aud when a man talked of what he
knew nothing about he was very apt to make rash assertions.
He had been on Mr. Mechi's farm and would affirm that what
he called grass land was not grass land at all (laughter). It
was, in fact, absurd to call any of the land at Tiptree grass
land. Mr. Mechi made assertion which astonished him.
He had always understood from observation and experi-
ence that grass land required more capital to work it than
arable land. £10 an acre for arable land was not thought a
very bad sum, but that amount would have been of very little
use in stocking a grass farm during the last four or five years.
He maintained that Mr. Meclii never in his life had a foot of
land that was worthy of being called grass land. He might have
gone tlirough grass land counties and seen grass laud there ;
but if he went into Leicestershire he would find some diffi-
culty in inducing Mr. Paget and his tenants to break up their
grass lands (Hear, hear). He would ask Mr. Mechi where
was the roast beef of old England to come from at this time
of year.

Mr. Mechi remarked that there was not much grass this
year.

Mr. CoNGREVE : No, but this was an exceptional year (Hear,
hear). Where in ordinary years was English beef to come
from ? They could not produce food, that is to say, roots and
mangold, in July, August, and September. If they kept their
stock under cover on any expensive food in those months they
could do no good, for the excessive heat would prevent pro-
duction of meat, and England must depend at that period of
the year on her grass lands. He was quite sure he expressed
the feeling of every Midland counties' grass farmer when he
said that this year had been an unprofitable one, and that farm-
ers in that part of the country had suftered severe losses ;
but he repeated that this year was quite exceptional, and he
would add, that if they did away with grass lands they
would find themselves in a very bad box as respected the roast
beef and mutton of this country. Mr. Mechi had talked
about the importation of foreign meat. He (Mr. Congreve)
admitted that foreign beef had improved in his time, but it
was not yet up to the mark. It was, indeed, good food
for the million; but there were a great many persons
who wanted something better, and this must come from Eng-
land. Mr. Mechi had drawn his conclusions from erroneous
data ; he knew nothing about grass land (laughter). He
should like him to occupy a grass farm ; he would then find
that with the aid of all the money, which, on his own showing
he had got out of Tiptree (laughter), with all his capital aud all
his judgment and experience, grass-land farming was not as
easy a matter as he appeared to suppose.

Mr. John Thomas (Bletsoe, Bedfordshire) said the discus-
sion that evening ought to have reference to the development
of British agriculture. He quite agreed with Mr. Mechi that
one of the first requisites for its development was long leases, or
fixity of tenure as it was termed in Scotland, under wliich a
farmer might olitain compensation for improvements. That
would be a benefit both to the landlord, tenant, and to the public.
As regarded grass land, he thought all land which was not worth
30s. an acre to rent ought to be turned upside down ; in other
words, converted into arable. If it were broken up it would
employ more horses, more labour, more machinery ; thus the
community at large would be benefited, whereas poor grass
land afforded benefit neither to the landlord, the tenant, nor
the public generally. He could name hundreds and thousands
of acres of grass land in Bedfordshire, the conversion of which

into arable would be beneficial to all parties. There were
some counties which were better adapted for grass, and others
which were better adapted for tillage. He had heard J\lr.
Battams, a good practical farmer, who had now retired, re-
mark that his son took a farm in Devonshire which would feed
a buUock per acre, but would not grow wheat. To plough such
land as that would be madness ; but in the dry counties of
Norfolk, Bedfordshire, and Essex, there was a great deal of
land which it would be beneficial to all parties concerned to
convert into tillage. He felt very much obliged to Mr. Mechi
for the remarks which he had made. There was a great deal
in it that was well worth attention ; for example, what was
said with respect to hedge-row timber and crooked hedges.
There was great room for improvement, and much might be
done to promote the development of agriculture.

Mr. J. A. NocKOLDS (Bishops Stortford), said he would
assume that Mr. Mechi was a man in advance of his age, and
one who must look to posterity properly to appreciate his efforts
(laughter). In that respect he resembled Galileo ; he was sub-
ject to disparagement from rough cynics and brawling clodhop-
pers who were continually calling out for what had been given
to them, but which, now they had got it, they could make
nothing of. What he (Mr. Nickolds) most admired in Mr.
Mechi was the fei-tility of his imagination and the discursive-
ness of his fancy. He lived in a Dreamland of his own. He
saw visions of gigantic wheat-ears grovring half a yard apart,
and each bearing a quarter of a peck of corn, oats and barley
being in proportion (laughter) ; he saw in vision oxen vast
as Behemoth, swine gross as hippopotami, fowls tall as cas-
sowaries and fat as the extinct dodo (laughter). Perhaps at
his residence at Tiptree, he realised what Tom Moore sang
respecting the land of Cockayne —

" Where the birds fly about with a true pheasant taint,
And the geese are all born with the liver complaint."

(laughter). At the same time they must all feel that this
poetry and fertility of imagination led Jlr. Mechi to advance the
interests of agriculture to the utmost of his power, and to strain
every nerve to promote what he believed would be beneficial
both to farmers and to the community at large (Hear, hear).
Admitting that he must advert for a moment to Mr. Mechi's
poetic ideas, it seemed somewhat imaginative to say that they
ought to feed the population of the kingdom from the acreage
of tiie kingdom, especially when it was taken into account
that a very considerable number of these acres would be absorbed
in buildings in the neigbourliood of large manufacturing
towns and of the metropolis. There were many things which
might alter the area with whii;h Mr. Mechi's figures
dealt. Then, again, what imagination lurked under that word
" probalily." AVhen they were dealing with statistics there
should be no such word as that. Mr. Mechi's comparisons
were in fact essentially false. If a man took a piece of land
for building, he could go up as high as he pleased, or at all
events as high as tlie inspector would allow ; but there was a
limit to the extent to which you could plant and grow wheat, and
therefore there was no analogy between the two cases. Then,
again, Mr. Mechi, in another flight of imagination, asked
what would be the state of this kingdom if there had not been
a superabundant wheat crop this year ? Of course no one
could tell, unless it were with the aid of the future of John
BuU which Mr. Mechi drew in his paper. He (Mr. Nockolds)
looked on Mr. Meclii as the Poet of Agriculture, and expected
that every year they would have from Mr. Mechi's pen a volume
of blank verse somewhat in the style of Virgil's Georgics,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

and that he woiild thus coutinue to foreshadow what would be
a benefit to agriculture and to the kingdom at large.

Mr. H. Trethewy (Silsoe, Ampthill) said he wa« very
sorry that Mr. Mechi had not taken the hint which was
thrown out by the Chairman— namely, tliat he should be kind
enough to point out to tliem tlie shoals which they had to
avoid. It might have been supposed that with liis varied ex-
perience he would be enabled to give them some valuable in-
formation on that subject, and to show them whether all his
attempts had been successes, or whether some of them had
been failures. As it was, he had left them totally in the dark.
Two or three of the gentlemen who had spoken, had so
thoroughly expressed his own opinions as to the relative values
of grass and arable land, that they had in fact left him very
little to say. While, however, he entirely concurred in their
sentiments, he must be permitted to observe that one essential
element appeared to have been entirely overlooked— namely,
climate (Hear, hear). When they talked about converting
grass land into arable, tliey should bear in mind that they had
climate to contend with as well as soil (Hear, hear). A large por-
tion of the land of this country — indeed, he might say nearly
the whole of the western part of England, including portions
of Devonshire, Cornwall, Somersetshire, Hereforshire, Shrop-
shire, Lancashire, Cheshire, West Riding of Yorkshire, and
other counties — was unfit for arable purposes, and at the same
time excellently adapted for the growth and fattening of stock.
He knew many thousands of acres in that part of tlie country
which were profitably occupied at a very high rate— twice as
much as Mr. Mechi would estimate even Tiptree at, and the
land to wliich he was now alluding would be totally useless if
it were broken up for the cultivation of cereal crops. The
soil was good, but tlie climate had to be taken into account,
and the climate, whicli was inimical to the growth of corn
on account of the quantity of moisture, was highly favourable
to the growth of grass and the feeding of stock.

Mr. MEcnii : You don't mean for the growtli but for the
ripening.

Mr. H. TuETKEWY said it came to tlie same thing. If the
crop did not ripen it was of no use (Hear, hear). Well then,
again, as regarded hedge rows, these were valuable on such land
as he referred to. One great thing required in such climates
was shelter ; and although shelter was not so mucli required
iu some districts as in others, he was not at all inclined to go
the length of those who were for doing away with hedge rows
even in the southern counties. Hedge rows were in many
cases exceedingly valuable on account of the shelter they
afforded. He was quite unable to follow Jlr. Mechi throuo-h
all his statistics, and he dare say others were in the same
position ; but he must say that some of the statements he
made seemed rather startling. Tlie last speaker alluded very
forcibly to the want of analogy between land in the city and
land in the country. It was quite true that many persons
iu London found it answer their purpose to give a very high
price for land in the city on a building lease for ninety-nine
years. They enjoyed certain privileges which it no doubt
answered the purpose of tlie landlord to concede, inasmuch as
he got perhaps a lieavy ground rent ; but the system was not
applicable to land in the country, or even in other large towns.
He knew a great deal of land which was offered on building
leases for ninety-nine years, and which was not taken because
those to whom it was offered preferred a freehold. With
regard to the laying-down of arable laud to grass, he took it
tliat that was very rarely doue except under very peculiar cir-

607

cumstances (Hear.liear). He held tliat arable land of fair
quality was much better occupied as arable land,especially iu dry
climates, and that element must always be taken into con-
sideration. He agreed with Mr. Thomas that arable land
which was worth only from twenty-five to thirty shillings an
acre had better, as a rule, be turned into arable land if in an
arable district. But even that rule must be held with a certain
degree of restriction, because where there was a great deal of
arable land and scarcely any grass land, although grass land
was very inferior, still it would be found very useful (Hear,
hear). He must say he was very much surprised at the im-'
mense return obtained at Tiptree, which Mr. Mechi modestly
put at five times the average of the kingdom (laughter)
Whether that was the case or not, he was not in a position to'
say ; but he had certainly received the assertion with some
httle doubt and hesitation (Hear, hear). He was glad, how-
ever, that his friend was so pleased with his produce, and that
he had found farming such a very profitable occupation
(laughter).

Mr. W. Harper (Bury, Lancashire) wished to observe that
the preceding speaker was mistaken in supposing that buildin<.
leases were conined to London. In Lancashire many houses"
mansions, and some factories which had cost £100,000 were
built on a 99 years' lease. Liverpool was built on a' 60 years'
lease. ^ Huddersfield was built on a lease which was not so
good ; in fact, th« owners were almost tenants at will. Many
manufacturers had laid out vast sums of money on a lease be-
cause they hoped to make a considerable sura of money
within the time, and could not get better terms.

Mr. H. Trethewy admitted that he had made a mistake ; it
was iu consequence of his having looked nearer home while'he
was speaking.

Mr. Harper said having lived for a long period in a manu-
facturing district, and during a portion of the time been con-
nected with agriculture he could speak feelingly as to the ab-
solute impossibility and the folly of farming in a district with-
out having regard to its climate. Whilst there were farms in
Lancashire that would produce good milk and butter, and ad-
mit of the rearing of good stock, on the other hand in that
and the neighbouring county, Cheshire, it would be madness
to break up their old grass in order to grow wheat. A friend
in Norfolk had told him that this year his crop amounted to
8 or 9 quarters of wheat to the acre. Perhaps if they had sown
wheat in liis district this year they would have had a good crop,
but in nine years out of ten would have had no wheat, or at all
events it would'not have been got in good condition owing to
the humidity of the climate. He had seen oats out in Lan =
cashire in the latter part of November.

Mr. W. Vivian (Roehampton) said he must take the liberty
to differ from Mr. Trethewy respecting the relative position of
grazing and arable laud in Cornwall. Mr. Trethewy contrasted
Cornwall with some other counties. He left ComwaU very
early, otherwise he must have known that that county was
always considered, as it was still, rather a wheat-growing than
a grazing county. He was old enough to remember a time
when in many parts of Cornwall it was a rather difficult matter
to graze a bullock. I'armers worked a bullock tiU it was five
or SIX years old, and sold it to the grazier in a lean state, and
that was found to pay better than fattening it. He had no
statistics with him, but believed that of late years the farmers
m Cornwall had broken up land and grown wheat and barley
instead of graaing. He had seen mauy acres broken up iu dif-

508

THE FABMEK'S MAGAZINE.

ferent places, but uever in his cxporience saw any extra land
laid down for grass.

Mr. Teethewy wished to explain. It was true that he left
Cornwall some years ago, but he was in the habit of returning
to it, and he was cxuite sure that what he had said was correct.
The gentleman who spoke last alluded, no doubt, more par-
ticularly to Probus and Grampound. His (Mr. Trethewy's)
father was a large occupier in the parish of Probus, and to
his certain knowledge had laid down a considerable portion of
his land to grass within the last few years. The laud which
he had alluded to as being converted into arable was simply
such land as was described by Mr. Thomas as not worth keep-
ing in grass. He repeated that the land in the counties of
Cornwall and Devonshire, and in the west of England gene-
rally, was better adapted for the growth of cattle — he did not
say for the feeding of cattle — than it was for the growth of
corn. Cattle were reared in Cornwall and taken into Somerset-
shire to be fattened. He was, therefore, quite correct in his
assertion.

Mr. J. DuMBRELL (Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint) said it ap-
peared to him unfortunate that an observation of Mr. Mechi
respecting the breaking up of poor grass land had had the
effect of turning the discussion into a channel which he never
intended (Hear, hear). If he understood Mr. Mechi aright,
he took a mucli broader view than the breaking up of grass
land or the profit of Tiptree HaU (Hear, hear), or a question
whether or not it was wise to leave wide hedgerows in large
fields to shelter cattle. If he understood the paper aright, the
question raised in it was, whether the progress of British
agriculture was sufficiently developed, and the reason
which Mr. Mechi had brought before them that even-
ing why it was not sufficiently developed was that
there was not sufficient capital expended upon it. Hav-
ing heard several of Mr. Mechi's papers read, he must say that
he thought there was a great deal to be learnt from them ; in
this opinion that gentleman had rendered great service to
British agriculture. A gentleman who had left the room, and
who came there with a piece of poetry in his pocket, had told
them that Mr. Mechi would he honoured by posterity. He
ought to be ; he ought also to he honoured by tire present
generation, and he was so (Hear, hear). Let him not he told
that the land had sufficient capital spent upon it. He would
not allude to persons who had run up houses in St. Paul's
Chuchyard having paid fabulous prices for the land ; he
appealed to gentlemen in that room how many acres they had
seen which were infamously farmed for want of capital. In
the case of the county of Sussex, it seemed monstrous to talk
of the investment of £10 per acre on the land ; in a great
many instances not £3 per acre was invested. He had found
farmers who had no capital at all, and who, having taken a few
acres without any power of cultivating them properly, had de-
clared farming to be an unprofitable employment (Hear, hear).
The great question before them was, as he understood, were
the resources of the land fi'lly developed? Would anybody say
that they were ? (Hear, hear). Mr. Mechi said that the cause
of that was, that there was not sufficient capital employed.
How was the requisite capital to be obtained ? There was
abundance of capital lying dormant in the City of London ;
and persons were continually bringing out some scheme for
the purchase of Italian Tobacco Bonds, or something of that
kind, the quotations for which were to be seen at length in the
Timfs. Could anything, then, he more rational than the idea
thrown out by Mr, Mechi, that some of the British capital wliich

was employed on such schemes miglit be profitably invested in
the land of our own country (Hear, hear).

Mr. H. CuEiriiNs (Easton Manor, Dunmow) hoped that
some one would explain what seemed to him a paradox in the
views of Mr. Mechi and Mr. Dumbrell. They spoke with dis-
approbation of persons who took a quantity of land and imme-
diately borrowed money to work it, and yet they talked about
the desirableness of coming to the City of London for capital
for farming purposes. Mr. Mechi first advocated fixity of
tenure as an inducement to men of large capital to take farms,
and directly after said agriculturists must borrow money.
That was an inconsistency which required explanation.

Mr. J. BRADSH\w(KnowIe, Guildford) said heal ways listened
with attention and iuterest to any paper from Mr. Mechi, hut
he did not always agree with him. There were only two points
in the paper read that evening, which he should at aU comment
upon. As regarded the investment of capital in land, he
thought that no wise man, no man who knew anything about
his business, would invest unless he considered that he could
do so prudently, and with a fair prospect of return. The land
of this country varied so materially as regarded quality and
climate that an outlay which was applicable to one description
of soil or locality was totally inapplicable to another (Hear,
hear). Only a month ago he was visited by a gentleman be-
longing to the adjoining county of Sussex. That gentleman
was the owner of 1,600 acres of land, and he said to him, " Can
you recommend me to treat those 1,600 acres of land in the
same way as you have treated yours ?" He replied, " Decidedly
not, it would be a most ruinous investment if you were to do
so ; you would have to drain, and to erect expensive modern
buildings, and the land is not of such a character as to admit
of that ; it would he an extravagant outlay." He (Mr, Brad-
shaw) had invested a considerable amount in his land, and he
would not recommend any other landlord to go and do likewise,
that was, as regarded buildings (Hear, hear). If the tempta-
tions to invest in land were such as Mr. Mechi had stated that
evening, there would be no lack of capital to be applied to the
cultivation of the soil ; for the advantages which had been
spoken of were superior to those which had attended any
branch of manufiictures in this country for some time past.
He had hoped that the time was past for such remarks as had
been made that evening, with regard to the relative position of
landlord and tenant. lie considered that the tenant who was
possessed of sufficient intelligence and capital could make his
own bargain as regarded buildings, the drainage of the land,
and game. Landlord and tenant should be left free. The ten-
dency of things at the present time was, he believed, to leave
the tenant every advantage which he paid for, and more he
ought not to have.

The ChairmAjV, in closing the discussion, said : Gentlemen,
the subject which we have been discussing is one which must
be more or less speculative and prophetical. As practical
farmers we like to deal with something that has been done
rather than with what remains undone (Hear, hear). We
naturally ask ourselves why British agriculture is not more de-
veloped in the present day. Now I beg leave to offer my
opinion on that point in a very free and blunt manner. I say
it is because ii does not pay (Hear, hear, and cheers). I con-
sider that in the agricultural dictionary the word " unprofitable"
is exactly the same as the word " impossible." In agricul-
ture if a thing be unprofitable it must in the end be impossible.
What is the reason tliat more grass land is not broken up info
tillage ? It is that our expenses of arable land are so great and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

609

so contiuually increasing that although there may he a much
greater return from arahle than from grass hind, yet the profits
are smaller ; and I would ask whether it he not the business
of the Britisli farmer rather to consider his own profits than
the great duty wluch is said to be incumbent upon
him of feeding this great nation ? (Hear, hear, and laughter).
Take, for instance, the case of wheat. No one can suppose
that the Scotch farmers do not look after their interests
sharply enough. In the last twenty years they have decreased
their acreage of wheat by more than one-half. Why ? Simply
because they have found that wheat does not pay — that there
are other countries which are better adapted than their own
for the production of wheat, and which does in fact drive them
out of the market. Therefore, with all due deference to
Mr. Mechi, I must say that tlie question comes after all to
this — whether farming pays ? I am very glad to hear that
Tiptree is so flourishing. I remember that the balance-sheet
which was so pluckily published some years ago told a very
different tale (laughter) ; but although, according to Mr.
Mechi, farming in Essex yields a return of 18 per cent., I can
assure him that I have never been able to make 10 per cent,
in two consecutive years (Hear, hear) . If Mr. Mechi, or the
gentlemen who hold the Barking sewerage farm, or the Corpo-
ration of Croydon can convince the pnbUc in general that the
use of sewage will pay there will no doubt be plenty of persons
ready to embark their money in such agricultiu'al enterprises ;
but when costly experiments have to be tried it is not for the
British farmer to find the requisite capital (Hear, hear), I
am very glad to hear that some of the improvements made at
Tiptree have proved of such an enduring description. If under-
draining with inch pipes has lasted for twenty-years, why
should they not endure to the end of time ? We are told that
£36 per acre must be invested in the land for the proper de-
velopment of agriculture. Wliy, £36 per acre is, I believe,
£11 more than the fee simple value which Mr. Mechi has put
on the land. If he can persuade anyone that that would be a
profitable investment, let him do so in this great city, where
money is continually seeking profitable employment. If farm-
ing yielded a good interest, plenty of money would soon
flow into it (Hear, hear).

Mr. Mechi then replied : After expressing his gratitude
for the kind reception, for the kind feelings towards him which
had been expressed, he observed that he had not expected to
find unanimity on such a question — on the contrary he knew
that he was likely to find himself in a hornet's nest, especially
when speaking as he had done of grass lands. He would, how-
ever, ask how was it that twenty-two millions of acres pro-
duced only 43s. an acre ? Was that a comforting thing for
the British people to reflect upon ?

Mr. T. Co:;f GREVE : We do not believe the statement.

Mr. Mechi continued: Leaving that point, he wished to
observe that he had thought that he had carefully guarded
himself against being supposed to recommend everyone to
grow wheat, irrespective of climate ; but he repeated, and he
was glad to have been confirmed in his opinion by his friend.
Mr. Dumbrall, a very competent judge, that the land of this
country was not half farmed, that not half capital enough, or
skill enough was applied by tenants to the cultivation pf the
soil. If they could return to the world a hundred years hence,
and he almost wished they might do so in order to see how
differently matters were progressing from what many had ex-
pected, they would find that agriculture had undergone as
great changes in the next hundred years as it had in the last.

Mr. J. Thomas moved, and Mr. Leeds seconded a vote of
thanks to Mr. Mechi for his paper.

Sir James Duke would be very much pleased if some of
his friend Mr. Mechi's views could be carried out, being per-
suaded that the prosperity of agriculture depended on the in-
crease of the capital employed in it.

The motion was then put and carried.

On the motion of Mr. E. Little, thanks were then accorded
to the hon. gentleman in the chair, and this terminated the
proceedings.

At the Meeting of the Committee on tliis day Mr. R. J.
Newton, of Campsfield, Oxon, was elected Chairman of the
Club for 1869.

ROOT CROPS AND MODES OF STORING THEM,

Potatoes. — Seldom has there been a year in which
more anxiety has been felt by grow'ers as to the ultimate
success of this crop, as has everywhere been the case
during the present season. Notwithstanding the gravest
doubts during almost the entire period of its growth as
to its future well doing, it has yet in a great measure
agreeably disappointed many growers whose hopes were
by no means sanguine, and in nearly every part of the
country the potato crop is well spoken of. Although the
seed time was highly favourable, and the season all that
could be wished for, say up to the time of earthing, the
long continued drought that set in immediately after this
operation, retarded the formation of tubers, and pre-
vented their attaining the usual size. The growth of a
second crop of tubers, and even a third, after the soil be-
came moistened, was supposed by most people to have an
injurious etfect upon the quality of the potatoes, and to
unfit them for table use, their money value being corres-
pondingly lessened ; yet after all these fears they have
attained a good size, are of average quality, and the prices

obtained in most districts of the country highly remunera-
tive to the grower, whether sold by the acre, and thus
relieving him of all further trouble, or dug by himself
and sold direct to the retailer or consumer. From a
correspondent in the west of Scotland we have informa-
tion that on many farms south of the Clyde disease is
quite unknown, and an immense trade has already been
done in sending potatoes by rail to English manufacturing
towns, so much so as to make it a matter of auxiety
whether it may not have to some extent been overdone,
and a sufficient supply not retained in the several districts
for table use and for seed. Prices have had a wide range
when sold to dealers by the acre, running from £20 to
nearly £40, and so well have the crops turned out in
general that large sums have been cleared by those en-
gaged in the business. This is highly gratifying to the
farmer and will to some extent make up for the losses
sustained by the partial or total failure of the turnip
crop. The increasing scarcity of labourers has compelled
large growers of potatoes to look about for other methods

510

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

of raising ihem quicker and more economically than the
implements ordinarily used by hand. Of these we have
latterly seen nothing so good or so generally useful for
moderately-sized fai-ms as a brander-like attachment fitted
to the dri'U-plough after the boards have been removed ;
taking every second drill, so as not to cover the potatoes
which have been exposed until time has been given to
have them picked up, every tuber is brought to the sur-
face and shaken free of the soil, and although a little
assistance is necessary with the broad-pronged fork, so as
to make sure of nothing being left, it is so slight as to
be scarce worth mentioning. Although this invention
has been known for at least 25 years, it is rather surpris-
ing that it should have been so long before coming
into general iise, its utility being so obvious. In
its improved form it has come into very general
use during the past four or five years, and uow
any farmer may get the potato-raiser attached to his
drill plough at the expense of a few shillings. A second
source of anxiety in connection with this crop has been the
apprehension that in consequence of the large number of
growths attached to the original tubers, the keeping
properties of the entire crop may have been seriously
injured, and hence a desire on the part of many
to dispose of the greater portion of their produce.
Although such a lengthened drought is seldom seen in
this latitude as that which has been experienced in the
present year, yet there have occurred from time to time
dry periods of suflScient dm-ation to cause the very same
kind of growths which have been so plentiful this season.
Tn no year does their presence appear to have affected the
keeping qualities of the crop to such an extent as to make
it the subject of general remark, and it is extremely
probable, from the general soundness, freedom from dis-
ease, and even mealiness of the offsets themselves, that
they will not only keep well, but be useful both for con-
sumption and for reproductive purposes when the season
again comes round. In storing for the winter, when the
quantity is large, thei'e is no available plan open to the
ordinary farmer so good as the pit. It is capable of ex-
tension to any amount ; the width can be so managed as
to completely obviate all tendency to heating, and the
covering regulated in such a way more or less, according
to situation and exposure, as to completely exclude frost
and the losses that are the certain results of its penetrat-
ing to the contents of the pit. Potatoes keep well in a
roomy house in which there is good ventilation, a con-
tinuous circulation of fresh air being highly essential to
their remaining fresh and juicy to the end of the season.
To preserve the reproductive principle much care is re-
quired in storing the potato, as of late years it is extremely
susceptible of injury, and much of the loss from blanks
in the drills is clearly owing to the careless way in which
the crop is put out of hands when lifted. A very slight
degree of heat evolved iu the heap destroys the germ,
and therefore renders useless for seed the whole of the
tubers which come under its influence. A sprinkling of
the earth in which they grew, laid on so as to thoroughly
mix with each layer as they are brought in, is a great
assistance to their keeping well and in a great measure
lessening the danger of heating ; it prevents the potatoes
from lying too closely together, preserving to some extent
a circulation of air through the heap, and if a few should
become rotten they are prevented by the intervening par-
ticles of earth from contaminating the sound ones, and
the moistui-e of those which become decayed is in a great
measure dried up. Using potatoes for seed which have
been injui-ed by indifferent storing is both a loss and dis-
appointment to the party so doing, and the unpleasantness
becomes even more acute when a portion has been sold
to neighbours to be used as seed and fails to come up.
Iu this case there is some danger of litigation, with all

the annoyance and expense inseparable therefrom. Evea
should this contingency be avoided through the forbear-
ance of the sufferer, it is galling to any man to know that
any transaction by which he has profited has proved a
loss to the purchaser, who probably is his nearest
neighbour.

Mangold Wurzel. — This crop will on many farms be
the principal dependence for the coming winter and
spring, having in most districts, where extensively
grown, suffered less from the dry weather than the tur-
nip. Almost under any circumstances it should not be
used in the early part of the season, as it is then any-
thing but wholesome food. The aci'id juice, of which
this root contains a large quantity, has an extremely irritant
effect on the stomach and,intestines, inducing such a state
of looseness in the latter, as to prove highly prejudicial to
the amimals feeding on it. February is the earliest month
for beginning on the mangold heap, as it cannot be done
earlier, and have the full benefit to be derived from the
crop. By that time the juices are in a great measure
dried up, and the roots are excellent food, relished and
ihriven on by all the domestic animals, not excluding the
horse ; a small quantity pulped and mixed with chaffed
hay, being a good supper for the farm-horse. The leaves
of the mangold being bulky add considerably to the stock
of food, and are highly prized by many farmers. Others
neglect them, considering that they are more valuable
ploughed in as manure, and ultimately make more money
by assisting the wheat-crop than they could ever have
done had they been used as food. On farms heavily
stocked, and with the turnip-crop either a total or par-
tial failure, the mangold tops are likely to be utilized, as,
indeed, we decidedly think they should be, as the leaves
of ten acres would give a large stock of morning and
evening feed for several weeks, a consideration few can
afford to overlook just at present. This plant being so
susceptible of injury by frost, it is scarcely safe to delay
lifting the crop much later than the first week in Novem-
ber, sharp fi'osts of several nights' continuance occurring
so frequently in the course of the month. When it hap-
pens to run rather late before it is found convenient to
get them out, it is better to let the tops remain on, even
at the risk of losing them for food, as they are a great
protection in the event of frost. The necessity for having
the ground cleared for wheat is another strong inducement
to begin early, and with two such powerful reasons for the
seasonable storing of this crop, uo effort should be spared in
getting it placed out of danger. The keeping qualities of
this root are all that could be desired when lifted in good
order, and they must be very carelessly built up indeed,
if they do not keep for seven or eight months as sound as
the day they were taken out of the ground. It is not at all
requisite that the roots should be cleaned in any way
when taken up, as a certain portion of earth adhering is
rather an assistance than otherwise, when they happen to
be kept for an extended period. Mangolds may be stored
iu a house, and do very well when the bidk is not too
great ; but there is not the slightest necessity for provid-
ing house accommodation expressly for them, as they
keep admirably when ricked in the open air. Seven feet
is a fair breadth for the ricks, and by sloping them gra-
dually until about the same height a great weight of crop
can be safely stored iu comparatively little space. Some
men cover in whole or in part with earth ; but a fair
covering of thatch secured with ropes in the usual way is
quite effectual in preserving the contents of the ricks
from injury.

Carrots. — When the soil is suitable for this crop, it is
questionable whether there is any other known to modern
agriculturists which will make as much money. The
price is always high ; and, consequently, even a middling
crop will make a great deal of money ; but when the

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511

conditions under whicli the crop lias been grown have
proved favourable, it becomes remunerative almost be-
yond belief. To the farmer it is chiefly valuable for
horse-food, effecting a considerable saving in the con-
sumption of oats, and even hay, while the animal is kept in
excellent health and condition. The carrot, although not
liable to injury from ordinary frosts, is generally taken
up at the same time as the mangel crop, so as to get the
land cleared. From the length of the root, it becomes
necessary to take more care in lifting than is required for
the other root-crops ; otherwise, many will be broken
over, and left in the ground. Before attempting to pull
them, they should be loosened with the spade or digging-
fork, which materially lessens the labour of pulling," and
completely prevents waste. There is no difficulty in
storing the carrot-crop, the same mode of building up
being followed as described for the mangels, the breadth,
however, not exceeding five feet ; and the thatching and
roping in all respects the same. Horses eat carrots
greedily, iu whatever state they may be placed before
them; but there is probably no way they can be given
with so much advantage as by pulping the roots and
mixing with a portion of chafted hay. In feeding
with roots of any kind, this system is excellent, as
the horse lills himself quickly, and can then lie down
and rest — a matter of much moment to a hard-worked
animal.

Turnips. — Unfortunately, on many farms and even
districts of country, this season's crop will not be difficult
to dispose of; yet, as its scarcity makes it all the more
valuable, extra care should be taken in carefully storing
it, so that its nutritive properties shall be preserved until
the spring is well advanced. Ireland is much better off
for turnips than either Eugland or Scotland, the drought
having not set in quite so early in the season there. In
many counties they are an excellent crop, and in most a
fair average. Although the turnip stands a good deal
of severe weather without suffering much apparent in-
jury, it is better to have the crop lifted and stored before
the end of the year at furthest. A succession of freezings
and thawings cannot but be injurious to the nutritive
properties of the bulb ; and although the amount of in-

jury done may not be very noticeable at the time, it is
pretty certain to show itself in the long run, by quantities
of them becoming rotten and unfit for use at the very
season they are most in demand, and can but very badly
be done without. When safely stored, without having
been exposed to severe frost, the nutritive properties are
preserved, and their keeping qualities remain unimpaired.
In storing turnips more care is required than is necessary
with either the mangel or carrot, as they are extremely
liable to heat if put together in too great quantity, and
when heated, if they do not decay at once, become so
light as to be comparatively valueless. "Whatever way
they may be made up, it is absolutely imperative that
they have a free circulation of air. Turnips should never
be built against a wall, unless the quantity is very small
indeed, as, when stored in this way, there is not thorough
ventilation, and much loss from rotting is almost certain
to be the result. When stored in the fields where they
grew, to be used for sheep, the bulbs can be built up very
handily in narrow heaps, and covered over with as much
earth as will keep out frost. This mode is very conve-
nient, as the crop is not only secured from the weather,
but placed in the very position most suitable for the pur-
pose for which it is wanted, now that it is so much
the practice to cut up the turnips in the field for
sheep-feeding. The machine can be brought to the
end of each heap, and the turnips filled in with com-
paratively little trouble. When removed to the
yards, building in narrow ricks, not wider than 5^ feet at
the base ; and thatching carefully is a plan which gives
great satisfaction, as, from the sraallness of the bulk,
there can be no heating, and the bulbs remain fresh and
sound at the end of the season. From the high value of
all feeding substances, and the probability of "the spring
seeing them still higher, it is well worth while to give
the storing of the home-grown crops increased attention.
Losses from letting them remain too long in the fields,
and so getting injured by frost, or from careless manage-
ment when brought in, will be doubly annoying, with the
knowledge that, with the exercise of a little foresight,
and the engaging of a few extra hands for a short time,
the whole could easily have been prevented, J. S.

THE HERDS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Chapter LVI.

MR. BORTON'S AND MR. FOLJAMBE'S.

There is no name better known among Yorkshiremen,
and regular visitors to the Royal and North Country
Shows, than John Borton. He learnt his lesson as a
flockmaster in a good school, under his grandfather, Mr.
William Key, at Northolme and Musley Bank, near
Malton. The old gentleman, who died in 1832, and
whose portrait is preserved to us on the canvas of
Jackson, with his hand on the head of one of his grey-
hounds, was, along with Mr. Marshall, of East Newton,
Mr. Dowker, of Salton, Mr. Kendall, of Ness, and Mr.
Richardson, of Lund Cote, where iMr. Sonley, now lives,
a leading Leicester ram breeder in the Malton district.
On his grandfather's death, Mr. Borton's uncle, who
succeeded to the property, presented him with ten ewes
out of the hundred which composed the ram-breedina:
portion of the flock. These he took to Habton, where
he commenced in 1833, or, calculating by the York-
shire Calendar, Rockingham's year—" fo paddle his own
canoe," and eventually settled at Bartoa-le-Street, in the

Vale of Rydal, seven miles from Malton, and twelve from
Helmsley. Next year he bought a score of ewes at Mr.
Dowker's sale, aud began as a ram-breeder at once, while
his father pursued the same business at Kirby Misperton.
His fourth year of farm life found our young flockmaster
in the show-field ; and two firsts and a second for shear-
ling rams at Hackness and Thirsk were the best proof
that he had not reckoned prematurely on his strength.
When the Yorkshire Agricultural Show met at York in
1 839, the hero of these two firsts was beaten by a sheep
which Mr. Wetherall bought at Mr. Edwardes's sale ; but
the much coveted head prize for shearlings was won at
Leeds the following year. In 1842-46 he showed very
little, but brought up his reserves in full strength when
the Royal came to York, and had £75 of cash to receive
from the secretary, as first with the shearlings and aged
sheep, and first for the local prize. Since then his entries
have seldom been lacking at the Royal, or North of the
Neu ; and with Sanday, Cresswell, Inge, Wiley, Jordan,
Pawlett (whose Chester ram he bought), and " all the
swells" in the field, he has never shrunk from battle, and

M M

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

512

has seen the winning rosettes over his pen nearly two hun-
dred times. At Doncaster, in 1865, he had two firsts
and two seconds for rams, and a first for gimmers, and
his winnings in one year reached £170.

As time went on he kept reinforcing his ewe flock
from Mr. Allen's of Malton, and bought a score of gim-
mers from Sir Tatton and Mr. Sanday. For five seasons
old Sledmere was his mainstay, and before he purchased
him (for 25 gs.) he had sent ewes to him. The blood
was partly his own, as he gave 28 gs. for his grandsire,
then a shearling, at the sale of Mr. Owston's, of Thorpe
Bassett, who not uafrequently accompanied Sir Tatton on
his rides to Leicestershire. The old baronet attended the
sale of his dead friend, and liked this sheai-ling so much, that
he sent ten ewes to him. There were only two tup lambs
among the produce, and Sir Tatton never parted with
one, which was the sire of Sledmere. Mr. Borton bid
60 gs. for it when the Sledmere flock was sold, but Mr.
Hall, who has (as might have been expected of so keen a
judge) been very often after the same numbers, got him
for half-a-guinea more. Hence, Mr. Borton had to be
content with the son, instead of the sire, and " by Sled-
mere" is in the pedigree of Blair Athol, Sir Tatton
Sykes, and in fact, most of his best prize sheep for four
or five years back. The old ram only died this year,
and was honourably buried in his skin. His son Sir Tatton
Sykes, from an Eddlethorpe ewe, won at Worcester Royal
in '63, and upwards of thirty times as well. He formed
part of a trio which won Lord Loudesborough's Cup, at
Market Weighton, which Mr. Borton has carried off twice ;
in fact on the only occasions that he tried for it. Mr.
Jordan took this ram twice at 30 gs. and 40 gs., then he
stayed two seasons in Cornwall with Mr. Tremayne, at
£40, and Mr. Hendey at 35 gs., and has been used at home
for two seasons. His own brother, Blair Athol, began
well by beating 42 shearlings at the Plymouth lloyal,
and since then "he has been principally let, and won his
prizes in Mr. llutchinson of Catterick's, hands. Mr.
Borton may well say, that the fusion of Sledmere and
Owston blood on Dowker, has been his mainstay. His
Sir Tatton by Sledmere, from an Eddlethorpe ewe, and
bred by the late Sir Tatton Sykes, was also a good sheep,
and won at the Yorkshire Show at York in 'C6 ; and Black
Eye by Ebor (another York winner), from a Sa.Qday
ewe was his champion at the Newcastle Royal. So far
Mr. Borton has sold and' let rams as high as 40 gs., and
given Mr. Sanday 60 gs. for a hire. The ewe flock gene-
rally ranges from 150 to 170 in number, and upwards of
50 rams are let annually, at an average of 12 to 15 gs.
In some years it has been as high as .€16. Customers
come principally from Yorkshire, Notts, Devonshire, and
Ireland. Mr. Foljarabe hired rams from him in 1866-
67, and the first Yorkshire shearling was to have gone to
Osberton this year, but he unfortunately died when he
was being prepared for the Scarborough Show, and Mr.
Borton stood first and second in the class without him.
His death was quite unaccountable, except it was from
high feeding, as he was found to weigh 421bs. per quarter.
Mr. Borton has also a good selling trade, and sent two
rams this year to Prussia, for which country two more are
under orders.

His present farm, which belongs to Mr. Meynell
Ingram, consists of 460 acres, on limestone rock. It is
mostly arable, and there is very little old grass. It suits
swedes, greystone, and whitestone turnips very well, hut
no mangel is grown, as Mr. Borton does not admire it
for sheep food. The little show meadow is just behind
the house, but it looked dreary to what it did when we
visited it before, and found the hirers round the pens,
the Union Jack flying on the refreshment booth, and Mr.
I' Anson in his green and yellow cravat, and with a
" eorrect card" of the sheep to be let in his hand, gravely

examining Blair Athol. The old ram, however, was here
again by the side of Sir Tatton Sykes, and so were the
Royal and the Yorkshire sheep, with the twins Blue Cap
and Blue Pace, the first and second at Scarboro', while
Bridlington was on the broken-down list. The fifteen-year
old ewe which we had seen such a perfect skeleton, and
taking her grass on her knees, had joined old Sledmere in
the Happy Pastures, and the capital second pen of Royal
gimmers will be lucky if they can earn such a character
as this " Belgravian mother" of the flock. Mr. Borton
has put 162 ewes to the tup this autumn. The six tups
which he selected for them were the three-shear ram
which took the second prize at the Leicester Royal, and at
Wetherby ; a two-shear son of Blair Athol ; a shearling by
Black Eye, out of Sir Tatton Sykes' s dam ; the twins
Blue Cap and Blue Pace, by Black Eye, out of a ewe by
Owston, a Lincoln Royal winner ; and an aged ram hy
Black Foot, which won at York, and several other places.
Hull was plenteously placarded by its four expectant
M.P.'s to prove that " Codlinnot Short's your friend," in
Downing Street, and we were glad to be over the Humber,
and among the big and thick-fleeced rams. Quid, Patron,
and Co.— Leicesters from the flock of 80 years standing
without alloy— in the Dovedale PaddockatAylesby Manor.
Some familiar faces— John Booth, Nainby, Prank lies,
Gibbons, and Tom Brooks were lacking when we sat
down in the old barn, whose rafters once rang again with
their merry jokes and speeches, and we could only drmk
in silence to* their memories. A survey of the long and low
Bliukhoolie, as the herdsman held him on the garden green,
and a ramble among those Booth matrons. Blink Bonny,
Wheel Royal, Easter Flower, Guiding Light, Fair Dane,
Clarence Flower, and Bright Queen, which have taken
up the tale of the grand Vanguard cows of other days,
with the youthful Lady Zillah, Warrior's Plume, and
Cherry IV. to follow, finished that September day,
and we were once more on the move and away for
Osberton.

The five-mile drive from Retford is a very pleasant one,
past Babworth and Ranby— once a home of good Short-
horns, but not to be confounded with that of Blythe
Comet some six miles away. It is a strongly wooded
country, and lies on the very edge of the Dukery, only
six miles from Welbeck, and half as many from Clumber.
The Top Wood is one of a great chain of covers, and
Scofton Wood, which abuts on a wild heath, covered
with haw trees and brackens, is not only a great nursery
for litters, but quite a city of refuge for foxes without a
settlement. It lies about half a mile from the Scofton
stedding, up a long green lane, which John George the
head herdsman uses as a training ground for his bulls.
Scofton itself has quite a colony of dwellers round its
village green, as George and the gamekeeper, the gardener,
the woodman, the wheelwright, the blacksmith, and the
foremau, &c., all occupy cottages with neat gardens, m
which asters, French marigolds and dahlias are " the rich
relics of a well spent hour" after the day's toil. Some
black-breasted reds, whose blood may be found at White-
wall, were strutting about near the stacks, which might,
by theirmathematical uniformity and finish, have gladdened
a housewife's eye, in the Dutch Paradise of Broek. We
learnt on inqiiirv that it is a sort of accepted rule to have
them all trimmed and ready, if possible, by the Doncaster

Mr. Foljambe has about 400 acres of arable and 286
of pasture in hand. The red sand which begins about
14 miles south-east of Retford, is not favourable to strong
herbage, but it grows good red rounds, and swedes, and
a fine'quality of yellow "glo^e. None of these crops failed
this summer, as they were never hoed till the drought
was over, and flourished bravely under their own
shadow. The soil also suits carrots remarkably well, and-

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

513

some specimens of it have taken prizes, but the mangold
is ahnost invariably bui-nt up. No rape is sown, and the
game make rather free with the tares. May, June, Sep-
tember, and October arc the best grass months, and the
pastures dry up very much in July and August. When
milk is scarce under such circumstances, the calves have
a good deal of linseed porridge ; a little cake till they
are eighteen months old is also their portion, and chopped
straw, and pulped turnip or mangold w-ith a little bran,
mstead of hay, after they have turned the year. The
house dairy is composed half of Alderneys and half of
Ayrshires, and the former are found to give 10 per cent,
more cream than either Ayrshire or Shorthorn, in a
white delf dairy, which is always kept at 60 degrees.

The Shorthorns, of which there are some forty head,
were all reared on the place, with the exception of Lord
Lyons. Mr. Foljambe's career as a breeder of Shorthorns
dates, like Captain Gunter's, from the Tortworth sale
where he bought Mantilla (110 gs.) by Cramer (6907), a
very neat cow of the Minna by Nestor (452) tribe. Man
Friday (14893), a good red bull by Lord of Brawith
(10465), which was then sojourning at Mr. Champion of
Kanby's, was her first calf ; but like his dam, he died fi-om
an accident, and only left one heifer, Mrs. Fry, the
ff.d. of Robin, and the t/.^.d^ qf Knight of the Crescent.
Sympathy, the dam of Mrs. Fry, was purchased from Mr.
Champion's with her twin-sister Symmetry, and with
them came Seraph, another of the Lady Sarah by Satellite
(1420) tribe. Monarch (1334?) was then bought for
150 gs. from. Mr Button, of Gate Burton. This bull was
bred by Mr. Wilkinson, of Lenton, and went back through
Wiseton Lady to Mason blood. He was the sire of
Blanche an 1 Seraphine, from Seraph, and Seraphine's is
the leading line in the herd. Mr. Ambler's sale furnished
Mayduke (16553) by Grand Turk (12969), from Cherry
4th by Gainford 2nd (10255), then only a calf of a day old.
In process of time he begot Archduke (19239) from
Blanche, a first at the North Lincolnshire, on the first oc-
casion that Mr. Foljambeever showed a bull, and subse-
quently sold to Mr. Brown, M.P., for 200 gs. Cenerentola
the dam of Lady Slipper, and of the Farewell by Young
Matchem (4422) tribe, was purchased at Mr. Champion's
sale ; and Bride of Booth's Verbena tribe, from jNIr
Ambler's ; and Hebe, a Captain Shafto cow, from Drax
Abbey, also found their way to the Osberton meadows.

The hit with May Duke was followed up by hirina; for
three seasons, from his breeder, Mr. Carr's Imperial Windsor
(18086), a highly-commended calf at the Leeds " Royal;"
and Robin, who has no Herd-book number, was by him
from Miss Nightingale (by May Duke, from Mrs. Fry)
"The Imperial" was by Old Windsor, from Farewell
by Royal Buck and May Fly from May Duchess
(own sister to Arch Duke), Cherry Blossom from White
Heart, Lily of Windsor and Rose of Windsor from
Blanche by Monarch, Florence, from Mrs. Fry, and Gipsy
Queen— the first winner of " Royal" honours for the
herd— from Sibyl, testiy to him as a clever heifer-getter.
Robin only appeared in public once, when the Yorkshire
Society held its wet and weary tryst at Doncaster in '65 ;
but he did all that was required of him, as his beautiful
handling soon decided the point between him and Mr.
Fawkes's Friar Tuck, which had just taken a "Royal"
first at Plymouth. Gipsy Queen was only out iu public
three times. The Newcastle " Royal" decision was re-
versed in Mr. Booth's favour at Howden, and she took a
North Lincolnshire first at Gainsborough.

The purchase of Knight of the Garter (22062). a bull
with deep flesh, and on a short leg, for 225 gs., from Mr.
Carr, was another great Fareweirtribe success.' He was
by Knight of the Grand Cross (22064)— a Booth's
Prince George bull— from Dame Quickly by Ve-
lasco, In consequence of an accident he could

only be used for one season ; but he nicked well
with the Hebe, Bride, Lady's Slipper, and Seraphina
blood, and left four bulls aud ten heifers. None of his
females have been made up as yet ; but his four knights
(Thistle, Whistle, Bath, and Crescent), from Queen of the
May, Blanche, Miss Nightingale, and Mayfly have all
taken firsts at Leicester, Wetherby, or Grantham. Robin
has departed on hire to Panton, leaving about a dozen
heifers, and cows in-calf behind him, and Lord Lyons by
Hengist (19943), from Blush by Third Grand Duke
(16182), g. d. Bashful by Prince Imperial, sire of three
Duchesses, which made 1900 gs. at Willis's Rooms, has
entered on his stall. His first fruits, a white bull-calf
from Serenade, was dropped on the morning of our
arrival.

The calves, of which at least three-fourths are of Sera-
phine descent, are all brought up by the pail, and however
well a steer-calf may frame for the Smithfield Club or Bir-
mingham, he has precisely the same treatment. These
Christmas successes have been of no unfrequent occurrence.
In 1865 a May Duke steer was second in his class at
Birmingham, and second to Mr. Rowland Wood's ox for
the Cup. The Cattle-plague regulations prevented him
from going on for Smithfield honours, so he was sold for
100 gs. to a Sheffield butcher, and his deadweight proved
to be only 6 lbs. short of two thousand. He was out of
Snowflake of the Seraphine tribe, and an own brother in
blood was third the same year in London. Last year an
Archduke steer from Florence was second at Birming-
ham, and then headed his class in London, and was the
reserve number for the Cup ; and Mr. Woods, whose
heart is quite with Shorthorns, and went over this summer
to judge iu Ireland, has another steer of the Snowflake
blood " in preparation."

Mr. Foljambe has been a breeder of Leicesters and
Southdowns for more than thirty years, and he always
keeps ten score ewes of each sort. Leicester rams have
been hired from Burgess, Stone, Wiley, Sanday, Pawlett,
Cresswell, and all the leading flocks. The wether hoggs
go ofiF to the butcher at thirteen months, and so do the
ewe hoggs, with the exception of fifty, which are drawn
to go up by succession. Rams and ewes from both flocks
have been sold to Germany, New Zealand, and America ;
but the show sheep have come almost entirely out of the
Leicester ranks. The first prize was gained with Leicester
rams at Nottingham iu 1847 ; but the store sheep are
never shown now. In the same year Osberton drew
first blood with a £20 prize for Leicester wethers at
Smithfield, and 22 firsts have since then been added to
the Christmas score, within the Club walls or at Birming-
ham, where in 1857 Mr. Foljambe took the cup for " the
best sheep in the show." In 1850, the gold medal for
the best Leicester pen fell to his lot at the Smithfield Club,
and similar honours awaited him in 1853 and 1861-63!
The flock has also taken prizes in tiie extra stock class,
and among others in 1861 with a ewe seventeen years of
age, and without a tooth in her head. She had bred
fourteen lambs, and brought up one capitally that very
year. Both flocks are kept in the Park, and the wether
hoggs, which begin with a little cake in September,
generally find their way to the Sheffield market at 201bs.
to 241bs. per quarter. One lot of a hundred hoggs made
£300 out of the wool. The wool is sold privately, and
the Leicester flock generally clip 81bs. all round, and the
Southdown 21bs. less. In 1864, both were sold together
at 70s. per tod. In some years they have made the
same ; but the Southdowns may be taken on the average at
4s. less. The Southdown flock is from Mr. Jonas Webb's
strains to begin with, and the rams have been hired from
Lord Walsingham, Mr. Henry Webb, and Mr. Rigden;
but latterly Mr. Foljambe has principally used his own.
Occasionally, the wether hoggs have been made up for

M M 2

'.14

THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE.

the Sheilield market at SOlbs. a quarter ou cake and cut
tm-nips at fourteca months. All the cull gimmers are
summered and used at the hall in the autumn. The dry
park suits them to a nicety, and Mr. Woods has observed
that they have more doublets than the Leicesters.

Leaving the church to our left, and shaping our way
under a sultry sky to the tree clump on the other side of
the park, we found the greater portion of the herd. Old
Snowflake, its twelve-year-old head was there, throwing
up a large cushion from age, and making one of a trio of
whites along with her daughter Snowdrop and her young
steer. Clarionet, whose Robin bull was sold to Mr. Mann,
of Scawby. Clarionet bore testimony with a nice-shaped
udder to being the queen-milker of the lot, and old Hebe
was represented by Hebe's Cup and Ambrosia, own
Archduke sisters. Lady's Slipper was not particularly
nice in the head ; but her rare middle and nice hind-
quarters caught our eye, and she looks young for nine.
Queen of the May, another INIay Duke, and also going
back to Pilot (496), does not bear her years so well.
There is good reason for that. She was very severely
held and off her legs for five weeks, when ten days saw
the whole herd down with foot-and-mouth in '63, and
she nearly lost one of her hoofs. Knight of the Thistle
is from her, and we have not to look far for Florence
from Mrs. Fry, a white with red ears, and the dam not
only of Flora, the first-prize calf at Wetherby, but of the
reserve steer of last year. She herself was put forward
for Smithfield, and then reduced, and looks wonderfully
well after that process, which also failed to injure Lily of
"Windsor. Her prize steer was the result of a stolen visit
to Archduke, when she was only fifteen mouths. May
Fly, a heifer with nice shoulders, improves upon her dam
May Duchess, and has that thin rat-tail which dis-
tinguishes so many, and which feeders especially like to
see. Queen of the Forest " is a character, and no mis-
take," and has to be shut up at night, as she takes every
gate off its hinges with her head. .She and her half-
sister, Gipsy Queen, whose show-feeding has left her
unscathed, are fast friends (like Mrs. Page, half-sister co
Robin, and Mrs. Quickly), and therefore when one goes
off on these Rebecca expeditions, the other is sure to be
missing. The latter is quite in breeding condition, and
has had four calves — Archduchess 2nd, Zingaree, a bull-
calf by Robin, and another bull which was sold as a year-
ling for 100 guineas.

Rose of Windsor from Blanche was in a paddock open-
ing out on the green at Scofton, and has been crippled by
slipping her stifle joint. In her style and colour she re-
minds us not a little of Duchess 77th. There has been
a fatality over her so far, as her heifer calf by Falstaft'
(own brother to Gipsy Queen) broke its back. Mr. Fol-
jambe has fared differently with her half-sister Flora from

Florence, which was the reserve calf at Leicester, and
first at Wetherby. She is a nice compact calf, with good
quality, and a very thrifty one, as she made five inches in
the four weeks before she was brought out. Knight of
the Crescent and Knight of the Bath made pretty nearly
as great progress, and the latter has done well since he
took his Royal first. The Green was soon quite a Kin?
Arthur's Round Table when the four Knights, all of
them sons of Knight of the Garter (22062), marched out
from the gateway and walked round in a circle. The
yearling Knight of the Thistle from Queen of the May
and the bull-calf Knight of the Whistle from Blanche
were first and third in their classes at Wetherby. The big
rich-haired roan, Knight of the Bath from May Fly has
the curly head in perfection, which belongs more or less
to all the Knight of the Garter sort, and promises to
make a slashing bull. He is more split up behind than
Knight of the Crescent from Miss Nightingale, and as
the Premier said of an ex-coUcague's speaking, he rather
"lacks finish" in comparison. He may well, as he is
ten weeks younger. " The Crescent" does not hold his
head so well, but he is a wonderfully made up bull for
his months. The Royal judges did not like his quarters
so well. At Wetherby in the previous August his
victory for the cup was the most decisive we ever saw.
He had only to walk once round the ring, and Knight of
Knowlmere, Charles le Beau, and Knight of the Thistle
" were quite out of it." There were some rare " waifs
and strays" still left among the snug buildings in the
yard, where the pulping, chafl'-cutting, cake-crushing,
corn-grinding, and thrashing, &c. are all done by water
power. Imperial Windsor could boast of the good-
looking white Cherry Blossom, second to Lady Fi-agrant
at Wetherby, and not yet destined for the Smithfield
Club, for which his very neat-boned Lily of Windsor is
being put forward. We were glad to renew our Doncasler
acquaintance with the deep-fleshed, nice-handling, and level
roan, Robin (24968). He is not a very big bull, although
when he was first found in the paddock at midnight Mr.
Woods thought him the largest calf he had ever seen.
His half-sister Glee promises well, and ought perhaps,
young as she is, to have been in the calf class at Wetherby ;
and Maid Mai'ion from Queen of the Forest did credit to
the calf-house, which also contained a young Robin heifer
from Snowflake, that remarkable old lady who has had
twins three times. Five useful heifei's in the Hall field,
among which Archduchess 2nd, somewhat like Grundy's
Faith in the head, and a true Shorthorn, delighted us not
a little, were the last objects in our ramble, and then we
turned our faces Doncaster-wards, to Barnby ]Moor,past
the old fox-hound kennels. U IJ f^

ABORTION OF COWS.

The season of the year is approaching when so much
mischief is occasioned in extensive districts of this country
by the abortion of cows. As a source of trouble upon
breeding farm it has scarcely any rival. To a very great
extent, by judicious management, this evil can be held in
check, and it therefore becomes the more important to
draw attention to the circumstances which are productive
of so much trouble and loss.

The loss of the fa;tus may take place at any time be-
tween the period of conception and birth. In the earUer
stages of growth it is generally unnoticed, but is exceed-

ingly frequent. In the later period of growth it is
frequent, but it more generally comes under observation and
attracts proper attention. The circumstances which
induce this result are various. Still the more frequent
cause of that sympathetic irritability which is set up in
breeding females may be traced to the abortion of another
animal. Most breeders are unfortunately aware of the
fact, that when once the cows commence casting their
calves it rapidly extends throughout the herd. Prompt
separation and the use of disinfectants are the ordinary
measures adopted to check its extension.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

515

In this, as iii most other occurreuces of a like nature,
there is generally a starting point which can be clearly
defined : and although the majority of cases can be traced
to some contagious influence, yet the real difficulty often
lies in determining what is the original cause from which
the trouble commenced. It is, without doubt, one of the
most subtle diseases with which the breeder has to con-
tend, arising, as it so frequently does, from a nervous
irritability which is easily excited. Some seasons are
much worse than others, and some districts are remark-
ably subject to it. Great as the sacrifice is from the calves
being lost, it is even of greater impoi'tance in its influence
upon the cow ; for when once a breeding animal has
suffered from this disease it is always liable to be so at-
tacked subsequently. A much weaker irritant is at each
succeeding period capable of producing the mischief.
Turther than this, some of our best bred stock are the
most subject to it.

Without going more fully into the general causes to
which we may trace the ajjortion of cows, we may now
draw attention to one cause which more than any other is
productive of the disease, and is, in the majority of cases,
the starting point from which a vast amount of trouble
arises. "We refer to the growth of ergotised grass-seeds
in our pastures, and the present season promises to be
exceedingly productive of them. As a consequence, we
may fairly expect in the autumn heavy losses unless care
be taken to prevent the mischief being produced. The
influence of these grass seeds has been known and
watched for several years past ; but the facts are not
sufficiently known, and in any case they cannot be too
prominently brought under notice.

It is well known that the seed of rye is subject to a
disease which is commonly known as the ergot : this is
really the growth of a dark-grey horn from the body of
the seed in the form of a spur, and this projecting growth
is known as the ergot of rye or the spur of rye. It is a
most powerful medicinal agent, and in seasons when it
has been largely produced in the rye-growing districts of
the continent its effects have been most disastrous. The
action of the ergot of rj^e is well known as being a violent
excitant which rapidly causes abortion to take place. "We
have a similar disease appearing upon the seeds of
our ordinary grasses, but especially upon rye-grass.
Buckman, in his Natural History of the British Grasses,
states that he has gathered ergot from almost every
species of grass. Thus we have notice of a very pro-
ductive source of trouble for the breeder of stock. It is
perfectly true that the ergot thus produced is far from
being as powerful as the ergot of rye ; but it possesses a
similar character, and only needs to be taken in larger
quantity to produce the same effect.

There are two conditions essential for the production
of ergotised grass-seed. In the first place the grass must
be allowed to run to seed, for unless the seed is produced
it cannot become ergotised ; and the second condition is
such influence from the local climate as shall be favour-
able for inducing this diseased condition. It has not
been distinctly determined what peculiarity of climate
can be deemed as essentially necessai-y, but it is equally
clear that these conditions are of frequent occurrence.
The latter condition is not under oar control, but the
former is ([uite within command.

If in the months of August and September a careful
examination be made of land which has been grazed
during the early summer months, we sliall, in most sea-
sons, find specimens of the ergotised grass seeds. They
are readily detected in consequence of their peculiar ap-
pearance, aud especially in the rye-grass, for a small dark
horn will in such cases be seen as growing out of the
seed. In a moist climate and in wet seasons they are
abundant, especially if the early summer has been warm

and dry. Such hot weather naturally encourages the
formation of the seed -stalk with its group of seed, and
here we have the first step towards the production of this
disease, whereas the damp and rain complete the mischief.
Cattle are remarkably fond of it, and even seek for it
from plant to plant. The consequence of the supply of
this ergotised grass seed is soon evident, and the de-
structive work of abortion having commenced spreads
with serious rapidity.

It is perfectly clear that if by any means we prevent
the growth of the grass seeds we must also prevent the
mischief complained of. In dry seasons grass can
rarely be so regularly fed as to prevent the seed-stem
being allowed to grow, but it would involve only a small
expenditure of labour for such ground to be brushed over
with a scythe, and the seed-stems cut down before the
seed is fully formed. This being done, such ground may
be considered perfectly safe until the following year, and
also the danger may be avoided by keeping breeding cows
in the early autumn upon grass which has been mown,
and where there is no danger of the grass having run to
seed. The preventive process is remarkably simple,
but the remedial process is surrounded by danger and
difficulty. "We have here to contend with one of the
most powerful of the diseases to which cattle are subject,
and of a destructive character of unknown extent. Not
that the disease is as fatal to the cows as many others,
but it impedes the increase of the herd by the fatality of
its influence upon the calves. Still it is satisfactory to
know that so far as regards the cause now referred to
there is neither much difficulty nor any great expense in-
volved in its prevention. We have observed its adoption
with great pleasure, well knowing the serious losses which
many breeders have suffered before discovering the real
cause of their trouble.

If the existence of this ergotised grass seed were rare
it would be of less importance, but such is not the case.
It is rarely produced before the end of July or early in
August, but the date of its appearance must vary in
different districts, some soils being much more early and
quick than others. Grass which has been grazed during
the summer months will almost always — in the western
counties of England especially — give signs of the ergot
after the early autumn rains, but the eastern counties, al-
though not entirely free, are much less subject to it. The
indications of the ergotised grass seed are so simple and
distinct that they are well worthy of the notice of
breeders wherever they have had cause to complain of
abortion in their herds.

It had been considered by those who have carefully
studied this peculiar disease, that we are apt to limit the
influence of abortion considerably within its real sphere
of action. When a breeding cow has from this cause lost
her calf we have evidence which we do not fail to recog-
nise, and we also know the prejudicial influence upon any
future attempt to breed from such a cow. We do not,
however, sufficiently recognise the injury occasioned by
young heifers being brought under the influence of this
ergotised grass seed before they are intended for breeding
purposes.

We also overlook its action upon bi'ceding animals in
their early stages. Many an instance could be given of
excitement being thus commenced by the ergot, which
has caused the cow or heifer to become most tantalising
as a breeder ; not that they have failed to commence
breeding, but that the existence of the fcetus has been
])romptly terminated, and the work has to be commenced
again and again. The hot aud dry season we have had
this year will doubtless give many opportunities for pre-
venting or for enduring the injurious effects of ergotised
grass-seed.

516

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE NEW FARM.

How time does gallop ! One cannot get through the
half of what one wants and feels one ought to do. I
find myself always at the last moment in arreai's to you,
most indulgent Editor.

Well, and what have we heen doing lately upon this
farm ? One of the latest events is my having been for-
tunate enough to win the prize for the best crop of
mangold-wm'tzel within a considerable radius. The crop
was so cheaply grown (in a previous article I gave par-
ticulars of the way in which I treated our light soil) that
J feel doubly proud. Any one, with a fair purse and
good eyes, may buy stock for competition, although it
does not follow that he -will produce from those pur-
chased elements animals equal to the parents ; but I feel —
too triumphantly, you will say, perhaps — that to have
grown the best piece of mangold-wurtzel in the district
during this disastrously-hot year with only one ploughing,
and having sown about the latest of all around me, is
really a feat over which one may fairly smoke a comfort-
ably reflective pipe.

We have had the "Long Firm" tapping at our door
lately pretty often. The last dodge they adopted was
forwarding a circular of prices which they were ready to
give for apples and potatoes " in any quantity" to the
various local postmasters, to whom they offered a com-
mission upon all purchased, on the condition of their
spreading the inquiry. I sent them a large offer of both
fruits, only with the pro\'iso that the cash must come
previous to the goods being despatched. Of course, I
need not tell you there was nothing heard further of the
])arties.

"We have been all storing quantities of acorns and ches-
nuts for the pigs in winter, any quantity of which we can
get gathered for Is. the bushel acorns, and 6d. the bushel
chesnuts. A high wind that has just sprung up will help
the accumulation. Unfortunately it is down stream, so
that we cannot get a sail upon the river.

The spring-planted potatoes are, I fear, a great mess.
We are waiting for a fine day or two to raise the burden
of the crop with Howard's new plough, and so in a cer-
tain degree one nurtures hope. A lot of the garden-
grown, however, that has been raised exhibits a great deal
of rotteness in the state. I am having a piece of stubble
deep-ploughed, to set all the bigger diseased tubers at
once, as we take up the main crop, and only hope that the
experiment will answer next year as successfully as it did
this.

We have a number of hands raking up the abundant
downfall of dead leaves where they lie thickest in this
woodland district, to be strewn with a free hand over a
mattress of nut and elm chippings, which are packed in
the basin of the yards, after the fashion of the heather
couch upon which the Highlanders bore the wounded
Waverley. Only pack the twigs close enough, and it
affords a most elastic bed for the cattle, even in what
■would otherwise be wet spots.

The missus nearly lost her best Alderuey a few days
since, and unhappily I hear that the disease which struck
her down, has made sad ravages around us. She was
saved, undoubtedly, by the strong dose of salts and gin-
ger, that she at once got when we found her to be ailing.
1 ought to have put opium in also. That omission the
vetennary surgeon (a most able neighbour luckily) did
upon being summoned. These little cattle, which are
Usually tethered upon the orchard sward were allowed to

run free one day. Whether she fed too heartily or not
upon the rank growth beneath the trees, or swallowed
acorns and such like in deleterious proportion, any how
she took to scouring violently, shrank beneath the pres-
sure of my hand along her spine, and had her nose quite
burning dry. It was an attack of what the old farriers
called " scouring rot," or " dysentery," but what is now
spoken of as typoid fever. We kept her up with plenty of
wheatcn gruel, with chopped and melted mutton suet in
it, a recipe which I knew to have saved a poor fellow un-
der a severe attack of dysentery during the Crimean
campaign. The little cow is now gradually coming round,
but continues very weak.

We were recently very njucli provoked by having a
boar disqualified for the prize, in excellent company, at
an adjoining county show, as being incapable of breeding,
although we have his stock in our hands, and although he
was passed by the veterinary of the Royal Show in much
higher condition. So much discretion as this should not
be allowed to judges. Their business is to select the
best animal, and leave all such questioning of disability
to the scientific inspector.

We were all delighted that the Didmarton Shorthorns
sold so well. They were a grand solid-framed, wealthy-
coated, mellow-fleshed sort, and would, if they had pos-
sessed at more length the fashionable pedigrees of the day,
have fetched most reckless prices. The whole affair was
well managed. The arrangements, and the neatly-dressed,
respectable-looking old servants, with their most intelli-
gent earnest boy assistants, told of a well ordered estab-
lishment.

I have since seen some purchases made at that sale in
strong company, and they quite hold their own as regards
style. There was what is so often wanting in herds,
but which should be a main object of the breeder, a most
marked uniformity of type and character. The young
aristocratic breeders, who came out upon that occasion,
will find that they have a good foundation to build upon
by the help of the more terribly high bred bulls.

Talking of " breed," the day must come when other
originators besides Bates will be credited with the wizard
character that we all allow to that great man. So don't
be too rash young breeder in rejecting first class animals
of long pedigree, even though the elements be not aU of
the excellent Duchess strain. The exquisite Bolivar
is a considerable mixture I think, and yet he will be
celebrated.

I want the shrewd Culshaw and the Messrs. Booth to
get into these patent American coffins, giving out that
they are dead, and after their ascent to the air again to lie
perdu in some outlandish district for a dozen years. They
will see then how it is only the misfoiiune of their being
alive that is against them ; and they will find that they
will have to pay fabulous prices to recover choice animals
of their favourite strains — as tremendous possibly as ex-
isting fashionable relics of a departed breeder fetch.

We arc all glad to welcome Mr. Thornton's Shorthorn
Circular, but to make it really valuable, besides keeping
advertisement sheets, he ought to give us slices of the
lore respecting the earlier days of this grand bovine race
which he is said to possess ; reliable anecdotes of the bulls
and cows, whose names the Herd-book holds, and particu-
lars of Shorthorn sales long gone bt/. The padding of
recent matter, such as we all have for ourselves or in the
Journal {e.g. the prize list of the Royal Society's last

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

517

meeting), I regard as dead weight; anyhow, I wish the
puhlicatiou well.

I see the river is rising. The floods descend from the
wild Welsh mountains so rajridly on occasion that we can
scarcely he too quick in moving our stock.

I dare say some of you will "have read Mr. Lord's de-
scription of his tour as a naturalist in North America : a
most interesting work I may observe. He mentions a
tribe of Indians whose teeth are quite worn away from
chewing salmon that have been split and dried in the sun,
owing to a coating they get of tine gritty sand blown
upon them during the curing. This sort of evil, and
even more, we, who dwell along the banks of this lovely
but insidious river, siifler from. There is a deposit of
line sand left upon the herbage, which not only grates
upon the teeth but accumulates in the intestines and kills
the animal. After a flood the more prudent wait for the
occurrence of a heavy sliower to wash ofi" the powder.

Those lovely young pheasants, which I mentioned be-
fore, have become so dreadfully tame, that I am afraid
they may come to grief. Not only do they fly up to be fed
at the different windows, but they have taken to wandering
upon the high road. I don't think, howevei-, that they
would allow anyone to catch them : at least we hope not.
Having lately taken to feeding my own chickens with
Latin crumbs, I must now attend to their meal, for they
are hopping and chirping around me. I hope they may
never be guilty of such fearful ignorance as I have just
heard of occurring in a neighbouring somewhat cider-
bestricken parish, where, upon a recent occasion, one child
explained a picture of Cain and Abel to be "Eve a-wal-
loping of Adam :" drawing, probably, for his idea npon
the experience of his home. The cider question is the
ciu-se and puzzle of this country.

At last we have finished taking up our potatoes (spring-
planted), and a comparatively valueless crop they are,
considering the number of hands who have been employed
in storing them, the ground occupied, and the sets. We
have several waggou-loads of " seedy" ones, which I
shall deposit at once ten inches deep upon the mangold
ground, trusting to recoup myself, as the lawyers sav,
thereby next year for the losses we have sustained
through the failure of the turnip this season. Anyhow
a diseased " pratee" is noxious, I think, even to the giz-
zard of a pig, that wondrous animal, which is said even
to chew ordinary poisons without hurt. How spendidly
my porcine pets are doing upon the slopes, they look so
full and sleek. Now, that the acorns and chesnuts are
sprouting under the fallen leaves, they seem to possess a
doubly fattening quality, as barley does started. Our
children have found out that the porker of about sixty
pounds weight is the most delicious eating conceivable.
Older, they are apt to be too fat, and there is conse-
quently waste, both in the parlour and the servants'
hall. I don't know whether it is good policy killing
them so young, and I have no time just now for an ex-
tended calculation. It is a mode of consumption
co-ordinate anyhow with the genial Mr. Mechi's chopping
up his beans green, as fodder. My remark as to my
milking-eows enjoying the leaves plucked from the grow-
ing mangold wurzel, has drawn upon me a long letter
from a kind-hearted and shrewd friend, one who knew
well old Tommy Bates. He cautions me against the
plan, inasmuch as he has proved the mangold leaves to be
conducive to abortion. He writes, " Now, as I know
from my owa experience, as well as from that of others,
that mangold leaves and the roots also, if given before
Christmas, are daiKjeruus food for in-calf cows or sows in-
pig, as being liable to produce abortion, I hasten to drop
you a line, that you may give a word of warning to your
friend Vigil. If he is so hard up as to use them at all.

let them be passed through the chaft'-cutter, and largely
mixed with dry food of some kind, to counteract their
cold watery nature and purging quality. I have for a
long time ceased to use them for stock of any kind, and
now spread them equally over the land, and plough them
in." Of course they are full of nitrogen, and, therefore,
excellent manure. Mangold roots can, however, be used, if
commenced with cautiously, before Christmas without harm,
if the precaution be taken of throwing them, a few bulbs, to-
gether to wither in a corner of a dry barn. A neighbour
of mine tells me that he has failed to get his cows and
sows to breed when they have been fed on mangold. It
is no doubt like tobacco, a dangerous plant if used to ex-
cess. Medio tutissimus ibis, as one used to read in the
Eton Latin Grammar. " If you want keep," my friend
adds, " you will find your swede leaves, if free from mil-
dew, a much less objectionable adjunct ; but these also I
always prepare in the same manner, and with the addition
of some dry food, hay or straw, according to the age of the
animal, and increase or decrease the quantity of the
leaves according to the effect upon the animal's interior
arrangement. We leave the swedes standing in the rows,
denuded of leaves, and time the taking up and storing to
suit the cutting of the leaves, always endeavouring to get
the leaves consumed, and the roots stored before Christ-
mas, up to which time we seldom have hard weather.
We find it greatly facilitates the getting up of this crop
to run the plough (without the coulter) under them.
They are then, by boys, easily picked and thrown into
heaps ready for the carts."

I shall act upon this hint, and employ Howard's pota-
to-raiser under my crop, by way of a trial. In fairness
to that new implement, convertible into so many useful
forms, with so little trouble, I feel bound to mention
that in its first development as an ordinary plough it is
a grand success. A gentleman who has always had a
good deal to do with the machinery part of the Royal
Agricultural Show, predicted, as I sat next to him one
day at dinner, and somewhat proudly described my im-
plement, its failure as an ordinary plough. I can only
say in rei)ly, that my bailift' oflPered the loan of it ten
days since to a neighboui", who proposed competing at a
ploughing match, and in a large entry he won the Cham-
pion and another first prize. The work was magnificent
I am told. I shall always mention deserved success.

A farmer to whom I mentioned yesterday my friend's
counsel (as quoted above) respecting the use of
mangold wurzel, fully confirmed the statement from
his experience this year. An Alderney cow, seven months
gone in-calf, slipped it only last week, and from no cause
that he could ascertain. It was, however, the fact that
he had been feeding her of late a good deal upon mangold
leaves. We talked about chafliug, and in the course of
further conversation he said that he had been sadly put
out by " the earthquake about three years since." He
had had new machinery to be worked by watei", of which
a pool served him with an ample supply. After
the earthquake, however, the springs on the upper land
failed, and the outflow has most provokingly taken
another course upon the other side the hill — another of
the vexatious uncertainties to which the vicissitudes of
the earth's crust subjects the agriculturist.

The winter is coming on apace here. The leaves have
gone all of a run, and the wild-fowl are beginning to
make their appearance in small bodies. I shot a teal
upon the river close under the house yesterday, and dis-
turbed a woodcock upon the gardener's leaf-mould heap.
AVe had a beautiful pheasant hen upon the lawn just now,
very much pied, almost white. I hope we shall find her
nest in the spring. The tame ones keep as yet so faith-
fully about the house, and continue to feed out of our
hands.

>18

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

It will be soon time to liave the brood mares off the
moorland. One pet hunter that I was obliged to turn
out last summer has never thriven at all :* being naturally
a healthy animal, I have been quite puzzled to know why.
Last week, however, the groom showed me that her
tongue must, a few months since, have been nearly
severed. It has healed now ; but it must have been
nearly off once : as she has a beautiful mouth, I cannot
comprehend how such a misfortune could have happened
to her.

The Italian ryegrass and trifolium that we sowed upon
our stubbles have failed in a great degree. The barley -
sheddings have come up as thick as a hay-crop, the
escaped ears having been so thoroughly torn to pieces,
and scattered by the harrows. I have one field nearly a
foot high ; I don't know exactly what to do with it. I
don't know that the crop would survive the winter even
if I wei-e to let it stop : besides, it would put us out of
course. Again : I don't like to feed it, because the sheep
would nibble the clover as well, and that, I am sure, on
our light soil, is a mistake. The rank, autumnal growth
of gi-ass has caused us a good deal of botheration. I
caught some ewes, the other day, only just in time to
save them, by adrainistering strong doses of carbonate of
soda and ginger ; and now we have a valuable cow, in a
very bad way indeed. The V.S. calls it indigestion ;
but it's pitiable to see the saliva running from laer lips,
and to hear her groaning. He's just going to " prop "
her. What that means I don't know, but, as he says
that it is her only chance, and I'm sure I don't know
what to do with her, I leave the business to Mm and my
careful herdsman.

It's not all fun, this farming, "on times"! To re-
ward my little men, the other day, for very good be-
haviour over their Latin lesson, I allowed them to go out
ferreting for the first time in their lives. It was a very
cold day, and late in the afternoon when we started.
Of course their little sisters must go too, and
it was a fine sight, to see them all seated
upon a heap of leaves, and holding their pet
terriers in their laps (the whole lot not being worth a fig,
I positively believe, if a strong rat had charged them,
although, of course, it would have been heresy to say so)
listening quite earnestly, as a bunny which had been
marked in was heard scurrying about the runs with the
white ferret at his heels. Then, when he did come out,
and went rolling over and over unhurt in the meshes of
the loose net, I thought our Joseph's delight would kill
him. Lest, however, the chill evening air might give
them cold, they were then hurried home. A neighbour
having preserved these vermin a little too fondly, we shall
have some trouble in keeping them down.

We had a narrow escape upon the river the other day.
It was blowing quite a gale of wind when I went out
sailing with a friend. The waves ran very high ; but we
did very \v ell so long as we ran before them. Having to
I'ow back, and there being no steersman, in a very broad
reach of the river, we shipped three great seas in imme-
diate succession, and only just got to land in time to bale
and prevent her sinking. Another day we must weight
the stern better. As we two men were alone it did not
matter. However, the next gale that blows I shall en-
joy upon the river. They don't come too often.

Vigil.

TEXTLESS NOTES

BY A CEOTCHKTy rAEMER.

We have been told very frequently of late that farming
is about to enter, if it has not already entered, a new
phase of existence, in which all the magnitude of opera-
tions and all the precision of details met with in all
trades and manufactures shall be applied, and applied
triumphantly, to it. We have been told this so per-
sistently, and by those whose position entitles them to be
classed under a cognomen the characteristics of which
are the very opposite of my own, that we are bound to
believe there is after all something in it. At the same
time it has not been explained to us how the manufactur-
ing or trade system is to be applied to a calling the pe-
culiarities of which are certainly in many of their aspects
very much opposed to those of trades or manufactures.
And this is precisely what should be told us, for in it
is involved the whole question. Vague expressions, high-
sounding declamations as to farmers having been for so
long under the dominion of antiquated notions, and that
they must uow give them up and advance with the spirit
of the times, will not do : we want something tangible
to lay hold of — some facts which we can discuss about.
It does not follow that because in agriculture, as in trades
and manufactures, machinery has come more into use,
that its application to agriculture is to come under the
sanie rules, and to be guided by the same principle o.
policy, which operate in the case of trades and manufac-
tures. The cases are not the same ; so far from that,
they are, it may almost be said, precisely opposite in

'■= The new farmer we slionld hope will soon do better by
lliem than turn his hunters out.

character. The materials to be operated upon, if we
may be allowed the expression, are vastly different in
their characteristics from those upon which the trades-
men or manufacturers exert their skill. While a regular
uniformity of material assists the manufacturer, a puzzling
diversity is the plague, so to call it, of the farmer.
Again, with the manufacturer given a certain amount of
material to work upon, and buildings under which to
work and machinery to work with, a certain amount of
result can be safely predicated. Is it so with the far-
mer ? A thousand-aud-one things come up, and come up
so unexpectedly, that no provision can be made for them
— all tending to throw around his operations a vast deal of
uncertainty. If this is true iu the case of soils and the
crops which they bear, how much more remarkable is the
difference between the characteristics of his live stock and
the materials upon which the tradesman or manufacturer
operates. These living organizations bring with them a
vast variety of peculiar circumstances, sometimes puzzling
in the extreme ; so that iu place of one system being
capable of being rigidly applied to all, the actual con-
dition of true practice is that nearly every individual
requires a specially individual treatment. The general
feature of the manufacturing system is the precision with
which all its details can be carried out, each one inde-
pendent of the other, although aU connected with each
other ; so that the principle of subdivision of labour can
be applied — with what marvellous results let our great
branches of manufactures say. This can never be applied
to farming. It certainly does seem a very fine thing to
be able to realize, that our farming shall be carried on

THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE.

witli all the exafjtitude aud certainty of results which
characterise a manufacturer— so that an order for so
much produce or so much stock shall be as punctually
attended to as an order for so much yarn or woolleii
cloth. Our notion is, that the fitness of thiu<,'s prevents
this being; realized, and further holdiu.-; that, as farming
is in Its very nature a dignitied and a noble pursuit, we
believe that we take from the dignity aud lower the
uobihty, in attempting to bring it within the same class
of operation under which our trades and manufactures
are placed. Farming is not mechanical, it is scientific.

If the attempt which for some time back in some dis-
tricts has been made, and is still being made, to introduce
a system of "unions"— holding the opinions I do, as stated
in the preceding " note," I do not say here trade unions—
into agriculture is successful, I wonder whether all the
ramifications of operation of the unions out of agriculture
will be adopted in agriculture ; and, if so, how they will
operate. What is to be the model upon which " farming
unions" are to be constructed? as we suppose the term
must be. Are the legitimate only, or the illegitimate and
legitimate objects conjointly of trades' unions to be applied
to farming unions ? Whether the one principle or the
other be adopted, one grand element of success possessed
by trades' unions generally will be thoroughly wanting in
unions in the country, that is concentration. I say an
element of success, not that I wish any success to the
cause, but it is an element of success where success is
wished for; and the want of it, accordingto my notion, will
be one of the causes, if not the cause, why the principle of
a union wiU not be carried out in practice among the agri-
culturists, or, as I prefer to saj^ farm labourers. The
powerful influence which the leaders of trades' unions
bring to bear upon workmen can only be brought to bear
with its full effect, and only in practice broug'ht to bear,
where the workmen can be dealt with en masse. Isolated
efforts upon isolated bodies of men would result in none
of the great movements which we find to take place in
towns and crowded cities, and which absorb and carry
along with them the vast numbers, which have such a
wonderful influence upon the trades and callings there
carried on. We have in our agricultural districts no ag-
gregation of individuals who can be got at by the " arch-
agitators" or the "philanthropic men" — the reader can
choose which of these designations he thinks most correct
— who inaugurate and carry on those societies which, if
they do not tend to raise wages, help at all events the m'en
who make them to spend them in supporting these so-
cieties, and to carry on the wars which they wage from
time to time against capital. For whatever may be the
ostensible object of trade unions, and however it may
please certain politicians— for the sake of the coming
votes of multitudes of men under the Keform Act passed
last year — to say to the contrary, I do not hesitate to say
that their primary object is to raise up and perpetuate "a
state of matters antagonistic to the interests of capital.
Poll throughout the kingdom the thousands of workmen,
and if they give you an iionest reply, and you state as
honestly what that reply is, I know to a certainty that
that reply will indicate that in the minds of the vast ma-
jority there is a belief that "capital" is a something or
other which exercises a baneful iufluence upon their inte-
rests ; an antagonist with which they must wage a ceaseless
and determined warfare ; a thing, in short, which, to use
the words of Gradgrind, in "Hard Times," must "be
put down." Get rid of this, and trades' unions would
have nothing to fight for. If you doubt this, read
the Reports of the Trades Union Commission; and if
you doubt the facts— aud they are facts — which
these Reports detail, then -go if you like to the
" pot-house parliament" of the men themselves, and, if
you can — for admission will have to be got under false

619

pretences — to their union meetings ; sit with workmen
at their firesides, hear their talk at their work or in their
walks ; read their own special organs ; and then, if you
do not believe what I have said above, you will believe it
then. But the reader may ask, "What" is this very Cro-
chcty Farmer about now ?— what has he to do, and why
is he making me have to do, with trades' unions ? I am
not a tradesman ! I am a jolly farmer, I am." True, oh !
my bucolic butter ! true, you are ; and for a jolly farmer I
have an esteem as large as his bulk in popular mind is
supposed to be ; but you have, or will, I fear, very shortly
have to do with this same question of trades' unions, or
the name, as applied to agriculture— which is not a trade,
but something far hieiher and nobler than that — is a gi-eat
misnomer, the " Philistines be upon thee, Sampson !"
An inroad has been already made upon your quiet
domains. M.P.'s, or "empties," or "empies" (see a
former " note " for the derivation of this latter
word) are giving note, if they have not already
given it — and this I know — that it would
in their estimation be by no means a bad thing
if the " darkness of agricultural districts"— this by the
way is a very favourite phrase with some — were en-
lightened by some flashes of the " new lights" of towns,
and the thick air made more wholesome by a mixture
with it of some of the " sweet things" of' the cities-
even if trades' unions and their accompanying " ratten-
ings" were to be of those. So you see, my friend, what
things are in store for you , although " rattening" may
sound to you as if it was something like a farming pro-
cess, which by the way it is not. If another Potter
should arise amongst farming men, farewell to the quiet-
ness of your villages ! " agitated" in the strictest sense of
the term they will soon be ; aud if another Broadhead
should get amongst you with Jus enlightened views, then
I fear that rattening and something worse will somewhat dis-
turb the tranquillity of your "Sweet Auburn, loveliest village
of the plain." But then we live in stirring times, and it is
but fitting that the apathy of benighted agriculturists should
be moved, and the " light of other days" be let into their
darkened minds. Only be it understood that I do not
say this. Crotchety as I am, I am not quite so crotchety
as to say this. Only, it has been said, or something very
like, by men who arc supposed to be, at least they are
called, "leading men", and of whom I do not know
whether I say a complimentary thing or not when I say
that they are of the town, which men have made, and
have very little sympathy with, because they are in igno-
rance of, the true wants, feelings, and interests of the
country. I am, by the way, so desperately crotchety
as to say, that if the above are leading men, they will not
lead me, or drive me either for the niatter of that, into a
belief in the opinion above-named or alluded to. But
some of my readers may say, Well, suppose trades' unions
are introduced amongst farm labourers, what then have
they not a right to form theirs if they please ? If any
reader does say so ; if he tm-ns to the first sentence or
two of this present note, he will find that I there say
something of the legitimate and illegitimate objects of
unions, clearly implying that I believe there are legitimate
objects— which, as the old song says, " nobody can deny,
deny ;" at least if he does not deny it, he is not the sensi-
ble fellow that you are, my good reader, and not to put
too fine a point upon it, or to put a very fine one, just as
yon like— as I am. No one can dispute that a man, or
any number of men, has and have the right to do all he
can to " better his condition," as it is called ; which bet-
tering is mainly conceived to lie in the raising of his wages
or getting as much as possible for his work— I will not
here say for the least work he can give. Nor do I here
say aught of the wretched inversion of the truth of real life
involved in this " bettering of his condition," as if all that

520

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

was to be desired iu life was the making of money, or the
getting of higher wages. Of this in some other " note "
I may have something to say. Meanwhile we need not
disjjute the right of any man to do for himself what he
thinks to be right. Only this — it is a large and widely
meaning word as here put — only that in the exercise of
his right, he does wrong to others. How comes it then,
is he right still ? Surely no, a thousand times no ! the very
right he claims for himself to do what he thinks right,
compels him, or should compel him, to grant the exercise
of a similar right to his neighbour — even if his neigh-
bour thinks right to follow quite another course from that
of his own. Yet I venture to say that the main principle
— the very heart and kernel, if I may say so — of trades'
unions, as unions, is the very opposite of this. "What the
union says to its members is — not what the right is, but
what we say it is — we, the head men ; we, the council of
yom" body. Hence comes it that a union man is no free
agent ; he dare not do as he thinks right ; indeed, he
sells the very right to think, by the act of becoming a
member of the union. Am I wrong in saying all this?
Am I so very crotchety iu writing thus so plainly ?
Verily, I think here of the frequeut words of an author —
by no means likely to be read in these days of sensa-

tioual literature — a literature of wliich, by the way, it may
be said that it goes upon the supposition that the only
sensation we can have must be liad of the " devil
devilish." " The plainest words," so says my author,
"are the most profitable oratory in the weightiest
matters." And whether I may be set down once more
as crochety I care not; but I do say that this "matter,"
of which in this note I have said somewhat, is a weighty
one, concerning closely all interested in the true progress
of this country ; but which progress is very likely to be
— nay, already is — greatly damaged by the operation of
such societies as we have alluded to. A bad day for the
future of farming will it be, iu my poor opinion, when
the union principle is at work amongst those whose labour
iu field and fold help to carry it on. Bad enough as their
condition may be now, according to some, but of which
much can be said ou both sides, it will be much worse
when the system at present demoralizing our town work-
ers and injuring their best prospects is at work amongst
them. What that system is — not what by its friends it
is said to be — I hope in another note to show. That note
will be worth reading, not for what I may say in it, but
what I shall give of the sayings of others ; who those
" others" are the " note" in due time wall show.

THE REARING AND GRAZING OF YOUNG CATTLE.

It is a less difficult task to rear and promote the progress
of calves than of young cattle. There is a more re-
gular and systematic care observed in the rearing and
management of calves ; but when they are supposed to be
able to take care of themselves, this vigilance is too often
relaxed. Hence great danger and loss frequently occur
in the herd. The true aim iu cattle-breeding should be,
to keep the animals always thriving till, as iu the case of
steers, they are disposed of to the grazier, to be fattened
for the butcher, or, in the case of heifers, till they are old
enough to be set apart for breeding purposes. It is their
management up to this period, iu each case, that I pro-
pose to treat of in this paper.

I take the young cattle to be now twelve months old,
having been properly reared, and ready for the spring
grazing. In this state they are healthy, and under ordi-
nary care and judgment may be kept progressing, with
but few exceptions. For this purpose every suitable pro-
vision the farm can provide should be appropriated to
their service. The most desirable pastures for their use,
and upon which they will tiu-ive most satisfactorily, are
produced upon what is generally termed " second-rate
grass-land." Their unsettled or unestablished constitu-
tions cannot abide rich pastures with safety. Rich pas-
turage ought to be devoted to fatting stock : lean or young
stock is totally unfitted for such highly nutritious, fatten-
ing food. It would prove too strong, too rich and fer-
menting, for their young or weak constitutions. Hence
scouring, followed by weakness and fever, speedily reduce
the animal to a living skeleton, from which state it is
almost impossible to restore it. On this account it is
that rich lands and rich pasturage must be denied to
young and weak cattle.

It is by no means undesirable to place or graze these
young cattle upon poor lands or inferior pasturage, be-
cause these pastures can be supplemented, and the stock
aided, by supplies of artificial foods, iu such proportions
as the judgment of the breeder deems necessary — iu fact,
this course of procedure, in promoting the safe and satis-
factory progress of the young cattle, will bear a favour-
able comparison with any method that can be pointed out.

The whole is capable of a ready and precise regulation.
The pasturage will in uo case be too rich and strong ; and
its inferiority in nutritive value must be made up to the
young cattle by rations of cake or other artificial food,
and in proportion to their apparent requirements. In
this way the young stock will be constantly pi-ogressing,
and the inferior land will be benefited by these additional
aids being expended upon it.

The best natural course of grazing young stock is to
depasture them upon the lands of the farm which are
most healthy — not too rich, not too poor (one is as bad
as the other), but the sweetest and kindest-growing pas-
ture the farm will afford, the fields to be supplied with
plenty of pure and wholesome water. These lands ought
to be rested, or " laid in," for several weeks prior to
stocking them. The grass, being thus slowly grown, is
old enough to lose much of its purgative chai-acter, and
will be digested by these young animals without danger.
Should, however, the season prove warm and geuial, and
the pastures grow luxuriantly, the stock should be taken
into the foldyards at night, there to be supplied with
plenty of dry food — /. e., hay, straw, bean or pea-haulm.
This will prevent any injury from laxity of the bowels and
the like. It is better to use the foldyard than to supply
them in the field. They eat more of the dry food, and
it is retained upon the stomach longer than by intermiug-
liug with grass, of which they will partake w^hilst in the
field.

It is often very desirable to change the young cattle
from pasture to pasture occasionally, always bearing in
mind to let well alone; but generally some one or more of
the young herd does not progress sufliciently fast, then
by all means try another pasture, or other food. This
change is almost imperatively necessary if the pastures
are small ; all young animals thrive best upon a good
range of natural herbage or jwsturage ; change of food,
change of climate i. e., from hill to valley, from valley to
hill is highly conducive to healthy progress, far better
than incurring a farrier's bill. It is superfluous to say
that in untoward seasons other resources must be pro-
I vided ; in diy summers, with bm'nt up pastures like the

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

521

past, the fold yard and ^straw had to be the dender ressort.
fii wet summers, with washy succulent pastui'age, hay or
other dry food must be supplied, or loss from scouring is
inevitable. Never forget the old adage, which I again
repeat, "The eye of the master grazes the ox." As the
summer advances provision will require to be made for
the autumn grazing ; this should be in the reserve of the
meadow land eddishes, or in " laid in" seeds. Clover
eddishes are too strong and succulent ; old pasture land,
if " laid in" for a few weeks, is a good provision. It is in
these matters that every farmer must use his best judg-
ment, none but general directions can be suggested in
such cases ; the great aim to be kept in mind is to pro-
mote continuous progress in every animal.

The summer grazing being over wc now come to the
winter management. To tide over the long dreary win-
ters of this country, we take it that ample provision has
been made upon every farm in proportion to the number
of young cattle to be wintered, otherwise they are sold
off to be wintered by other graziers. The provision thus
made will consist of the following kinds of food, i. e. -.
Hay, straw (in variety), turnips, mangolds, cabbages
(in variety), potatoes. The management of the young
cattle will consist of the best appropriation of this
provision. It may be right to observe that however
ample the provision of food may be made available, it is
most important that equally ample provision of warmth
and shelter should be provided. Young cattle must be
kept warm and dry or their food is of little real service
to them. We must then stipulate for warm shelters and
dry lairage ; this secured, we take them from their pas-
tures to the fold yards, hovels, and byres. Their

first cheap supply of food — winter food — should consist
of turnips, sliced, or pulped, mixed with chaff, cut from
one-fourth good hay and three-fourths good straw of
oats, barley, or peas ; this to be supplied in moderate
quantity according as it is consumed, all being kept
cleanly and sweet, i. e., stalls, cribs, chaff-bins, scuttles,
skeps, and floors. As the winter advances and the
young cattle progress, cake, corn, or other artificial food
should be supplied ; for although they will do well and
improve at first, their condition will wane in a very few
weeks unless a change to more nutritious food is resorted
to ; indeed, several changes should be made in their ra-
tions during the winter, i. e., upon thrashing days, and
after. The pulse and chaff will make a very desirable
change for a few days from their cut chaff, and in Febru-
ary or tlie early spring mangolds may be substituted for
turnips ; potatoes, too, may be then given in moderation,
and even cabbage in a season of scarcity. "Water should
be sparingly supplied ; the lairage likewise, but just
enough for the cleanliness. In this way, in ordinary
seasons, young cattle may be advantageously wintered.
In a season like the present every one is at his wits end :
no hay, no I'oots, and but little straw ; resort must be
had to every available supply, corn, cake, cabbage, pota-
toes, straw and hay, brewer's grains, malt-comb, &c., &c.
The task will be a hard one, and very expensive ; in
ordinary seasons young stock may be economically win-
tei'cd in the way pointed out. The grazing during the
following summer will be the same as the past ; they
will then be two-and-a-half years old : the steers should
then be assigned to those who fatten them, and the heifers
be appropriated to breeding purposes.

THE LEICESTER IMPLEMENT SHOW.
NOTES UPON NOVELTIES.

In the first of the present series of papers we very briefly
alluded to the extended use of the cultivator, or grubber,
in the modern practice of farming ; an implement which
occupied a very marked position at the Leicester Show,
and this mainly arising from the trials to which they were
subjected. And although no novelties, in the strictest
acceptation of the term, were exhibited in this depart-
ment, still the implement show, and the trials to which
they were subjected, presented some points of thought,
which carried mth them suggestions of such practical
value, that we may be again here permitted to advert to
them : all the more that these papers are not intended
to concern themselves merely with novelties as novelties,
but have for aim the much more extended, and shall we
say, the much more valuable scope, of being suggestive
of what will likely be the future, as deduced from past
experience, in the various departments of agriculture.

The introduction of the grubber or cultivator as an
implement for the preparation of the soil for the recep-
tion of seed was coincident with, or we should perhaps
be more correct if we said followed upon, the modern
practice of land-drainage. For it is to be noted that the
implement is not intended for — at least it does not give
out its best powers — in wet soils ; its use, indeed, on soils
of this character would bring about the cultivation of
soil which it is certainly not the aim of the farmer to
secure ; and that, extended as is now the use of this
implement, it is certainly a very suggestive circumstance
that not one of our agricultural societies have taken up
the investigation of its principles of operation, of the
work which it has to do, and to deduce therefrom the

best foi'm to give to its working parts. And yet it is by
no means an exaggerated view of the matter to take —
rather, indeed, is it simply the common-sense practical
one— that its economical working does depend, not merely
upon the form of the tines, but upon the rela-
tion which these bear to the framing which carries
them. This was remarkably well exemplified in the
trials of the grubbers which were worked by steam
power at Leicester. We do not here, by naming names,
wish to make invidious distinction ; but those who, like
ourselves were present throughout the whole of the trials,
will know to what special implements we refer when wc
say that while one did its work well, keeping to its work
steadily, another did not, and was repeatedly thrown
out. Now this gave rise at once to the question, what
was the cause ? and there could be no doubt that while the
circumstances of working were equal, and the results un-
equal, it must have been owing to some peculiarity in
the implements ; as, indeed, it was. And yet we venture
to say, that if the thought did strike the officials of the
Society that it might serve some practical purpose to inves-
tigate these peculiar circumstances, no public expression of
the thought was given ; nor has it, so far as wc are aware
of, been alluded to in any of the Jnurncds of the Society.
There must be a difference between the working of one
implement with a properly designed grubber, and
one improperly designed, as we know there
is a difference between the ability of one man
to resist a pressure which tends to pull him forwards, and
who is standing full and firm upon the extended soles of
his feet, and of another who is standing only on tip-toe.

522

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

The illnstratiou we have used before we may use agaiu,
for it has a very close bearing indeed upon the vt^orking of
the imjilement now under consideration. And while on
this we may allude to a novelty, not certainly in the way
of a new implement, but rather referring to a new use of
an old one, which was promulgated at Leicester, and to
which, by the way, we have already made brief allusion,
namely, that the use of the grubber actually reduces the
fertility of the soil. Now, as this has been objected
to by practical men, it is one of the points connected
with the implement to which the attention of the Society
should be directed, when they take up the whole question
as to what constitutes the best form in which it should
be used as an implement for the preparation of the soil
for seed.

And this brings us to note a point which concerns
closely those who use the grubbers, and which, strange to
say, was commonly, or perhaps we should say apparently,
overlooked by the judges themselves in the trial-lield
allotted to the horse-dragged implements of this class'
The point refers to the incapability of certain forms of
grubbers or cultivators — we shall see presently that it is
a pity that these two names should be so generally con-
sidered as synonymous — to do the hard work of breaking-
up the soil in preparing it for a seed-bed. Now, it is an
undisputed axiom in mechanical opei-atious that if you
wish the best results you must use the machine or imple-
ment calculated to do the work in the best way — in other
words, you must not use a machine to break stones which
was designed or is only calculated to break nuts. The
illustration is apt enough, as it goes to the root of the
matter at once, and points precisely to what is often done
in the practice of farming, and was done, by the way, in the
trial-field at Leicester, where they used an implement to
break up land for cultivation, which is only capable of clean-
ing or stiri-ing the upper surface of soil already cultivated
— in other words, who overlook the fact that there is a dis-
tinction between the work which a grubber does and tliat
which a cultivator does. The reader will see here why
we stated that it is a pity that these names are considered
to be synonymous. That they are so by the officials of
the society is clear enough, for we saw some implements
set to do work for which they were not at all designed,
and when failure resulted — as any one who knows what
this class of implements is, know it would inevitably
result — the failure was laid to the blame of the maker
rather than to the fact that it was set to do work Avhich
it was not designed nor Was capable of doing. Such
considerations as these are by no means without a prac-
tical value, if they serve no other purpose than the one to
which at the conclusion of our first paper we made pointed
allusion — namely, bring about that reform in the mode of
arranging the trials and in reporting their results, which
by all who have paid attention to the subject is deemed
to be pregnant with such important results to the welfare
of the Society. Before dismissing this department of
the Leicester Show, let us express the hope that
the next show will display one novelty which
should have beea displayed in nearly all their implements
at Leicester — namely, the use of steel for the parts
subjected to the greatest strain. We certainly were
surprised at first, in examining some of the implements,
that not only was this material not used, but that the old
material was by no means of the best : indeed, in the
fractured tine we saw a specimen of metal which was as
bad as it could be— no wonder that it was fractm-ed. Some
of oiu- implement-makers should take a lesson from the
practice of some other of their brethreu, who keep them-
selves thoroughly alive to all improvements in the manu-
facture of materials, and the modes of usiug them to the
best advantage. Some of the exhibitors might never have
heard of the vast improvement in many branches of the

manufactures connected with coustruotive materials, if
one may judge from what one sees in the machinery and
implements many exhibit. Let us in justice, however, to
the great body of exhibitors, say that such men are not
very numerous, or, if numerous, have not very extended
connections. The reproach as named does not, happily,
come within the range of our best-known men in the trade.

An entirely new class of mechanical appliances has
been added of late years to those which aid the labour of
the farm, namely, that connected with the housing of the
crops. It was our privilege, nearly twenty years ago, to
present the I'eaders of this Journal with a series of papers
which took up and discussed the philosophy of harvesting
and housing the cereal produce of the farm ; and in thea
discussing various points, we alluded to the extraordinary
indifference which at that time prevailed, not only as to
the best and quickest modes of housing grain, so as to
place it beyond the reach of weather contingencies, but
also as to the means provided for preserving its good
qualities, if housed in good condition, or of getting rid
of defects if the contrary was the case. And we then
took occasion to ])oint out how much time would be saved,
and labour economized, it, in place of simply relying
u))on manual labom- to lift the sheaves, aud place
them on the stack, mechanical appliances were in-
troduced. At the time we wrote, the yards of our
agricultural shows displayed no appliances with these
important objects in view. This could not be
said of the yard of the Leicester show, where
at many stands could be seen appliances with varying
details calculated to save time and labour, and therefore
money, in the important labours of the stack-yard, where
the realization of the labour of the farming year is to be
met with. To Mr. Hayes, of Elton, if we mistake not,
belongs the honour of bringing out the first appliance of
this kind ; and this was exhibited at Leicester. Since
the date of this patent others have succeeded him in this
department of agricultural engineering ; and the latest of
those who have done so much to place it upon a basis of
efficiency, is the house of Messrs. Amies and Barford,
who exhibited at Leicester an apparatus, which however
promises aid ia another department of labour, namely,
the making of hay-stacks. The mechanical arrangements
of this apparatus are very complete, the great object had
in view by the inventors being the doing away wherever
possible w'ith the necessity for employing manual labour,
by the substitution of mechanical arrangements. We
believe the apparatus will take a useful place in farm
mechanism.

In close connection with this department, a very useful
appliance was exhibited at the stall of the Messrs. Garrett,
of Saxmundham, which, although it can scarcely be called
a novelty, as it has been before exhibited, is worthy of
notice, as suggestive of what can be done in a department
which has scarcely yet begun to be noticed by our farm
mechanics — this appliance was a rick ventilator. It has
all the merits of being simple, possessing no moveable,
and therefore no complicated parts. It is simply a tube
with a perforated end, which end is placed at or near the
centre of the stack, and from which a tube leads horizon-
tally out towards the circumference, where it is bent up-
wards like a chimney, and, like some of our chimneys,
furnished with a cap, or cowl. This appliance is said to
act very efficiently in removing heated air from the in-
terior of the stack ; a result which would, however, be
greatly aided by some means of establishing a current
from the bottom of the stack towards the perforated end
of the tube.

As above stated, we believe that there is much yet to
be done in the economy of the stack-yard before we can
say that its management is on a level with other depart-
ments of the farmery. The stall of the Messrs. M'N eile

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

523

of Liverpool, at wliicli were exhibited models of va-
rious buildings, sheds, and the like, intended to illustrate
the use of galvanized iron in erecting farm buildings,
gave to the thoughtful observer a suggestion of what
might yet be done in the way of having our stacks under
rover. In one or two instances only — markedly that at
the farm of Lutou Hoo, the estate of Mr. Gerald Legh—

in this country, have structures of this kind been erected ;
but wherever they have been, the advantages have been so
great that we believe when more attention is given to the
subject no well-designed farmery shall be erected with-
out a covered rick-yard or shed, for housing corn under,
forming part of it. In a climate like ours^such a struc-
ture is imperatively demanded.

THE PREPARATION OF LAND FOR ROOTS,

The successful growth of root-crops is amongst the
most critical and at the same time important departments
of agricultm-e. In hot and dry seasons such as the pre-
sent, success becomes of inci-eased importance, because of
the many failures or partial failures which exist. No
system of procedure can be relied upon as being invariably
successful ; but it is by no means difficult to determine
where success can be most frequently relied upon. The
important position which the root-crops occupy in the
general system of farm-management testify to the value
of their successful growth. An entire failure of the root-
crop leaves its mark upon the farm for some yea)-s ; and
the cost of purchasing food to replace the loss is a heavy
expense, and especially if the season happens to be gene-
rally unfavourable for their growth. Success in a bad
season becomes of increased value ; for, whilst in a pro-
ductive year a supply of roots can be obtained at a mo-
derate cost, if there has been frequent failure in crop, a
supply can scarcely be obtained at any price.

On an occasion such as the present, the attention is
naturally directed to the circumstances which especially
influence a result of such wide-spread importance. In
the preparation of land for roots we observe some striking
variations in the course of procedure ; and the results
which generally arise appear to indicate their relative
value. In an ordinary season, when the alternation of
dry weather with occasional falls of rain is tolerably re-
gular, the difliculties are very much reduced. He is the
most successful grower of roots who secures a good crop
in dry and hazardous seasons. Such cases are not un-
common ; and we purpose noticing some of their pecu-
liarities of management, and thus we may be able to
point out the essentials for such success.

The condition of the soil at the time of sowing is, be-
yond doubt, most important in its influence upon the
success of the crop. The cultivator of the soil will find
in the preparation of the land for the reception of the
seed his most laborious duties, and those which demand
his greatest judgment and care. This preparation will
of necessity vary according to the character of the soill
but the result to be obtained is a clean, deep, and friabe;
seed-bed, favourable for the growth of the seed. As
to the clean and friable condition of the soil for such a
purpose, there is no difference of opinion ; but as regards
the moisture of the soil, there is a remarkable difference
of opinion and practice. The policy of some farmers of
loamy soils is to get the ground as dry as possible, whilst
others, under very similar circumstances, endeavour to
attain the opposite result, and are most cautious to keep
the soil as moist as they can.

When the intention is to sow in a dry seed-bed, there
is no hesitation about carrying out the hnal tillages, irre-
spective of the drying influence of sun and air. The cul-
tivation is, in such a case, carried on up to the time of
sowing the seed ; and if the soil be then thoroughly dry,
there is the greater feeling of satisfaction in seeing the
seed entrusted to its care. The seed, being so deposited,
naturally lies in an unaltered condition until rain falls,

when it is suddenly aroused into action. The warmth o
the soil encourages a rapid growth as soon as the rain
has fallen ; and as the rains at this season are tolerably
effective, or else scarcely enough to influence the seed, no
fears are entertained of the seed making a false start.
The cultivators who adopt this rule have little cause for
anxiety as to the seed starting well and satisfactorily,
when it does move. It often happens that such seed will
lie in the ground for a considerable length of time, simply
for want of rain ; but the grower congratulates himself
that it is safer to wait patiently for rain" than for the seed
to spring up, and the young plants to become food for the
turnip-fly. It must be acknowledged that in the ma-
jority of cases this delay is no loss o{ time. If we com-
pare the growth of a crop which has come up rapidly,
and broken quickly into the rough leaf, with another crop
which has made its first appearance in the face of settled
dry weather, simply to become preyed upon by ;the
tm-nip-fly, we shall generally observe that the latter, even
if it survives the fly, cannot make any material proo-ress
until rain falls, and that, in consequence of the punish-
ment it has had, is soon passed by the other crop.

One of the essentials for success in the growth of a
crop of roots is to secure a good start, and avoid any-
thing like a check in the growth. The results which at-
tend this practice of sowing in a dry seed-bed are very
generally satisfactory. Extended experience appears
rather to prove that it is a safe policy, and generally most
successful in its results. The basis upon which it rests
is, that the soil is so dry that the seed cannot grow until
there has been a good fall of rain, which, coming into a
dry and warm soil, makes the seed a hotbed, from which
it grows with vigour. The soil, having been well mois-
tened, continues the growth of the seed, in spite of any
obstacle, until the plant is well out in rough leaf,^and the
roots firmly established in the soil.

The opposite policy has many supporters equally
zealous in its favour. In this case, the endeavour of the
cultivator is to prevent the soil getting dry. His arrano-e-
meuts are all carried out so as to secure this result.
The tillage operations are, with this object, carried out
some weeks before the time for sowing the seed. The
land, being clean and in good condition, is not ao-ain
ploughed ; but should necessity compel the soil to be
lightened, the most that can be done is to stir the land
with a cultivator of some kind. The usual endeavour is
to give the land at least two weeks, after all tilla"-e is
finished, so that the natural moisture of the land "may
arise up into the cultivated soil. When the seed is sown
it is put in rather deeper than usual, and the land rolled
down as soon as possible afterwards.

The seed which has been sown under such circum-
stances commences its growth without delay, as there
is abundant moisture to promote the germination of the
seed. Assisted by the moist conditfon of the soil, the
roots settle into the soil ; and the plant soon shows itself
above the soil, to commence the battle of life. So Ion"-
as the moisture of the soil is sufficient for the piu'poses of

524

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

a vigorous growth, the heat of the sun acts as a powerful
stimulant. If the moisture be insufficient, then the heat
of the suu would have an injurious tendency ; but this is
of rare occuiTcnce under the system we are now noticing.
This rapid growth makes the crop independent of the
turnip-Hy ; and it is thus able to burst into the rough
leaf uninjured in the contest for life. The policy thus
adopted secures for the seed a sufficiency of moisture iu
the soil to commence growth without delay, and to carry
forward without interruption the development of the
crop through this the most critical period of its existence.
Here also a favourable start has been secured, and the
stability of the crop ensured, by a course of procedure
directly opposite to the system we lirst referred to. Each
has its separate advocates ; and it is probable that there are
conditions of soil upon which each may be justly preferred.
The advocates for either or both of these systems are
very much in the minority of those who adopt a system
intermediate between those already named. In this case,

however, experience appears rather to show that the
middle way is the path of danger. Wheu the cultivation
is cari'ied out so as to secure only a moderate degree of
moisture in the soil, the seed is of necessity placed in
danger. The growth commences ; the plant shows itself
above the ground; and all goes well, provided rain
happens to come in time to help the plant before the
want of moisture iu the soil has injured its growth. If,
however, a continuation of hot, sunny weather has to be
endured, and the demands upon the soil for moisture
cannot be responded to, then the plant receives a check ;
and if it be severe, it dies for want of moisture. If, in
addition to the heat of the sun, the fly is busy upon the
leaves, the end is more rapid, and the loss of the crop
more certain.

The condition of the soil as regards moisture at the
time of sowing the seed is far more important than is
generally acknowledged; and its neglect is a frequent
cause of failure iu the growth of root-crops.

STEAM CULTIVATION.

A meeting of the member; of tlie Ilesham Farmers' Club
was held for the purpose of hearing a paper by Mr. Greig, ou
" Steam Cultivation." There was a large attendance. Mr.
Charles G. Grey, presided. Iu the absence of Mr. Greig,
through indisposition, the paper was read by Mr. Reginald
Wigram, uuder-manager of Messrs. Fowler's works.

The paper is as follows : —

It is uot my inteution iu this paper to discuss tlie mechani-
cal construction of steam-ploughing implements. I propose
rather to consider the practic;d application of such imple-
ments to the efficient cultivation of the soil ; and for the
sake of conveuience I wiU divide the subject into six heads
— Firstly, I propose to illustrate steam power as a means
of draught compared with that of horses ; secondly, I propose
to consider the present condition of steam cultivation ; thirdly,
the difficulties connected with its introduction into new dis-
tricts ; fourthly, steam cultivation as it should ha ; fifthly, the
state of the soil, and the advantages to be gained by the
adoption of steam cultivation ; and sixthly, various alterations
which agriculturists will require to make before the pecuniary
and other advantages of steam cultivation can be fuUy and
universally realised. Regarding the application of steam
power as a pulling medium, I think there can be very little
discussion. Where steam power can be conveniently appHed,
there is no doubt as to its being done at one-tenth the cost of
horse labour. A steam-engine set iu position, drawing a wire-
rope, wiU pull at Gd. per horse power per day. If such be the
fact (and I can prove it to be so by numerous eases iu col-
lieries and other places, where wire- rope is now being iu-
creasingly used as a means of conveying the requisite power),
there can be no dispute as to its efficiency. 1Vith practical
men it therefore resolves itself into a question of application ;
and that this application can be satisfactorily cfl'ected by agri-
culturists, of any mechanical turn of mind, there can be no
doubt. The draught of a horse is about a hundredweight and
a half continuously, and with steam this draught can be carried
continuously for ten lioursfor Gd. Steam ploughing is largely a
matter of puUing ; and, provided the necessary pulling po^er
be obtained, the next consideration is to arrange the conveyance
of this power in such a way as shall be most suitable for the
use of the agriculturist. Reg.ardiug steam ploughing as it is :
Its present position is somewhat peculiar. It is an admitted
fact that on steam-cultivated land, the crops are very mate-
rially increased, where judicious management has obtained ;
and those people who devote a reasonable amount of thought
and energy to the work are succeeding and making plenty of
money. On the other hand, numerous farmers, possessing
machines of their own, are not so successful, but this, be it
observed, is owing entirely to the management. Steam power
is not at present in tlie advanced position it sliould occupy —
partly owing to the want of implements to do the light work.

Ileavy work can be done by it imder all circumstances, much
better and cheaper thi;n by horse power. One of the great ad-
vantages of steam ploughing is that, in all cases, the drainage
is thereby materially improved ; and it is a noteworthy fact, that
in several instances where steam-plough proprietors have expe-
rienced great difficidty in getting work from the farmers during
the lirst year, the second year they have had more applica-
tions than they could well supply. It is rare that a person
having a field steam-cultivated one season will not have three
or four times as much land done the season after. From this
we may infer that, as a rule, the farmer is quite satisfied with
the character of the work. It is most important that the
agriculturist, in the selection of a machine, should purchase
that which is best adapted to the special circumstances and
condition of his farm. Steam cultivating apparatus is unlike
many other kiads of maclnnery, in that it is required to deal
with all varieties of uneven surfaces and unequal draught.
This is a point which is of the utmost importance to consider,
and intending buyers should study this matter well before
making a purchase. With respect to certain difficidties con-
nected with the introduction of steam ploughing apparatus
into a new district, the first of these is the alleged want of
capital. This difficulty seems extraordinary, considering that
we have such an abundance of money Ijing useless in the
country, or invested in undertakings which only pay from 2 to
4 per cent. ; and, indeed, it seems incredible to a commercial
mind that such a state of tilings could exist, and, if existing,
that it should be allowed to continue. Here is a business
(vhich is paying at least 25 per cent, to those who have engaged
their money and energy in it, and surely such facts only require
to be known to create a much more extensive investment of
money in steam cultivating machiaes. Another phase of the
same difficulty is to satisfy tlie mind of the agriculturist that
the machinery is such a sale investment, and that it will con-
tinue to pay as it is now doing. In reference to this, I would
observe that, for the success of all speculations, time is abso-
lutely necessary, but from the comparatively slow returns of
agriculture, a yet longer period of time is required. The next
point is the great want of roads and larger fields in the country.
This is a difficulty which, so soon as the agriculturist fidly
sees the practical advantages of steam cultivation, he will use
his very best endeavours to remedy. It is, however, important
that the landlord should see these at the same time, and
especially that he will be greatly benefited by the proposed al-
terations. For the working of machinery, not apjilied to the
cultivation of the soil, it is necessary, first of all, tliat a posi-
tion should be made for it ; and, as a rule, it is either fixed
down as a stationary engine or a road is made for it to run on.
Now, whether steam power be apphed, or horse power, on a
highly-cultivated farm, it is absolutely essential, for tlie proper
conducting of such a farm, tliat the fields should be large, and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

525

that roads sliould be made on which to carry the produce to
the homestead. Eveu a lialfpeuny a ton would much more
than pay 10 per cent, on the money expended on those roads ;
and those farmers who have carefully watched the change of
their horses and implements from one field to another, the
doing up of headlands, and so forth, must have observed that
a great loss of time, and, consequently a lieavy expense is in-
curred. Looking at this point, it is singular that more has not
been done in improving, especially in tlie shape of squaring
fields and road-making, on the farms of this country. The slow
education of the labourer, with the view of making him ca-
pable of inanaging steam-ploughing machinery, has had a re-
tarding influence ; but it is astonishing to observe Iiow soon
such a man gets thoroughly interested, when once you make
the thing a success. In a great many cases, in consequence
of inefiicient nmnagement, this difficulty has continued for
some time; while, on the other hand, when good management
has been the rule, the ignorance, prejudice, and obstinacy of
the labourer have rapidly yielded to practical skill and perse-
vering energy. Before the cost of steam cultivation is re-
duced to the minimum of economy, the fields will require to
be enlarged, and good roads must be constructed ; but even,
under existing circumstances, if the proper class of machinery
be procured, and well managed and worked, the result will be
more or less advantageous. Hitherto, steam-ploughs have only
been used for doiug a few of the heavy operations. Now,
tills is an entirely mistaken policy. Let it be borne in mind
that each horse-foot-mark which is put upon the land has to
be taken out again ; the land having, first "of all, been trodden
down in a very uneven way, part of it being soft and part of
it hard. It is exceedingly desirable, with a view to economy,
that the soil during all cultivating operations should be en-
tirely free from animal foot-prints. As an illustration of this
point, you may have seen a market gardener having his har-
rows pulled by men, rather than have animals treading and
hardening his ground. If the animals are kept off the ground,
and the land plouglied in a proper season, one-half of the
present cultivation will be quite sufficient. No clod-crushers
or mechanical means of breaking the soil will be required. It
is often said that deep cultivation will not do for all crops.
Now, I am entirely of o])inion that deep cultivation is un-
necessary more than once in every rotation ; but this cannot
be accomplished unless every operation is done by some means
which do not involve any trampling or treading. I am
quite prepared to affirm that the cultivation of the land where
steam-ploughing operations are thoroughly carried out will
not cost more than 8s. per acre per year. In this estimate I
include sowing, harrowing, and everything connected with the
pulling expenses. The operations will be done at the exact
time tlie farmer requires them, or when his land is in the
most suitable state for their being done ; uo extra expenses
will be incurred when a wet day occurs ; and it will be possible
to keep the farming expenses in accordance with calculations
that shall have been made beforehand. The crops will be in-
creased in quantity, and improved iu quality, in consequence
of the cultivation of the land being eflected at the right time,
and in the right condition. The state of the land where
steam power has been ■sufficiently applied for a considerable
time is worthy of thoughtful consideration. But few people
are prepared to credit the change which has taken place in a
piece of soil where the spade has been employed as a means
of cultivation for some years. Suppose a liouse built on the
very poorest soil in the country — surround that house with a
garden. Now, observe, as soon as the garden changes its
colour, it becomes easy to cuUivate. This, you perhaps sug-
gest, is owing to manure. Not entirely so. Of course it is
partly owing to the manure, but the greatest advantage
that the soil derives is from the roots of the plant con-
veying the atmospheric elements and influences down
into the soil, and hence it follows that although no
manure except the artificial kinds be applied, yet if
vegetables be planted on it, that ground will become
quite black and rich looking. If spade-husbandry lias the ad-
vantages \yhich I claim for it (and which few men'will dispute),
steam-cultivation has similar advantages, with this important
addition, that in the well-timed operations of steam-cultivation
the work is done with much more regularity, with much greater
rapidity, at a lower depth, and without any treading whatever.
The great point with the soil is to treat it when it'is in a pro-
per state for being operated upon, and never under any consi-

deration wlieu it is raw or wet. By wajaof familiarly illus-
trating this remark,, I may venture to observe that probably
most of you have occasionally ploughed down a little snow. In
doing so I have uo doubt you will have seen the lines of the
ploiighed-down snow. If such has been the case, then I hold
tiiat turning land over, wRen only slightly wet, must produce
the same result in a proportionate degree. The temperature of
steam-ploughed or dug-land is very materially raised, and it
will keep much nearer one point than other land will, on which
horses have been trampling and treading, and over which they
have often been going in wet weather. It is an important fact
that, other things being equal, any land ploughed by steam
dries much sooner than laud not so cultivated. This is mainly
caused by the rapid action of the implement in passing through,
and also in tearing the subsoil below where ordinary ploughs
had previously penetrated, so that the water can now descend
into file drains. As already intimated, the depth of cultivation
is a very important consideration. By deep cultivation, of
course I don't mean simply turning over. 1 mean that the
land be thoroughly loosened, and that provision be made to re-
tain enough of the moisture and wet at the bottom, and in such
a state as to allow any superfluous water which may fall to pass
away. The advantages derived from such deep cultivation are,
that the surface land never retains more moisture than it re-
quires, and when dry weather comes, the spongy subsoil keeps
it until the plant requires it, thus entirely preventing two in-
jurious extremes. The subject of dealing with the land may be
further illustrated by a passing reference to one of the common
laws of health. A man cannot continually enjoy the best
health unless he pays some attention to the temperature of the
atmosphere by which he is surrounded, and in which he " lives,
and moves, and has his being," and unless, by lighter and hea-
vier clothing, he endeavours to secure something like an
equality of temperature in the heat of summer and the cold of
winter. This point is of much more importance iu its bearing
on the growth of agricultural produce than most farmers ima-
gine. Plants require as even a temperature as it is possible to
secure, and the only means of effecting this are deep cidtivation
and thorough drainage- With respect to manuring from the at-
mosphere, I would observe further, that most persons are not
aware that soils are able to imbibe a vast aniDunt of manure
from the atmosphere if put in a proper condition. They will
absorb from the air ammonia, and the atmosphere itself gives
to the land every year, in the form of rain, a very large quan-
t'ity of this substance. This at once raises the subject of
draining; for if land is clogged up with water to the
surface it is unable to benefit by the valuable ma-
nures which descend iu the rain, which instead of
soaking through the ground, is compelled to run off
tlie surface without giving half its manuring value to
the crops. Again, undrained land is unable to extract
the manures from the air, for this process is only carried on
by reason of its porosity ; and, therefore, if the water cannot
pass readily away, the ground remains fuU, the air is unable
to pass among it, and thus it is unable to derive any benefit
from it. This power possessed by soil of manuring itself from
tiie air constitutes the real value of " fallowing," and is greatly
assisted by deep cultivation. Another point is necessary to be
studied, and tliat is, never to touch tlie land except when it is
in the best state for the work being eflected. If ploughed wet,
the temperature of the land will be lowered for the entire
season. Living in a country surrounded and confined by the
sea, we cannot possibly enlarge the actual area of the land ;
but the value of the land we do possess may be very materially
increased, if not absolutely doubled, by the thorough pul-
verizing of the soil to double tlie depth actually reached by
the ordinary horse-plough. A great deal of the finest land in
this country is never ploughed more than six inches deep, and
each time it receives 3.50,000 footmarks per acre. It has been
ploughed for generations to the same depth; and, of couroe,
tbe bottom immediately below that must be a substance resem-
bling asphalte rather than soil. If the atmosphere could act
upou it, it would l&osen it ; but by tlie means of the ordinary
ploughshare riding annually over it, and horses treading down
over the very same surface, it becomes almost as hard and im-
permeable as asphalte. With such cultivation, crops must be
necessarily limited ; and they cannot grow above a certain
height, from the fact that they cannot root themselves beyond
a certain depth. I am of opinion that the land should be
loosened at least two feet from the top, and before long we

526

THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE.

hliall sec that such will he the case. Light land will be equally
as much beneliteS as heavy, from the fact that it will retain
its moisture even through dry weather, lleavy land will be-
come the best producing land, and much the cheapest to culti-
vate, because, in the case of heavy land, no cleaning wiU be
necessary. I am rather doubtful that light land will always
grow weeds, and therefore require more operations to effect the
cultivation. Tiie wear-and-tear of implements and machinery
on light land will be much greater than on heavy. The great
point in profitable agriculture is, if possible, to discover a
system by which the farmer shall pay only the nett cost or
value of the work actually done. It is hardly necessary to
remark that such is not generally the case ; and any farmer,
without studying his books, may find that his estimated ex-
penses are nearer the ultimate sum, after having been multi-
pKed by two. Nothing requires to he more carefully watched
by the farmer than his expenses. Were I to ask the shrewdest
and most experienced farmer in the room to give me iu detail
the estimated cost of the next year's operations on each field
on his farm, I venture to submit that the actual cost, when
accurately reckoned up at the end of next year, would be found
double the amount of his previous calculations. One obvious
reason of this uncertainty would be that the horses would have
been kept a whole year for doing only half-a-year's work.
IVo days are not unfrequently spent in ploughing when one
day ought to be sufficient. In conclusion, I would remark that
the more convenient and untiring agency of steam is adopted
in fanning operations, the greater will be the certainty of
the farmer's profits — fewer horses will be required ; with
proper management, a saving of time will be efiected ; better
crops will be secured ; the condition of the farm labourers
will be improved ; and agriculture will be more enthusiastically
studied as an interesting and practical art, and more success-
fully prosecuted as a promising and profitable business.

The Chairman was sure that they had all been very much
interested by the paper which had just been read. He hoped
some of the gentlemen present would state their views ou the
matter. He knew that the farmers on Tyneside had not had
very much experience of steam ploughing. Their farms were
generally ou hilly ground, and of light land, and it had been con-
sidered that steam ploughing was not applicable to the district.

Mr. Younger, Burradon, stated that he liad a steam plough,
with two engines, His farm was strong land, and he could
plough six to twelve acres per day. He had done away with
five horses out of sixteen.

Mr. Hugh Stephenson, Throckley, said that at Cirencester
CoUege the steam plough was rather old-fashioned, and not to
be compared with the machines spoken of. It was a ten-horse
engine, with an anchor. At the College the steam plough lost
them something like £300 a year. He must, however, state
the farm was, perhaps, one of the worst in the kingdom to cul-
tivate ; there was in some places only three to four inches of
soil on the rock. The ground was very hilly ; and some peo-
ple thought it impossible to' cultivate hilly land with steam
ploughs, l)ut he thought they were mistaken, as he did not
think hilly ground any objection. The steam plough he al-
luded to liad been given up. He did not condemn steam
ploughs, as he did not think the ploughing at the College a
fair test.

Mr. CociCBURN, Newcastle, said a gentleman at Hylton,
farming about 700 acres, had got a single ten-horse engine ;
he had had the engine about six months, and he was now able,
as a result, to do \rith half the number of liorses. He used to
have nineteen horses. Generally one-third of the horses were
done away with.

Mr. GooDRicK, Dilston, said that Mr. Crow, Scremerston,
who had got a steam engine, had reduced the number of his
horses from thirtyto sixteenor eighteen. He farmedl,I50acres.

The CuAiujiAN said it was stated in the paper that the
whole of the operations could be done for 8s. per acre per year.
He wished to know how the amount was arrived at ?

Mr. CocKBURN said that a few days ago a set of Messrs.
Powler's tackle had been commenced with on a farm, and
during two days 21 acres were ploughed to a depth of 10 to 12
inches. There were two engines. The cost of coals for the
two days was £1 3s. ; leading water (the water had to be led a
mjle and a half or two miles up a very heavy bank) , £1 ; engineer
25s. per week, second engineer 2I3. per week, ploughman 20s.
per week, two boys at Is. 6d. each. He considered that out
of 21 acres, leaving headlands out, there were 18 acres

ploughed to the depth of 10 to 12 inches, at a cost of £3 15s,
Mr. Younger would bear him out. He estimated they could
plough eight acres per day. They might cultivate 15 to 20
acres at one-half the cost of the ploughing, and if they took
the harrowing at the same proportion, that would bring it up
to 8s. per acre.

Mr. Stephenson asked whether the £3 15s. included wear
and tear of the engine, &c. ?

Mr. CocKBURN said the amount included the labour, coals,
leading water, and the actual expenses. They had decided to
put down the fair wear and tear of the machine and engines at
four per cent.

Tlie Chairman said that was only the expense when the
plough was actually on the ground, and set to work. It did
not include the wages of the men when the machine was being
taken from one place to another, or the idle time when the
machine was not at work.

Mr. CocKBURN said the same thing applied to horses. The
cost of the wear and tear upon the engines and tackle was less
than the cost of upholding the horses and ploughs.

Mr. Younger, in reply to a question, said he started at six
in the morning to raise the steam, and commenced work at
half-past seven. It took about an hour to move from one
field to another.

Mr. CocivBURN said that a few days ago they put in the
fires at tlie Acklington Station, to two of Messrs. Fowlers'
engines, and started out of the station in three-quarters of an
hour. They moved from one field to another two fields dis-
tant, and were at work again in three-quarters of an hour.

Mr. WiGRAM said they always tried their engines to go up
a short bank at a gradient of 1 in 10. No difficulty was found
with an ordinary hiU ; in slippery weather they might get
into difficulties.

The Chairman thought no one could doubt the advantage
of steam-ploughing, particularly on strong land. He had not
seen light land cultivated by the steam plough. There cer-
tainly was no doubt of the improvement it made in the land
itself, in bringing up a depth of soil, and giving greater scope
for the roots to gather nutriment. One difficulty was the great
capital required. It was all very well to say wliat the average
cost of working was. This was an enterprising age, and if
steam-ploughing paid 25 per cent., why did not some people
get up a company and purchase a steam plough ? Would any-
body contract to do all the ploughing in Auick Grange Farm.
at 8s. per acre per annum ? There was no doubt great good
was done by steam-cultivation on stiff land. It was merely a
question of expense. They had had little experience on Tyne-
side of the steam plough, and he would ask if any gentleman
could tell him of a farm in the district which would pay to
buy a machine for its own use ?

Mr. CocKBURN : But suppose there was united action be-
ween two or three farmers, and they bought a steam plough ?
Some persons in the south commenced with a single set of
tackle, which they let out at a certain price, and now they had
had to buy four or five sets of tackle to let out.

Mr. DoDS said there had been too much talking of stesim
ploughs decreasing the numljer of horses. He l)elieved ex-
perience showed that there was far greater efficiency in the
work — the ^ork was doubly well done by the steam plough.
He did not think there was any farmer between Newcastle
and Haltwhistle whom it would pay to get a steam plough on
his own account. If he had a steam plough to-morrow, he could
not reduce the number of his horses, as he would require the
full number to lead his corn, &c. If he could get the use of a
steam plough at certain seasons of the year, it would be great
advantage. The horses could be easier kept.

The Chairman moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Wigram.
Carried unanimously.

Mr. WiGRAJi briefly returned thanks. Referring to what
Mr. Steplienson had stated, he said that Mr. Carey was for
some time at Cirencester College, and had a good deal to do
with the management of the tackle ; and he was now living
comfortably in the South, and had five sets of tackle, which he
let out. As to having a machine for Tyneside, he stated that
companies had been organised in other places ; and if there
was not one here, then it was the fault of the residents on
Tyneside.

Mr. CocKBURN stated that a company had been formed in
the county of Durham, and a set of tackle had come down.

The meeting then terminated.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

527

ORNITH OLO GY.

"On the 28th Sept., 1868, at Peldson, Essex, an Egyptian
vulture was shot, supposed to be only the second instance of
its capture in Great Britain, No. 1 having been shot in 1825."

Sir, — The 'Rev. F. O. Morris recently petitioned Par-
liament to impose a gun-tax, in order to prevent the senseless
slaughter of the feathered tribe which prevails in the country,
to the prejudice of agriculture. Even pheasants and wood-
cocks consume many wire-worms, and, as I stated in your
journal, of 9tli July, 1866, rooks, and common birds, in this
respect follow suit without doubt, and beueficially. Curious
birds, the hoopoe for example, here have a small chance of
life, in tliese days of cheap-John gunnery ; and this is to be
regretted, for, if encouraged, the breeds might increase, and
become a source of pleasure to ornithologists and naturalists
in general — men like the late Gilbert White of Selbourne, and
"William Markwich of Battle, who from the year 1768 to 1793,
inclusive, made a series of observations respecting birds and
their habits.

Mr. Yarrell, m his History of Birds, stated, in Devonshire the
system of rook-killing liad proved detrimental to agriculture.
It was necessary to re-import the birds. In the North of
England similar events had occurred ; for with the failure of
rooks, crops had failed also. Recently, in Algeria, the bird
known as the riiarlln triste was imported from France in order
to destroy a plague of locusts.

Mr. White included amongst birds of passage the following,
as seen in his own neighbourhood of Selborne : —

When DUE.

Wryneck

WilUow wren

Swallow

Martin

Sand ditto

Blackcap

Nightingale

Cuckoo

Middle willow wren

White throat

Redstart

Stone curlew

Turtle dove

Grasshopper lark ...

Swift

Reed sparrow

Landrail

Large willow wren

Goatsucker

Fern owl

Fly catcher

Ringousel *

Redwing

Fieldfare

Roy ston crow

Woodcock

March
March 23.

April 13.

April.

April.

End of March.

AprU 27.

May.
May 12.

Michaelmas.

Old Michaelmas

Winter Birds. — Wild swan, goose, duck, pochard, wid-
geon, teal, crossbeak, crossbill, silktail, snipe, woodpigeon.

Stone curlews he described as only seen in Norfolk, Hants,
Sussex, and Dorsetshire. That this bird made no nest, but
laid 2 eggs on the bare ground. Nightingales, he stated, never
reached Devonshire or Cornwall, and appear not to go further
northward than Doncaster, or to sing later than the 1st July,
if so late.

Mr. Morris has stated that they avoid the West and East
coasts, but are found at York and Carlisle.

Mr. White found less woodlarks, song-thrushes, wrens, red-
breasts, hedge-sparrows, yellow-hammers, skylarks, swallows,
blackcaps, titlarks, blackbirds, whitethroats, goldfinches, green-
finches, reedsparrows, and linnets, to sing after midsum-
mer, and therefore to breed more than once, as he supposed.
The flying songsters were, according to Mr. W., skylarks, tit,

and woodlarks, blackbirds, whitethroats, swallows, and wrens.
The missel-thrush may be included, according to the Rev. W.
T. Bree.

Mr. White and Markwich respectively gave these
dates for the singing and appearance of birds in England :

Redbreast sings

Thrush sings

Skylark sings

Blackbird sings

Ringdove coos

Pheasant crows

Golden wren crows . . .
Willow wren seen ...
Swallow appears

Martin appears

Sand Martin appears .
Nightingale sings

Snipe pipes

Cuckooheard .:

Swift appears

Large bat appears ...

Fern owl appears

Quail calls

Swallows and martens

congregate

Swifts depart

Lapwings congregate..
Ringousel appears ...

Woodlark sings

Woodcock seen

Swallows last seen —
The house marten
latest

Redwing comes

Fieldfare comes

Woodpigeon comes ...
Snipe comes

Stone curlew clamours

Jan. 1—12.
6—22.
21.

,, 17.
Feb. 27— April 5.
Mar. 3— „ 29.

„ 12— „ 30.

„ 19— „ 13.

,, 26— „ 20.

White.

28— J\

1.

21— April 2.
April 1— May 1.

7—

26,

May
June

July

Aug.
Sep.

13— „ 7.

22— June 11.

1— „ 26.

22— July 4.

14— Aug.29.

27— „ 29.

15— Sep. 12.

4— „ 30.

28— Oct. 24.

29— Nov.ll.

Oct. 4— Nov. 5.
„ 10— „ 10.

„ 12— „ 23.
„ 23— Dec.27.
„ 23— Nov.20.

Sep. 1— Nov. 7.

M.4RKWICH.

Jan. 3, 31(0ct. 6.)

, 15, April 4.

, 12, Feb. 27—

sings until 13th

November.
Feb. 13, May 13.
March 2, Aug. 10.
March 1, Mav 22.
April 15, May 22.
Mar. 30, May 16.
Ap. 7, 27— last seen

Nov. 16.
April 14, May 8 —

last seen Dec. 8.
April, 8, May 16.
April 5, July 4 —

last seen Aug. 29.

April 15, May 3—
last heard J une28
April 28, May 19.

May 16, Sept. 14.
July 23 — seen Sept.
1,18.

Aug. 12, Sept. 8.
Aug. 5, 11— seen
once on 3rd Sept.
Sept. 25, Feb. 4.

Oct. 1, Nov. 1—
last seen Ap. 13.

Nov. 16.

Oct. 1, Dec. 18—
last seen Ap. 13.
Oct. 13, Nov. 18.

Sept. 29, Nov. 11—
last seen Apr. 14.
June 17.

The dates, when more than one, are intended to express
earliest and latest times in which the noted fact was perceived ;
and country residents may compare them with their own ob-
servations.

At Caen, swallows and martins appeared 17th Apr. 1868.
Also swifts a week earlier than usual. On 27th July many
were visible, but on 29t!i (thermo. 68 degs.) every swift had
vanished, a fortnight earlier than usual. Besides the turtle-
dove, there are in Britain three kinds of wild pigeons, the
ring, stock, and rock-dove, the latter is smaller than the stock-
dove, and it is believed to be the progenitor of all domestic
breeds of pigeons. The ring-dove is larger than the stock, or
rock-dove. In Selborne woods formerly, before the beech was
thinned, pigeons abounded in thousands, as they do still near
the Mississippi in America, where, as the poet wrote —

" Their rising all at once was like the sound
Of thunder heard remote."

N N

528

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Dryden has given Virgil's description of the rock-dove's
movement in appropriate language : —

" As when the dove her rocky hold forsakes,
Roused in a fright, her sounding wings she shakes ;
The cavern rings with clattering, out she tlies.
And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies ;
At first slie flutters — hut at length she springs
To smoother flight, and shoots upon her wings."

Ring-doves feed on tlie leaves of vegetables. The neigh-
hour of Mr. W. shot one with its craw stuffed with tops of
turnips, which were boiled and eateu with the bird. But the
turnip itself would confer a rancid taste, different from that
given by beech-mast, acorns, and barley, eaten by wild pigeons
generally. During last summer, Mr. J. Slater of Ardorrie
House, N.B., found in the crop of one woodpigeon, 824< grains
of wlieat, £ peas, 5 beans, 4 oats ! But, as a set oif, its con-
sumption of slugs &;c. should be remembered.

As mucli doubt, jtill prevails respecting migratory birds

I may before concluding this letter produce the following ob-
servations made by Mr. Andrew Bloxam of Glenfield, near
Leicester, during his voyage from England to South America
in 182-4-5. Upon his return voyage he observed no land birds
at sea. He saw on 11th Oct., 18C4, a chaffinch, in lat. 48
degs. 33 rain. N., long. 7 degs. 50 miu. W., also several snipes.
Oct. 13, skylark was caught, in lat. 45 degs. 4 min. N., long.
10 degs. 10 min. W. Oct. 14, a goldfinch caught, much ex-
hausted ; white owl seen, lat. 44 degs. 1 mi" N., long. 11
degs. 19 min. W. Oct. 37, hawk seen 250 miles from Canary
Islands, nearest land. Oct. 29, two swallows seen, lat. 23 degs.

II min. N., long. 23 degs. 13 min. W. Oct. 30, many swal-
lows and martins seen and caught in search of flies, lat. 41
degs. 47 min. N., long. 25 degs. 58 min. W. Oct. 31, many
swallows and martin seen apparenty on S W. course. Hen red-
start came and was fed in lat. 19 degs. 54 min. N., long. 25
degs. W. Nov. 3, swallows seen. Nov. 4, spotted gallinule
caught on deck, lat. 8 degs. 2 min. N., long. 25 degs. 37 min.
W. Nov. 7, Kestrel hawk caught, but esoaped, seen 424
miles from land, in lat. 8 degs. 3 min. N., long. 24 degs. 40
min. W. All British birds verified by reference to Bewich's
birds. Nov. 21, small bat or large moth seen, high up, and
300 miles from nearest land. Nov. 23, a Brazilian laud bird
settled on board, in lat. 32 degs. 46 min. S., long. 37 de?s. 42
min. W., 300 miles from Rio Janeiro. Dec. 30, Frinr/illa.
Australis flew on board, 37 miles .south of Staten land, N
breeze. 1835, Sept. 38, small humming bird seen about 10
miles from land, off Chili coast, opposite Concepcion. In
1709 a wild duck was shot in Sussex, witli a silver collar round
its neck, having the arms engraved of the then King of Den-
mark. The late Sir John Sinclair, hatched the eggs of night-
ingales by means of robins, and the birds remained during the

season ; but did not return to the same locality. It is a fact
that swallows occasionally remain in England, even through
the whole winter. The Rev. ijW. Bree saw one so late as Nov.
20, and one was seen in London on Nov. 33, 1838. They have
been seen at sea, 200 miles from Madeira, in March, 1828 ;
also hay-birds warbling at the same place and time. Mr. W.
once saw house-martins on' 20th Nov. at Oxford, and swallows
on 39th Oct. Also redwing and fieldfares flying in sight to-
gether on 7th of Nov. The swift was seen in England even
on 15th Sept. 1817. As to arrival, first comes the sand-mar-
tin, then the house-swallow, the house-martin and swift. Mr.
W. was disposed to believe that in 1780, at least Selbome
house-martins did not migrate. Audubon the American orni-
thologist, found swallows at New Orleans, in Nov., Dec, and
Jan., witli therrao. at 65 degs., 30 degs., 63 degs., 43 degs.,
and 40 degs. They retired to the holes about the houses, or
resorted to the lakes or branches of the drier in flocks. These
were republican or cliff-swallows. Mr. W. observed that they
seemed to remain at Oxford longer than at other places,
owing perhaps to the marshy vicinity. According to Lord
Bacon, cold winters are shown by early advent of fieldfares
from northern counties of Britain. Mr. Jesse stated that
caged nightingales are more fidgety at night during season
of migration, than at any other time, which tends to prove the
fact of their nocturnal flight. The male arrives here about
middle of April, 10 or 14 days before the female. Bird-catch-
ers preserve the former, but not if they have been mated, as
these generally pine away. In Prussia is, or was, a tax on aU
captive nightingales, a wise and humane law which might in-
clude with propriety other members of the feathered tribe.
Except the bull-finch, all birds seem to suffer from imprison-
ment. Mr. White favoured the doctrine that swallow tribe
are submerged during winter, but it has been objected that all
places 80 feet below surface of the earth are constantly of the
same temperature, where there is no solar influence ; where-
fore, they would not recover from the effect of cold. Mr. W.
(quoted a " Swedish naturalist," probably Linuseus, in favour
of liis opinion. Ancient authors believed in their migratory
habits. In the Greek play, the " Birds of Aristophanes," the
swallow was stated to point out the time for assuming spring
dresses; and, according to the Greek calendar of Hara, kept
at Athens by Theophrastus, the Ornithiau winds blew, and
swallows arrived, between 38th Feb. and 12th March.

If there were more observers like Mr. White and Mr.
Markwicluipon land, and Mr. Bloxam at sea, questions like
these might be more easily settled. Markwich, Audubon,
Richardson, Wilson, and authors in general, believe in migra-
tion of swallows. As to Sweden, early in Sep. 1866, I saw
near Elsinore, in Denmark, a vast flock of them collecting and
preparing for some speedy change.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

London, Nov. lOf/i. Christopher Cooke.

BREEDING AND FEEDING OF SHEEP,

At the late meeting of the members of the Stewartry Far-
mers' Club, Mr. M'MiLLAN, of Halket-Leathes, said: It
is very important for us as farmers to thoroughly under-
stand the improvement of the species by crossing the dif-
ferent breeds of these animals. A knowledge of the kinds
of food they require is also essential, so that we may know
how to apply the most suitable to mature them early for the
fat market ; and whether such food is contained in and belongs
to one or all of the different classes of silica, lime, or potash
plants. In the history of sheep we are told that even in the
antediluvian age, and soon after the expulsion from Eden, this
animal had become the servant of man. If we were to reckon
from the time of the Elood, the plains of Ararat would be their
native country. It is certain that sheep were domesticated
when tbey issued from the ark, and would not be neglected by
JNoah and his sons afterwards. And as the families of men
spread abroad, sheep would be carried witli them as consti-
tuting one of the most valuable portions of their wealth. I
will not follow their migrations from Asia, neither will I
aUude to their changes in form and size, according- to tlie dif-

ference of climate and pasture, as they journeyed towards the
west, because I have no desire to forestall my friend in his
remarks on the " Breeding and feeding of Sheep," as these
may be forthcoming at some future meeting of this club. I
wiU, therefore, in the meantime, bring under your notice a few
suggestions upon the earthy ingredients that sheep take from
the soil, through the medium of the plants upon which they
feed, and as these produce an influence on the organs of sheep,
more or less extensive, according to circumstances, it is neces-
sary that we as farmers should know these circumstances, and
the materials that are required to build up and support their
organs. The blood of sheep, and all classes of mammalia,
may be looked upon as their internal storehouse, from which
all the organs draw their support, and must of necessity con-
tain that which is required. The various inorganic ingre-
dients are phosphate of soda, common salt, chloride of potas-
sium, sulphate of soda, phosphate of magnesia, sulphate of
lime, and oxide of iron. These substances have all their spe-
cial functions to perform in the animal economy, and as there
is a considerable quantity of them escapes daily from their

THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE.

S29

system, these, as well as that required for organs, must agaia
be restored through their food. These mineral ingredients
which support, and are necessary to the vitality of animals,
are found to differ in kind in the different organs of their
body. Tims the muscles contain much potash and very little
soda, while the cartilages have much soda and no potash. As
phosphate of lime is the earth of bones, and phosplmte of mag-
nesia the earth of muscles, the presence of flowrme is neces-
sary for the formation of teeth, and that of silica the horny
parts, while wool contains nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus.
It has been tally ascertained that unless all the necessary in-
organic substances are supplied to animals in their food or
water they wUl languish and decay, although the organic con-
stituents, such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, be
abundantly given them. It is, therefore, a wise provision in
nature that plants refuse to grow on soils which do not sup-
ply them with soluble inorganic food, as it is by this esta-
blished law tliat the plant becomes the connecting bond by
which the dead earth and the living animal are linked together
in the same chain of natural existence. It would occupy too
much of your time for me to enter minutely into the nature of
the inorganic salts which are required in a soil to produce a
healthy herbage for sheep. I will, therefore, merely draw
your attention to the quantity of one ingredient — sulphur —
which is annually removed from the farms of this county with
the fleece. Wool is found to contain 5 per cent, of sulphur,
and recent statistical returns show that SGlj-iSS sheep are
kept in Kirkcudbrightshire. The yield of dry wool, when
calculated at four pounds to the fleece, will be 1,'M'5,713
pounds. This quantity of wool then removes 72,285 pounds
of sulphur, which is nearly equal to 216,855 pounds of sul-
phuric acid. This large quantity, as a matter of course, must
be all abstracted from the soils where this wool is grown. If
we were to suppose this sulphur to exist in, and was to be
abstracted from our soils in the form of sulphate of lime, then
the plants which the sheep feed on must take from our fields
4'66,238 lbs. of this salt for the annual production of their
wool. Although the quantity of sulphur carried off a farm in
one year is small, still it is reasonable to expect that this kind
of husbandry will deteriorate some of our hiU pasture laud,
where nothing is ever added by art or from natural sources,
as those plants which require sulphur for their health will
gradually cease to grow. It may be a long time on some soils,
and it may be short on others, before such plants diminish
from this cause. But unless those lands are top-dressed with
a manure in which sulphur or its acid naturally exists, a sterile
time is likely to come. Sulphur is also removed from our
farms in milk, cheese, ilesh, muscle, hide, horn, hair, hoof, and
nearly all other kinds of compounds. There is no doubt many
tons of dissolved bones are yearly applied to our cultivated
fields. These on an average contain about 16 per cent, of
sulphuric acid, which is quite inadequate of itself, and would
only form a fraction of the sulphates which must be in circu-
lation in order to mature and form the nitrogenous compounds
in the 50,51(J acres of white and green crops annually grown
and removed from the soils in this Stewartry. There are also
an additional 100,000 acres of clover, meadow, and grass land,
which require this ingredient, exclusive of our moor pastures.
It must, therefore, be apparent that a greater quantity of sul-
phur is yearly removed with the marketable commodities, sold
in wool and other agotised compounds, than that which is re-
turned to our farms in the different kinds of artificial manures
which are applied. When such is the present state of things
we are called upon to inquire into the snbstratums of our soil,
so that we may ascertain if we have m them the material for
the natural production of this ingredient. The prevailing
strata in this county are granitic and lower transition forma-
tions. Our soils, then, must have been nearly all disintegrated
from these rocks. Pure granite consists of a mechanical mix-
ture of quartz, felspar, and mica. Our granitic formations,
however, are classed syenite by geologists, because the mineral-
hornblende has taken the place of mica. Quartz is sUica ;
felspar consists of sihca, alumina, potash, and soda ; while
hornblende contains a large per-centage of lime, magnesia, and
oxide of iron, with minute quantities of silica and manganese^
but no potash or soda. Our rocks of graywacke slates, traps,
greenstones, and basalts, are commonly called whinstones.
These consist more essentially of felspar and hornblende. In
comparing these formations it may be stated generally that
granite is nearly all felspar and quartz, while graywacke slate

consists mostly of felspar and hornblende. A chemical know-
ledge of rocks from which soils are derived gives rise to several
interesting observations. It shows that soils formed from
pure granite in their natural state may be very unfruitful,
while a soil formed from whinstone may be eminently fertile.
But when mixed, the latter is almost sure to redeem the for-
mer from its barrenness. Such has been the result in every
part of the globe. Although this is the general rule in such
granite as ours, if the mineral hornblende be in larger propor-
tion than usual, a soil of average fertihty would be produced.
In like manner trap rocks are sometimes so peculiar in their
composition as to form a soil almost hopelessly unproductive ;
but whenever the texture of a primary rock is soft, with abun-
dance of felspar and hornblende, it is always fertile. It may
also be observed that whenever our syenite formations have a
tinge of red, or are very dark iu their appearance, sheep will
thrive pretty well, as this indicates a larger quantity of horn-
blende. On the other hand, when this formation is of a pale
white colour, it will not be so productive. I have observed
that farmers on some kinds of syenite cannot remove lambs
from their mothers without the risk of that disease commonly
called " vanquish." The cause of this weakening of the vital
power is in a great measure due to the want of those complex
sulphurous compounds in the grass given them, the ewe being
so constituted as to give her offspring all that it requires with
her milk, although it is at the exhaustion of her own system.
We are therefore cidled upou to study the laws of nature, so
that we may be able to bring together those materials wliich
are best suited to act usefully upon each other ; and also to
learn the best conditions for their beneficial action, in order to
promote the vigorous exercise of all the vital power which
exists in all kinds of seeds, remembering that unless all the
soluble inorganic ingredients required for their support are
present, the seed will produce a weak and unhealthy plant, and
the animals fed on these plants will be wanting in stamina for
all the functions of hfe. This weakening wiU ultimately affect
the production of wool. I trust the time is not far distant
when this club will thoroughly ventilate this important sub-
ject, although a good soil and salubrious climate are essential
requisites for the development of this kind of husbandry.

The Chaikman said he might mention that Mr. M'Millau
had studied chemistry much more than any of them, and he
(the chairman) thought that farmers generally ought to turn
their attention more to science than they had hitherto done,
in order that they might be able to judge for themselves as to
the value of the manures they were purchasing, instead of
being laid hold of by the sleeve by the merchant who pro-
fesses to sell cheapest, and gives you stuff at £9 per ton which
is probably not worth £6. He thought Mr. M'JttiUan could
not have given them better advice.

Mr. M'MiLLAN said sulphur must be applied in the form of &
salt, such as the sulphate of lime. It would be better to com-
bine the acid with the Ume, as they would get the latter into
the bargain. The commercial name of it was gypsum or
plaster of Paris. It would require about 4 cwt. to the acre,
and should be put on in the autumn or spring, as it was not
easily dissolved, and would require to be a considerable time
on the soil. The carbonate of ammonia, which was brought
down in rain-water, would combine with it, and give two
other salts to the soil, the most important being the sulphate
of ammonia, and that was much better than paying £16 a ton
for that salt alone.

Mr. Dalziel, Waterside, asked how long one dressiug
would affect the soil? Would it require to be renewed an-
nually? He was speaking in reference to their mountain
pastures. He supposed that where great floods came the
ammonia would be fixed iu the soil, and would continue it«
power for a considerable time.

Mr. M'MiLLAjy : Yes.

Mr. Dalziel : If it came on a very heavy shower, would
the rain extract the ammonia P

Mr. M'MiLLAN : I should think not. Instead of doing so
it gave the soil the benefit of two additional salts.

Mr. M'TuRK, Rascarroll, asked whether sheep abstracted
more than cattle from the soil ?

Mr. M'MiLLAN said that sheep abstracted more than cattle,
but dairy cows would abstract more than either of them, as
they required more nitrogenous compounds to form caseine iu
milk A calculation made in America was that dairy cows

N N 2

530

THE FAKMEE'S MAGAZINE.

abstracted from the soil fifteen times as much as a feeding
animal.

Mr. M'TuRK suggested that a laboratory should be started
for the purpose of 1 caching those desirous of learning che-
mistry.

Mr. M'Mii.LAN : Any of the gentlemen present could ac-
quire a knowledge of chemistry for themselves, and he thought
they should all do so.

The conversation then turned on the subject of manures.

Mr. Rai^, Cuil, said if the Club was to be of any real bene-
fit to farmers the first thing they should do was to set them-
selves against spurious manures.

Mr. M'MiLLAN thought that was one of the principal
things a farmer should study, and if he could manage to aua-
lyze the manures he bought it would be a decided check on the
sellers.

Mr. Rain said the farmer would not be so easily beat then.
The merchants sent their analysis with the manures, and the
farmers sowed what was sent, and after it was in the ground
they could not help themselves. Then tlie season got all the
blame, and numerous other things, while it was the fault of
the manures all the time.

It was agreed that the subject of discussion at the next meet-
ing should be Manures, which Mr. M'Mill.vn agreed to open,

SHELTER FOR MANURE.

The difference in value between sheltered and unsheltered
anure is sometimes immense, and sometimes not very great.

wm////j/jU//j/j,/m; j./„ / // /"'' '■

Fig. 1. — DIAGRAM SHOWING MAMURE PIT.

That which is suffered to become dry very rapidly deterio-
rates, while that which is constantly moist or wet (yet is never
washed), and frequently receiving additions upon its surface,
loses but a little, if any, part of its value. It is, in fact, under
cover. Still, there is always a surface portion liable to become

Kg. 2. — LEAN-TO MANURE PIT,

dry after fermentation and decay have taken place and ammo-
nia 13 formed, in which case it would deteriorate. It is not
alone Xo preserve animal manure that agriculturists advise that

it be kept in cellars or under cover in some way. It rots faster,
its decay is more easily regulated, and it is more easUy com-
posted and mixed with vegetable matter, and the fermentation
which it induces in the mass is much more uniform. Besides,
it becomes the breeding place and food of fewer maggots, etc.

Old-fashioned bams all over the country may be seen dis-
figured by the dark (or light) stains of the regular winter dung
heaps, which, year after year, have accumulated under the win-
dows of both cattle and horse stables. No doubt thousands of
such barns are owned by readers of the A(/ricult-urist, and we
are frequently inquired of how they may be conveniently modi-
fied, and how the manure may be kept to best advantage out-
side of them. We suggest three ways. The barn may be raised
2 to 6 feet, and a cellar dug beneath, which would require the
moving of 2 to 5 feet of earth to give a cellar 7 feet high in the
clear, which is low enough.

To illustrate another way we have introduced a diagram,
fig. 1, representing the cross-section of an old-fashioned barn
with cattle stables {a a) on each side of the floor. The floor is
taken away ; its place is indicated by the dotted line (h). A
new floor {c) is placed some 5 feet above the old one, new posts
being set, if necessary, to support the timbers. Under the floor
a pit {m) is dug for manure. The cattle are placed to the out-
side and foddered from the floor above. A raised approach is
made for reaching the thrashing floor, and under it, or at the
opposite end of the barn, is a passage gradually sloping to the
bottom of the manure pit. The raising of the barn floor may
necessitate the removal of the cross beams {d) above ; and if
this be done it may be desirable to Ijrace the centre posts in
some way, as indicated by the dotted lines at e, e.

Another, and the cheapest, and yet an eflicient way is to
buUd lean-to sheds along the sides of the barn, over a manure
pit. This is shown in figs. 2 and 3. The old stains are seen
on the sides of the building under the windows. The pit is
4 feet deep, 12 feet wide, and as long as the barn. A slanting
passage-way for carts in and out, to save high pitching, is pro-
vided at one end. The pit walls are laid in cement, and the
bottom is a substantial grouting of stones and cement. In the
middle near the outside a hole is made about three feet wide,
by two deep, which is cemented also, and covered with a stone.
The floor slopes toward this, and if there is water anywhere it
will find its way here, and may be pumped up and spread upon

Fig. 3. — SECTION OF MANURE PIT.

the heap. The sides of the shed may be boarded down to
prevent snow and rain blowing in, but it is usually the case
that a moderate supply of water from without is needed, and
must be added in some wi^y.^^ America?! AffriculUiriit.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

631

THE FARMERS' VIEW OF TAKEALL.

Although, as we notified a week or two ago, the farmers
had much to say before the Commission on Cereal Diseases
with regard to takeall, they appeared to be equally bewildered
with the scientific men as to its origin and antidote. They
could describe its manifestations and ravages with pathetic
fluency, but they could not go much further. Chemical
analysis of soils had been made in a few isolated instances,
but even the analysts could not venture upon a positive in-
ference from such meagre evidence. How then was it likely
that agriculturists, who, as a class, are notoriously conserva-
tive and anti-speculative, could arrive at any conclusion useful
to them in their operations? Where theorists hesitate to
draw deductions, practical men may fairly be excused for want
of perception.

The first witness whose attention was called to the takeall
subject was Mr. Martin, of Maclaren Vale. JFor sixteen years
, he had been engaged in cultivating wheat, and the disease ha*!
become to him a familiar enemy, fluctuating in its destructive-
ness from year to year. But long experience had failed to
assure him what the nature of the infection was. Indeed, he
scarcely knew what to think of it. It was an enigma to him ;
but after long reflection and a careful scrutiny of the roots, he
inclined to the view that the ground was overcharged with
some ingredient — probably salt — which promoted the growth
of weeds in preference to that of wheat. Here, of
course, Mr. Martin falls foul of Dr. Muecke, who firmly en-
tertains the opinion that it is the poverty not the affluence of
the soil that is at fault ; that it is the deficiency of silicates
and pliosphates, not the superabundance of salt, whicli ac-
counts for the prevalence of this form of blight. The witness
went further, and supported his opposition to deficit doctrine
by alluding to the presence of takeall on very rich new land —
some of tlie richest spots in the province. It was not trace-
able to a superfluity of moisture, for it presented itself on liill-
sides and slopes as well as on Bay of Biscay land. It was
most capricious in its action, for it did great havoc in fields
which had only been cropped two or three times, whilst sparing
adjacent ones which had borne ten or a dozen crops. And,
finally, it vvas indiscriminate in its attacks, affecting all de-
scriptions of wheat, and all oats except Cape oats. On exam-
ining the roots of the diseased plant he found that they had
changed from the natural colour to an unliealthy black. Mr.
Martin's statement closed with the satisfactory announcement
that he had experienced good results from using sulphur in
dressing the wheat, his plan having been to soak the seed for
an hour or more in water, tlien sprinkle over it four ounces of
sulphur per bushel, with suflicient quicklime to dry it. There
seems a little difficulty in reconciling the benefit said to result
from this treatment with the supposition that a condition of
the soil is accountable for the presence of the disease.

We next come to a witness — Mr. Warren, of Port Gawler —
who had luckily had no experience of takeall ; but seeing that
his crop, wliich bid fair for fifteen bushels, only yielded one
bushel and a quarter through the visitation of red rust, an ag-
gravation of his unfortunate position might well be spared him.
Mr. Patterson had discovered that manure was quite ineffec-
tual to check the disease. Last season it had been the fore-
runner of the red rust, making its appearance towards the end
of August, and continuing until the wheat was out in ear.
One commissioner innocently asked if the rust assailed plants
wliich had previously been affected, and was informed that
the takeaU effectually completed the task of annihilation. It
was by no means restricted as to locality. He had noticed it
on late-ploughed fallow land — on a piece of stubble land there
were not two-thirds of the crop left ; whereas, upon an ad-
joining block of twenty acres, which was early fallowed, there
was not a vestige to be seen. He had been unable by ex-

amining the roots to detect any insect, and he had observed
that while the takeall as a rule went up and down the land, it
occasionally reversed the order, especially in a gully. Its
ravages extended over rich and inferior land alike, and he had
ascertained that the roots of a diseased plant were encased in
earth, whicli looked as if it had been worked into a paste. His
belief was that the takeall was an insect of some sort, and he had
found good results from a frequent turning over of the soil,
lie had tried sulphuric acid as a specific without avail, but he
had not made use of the sulphur. Mr. WUliam Forrest, of
Piiikertonis Plains, has, so far, enjoyed a comparative immu-
nity, but the result of his reflections in the matter was that
the fakeall was a native inherent to the soil ; that it was first
developed through certain properties of the land being ex-
hausted, or through others being too plentiful. AVhen met
with the difficulty that the disease was very 'destructive on
grass lands which had never been turned over, and presumably
could not have been exhausted, he pointed out that the con-
tinual production of the same grasses might have an exhaustive
effect upon those particular ingredients which they mainly
relied on for sustenance. He had to a small extent seen it on
land that had never borne a crop before, as also in fields which
had been thoroughly manured and fallowed ; but he had
noticed that the perpetual yield of wheat year after year in-
creased the liabihty of the land to become infected. The qua-
lity of the subsoil had, in his opinion, a very important bear-
ing upon the question, and his notions on this point involved
the very unsatisfactory conclusion that the poorer the soil was
the longer it would last, and that fertility was by no means an
unmixed good in connexion with any fann.

Mr. May, of Mount Barker, who is a supporter of the insect
theory, gave some information as to the devastating efl'ects of
takeall. He had seen it attack the same piece of land year
after year ; he had watched it spread all through the spring,
leaving nothing behind it ; the vegetation on whole sections
was sometimes cleared off by it. One ease was mentioned of
land which was let to a person after having been depastured
for years. It was rich soil, and the first year it was ploughed
takeall made a clean sweep of the crop, although it promised
thirty bushels an acre. Next year half went, and the third
year scarcely any was taken. He had known the disease in
Tasmania ; but he was not acquainted witli any remedy.
Mr. J. Heaslip, of Undalya, was blissfully ignorant of the na-
ture of takeall ; but Mr. Walter Thomson, of O'Halloran Hill,
on the other hand, knew it of old, and was able to testify that
it attacked everything that came on the land except cockspur
and sow thistles. His opinion was that it was the result of
something in the soil, and he had been very successful in his
experiments to counteract it by burning. He had tried lime,
and all the nostrums of essayists, without effect. Sulphuric
acid dressing had failed to touch the disease ; depasturing had
proved equally inefiicacious, but burning chaff or rubbish of
any sort was productive of good, and he had also tried the
plan of alternating his wheat crop with peas with some
profit.

We have now given the substance of the agricultural evi-
dence in reference to this mysterious disease. It fuUy esta-
blishes the fact of its very extensive diffusion and its apparent
disregard of variations in conditions of soil and in seasons. It
gives full scope for theorizing, but it has so far defied all at-
tempts to determine its origin. If, as seems probable, the
view is correct that certain conditions of soil favour its develop-
ment, special force is given to the recommendation of the
Committee that a duly qualified analyst should be appointed
to make investigations which may be of general advantage to
the farmers. It would be unwise and imsafe to build up any
theory upon an imperfect system of analysis, but the interests
at stake are sufficiently great to justify a systematic scrutiny.
This is a matter in which the assistance of the Government can
be very reasonably asked for, and we doubt not that before the
session closes some legislation on the subject will be at least at-
tempted.—.it/e/aj'tife Observer,

532

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE SMALL FARM SYSTEM IN FRANCE,

The questions of large and small-farming have re-
ceived their solutions in the practice of England in
the first, and that of France and other continental
countries, with our own Ireland before the famine,
in the second case. Even the most strenuous advocates
for the subdivision of the land, according to the " Code
Napoleon," are compelled to admit that the principle may
be carried too far ; and the present Sovereign of France —
Napoleon the Thii'd — has declared that " The law for
eqwalidnf/ the division of jtrojwrti/ has been the ruin of
agriculture.''' It is therefore with strict propriety that
M. Morny has been appointed to inquire into the working of
the Code Napoleon, or that part of it (Articles 826 and 832)
which provides for the subdivision of landed property on
the death of the owner, equally amongst his children.
M. Morny's report has been presented to the Minister of
Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works, by whom it has
been published, and it affords a fair statement of the argu-
ments pro. and con. on the subject, without the reporter
offering any opinion of his own upon it. He states that
the very large domains in the East and North are sub-
divided ; but that for some years, the increased facilities
of communication, have gained to the large-farm system a
considerable number of new proprietors, enriched in the
cities and towns by commerce and manufactures. This is
considered as the beginning of a reaction in favour of large
domains. Notwithstanding this, the morcellcmeiit makes
progress and absorbs most of the estates which are thrown
into the market, every day increasing the nuuiber of
peasant-proprietors, some of whom have not even a
plough to cultivate their portion of land.

The law of succession in France is, as we have stated
above, regulated by Art. 826 and 832 of the Code Napo-
leon. The first says : " Each of the heritors may demand
his portion in kind of the moveable and fixed property of
the succession." The second adds : " In the formation
and composition of the lots, they must avoid as much as
possible a division of the fields ; and to appropriate to
each lot, if possible, an equal sliare of moveable and fixed
property, rights, and debts of whatever nature and value."
TJndcr this law the number of landowners has increased
in France to nearly six millions, and in some parts of the
country the land is so subdivided, that the most strenuous
advocates of the system begin to be alarmed ; not only at
the baneful influence it exercises upon agriculture, but
on account of the state of poverty in which the present
proprietors are at times involved. The system, indeed,
of subdivision is carried to a length of which an English
farmer has no idea. Fancy, for instance, a large estate
cut into pieces the size of those allotments held by the
agricultural labourers in some parts of this country !
Well, we have now before us a map of such an estate
near Munich in Bavaria ; for the system prevails in al-
most every continental country. This estate contains
within a " ring-fence," 897 acres (362 hectares), and it
is divided into 578 parcels or lots, averaging rather more
than H acre each. These having no fences or mode of
separation, were so intermingled one with another, as
to create inextricable confusion, rendering it necessary to
obtain from the Government the power of throwing the
whole into one mass, and dividing it according to the quan-
tity belonging to each proprietor. The same has been
done on a much larger scale in Prussia, and the same
must, before long, be done in France ; at least, in some
of the departements. Thus, in that of the Lower Rhine

the land is divided into upwards of two millions of such
parcels, and they are constantly increasing in number
'.' with fearful rapidity."

M. Lavergne is a strenuous advocate of the small pro-
perty principle, because it supports more people and
raises a larger gross produce. But he admits that the
net produce is less, and, with all his predilection for the
principle, he expresses a hope in one of his works, that
in the end " large farming will become general, in order
to perform what small-farming cannot do."

This question not only involves the welfare and the
profit of the farmer, but that of the country at large ; and
from this point of view there can be no doubt of the
superiority of large-farming. For if the gross produce of
— say, a thousand acres sub-divided into five hundred
holdings does raise a larger produce than if it was held
by one or two persons ; on the other hand, there will be
double, treble, probably four times, or even six times the
number of persons residing upon it who must all be fed,
and who, in a bad season, wiU be dependent upon charity.
How they will be supported, the condition of Ireland in
1847-8 has disclosed. Nor is the condition of the
peasant proprietors in Finance much better, if we are to
believe M. Lavergne, who states that " they are always em-
barrassed ! They succeeded very well whilst high prices
lasted ; but as soon as low rates came they could no
longer pay rent, and the proprietors ejected them, and let
the lands to large farmers with capital." He adds :
" This crisis stopped the progress of sub-division, which
threatened to become excessive." This admission, as
well as the foregoing, recollect, is made by an advocate of
small farms.

Many of the small and middle-land proprietors would
gladly have an abrogation, or at least a modification, of the
law of succession, so as to be able to leave the estate by
wiU undivided, subject to such obligations as the interests
of the junior and female branches of the family might re-
quire. But the Code Napoleon is imperative, and any
will making such a stipulation would at once be sup-
pressed by the courts, and a strict subdivision, according
to the articles 826 and 832, enforced. Thus, if a man
die, and leave, say £200, or four acres, in laud and £200
in money or goods, each of his children may claim a
share of each of those sums, and no testamentary disposal
of it otherwise would stand good. And if the land be
divided into four small fields, each of the cliildren may
claim a share of each field ; so that if there are four chil-
di'en, the fields will be subdivided into sixteen lots of a
quarter of an acre each, and so intermingled that they
cannot be got at without trespassing upon each other's
holding.

What kind of husbandry is it possible to practise under
such circumstances ? Is it to be wondered at that in
Alsace, where tliis principle is carried to excess, the pro-
duce of wheat is not more than from 71 to 85 bushels per
acre, which is not more than it was in Arthur Young's
time? "The morcelJement in this and the next de-
partement of Loraine," says M. Pariset, a member of
an agricultural committee, "has been pushed to
such an extent that many of the slips are only
4, 3, 2, and even less, ares (484i, 349, and 239
yards) in extent. The old triennial course has been car-
ried to the extreme and weakened the soil ; the meadows
and pastures have disappeared, whilst arable land has in-
creased, but gi'een crops are neglected. Sheep also have

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

533

disappeared, neat cattle have not increased, and the aver-
aye return of toheat is reduced. The present system is
at an ead, and has led to a condition which calamitous
seasons have revealed but not created. Our farmers have
got into debt, and have become debilitated in body and
mind. Any arrangement for a course of cropping is im-
possible while the lands remain entangled as they are.
No other crops but wheat or oats can be cultivated ; and
the only roads for gathering in the harvests are over the
land of the next owners." To finish this picture.we may
state that the population numbers 123 to every 100 hec-

tares (247 acres), or one to every two acres ! There are,
in fact, 400,000 land proprietors sharing amongst them
1,234,000 acres, or rather more than 3 acres each.

Some of our political economists are calling out for
the adoption of a system of small-farming. They argue
that in France a large majority of the rural population
are in favour of the law, provided the principle is not
carried too far. We should be glad to know how the
questionable articles of the Code Napoleon can be so
modified as to retain the principle of morcellement with-
out its attendant evils ?

COAL ASHES, ARE THEY A MANURE?

[translated from the FRENCH.]

Coal-ashes, or coke, for they are the same thing, are in bad
repute with the market-gardeners of Paris, who charge them
with injuring the laud, and diminishing the activity oi the
City sweepings, with which they are often found mixed. Nor
are they more highly esteemed iu the country, where they
tlirow tliem into the common sewers, rather than carry them
into the fields.

These ashes, however, have found defenders. If we are
well-informed, some agriculturists — especially in Belgium —
consider them as a proper application on clay soils, in order to
relieve their tenacity. But that which has been said most
decisively in their favour was published by M. Leboeuf, a land-
owner at Argenteuil, being a detail of experiments, an account
of which we have read in several horticultural, agricultural,
and even political journals. It would appear from these ex-
periments that wheat and oats, cultivated in pure coal ashes,
without the addition of any manure, have had a very fine
vegetation, and ripened their grain ; and tliat strawberry-
plants also grew vigorously in them. M. Leboeuf concludes
from this attempt, that coal-ash is at once a manure and an
improver of the soil ; and, without determining hastily its
value as a manure, he thinks he may affirm that it is equivalent
in this respect to thrice its weight of stable-dung.

These assertions of so eminent an agriculturist must have
greatly surprised his readers. In fact, it is evident that if
coal-ashes, which are novv foimd everywhere, possess the virtue
ascribed to theui by M. Leboeuf, they will soon become a true
manna for our impoverished lands. But is it really so ? the
chemical analyses which have discovered in them neither
phosphates nor soluble salts of potash in any appreciable quan-
tities, would themselves be at fault. I was too much interested
in the question not to endeavour to clear up my doubts ; and
experiment has been the means to which I have had recourse,
in order to do so. Let me give the experiments I have made
this year at the Museum of Natural History. It will be seen
that they have, to my great regret, given me entirely difi'erent
results from those at which M. Leboeuf has arrived.

First Experiment . — In the second fortniglit of April I took
three ordinary garden flower-pots of 23 centimetres (about 9
inches) wide, and about the same depth. These pots having
been carefully drained with the help of potsherds and gravel,
to facilitate the escape ol the water, and hinder the roots of
the plants from passing through the holes at the bottom, I
filled one with pure coal-ashes, another with sandy heath-earth
of a very middling quality, and the third with a mixture of
this heath soil and coal-ashes, in the proportion of three of
the first to one of the latter. In each of these three pots I
planted three haricot beans of a dwarf variety, all at the same
time. A fourth pot, of 12 centimetres width, the capacity of
which was little more than one-seventh of that of the former
ones, was filled with a silicious yellowish sand, very infertile
by itself, but light and very permeable to the water and the
roots. This pot received a single grain of the same dwarf
haricots ; and all the pots were sunk in a plat-band, and we
gave the same attention and watering to them all. All the
haricots germinated at the same time ; but those in the pure
coal-ashes had more difficulty in vegetating, and in developing
their first leaves. They grew slowly, and remained from the

first day sensibly behind those in the other pots. Soon, even
one of them stopped growing entirely, turned yellow, and
perished. The two survivors continued to grow, but very
slowly, as sickly plants will do ; and their yellowish
leaves fell off successively, after some days. I pass in silence
the other details of the vegetation of the four lots, in order to
arrive quickly at the final result. On the 18th July, the
vegetation of all these haricots was nearly completed. Those
in the pure heath-soil had all along kept a little in advance of
those of the mixed earth (one-fourth ash to three-fourths of
heath-soil), without being well developed, which explains, on
the one hand, the poorness of the earth, and, on the other, the
little space the toots had given them in the pots ; they had,
nevertheless, flourished and formed some pods which almost
arrived at perfection, some containing a small number of seeds,
and others empty and smaller. On the three plants of this
lot there were two which produced each four seeds ; the third
yielded only three, making a total of eleven for the three
plants, or 3"6G grains per plant on the average. The three
haricots planted in the mixture of three of heath-soil to one
of coal-ash had also grown in a satisfactory manner in regard
to the conditions in which they lived. On the 18lh July, one
of the three plants bore two pods, containing each one seed ;
the second bore also two pods, one empty, the other containing
two gi-ains ; the third had produced three seeds in a single pod,
by the side of which was a second, whicli was empty. Thus
the three plants had produced together seven grains, or 2'33
each plant. The tw o haricots that had survived in the pure
coal-ash made a sad figure by the side of the others. Their
stems did not exceed 12 centimetres (about 4| inches) in
height, aud one of them was nothing more than a staddle
without leaves. The other still preseived three yellow leaves,
the falling off of which was evidently near. On each of
them there were shown three or four flower-buds, which fell
off without opening. As to the haricot planted by itself in
the small pot of silicious sand, it had at first been well-
developed ; but a slug having gnawed off the bark round the
neck, it was stopped in its growth for some time. It however
re-formed itself, and, on the 18th July, being still in leaf, it
bore two pods, nearly ripe, and containing each one grain.

Second Experiment. — In the second fortnight of April, two
small pots of 12 centimetres, were filled— one with pure coal-
ash, the other with heath soil, and iu each of them were sovra
four seeds of water-melons. In the coal-ash the seeds came up
four or five days later than in the heath-earth, and the young
plants grew so slowly that one might have believed them .;iuit«
stopped. At the end of some days two of them were trans-
planted with their balls of earth into two pots of 26 centime-
tres (more than 10 inches) filled with coal-ashes ; another was
planted with naked roots, in a pot of the same size, containing
ordinary earth of an inferior quality. A fourth was put into
the open ground on the ridge, in which the pots sown with the
other plants were sunk. The same attention in all respects
was paid to each. In spite of the poverty of the soil, the water-
melon planted in the ridge assumed the ordinary proportions.
Its branch was four metres (more than 4 yards) in length,
threw out several branches, flowered, and finally produced a
fruit which was considered of the average size of the species.

634

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

That in the pot filled witli earth from the ridge grew at first
with some vigour, which however was stopped when the roots,
liaving filled the pots, found no more food. At the same time,
its branch still reached four metres in (length, and produced
several male flowers in the autumn. The two roots that had
heen planted in the coal-ashes, remained almost stationary.
Neither of these developed, throughout the summer, more than
eight or ten leaves, at most 6 or 7 centimetres wide (rather
more than 3 inches), and these appeared only three or four at
a time, the lower or first ones drying up, as the later ones de-
veloped themselves above them. The stems of these two
plants remained straight and erect, not extending 15 or 18
centimetres in length (6 or 7 inches). Neither bore any flowers.

Third Experiment. — In the first fortnight of May I sowed
some seeds of beak maize (a variety so called from the form of
the grains, whicli terminate in a point), some in heath-mould,
others in coal-ashes. These last germinated the most slowly,
and from their appearance the young plants were from the
first diseased. Two of these were planted separately in pots of
i36 centimetres, drained and filled witii coal-ashes. Two other
plants of the same maize, but that had been germinated in
heath-mould, were planted in pots of the same size as the pre-
ceding, equally drained, and filled with good earth, free and
rather clayey. A fitth plant was left, by way of comparison,
in the pure heath-mould in a pot of the same dimensions as the
foregoing. All these pots were sunk in the same ridge, and
received the same attention.

It would be difficult to imagine resiJts more dissimilar than
those which finished this experiment. The two plants of maize
that were in the pots filled with free eartli vegetated almost
as well as if they had been in the open ground. They flowered
and formed fine ears. On the 15th September tiiey had
matured, and I took them from the pots with all their roots,
from which the earth was washed. When they were dried, I
measured and weighed the two plauts separately. One of the
plants of maize 1 m. 88 c. (nearly six feet) in height from the
ground to the summit of the male panicle; and it weighed with
the roots 424 grammes (13 oz. 12 dwts. troy). On its ear,
which was 18 centimetres (7 inches) iu length, I counted 303
grains of a good size and quite ripe. The second plant was
not so large and was more stubby ; its maturity was le;s for-
ward, and its stalk more watery than that of the preceding- ;
this explains its greater weight, which was 512 grammes
(16 oz. 9 dwts.), although its height was only 1 m. 20 c. (or
1 yard 7 inches). The female ear, longer than that
of the first, had been incompletely fecundated, and produced
only 173 grains, otherwise perfectly developed. The weight
of the two plants together being 936 grammes, the average of
each was consequently 448 grammes (15 oz. troy). The stool
of maize which had been planted in the heath-mould caught
the eye at the first glance, as showing how comparatively in-
fertile thisearth is. Its stalk, scarcely of the size of the little
finger, rose, notwithstanding, to the height of 1 metre (3 feet) ;
the leaves it bore were only half the length and width of those
of the plants in a better soil ; in the meantime it produced a
small male panicle, which flowered ; and a female ear, still
more reduced, yielded only one single grain. The total weight
of this plant was 107-5 gr. (3 oz. 7 dwts.) But this abortion
was a giant by the side of those two plants of maize that
were planted in the coal-ashes. These two had grown at the
same rate, and were perfectly alike, except in one point, which
I shall presently notice. Their stalks, scarcely as large as a
wheat straw, and only 10 centimetres in one, and 12 in the
other, in height, were entirely enveloped in the bases of the
leaves ; and these, which were reddish, were little more than
12 or 14 centimetres in length (4f or 5^ in.), and 8 to 10 mil-
limetres (about one-third of an inch) iu width. Here also, as
in the water-mellon mentioned above, the last leaves developed
lived at the expense of the first, which withered away as the
young ones appeared. One may conceive that neither of the
two plants produced the slightest vestage of a male panicle,
but there was one in which we perceived, coming from the
axilla ot the last leaf, two sliort filaments, which were the
stigma of the same number of the rudiments of female flowers.
Ihese two plants weighed together with their roots 6-6 gr.
(or Ijdwts. each) ; comparing these weights with those of the
plants of maize sown in a better soil, we find that each of tliose
taken trom the coal-ashes was to that of the heath-mould as
1 to d8.4 ; and to the average of those respectively planted in
good earth as 1 to 167. j i - u u

Fourth Experiment. — After having obtained proof that
coal-ash was not favourable to any useful plant that I had till
then attempted to cultivate in it, I wished to know if the
useless plants, the weeds in fact, would accommodate themselves
better in it. On the 29th June, in a pot of 26 centimetres'
diameter, drained, and filled with that ash, I planted, with
Halted roots, five young individuals belonging to the following
species: — The common plantain CPlantaffo major J, the knot-
grass (Folygonum avicidarej, shepherd's purse (Thlaspi bursa
pastoris), common grounsel (Senicia vnlgaris), and the black
nightshade {Sola/mm ni'jrmn). These rustic plants, which
may be said to grow everywhere, and under every disadvantage,
received the same attention and were regularly watered ; yet
none of them took root. They all perished in eight or ten
days after being planted. Another pot, smaller in size, having
been likewise filled with coal-ashes, I planted in it with the
same care, and with naked roots, two young plants of the
prickly Ortic (Z7,f/;(7« !/r(?«*). Like the preceding ones, these
two plants perished a few days after being planted, without
having taken the least growth. They were replaced by two
young plants of Marvel of Peru with long flowers {Mirabilis
longaflora), planted also with naked roots, and treated in the
same manner. I made a slight modification in the process; a
young plant of grounsel vias taken from a ridge in the garden,
with a small ball of earth round the roots, and planted thus
in the large pot of coal-ashes in which perished the five plants
mentioned above. It took root, living upon its ball of earth,
which was, however, too scanty to nourish it properly. Its
stem lengthened without branching, remaining slender as a
thread up to about 15 centimetres (about 6 inches), after
which it was terminated by two small capitula of flowers. To
accomplish this meagre vegetation, it required no less than
two months and ten days from the time of planting.

Fifth Experiment. — On the 29th June, I began a new ex-
periment on the dwarf haricots. Two large pots of 26 centi-
metres, well-drained, were filled, one with good free earth, the
other with equal parts of the same earth and coal-ashes, and
three haricots were sown in each of them. Another haricot
of the same kind was sown in the open ground of the ridge
where the two pots were sunk. They all germinated, but,
from their appearing above ground, the plants in the pot con-
taining the coal-ash were weaker than the otliers. Those in
the pot in which was the pure good earth became relatively
very fine, although less so than the one sown in the open
ground — the natural efi'ect of pot- cultivation. These haricots
had been sown too late for me to hope to see them finish their
vegetation before the frosts of autumn ; but the experiment
was conclusive enough on the 28th September for me to decide
upon stating the result. Although they were still green and
full of leaf, almost all the pods had reached their normal
development, and it was easy to reckon their grains. The
plants were cut oif at the level of the neck, and immediately
placed on the .scdes. The following were the weights, taken
very exactly, for each lot : — The three plants grown in the
mixture of good earth and coal-ash weighed together 7S
grammes, say 26 grammes each (or 17idwts.). These three
bore 8 pods, containing, in all, 20 developed grains, which
gives 2^ per pod, and G-66 grains per plant. The three plants
reared in tlie pot containing good earth alone weighed 320
grammes (10 oz. S^dwts. troy), or an average of 1066 grammes
(3 oz. 82dwts.) each plant. They bore 20 pods, unequal in
size, but all containing well-formed grains, besides four or five
small young pods, of which no account is taken. The seeds
of the 20 matured pods numbered 59, which made 3 grains per
pod, or 19'69 per plaut. The product in seeds is therefore
triple that of the three haricots raised in the mixture of earth
and coal-ash. Lastly, the haricot raised alone in the open
ground of the ridge, where its roots were able to extend them-
selves, weighed by itself alone 243 grammes (7 oz. 16dwts).
It bore 15 fine pods, containing, in all 42 beans, or 2*8 per pod.

Prom all that precedes, it follo^^•s that, for any of the 10
species of plants on which my attention has beeen directed,
coal-ash lias been neither a manure nor even an earth of the
most infertile quality. Not only it is shown to be very inferior
to the silicious heath-earth, and the grey sand, but, in the two
cases in which it has been mixed, whether with the heath-
earth or the good free soil, it has still visibly hindered the
development of the plants. Some have lived in it, it is true,
but the most miserable life, and even this, we have a right to
say, is to be attributed, in all probability, to the watering.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

535

whether by hand or the raia, which are never entirely deprived I contributed to sustain that feeble vegetation. In presence of
of prmciples assimilable by plants. The earthy dust, and | such facts, it is not possible to believe that coal-ash can be a
possibly some organic debris brought by the wind to the manure, nor that the market-gardeners of Paris are wrong in
surface of the pots containing the coal-ash, may also have | banishing it from their gardens. C. Naudin.

AGEICULTURAL AND LIVE-STOCK STATISTICS OF AUSTRALIA.

Although the details of agricultural and live-stock statistics
for the colony have been for some months before the public,
there are points in tlie report of Mr. Josiah Bootlibv, Govern-
ment Statist, recently published, which deserve notice. This
document presents in a clear and succinct form not only the
general results of farming and pastoral operations during the
last year, but it affords the means of ascertaining the general
progress of the colony for years past. Although by no means
elaborate, it supplies the means of comparison between the
general condition of South Australia and the adjacent co-
lonies, especially in regard to the occupancy and cultivation
of the laud. If current rumour is worth anything, this may
be the last report prepared by Mr. Boothby ; but unless a
change is urgently required by the exigencies of the depart-
ment, it would be a pity to disturb an arrangement which lias
worked so well in the past. The present Statist has discharged
his duties for a series of years most satisfactorily. He has of
course made himself conversant not only with the ofiice details,
but with the subject of agricultural and pastoral settlement
m the colony. What he has accomplished so well hitherto it
would scarcely be wise lightly to take out of his hands.

The land alienated ironi the Crown during last year,
14-i,021 acres, brings up the total at the close of 1867 to
3,568,742 acres, giving an average of over twenty and two-
thirds acres for each man, woman, and child of the population,
being an increase of two acres over 1858, and of two and a-
half over 1862. Of the entire area which has been purchased
from the State, nearly two-thirds is occupied by the holders
of the fee. There do not appear to be any actual data given
from which to ascertain what proportion of the alienated acre-
age is absolutely held for agricultural purposes ; but from a
useful table printed in the report it seems that the most nume-
rous class of farm occupiers are those holding from 100 to
200 acres (forming 2,713 out of a total of 9,499 proprietors
owning from 5 to 500 acres), the average area of each farm
being _l-li 3-oths acres. Next in number are the farmers of
from 50 to 100 acres, of whom there are 2,21 4<, with holdings
averaging about 76 2-5ths acres. Farms ot from 200 to 350
acres are held by 1,715 persons, the average extent of each
farm in this class being 259 2-5ths acres. For the rest there
are 992 holders of from 5 to 15 acres, 609 of from 15 to 30,
655 of from 30 to 50, 601 of from 350 to 500. Thus the
total of d,id9 holders, 1,300,751 acres, the general average
being 137 acres for each against the 104-acre average of the
agriculturists in Victoria. The enclosed land amounts now to
4',712,276 acres, being in advance upou the previous year of
173,187 acres.

The special circumstances which have rendered last year
memorable it is not necessary to recount. The farmers have
too lively a recollection of the fact to be required to be in-
formed that, through red rust, the average wheat-yield per
acre was brought down to four and two-thirds bushels, or nine
and three-quarter busliels less than the preceding season, and
that all other cereals showed a comparative decline in average
produce. But, for all this, the record exhibits ou our part
steady progress. It proves not only a disposition on the part
of the people to obtain possession "of land, but also to settle
upon and cultivate it. Whatever may be the view entertained
of the facilities provided for bona-tide occupation and improve-
ment of land here, as compared with what they are in Victoria
and New South Wales (Mr. Boothby authoritatively pro-
nounces them to be "far greater in South Australia"), there
is this to be said : South AustraHa in 1858 returned 264,462
acres of cultivated land, and in 1867 810,734; Victoria in
1858 showed a total of 237,728 acres cultivated, wliich in
1867 had increased to 592,915. The aggregates of New
South Wales for the same periods were 223,296 acres and
451,225 acres respectively. View these figures in the light of
the number of inhabitants, and we discover this result— that,

whereas South Australia's acreage of cultivated land per head
of her population increased in the decennial period above
given from about two-and-a-quarter acres (2.23) to nearly
four-and-three-quarters (4.69), Victoria's only advanced from
a little under half-an-acre (0.47) to slightly over nine-tenths
of an acre (0.92), and New South Wales from rather less
tlian two-thirds of an acre (0.65) to a trifle over one acre
(1.04). In short, whilst our agricultural settlement has more
than trebled itself in ten years, tliat of Victoria in 1867 was
barely two-and-a-half times that of 1858, whilst that of New
South Wales went little beyond doubling itself. Taking an-
other comparison, we find that, from 1862 to 1867, South
AustraUa had progressed from 4g4,511 acres to 810,734 acres ;
Victoria from 439,895 acres to 592,915 acres; and New South
Wales from 302,138 acres to 451,225 acres : differently ex-
pressed, that South Australia had progressed about 37 per
cent., Victoria 25 per cent., and New South Wales 33 per
cent. ; and it must be borne in mind that during this period
the liberal land systems of our neighbours have been in force.
During 1867-8 cultivation progressed to the extent of 10 per
cent., being 2 per cent, under the increase recorded for
1866-7. At the same time, it may be mentioned that 23 per
cent., or more than one acre out of every five which has passed
from the Government into private hands, is under tillage.

Descending to special items, we are informed that"20 per
cent, more land was sown with wheat in 1867 than had been
in 1866, and that out of every 100 acres under cultivation
wheat monopolized 68 — a proportion in excess even of the
high proportions of the past. In the table giving the decen-
nial return of land under wheat, produce, and average yield,
1867-8 occupies a melancholy position, the quantity gathered
being little more than a nominal improvement upon the year
1858-9, when the area sown was two-thirds less. In respect
of hay, barley and oats, and potatoes, it is needless to repeat
figures published some time ago. In respect to the last-named
article, comment is made upon the fact that the yield during
the last two seasons has been remarkably good. Peas are
evidently forcing themselves into notice as a useful occasional
crop, no less than 3,499 acres having been cultivated with this
vegetable last year, against 1,853 the season before. The
average yield per acre was 1 0 bushels 231bs. The returns of
fallowed land exhibited a falling off of 10,280 acres. In or-
chards and gardens there has been an increase of 652 acres,
there being now 2,563 of the former, and 3,912 of the latter.
" Vineyards," on the other hand, it is said, " show a slight de-
crease on the previous season of 152 acres. The total area is
now 6,209 acres, with 5,869,406 vines in bearing, and 1,022,740
vines yet unproductive. The aggregate quantity of wine made
is returned as 863,584 gallons, or 128,601 gallons more than
at the previous vintage. The production of the past three
vintages has averaged 816,000 gallons, or nearly five gallons
per liead of the population. The sliipments of wine only
amounted to 8,924 gallons, valued at £1,901. In 1862 we
sent away 20,574 gallons, worth £50,545. This trade has de-
chned year by year since the imposition in Victoria of the pre-
sent prohibitive duty. According to the latest available re-
turns, the produce of an acre of vines in New South Wales is
106 gallons, and in Victoria 70 gallons of wine. The South
Australian vintage referred to herein produced 140 gallons to
the acre."

The totals relative to live stock need not be reproduced. It
is satisfactory to know tiiat the returns in this respect " ex-
hibit a large increase in the number of sheep (over half-a-
million), and that the diminution in the number of horned cattle
so rapid of late has at last reached its limit, being for the past
year merely nominal." Since 1863 the number of cattle has
decreased one-half, whereas for the past five years the increase
in the flocks of the colony has been 30 per cent. Of the
4,477,445 furnished as the total in 1867, nearly three-fourths

r>36

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

were retiinipil as depiisturing witliiii tlic boundaries of coun-
fies, only 1, 450,579 being given for tlie ontside districts. As
iin addendum to tliis branch of tlie subject, it is mentioned in
a general way that more attention is being paid to dairy pro-
duce for supply of the home market and fur exportation. This
is decidedly a point in which an improvement \ipon the past is
called for.

It is gr.atifying, in the face of the disasters of the past sea-
son, to find in this report palpable evidence tliat settlement is
progressing very favourably in South Australia ; that not only
has she been able to hold her own in comparison with the
other colonies, but has thus far maintained her pre-eminence
in regard to the agricultural occupation of the soil.

THE DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS IN AUSTRALIA.

Not many years ago it was the common belief that birds
were among the worst foes that the farmer and gardener had
to light against. With assiduous regularity they came when
the laud was sown and when the fruit was ripe. They invaded
the corn-lields ; they swarmed upon the garden trees. Nothing
was safe from their ravages, and their destructiveness was only
equalled by their audacity. The time-honoured scarecrow was
powerless to atVright them ; and all the artificial means adopted
to check their inroads were unavailing. The ruby cherry, the
fleshy peach, the luscious fig in turn fell a prey to their insa-
tiable beaks. Measures for striking terror into their ranks
proved abortive, and therefore the word went forth to exter-
minate them. They were not merely useless, they were uncon-
scionable thieves. Their beauty and cheerfulness offered no
protection to them against the shot of the remorseless gun.
fair and foul means were resorted to ensnare, entrap, and
massacre them. In England the rooks were the first victims.
Many a fair and flourishing colony was reduced to a few strag-
glers on the strength of the merciless edict which had gone
forth against them. T'hey ate the seed-corn, and therefore
they must have no quarter. But no great time was lost in
declaring hostilities against the smaller and prettier forms of
ornithological life. These fouud numerous champions from
the very first on mere grounds of humanity. It was cruel to kill
these innocent inoffensive-looking falcons and larks, sparrows
and linnets ; but arguments of this kind carried very little
weight in a utilitarian point of view. Those who considered
themselves sufferers by their voracity sank all sentiment, aud
steeled their hearts against the pitiful pleadings of the charm-
iug pillagers.

But b\-and-bye a new light began to dawu upon the subject.
With the decrease of the birds came a fearful increase of
another plague more insidious in form, more devastating in
efl'ects. In places where the crusade against the winged pil-
ferers had been most vigorous iusect life began to develop itself
to an alarming extent. Here was the argument which
ornithophilists wanted. They had found it a profitless task to
try to enkindle generous and humane feeliugs in the breast of
Hodge so long as self-interest was the opposing motive ; but
having made it clear to him that he was doing injury to him-
self by the wholesale slaughter in which be had licen engaged,
it is amazing with what celerity his conversion to the humanity
doctrine was accomplished. The law of moderation and kind-
ness began to do its work. Agricultural oracles no longer in-
stigated war to the death ; gardeners' calendars ceased to en-
force the oft-reiterated admonition — " use the fowling-piece
fi-eely ; nothing else will rid you of the pests of the vineyard
and the fruit-tree." An appeal had been made to the most
powerful motive for action or inaction in man — his own in-
terest. The justice of it M-as recognised, and a truce was
declared.

Among the most zealous defenders of " nature's game-
keepers" was Michclet, and thus he years ago justified his
cfeed : — " To the universal presence of the insect, to its ubi-
quity of number, the bird is still the counterpoise, with its
rapid motion— its wing. The gra-id moment is when the in-
sect, wanned into life by the genial inthience of spring, finds
himself face to face with the bird— the bird multiplied— the
bird who, having no milk on which to feed its little ones, must
provide for a helpless family of callow young, chiipijig and
gaping with constant clamour. Ah ! but for this necess^ity of
hunting for a living prey, the world would be in danger of
perishing yearly, if the bird were raammifcrous. But with a
tamishmg noisy brood of ten, fifteen, or twenty beaks ever
gaping for their prey, the maternal frenzy rises to such a pitch
that the titmouse or tomtit, with her twenty children, in

despair at finding 300 caterpillars or beetles a-day suflScient to
appease them, rushes to the nest, and pecks open the brains of
the little ones. Thus, besides the proof of the multiplication
of insects, even in temperate and cold climates, we may say
that a swallow requires more than a thousand flies a-day, and
a couple of spaiTows carry to their little oues 4,300 caterpillars
a-week. We shall see at ouce and at the same time the evil
and its remedy ; therefore, if the bird levies a tax upon the
plant, he is at the same time the protector and defender of it."
A few months ago the people of Victoria were greatly exercised
on the point as to whether they should vote the sparrows a
nuisance or a benefit. As the fruit of acclimatisation these
saucy marauders had begun to multiply with a marked fecun-
dity. It was soon found that they were not altogether harm-
less, that they perversely insisted upon taking toll of those
fruits which man would fain preserve for bis own special bene-
fit. For a time the fate of the stranger trembled in tiie balance ;
but fo the lasting honour of the colony, the policy of mercy
prevailed, aud for a time at least, the new comer is free from
molestation. And it must be gratifj'ing for the Victorian
authorities to find their derision supported by the experience
of the New Yorkers. Not long ago the people in the populous
state of New York were under great apprehension that the
myriads of measure worms, canker \\'orms, and caterpillars
wliich infested their gardens aud parks would clear off every
green thing. Gigantic trees were regularly divested of foliage.
According \o {]\c Atliiiilic Monthli/, "all the trees, with the
exception of the ailauthus, in the puljlic parks and squares of
New York and more southern cities became early in summer
an unsightly collection of desolated branches, made yet more
disgusting by the repulsive-looking worms that dangled from
them and caught upon the clothes of the incautious." Spar-
rows were brought in to try conclusions with this formidable
body. At first the smalhiess of their number precluded the
possibility of their making much impression, but as they mul-
tiplied the worms diuiinishcd. Two years .ago the sparrows
got the upper hand, and they quickly completed the task set
them. The trees relieved from the check upon their growth
revived, and returned to their former luxuriance. In IS67
the triumph of the assailants was complete, and the value of
their services was proved by the fact that last summer the
parks and squares enjoyed a total immunity from the attacks of
injurious insects. So much for the house sparrow. But no
sooner had his labours been crowned with success than his one
little failing began to excite attention. He was no doubt a
victor over the offensive caterpillars, but he was not content
with insect food alone. He liked grain as a change, and
recognised a very palatable flavour in ripe fruit. To these
articles of diet, therefore, he extended his notice, and quickly
a loud outcry was raised against him. His good offices were
ungratefully overlooked by many, and his reward threatened
to be destruction. But friends presented themselves in his ex-
tremit)-. He was solemuly trietl, the evidence pro and con.
was duly weighed, and by competent judges the balance of tes-
timony was declared to be in his favour. His little pecula-
tions could not be denied, but his eminent services in the cause
of arboriculture and botany were pleaded in extenuation, and
the scale decidedly turned on the side of mercy.

The Atlantic Monthly gives some timely information as to
ill-judged efforts for the extermination of the sparrow. It
shows how the (Jreat Frederick of Prussia ignorautly sought
to increase the stock of his favourite cherries by banishing the
" winged wardens," who, whilst protecting them from vermin,
exacted a light toll as a recompense, and how, having learned
to his cost that the policy he had adopted defeated its own
ends, lie gladly revoked his decree of slaughter and banisli-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

tsl

nienfc, encouraged the return of the exiles, and was freed from
the visitation of caterpillars. It shows how in Hungary and
Baden "the very men who had offered premiums for tlie de-
struction of the sparrow were induced to take the most ener-
getic measures for their restoration," simply because " the
inhabitants found to tlieir cost, that the sparrows alone had
been able to wage a successful war against the cockchafer and
thousands of other winged insects that infest the lowlands."
It shows how in these countries, as well as iu France and
Prussia, it has been considered necessary to call in the aid of
the law to protect the farmer and the vigneron, by shielding
the very birds which formerly were objects of relentless perse-
cution ; and it shows also how M. Florent Prevost, M. Quatre-
lages, ffichelet, and Mudie, first-class authorities, give unques-
tionable proof of the great utUity of the sparrow. This infor-

mation is timely, because it will strengthen the hands of Mr.
Everard, M.P., to whom the Committee of the Horticultural
and Ploricultural Society has delegated the trust of taking
legislative action to prevent the wanton and indiscriminate
slaughter of birds. It is true that South Australia has not yet
been made a home for the sparrow, but there are many other
denizens of tlie air whose good qualities far counterbalance
their bad ones, and who are a most serviceable auxiliary to
those engaged in cultivating the soil. These it is only just and
prudent to save from reckless destruction. The Government
have agreed to do what they can to forward the views of the
Society, and if the birds do not become a special protege of the
new Parliament, the lessons of experience must be overlooked,
and the promptings of humanity and common sense disregarded.
— Adelaide Observer.

THE MOVEMENT AGAINST THE GAME ABUSE.

Among the important subjects which divide the attention of
electors with the Irish Church, the Game Laws occupy a dis-
tinguished place. Mauy candidates have pledged themselves
to vote for their repeal. Thousands of electors have unmis-
takably shown how anxious they are to get rid of this relic of
feudalism. Indeed, no branch of legislation is more clearly
due to class prejudices and supremacy than that relating to
game. Those obnoxious laws were framed in the supposed
interests of tlie landowner, and ratified by Parliaments repre-
senting landed proprietors. Magistrates selected from among
landlords inflicted the penalties imposed by their nominees. It
is true the tyranny of the Game Laws is not so irrational and
grinding now as it was in days bygone. It is no hmger indis-
pensable for a man to possess £100 a year, derived from landed
property, iu order to have the right to kill game. The act
which made the sale of game a penal offence has been re-
j)ealed, and a licence may now be purchased by every sports-
man. Yet the prohibition is in force, by virtue of wh.ich a
landlord can prohibit his tenant from shooting the game bred
on the land for which he pays rent, and nourished on the crops
produced by his industrious care. In a speecli delivered last
week before a gathering of agriculturists, Mr. Charles Buxton
[given at the time in the M. L. E.'\ passed some just strictures
upon the existing system, and made some pertinent suggestions
■for its improvement. He avowed that he was both a game
preserver and an ardent sportsman. He neither expected nor
wished to see an end put to the sport of shooting. But he
avowed himself unable to defend the system under which,
while the vegetable produce of an estate was held to belong to
the tenant, the game was claimed as the perquisite of the land-
lord. Moreover, be considered it unjust that if a labourer
killed a hare on the public road he should be liable to be fined
or thrown into prison as a poacher, as well as to pay £20 to
the Excise for killing game without a licence. He also de-
nounced the legislation which empowered a countypoliceraan to
stop and search whomsoever he suspected of unlawfully possess-
ing game. Even worse than this is the arrangement whereby
game is treated as a pecuUar kind of property, so tliat when a
horse or cow is stolen the prosecutor has to pay bis expenses,
whereas when a poacher is punished the outlay falls upon the
county. He considers it grossly unfair that a landlord's co-
verts should be exempted from rating. With this condemna-
tion of the present law the public, we suspect, wiU concur
more heartily than with Mr. Buxton's proposals for its reform.
The gist of his argument is to substitute for the restrictions
now in force " a real law of trespass." This is a plausible
proposition ; but it involves more than at first sight appears.
Strictly interpreted, a real law of trespass might mean exactly
what the Game Laws now mean. The name would be
changed; the trespasser would be sent to prison instead
of the poacher; but the community would not gain
much by the alteration. Besides, inoffensive persons might
find a real law of trespass a great obstacle to their enjoy-
ment. At present it is difficult to inflict a fine on any one

who walks through a neighbour's field without doing any
damage. In the future the same act might entail serious con-
sequences. No change in the law should be specially directed
towards the preservation of partridges and pheasants. They
should be placed on the same footing as geese and turkeys ;
the same measure of punishment should be inflicted on the
slayer of the partridge as of the goose. Indeed, the injury
done to the property should be the standard whereby to try
the trespasser. This, however, is hardly what game preservers
desire when they talk about substituting a real law of trespass
for the existing game-laws. With one of Mr. Buxton's re-
commendations most persons will entirely agree. He thinks
what is wanted is not so much fresh legislation as an active
resistance on the part of the farmers to landlords who are ad-
dicted to the " excessive and extravagant preservation of game,
especially of rabbits und hares." He thinks that if the far-
mers were more outspoken and persistent, they would excite
such a declaration of public sentiment as would turn the game
preservers from their evil vv'ays. The rich have a right to
their amusements; and we should no like to see them debarred
from enjoying themselves after their own fashion, provided
their neighbours were not injured thereby. It is doubtful,
however, if game preserving and its consc(iuences are pursuits
which, in the altered state of this country, can be sanctioned
by the public. The existence of game iiuphes the presence of
suitable conditions, such as an expanse of country sparsely
cultivated, and containing few inhabitants. In the marshes
of Lincolnshire and the moors of Scotland we find natural
arraugemeuts for the breeding of snipe and grouse. But in
the highly cultivated parts of England and Scotland game
cannot exist save at a serious loss to the cultivator of the
soil. The Legislature must take these things into account
when dealing witli this question. Of course we shall be told
that unless an adequate inducement in the shape of game co-
vers he held out, the landed proprietor will desert his estate.
This is the stock argument, which has been refuted as often
as it is repeated, but which is reiterated as if it were alike
novel and unanswerable. No one, perhaps, has ever an-
swered it more effectually than Sydney Smith, when the argu-
ment was more forcible than it now is, and his words may be
fitly recalled now that the subject is again under discussion
with a view to effectual and final settlement : "The privilege
of shooting a set of wild poultry is stated to be the bonus for
the residence of country gentlemen. As far as this immense
advantage can be obtained without the sacrifice of justice and
reason, well and good ; but we would not oppress any order of
society, or violate right and wrong, to obtain any population
of squires, however dense. It is the grossest of all absurdi-
ties to say ' the present state of the law is absurd and unjust,
but it must not be altered, Ijecause the alteration would drive
gentlemen out of the country.' If gentlemen cannot breathe
fresh air without injustice, let them putrefy iu Cranborne-
alley. Make just laws, and let squires live and die where
they please." — The Daily News.

638

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ECHOES FROM THE AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS.

FROM KENT.

At the dinner of the Chobham. Agricultural Association,
Mr. C. Buxton, M.P., said there was one subject of very
serious importance to the farmers of England on which he
should be glad to say a few words. Now, he was a ganie-
preserver. He had just returned from six week's shooting in
Norfolk. He was fond of the sport, and he did not either
wish or expect ever to see it extinguished. On the other hand,
he considered that the law of the land went a great deal fur-
ther than was reasonable in its support. He would tell them
what he thought really was reasonable : That the proprietor
of a piece of land, whether great or small, had a right to all
its productions — to the live animals that grew upon it — whether
bullocks, partridges, cats, or weasels, or whatever else they
might be, just as he had a right to its vegetable produce. He
WHS quite sure they could never allow any strangers, who
miglit happen to like a day's shooting, to come and beat
through another person's woods or tramp over his fields to
kill the game upon them. Whatever happened, the law of
the land would have to protect the proprietors of the laud m
their right to the game that grew upon it, and if they did not
have a law in favour of the game, they wo'ild have to sub-
stitute for it that which did not now exist, a real law of tres-
pass. Eew people seemed to be aware that at present any
man might walk over any other man's land, so long as he did
no damage there, the threats of prosecution were mere bug-
bears ; but if they gave the landlord no protection for his
game, they would have to give him that protection which he
did not now possess, against simple intrusion. So far lie
thought a game-law reasonable and advantageous, and he
thougiit too it was perfectly right in this, that if the landlord
let his land the tenant became proprietor of the game, unless
it was reserved by special agreement to the landlord. But
this was where he thougiit the law went a great deal too far.
It was a shame that if a poor man was coming along the
public road and he saw a hare and knocked it on the head,
that he was liable to be taken up, fined, or thrown into prison
as a poacher, and not only that, but he was liable to pay £20
to the excise for killing it without a licence. He would
abolish that part of the law, and give to every man perfect
liberty to kill grouud game, either hares or rabbits, in any
way he pleased, so long as they were not upon another man's
property. Then, again, he deemed it a shame that if a country
poHceman thought or pretended to think that if any man or
woman had game concealed about them, he might stop that
man or woman on the high-road, and search their person to
find it. He thought that was a shameful piece of tyranny,
and he never voted against anything more heartily in his life
than he did against that clause of Sir Baldwin Leighton's
Bill. He fJso thought that this was a great wrong, that game
was put on a perfectly distinct footing from all other property
in this respect. If a man stole a cow or a chicken tlie prose-
cution was undertaken at the expense of the prosecutor, but
since the passing of Sir Baldwin Leighton's Bill the prosecu-
tions against poachers had no longer been undertaken at the
expense of the wealthly game- preservers, but at the cost of
the county, and in some cases that charge formed a heavy
item of expenditure. And the law also inflicted anotlier wrong,
in that it exempted the coverts from rating. There were other
parts of the laws relating to game that ought to be re-
pealed, but he felt convinced that what was really wanted was
not so much a change in the law as a bolder purpose on the
part of farmers not to permit themselves to be so ruinously
over-ridden, as great numbers of them were by the excessive
and extravagant preservation of game, especially of rabbits
and hares. He believed that if they agitated this question
more persistently, if they made their voices heard, and especi-
ally at election times, through the length and breadth of the
country, the game preservers would be compelled to yield to
the pressure of public opinion, and he was sorry that more
had not been said on this important topic during the past few

At Stapleiiuest, Mr. H. Barnes said he would give them
two or three of his own opinions. The first question was
drainage, for that he thought was the first thing they should
consider on taking a farm. They sliould agree with their
landlords that he should find the tiles and they should do the
draining ; for he believed if they could enter upon such agree-
ments it would be a great improvement to the country, and
would be much more preferable than their paying five per cent,
for the work being done. He had drained in many places, and
suffered great loss by paying five per cent. Then their rents
were beyond what they could afford to pay, considering the
price at which they sold their products, and their rent was
increased by the drainage. Then as to birds, some persons
were of opinion that it would be a good thing to get rid of
them ; but he beheved they were sent to protect their crops
from the slug and vermin, and if they destroyed them they
would be infested with vermin that v\'ould cause great damage
to their crops. As to timber, he knew their landlords could
not cut down all they had, and he should be sorry for them to
do so ; but their rents would be increased by cutting the timber
on arable land, and leaving it on meadow land. With respect
to rabbits and hares — which he classed as vermin — he thought
the landlords were carrying on a bad system ; he considered if
they were not to preserve anything, and left it to the tenant
to provide him with shooting, it would be much better for
both. If it were left to the tenant, he thought he would pre-
serve sufficient game for the landlord, and he would derive a
pleasure from his coming to shoot over his land, provided he
knew he could shoot over it as well. Then there was another
thing : tenants had a great hatred to keepers being placed to
look over their farms. They were a perfect nuisance to the
farmer ; they almost drove him out of a field if they wanted to
preserve game there, and that could not produce good feeling
between the landlord and tenant. Mr. Barnes then gave an
instance in which a widow, who paid £370 a-year rent, wished
to renew her lease, but the landlord raised the rent to £450,
and required £200 for goodwill for granting the lease. She,
however, refused under those circumstances ; but a gentleman
came directly and took the farm at the increased rent, and paid
the goodwill ; but after being there 14 years he said the land-
lord would not lay out anything in improvements.

Mr. Hayes said that when a tenant laid out money in
improving the farm, that ought to be looked upon as so much
capital. All improvements made to the farm belonged to the
out-going tenant, and if the in-coming tenant or the landlord
paid the out-going one the full value for those improvements
— which ill Ireland would be called tenant-right — then the
landlord alluded to would be perfectly justified in asking £470
a-ycar for his farm ; but until that was done he had no right
to raise the rent. That suggested the question of having
either long leases or tenant-right clauses. There was no rea-
son why a landlord should not have his property improved
fairly, but then there was no reason why the tenant should not
be fairly remunerated lor the improvements he made. Some
of the gentlemen on the platform thought that great profits
were made out of farming ; but he believed if every farmer in
the room were to balance up his accounts he would find he
had not made anything within the last seven years, as in the
last two years he had lost all he had made in the previous
five. That he knew was the fact in his own case ; and
jMr. Barnes even the other day had sold lambs from 16s. to
17s. each.

Mr. Baknes said he liad bought lambs at 2s. 6d. a-head,
and at Ashford market last week there were several sold at Is.
6d. each.

Mr. Butler thought it wrong for a landlord to raise his
tenant's rent in the face of the improvements he had made on
his farm. He had laid out on his own farm about £1,000 in
improvements within the last five years, and three years ago
his landlord had stocked the place with game and raised his
rent £50 a-year. He would ask them, was that right ? With
reference to drainage it should be done if practicable in the
summer time, because the land was then dry, and the pores of

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539

the earth were open. He had found where drainage had been
done in tlie winter that it took some three or four yeara before
it answered properly.

Mr. Edwaru Beard said, with reference to there always
being persons ready to take farms at increased rents, that tliere
were more farmers springing up than there were farms, where-
as in other trades that difficulty was not experienced. When
extravagant rents were paid, however, the landlord reaped no
gain from it, but tlie tenant was ruined. As to draining in
wet weather, he thought it did not matter how much plaster
was put on the sides of the drains so that the bottom was left
all right, for the water came froai the bottom. They must be
guided by the soil as to the deptli, hut he helieved that deep
drainage was advantageous in any soil.

_Mr. Hayes said a great number of their farms had not suf-
ficient houses upon them to accommodate the lahourers, and
they were consequently driven into the villages, which was an
evil to tliem. They had also to walk a great distance in many
cases to and from their work in consequence. He rememliered
speaking on that subject before, when there was a labourer
present who lived some three or four miles from liis work, and
who had taken a prize for working over forty years iu the same
employ. That man, it was shown, had walked a distance of
nearly tlie whole circumference of the world iu going to his
work and l)ack. The owner of the farm might call himself a
philosopher, hut through liis not providing proper cottage ac-
commodation the man had walked a distance of something like
34,000 or 25,000 miles more than he would if the owner had
simply performed his duty in providing proper accommoda-
tion.

Mr. T. Reeves, jun., said he believed landlords' duties were
neglected when they allowed the tenants' property to be eaten
up by vermin— by which he meant game. It was said that
was a question of rent, and it really amounted to that ; but
then when claims were made for the destruction of property to
the amount of double aud treble the rent, they were told they
did not pay so much, but they lost sight of tlie amount they
lost by the great destruction of their crops by the game.

FROM SUFFOLK.

At Sudbury, Mr. Gree^ie, M.P., said : At some of these
meetings they had talked about steam-cultivation, and he
agreed with those who said they had talked long enough, and
the time was come to act. In his own neighbourhood a te-
nant-farmer, and also in another case an owner of the soil,
had recently both invested in Fowler's double engine, and he
was satisfied tlie result would be successful. He owed it to
steam cultivation that tliough his turnips did not weigh five
pounds each, he had preserved his swedes, though the drought
had affected them : still he had a better crop than any in his
neighbourhood. He had got all his laud cuhivated some time
hack, and had cultivated seventy-six acres in seven days, that
is, he had ploughed thirty-eight acres twice over in that time,
costing each time (including interest of money, wear and tear,
&c.) only 6s. per acre. He was for progress, and so would ad-
vocate some relaxation in covenants. He knew an instance
now where a man had heavy land and never had a fallow acre,
and yet it was never iu a better condition ; whereas had he been
tied to the " four-course shift" he could not have done it.

Mr. Duncan said he believed the climate of England was
very favourable to the cultivation of beet, far better than Hol-
land, where it had been successfully carried on. The growth
had largely increased on the continent and figures were given.
To give an idea whether the production and manufacture were
valuable or not, he would tell them that this year there would
be 15,650,000 tons of sugar at 25s. per ton, 1,950,000 tons
molasses, total 17,600,000 tons. The late season had been
unfortunate from the drought, still he helieved they would
have in that 700,000 tons instead of the 600,000 tons of last
year. Their friend Mr. Hawkins had ploughed deeper than
most, and had a very good root crop. He had found that in
countries where the sugar beet had increased wheat had also
increased by one-fourth ; but to grow good roots or corn they
must not merely scarify tlie ground. But the farmers here
had not had a chance yet, as he only brought the subject for-
ward iu March last. He believed the tiling must go on slowly
and by degrees, and they must not hurry it.

Mr. Brown said : In Kerry a few years ago, he heard of a
man there who had built a farm-house, and when he had
finished and improved the property his landlord quietly gave

him notice to quit, and the man and his family had not a
house to shelter them. He knew of a small holder of seven
or eight acres of land, who wanted to remain and improve the
farm, and olfered to pay any reasonable rent that was asked,
that he might live where his father had lived before him. He
saw that man and his family (who had been turned out) only
sheltered from the inclemency of the weather by a mere hedge,
and how could they be surprised at the peasantry not being
satisfied ? Whatever grievances they might think existed in
England between landlord and tenant, it was ten thousand
times worse on his side of the water.

FROM DEVONSHIRE.

At Halberton : Mr. Roach (Crediton) regretted to say
that the parish of Halberton had not received a good character
from its clergymen, which was now notorious not only in De-
vonshire, but all over England. At first, when he heard of
what had taken place there between them and their minister,
he was charitable enough to think that the Canon had acted
on good intentions ; hut, from all that he had since heard and
read, he had come to a different conclusion, and he could not
acquit the Canon of acting vindictively. He was confirmed
in this opinion when he found the Canon had gone to Lon-
don, to try to form an agricultural union amongst labourers
similar to trades' unions. Now, as an Enghshmau and as
a taxpayer, he must say he did not know of anything that
had done so much injury to the country in his time
as trades' unions. He might be wrong; but he thought
that the effect of those unions had been to lock up capital
to drive trade out of the country, and to enslave working men,
so that they had not the free enjoyment of their povvers of
body or mind, but were compelled to limit the use of both to
the rules of the union. He liked to see men free agents.
Labour was a commercial article worth what it would fetch,
according to the supply and demand ; and no one ouglit to b°
called upon to pay more for a day's work than he could make
of it. Their clergymen, however, had been attempting to
form a league against the farmers ; and now he saw, by the
3Iarlc Lane U.rjjrcss, that the Canon had been " stumping"
the country upon a similar errand. He had been speaking
at the meeting of the British Association, at Norwich, on the
condition of the agricultural labourer in the West of Eng-
land. They could read the speech for themselves. He be-
lieved it to be full of misstatements ; and he was happy to say
that only one individual present at the meeting had agreed in
it. There were several eminent men present ; and one,
who was a professed admirer of Canon Girdlestoue, said
that he thought the Canon's heart was right, but cer-
tainly his head was wrong. He (Mr. Roach) hoped that that
view of the case was the right one. The only person who
agreed with Canon Girdlestone's speech, amongst those who
heard it, was Sir John Bowring ; and he supposed that Sir
John Bowring and Canon Girdlestoue had gone about
" stumping," for the purpose of degrading the British fanner
(laughter). He observed that Canon Girdlestoue had been
spoken of at Northampton by Mr. Bradlaugh as " his
friend." Now the old adage said they might know a man
by his friends ; and he did not think that this
was the sort of company that a minister of the gospel
should keep. He then delivered his views of the duty of a
parish minister, who ought to make himself acquainted with
the spiritual and bodily wants of his parishioners, to instruct
the young in their catechism, their duty to God and their
neighbour, and to teach them to do their duty in the station
of life in which it had pleased God to place them. They
could not all be iu equal stations. There were different ranks
in the world, some might not be satisfied with his station, but
it was not one of his choice, he was a small farmer with ten •
small children — hut he tried to do the best in his station. He
held under a good landlord. He paid his rent and endeavoured
to be satisfied with his condition. Every condition had its
advantages and disadvantages. Clergymen should do the
work to ■ which they were ordained, and mind their own busi-
ness. How would it work for the clergymen to come to him
and say, " Roach, what business has your landlord with that
big house, and so many houses and servants? you ought to
have that."_ That would be wrong ; great estates had great
rcsponsibihties. He did not want to change places with his
landlord, aud he supposed his landlord did not want to change
places with him. Property had its duties as weU as its rights,

640

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

and public opinion expected landlords to discharge those du-
ties. He did not envy them. But Canon Girdlestone by
stirring up strife between the farmers and the labourers had
done wrong. He hoped he would live to see the error of his
ways and reform.

Mr. BucKNELL (Holcombe) believed that every word Mr.
Roach had said was true.

Mr. Pe.vrce had not intended to mention the name of
Canon Girdlestone there, or to introduce their parochial dif-
ferences to that meeting ; but the Canon's paper demanded a
reply. The Cauon had said that the labourer earned 8s. or
9s. a week. Now he had gone through his labour book, and
taken out the amount paid to one of his labourers from Lady-
day, 1807, to Lady-day, 1868. Although this man received
nominally 8s. a week, he actually received, taking all the year
round, 10s. a week in money, and with grist corn, convenience
for pig, and other things, he received as much as made up the
wages to the value of 14s. a week. The labourer was not,
therefore, in the poverty-stricken and degraded state which
had been represented. Then the statement about the dietary
of the labourer was ludicrous aud absurd. He altogether de-
nied that anything which Canon Girdlestone had done had
liad any influence whatever in altering the rate of wages
in that locality. He was glad to say that the condition of the
labourer had of late years been ameliorated, but nut since the
Canon had made his onslaught on the farmers of the parish,
and nothing he or any other individual could do would influ-
ence the rate of wages, for that depended on the supply and
demand.

At the dinner of the Colyton Ploughing Match Sir
LA.WEENCE Palk said : Within the last few days he had
received the most interesting report of the committee of the
House of Lords upon the laws relating to parochial assess-
ments, and if he were permitted to go briefly through it he
should be able to clear away a great deal of mystification. It
liad been said that only a certain portion of the funds of this
country ought fairly to be rated to the poor. But that was not
the case. By the report of a select committee to consider the
laws relating to parochial assessments, it appeared that the
relief of the poor is a national object towards which every de-
scription of property ought to be called upon to contribute,
and that tbe Act of the 'i3rd Elizabeth, cap. 2, contemplated
such contributions ; also that it is expedient that all mines
should be assessed ; that it is not expedient to rate stock in
trade. The Act of the 43rd Elizabeth contemplated personal
as well as real property. The committee of the House of
Lords had not arrived at those decisions without carefully
searching the law and taking evidence as to the truth of what
they reported. It was very curious that during the I7th
century, in the reign of Elizabeth and Anne, no poor rate
was levied on what the Scotch law called " Means
and Substance," or profits from trade. In 1766, in
the 5th year of Queen Anne, there was a cele-
brated cause tried, the Queen r. Barking. The question
raised was whether the farmer was taxable to the poor for his
stock as well as a tradesman for his stock-in-trade. The three
puisne judges of the Court of Queen's Bench decided that a
farmer shall not be taxable to the poor-rates for his stock, and
that a tradesman is taxable for his stock-in-trade. Lord
Mansfield, on tlie other hand, in 1775, in the case of the
King V. Ringwood, dsnied that personal property had ever
been rated to the poor under Elizabeth. But according to
the evidence of George CornewaU Lewis, Esq., M.P., a great
authority on these matters, the ultimate decision of the Court
of Queen's Bench was that stock-in-trade and personal pro-
perty are rateable to the poor-rate. They decided that stock-
in-trade is rateable, and that fanning stock is not. Having
thus laid down the law as given by the report which has
emanated from the committee of the House of Lords, he
would show its effect upon the agricultural interest. By a
Parliamentary paper published recently, it appeared that
the annual income assessed to the income-tax in England and
Ireland amounted to 296 millions, and that only 9 i millions
of that is included in the poor-rate assessment, under which
a tax of 10 millions is annually levied, aud therefore tlie as-
sessment question was one of the most important now before
the Chambers of Agriculture. No doubt that on some other
occasion he should be given good reason why this 202 millions
was not rated. If they came to the principle of the thing he
asserted, without fear of contradiction, that by the ancient

laws and practices of this country, all property of every de-
scription is rateable to the poor-rate. The subject had been
taken uj) by the Somersetshire Chamber of Agriculture. It
might be said very well that you had no right to impose taxes
upon the funds because that would be breach of faith with
the public creditor. His ansvi^er was that there never was any
such compact whatever between the country and the fund-
holder ; and that if even there were one, it had been broken
over and over again by the action of Parliament in imposing
income-tax equally upon the funds and landed property. But
he went a great deal further. He asked why when it was
necessary for the well-being of the country that you should
have police to protect life and property, that you should have
gaols, lunatic asylums, &c. — he asked in the name of justice
why all funds should not contribute to one great national ob-
ject. It might be said that it would be better for this country
that there should be a national rate imposed for the mainten-
ance of the poor — one in the shape of income-tax. But he
did not think that would be advisable. He doubted \\hether
we had arrived at a proper principle of maintaining the poor.
He looked with some regret at the costly public buildings —
the union-houses, which were gradually becoming less tenanted
than they formerly were. He doubted whether the whole
system of poor-law was not wrong from beginning to end.
Pie did not allude to the administration of the poor-law, be-
cause that was in the hands of Guardians, by whom it was
most fairly and economically managed. He doubted whether
the principle of the poor-law was a right one from beginning
to end. Was it not worth inquiring whether it was possible
by some different management and arrangement the " Arabs"
of the towns coidd be brought up as useful members of society
— trained up to agricultural and other pursuits ? He disputed
the assertion that the question of the poor-rate was one for
the landlords more than the tenant-farmers or the labouring
men. If the local taxation on land increased as it had done,
the land, however elastic, would not bo able to bear the im-
position. In common justice he asked why the man who
made 50 per cent, by his manufactures or trade was to be
freed from the imposition placed upon the land, the profits of
which could not be set down at more than 10 per cent. If
the tenant-farmer made 10 per cent, by his land, he was a
good agriculturist, and successful in his liusiness. The
pamphlets written about the wealth of the agricultural popu-
lation were all bosh. He (Sir Lawrence) had thus shown
that when he stated that all property should be taxed, he
could not have alluded to the property of the fanners, because
they had been exempted by law.

FEOM YORKSHIRE.

Mr. E. S. Caley, being severely cross-examined at York
said he did not care much about game, and he allowed his
tenants to ferret and dig about very much as they liked. They
all knew that rabbits were not game, and if a tenant took a
farm and nothing was said about them, why they belonged to
him ; but if a tenant, when he took his farm, made an agree-
ment with his landlord as to rabbits, why he could not reason-
ably grumble respecting them. No one hated rabbits more
than he did, except under a pie-erust ; but they could not put
down rabbits by Act of Parliament. If he could he
would ; but they might as well try to put a stop to the female
sex. He was much opposed to the excessive preservation of
game, and both by precept and example he should dis-
countenance it. (A voice : I would make it unlawful for a
landlord to keep up rabbits.) He thought that a landlord had
a right to keep rabbits if he chose instead of sheep, for he did
not see whom he injured; but, at the same time, he sympa-
thized with the farmers where there was a high preservation
of game. He abominated the system of battue shooting, as it
was called, when pheasants were turned up as tame as poultry
to be shot at, and when old hares cantered about like sheep.
Shooting under such circumstances was merely killing — it was
not sport. He hated rabbits, and did not like over many hares,
but he would not be one to destroy that race of animals. A
moderate number of thein was reasonable, but a multitude
was a nuisance. If the game laws should be abolished, those
who preserved highly would be the principal cause of the
abolition. (A voice: What's your opinion about the malt-
tax ?) That tax was paid by the poor man, and he should
like to see it repealed. If proper economy and care were used,
the tax might be repealed, as we could afford to take it off.

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

541

The m&It-tax was tlie labouring man's question. He should
like to see the labourer have the opportunity of brewing his
peck of malt upon his own cottage allotment, for then he
would know the sort of stuff he was drinking. As it was, he
was forced to the public-house, and he was made a sot from
Saturday night until Monday morning. He was fond of good
beer himself, and he brewed it with his own bauds : but if he
was returned for the North-Riding, as he expected he should
be, he felt that he should have liis brew spoiled, as it would
not then be properly attended to. He wanted the labourer,
like himself, to brew his own beer, and he measured his neigh-
bour's malt with his own measure.

FROM HAMPSHIRE.
At the South Avon and Stoue. Meeting the Earl of
Maxmsbuuy, who presided, said he had attended a o-reat
many of their meetings, but had never seen so large an
attendance as on this occasion. When he recollected, he was
sorry to say he himself, a great many years ago, what a state
agriculture was in in this country, he could not but be aston-
ished at the progress made everywhere at present. There was
no sort of similarity in the products of the earth 30 years a^-o
and those which could now be shown in the vales of Avon and
Stour. The extraordinary difference in the crops of turnips
at this day and the times to which he alluded was really mira-
culous. At that time when following partridges lie was used
to walk over these crops, and he saw a great deal more brown
earth than green leaves, while the roots were very small, and
many of them deformed and twisted, with no regularity about
them, whether they were broadcast or sown in rows. But no
one would have supposed that human ingenuity could have
produced roots like those grown now even under such a system
as the present. He saw on his property and tliose of others,
the most magnificent turnip fields any one could wish to behold.
They must not suppose because they had made these improve-
ments they had reached the acme of perfection. Agriculture
was a science which involved other sciences, such as chemistry ;
they had still much to learn and much to discover. If he
might suggest the most useful course for the agriculturist to
pursue, he would advise him whenever he could coutmue it
not to remain in his own county, but to go into other parts of
England and see what he could glean from the various modes
of culture practised tliere. At the same time he might teach
what others were perhaps previously unacquainted with. There
was a gentleman present, one of their oldest and most valued
members, Mr. Whiclier, who would bear him out in saying that
wheu he made a journey many years ago into the north of
England to visit a distiuguished agriculturist in Northumber-
land, a tenant of his (the chairman'sl brotlier-in-law, he
thought his journey amply repaid by vehat lie learnt. Mr.
"Whicher had acted upon that system in regard to the very
productions which had been alluded to, and wliicli in that part
of the country were extraordinarily good. It was impossible
to improve their mind if they sat in their arm chairs at home.
It was impossible to improve in the management of their farms
and estates unless they compared tlieir method of management
with that of others. There were some points in which he
thought they required great improvement ; but that, perhaps,
had more reference to the landlord than the tenant. He would
say then that the improvement of the labourers' cottages stood
first and foremost at this time. It was no doubt a very difti-
cult thing in an entailed estate, where the landlord had only
his income to show when managing his estate, keeping up
buildings of aU descriptions, and maintaining his position be-
fore the world. It was a great pull upon him to buiUl cottages,
because they were certainly not remunerative so far as interest
was concerned ; but he would derive an indirect advantage,
because tlie tenant would be able to pick and choose for his
labourers more easily. lie believed this matter was the more
urgent now, as tlie Legislature had thought fit to entrust tlie
labourer with tlie franchise m many parts of England, as for
example in t'hristchurch, being an agricultural borough, a great
many of the new voters must be labourers. It was fair then,
surely, whihi wo gave the laliourers a position so important as
that, of liaviug the suffrage to return members to Parliament,
to give them a status that would raise their feelings. Great
waste was ocxtasioned in roofing labourers' cottages with straw.
He was determiued, except perhaps for an ornamental lodge,
he would never have a thatched roof upon his property. He'
thought there would be no difficulty in carrying this out, be-

cause tliere was no part of England where there was no clay to
be obtained for tlie manufacture of tiles. He had tried the
expeiiment himself, and found it would be cheaper for the
landlord to make tiles.

PROM DORSET.

At Melplmsh Meeting : Mr. John Pope said they had the
opportunity at these annual meetings of detailing to each otlier
the amount of experience they had derived during the past
year. He would uow ask them what had been the results of
the season just past? In the first place their hearts were
grateful to the Giver of all good, for having blessed them with
one of the most favourable seasons for gathering in tlieir har-
vest which he had ever known. They had also a fine oppor-
tunity for making their hay in excellent condition, and he
thought the crop this year was of as good a quality as had
ever been made. Let them look for a moment at their corn
crops. The rule was that their corn was good ; the exception
was that their roots were indifferent ; still, the rule was only
proved by the exception. All practical meu would agree with
him, he thought, that the past season had produced one of the
best crops of wheat ever grown. And when he submitted to
theiu the weight per sack, it was an evidence of the beautiful
condition in which it had been garnered. Some of the corn
whieli had been exhibited at their show to-day weighed 13
score 41b. and 13 score Gib. per sack ; and he thought he was
right in saying that the barley weighed II score I61b. per
sack. He thought this was highly satisfactory, seeing that
present prices were remunerative. They all, as cultivators of
the soil, and as expecting the reward of their industry and
application, liked to see good prices ; but they might depend
upon it that farmers were never so pleased as when they had
a good crop, and were able to sell at a fair and reasonable re-
turn. He saw that in the north of England one of the
chambers of agriculture had thought it desirable that three
questions shoiild be submitted to candidates for Parliamentary
seats. One of these was the provision of some security
against the recurrence of the cattle plague ; the second was
the establishment of financial boards ; aud the third was the
repeal of the malt-tax. He thought, perhaps, all of them
would be justified in asking those gentlemen who offered them-
selves to their notice as representatives in Parliament what
their opinions were upon those important points. He was
truly sorry to see they had not one of their county members
present to-day, for he had long held it as his opinion that one
of the three could so arrange as to be present dowu in the
west every year. It so happened that they all resided in the
eastern part of the county, and a county member in the west
was a great novelty (laughter, and voice : " We had better
send one up from this part").

Mr. J. GuNDRi' said he thought it was on the last occasion
he had the honour of meeting them that a considerable amount
of discussion took place upon that most important question, the
repeal of the malt-tax. He believed bis convictions were in
unison with theirs and with those of all prudent men in Great
Britain, when he repeated, and should always endeavour to
maintain, as far as his feeble influence would enable him, that
the next tax which should be in justice removed from the
shoulders of those who bore the already oppressive burden of
taxation ought to be the malt-tax. He agreed with that pro-
posal most fully and most distinctly ; but at the same time he
coupled with it tliat condition which must meet with their
approval — viz., that it is of no use to remove that tax if they
were compelled to substitute for it another and equally bur-
densome impost. Therefore the first tax which ought to be
removed from the burden of the agricultural occupiers of the
soil, if it could be done consistently, ought to be the malt-tax.
He agreed, too, with Mr. Pope in the view he held with re-
gard to financial boards. The principle which he would en-
deavour to uphold was that every man who contributes to the
pecuniary support of any county is entitled to say how these
funds should be disposed of. It was of no use for gentlemen
to tell them they had not made up their minds how this im-
portant question was to be solved, for it was one which in-
volved so little that was doubtful and so much that was just,
that sooner or later it must be disposed of, and he trusted it
would be carried to a satisfactory issue. He did not hesitate
to say that the people who contributed to the support of the
various institutions of this country— be they religious or po-
litical—were fully entitled to have a fair share in their distri-

542

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

hution. lie therefore considered it as only right and just
that financial boards sliould be established iu all the counties
in England, and he believed this would be one of the first
questions to engage the attention of the Legislature, as soon
as they were again assembled. He only hoped the question
would be settled judiciously and effectively, so that it might
command the respect and confidence of all who might be in-
cluded in its operation.

FROM CHESHIRE.

In NoETH Cheshire : The' Rev. W. R. B. Akthy said
he was born and brought iip in a farming county. He was
an Essex man, and he believed there were few farming counties
that could beat Essex. He therefore felt at home when he
was amongst farmers. Many a time when he was a boy he
had played on Tiptree Heath, which was then unenclosed and
unproductive, but which, by the skill and perseverance of Mr.
Mechi, had been turned into one of the model farms of Eng-
land. In speaking of Mr. Mechi he could not but be reminded
that there was, after all, no class in England which had better
kept pace with the times than the farmers. Some people were
good enough to say that farmers never did so well as since
they had free trade ; that they tlien took a leap and became
more intelligent, scientific, enterprising, and successful than
they were before. He did not know how that was, but from
what he saw around him, he could hardly say that the farmers
looked in a declining state. Exceedingly well they all looked,
and exceedingly well they seemed to flourish.

Mr. E. C. Egerton, M.P., said : Although I may be said
in some measure to be connected with the territorial interest,
I can truly say that the interests of agriculture and commerce
are like twin sisters — they go hand-in-hand together through
life. The existence of chambers of agriculture is in my view
most beneficial to the interests of the farmers and the interests
of the country generally. They bring together, as has been well
said by ray excellent friend Mr. Arthy, both landlords and
tenants. There is no better thing than to bring landlords and
tenants in mutual relationship one to the other. People rub-
bing together shake off the sharp edges which theymay have,and
the more landlords and tenants unite together the greater will
be the confidence existing between them. The interests of land-
lords and tenants are identical. The interest of the landlord
is to let his farm well so that the tenant can live well. So that
any good landlord will put his hand in his pocket and assist
his tenant to bring in a good return. The benefits of such
societies as these are that although landlords and tenants may
each have their particular views, here they can interchange
ideas and come closer together for the promotion of their
identical interests. There is this difference between this and
other countries — that there is not that distinction between
landlord and tenant in this country as in others. We know
that in this country there were feudal laws — laws which were
no doubt a great hardship on the tenant. But the good sense
of Englishmen has done away with such laws, and there exists
the utmost cordiality between landlord and tenant. This was
the great point in English character. Long may the day be
distant when the farmers of England will listen to the men
who tell them that the landlords are opposed to them. I feel
that I owe you an apology for addressing you at such length.
All that I can say is this, that I ani glad that one of my last
acts as member for Macclesfield is to preside at this meeting.
What strikes a foreigner is the good fellowship and good feeling
which exist among all classes in England, and of this I am
sure, that so long as that good feeling exists, so long as there
is that pleasure on the part of the landlord to meet his tenants
— and on the part of the employer to meet his workmen, so
long will England maintain that proud position which she has
attained among other nations.

The Rev. E. Richardson said he was only known to a few
Cheshire landowners, because, comparatively speaking, he was
a stranger amongst them. But the few to whom he was known,
thoroughly represented the agriculture of Cheshire. He be-
lieved they were gentlemen who wished to live and let live.
This was the first time that he had attended a meeting of this
Chamber, but he was not asliamed to be present, because he
could honestly say that he came there to enunciate a principle.
He wanted to come to something practical to bring those who
were candidates for Parliamentary honours to state what they
would do to relieve the farmers from the injustice under which
they were labouring with respect to the Cattle Plague Rate.

He hoped the members who were present, and those who were
absent would receive the suggestion which he made in a kind
and friendly spirit. He believed, however, that they had more
regard for their own honour and their own feelings than for
the interests of the tenant farmers of Cheshire. He was not
speaking of Conservative members only, but he declared that
it was the duty of the members for the county to introduce a
bill to relieve the farmers of Cheshire from the iniquitous
Cattle Plague Rate. What he intended to propose to-day was
this. He hoped it was not unfair or unreasonable. It was
that tlie future representatives of Cheshire should pledge
themselves when they got into the House of Commons to in-
troduce a bill to remove the crying evil of the Cattle Plague
Rate. He cared not who the representatives might be. They
had a crying injustice, and a crying injustice of which they
complained, and of which he would complain as long as God
gave him health and strength. He wanted every gentleman
who should be returned for Cheshire to pledge himself to
bring in a bill to have ihis question fairly and fully discussed
in the House of Commons. He did not want gentlemen who
stood on platforms here to give their votes m silence in the
House. It was a crying injustice, and he vvanted them to
speak and defend the interests of the farmers of Cheshire.
The manufacturing and agricultural interests would cry shame
on their representatives if they allowed this county to be
saddled with £070,000, when they knew that the cattle were
slaughtered for the benefit of the nation at large. They might
ask him where would he put the burden. Speaking individu-
ally, he said he should put it on the Consolidated Fund. All
that he wanted was that the question should be fairly and
fully discussed. The farmers of Cheshire would forgive the
past if their representatives would now do the best for their
interests.

Mr. W. J. Legh iaid that since he came into possession of
his property he had always been on the most friendly terms
with his tenantry. In reply to Mr. Richardson he would say
that if returned to Parliament he would not pledge himself to
any measure such as he had indicated. He considered his
honour was at stake, and if the constituency had not faith in
him to do that which was for the good of the county, he
would say at once he would rather not go. Mr. Richardson
seemed to think that the landowners did not feel the effects of
the Cattle Plague Rate as much as he and his friends. He
(Mr. Legh) maintained that they did, and he shoul d always
be willing to do his utmost to get rid of the Cattle Plague
Rate. But he told them frankly that he would not be bound
to any particular line of action on that subject. If this ques-
tion had been put to him at a public meeting, he would not
have objected to it ; but he did object that at a gathering such
as this, gentlemen should be requested if he did not give a
certain pledge, not to vote for him. He did not think it was
quite fair. If he was to be their representative, they must
trust him — they must trust what he said, otherwise he would
rather not be their representative at all.

Mr. John Ma,y thought that perhaps Mr. Legh
had misunderstood the Rev. Mr. Richardson's remark. Mr.
Richardson did not wish to extort from the candidates any
improper pledge, but knowing how strongly Mr. Richardson
felt on the subject, he was not surprised to hear him refer to
it. He (Mr. May) believed that if this question was brought
before the House of Commons, they would be able to convince
the members that their claim was a justand equitable one. Could
it be said for a moment that cattle were slaughtered for the
benefit of Cheshire ? It was for the benefit of the whole king-
dom, and was it to be said that in addition to their losses the
Cheshire farmers were to submit to pay compensation ! It was
monstrous. One solution of the ditficiilty was this, that in-
stead of paying the rate in thirty years they should pay it
in sixty years. This he believed would afford the farmer very
great relief.

Mr. John Buxton said that in his opinion tenant farmers
occupied the most important position of any class of persons
in the State. He maintained this because the tenant farmer
was connected with the source of all wealth. Dr. Adam Smith
said labour was the source of all wealth. There never was a
greater mistake. Labour was only one of the three elements
which were necessary to make wealth applicable, namely, skill,
labour and capital. It was remarked by a French philosopher
that the eartli was the source of all wealth, everything which
exists, no matter in what shape or form, is derived from the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

643

earth. The earth was an inexhauf?tible fountaia of wealth.
This fact should he thoroughly uuderstood. If we took a
survey of the globe we inhabited, we should find that every-
thing was governed by fixed laws. Money was only the repre-
sentative of wealth, but the agriculturists were really the
wealth producers of the country, and the greater amount of
produce they could raise the better they were.

Mr. Egerton admitted that Cheshire was visited with a
gross act of injustice by the Cattle Plague Rate, but knowing
all the circumstances he did not believe that at the time re-
ferred to it was possible that any other course could have been
adopted than that which then was taken. If the case of the
Cheshire farmers was not put jiroperly before the House of
Commons it was not the fault of the members. There could
be no doubt that the Cheshire farmers sacrificed their cattle
for the public good, that they suffered great loss, and for that
loss they were entitled to compensation. That was a case
which ought fairly to be put for the consideration of the
House of Commons, bijt when Mr. Richardson asked the
candidates to bind themselves he told him fairly that although
he would advocate their interests, and do everything he possibly
could for them, he declined to be dictated to in any way what-
ever. He should do his best as an independent member of
Parliament. He had had seventeen years' experience, and he
thought he had their interests at heart. His feeling was that
the Cheshire farmers had been visited by an injustice and his
great anxiety was to get that injustice removed. The repre-
sentatives of the county were certainly not insensible to the
sufferings and injustice under which tenant farmers of Cheshire
laboured. Their interests were each the same. There were
members of his family who had suffered by this Cattle Plague
and he did not want Mr. Richardson to tell him that it was an
injustice, still less did he wish to be pledged upon it. If he
went to Parliament he should go to exercise his judgment and
talents in the best way he could.

Mr. Ricii.viiPsOT^ said that as Messrs. Legh and Egerton
were about to attend another meeting that night he intended
to be present and would introduce the subject again.
Mr. Egerton : That is the proper place.
Mr. G. W. Clarke said : With regard to the practical sug-
gestions of Mr. Richardson, coming as they did from an un-
e.\pected but very welcome guest, he for one must express his
gratification that the subject of the Cattle Plague Rate had
been pressed on the attention of Mr. Egerton aud Mr. Legh. He
was quite sure Mr. Richardson was sincere and by no melins de-
sirous of embarrassing those gentlemen in the Chamber. They
were all much obliged to Mr. Richardson, and all had full
confidence in their present chairman and vice-chairman. They
had the assurance of Messrs. Legh aud Egerton that no effort
sliould be spared to obtain redress from an absurd and unjust
piece of legislation, and those assurances would be carried out
at the proper time. He thought the present occasion very
fitting for alluding to things that were of the greatest interest
to farmers ; and when trades' unionists could with impunity
ask and obtain pledges from candidates of every shade of poli-
tics, on all sorts of points, he (Mr. Clarke) knew that no candi-
date would feel aggrieved when he was asked by a Cheshire
clergyman or a Cheshire farmer to assist in the removal of an
evil that ought not to have been created.

Joseph Wright Esq., the ex-mayor, said: He thought
that at meetings such as this they should endeavour to come
to something practical, and instead of d linking toasts should
discuss some given subject from which useful information
might be derived. There was particularly the question of
education amongst the agricultural classes. He hoped that
before long they would have educational classes established in
this county, and agricultural colleges as well as agricultural
lectures delivered in the various villages throughout the county
by such men as their valued friend Mr. Buxton, who would go
through every village and hamlet, and instruct the youth of
the county. Not until this was done would they have Che-
shire agriculture assuming- a practical form. This was the
case with the silk trade, and he hoped the suggestions he had
made would be carried out amongst the agricultural commu-
nity.

The Chairman said : The little episode which had passed
between Mr. Richardson and himself was like lovers' quarrels,
they were better friends for it. He (Mr. Egerton) happened
to know something of the House of Commons, and knew what
jt^ was to bring in a Bill, As a member of the Government,

he could not bring in a Bill except as connected with his de-
partment, and he did not think the Cattle Plague Rate came
within the scope of the Foreign-oftice.

FROM DEVON.
At Dawlish : Sir Lawrence Talk referred to the hedge-
rows. In some parts of the county, though not in their im-
mediate neighbourhood, he had seen the bushes on the hedges
extend more than a dozen feet on each side of the hedge.
Now in the North the hedges hardly occupied four feet,
which it must be admitted was a very great gain to the farmer!
When he had previously spoken oi' this he had l)een told,
"Oh, we require shelter," but the very worst shelter they could
give to any animal was a place where that animal got all the
droppings from the bushes. In addition to this, those wide
hedgerows were the very nests of weeds. 'By keeping those
hedgerows within proper bounds the land would be improved,
and every farmer who so managed his estate as to increase'
the growth of his crops yearly was a benefactor to the country
in which he lived. All were more or less acquainted with the
condition of the agricultural labourer, and he was quite pre-
pared to admit that in many parts of Devonshire it was not
what it should be, at the same time he held that Canon Gir-
dlestone was not justified in making such sweeping charo-es
against them throughout the whole of the county— aud he cer-
tainly could not be well informed or else he would not have
said what he had. He was aware it was not customary in
this county to give as high wages as in the North of Eng-
land. In the first place the hours of labour here were very
different from what tlicy were there, and there was also a cor-
responding difference in the price of food, and what was even
more remarkable, in Lancashire— a county he was well ac-
quainted with— a labourer had nothing but his cottage. Here
on the contrary, they worked fewer hours, food was cheaper'
and in most instances they had a good sized garden attached
to their cottage. This made a material ditlerence to the
labourer ; for, frequently, the garden produced sulticient vege-
tables to nearly maintain his family. There was also'a similar
striking difference between the two connties as regarded task-
work, &c. He maintained that the labourer here was not op-
pressed, as Canon Girdlestone would have thein believe. He
had himself always urged the interests of the labourer, and he
believed it was to the interest of the agriculturists that they
should make him (the labourer) as comfortable as possible.
Good dwellings and cleanliness were most essential, not merely
for the welfare of the labourer, but for the interest of the rate-
payers, because if a man fell ill he frequently fell back upon
them for support for himself and family. He would not enter
very deeply into the question of education unless he should be
considered as touchiug on political matters, but he thought his
friend Mr. Wade would agree with him that under the present
system it pressed very hard on small parishes. At present,
unless a parish was sufficiently large to support a certificated
master, it did not receive any grant fxom Government, althouo'h
it contributed its ((uota towards it. He regarded that as being
extremely unjust. For his part, he would like to see State
education paid by results, no matter how or where the educa-
tion was obtained.

At Halburton : Colonel Acland said that he had seen
in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society a remarkable
paper of great importance on clover as a preparatory crop for
wheat. He had often said at farmers' meetings that the
practice of tanning was in advance of the science. He re-
membered meeting a gentleman, an educated man, and one of
great ability in that neighbourhood, and he heard him say to a
body of practical gentlemen that of course high education was
out of i)lace for the labouring class, but for the practical
farmer education could not be too scientific, because in those
days scientific, and only scientific, farming could pay. He
bantered his friend for this opinion, hoping that he would take
an estate and show how scientific farming paid, for as far as
experience went it was not very paying. He went on to say
that the science of agriculture was really not able fully to ex-
plain what farmers were actually doing, and it was by no
means in a position to lay down practical rules to override the
ordinary experience of farmers. In the article which he had
been reading that day he found an explanation of a fact which
no doubt, was well known to many of those present in that
room. It was some fifteen or twenty years ago, that he was
engaged in laying the foundation of the Bath , and West of

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Eughuul Society, iu vvliiL-li work lie was assisted in the most
iinportaut manner by Mr. Kiduer, a farmer living near Wel-
lington, vtliom, no doubt, they knew. At that time Mr.
Kiduer called his attention to the fact that clover wliich was
allowed to run to seed was a better jireparation for wheat than
the ordinary clover crop. That was a ,lact generally testified
to by practical farmers. It seemed at first .sight at variance
with the common opinion that such a process had a tendency
to exhaust the soil. Now in the article to which he had re-
ferred, Dr. Voelcker, who had been chemist to the Bath and
West of England Society, but was now promoted to be chemist
to the Royal, had brought oat a complete explanation of the
fact. The clover crop — whether getting it from the air or
otherwise was not certain — contained a great deal of that very
valuable article named nitrogen, and it appeared that this
passed to a great extent into the intricate roots of the clover ;
and also the quantity of leaves that fall off the plant in the
process of seeding caused an accumulation of nitrogen on the
soil, which was so essential to a good corn crop. Here was a
remarkable instance of science coming to confinu practice, and
by explaining practice, helping them to turn it to yet better
account. The same article showed a case in which practice
was wiser than theory. He must tell them, however, that he
believed in theory — that was theory built upon facts, which
was the only theory that sensible men would care for. The
case he referred to was given as follows : " Many years ago
I made a great many experiments relative to the chemistry of
farm-yard manure, and they showed amongst other particulars
that manure spread at once on the land need not there and
then be ploughed in, inasmuch as neither a broiling sun nor a
sweeping dry wind will cause the slightest loss of ammonia,
and that, therefore, the old fashioned farmer who carts his
manure on the land as soon as he can and spreads it at once,
but who ploughs it in at his convenience, acts iu perfect ac-
cordance with correct chemical principles involved in the man-
agement of farm-yard manure." Prom that they saw that the
old practice, in this respect, was in accordance with the very
best science of the day. He would not give them a lecture on
chemistry, but he might say that the practical good which
science had done them was in making them thoroughly well
acquainted with what they wanted in manure. It was now a
man's own fault if he were cheated by the manure merchant
The first rule was to go to a respectable man ; secondly, pay a
fair price — don't attempt to get it too cheap ; and thirdly, of
all the manure they used, put by a bottle of it, sealed up and
locked away, so that if anything went wrong they could have
the bottle of manure examined and tested for its quality. He
remembered asking a coifee dealer of Taunton how to get good
coffee — the merchant replied, " Eirstbuya good article, and then
use plenty of it." So of manures — they should buy a good ar-
ticle, at a reasonable price, and use a good deal of it. At the
same time, there were evils arising from over manuring, which
the article he liad alluded to pointed out. In fact the more
they advanced in the science of Agriculture asiu that of Medi-
cine, the more they learned to be cautious about laying down
positive rules.

Mr. Waxkond said : Experience showed that the success of
wheat after clover was greater after mowing the crop than after
eating it down. That seemed inconsistent with the ordinary
rules of farming, for what they eat down of a crop they gene-
rally calculated was put back into the soil by the droppings of
the animal. But it happened in the case of clover that if they
nibbled it off by stock, they prevented the growth of the deep
carrot-like root into the soil, and which afforded the favourite
food of the wheat plant, and induced instead a growth of
tibrous roots, which were comparatively of little use. He be-
lieved that this was Mr. Nesbit's theory, and no doubt Pro-
fessor Voelcker's investigation confirmed it, and had afforded
additional reasons for the growth of wheat after clover.

FROM NORFOLK.
At Reefuam, Mr. T. Savory, jun., said: There is one
g^e?'* drawback under which this society labours, and from
which many others are free ; it is the insecurity of tenure
which prevails in this district. We are constantly told that
property has its duties as wcU as its rights ; and on "looking at
tills question (possibly with that dulness of inteUeet which is
said to characterize the farmer) we are apt to think that
wlulst Its rights are secured to it by the laws of the land, its
Unties must ever remain dependent on the feelings of con-

science which influence the proprietor. Still, I believe, there
arc few who do not recognize a care, for the welfare of the pea-
santry upon their estates to be one of the duties devolving
upon property. Now, liovvever much it may shock oui- feel-
ings to admit it, the stubborn fact remains that the main-
spring of the majority of our actions in life is self-interest ;
and I maintain that one of the great duties devolving upon
property is neglected if the proprietor fails to make it the in-
terest of his tenant to raise the condition of his labourers ; and
this cannot be said to be fulfilled where a system of yearly
tenancy prevails. A yearly tenant naturally looks upon his
labourers as so much bone and sinew necessary for the cultiva-
tion of his occupation for one year, and no more ; he can have
no permanent interest in the education of the lad, so as to
make him a skilful labourer, or a more useful member of
society, for he knows uot how soon some unforeseen difficulty
may occui', by which he may be removed from his holding, and
his successor be appointed to reap the benefits of his endea-
vours. And I fearlessly assert that it is hopeless to look for
improvements which might naturally be expected to accrue
from the operations of this society, unless the proprietors are
sufficiently influenced by their sense of duty to the peasantry
on their estates, to give their tenants a permanent interest in
their improvement. I believe these points are worthy of the
consideration of all tliose who have the welfare of the society
at heart. In conclusion, let me offer a few general words of
advice. To the labourer I would say, " You have a valuable
commodity to dispose of ; carry it to the best market ; the
whole world is before you ; but having found a good customer
give him full measure — that is to say, a good day'.s work for a
good day's wages, and seek to fulfil the conditions of life iu
which you are placed by earning your bread by the sweat of
your brow, rather than exist upon your master's charity." To
the tenant I would say, " Youi- duty to your family forbids you
to expend your capital and energy in the improvement of
another man's property without the security of a lease ; you
have a right to demand such security ; and having obtained it,
and thus gained a permanent interest in the improvement of
the moral and social condition of your labourers, endeavour by
precept and example to set forward this great work." And to
the landlord I would say —

" The ills that ruin Ireland be sure you shun,
And keep at home — there's plenty to be done."

Mr. CoLLVER said : The observations which had been made
by Mr. Savory, he (Mr. CoUyer) thought were well worth at-
tention, but in casting over in his mind what he should say,
he had been thinking how far he ought to go in introducing
the subject which he was about to do. He thought it was
hardly within the province of this agricultural association to
enter into a discussion upon the relations of landlord and
tenant. He should think that that kind of relationship whicli
had been mentioned was not a case of common occurrence
within this neighbourhood.

The President, Mr. E. Eellowes, thought they must all
regret that there should be a feeling of independence of one
class above another. They would agree with him that there
was no such thing as independencp. The agriculturist, the
landowner, the landlord and the tpuant, the workman and the
labourer, were all dependent. What was the use of a land-
owner having thousands of acres without tenants ? What was
the use of tenants without labourers ? The object of these
associations was to promote the happiness, the welfare, and
the prosperity of llie labouring class ; and by promoting their
happiness and their interest, we were at the same time pro-
moting our own. From what did this spirit of independence
arise ? He had been told it was because they were giving the
labourers an education. He was perfectly ready to admit that
the standard of education was in many instances carried too
high. In our agricultural districts we did not require so high
a standard of education as was required in the manufacturing
districts ; but what they did require was that education which
would teach the people to know right from wrong. If educa-
tion in the labourer was to be further increased, then he
should say it was being carried too far, and would place the
labouring population out of their proper sphere, and not be for
their benefit. Then, again, lie had been told that it would be
far better if the education of the people were taken away from
those who had tlie looking after it, and given to other people.
That was a very difficult question, and he should be very sorry
indeed if the time should come when education should be taken

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645

out of the hands of those wliose duty it now was to look after
It. If once they were tempted to destroy that good feeling
between tlie landlord, tlie yeomen, and the labourers, in the
promotion of the education of the lower orders of the people-
it once they checked that good feelintc which now existed
amongst the clergy towards the laity, and took away from
them the education of tlic lower orders, he (Mr. Fellowes) be-
lieved that it would fall. But whilst they were talking about
*'»" eilucation of the labouring classes, they must not forget
that there was also anotlier class to whom he believed educa-
tion was as necessary, and perhaps more so than to the labour-
ing class ; and that was the middle class. The education pro-
vided for that class was of so expensive a kind, that they really
could not afford it, as he (Mr. Fellowes) had been told time
alter time. Nothing is being done for the middle class, and,
unless something is done for tliem, he believed tliey would find
that the lower orders were getting the better of them. With
regard to the fixity of tenure which Mr. Savory had men-
tioned, he (Mr. Fellowes) had formed an opinion, founded
upon practical experience, and he must say that he was not in
favour of granting leases to tenants. He had been in the pos-
session of property for many years, and he was of opinion that
fixity of tenure was liest maintained by a good understanding
between landlord and tenant. On his estate in Huntingdon
lie could boast of having tenants of 70 and 80 years of age
who had lived all their lives upon their farms. Some land-
owners would say, they must get rid of their old tenants and
have young ones, thus infusing fresh blood on to their land •
but he (Mr. Fellowes) would rather cut off his right arm than
get rid of his old tenants. He was not, however, prepared to
say that a tenant was not entitled to compensation for his un-
exhausted improvements, but, on the contrary, he believed he
was fairly entitled to it. Such were his opinions, and he
could not, with liis experience in the management of an estate,
pass by what had been said without saying a few words upon it!

FROM SCOTLAND.
At Carrick, Mr. F. T. R. Kennedy, jun., said there has
been a new feature among the roots exhibited, in the shape of
sugar-beet, contributed by Mr. Taylor, of Dunure Mains, Mr.
Hannah, of Girvanmains, and also by my father; as well as
specimens of the sugar made from it, sent to my father by Mr.
Duncan. If you will allow me I will read you a letter about
it.trom Mr. Duncan, who is a sugarrefinerin London, which will
tell more than I can. The letter, which is dated 10th Septem-
ber, says :— « The longer the roots are in the ground the better ;
but they must be pulled before you have any severe frost. This'
IS the tune for maturing the sugar in the plant, and the quantity
goes on increasing till the end of November. You wiU notice
some of the plants are green, and some rose. The great
drought we had here has told against tlie beet. Since the
roots were planted the ground in Suffolk has never been fairly
wet. . , . However, the sugar-beet is the best crop the
farmers have got, and although the quantity will be small, the
roots will be very rich. I had two examined a fortnight ago,
and one contained 9.5G, the other 10.20 of sugar. This being
the case, I will allow the farmer about 24s. per ton, instead of
18s., and this may, perhaps, induce him to go into it more
largely next year. If carefully cultivated, I consider still it
will be a most profitable crop. My manager fitted up a factory

in Russia. He said the chmate was bad — very wet and cold

and the soil poor ; yet the factory is doing well." Surely, if
this beet can be grown in a country like Russia, it can be
grown in Ayrshire; at least it has been thought wortlj
while to make the experiment. According to all accounts it
appears as if it would be a great source of profit to those wlio
grow it, as well as a great saving and benefit to tlie popula-
tion. It would take too long to go into all the particulars of
the proceedings at a meeting held in Suffolk in the beginning
of this year, as to its introduction into England : but I have
the report with me, and shall be very happy to give any one
who wants it all the information I can. There are few far-
mers who have not some grievances to complain of, and even
our Carrick farmers are not exempted ; but they put heart and
soul in their endeavours to get them removed, and I sincerely
hope their exertions will be successful. There are two, I be-
lieve—one of which, though the cause is small, is productive
of serious results and much loss. I can imagine nothing more
depressing and aggravating to a good tenant than when he has
been at an immense deal of trouble and expense to prepare the

ground, and the crops are beginning to grow, to see the fruits
of his labour brought to nought by being destroyed by hares
and rabbits. This most serious grievance, I hold, cannot be
too soon removed, in the way that may be considered best :
but it must not be neglected. On the other grievance, the Law
of Hypothec, I am not able to speak so decidedly, there is so
much to be said on both sides ; but of this I am quite certain,
that when a law is found to be oppressive by a set of men with
the intelligence, the capacity, and the experience of tlie far-
mers of Ayrshire— when it is looked upon by the community
as a piece of legislation which favours one class at the expense
of another, it ought to be and must be altered. The just
rights of the landlords must be protected, but so also must the
just rights of the tenants and merchants. I cannot doubt
that the resolution shown by the farmers on this point will in
the end be successful ; for all that is founded on wliat is just,
and which is sought for with firmness and honesty, is always
sure to be so. When I was a boy, and first had the happiness
of seeing my own home, I remember how much I liked to hear
a saying familar to all Ayrshire men, by which the west was
divided into districts, each having a distinct character :—

" Carrick for a man,
Kyle for a coo,

Cuuningharae for butter and cheese,
And Galloway for 'oo."

Now, these distinctions no longer exist, and Carrick unites in
itself the merits of aU, though as for Galloway and wool I
can say nothing, as we have no prizes for fleeces. Cunning-
ham does not excell us in cheese, nor in butter, to judge by
the excellent samples shown this day ; and as for a cow, where
are more splendid animals to be found than are gra^.iug in the
rich pastures of Carrick ? Their extreme beauty has made
them be sought for over the whole country ; and it is a pleasure
to find that when sent to England, as some were last year by
my father, they were the admiration of the neighbourhood,
and that people came from a distance for the mere pleasure of
looking at them.

At the Kilmarnock Great Cheese Show : Mr. Eastley
one of the Judges, said, he always knew the Scotch were
great people. Scotland was renowned for its theologians,
poets, and philosophers, and now they had to add tlieir cheese-
makers. But cheese-making was becoming one of the fine
arts : it was more than that, for whereas they could only ad-
mire the beautiful pictures, they had to eat the cheese. There
are three or four great results in regard to cheese-making in
which they were making rapid progress. Cheese appeals to
three of the senses —to sight, to smell, and to taste. With
regard to the appearance of the various samples, they did very
great credit indeed to the makers. And in regard to the quality
of many of the lots, he considered they were equal to many of
tlie best English cheese which were in the regular market.
The only way in which they could obtain their object to take
a first place, was to liave the one standard before them, and
that was perfection. Appearance was great, quality was great,
but he thought, on the whole, flavour was the greatest qualifi-
cation of fine cheese. Nothing that is unpleasant in tlie mouth
will ever pass muster so far as 'cheese is concerned, or any
other article of consumption. He urged them to aim at ap-
pearance and quality, but withal let them try to aim at flavour ;
and when they had combined these three points, they would
stand second to no place in cheese manufacture. He might
state to such a height had they attained in this art, that
in London, when a fine piece of Cheddar cheese was exhi-
bited, the dealers would ask " Is it Scotcli ?" — showing that
they were making great strides in that favourite article of con-
sumption, Somerset cheese. He did not think in going round
the tables the judges could say that there was any cheese
which could be really condemned ; and he trusted failure on
this occasion would not prevent the competitors from trying
again. Of course they had competitors in the field. There
was the old county of Chester, just recovering from the effects
of the cattle plague, and where the standard of the farmers
was perfection. Then they had the Cheddar cheese, the prin-
ciple of which they had adopted for the make of their Scotch
cheese, and which commanded at present the highest range of
price and of appreciation. Then they had the American cheese
— a very strong competitor. The flavour of the American
cheese this year was not pure ; so here was a chance for them,

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546

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

T5ut still thn quantity of American cheese imported had a great
effect on tlii! price of tlie article. Since January last there
had hecn uo less than 788,373 boxes, or about 24,025 tons of
American cheese imported ; and it was only by sujieriority of
quality that they could stand against such competition, lie
was satisfied that if Scotland would only go forward in the
raareli of improvement she had begun, she might take the
highest place besides these English counties in the make of
clieese. lie could not forget that he was now in the land of
Robert Burns, and he recollected two lines of that great poet—

" Rouse up, my lads, put on your mettle.
And get auld Scotland back her kettle."
lie would appropriately parody that, and say —

" Arise, my triends, fulfil your fate,
And let your name for cheese be great."
Sir James Fergusson said : There could be uo mistake
about the cheese, and there was no mistake about the choosing
of the cheese. They had received from competent judges a
description of the show, which proved tliat the improvements
in the highest branch of agriculture had been widespread, and
they also proved that a great improvement had been made in
the quality of tlie important commodity. There were pecu-
liarities of climate to contend with ; and subject as they were
to years which rendered the growth of serials unprofitable, and
liable as they were to accidents anrong their live stock, the
manufacture of cheese formed a never-failing industry, and he
believed every year there were more and more farmers depend-
ing upon cheesemaking to pay their rents. Hence it had
become the great staple commodity of agricultural manufacture.
FROM IRELAND.
At Bandon, Lord Ba^'xox said, looking back at the last
twenty years, it was pleasing to see the great improvement
there was in the country. They who were resident con-
tinually here were not perhaps good judges of this ; but any
one returning here alter a lapse of years could not fail to see
the great improvement that had been wrouglit — so much so
that he would scarcely know the face of the country. On a
former occasion that he addressed them they had to urge on
the farmers the necessity of growing green crops, but now
there was scarcely a farmer who did not grow them — in fact,
they no longer wanted to urge the matter upon them ; still,
although great improvements had been effected, there was
room for much improvement in farming. Under the blessing
of Providence, they had had an abundant harvest — they had
been mercifully preserved from the cattle plague ; and while
in England the country had been burnt up, and the hay and
turnips deficient, tlie show of roots at their exhibition that day
proved that here they had not suffered from the drought which
prevailed in England. In the western part of the county, and
in others in wliicli he lately was, he had seen greai improve-
ments— drainage well carried out, better crops, new houses
springing up in every direction, and consequently the greatest
prosperity in every direction. What they were most deficient
in was railvvay accommodation. If they could have railways
carried throughout the country they would be productive of
the greatest benefit, affording as they would the easiest means
of transit to the seaports of the products of the western parts,
for wliich there was an unlimited demand in England ; but as
regarded farming, no country \^■as really prosperous that de-
pended solely upon agriculture, and they should endeavour as
much as they could to combine with it some other means of
employing the people. In Cork there were the Flax Spinning
and Weaving Company's manufactory, and that of the Messrs.
Wallis and Pollock, and Mr. Nash's cotton factory ; these were
the means by which they shouldincrease the wealth, the happi-
ness, and the prosperity of the people. They saw it some-
times stated in the English papers that they were ])oor, miser-
able, and distressed ; but he had not seen anything in the
country to warrant that assumption. I believe that a resident
proprietary is one of the greatest blessings to Ireland ; but in
my o\vn case I should not have said it had I to claim any merit
for being so. I am deriving the benefit of resident proprietors
before me, and which left me no excuse for being absent from
home. I only wish that there were more resident proprietors
amongst us, because I believe that, whatever politicians and
others may at the present day, the extinction of resident
proprietors would be the greatest misfortune that could
happen to us. To rae it is the greatest jileasure to
tv.'^' '^'^°^S^^ yo"> ^"'1 amongst such kind friends as
those by whom T am surrounded. It is a great pleasure

to me to have again to preside, after the lapse of so
many years, at the meeting of our local agricultural society. I
believe that if vve all pull together, throw aside all matters upon
which we differ, and cordially unite upon those on which wo
agree, we shall have a united and prosperous country. I think
if you look at the statistics connected with the three unions
belonging to our society, you will find that we are progressing
daily in the increase of our produce and in every improvement.
To-day there were valuable agricultural machines shown, and I
believe nothing would do more for the farmers of tliis country
than their increasing the employment of machinery amongst
them ; and even if one farmer is not able to purchase an ex-
pensive implement, what is there to prevent half a dozen farmers
uniting for the purchase of the implement and using it alter-
nately ? Looking back at the statistics of the west riding of
this county, I find that matters have been improving. We have
a greater number of sheep in the country, and nothing is so
beneficial as sheep farming to the land we have ; but while
sheep have increased, the cattle remain about stationary, but
the quantity of land under tillage has increased. I be-
lieve the farmers are more and more getting into a system
of rotation of crops, which, after long experience, is found to
be the only true secret of farming in this country. As regards
the quantity of produce within the three districts we have now
united in this society, I may mention that the statistics sliow
that there are 4,8G-t acres under wheat, 18,431 under oats,
3,427 under barley, 15,191 under potatoes, 6,056 under turnips,
and 346 under mangels. It is the greatest pity that farmers
do not cultivate more mangels. In England in all the mari-
time counties mangel wurzel is greatly cultivated, and instead
of there being in tliis district but 346 acres, 3,460 would be
what we ought to grow. There are some statistical facts con-
nected with this district which show how much better off
we are than other parts of Ireland. We have not the same
subdivision of land which is the ruin of a large part of Ireland.
In the Bandon Union the fanners under 30 acres number 695 ;
but, looking to the west of Ireland, I find that in Swineford
there are 7,567 farms under 30 acres ; in Strokestown, 2,311 ;
in Tuam, 5,297 ; and in the comparatively rich union of Tip-
perary there are more small holders under 30 acres than there
are in the three unions which comprise this district. Then, as
regarded the population of these three unions, only half are
dependent solely upon farming for their means. The whole
population numbers 72,948, of whom 6,160 are holders of land,
making, at the rate of five to each family, a population of
30,830, so that there is this large number who are not depen-
dent salely upon the country, and it is for their benefit we wish
to extend the manufactures and increase the resources of the
district. He did not see why farmers in the outlying towns
should not send their milk into the cities. He looked upon
the extension of railways as of the first importance, and hoped
that all would be united, north and south, east and west, for
the benefit af the country, exchanging their produce and
filling their unrivalled harbours with the shipping of the world.

SHOEING HORSES.— Among the reports on the Paris
Exhibition is a chapter on a new system of shoeing horses.
Its inventor. M. Chalier, contends that the present shoes
destroy the horse's foot, and substitutes for it an iron band, let
into a rectangular groove scooped from the outer circle of the
horse's foot. This band is fastened with seven rectangular
nails, driven into oval holes. The sole of the foot and the
frog are thus allowed to touch the ground, the horse never
slips, and never gets diseases of the foot. The new shoe has
been tried by M. Laguet, a large jobmaster in Paris, and has
reduced lameness in his stables by two-thirds. The omnibus
company, moreover, have shod 1,200 horses, and speak of the
improvement in high terms. — Specfafor.

DESTROYING WOOD-LICE IN POTATO HOUSE.—
Tliese troublesome pests are partial to potatoes ; therefore
we should advise active measures to be taken to destroy them.
If they are abundant, thousands might be destroyed by smash-
them with your feet. If boiling water can be poured info
their haunts without touching the potatoes, it is desirable.
We have caught thousands in flower-pots filled with dry hay,
and laid on their sides, once a day lifting the hay out of tlie
pots, and shooting the wood-lice into a pail of hot wafer.
Whether they would care for the pots in the face of the
superior attraction of the heap of potatoes with the covering
of liay, is a problem which can very soon be solved.-—
HlhhercPs Oardeiier''s Ma(/ft:>»e^

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

547

THE POLITICS OF AGRICULTURE.

At the dinner of the Worcestershire Chamher of Agricul-
ture, Lord Lyttelton noticed a statement by Earl Portescue in
deprecation of the intrusion in moments of political cxciteraent
of party politics, and said he saw something different in an
important manifesto he held in his hand. It was the address
of the Central Chamber, who spoke with great authority, and
in a tone of superiority. They appeared, among many other
chamljers, to be affiliated to the Central Chamber, which was
constituted of members from local bodies. They recited a
number of very proper and important questions to which the
attention of the local associations ought to be directed, and
called upon the members in the plainest terms not only to pro-
mote attention to tlie subject iu Parliament, but to endeavour
to secure the election of representatives, in all parts of the
country, favourable to the views of the Chamber. K they
could have their own candidates, whose paramount object in
being members would be to promote the objects of the agricul-
tural interest, it would be a different thing, but they kuew
they could not do that. The candidates would be supported
according to their party principles, and it would be obviously
impossible for them as an association to take a part in pro-
moting elections without becoming in the fullest sense a poli-
tical and partisan body. Several agricultural associations had
been acknowledged as political bodies ; they represented Con-
servative opinions, and took their place among the general
political machinery. He was not prepared to argue they were
wrong iu doing so. If agricultural chambers followed this
example — if they followed the injunction of the Central Cliam-
ber — they could not expect persons of all political parties to
take part in them.

Mr. Knight, M.P., cautioned them against what was
known as humbug iu the House of Commons, when a man
was anxious to become a great farmers' friend, and said he
would vote for the repeal of the malt-tax. It was utterly im-
possible as Parliament was now constituted to repeal tlie tax,
and men gained a cheap popularity by saying they would vote
for its repeal.

Sir Thomas Winjjington, M.P., had looked to the state-
ment issued by the Central Chamber, and there was something
in it which would bear the construction Lord Lyttelton put
upon it, sucli as the question to members which way they
would vote on the subjects mentioned. He was quite sure it
was not tiie intention of their Chamber to exercise the slightest
pressure upon the members of Parliament, but there were
many subjects which would soon come practically before Par-
liament, and he knew of no body more suitable to discuss
them than that Chamber.

Lord Beauchamp said: They must be fuUy sensible that
the tendency of modern legislation was such as to require very
great vigilance on the part of the agricultural community. At
all those meetings he had heard a great deal about abstaining
from party politics, but he wished those who talked most
would observe the rule they laid down ; a jierson got up and
said he would not touch upon party politics, and then made
a violent political speech. He was not going to do anything
of the kind. He had his own opinion as to what party poli-
tics were, but all the questions spoken of, and more particularly
those affecting taxation, were more or less political questions.
He differed from Lord Lyttelton in regard to what lie said on
the first paragraph of the address of the Central Chamber. It
was not said they were to secure the return of members to sit
on one side or the other, to turn out this Ministry and put in
that one, but they were asked to secure the return of repre-
sentatives who would give effect to their views on the great
questions whii'h had lieen more or less neglected in conse-
quence of the struggle of party politics. That appeared to Lie
very wise and just advice. He liad learned from experience
that men could only fight political Ijattles with political wea-
pons. /<

Mr. G. WniTAKER asked what society was there which did
not make mistakes ? and if the Central Chamber had made or
hould make a mistake it was no reason why the farmers or

landlords of Worcestershire should find fault. They l\ad dis-
cussed the various important measures that had come before
them, the cattle plague for instance ; they sent petitions to
Parliament to endeavour to gain that justice which, lie re-
gretted to say, they did not obtain during the last Parliament.
The farmers, not the landlords, were called upon by the rates
of the county to make good the slaughter of animals for the
good of the public. A great deal had been said about politics ;
but did any one suppose for a single moment the farmers of
Worcestershire did not consult their own interests so much as
to require members of Parliament to support a measure for
water-side slaughter of animals. If that was political, then
lie confessed the Chamber was political. When it was con-
sidered that the farmers had only IGiJ representatives, he
thought, with all respect to Lord Lyttelton, that his lordship
vv'as asking too much of the farmers of Worcestershire when
lie proposed to them not to put questions to the persons who
aspired to represent them in Parliament. He did not care
whether it was a Disraeli or Gladstone, but they must have a
minister who would take the burdens from them. When it
was considered also that the capital invested in the culture of
land amounted to 300 millions, and the expense of the culti-
vation was 70 millions, they had a riglit to be heard in the
House of Commons. They could not he talked down and told
they must not have politics.

Lord Lytteltojn said he thought what Chambers of Agri-
culture ought to do was to bear with all their weight on mem-
bers of Parliament, on Parliament itself, and on the debates
on particular subjects connected with agriculture, but they
were not to determine elections by those particular siilijects.
Candidates were not divided into two parties, one who sup-
ported everything relating to agriculture and the other who
did not ; if that were so, it would be a different matter. They
decided practically on the question who supported Mr. Disraeli
on the one side and who supported Mr. Gladstone on the other
(Loud cries of " No, no."). He would not press tiiat, but if
they called upon all their friends to support A against B, it
was self-evident they could not ask for the co-operation
of those whose principles would lead them to support B
against A.

Mr. Amphlett did not know how it was, but they had bad
every person who had addressed them disclaiming all consi-
deration of politics, and in every case ending with a very warm
political discussion. It appeared to him that success in agri-
culture depended upon two things — first, upon the skill and in-
dustry of agriculturists, and, secondly, that they must look for
tlieraselves to the obtaining of wise and just laws to regulate
their concerns. He apprehended the great object of chambers
of agriculture was to suggest, to discuss, and make ready for
legislation such alterations in the la^^■s that affected their in-
terests as they thought to be wise and expedient.

Mr. Masfex repudiated the idea that party politics were
mixed up with the chambers of agriculture. Agriculturists
had been patiently enduring for a number of years hnrdens
which they ought not to bear ; and he was sorry that the
cattle-plague bill brought before Parliament last session should
have received no better sup]iort than it did. Agriculturists
were fully determined, now that they were united, to resist the
undue pressure which had been brought to bear upon them
during recent legislation.

Jlr. H. Allsopp did not think at that inaugural dinner
they were come prepared to decide what were home politics or
what were party politics ; but he was quite satisfied that if
party polities were allowed to be introduced into that or any
otlier agricultural society they might say good-bye to any pros-
pect of success.

At the meeting of the Staffordshire Chamlier Mr. Masfen
also said the chamber did not pledge itself not to introduce
politics ; it was desirable to enter upon these questions with
care, as there would always be members who might disagree
in politics, but who would act together in questions affecting
the agricultural interest.

548

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE LAW OF HYPOTHEC.

Sir, — " Emancipate the Tenant Farmer." Such is the title
of a little pamphlet just issued from the press in Scotland.
The author has not put Ids name to it ; hut it is written with
ability and conciseness, and the argument must strike an agri-
culturist, or a landowner, if unprejudiced, as unanswerable
upon aTiy just or rational grounds, for those who are not
well acquainted with tlie subject, it will excite curiosity as to
what farmer emancipation can mean. AVe have had Catholic
Emancipation, Negro Emancipation, and the emancipation to
a large extent of the Tiers Biat — the third estate in the realm
by tlie late Reform Bill ; but what in all the world can tenant
farmers have to do with emancipation ? what thraldom have
they to complain of to justify an united effort to get rid of it ?

Well, the little pamphlet I hold in my hand, certainly treats
of but one of the ills to whicli agricultural flesh is heir to,
though there are many, if we look into the subject. For in-
stance, there is the game nuisance, for the patient endurance
of which our French neighbours are at this moment taunting
us, and setting their own freedom from it against the curse to
which the English tenant farmer is so meekly subject. But
strong as our Scottish friends are on this grievance,
they couple with it another formidable obstacle to
the success of agriculture, namely, the law of hypo-
thec, under which the Scotch landlord assumes a right over
the property in the hands of an insolvent tenant to the full
extent of his claim, the settlement of which is postponed to a
distant day, ostensibly for the purpose of assisting a poor
tenant in the stocking and cultivation of the farm, but which
more frecjuently impoverishes him, and prevents him from
obtaining that credit from others which is necessary to his
success.

I referred to this subject in my letter of the 23rd of last
month ; but this pamphlet, with its striking and comprehen-
sive title, has suggested several new and important ideas to my
mind on the subject, to which I propose in this letter to refer :
and in the first place, the writer traces or ascribes the practice
of hypothec in Scotland — for it never had a statute law for
its sanction until last year — to that of the Romans, called the
Law of the Twelve Tables. It was under the oligarchy,
which in the decHning days of Rome held the greater part of
the lands of the Republic, which had been mortgaged or sold
to them by the husbandmen to whom they or their predeces-
sors had been allotted. Rome was a lieathen nation, and
maintained a state of slavery at that period ; and frequently
the husbandman became so indebted to the Patrician that his
bberty was compromised, and he was compelled to cultivate
the land as a slave of his creditor. If this, therefore, be cor-
rect— and history records it — the practice of hypothec assumes
a character which no Scotchman worthy of the name would
dare to maintain. What comparison can be drawn between
the Roman slave and the Scottisli tenant farmer to justify the
retention of a practice which originated under a social bondage
code totally irrelevant to the position the occupier of a farm
ought to hold ? Under the Roman law the profits of the land
belonged to the lord or purchaser, mth the deduction of the
slave's living, which was scanty enough.

In the next place, this law of hypothec was adopted from
the Roman Code by the Scottish chieftains, at a period when
land was almost the only property in the rural districts of
that country. The clansmen, too, were as much serfs or
slaves as the Roman husbandmen, and men were bought and
sold on some occasions as a matter of course, all being at the
bidding of their chiefs whether in time of peace or war. In es-
tablishing their law of hypothec, those chieftains never thought
of consulting their serfs ; it was a one-sided law to confer a
one-sided benefit, under a state of things as different from that
at present existing as can possibly be conceived. As civiliza-
tion increased, and commerce extended itself, the wants of the
agricultural class— who by degrees emerged from a state of
serfdom to form an intelligent «;;*//t>-r/ffM— became more
numerous and pressing. Credit was extended to them by the
merchant and tradesman, more money being expended upon
the land. But with these important changes— during and by

virtue of which the state of serfdom merged into that of re-
spectable tenant-farmers and leaseholders of the lands they
cultivated — the same power of the landlord was held good over
the whole property of the tenant, just as over that of his
serfs under the former system. The difference is obvious.
The serf had no creditor but his landlord : he made his
ovra clothes, his own implements of husbandry (such as they
were) , reared his own horses and cattle — in short, never went
off the land for anything, except to fight with, or commit a
raid upon some neighbouring clan, and that for the benefit of
his lord, who took care to monopolize the spoil. Is there
anything in this analogous to the position of the tenant-farmer
of the present day ? What is that position, and wherein lies
the difference, to entitle the tenant to claim an exemption from
the practice that gave the landlord the ri(jM over the property
of the serf ? The present tenant then farms the land ; the
serf only grubbed it. He purchases cattle, manure, and im-
plements of husbandry, with a hundred other things that the
serf never thought or heard of. For these he obtains credit,
and the landlord reaps the advantage as well as the tenant.
Just claims, however, are created by these new transactions,
the benefit of which being shared between the owner and
the occupier, ought to confer equal rights upon those who give
the credit and the landlord who derives a full share of the
benefit. But the latter still claims his right over the whole
effects of the tenant, whether on or off the farm, to the full
extent of his claim for rent, as he did when the tenant was a
serf, had no other creditors, never laid out one shilling on the
land beyond what the land itself produced, and was in fact as
much a slave or serf as the Roman cultivator. This law of
hypothec, giving as it does exclusive power to the landlord
over the property of a tenant — a law which until last year
had no statute to support it — has in its operation materially
curtailed agricultural credit, and if persisted in and acted upon
as it has been of late years will entirely annihilate it, to
the enormous injury of the agriculture of the country.
Wherever it is suspected that a deed of sequestration is held
by a landlord, the cattle-dealer and the manure-dealer, with
every other tradesman, and before all the hanker, will give the
poor tenant a wide berth. But the sequestration is a deed of
darkness, demanded and executed in secrecy, and the creditors
are taken by surprise (if any act of the kind on the part of the
landlord can surprise them) when a tenant is seized upon by
the landlord, who reaps the benefit of the credit in the value
of the stock and crop, and the improved condition of the
land.

Is this right P Is it justice, even-handed, between man and
man ? Is this a fulfilment of the " Golden Rule," that ought
to regulate our actions in dealing with our fellow-men ? Is it
not ratlier the law of power, of force, a departure from every
principle of just law or equity oy which men of honour are
bound by both reason and the law of God to act ? They de-
rive the practice from heathen Rome ; are the tenants of the
Scottish oligarchy slaves like the Roman cultivators, or serfs
like their progenitors, or are their creditors to be totally
ignored, as if the tenants still manufactured all their own be-
longings and expended nothing upon the land ? Again, the
landlords and their agents claim this right by virtue of their
position, as specially necessary to their safety ! This argu-
ment is so especially alisurd as to be scarcely worth refuting.
Land, in fact, is ihe only property that is uljsoliitely safe to en-
trust ill the hands of a second party. We never heard, nor
any one else, of a tenant mortgaging, or selling, or running
away with a farm. He may, it is true, set fire out of spite to
the homestead, but in tliat case, the insurance office is the
sufferer ; or he may realise a portion of his stock and crop,
and betake himself to a foreign country or colony. Even in
that case the landlord is better off than the other creditors,
for he loses only the profit on the land, whereas tliey lose
both capital and profit. A priority of claim ! So far from it,
the body of creditors liy right have the first claim, because
tlieir risk and loss is comparatively larger than that of tlie
landlord, who reaps the lull benefit of the outlay of the ten-

'THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

549

ant in the increased value of the estate. Shame on the great
landowners of Scotland for insisting on this right ! Their estates
liave increased much in value, and who have been the agents in
this improvement ? The tenant farmers beyond a doubt or cavil.
While the owners have been lounging about the court seeking
for places under Government for their younger sons, the tenant
husbandmen have converted a \\ilderness that yielded only
food enough for the laird and his retainers, into a garden of

fruitfulness, increasing the wealth and consequence of their
magnates. And for this unparalleled and prodigious effort of
national industry, they are to be still treated as the serfs, and
their property subjected to the claims of the landlord to the
exclusion of every other creditor until his claim is fully satis-
fied. This claim belongs to a state of heathenish slavery, and
I trust that the abuse will at a very early day be brought again
before Parliament. Ajj Norfolk vOLDFiMERK.

CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE,

During fresh weather continue the ploughing of
clay land stubbles, for next year's wheat -fallows.
Plough deeply, 7 or 8 inches to afford an ample
earth for the summer workings of the land. The
edge of the furrow cut by the coulter and share
must be placed in the upright position, and pressed
into it by the shouldered width of the mould-board,
and not by the length of that part of the implement.
This position of the furrows exposes the two sides
to atmospheric action in the largest possible
extent of surface, and produces the alluvial pulveri-
zation of the soil, which is equally beneficial to the
spring crops and to the summer fallowings of the
land. All kinds of soil are benefited by early plough-
ing. Stiff lands are pulverized and reduced in the
texture ; and light lands derive a consolidation
from lying in furrows during several months of
alternations in the season.

In fine weather raise turnips from the fields by
hand-dressing ; carry the bulbs to the store pit, and
give the tops and small roots to the young cattle in
the yards, and to the store sheep on grass leys and
the unploughed stubble grounds.

During frosts that prevent ploughing, carry fuel
of all kinds to every house on the farm. Draw
stones and tiles to any buildings or draining,
and for roads ; carry earths to the liquid mannre
pit, and to the dry compost heap, ana lime to be
mixed into a compost.

Thrash grains regularly by machinery every ten
or twelve days, to give fresh straw to cattle in the
yards, and litter to all animals. Dress, sell, and
deliver the grains from the thrashing barn without
any forestalling in the granary, in which both
quantity and quality are lost, and a profit is very
seldom gained. A granary is not an indispensable
article of use on a farm; but as it conveniently
covers the cart-shed, the seed grains, horses' corn,
and the wool are deposited for a time with con-
venience. The factorage of grains requires
granaries for the purposes of speculation; the object
of the farmer demands a ready change into money,
to meet the current expenses of his employment, of
which the returns are slow and distant by the
nature of the articles, without an addition being
made by a delay of manufacture. Circumstances
may occasion a stoppage at some time of emergency,
but not in any adopted system of management of
buying grains in store.

Feed work-horses with hays and straws, oats and
beans, with one meal of steamed potatoes in the
ereuing. The use of warm food is objected to iu
the case of animals that are exposed to the weather ;
but spare meal may be useful of a laxative nature.

Fattening animals must be regularly fed with tul*-
nips or other roots, steamed chaffs, and artificial
or auxiliary food. Store cattle must have fresh
straws daily, with a meal of roots, or other esculents
if to be had. Fattening hogs are fed with steamed
potatoes mixed with meal in two meals daily ; and
store pigs in the yard with roots, raw or steamed.
Poultry live and are fattened on roots, and meals
steamed in mixture, and with light grains from the
dressing-machine. The sheep in the fields of grow-
ing turnips require a fresh space every two days ;
and when fed in troughs, a fresh supply of sliced
bulbs m the same period of time.

The cattle yards must be frequently strewn with
litter regularly and thinly, rather than deeply at one
time. Regularity is a most valuable adoption in
every business or employment, which must be all
reduced to a system, which appoints all perform-
ances, when and how to be done.

Plant forest trees of all kinds during fresh
weather, on grounds as directed in the calendar of
gardening, and protected as is there explained.
Single standard trees or iu small clumps will fill the
object of the farmer, which is directed in the garden-
ing attached.

Cut underwoods, which are manufactured into
the articles that suit the locality. Fill up vacancies
by planting young trees in pits and by layering the
branches of viviparous trees. Plant and wattle the
fences into a strong condition, to resist all trespass,
which is very hurtful to the young shoots of trees.

Make new hedges, choosing the strongest grown
thorns in the nursury, and cut to the length of
4 to 6 inches. Reverse a turf or spade load of earth
in the Ime of the new fence; slope it backwards;
place the thorn sets on the slope at 4 inches dis-
tant, and cover with fresh soil, grassy and unused.
Over this covering throw a loose aggregation of
earths in a depth of two-feet, to receive and pass
the rains down to the plants, and also defend them
from drought and heats. Protect the young shoots by
a railing of two bars on both sides of the line of
fence, which is allowed to grow to the height of 6
feet, and then trimmed into any form ; as the cut-
ting of young thorns spoils the growth, by every
incision causing a protrusion of sap and buds. Any
vacancy of growth is supplied by fresh lots, or by
bending the twigs on both sides over the gap. Any
large growth in height or laterally may be lopped
and checked ; but no general cutting previously to
aheightofG to Sfeet.

Repair old hedges : cut thick stems closely to the
ground, in order to raise a wholly fresh growth from
the roots, and fill any gaps that may occur by bend-

'.50

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ing the twigs sideways over the opening. In the
case of younger hedges that are sickly and un-
thriving/ cut the stems at different heights, and
plant the weaker through the opening, by bending
and slant incisions. A fresh growth is thus pro-
moted, which leads to an improved condition. But
in many cases a wholly new hedge is the preferable
improvement.

All farming property must be insured — the crops
as the property of the farmer at the conclusion of
harvest, nud housed or stacked, with the dead and
live stock in animals and utensils, along with the

grains, at or before Christmas term, as a general
period of reckoning ir. such matters. The build-
ings are the land-owner's property, which is to be
insured at his cost at the end of each year. A
clause in the lease or agreement of holding the land
must bind both parties to perform the special object ;
as the one is equally necessary with the other, and
both are required to form a beneficial effect. The
Farmer's Insurance Office has been devised with this
special object, and is ready and convenient for _ the
general purpose. The neglect of insurance is a
public infliction.

CALENDAR OF GARDENING.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Protect the beds of artichokes with a layer of
three-inches of half-decayed leaves strewed evenly
over the surface ; or if the land be stiff and
clayey with as much coal and wood ashes.

Earth up celery, finally very high in the ridge.
Pot and excite a second set of plants of sea-kale.
Brick pits and darkened frames with good linings
would be a great convenience, and prevent much
litter.

Asparagus is easily forced upon deep beds of
leaves, raked from woods and parks, avoiding those
of laurels and evergreens generally. The plants
should be prepared in proper beds for the express
purpose, and selected from the best two or three-
year-old stocks. Brick pits are the best erections ;
but good frames set upon leaves, with warm linings,
will do well.

FLOWEH GARDEN.

Cover the ground with half-decayed leaves, or
lay cokes of mess among the shrubs ; keeping them
in order by small stones ; and in the event of snow
falling, no time must be lost to brush the flakes from
evergreens before the sun shines hot upon them.
Alternate meltings and freezings ruin foliage.

Remove litter of all kinds, and also from lawns
and gravels. Protect the glasses of pits and green-
houses by mats or screens, or by rollers ; give air,
but little water. Straw mats, skilfully made with
bands or strong pack-thread or cord, afford the
best protection to frames and low pits.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Look over the fruit stores, and remove decaying
apples and pears. A dry cool air and a covering of
dry straw are the best preservers. Pears, however,
should be kept in a warmer situation than apples.

Little can be added to the directions of last
month, which may be continued in some cases' and
in dry weather. But all is contingent, and if the
weatlier be open there is every probability that it
will be wet ; and tiien to trample in, and work
ground saturated with water, is only to do mischief.
Frost may set in early, and therefore every means
of defence for plants in frames, under glass, and on
warm borders, such as matting, littery straw, and
fern, ought to be at hand.

Continue the most careful and never ceasing
collection of dung, as has been directed for the

liquid tank and for the dry compost. Lay dung on
any grounds for crops, and dig it deeply into the
soil, placing the spade-loads of earth obliquely
upwards, so as to expose as much surface as possitde
to atmospheric action. Any waste grounds intended
for cultivation may be deeply dug or, rather, trenched
in two spit deep, moving the upper stratum of
eight inches of good soil, and then digging, fork-
ing, and loosening eight inches of more depth,
which discovers the quality of the subsoil if drainage
be necessary, and also renders it permeable to the
action of air and water. A layer of dung is laid on
this loosened stratum, which is most beneficially
moved upwards into cultivation by the successive
diggings of the ground for crops. The land is thus
prepared for any plants, either tap-rooted or hori-
zontally creeping, and never fails the eligibility of
the mode of preparation.

Plant, during the fresh weather, forest trees of all
kinds. Single standard trees in corners or empty
spaces for ornament ; the oak and beech for wide
spreading branches, with the elm and the ash for a
higher growth, and the sycamore for the early bud-
ding. The stems must be protected from cattle by
two bars, fastened to three or four posts sunk
in the ground, at a distance from the tree to
guard from damage, the tops tapering outwards to
protect the spreading of the branches. The young
stems must be protected from the gnawiugs of hares
or rabbits by wire-screens of a circular form two
feet high, with the top projecting outwards.

Fruit trees — apple, pear, plum, and cherry —
are planted singly or in rows 15 feet distant in both
directions between the plants and the rows, on
grounds that have been deeply trenched two years
previous ; with manure applied, and drainage used if
necessary. The trenching of the ground is better
than digging a large hole in which to [)lant the tree,
of which the roots meet a serious obstacle in passing
from the moved soil into the firm consolidation of
ages. In trenched grounds the consolidation is
uniform, and affords a homogeneous habitation to
the growing plant. The ground must be trenched
two or three years before being planted. The
young stems are protected by fence and wire, as
before mentioned.

Every operation in the open air is contingent.
The land may be iron bound by frost ; or swamped
by drenching rains; in either case, their labour

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

551

would be futile. But privileges are enjoyed by
farmers which few others can commaud. This
truth cannot be too often stated, for the calendar is
written expressly for the "agriculturist," and not
for the owners of line estates, or eveu for amateurs.
The miserable condition of most gardens attached to
farms, reminds what it might be, and the owners
of the means they possess. Vegetables the first in

quality and ample iu quantity, might be always pro-
cured ; the ground by the aid of labour, always at
command, might be converted to examples of neat-
ness and fertility ; and fruits could be had all times
by the mere appliance of that heat w Inch is now
wasted in air to no purpose whatever. But im-
provement is and must be the order of the day ; and
therefore we hope the best.

AGRICULTURAL REPOR T S

GENERAL AGMCULTUflAL REPORT i'OR
NOVEMBER.

The weather on tlie whole having proved favourable,
farmers have completed their sowing operations on all forward
lands, and the ground having been generally in excellent con-
dition, out-door labours have as a rule been very successful.
Earmers have consequently again been enabled to turn their
attention to thrashing, and the quantities of wheat coming
forward have thus been more extensive. The importations
have continued on a libeial scale, and the stocks in tiie London
warehouses have now been fairly replenished, although we
believe them to be still below iheir natural level. According
to Mr. George Dornbusch's excellent return, the stocks of
wheat in tlie London granaries, &c., amounted, on the 31st of
October last, to 222,976 qrs., against 208,470 qrs. at the end
of the previous month. Tliis, however, shows a decrease
when compared with August and July last, and a falling off of
as much as 70,000 qrs. when compared witli the close of last
year, the quantity then held being estimated at 296,693 qrs.
There is still room therefore for large importations to replenish
stocks. Throughout the month the trade has ruled unusually
quiet. Millers have operated very cautiously, and only to
supply immediate wants, and sales have generally been forced
where any large quantities have been disposed of. Values
have consequently declined about 3s. to 5s. per qr. in the
month, and even at this reduction the demand has been of an
almost retail character. Foreign wheat has been very quiet,
the inquiry having been principally confined to low Russian
qualities for mixing purposes, as, owing to the excellent con-
dition in which our own crop has been secured, fine parcels
have not been sought after. With regard to the future course
of the trade, we still anticipate a gradual decline in values ;
but there are many inllueuces at work to retard the downward
movement. The Baltic ports are already closed, and further
shipments from that quarter cannot be expected until the
opening of the navigation, while ol the grain vessels now on
the way, both from the North and South of Europe, only a
comparatively small number is laden with wheat, owing to the
fact that during the past few mouths speculators have been
unwilling to operate in this particular grain in the face of an
unsettled home market. The majority of these vessels are
therefore laden with Spring corn. Erom America the supplies
are likely to be limited. The receipts at New York have been
liglit, and at present prices shipments from that side would,
we tiiink, leave very small margin for profit. Add to tliis the
uncertain condition of the money market, and the high rate
current for money in Wall-street, we believe that the consign-
ments to the British nuirkets will be unusually limited. Still,
there is no doubt that we have secured a very large crop, and,
with even moderate importations, we look for a gradual
decline iu tlie quotations.

Barley has been very dull, and prices have given way fully
3s. to -is. per qr. The high rates current here have attracted
heavy importations from the Continent. It is stated on
reliable autliority that about 40,000 qrs. were shipped to the
United States ; but even this lieavy withdrawal has not pre-
vented the reduction.

Malt has also tended downwards, and the market for oats
has been less firm.

Beans have given way about 2s. per qr.

It was not anticipated that the extreme prices obtained

for Spring corn during the past few mouths could be main-
tained for any length of time.

In the wool trade more activity prevailed towards the close
of the month, although the Electioneering business has
greatly interfered with trade. English wool has been firm in
value, while at the public sales of Colonial produce, opened
on the 26th ult., the attendance of buyers was numerous, and
prices advanced Id. per lb.

The imports of foreign hops have beeu somewliat extensive,
and some few parcels have even readied us from Buenos Ayres.
The demand has been principally confined to choice qualities,
but the sale has been very dull for all descriptions, and holders
have been somewhat .anxious sellers, even on reduced terms.

Large supplies of potatoes have been ou offer, both home-
grown and foreign, and the quotations have been much
depressed. English regents are now selling at 60s. to 130s.
per ton, while Ereuch and Belgian whites are difficult to quit
at 40s. to 75s. per ton.

There appears to be a considerable improvement in the
root crops, although the time is now past to look for any great
yield. Still, appearances justify the conclusion that we shall
not fare so badly during the winter as was anticipated. Hay
and clover have, consequently, been less in dem.and, and prices
li.ave ruled easier. We quote : Meadow hay £4 5s. to £5 15s.,
clover £4 us. to £6 10s., straw £1 5s. to £1 15s. per load.

In the Scotch markets fair average supplies of produce
have beeu on offer. Wheat has been gradually on the decline,
but in the value of spring corn very little change has taken
place.

In Ireland the corn trade has rnled heavy, with a downward
tendency in the quotations, for all descriptions of grain .

REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TR.ADE DURING THE
PAST MONTH.

Since our last report, the supply of grass in the pastures
has considerably increased, under the influence of moist
weather, and the necessity for despatching cattle to market has
been less apparent. Upon most lauds, beasts can now obtain
a fair feed, and the arrivals from our own grazing districts
have consequently been less extensive. As regards the actual
weight of meat forwarded, however, but little diminution can
be noticed, inasmuch as the quality of the stock has been
steadily improving, although, as yet, very few prime breeds
have been ottered. The receipts from Scotland have been on
a full average scale, and the bulk of the supply has been
received in good condition. At the same time a marked im-
provement has been noticeable in the quality of the Irish
breeds, ■ of which a fair number have arrived. Notwith-
standing that the supply of beasts on sale has been somewhat
restricted, heaviness has been the most prominent feature in
the trade. At one period the best Scots .and crosses realised
5s. 6d., but 5s. 4d. per 81bs. has been the average quotation.

Although the regulations compelling the slaughter of foreign
sheep at the place of debarkation are still in force, foreign
graziers have not been deterred from sending their stock to
this country, and the arrivals during the month have amounted
to 18,162 head, the whole of which have beeu killed at the

552

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

waterside. Tlie supply of English sheep in the Metropolitan
Cattle Market has been rather large, but the quality has been
indifferent. In aU breeds sales have progressed slowly, and a
decline of 4d. per SIbs. has been established in prices. The
best Downs and half-breds are now selling at 5s. against 5s.
4d. per 81bs., the opening price of the month.

Not much fluctuation has taken place in the value of calves.
Trime animals have been scarce and dear, but heavy stock has
beeu comparatively neglected. The quotations have ranged
from 3s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. per 81bs.

On the whole the market for pigs has been steady, but with-
out activity ; and prices have been supported. Large Hogs
have sold at 3s. 4d. to 3s. 10d.,and small Porkers ^s. to 4s. 6d.
per 81bs., to sink the offal.

The imports of foreign stock into London have been as
under : —

Head.

Beasts 9,391

Sheep 18,163

Calves 598

Pigs 353

28,504
Comparison of Imports.

Nov. Beasts. Sheep. Calves. Pies.

1867 10,761 33,202 618 2,064

1866 13,278 38,389 1,290 1187

1865 16,254 52,517 2 526 7770

1864 17,137 34,793 3,970 3*947

1863 11,020 30,347 1770 2 202

1863 6,839 38,577 1,659 '633

1861 6,295 37,833 946 l,2n

1860 6,961 22,723 1,604 838

1859 5,927 21,907 997 159

1858 4,787 18,358 1,174 156

1857 4,409 17,830 3,687 136

1856 6,102 16,380 1,153 309

1855 7,367 17,094 1,127 454

1854 7,120 16,604 1,10& 369

The total supplies exhibited in the Metropolitan Cattle Mar-
ket have been as follows : —

Head.

Beasts 19,349

Sheep 98,390

Calves 1,048

Kgs 1,404

Total 120,091

Comparison of Supplies.

Nov. Beasts. Cows. Sheep. Calves. Pigs.

1867 24,080 110 109,960 1,016 2,350

1866 24,660 120 95,800 1,190 3,090

1865 36,830 395 167,330 3,858 3,811

1864 33,600 543 114,300 2,587 2,900

1863 27,704 506 99,130 2,156 3,170

1862 .30,139 533 110,020 3,313 3,173

1861 26,590 560 109,370 1,370 3,430

I860 35,400 500 103,600 2,113 3,920

1859 26,493 523 120,840 1,399 3,800

1858 34,856 534 114,643 1,437 3 970

1857 35,383 604 103,130 3,003 3,037

1856 35,444 515 105,750 3,096 3,415

1855 37,411 457 97,460 1,585 3,535

1854 33,443 513 131,031 1,848 3,786

The district arrival of beasts thus compare with the three
previous years : —

Nov. Nov. Nov. • Nov.
Irom— 1865. 1866. 1867. 1868.
Lincolnshire, Leices-
tershire, and North-
amptonshire 9J00 7,300 8,760 9,500

Other parts of England 3,550 3,450 3,640 1 950

Scotland 448 154 43 '635

li'eland 1,000 880 1,350 708

Beasts have sold at from 3s. to 5s. 4d. ; sheep, 3s. IQd, to

• o-,,' ''*^^^^' ^^- ^'l- ^° 5s. 6d. ; and pi gs, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 6d.
per 81bs., to sink the offal.

Comparison of Prices.

Nov., 1865. Nov., 1866. Nov.. 1867.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Beeffrom 3 4to5 6 3 6to6 4 3 3 to 5 2

Mutton 4068 3864 32 50

Veal 4454 435 10 4458

Pork 4 0 58 3 10 53 3443

With the advent of cool weather, the arrivals of dead meat
from the continent have been on a more liberal scale, neverthe-
less they have not been extensive. The supplies of foreign,
town and country, killed meat at Newgate and LeadeuhaU have
exceeded the demand, and prices have ruled rather easier.

Beef has sold at from 2s lOd. to 4s. 6d., mutton, 3s. to
4s. 4d. ; veal, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 8d. ; and pork, 3s. to 4s. 6d.
per 81bs. by the carcase.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE,
FAIRS, &c.

AFTORD PAIR.— There was a good turn-out of cattle,
and, notwithstanding dull times for the sale of cattle, a good
deal of business was done. One-year-old queys £10, a fat stot
£14, 7 two-year-old cross stots for £5 each, 2 one-year-olds
for £12, a calf at £3, 2 heifers and a stot for £30, two-year-
old queys for £12 10s., 2 two-year-old stots at £7 7s. each, a
year-old stot at £7, a fat quey for £14. There were about
300 head of sheep, and a good number sold. Mr. Allan, Forres,
bought a lot at lis. 6fl. each.

ALYTH FAIR. — The attendance of sheep-farmers and
dealers was about the same as on former years. The same re-
marks apply to the turn-out of sheep, the most of which were
lean. It was about noon ere any Ijusiness of any extent was
done, and then sales took place but slovrly, the tone of the
market being languid ; and at the close several lots left unsold.
The following few sales will show the prices of the various
sorts of sheep : Blackfaced wedders 36s. per head, " croat"
ewes 13s. each, fat blackfaced wedders 20s. each, 100 Cheviot
wedders 23s., greyfaced hoggs 31s., blackfaced ewe lambs 10s.
each, a lot of blackfaced fat at 18s. 6d., a lot of " cast ewes,"
blackfaced, at the rate of £11 10s. per score. The show of
cattle was very large, but principally of a lean description.
Fat was in good demand, but not so with lean beasts. The
following were a few of the transactions in cattle : Six Irish
two-year-olds £10 each, and a farrow cow £10, a cow at £14
10s., a fine lot of wedders at 32s., two queys at £20, 6 stots
at £33 each, 4 queys at £13, yeralings from £5 to £9, a lot of
lean beasts at £7 10s. each, fat stots at £32 per pair, 10 year-
lings at £6 10s. each, a fat cow at £13, 15 Highlanders at
£13, 5 queys at £40 the lot, and 8 fat queys at £60.

ANDOVER FAIR.— A. short supply of Sheep; ewes and
wethers faUy maintained former prices, but lambs may be
quoted Is. per head higher.

BAKEWELL FAIR. — The supply of cattle was very large,
and a moderate trade was done at drooping prices. Scotch
beef 8s. 6d. per stone, English heifers 8s. per stone, bullocks
and cows from 7s. 6d. to 7s. ^d., old cows 6s. to 7s. 6d. Good
milking cows met with a brisk demand at from £16 to £23,
second-class £13 to £16, barren cows, in-milk, from £11 to
£14, lean barrens from £8 to £10, barren heifers from £9 to
£11 ; bullocks, few chown and more inquiry, from £8 to £13.
Many stirks were shown, but prices were lower, namely, from
£5 to £7. The supply of sheep was moderate, with a better
inquiry. Wethers 6d. per lb., ewes 5d. to B^d., store hoggs
from 14s. 6d. to 31s. each. A few store sheep were shown,
but scarcely noticed. Good show of pigs and moderate busi-
ness done. Small pigs from 16s. middling size 32s. to 40s.,
strong pigs 45s. to .50s., sows 40s. to 75s.

BANBURY FORTNIGHTLY FAIR. — The supply of
sheep was not large, and the trade was slow, prices varying
from 4s. 4d. to 4s. 6d. per stone. There were not many cattle
in the market, and the business done was at about 4s. to 4s.
8d. per stone.

BOSTON HORSE FAIR.— There was not a large show
Useful yearling colts made from £34 to £30 each.

CREWE FAIR. — There was a good fair as regards the ani-
mals shown, and sales for stock were very fair. Pigs were a
little lower, but not a great trade done in them.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

553

DONG ASTER FAIE.— Tliere was but a meagre show of
horses and slieep, but a very large number of horned cattle
farmers, liowever, were slow to buy any but the better class
of ariimals ; inferior kinds, in consequence, had to be sold at
a serious decline, or left over. Good bullocks and in-calvers
were in request— the former at prices varying from £15 to
£19 ; inferior sorts Made from £10 to £14 each ; steers and
heifers got from £14- to £15 English, and £8 to £12 each :
large lots of all kinds remained unsold. In slieep, which
numbered 600, few sales were effected, trade being almost at a
stagnation point in this department. As stated, tlie horse fair
was a poor one. Good cart horses would have sold, if there
had been any on offer ; but there were none, only of a medium
class, which fetched from £20 to £35. Nags, for general use,
remarkable for an absence of l)lood and action, but well sup-
plied with bone, made from £12 to £18.

KNARESBOllOUGH FORTNIGHTLY MARKET.—
There was only a moderate show of stock, quality inferior,
and prices a little advanced at from 7s. 3d. to 8s. per stone.
A thin supply of tat sheep at 6d. to 7d. per lb. Fat calves
6d. per lb. Pork pigs 7s. 6d. to 8s. per stone.

MORETONHAMPSTEAD GREAT MARICET.— There
was a moderate supply of cows and calves varying in price
from £11 to £17. The slieep pens were nearly all fiUed with
Dartmoors and other prime sheep.

OSWESTRY FORTNIGHTLY FAIR.— The supply of
stock was not so large as previous fairs, but pigs were more
plentiful. The quotations are for beef 6^-d. to 7^d., mutton
C^d. to l^i. for prime, and fat pigs Gjd. per lb.

SALISBURY FORTNIGHTLY MARKET was fully sup-
plied with beasts ; the trade, excepting for prime, ruled heavy,
at easier figures ; inferior sorts in particular hung on hand,
many being left unsold. Sheep were a very large offer, with
a goon proportion of excellent qualities. In this department
lower prices had to be accepted, and even then sales could only
with difficulty be effected, the market being over supplied.
Oxen reahzed from lis. 6d. to 12s. 6d., and heifers 10s. 6d.
to lis. 6d. per score for the best ; mutton from 7d. to 7^d.
per lb. for best Downs ; ewe mutton may be quoted from 5Jd.
per pound.

SETTLE FAIR was considered to be the best we have had
this season. Beef GJd. to 7id., wether mutton , ejd. to 7d.,
ewes 5d. to Q^A. per lb.

WORCESTER FAT STOCK MARKET.— There was very
little variation in the prices from the last mart. Some good
two-year-old wethers fetched 4'5s. by auction, and fat ewes
48s. 6d. Pigs were in demand at 10s. to 10s. 6d. per
score.

IRISH FAIRS.- Enniscoktiiy : Both buyers and stock
were abundant, and the spirited transaction of business never
lacked throughout the day. Beef sold from 55s. to 60s. per
cwt., fat pigs from 52s. to 55s. per cwt., and fat sheep from4d.
to S^-d. per lb. New milch cows, springers, .and three-year-old
heifers sold in each class from £10 to £16 each, strippers
from ^8 to £10 10s., two-year-olds from £7 to £11, yearlings
f:om £3 10s. to £6, hogget sheep from 27s. to 35s. each,
sheep generally from 30s. to 43s. each, store pigs varied
from 35s. to 50s. each., bouhams from 10s. to 16s
Farmers' nags and rough animals sold from £10 to £15.—
Castlebau: Good milch cows were in brisk demand, at
from £11 to £16 10s., inferior ditto £7 to £10, springers
about the same, strippers £7 to £10 10s., calves £2 10s. to
£4 10s., three-year-old heifers and bullocks (bullocks more in
demand) brought £10 to £14 10s., two-year-old do. £6 10s. to
£9 15s., one-year old ditto £3 10s. to £5 10s, Sheep on the
advance ; ewes 33s. to 40s., wethers 30s. to 37s., hoggets 20s.
to 20s., lambs 13s. to 18s. Mr. James Daly, Castlebar, sold
30 lambs at 18s. Horses were in brisk demand, and at ad-
vanced prices. Good cart-horses £12 to £17, inferior £8 to
£11, satldle ponies £9 to £13, hack ponies £5 10s. to £8.
Young foals were in great demand, and brought very high
prices in proportion to tlie scale of prices obtained for the last
twelve months. There was an English dealer in the market
who made large purchases, at prices varying from £2 15s. to
£4 10s. A large supply of bacon pigs, which brouglit from
47s. to 50s. per cwt., and brisk business done; store pigs
45s. to 60s. each, slips 35s. to 45s., bonnives 14s. to 20s. each.
— Carla^stown : Best finished lots of bullocks and heifers
realised fully 65s., second-class from 56s. to 60s., and inferior
from 48s. to 52s. per cwt.; all bought up. Store cattle in fair

condition were nimbly bought up for stall-feeding. Three
years old heifers from £12 10s. to £14 10s., two years old
from £9 10s. to £10, yearlings from £4 to £7, two and a half
years old store bullocks from £10 10s. to £14 per head, year-
lings from £5 to £9 a-piece. Young springers of good quality
went from £15 to £21 10s., inferior and milch cows from £12
to £14 each. The sheep fair was an average one for the season
of the year ; aged wether mutton was scarce, but in active
demand, and sold from 6d, to 7d., ewe mutton from 5d. to 6d.
per lb.; ewes from 45s. to 53s. (5d. as a rule, lambs from 34s.
to 44s. each. Of swine the supply was moderate, but the de-
mand brisk, and bacon maintained remunerative prices, say
10s. 6d. to lis. per score ; store pigs 40s. to 50s. each, suckers
16s. to 22s. a-piece.

CARMARTHEN BUTTER MARKET, (Saturday last.)—
We have been without change in this market for the last fort-
night. We are firm to-day, at 14d. for best average, with a
small supply, and no prospect of lower prices. Cheese steady
— say 26s. to 28s. per cwt.

CORK BUTTER EXCHANGE, (Friday last.) — Ordi-
nary : first quality 130s. to 127s., second quality 127s. to 124s.,
third quality 121s. to 118s., fourtli quality 119s. to 116s., fifth
quality 116s. to 113s., sixth quality 99s. to 96s. per cwt. Mild
cured : first quality 138s. to 135s., second quality 128s. to
135s., third quality 122s. to 119s. per cwt. Thirds, fourths,
fifths, and sixths of kegs 4s. per cwt. less. Currency —
Ordinary butter, 10s. per cwt. less ; sponged butter, 2s. do.

BAKEWELL CHEESE FAIR.— There was a fair pitch.
Poor Cheese 60s. to 63s., fair Cheese 64s. to 68s. per cwt.
One or two choice dairies realized 70s. per cwt.

CREWE CHEESE FAIR.— There was a good pitch of
Cheese, and a good sale, all being cleared at a comparatively
early hour. Prices, slightly on the advance, ranged from 60s.
to 65s., and 70s. for the better qualities.

GLASGOW, (Wednesd.ay last.) — The supply of Cheese con-
tinues hberal, with a fair demand. There were 3,045 Cheese,
and about 30 tons sold. Cheddars 56s. to 64s., Dunlop 53s.
to 64s., skim-milk 24s. to 26s,

POTATO MARKETS,
SOUTHWARK WATERSIDE,
LONDON, Monday, Nov. 23.— During the past week the
arrivals coastwise have been fair ; by rail and from abroad,
still in excess of the demand. From all parts the samples are
very various in quality and soundness. The following are this
day's quotations :

Yorkshire Regents 80s. to 120s. per cwt.

Lincolnshire ditto 70s. to 100s. „

Dunbar and East Lothian ditto 90s. to 120s. „

Perth, Forfar, and Fife Regents 60s. to 110s. „

French and Belgian whites 40s. to 70s. „

BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS.

LONDON, Monday, Nov. 23. — Large supplies of Potatoes
are on sale at these markets. The trade has been heavy for
all descriptions at drooping prices. The import into London
last week consisted of 2,873 bags, 789 sacks, 204 tons, 1,593
packages trom Antwerp ; 222 bags, 390 sacks Boulogne ;
1,195 bags, 350 sacks Calais; 1,100 bags, 3 baskets Rotter-
dam ; 3,764 sacks, 588 tons Dunkirk ; 434 bags, 55 tons
Ostend ; 974 bags Rouen ; 28 sacks, 3 baskets Hamburg ; 25
packages Rouen ; 60 tons St. Valery ; 23 bags Harhngen ;
10 bags Amsterdam ; and 5 sacks Brussels.

English Regents 60s. to 130s. perton,

Scotch Regents 60s. to 130s. „

French 40s. to 80s. „

COUNTRY POTATO MARKETS.— Baensley (Satur-
day last) : Rocks 13s. to 12s. 6d., and Regents 13s. to 13s. 6d.
per load ; retail Is. to Is. 3d. per peck. — Doncastee (Satur-
day last) : A good supply to hand, but only a moderate trade,
at last week's prices. — Manciiestkk, (Saturday last) : Cheshire
potatoes 7s. to lis., Scotch do. 10s. to 14s., and Yorkshire do.
lis. to 33s. per 3531I)s.— York (Saturday last) : There was
only a moderate supply of potatoes, but the demand not ap-
pearing brisk, there was little alteration in the prices.
Regents sold from 10s. to 12s. per tub of 2801bs., and from
lOd, to lid, per peck retail,

554

THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE.

REVIEW OP THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE PAST MONTH.

November on the whole has been a very
favourable month for agriculture. We have in-
deed had high wiuds (damaging to the shipping
interest), and an occasional touch of frost with
some snow; but fogs have not had the usual
ascendant, and although the rains have sometimes
been heavy, they have generally been so soon
absorbed by the warm soil below that our ponds
in many places are still deficient. Nothing can
exceed the generally healthy aspect of the wheat
plant, its evenness and robust growth where early
planted, and even the younger plants look well.
We have therefore a good beginning as regards
this grain, and this impression, with the quantity
yet on hand, has certainly tended to lower values
in the course of the month about 4s. per qr. ; so
that this grain exceptionally fine is lower relatively
than barley and other Spring corn. There will
therefore bs no scruple on its free use, t;hould the
winter be so hard as to make the pressure of stock
felt by farmers. All this is in the face of great
wants in Spain, and French markets tending
upwards, and a severe frost in Russia stopping all
supplies for the v/inter. Nor has the London
market been at any time overburdened with heavy
supplies of English wheat. The fact is, town
millers and foreign importers of flour have found
themselves undersold by country millers, who, by
the free mixture of low-priced Russian wheat with
English, can send up very fair samples of flour at
about 13s. per sack below the top price of town-
made. The goodness of the crop thus works
against the town trade, and millers here have no
remedy to meet the difficulty but by reducing their
quality or lowering their bids, and, as they do not
deem the former safe, they prefer the latter to the
mutual discomfiture of English factors and
farmers. The best foreign wheat has for the same
reasons been passed by, and if in these Election
times we may use freedom of speech, we would
say, "The roughs carry the day." But as all
roughs are dispersed by bad weather, so the rough
arrivals from St. Petersburg, &c., will be reduced
by the frost. The time will doubtless come for a
reaction ; but somehow or other people don't like
being starved for their examplary patience. When
the Christmas rents are paid, however, the farmer
may look with more satisfaction on his remaining
stocks, with a prospect that they will pay him
better than the funds. The sun has indeed shone
upon the barley crop, and shines still, and he will
doubtless reraeml)er that ancient saying, " make
hay, &c.," and accnmmod.ite every willing
purchaser to his utmost, and when the sun
rises upon the wheat stocks in Spring, he can do
as he pleases. The following prices were quoted
recently at the several places named : White wheat
at Paris, 58s. Gd., red 54s. 6d.; red at Courtrai in
Belgium, 54s.; at Liege, 51s.; at Louvain, 52s.

6d. ; white at Rotterdam, 53s. 6d. ; red at
Romanshorn in Switzerland, 50s.; at Porrentruy,
52s. ; Saale at Hambro', 50s. ; Wahren, 52s. ;
best high mixed at Danzic, 52s., or with cost,
freight, and insurance, 57s. ; red at Cologne, 4 is. ;
Chili wheat at Santander in Spain, 69s. ; red
Berdianski at Barcelona, 57s. ; soft wheat at
Algiers, 54s. ; red wheat at Pesth in Hungary, 41s.
6d. ; at Trieste, 3Ss. ; wheat at Alexandria, 36s. to
39s.; white at San Francisco, 49s. 6d.; red at
JVIontreal, 40s. per 480lbs.; at Chicago, 3 Is. 6d.;
at Milwaukee, 33s. 6d. ; No. 1 Spring at New-
York, 47s. per 480lbs.

The first Monday in Mark Lane commenced on
moderate arrivals of English wheat, with but a
limited supply of foreign. The fresh samples
exhibited on the Kentish and Essex stands were by
no means numerous, but the trade was unusually
dull, and very little could be done, though factors
were willing to take Is. to 2s. per qr. less mon",y.
The better sorts of foreign were wholly neglected,
and could have been bought Is. per qr. cheaper,
but a continued demand for low Russian des orip- j
tions prevented their being sold at any reduction. ^
With a large number of vessels off the coast,
floating cargoes were Is. per qr. lower. The
country markets, though feeling the influence of
the dull accounts from London, did not show a
like reduction in price. Several in the middle of
the week were Is. lower, and nearly all Saturday's
advices were as much in favour of buyers, but
Stockton, Bury St, Edmunds, and Manchester
were not at all cheaper, in consequence of a good
demand, and Liverpool throughout the week was
only dull. Edinburgh tended rnther downwards,
and Glasgow noted Is. j)er qr. de^-line. Dublin and
Belfast, though both dull, noted no difference in
their quotations.

The second Monday had an increased foreign
supply, but less of home growth. Not many
samples appeared during ihe morning on the Essex
and Kentish stands, yet millers maintained their
reserve, and were uiuvilling still to buy unless
another decline was submitted to. Factors not
considering this to b ; justified by the state of the
country markets, very little business was done.
The best foreign s ;rts were again without inquiry,
this being limite'l to Russian sorts, which mostly
were bought f jr mixing in the country mills.
Floating cargojs were unaltered. Country advices
during the '.veek were all dull, and some places
gave way Is. per qr., but generally farmers resisted
the attemjits of millers to reduce j)rices. Edin-
l)urgh and Glasgow found sales very slow, but no
difference in values was noteil. Dublin only ex-
perienced a retail inquiry for Irish wheat at former
rates, the tendency of foreign being downwards,
but at Bel!"ast both sold well at unaltered prices.

On the third Monday there was about the usual

THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE.

quantity of English wheat, but the foreign supplies
were largely increased, principally from Cronstadt
and St. Petersburg. Few fresh samples were ex-
hibited during the morning from the near counties,
but no way could be made without a reduction of
Is. per qr. from the previous Monday's rales. All
foreign descriptions were equally dull and fully Is.
per qr. cheaper to make even retail sales. Floating
cargoes, though not abundant, participated in the
general decline of Is. per qr. The country reports
this week were again dull, and several Is. per qr.
lower; among these were Hull, Newcastle, Roches-
ter, Gloucester, Gainsborough, Melton Mowbray,
Market Rasen, and Uppingham ; and Liverpool
was extremely heavy and cheaper to sell. Edin-
burgh was unaltered, but Glasgow gave way Is.
per qr. Trade at Dublin was very limited and
prices scarcely equal to the previous week.

On the fourth Monday the supplies were mode-
rate, both in English and foreign qualities. There
were very few fresh samples on the Kentish stands
in the course of the morning, but there were rather
more from Essex. The market opened very heavily,
and for a long time nothing was done, but even-
tually some progress was made at fully Is. per qr.
decline. It was necessary also to accept a like re-
duction on all the better qualities of foreign, and
even low Russian sorts were the turn in buyers'
favour. The imports into London for four weeks
were 26,532 qrs. English wheat and S9,l6l qrs.
foreign, against 27,213 qrs. Enghsh and 157,953
qrs. foreign for the same time last year.

The imports into the Kingdom for four weeks
ending Nov. 14 were 2,264,369 qrs. wheat, 292,316
cwts. flour. The general average commenced at
53s. 4d. per qr., and closed at 52s.; that of London
began at 56s. 2d., and ended at 53s. 5d. per qr.
The London exports were only 245 cwts. fiuur.

The flour trade, like that of wheat has been
constantly dull and prices receding. Town millers
on the first Monday reduced prices from 50s, to
47s., and during the month country qualities have
fallen fully to the same extent, t'nough the reduction
on foreign has scarcely exceeded 2s. per sack, and
Is. to Is. 6d. per brl. This latter has been
exceedingly difficult to quit, from the lower relative
values of Norfolk flour, good qualities of which
have been selling at 34s. per sack. The fineness
of the English crop permitting a free admixture of
cheap Russian without perceptible detriment, and
the same cause has lessened the freedom of Town
millers' sales, the difference in quotations being so
great. The imports into London for four weeks
were 55,149 sacks from the country and 7,267 sacks
and3,823 brls. foreign, against 85,192 sacks country
and 36,214 sacks and 11,506 brls. foreign for the
same time in 1867.

The supplies of maize have continued good, but
some reduction in barley has somewhat lessened
the demand for this grain, though about the same
prices have been paid, it still being cheaper than
beans ; fine yellow is held at 38s. per qr. in store.
The imports into London in four weeks were 38,907
qrs., against 4,575 qrs. in 1S67.

The trade in malting, after receiving a temporary
stimulus by the American demand, which took off
about 40.000 qrs,. relapsed afterwards, bringing the

rates of British quantities to about their former
price, say 5 Is. for the best; but foreign malting
has declined in value Is. to 2s., and grinding 6d.
to Is., supplies having been well kept up. There
seems no anticipation of a further demand from
New York, and the whole aspect of the trade was
raiher downwards than otherwise. The high rales
of ,every quality greatly limit the consumption.
The imports into London for four weeks were
17,522 qrs. British, 41,930 qrs. foreign ; against
12,965 qrs. British, 20,550 qrs. foreign for the same
period last year.

The malt trade was never much influenced by the
American demand for barley, and has dechned
during the month fully 2s. per qr., with very little
prospect of recovery.

The falling ofFin the supplies of foreign oats for
the first half of the month gave a little firmness' to
the trade, but subsequently arrivals became heavy,
and new sorts lost value to the extent of 6d. per qr.,
and even old Russian were rather cheaper to sell,
though the closing of Cronstadt and Petersburg by
ice was calculated to give more tone to the market.
The last Russian supplies have proved mostly of in-
ferior quality, but all fair 38 lbs. corn was held at
27s. 6d. per qr. in granary. The extreme shortness
of native supplies, and only limited arrivals of
other qualities from Sweden and the Baltic, sug-
gests the probability that this grain will continue
dear all through the winter. The imports into
London for four weeks were 2,150 qrs. English,
574 qrs. Scotch, 11,820 qrs. Irish, 159,555 qrs.
foreign; against [l6,759/]rs. English, 106 qrs.
Scotch, 8,230 qrs. Irish, 257,112 qrs. foreign in
1867.

Old beans, notwithstanding the high rates at
which they commenced, have all through the month
fully maintained their value, and seem likely to do
so, fine Saidi being worth 39s. 9d. at Alexandria,
Behara 36s., but new English rather gave way on
the last market say Is. per qr. Little change of
value can be expected in this grain, the crop being
so deficient. The arrivals into London for four
weeks were 2,573 qrs. English, 'Sjeoi qrs. foreign ;
against 4,102 qrs. Enghsh, 8,038 qrs. foreign in
186T.

Peas of all sorts have been very steady as to
value through the whole month, but the high rates
paid for hog-feed, say duns and maples, have limited
the demand. The future value of boilers will be
determined by the character of the winter. As we
have very poor stocks in London, a hard winter
might send them up 10s. perqr., Canadian being
now worth 48s. On the other hand, [they are not
likely to be reduced much, as they well supply the
place of beans for many purposes. Duns and
greys are worth 45s. to 46s., maples to 48s., and
very scarce. The imports into London for four
weeks were 1,881 qrs. English, 4,412 qrs. foreign ;
against 2,862 qrs. English, [,2,582 qrs. foreign in
1867.

The supplies of linseed have been good during
the month, and the demand both for seed and cakes
has in consequence somewhat slackened; but prices
have very little altered, the high values of all feed-
ing stuffs causing a steady demand for cattle feed-
I ing, the gluten and oil in this description of feed

>5G

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

greatly accelerating the 'process of fattening. In
cloverseed but little has been passing, prices having
materially, yet slowly, risen since the close of last
season, from a belief that the drought has caused
very small crops in England and France. In
America they do not seem to have much, and the
chief offers hitherto have been from Germany, at
moderate rates ; but dealers seem by no means
inclined to further anticipate the trade, which has
been frequently found very deceptive. Trefoil has
been quiet though low priced, and canary seed has
declined ; new foreign tares have not yet been
actively in demand, the price being too high, say
46s. to 48s. perqr. for small, to tempt speculative
buyers.

OUERBNT PRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR
IN MARK LANE.

Shillings per Quarter.

WHEAT, new, Essex and Kent, white 53to56

„ ,, red 48 50

Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire 48

BARLEY 36 to 38 ChevaUer 46

Grinding 34 37 Distilling 42

MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk 69 extra 67

Kingston, Ware, and town- made f "

Brown

RYE

OATS, English, feed 28 to 35 Potato.

Scotch, feed 00 "" ~

Irish, feed, white 24

Ditto, black 24

BEANS, Mazagan ...45

HaiTOw 46

PEAS, white, boilers..44

00 Potato,

27 Fiae

27 Potato.,

46 Ticks..,

48 Pigeon

48 Maple 46 to 48 Grey, new44

FLOUR, per sack of 2801bs., Town, Households 42

Couiitry,on shore 33 to 31 ,, 37

Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 32

FOREIGN GRAIN.

Shillings per Quarter-

WHEAT, Dantzic, mixed 55 to 57 extra 58to60

Konigsberg 54 57 extra 56 57

Rostock 51 64 fine 55 66

Silesian, red 50 53 white.... 55 57

Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckernirk. ...red 50 51

Russian, hard, 45 to 47. ..St. Petersburg and Riga 44 46

Danish and Holstein, red 47 60 American 45 47

French, none Rhine and Belgium 00 00

Chilian, white 58... CaHfomian 58 ... Australian 58 69

BARLEY, grinding 31 to 34.... distilling and malting 37 40

OATS, Dutch, brewing and Polands 28 to 34 feed 26 29

Danish and Swedish, feed 25 to 30.... Stralsund... 25 30

Canada 25 to 26, Riga 25 to 27, Arch. 25 to 27, P'sbg. 26 29

TARES, new Spring, per qr 48 00

BEANS, Friesland and Holstein 45 48

Konigsberg 44 to 47. ..Egyptian 41 43

PEAS, feeding and maple. ..43 45. ..fine boilers 45 47

INDIAN CORN, white 35 38. ..yellow 36 37

FLOUR, per sack, French..41 42.. .Spanish, p. sack 00 00

American, per brl 25 27...extraand d'blo.28 30

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

For the week ended Nov. 14, 1868.

Wheat 61,8421 qra. e2s.

Barley 70,6S2| ,, 46s.

Oata 3,527| ,, 28s.

COMPARATIVE AVERAGES.

WHEAT. BARLEY. OATS.

Years. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. s. d.

1864... 71,616i ... 38 9 77,499| ... 30 1 5,023| ... 19 11

1865... 71,5701 ... 46 11 63,816| ... 33 7 5,240^ ... 22 9

78,677i ... 45 3 5,302| ... 23 6

77,2821 ... 42 7 8,536* ... 26 1

70,682| ... 46 9 3,5271 ... 28 0

1866... 69,649
1867... 65,920i
1863 ... 64.842^

i'.

H.

d.

38

9

46

11

56

7

70

1

52

0

AVERAGES

Fob ihe last Six
Weeks :

Oct. 10, 1868

Oct. 17, 1868

Oct. 24, 1868

Oct. 31, 1868

Nov. 7, 1868

Nov. 14, 1868

Aggregate of the above
The same week in 1867...

Wheat.

Barley.

B. d.

8. d.

54 3

45 2

53 8

45 7

63 4

46 11

52 11

46 1

62 3

46 7

62 0

48 9

53 1

45 10

70 1

42 7

Oats.

B.

d.

27

9

27

1

28

11

28

0

28

6

28

0

28

0

26

1

FLUCTUATIONS in the AVERAGE PRICE of WHEAT.

Peice.

Oct. 10.

Oct. 17.

Oct. 24. Oct.31. iNov.7.

Nov. 14.

54s. 3d.
53s, 8d.
63s. 4d.
52s. lid.
52s. 3d.
528. Od.

"Tl

■■"... L

::: ^"x' ^

;•;

SEED MARKET.

BRITISH SEEDS.
Mfstaed, perbush., brown 14s. to 16s., white ISs.tolSa,

CAirABT,per qr 70s. 76s

CLOVEBSBED.red 66s. 76s,

CoBXANDEE, per cwt 20s. 2l8

Tabes, winter, new, per bushel lis. 12a,

Teefoil 22a. 24s

Rtegbass, perqr 28s. 30s,

Linseed, perqr., sowing 648. to68s., crushing 62s. 64s

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 10s. to £12 Os

Rapeseed, per qr 66s. 60s

Rape Cake, per ton £6 Os. to £6 lOs,

FOREIGN SEEDS.

CosiANDEB, per cwt 2l8.to22s

Cabeawat ,, 36s. 38s

Clovebseed, red 56s. to 72s., white 70s, 84s,

Tbefoil 20s, 228

Ryegbass, per qr 26a. 30s

Hempseed, small 36a. per qr., Dutch 36s, 38a

Linseed, per qr., Baltic 568. to 60s. ..Bombay 62s. 63a

Linseed Cakes, per ton £11 lOs. to £12 10s

Rapeseed, Dutch 588. 608

Rape Cake, per ten £6 Os. to £6 lOs

HOP MARKET,

Mid and East Kent £2 10 £5 0

Weald of Kents 2 0 3 5

3 0
5 0

4 10
3 10
2 10

Sussex 2 0

Farnham 4 0

Country 4 0

Bavarians 2 16

Belgians 2 2

Yearlings 3 0

3 10

£8 8
4 15

4 4
6 0

5 5
4 10

3 0

4 4

POULTRY, &c., MARKETS.— Turkeys 5s. to Ss., Geese
5s. to 7s., Ducks 2s. to 3s., tame rabbits Is. 3d. to 2s.,
wild do. Is. to Is. 2d., pigeons 7d. to 9d., pheasants 2s,
6d. to 3s. 6d., partridges Is. to 2s., hares 2s. to 3s.,
grouse 2s. to 3s. each. Surrey Fowls 8s. to 10s., ditto
Chickens 5s. to 7s., Barndoor Fowls 4s. to 6s. per couple.
English Eggs 12s., French 10s. per 100.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKET.

ClTEEBNT PbICES Or ENGLISH WoOL.

Fleeces — Southdown hoggets per lb.

Half-bred ditto ,,

Kent fleeces ,

Southdovsm ewes and wethers „

Leicester ditto ,,

SOETS— Combing ,,

Clothing ,

LEEDS (English and Foreign) WOOL MARKET,
(Friday last.) — This week has been so fully occupied with
electiou engagements that business has been of a very
limited character in all kinds of wool. The prices of most
kinds of English wool are well sustained, and those of foreign
have undergone no change. It is expected that the approach-

8

d, B,

d.

2Uol

3

4 1

5

3i 1

4

^ 1

n

3 1

■ih

0 1

6

2 1

7

END OF VOLUME LXIV.

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D E C E M 13 E R , 1 S G 8 .

CO NTENTS.

Plate I.— LADY FRAGRANT; A Prize Shorthorn Cow.

THE PROPERTY OF MR. THOMAS C. BOOTH, OF WARLABV, NORTHALLERTON.

Plate II. — B L U E G O W N.

THE PROPERTY OF SIR JOSEPH HAWLEY, BART,

PAGF.

Description of the Plates ...... 463, 464

Sewage Irrigation, from the £ s. d. point of view. — By Cuthbert W. Johnson, f.r.s. 4O4
How Sheep Pay . . . . . . . .467

The Value of Seed carefully Grown ..... 469

How TO Feed Live Stock during the Winter .... 470

Road Reform, and the Abolition of Tolls in Scotland . . . 472

The Poors' Rate in Reference to the Labourers' Dwellings . . 475

Smithfield Club ........ 478

Notes on some Points of Present Agricultural Interest . . . 479

Malt as Food for Stock ....... 481

The History of Hereford Cattle. — By H. H. Dixon. Prize Essay . . 483

Natural Laws of Agriculture ...... 485

Compulsory versus Voluntary Education ..... 487

Non-dried Malt— Cattle-Feeding Experiments .... 488

Ross Agricultural Society ....... 489

The Rearing of Calves.— By a Practical Farmer . . . . 490

The Highland and Agricultural Society. — Trial of Implements . . 491

The Cultivation of Land in America ..... 492

An Eden in California ....... 493

Result of Feeding 14 and 9 Bullocks at Wenden Hall, Essex . . 493

Green Crops . . . . . . . . 494

Royal Agricultural Society of England ..... 495

Farm-Yard Dung upon Clover ...... 496

Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland .... 497

The Central Farmers' Club. — The Undeveloped Power of British Agriculture 498

Root Crops and Modes of Storing them ..... 5o9

The Herds of Great Britain.— Mr. Borton's and Mr. Fol.iambe's . .511

Abortion of Coavs ........ 514

The New Farm ........ 5i0

Textless Notes. — By a Crotchety Farmer ..... 518

The Rearing and Grazing of Young Cattle .... 520

The Leicester Implement Show. — Notes upon Novelties , . . 521

The Preparation of Land for Roots ..... 523

Steam Cultivation ........ 524

Ornithology ........ 527

Breeding and Feeding of Sheep ...... 528

Shelter for Manure . . . . . . . . 530

The Farmers' View of Takeall ...... 531

The Small Farm System in France ...... 532

Coal Ashes, are they a Manure .'' (Translated from the Frencli) . . . 533

Agricultural and Live-Stock Statistics of Australia . . . 535

The Destruction of Birds in Australia ..... 536

The Movement against the Game Abuse ..... 537

Echoes from the Agricultural Meetings ..... 53S

The Politics of Agriculture ...... 547

The Law of Hypothec ....... 548

Calendar of Agriculture ....... 549

Calendar of Gardening ....... 550

Agricultural Reports ....... 551

Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c. ..... 552

Review of the (3orn Trade during the past Month .... 554

Market Currrncirs, Imperial Avbrages, ^^c, .... 556

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and in giving a

PLEASING FRAGRANCE TO TSE BREATH.

It eradicates Tartar from the Teeth, removes spots of incipient decay, and polishes and preserves the enamel,
to which it imparts a

PEAKS,. EIKE ^THITEIVESS

Price 2s. 9d. per Box.

Sold by Chemists and Perfumers. Ask for " Rowlands'

Articles.

ROGERSON & TUXFORD

[PRINTERS, 265, STRAND,

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