1 MASSACHUSETTS STATE COLLEGE GOODELL LIBRARY IMBl!^ 6ev. 3 T39 No. 1, Vol. XXXIX.] JANUARY, 1871. Third Series. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, amA^ MONTHLY JOURNAL OP THE AdEICULTURAL INTEREST. TO THE FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. LONDON : PUBLISHED BYROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND. PRICB TWO SHILLINGS. BOGBRSON AND TUXFORD,] [PRINTERS, 265, STRAND, JMIBBJIMllMLIMBMiMWWUiiJlliMUMUMLMJUII IIIIIIM i ll irBll !■! i lUMMIHIilMI I ■ li iWlllM^iB nTlli | *' By a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the opera- tions of digestion and nu- trition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well- selected cocoa? Mr. Epps has provided our break- fast tables with a deli- cately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills."— Civil Service Gaxette. GRATEFUL -COMFORTING. EPPSS (BREAKFAST) COCOA JAMES EPPS & €o., Homceopalliic Chemists. BIRMINGHAM. THE GREAT WESTERN HOTEL, (SNOW HILL STATION), ' One of the most elegant, comfortable, and economical Hotels in tlie three kingdoms." — The Field, July 31, 1869. IMPORTANT TO FLOCKMASTERS. THOMAS BIGG, Agricultural aud Veterinary Chemist, by Appointment to His late Royal Highness The Prince Consort, K.G., Leicester House, Great Dover Street, Borough, London, begs to call the attention of Farmers and Graziers t(j his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COMPOSITION, which requires no Boiling, and may be used vnth. Warm or Cold Water, for effectually destroying the Tick, Lice, and all other insects mjurious to the FJock, preventing the alarming attacks of Fly and Shab, aud cleansing and purifying the Skin, thereby greatly im- proving the Wool, both in quantity and quahty, and highly contributing to the general health of the animal. Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manu- factory as above, and sold as tollovvs, althoiigh any other quantity may be liad, if required : — 41b. for 20 sheep, price, jar included £0 6 1b. 30 8 1b. 40 101b. 50 201b. 100 301b. 150 40 lb. 200 50 lb. 250 GO lb. 300 80 lb. 400 100 lb. 500 (cask and measure included) 0 10 0 15 1 0 1 3 1 7 1 17 2 5 Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will be equally effective. MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE. From Mr. Heeepath, the celebrated Analytical Chemist :— Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, January 18th, 1861. Sir, — I have submitted your Sheej) Dipping Comijosition to analysis, and find that the ingredients are well blended, aud the mixture neutral. If it is used accorchng to the du-ections given, I 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 published. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, William Hebapath, Sen., F.C.S., Ac, &c.. To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry. Leicester House, Great Dover-street, Borough, London. He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, or LOTION, for the SCAB or SHAB, which wiU be found a certain remedy for eradicating that loathsome and ruinous disorder in Sheep, and which may be safely used in all climates, and at all seasons of the year, and to all descriptions of sheep, even ewes in lamb. Price FIVE SHILLINGS per gallon — sufficient on an average for thirty Sheep (according to the virulence of the disease) ; also in wine quart bottles, IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. " Scoulton, near Hingham, Norfolk, April 16th, 1855. " Dear Sir.^In answer to yours ot 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 invaluable ' 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 recom- mended at the Lincoln Show, and by their own dresser, the best attention being paid to the flock oy my shepherd after dressing according to instructions left ; but notwithstanding the ScalD continued gettmg worse. Being determined to have the Scab cured if possible, I wi'oteto you for a supply of your Specific, which I received the following day; and although the weather was most severe in February during the dressing, your Specific proved itself an invaluable remedy, for in three weeks the Sheep were quite cured ; and I am happy to say the yoimg lambs are doing remarkably well at present. In conclusion, I beUeve it to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir, "For JOHN TINGEY, Esq., " To Mr. Thomas Bigg. ' "R. RENNET. B®" Flockmasters would be well to beware of such pre- parations as " Non-poisonoiis Compositions:" it is only necessary to appeal to their good common sense and judg- ment to be thoroughly 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 nmst be wholly useless, or they are not what they are represented to be. DIPPING APPARATUS £14, £5, £4, & £3. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 187 1, CONTENTS, Plate I.— HONEST TOM, a Prize Shire Stallion j The Property of Mr. William Welcher, of Mouse Hall, West Tofts, Brandon, Norfolk, Plate II.— A "ROYAL" COTSWOLD; The Property of Mr. Thomas Brown, of Marham, Norfolk. Descriptions of the Plates .... The Smithfield Club Show in the Agricultural Hall Annual Meeting of the Smithfield Club The Central Farmers' Club : The Size of Farms The Farmers' Club Dinner A New Land Bill for England The Annual Meeting of the Birmingham and Midland Counties Cattle Show The Best Fat Pig at Birmingham The Points of the Pig The Causes now in Operation which Discourage the Application of Capita to Agriculture Birmingham and Midland Counties Cattle Show Carmarthenshire Farming . . . The Growth of Flax in Ireland . . The Foot-and-Mouth Disease . . . The Chemistry of Feeding Stuffs Rutland Agricultural Society: Meeting at Oakham The Leeds Smithfield Cattle Show . Abingdon Fat Cattle Show . Chippenham Agricultural Association The Tredegar Cattle Show at Newport The Sandwich Cattle Show . The Guildford Fat Stock Show West of England Fat Stock Show Royal Agricultural Society of England The Double Plough Trials at Alford— Judges' Report Wide Drilling. — By Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S. The Central and the Local Chambers of Agriculture . . 68, The Central Chamber of Agriculture The Insurance of Farm Stock. The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture The Movement on Behalf of the French Farmers Calendar of Agriculture . . Calendar of Gardening . . . Agricultural Reports The Metropolitan Great Christmas Cattle Market Review of the Cattle Trade During the Past Month Review of the Corn Trade during the Past Month Market Currencies, Imperial Averages, &c, . Index, Title, &c. 69 PAGE 1,2 l6 19 27 30 32 32 32 32 33 38 41 42 44 48 49 51 51 52 53 53 53 54 64 65 , 76 70 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 83 84 86 THE ROYAL FARMERS' INSURANCE COMPANY, 3, NOEFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. CAPITAL. — Persons insured by this Company have the security of an extensive and wealthy proprietary as well as au ample Capital always applicable to the payment of claims without delay. LIFE DEPARTMENT.— BONUS.— Insurers of the participating class will be entitled to four-fifths of the profits. 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HAIL DEPARTMENT.— (Crops AND Glass.) Policies to protect parties from Loss by the destruction of Growing Crops or Glass, by Hail, aro granted on Moderate Tei'ms. LOSSES.— Px'ompt and liberal settlement. AGENTS WANTED. Apply to JOHN REDDISH, Esq., Secretary and Actuary. FOUNDED AD. 1844- Empowered by Special Act of Parliament, 25th & 26th Vict., cap. 74. THE GREAT BRITAIiN MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY, Chairman.— L O R D VISCOUNT NEWRY. SPECIAL ADVANTAGES TO ASSURERS. The entire profits divided amongst the holders of participating pohcies. The profits applied first in extinguishing the premiums at a given date, and afterwards in making the policy pay- able during life: this important advantage being sccui-ed without the payment of any additional premium. ANDREW FRANCIS, Secretary. EUROPEAN ASSURANCE SOCIETY. Empowered by Special Act of Parliament. For Life Assurance, Annuities, and Guarantee of Fidelity in Situations of Trust. Chief omee— 17, ^Vatorloo-place, Pall-mall, £.oii(lo». Annual Income, £300.000. Capital, subscribed by more than 1,G00 shareholders, nearly £800,000. DIRECTORS. Chairman— General Sir FREDERIC SMITH, K.H., F.R.S. The Rev. A. Alston, D.D. I A. R. Bristow, Esq. I Edmund Heeley, Esq. E. Hamilton Anson, Esq. | R. M. Carter, Esq., M.P. | Reginald Read, Esq., M.D. This Institution offers every advantage of the modern system of Life Assurance. The European is specially authorised by Parliament to guarantee the fidelity of Government officials. The New Prospectus contains the Table for complete Life Policies which are not forfeited by the nou-pavment of the Renewal Premium. Prospectuses, forms of proposal, and every information may be obtained on application to the Society's Agents, or at the Chief Office. HENRY B. PARMINTER. Manager. Just Puhlished, Price in Cloth, 3s. 6tl., Post Free, 3s. 8d., THE WINTER EDITION OF RUFF'S GUIDE TO THE TURF, UNITED WITH BAILY'S TURF GUIDE, r THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1871. PLATE I. HONEST TOM; a Pkize Shire Stallion. THE PROPERTY Of MR. WILLIAM WELCHEU, OF MOUSE HALL, WEST TOFTS, BRANDON, NORFOLK. Honest Tom, a bay horse, bred by Mr. Welcher, ia 1865, is by Tibbett's Thumper, out of Beauty by Ham- mond's Emperor, a well known prize horse, by Back's Matchless. Beauty herself at the last Watton and Way- land show won the silver cup as the best cart mare on the ground. Tibbett's Thumper, a frequent prize taker in his day at Huntingdon and Peterborough, was by Eagls Thumper, a son of Steward's Major, and so back to Purrant's Honest Tom and Goodman's Honest Tom. The following prizes have been awarded to Honest Tom: Royal Prizes. Pirst prize at Royal Society Meeting at Bury £ 8, d. St. Edmund's, July, 1867, against 13 com- petitors . . . . . 20 0 0 First prize at Royal Society Meeting at Lei- ceister, July, 1868, against 9 competitors 25 0 0 First prize at Royal Society Meeting at Man- chester, July, 1869, against 11 competitors 25 0 0 First prize at Royal Society Meeting at Ox- ford, July, 1870, against 20 competitors. 25 0 0 Country Shows. First prize at Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely, at Wisbech, Sept. 28, 1867 . . 6 0 0 And Special Prize, Silver Cup, value . 20 0 0 First prize at Huntingdonshire Meeting, at Huntingdon, March 27, 1868 . .15 0 0 F'irst prize and Silver Medal at the Norfolk Meeting, at Downham, June 18, 1868 . 10 10 0 I'irst prize at Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely, at Newmarket, July 1, 1868 . . 10 0 0 And Special Prize, Silver Cup, value . 20 0 0 Old Skriks.] First prize at South Liucolashire Meeting at Grantham, July 24, 1868. . • ^l^ F'irst prize at the Town of Long Sutton, Lin- colnshire, October 28, 1868 First prize at Lincolnshire Meeting, at Lin- coln, July, 1869 . Second prize at Yorkshire Meeting, at Bever- ley, July, 1869 . First prize at Birmingham Horse Show, August, 1869 . . . • Second prize at Norfolk Meeting, at Harles- ton, June, 1870 . . . • First prize at Cambridgeshire Meeting, at Royston, July, 1870 . First prize at Lincolnshire fleeting, at Slea- ford, July, 1870 . First prize at Watton and Wayland Meeting, at Watton, Silver Cup, September, 1870, value ..... 0 0 3 3 0 20 0 0 7 0 0 30 0 0 7 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 10 10 0 £299 3 0 la his report on the Royal Aleeting at Manchester, Mr. Wells, M.P., the senior steward says : " Honest Tom was conspicuously the best animal, and deserved his honours even more than he did at Leicester. He has greatly im- proved since then, and grown into a fine specimen of a Shire cart-horse stallion ; " and Mr. Manfied Biddell, one of the judges at 0.\ford, thinks him " a remarkably good animal." We once, however, on the confines of Mr. Biddell's own county of Suffolk, saw Honest Tom sent away in an all-Euglaud class with nothing more than a mere commendation, though this could never have happened had there not been a majority of Suffolk judges on the bench. B [Vol. LXIX.— No. 1. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. PLATE II. A "ROYAL" OOTSWOLD. THE PEOPERTY OF JIE. THOMAS BKOAVN, OF MARHAM, NORFOLK. Lord Lyou 2ad, a shearling Cotsvvold ram, is by Lord Lyon, bouglit of Mr. Robert Game in 1866 for 120 gs., dam by Sir James, bred by Mr. Jas. "Walker, and a winner of 1st prize at Canterbury R.A.S. 1860, grandam from Mr. Robert Lane's flock. As a lamb Lord Lyon 2nd, in 1869, with his partner, won 1st prize at the Attleboro' meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural Association. In 1870, at the Harleston meeting of the same Society he won 1st prize in his class, and the extra prize as best LongwooUed sheep in the yard. At the Oxford meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England he won the first prize. Mr. Brown has favoured us with the following ueatly- told history of his Cotswold flock : Having from the time of my first turning my attention to business been a lover of the sheep I, about 1850, began to cherish the idea of breeding a few LongwooUed rams for my own use. I was then keeping a flock of Down ewes bred by Mr. H. E. Blyth. In 1853 a neighbour, who was giving up his LongwooUed flock, kindly allowed me to select therefrom ; and, accordingly, I started with 33 ewes. A very few years' experience proved to me the impolicy of keeping two flocks. I hesitated which to dis- pose of. My most intimate friends advised me to sell the Downs and to become a ram-breeder, urging amongst other reasons the breaking-up and decline of two or three old-established flocks of LongwooUed sheep in the county. Their counsel coinciding with my inclination, in 1856 I sold my Down ewes to my father-in-law, largely in- creased my LongwooUed flock, and became au exhibitor at the meetings of the Norfolk Agricultural Association. For several years my sheep were unnoticed by the judges ; I therefore determined to try a Cotswold Ram ; and in 1860 I bought the shearling ram to which was awarded (I being one of the judges) the first prize at the Canterbury meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society. With his produce I found the road to success ; for in 1862, at Dere- ham, I gained the three prizes for shearling rams and the first for shearling ewes ; and in 1863, at Great Yarmouth, all the prizes save one (a third) ; while since that time I have obtained the great majority of the prizes for Long- wooUed sheep offered by the Norfolk Society. I was soon urged, iiotably by the late Mr. A. Hamond, to become an exhibitor at the Royal shows ; but my constant attendance at its meetings had plainly shown me that my Leicester- Lincoln- Cotswold sheep, however successful in Norfolk, would stand no chance with the pure breeds. I desired to maintain my postion in Norfolk, and to exhibit at the Royal ; therefore, I determined to have a pure breed of LongwooUed sheep. My choice laid between Lincolns and Cotswolds: the Lincolns were reputed to cut the most wool, whereas the Cotswolds were superior in form and came earlier to maturity, I decided for the Cots- wold ; having come to the conclusion that with care and attention a Cotswold flock on my upland farm would cut as much wool and of as good quality as a Lincoln. Seven years experience has strengthened that opinion. In 1863 Mr. Robert Lane, of the Cottage Farm, reduced his flock : one of the oldest, most noted, and successful on the Cotswold HiUs. I became a purchaser, giving ten guineas each for some of his ewes ; and in about five years time I find I bought 430 Cotswold ewes ; a few from Mr. Robert Game and others, but the greater part from Mr, Robert Lane. I began to exhibit at the Royal meetings in 1867, and the following is a list of prizes gained thereat : 1867, Bury St. Edmunds. — First and second for shear- ling rams, first and second for old rams, and first for shearling ewes. 1868, Leicester. — First for shearling rams, thii'd for old rams, and second for shearling ewes. 1869, Manchester. — Third for shearling rams, first and second for old rams. 1870, Oxford. — First and third for shearling rams. I have not shown shearling ewes since 1868 and pro- bably shaU not again show any. During the last decade I have used rams from Messrs. Robert Game, Robert Lane, AViUiam Hewer, and WUliam Lane. Twice I have given 120 guineas, twice 101 guineas for a sheep. I began ram-breeding, as I have stated, in 1853 with 33 ewes. As my flock increased so did my customers, till I now annuaUy let and sell, for breeding purposes, about 350 rams and ram lambs. In our own report of the Royal Oxford meeting we spoke to "the Marham shearling as a very handsome sample of his kind, with a good fieece, a true frame, and a capital countenance ;" while one of the judges writes of him " as a particularly good sheep." The flock was in immense force here, as Mr. Brown took not only the first and third prizes, but the reserve number and another high commendation ; his old tutor Mr. Robert Lane seperating the Norfolk-bred sheep for second place. THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. THE SMITHFIELD CLUB SHOW IN THE AGRICULTURAL HALL. THE OPENING MORNING. Immediately on the conclusion of last meeting we called atteation to " the unsatisfactory, not to say dis- graceful condition" into which the conduct of the Smith- field Club Show was gradually drifting. We pointed out the unwholesome fact that exhibitors, their relatives, agents, or herdsmen, got into the Hall before they had any right to be there; that the reporter of one daily Paper ap- peared to have the run of the place long previous to his fel- lows, and thathe gratefullyavailedhimselfof theopportnnity to write up the wares of some of the Agricultural Hall people. It further appeared that persons were in the habit of passing themselves off as implement makers' as- sistants, when they were nothing of the kind ; while so far as the Press went we stood very much alone in ad- vancing these charges. It was " only fault-finding for the sake of ftmlt-tiuding," and so on. Nevertheless ihe Couucil of the Club has thought fit to attempt a very radical reform. Some of our daily con- temporaries have, as usual, supplied some of the earliest intelligence, evidently gathered up about the gateways, and, as it would seem, under the greatest possible difficulties. The Telegraph calls the Club "A Conservative Institu- tion" ; and The Times tells us how " So determined have been the Club authorities to prevent any information being obtained that it was stated detectives in plain clothes had been employed to prevent the intrusion of any stranger whatever into the area where the live stock is located until the judges made their awards on Monday. Even exhibitors are not allowed beyond the threshold after depositing their stock, and the implement exhibitors are barricaded in the galleries, and are com- pelled to find ingress and egress by a special door in the Liverpool Road." Nothing of course could come better than this, and so wa proceed to read of such "prodigious" pieces of news as that the Queen and the Prince of Wales have made entries — that a number of the animals ex- hibited at Birmingham will be brought on to Islington — that the arrangements are under the direction of Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, and that the show, as usual, is the largest and finest that ever was known ! With the exception of the pigs, where the competition in most of the classes is small, and amongst which there has been some unusual mortality, the Show certainly looks to be larger than of late, although the quality is as indisputably but moderate. There is not an animal, at least in the cattle classes, of any extraordinary mei"it, and many of the best beasts at Birmingham are again the best at Islington. Not that the law as laid down last week is followed so continually here, as, indeed, there are some rather emphatic corrections to the first reading. Por instance, Mr. Smith's steer, the first of his class, the best of all the Devons, and in the opinion of Mr. George Turner the best beast in Bingley Hall, takes no prize whatever in the Agricultural Hall. We stated in our report from Birmingham that this was a big, meaty, well-covered steei", with capital flesh, but by no means so smart nor so bloodlike as a North Devon should be ; and again, " if ever it comes to a Champion from this lot of Devons in London we certainly do not expect to see Mr. Smith's steer again at their head." Mr. Senior's beautiful heifer, on the contrary, was again the first of her class, with Mr. Burton and her Majesty re- versing their several places, as they previously had done at breeding shows. The youngest class of steers of any sort never makes much mark, as the picked beasts are com- monly kept for another year, nor is there any exception to this in the present show ; but the two classes of older Devou oxen are both commendable, as better tlian they were at Birmingham, the winners in the Mid- lands never getting so forward here, and Mr. McNivett showing some fresh beasts, and another cow. Before the final award, the two best appeared to be Mr. Taylor's ox and Mr. Senior's heifer. The Herefords were altogether in more force than at Birmingham, and the class of oxen contained some very good beasts, set off by a few but moderate ; while it is noticeable that beyond Mr. Price's steer, which was third again in his class, none of the prize Hereford oxen or steers of last week were successful here. The first, second, and third heifers on the contrary were precisely in the same places here ; and two of the Hereford cows were again winners, al- though Mr. Hill now separated them on the list. Our Birmingham report will of course speak to all this business. The Shorthorns were a very tolerable collection, and nothing more. Amongst the juveniles. Lord Aylesford's steer was once more first, but the competition was small and bad; Mr. Searson's white reaching deservedly to a belter place than at Birmiugham, even in better company. With the crack ox well out of the way, amongst the extra stock, Mr. Joseph Stratton's was now deservedly the best of his class, with the Scotcii ox again second, and Mr. Stratton's "big brother" third. Amongst the Shorthorn heifers, however, the Burderop Herd entered one of the plums of the Exhibition in Peeress, previously well- known at our great breeding shows, and but for having been thrown back from foot - and - mouth disease, that would surely have been the best of all the cows or heifers. Curiously enough, Mr. Reid's capital heifer, the best of her class, and that, hut for the Short- horn judge, would have been the best of all the females at Birmingham, was now only third, so that this fact alone gives Peeress a character ; while the two Scotch heifers reversed their places, Mr. Hunter still being second. There was also the same sort of alteration amongst the cows, but we prefer the previous decision, although no doubt it would be always, a near thing between them. Mr. Torr's 200 gs. cow, Guiding Light, took no prize. Mr. Montefiore showed a very good ox, but the Sussex scarcely ran up to their form of late, and Mr. Lee Steere has lost his lead. The two best Highlanders in the Midlands were now without places, and the class of oxen was altogether superior ; while Mr. Harris' capital spe- cimen, one of the best seen for some time, was of course still the best of the Scotch Polls ; but Mr. M'Combie's high bred heifer, certainly rather flat-sided, lost her place, and of course with it the chances for fur- ther honours ; the best ox and the best cow at Birmingham being both here amongst the extra stock ; but the Devon cow, almost as glaring a mistake or piece of prejudice as the best Devon steer, had now of course no chance. The crosses included some capital beasts, of which the best ox showed a deal better out than in ; and the award in his favour was not much fancied. Lord Berners is still invincible for Leicesters; there were but few Cotswolds, with Mr." Hall still showing the best; and an admirable class of Lin- colns that was generally commended. Lord Wal- B 2 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. singhaui maintains his supremacy with the Southdowus, although the judges took a deal of time to settle the light weights; perhaps the best test of a real Southdown at a fat show. The Shropshires were not very nume- rous, and our prize-list must tell so far as may be of the merits of the other sheep. j\Iessrs. Duckering's best pig at Birmingham was now no higher than the reserve number, Lord Aylesford winning the Cup, with what the judges considered a wonder- fully good one of what is called " the Packington im- proved sort." The best of the pens, Mr. Benjafield's Dorsets, were also highly spoken of; but in one class there was no competition from the pens being imperfect, in another the White Windsors, also from a death, were but badly matched. Mr. Duckering's pen of whites were still very hard to meet or beat ; and Mr. John Coote's pen would have won the cup as the best with the other Uorsets out of the way. Of the two best animals of all we wrote thus in our report of the Birmingham Show; — " The three prize Devon heifers were all good, the first and second especially so,i.I(hough at breeding shows Daisy has beaten the Royal Adelaide before now. Still the pick of the three was unquestionably Perfection, who, but for her falling away a little in her quarters, went far to realize her title. She has lots of style, a sweet head, a long, straight, well-covered frame, with a good touch, and heavy accord- ingly is the wagering that she will be first, and first both in Birmingham and in London. But still she was not the best of all the Devons, nor even of the Devon cows and heifers, and perhaps Lady 2nd might fairly compete with her. Again, " At the Oakham show in 1869, Mr. Pulver, a yeomau of Broughton, near Kettering, showed a Short- horn steer, by Biddenham, a bull from Mr. Charles Howard's Spencer tiibe, but bred by Sir W. de Brooke, that took a second prize in an All-England class to ^Ir. Roland Wood's Little Wonder, the best beast in the show. Young Biddenham then came on to the Smith- field Club Meeting, where in the certainly 'crack' class he was only highly commended. Lord Ayles- foid's steer, the best animal of his year, being first, Mr. Wood's Little Wonder second, and a steer of Lord Penrhyn's third. Still one of the judges said, ' if kept on for another year, this very stylish steer will be sure to command a foremost place.' ^Ir. Pulver thence travelled his beast on to Leeds, where he won in his class, but never was in it when the judges cauie to find the best 1 animal in the yard. During the past summer and autumn i lie took invariably first prizes for fat stock at Peterborough, [ Royston, Hinckley, and Wellingborough ; as at Oakham j in the early part of last week he was not only the first of his class, but the best beast in the show. He had thus ' run through' many of the animals he met in his own class at Birmingham. It will be so gathered that if there were any great merit in Mr. Pulver's ox, he could have no difficulty in his path so far. And he has indisputably great merit in many ways. He is a smart rich roan in colour ; he is a compact square rather than an overwhelming animal; he has fed so well that his flesh t'oes not seem to encumber Lim as it does many a fat beast, but he has a cheerful look and gay carriage, as it is not until you see him out that he moves after a somewhat awkward ungainly fashion. He has an especially good forehand, is well ribbed up, and straight and square in his outline, but bad in his purse, having snfi'ered terribly from castration, and standing rather weak from behind. Of course he was not only at a glance the best of his class, being ordered in very early, but as easily the best of his breed ; and although ^Mr. George Turner held out afterwards, tlic other judges and the lookers on only smiled, as the pretensions of ,Mr. Smith's Devon when put in comparison with the Shire Shorthorn made it somethinor like a horse to a hen. How- ever, Mr. Turner did his duty to his county as he did when it came to the best of all, and, as everybody else had seen long previously, the Shorthorn eventually took every prize there was to be taken. DURING THE WEEK. There ai'e this year in the classes proper thirty-three entries of Devons, forty-four entries of Herefords, forly- five entries of Shorthorns, twenty -four entries of Sussex, twenty-seven entries of Scotch cattle, and twenty-one entries o' Cross-bred stock. The other breeds, such as the Eastern County Polls, the Longhorns, the Irish and Welsh beasts off'er, each and all, so poor a front that they are either individually or collectively entitled to little consideration on the appointments of the judges, who are selected in this wise : — To act over the Devons, Herefords, Sussex, red Polls, and Long- horns, the Council constitute a Bench to include one judge known to be a Devon fancier, another a white- faced man, and the third altogether of Sussex proclivi- ties, and this arrangement uo doubt is right and fair enough. Whereas to estimate the merits of the Short- horns, the Scotch Polls, the Highlanders, the Irish, the Welsh, and the Crosses the three judges are elected on the understanding that they must be all Shorthorn breeders. But why should this be so ? And the answer no doubt would be that it always has been so, although that of course is no answer, or at any rate no reason whatever. At Islington the numerical strength of the Shorthoi-ns only exceeds that of another breed by a single entrj', whereas in point of actual merit or quality, it is far be- low some of the other kinds of cattle. Nevertheless three Shorthorn worthies still take their places, while the claims of two or three of the very best kinds of fat beasts ever seen at a Christmas show are cooly ignored. These are of course the black Polls, the Highlanders, and the Crosses, as it must be further borne iu mind that the most successful cross for the butcher and the best paying one for the feeder is that with a herd of Aberdeenshires. The entries of Shorthorns reached in all to forty-five, and of Scotch cattle and Crosses to forty-eight. It thus becomes sutliciently manifest that if the Sussex, for in- stance, have now a title to a judge of their own a great injustice is done to such exhibitors as pay ns the com- pliment and add so much "mark" to the meeting bysending their stock from over the Border. Let the Shorthorns stili have a majority if it so please the Council, but let us by another year have some one at least whose taste has been educated amongst the Scots to act with them. We say thus much because, either at Birmingham or Islington, as it struck us, the Scotch beasts had scarcely due weight accorded to their merits. Enthusiastic Mr. Turner, or more careful Mr. Pope, would be either very ready champions of the Devons, as men like Mr. Aylmer or Mr. Topham would know how to make the most of a Shorthorn, whenever they happened to get a good one before them. Then the Herefords can always reckon on an able advocate, and ]\Ir. Cane is by no manner of means a gentleman inclined to give way should he find one of his smart Sussex steers favour the hand and fill the eye. W^hen, however, Mr. Heath Harris' beautiful black polled ox was led out to do battle against the world who was there to take up his cause ? The three Shorthorn men would naturally rely on what they found in the extra stock when there was nothing extraordinary in their rank and file. Mr. Pope had two or three really superior Devons at his command, and Mr. Cane with nothing par- ticular from his own county would naturally soon come to this way of thinking. Last year, no doubt, the best beast either iu the Midlands or the Metropolis was a Scotch Cross, but he was put out for a Shorthorn ; and THE FAUM-RTt'S MAGAZmi. 5 this season it is still by no means so clear but that the best ox was the Scotch Poll. Although not the heaviest, and not so over- fed as to be unsightly, this beast has plenty of meat and weight, with famous quality, and a certain high-bred style that was really quite charm- ing to a connoisseur. Of course he lias been winning again and again all over his own country ; and when, what with his gay carriage, they came once more to put him into comparison with the now somewhat " seedy" steei from the Shires it seemed to be anything but a certainty that the Birmingham best would be confirmed at Islington. But bless youl the Shorthorn judges were looking at the Short- horns, the Devon judges were looking at the Devons, and so the Scotchman had to be content with beating his ownbreed. To still further prove the necessity for placing a North Briton on the Bench let us look at the decision over the polled cows, where Mr. McCombie's sweet heifer was put second to a plainer, coarser, and even less weighty ani- mal! At Birmingham the award was the other way, and it is next to impossible to understand how its reversal could have been arrived at. At the dinner of the Hui'stpierpoint Show on Thurs- day last, Mr. Cane said " he had been a breeder of Sussex stock for thirty years, and he still remained firm to the opinion he had formed a long time ago, that the Sussex was superior in many respects to most other breeds. He had been a judge in London this year, and what he had seen there tended to confirm his previous opiuion that stock might be classed — Devons first, Sussex second, Herefords third, and Shorthorns fourth He be- lieved that each of the first three breeds were constantly improving, but Shorthorns were decidedly going back. The way they got to the top of the tree was this, noble- men and gentlemen — who were perhaps better judges of good meat than poor simple people — at one time fancied Shorthorns ; but as an humble individual he knew what good things were, and could teU tiiem that Shorthorns as compared with Devons and Sussex, showed as much inferiority as a Kent sheep would against a beautiful Southdown. He very much regretted that the £100 prize at Smithfield had been awarded to a Shorthorn. The judges, who had just awarded two £40 cups, met to con- sider whether the great prize should be given to a Short- horn or a Devon. Three of the judges were strongly in favour of the Sliorthorn, but he was equally strong in favour of the Devon. The three stuck to it that the Shorthorn should have the prize, and unfortunately one of his (Mr. Cane's) party gave way, and they knew the result. He could only say that he was disgusted, because the Devon was the most handsome beast he had ever seen, worth Is. a stone more thau some of the others. There was also some splendid Sussex stock at Smithfield, and it was his firm opinion that if the gentlemen of the county of Sussex, and many others, would continue to breed Sussex animals as they did now, and to improve them, they would knock all Shorthorns out of the held." Precisely so ; aud this speech, as we take it, proves our case. A Shorthorn was pi'onounced to be the best beast in the Show, because there were three Shorthorn judges ; the Devons stood next, because there were two Devon judges, or, at least, one Devon man and his first cousin from Sussex. The one Hereford judge, no doubt, was the first to give way in favour of the Shorthorn, and, as we must maintain, about the very best beast of the year was drafted out, simply because there was no Scotch breeder in office. Under any circumstances, the retention of three Shorthorn judges is, on the face of it, a monstrous injustice to the other established breeds. But of all the eccentricities in the way of judging stock there has certainly of late been nothing to compare with the awards over the Devons at Birmingham, It is only charitable to assume that his two colleagues permitted Mr. George Turner to have it very much his own way with this breed, as of course the outside world would hold the Devon man mainly responsible for the Devon awards. When they had the four winners of the classes out to select the best of all the Devons, and when they did select Mr. Smith's steer our comment to the steward who gave us the result was "why, it was a hundred to one on the heifer." As our readers' are aware we said as much in our re- port ; nevertheless. The Tunes called him "a superb steer," said that the best Devoncowwas " auiodel," but could not find a word of special compliment for Mr. Senior's heifer. And here in London the superb steer and the model cow took no prizes whatever ; while Perfection, who as we had said went far to realise her title, now closed up in place of the steer, with Mr. Pulver's ox as the best of all. There was a vast deal of idle talk, moreover, about the whole class of Devon oxen at Birmingham, which was totally eclipsed by the entry in London. In fact, the first prizes of the oxeu and steer classes are all fresh animals, and the best of them a wonderfully good beast in a wonderfully good class. This is Mr. William Taylor's four years and a half old ox, which eventually proved to be the second best beast in the yard. Although led in Sussex, he is a pure North Devon, having been bred by Mr. Stranger in the Molton country ; and he is indeed all quality, famously ribbed, long aud deep on a short leg, thoroughly furnished, and set oft^ by a good but not delicate red coat. Mr. McNiveu's second here, another fresh beast, was very plain by comparison, aud Mr. Aldworth's third took no prize whatever at Birmingham. And after that the deluge ! or in other words unnoticed beyond the general compliment of the class, came " the superb steer" that some people went into ecstasies about at Birmingham. Of the Devon heifers we have already written fully, and the Devon Cows, now headed by Mr. Ford, with one of Mr. :Mogridge's blood, were still of not much mark ; ]Mr. M'Niven, putting another in place of the Birming- ham cow, here in Extra Stock, and the two others taking the same comparative rank of each other as in the pre- vious week. The two-year old Devon steers made up the best class of young beasts in the show, where the Stowey herd managed to make some mark ; but luck has lately been against Mr. Parthing, for, as we reported from Birmingham, he had just lost a fat cow, and since then his ox. But the best cow or heifer. Perfection, is of his blood— by young Sir Peregrine out of a cow in the late Mr. Gibbs' herd at Tatham, and so all over " one of those Somerset Devons." Although the Herefords this season made no stand for the highest honours there is no doubt but that the best filled class in the Hall was that of the Hereford oxen or steers over three years and three months — a really grand entry of great, weighty, noble beasts, just set oft' by one or two not quite equal to his company, or the class must have received a still higher commendation. The best, again like the best Devon fed in Sussex, was bred by Mr. Myddleton in Shropshire, as a credit to the county ; for he is a magnificeut specimen of the breed, deep, massive, and bloodlike, but ])ositively disfigured by the frightful condition into which his feet have been suff'ered to grow. It looked, in fact, like cruelty to order him out, as it is a case which might repay going into, say by Lord Powis, or Miss Burdelt Coults. To show the general strength of this class, Mr. Philip Turner's smart steer, the best of the old class at Birm- ingham, took nothing more than a high commendation, being fairly beaten on his merits ; while Mr. Bettridge's third prize in the Midlands was now unnoticed. On the opening day in Bingley Hall the third prize was pla- carded over the head of Her Majesty's parti-coloured beast, but this was an error of the stewards and not of THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. the judges. Neither of the classes of younger Hereford steers at Islingtou would rank with the oxen, particularly if we took, as we assume we must, Lord Darnley's beast as the best of them, for this is a cowy-headed, delicate looking animal, awkward out, and by no means so true, when you come to examine him in his stall ; but the award iu his favour seemed to be a mistake. The Here- ford cows and heifers were mainly the Birmingham entries over again, and of these we have said sufficient already. With oue very noticeable exception all the top-prize Shorthorns at Birmingham were also at the head of their classes in London, and a very moderate lot, as we have already intimated, they were. To certain transpositions which the Smithfield prize-list shows, we have already spoken, and as it is but tedious work re-writing our im- pressions we may take the gist of our previous reports. With ^Ir. Pulver's ox now well out of the way, Mr. Joseph Stratton's "clever, deep, and square steer, unques- tionably the next best," now succeeded to the first place; Mr. Richard Stratton's third-prize here, and a winner at Chippenham, having been entered but not sent to Bir- mingham ; while Messrs. Martin's high-quality ox still kept his place as next to the Wiltshire white. Amongst the middle-aged steers Mr. Searson's very good white, first at Oakham and second at Birmingham was once more first in a very so-so company ; Lord Aylesford's short podgy steer, with his unpardonable forehand, winning again amongst the youngsters, as he could, should, or would not have done, with anything like creditable competition. The London judges reversed the Birmingham, awards over the first and second Shoi'thorn cows, and perhaps it was always " a toss-up for choice" between the two ; but we cannot understand how Mr. Hunter's terribly plain heifer now came to be preferred to the other Scotch lassie, " so straight, deep, and handsome," which, had the Shorthorn man only held to his own line as he should have done, would, with the Devon heifer put early out of it, have been the best of all the cows and heifers at Birmingham. StiU they were both fairly beaten by Mr. Richard Stratton's Peeress, first at Taunton and third prize at the Royal Oxford last summer, and a really grand lengthy heifer, but always exhibited in very high condition. As a consequence she has not bred, although thought to be in calf until lately, while she has also been down with the foot-and-mouth disease, so that she was not so ripe nor so blooming as she might have been, or she must have run the Devon very closely as the best of her sex. Peeress, however, is not destined for the shambles, as she goes back further west into Cornwall, where Sir Frederick AVilliams has purchased her at butcher's price by way of an experiment. Mr. Senior also keeps on Perfection for another year, not with the hope of breeding from her, but with an eye to another trial for the Cliampion Plate — a very hopeless business as it looks. We write without the records before us, but did a cow or heifer ever take the crowning honours as the best beast of all at Birming- ham? If our memory serve us, something from the Towneley stalls did once achieve this feat. Mr. Cane notwithstanding, the Sussex oxen were certainly not so good as we have seen them ; but some of the ladies, like Mr. Lee Steere's heifer were as handsome and bloodlike as Devons, although on a larger scale. There were in all three Norfolk and Suffolk red Polls entered, of which was a roan, and the sort should merge again one into the other breeds. There were two Loiighorns in two classts, and these again have no longer a right to any rank of their own ; there were two L-ish, one of which had no merit, and three Welsh beasts, where in one class any prize was also withheld, and as none of these breeds ever do come in any numbers it is a simple absurdity keeping skeleton classes opea on their behalf. Let them try coiicliisioiis against each other as Other Breeds. The same course might be at once adopted with the new class of other Scotch-horns, of which there were three entries in one class and none in the other ; while two of these were wretched things, and the best of them, so far as any- body could understand, of " no breed in particular." It was, iu fact, a farce to put such animals in a line with the capital lot of true West Highlanders, over the dozen of which the judges duly distributed the two premiums and five commendations ; but then as they carefully took no notice whatever of Lord Southesk's handsome ox, the second, as he should have been the first at Birmingham, it is doubtful whether they knew even as much of the Highlanders as their fellows at Birmingham, and that was no vast deal. To the merits and placing of the black Polled we have already spoken, and still the conclusion we come to is that by another year there must be at least one Scotch judge in office. What particular recommendation can three Shorthorn breeders, or a Devon-Hereford-and-Sussex trio have for such a duty ? Again, the nine prizes for cross or mixed-bred beasts were all won by Scotchmen, as the good class of oxen was thought to be but badly judged. Of course these were all by a Shorthorn bull on to an Aberdeen cow, pro- verbially the best cross out, but then the people who breed them must necessarily know the most about them, and should, directly or indirectly, have some voice in de- termining their merits. Messrs. Martin's best cross-bred ox at Birmingham, a beast we never quite fancied, was now only fourth ; but there could be no mistake about the placing of Lord Dunmore's capital heifer, which in some years or under some circumstances might have fairly aspired to something more. There were other crosses of the Shorthorn-and-Hereford, the Devon-and-Sussex, the Devon-and-Shorthorn, and the Hereford-aud-Poll, but none of these can compare with the long-famous Short- horn-and-black Poll — a veritable " nick." The Broughton steer was the hero of th^ extra stock ; where a cross-bred heifer beat the best of all the cows at Birmingham, and her Majesty's best cow in extra stock at Birmingham, who here ran a dead heat for second. This plan of changing the judges looks to be a very wholesome proceeding, or the "superb steer" and the "perfect cow" might have taken the same imposing places in London as they did in the Midlands. With a reported outbreak of foot-and- mouth disease in the show on the last day, Mr. Pulver's ox cannot go on to Leeds, and this is to be regretted, as there would have been some chance of the Yorkshire- men closing with him. At the general meeting of the members of the Smith- field Club, on Tuesday, Mr. Sewell Read said: "He thought it undesirable that a great national Club like this should encourage a weight that was not requii-ed. The light weight of a Southdown he could understand; but the light weight of a Cross-bred, if it were of good quality, was something that he could not understand. Even with the Southdowns, when he saw that Lord Walsingham could bring them out at one year almost as heavy as if they were two years old, it seemed to him that the days of light weight for Southdowns were nearly at an end. But with regard to Cross-bred sheep, which he looked on as the sheep for the million, he contended that the bigger and better they were the more advantageous would it be alike for the farmer and the consumer. He hoped then that the prizes for Cross-bred sheep would not be reduced, but rather let them add to the number of prizes for year- ling sheep. It was the most important class in the yard ; and if it were possible to subdivide it by allowing the Cross-bred Mountain sheep to appear in another class he should not object, but he urged on the Council the desirability of striking out such an unnecessary class as that to which he had called attention," This, however^ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. is now quite aa old story. lu tte Club report of last year one of the Shortwool judges writes thus : " Of this light weight class, I may say I have often wondered whether it was a necessary one. I think it has never happened that the gold medal or silver cup has been taken by it ; and a grand pen of sheep of Sir William Throckmorton's was struck out, because one of the best sheep was 2 lbs. above weight. Are either the exhibitors or the public benefited by this class ?" And another of the judges over the same class says that the light weight condition has failed to effect its object ; ■while he adds that some years ago " Mr. Hemy Upton carried off the Gold Medal with a pen of light-weight sheep." Nothing of course is easier than to obtain -mere size and weight at a sacrifice of breed, and so let cross-bred sheep, honestly entered as such, be made as heavy as the feeder pleases. But for many years past, long before the supremacy of the Merton flock was established, there had been something more than a suspicion that the purity of the Southdown had been tampered with iu order to reach great growth- A bit of Hampshire or black-faced Sussex has occasion, ally been introduced, and the sheep were, in fact, no longer thorough-bred. At this very show the only whole class of sheep which was highly com- mended was that of the light-weight Southdowns, and deservedly enough too, for there was more bloodlike true character here than in any other section. The pens also took a deal more judging, and Lord Wal- singham was at length as nearly as possible beaten ; many, indeed, still preferring Sir William Throckmorton's pen. Whereas in the other class of young wethers, without con- ditions as to weight, the Merton sheep, pronounced to be the best pen in the Show, are actually heavier than the prize Shropshires of precisely the same age ! They are grand sheep certainly for the butcher, but if they go on increasing in bulk as of late, it is hard to realize what a Southdown will eventually come- to. The Duke of Rich- mond's old sheep are particularly stylish, as a long way a-head of their small and moderate class ; while Lord Walsingham's seven-year-old ewes have worn wonderfully well after so much good service in the flock. Lord Sondes, as he generally does, showed some remarkably neat clever Downs ; but Mr. Rigden was not up to his usual form, the Hove pens looking light and leggy, however good in their tops. The older hands at this business did not quite like it when Loi'd Chesham beat them all for Shropshires at Manchester, nor will they now take very kindly to the proof, as afforded by the scales. Still, as we said at Birmingham, the Latimer flock is reaching fast to the standard of an " Improved Shropshire," and with fresh sheep and fresh judges his Lordship was first in the three classes, as Mr. Horley must know what a Shropshire should be. Mrs. Beach's sheep, of some- thing the same type, are also very good to show, as they always have been of late ; but some of the other exhibitors iu these classes have cer- tainly^ sent up better samples from their flocks. Mr. Morrison's and Messrs. Russell's West Country Downs are more comely to look on than the good old-fashioned sour-headed sort, but some how or other we never now meet with such smart, high-quality Hampshii-es or Wilt- shires as that stalwart steward, who has just passed along-side, was wont to exhibit. There was no class in the show which more honestly won its commendation than the capital entry of Oxfords, where Sir Henry Dashwood for the first time at a great meeting took the top place with the heaviest pen in the class ; and really grand commanding sheep they are, of good looks, with famous backs, and perhaps at all points the best lot of fat sheep of this kind, eyey brought out, JBut then what we the points, or who will be kind enough to draw up a scale of points for judging an Oxfordshire Down ? There are only two pens of fat ewes exhibited, both very excellent, but as different from each other as it is possible to imagine any sheep to be that are entered as of the same breed. Mr. Treadwell's are big, useful, ronghish looking ewes, and Mr. Charles Howard's very neat, fuU of quality, and with sweet blood-like heads ; two of the three, in fact, being at nearly five years old from the Bury Royal prize pen ; while Mr. Alfred Rogers secures his now recognised annuity from the same flock. There was a mixed class of Cheviots, Ryelands, and Somersets, where the Cheviots were but poorly represented ; while the Duke of Roxburgh's black- faced Highlanders were really good, as their quality of mutton will compare well with the West Highlander's beef, that is amongst the priraest a butcher can buy or sell. As at Birmingham, the crosses did not look to contain anything of remarkable excellence, but nevertheless Mr. John Overman took the Cup for the best of the other breeds or cross-breeds, though the superiority of the short-and-long-wool pen to Sir Henry Dashwood's Oxfords was not so apparent. They were fairly beaten for weight, which Mr. Sewell Read would have us take as the best test of a cross-bred. " The Royalists" laughed outright when they saw the Romney Marsh sheep at Canterbury, but there was really a very creditable entry this year at Islington, and the improve- ment since they left the Ark seems at length to have been set about in earnest. In the small show of Lincolus the Birmingham award was very properly corrected in favour of Mr. Lister, who beat Mr. Harris alike for weight, style, and quality, Mr. Pears retaining his third place with one of the heaviest pens at their age in the Hall. There were four entries of Cots- wolds and four prizes awarded, the most that can be said for them, as if the breeders do not care to make a show they should undoubtedly merge into the other breeds. Indifference should be met witn indiference, as retaining classes that do not fill must have a bad effect. Still, it is only fair to say that the new class of three fat ewes was in every direction a failure, for no where did the competition exceed three entries, as more frequently there was but one pen exhibited for the prize. Lord Berners' Leicesters are as usual very carefully fed and very finely bred. It is said that they never sell nor let a ram from Key thorpe, but keep some of their best lambs for wethers, so that a lead in this way must be maintained alike at some cost to the flock and the public ; as on such condi- tions a farmer has of course no chance of engaging in successful rivalry. A successful breeder and acknowledged judge of pigs has favoured us with some notes, of which we avail our- selves in preference to dwelling on our own experiences of that dreadful black hole, a very concatenation of abominable effluvia. A less interesting show of pigs has not been seen at Smithfield for years ; few in number, and nothing great in size or quality. This section of the show seems quite at a standstill, if not actually drifting back. Many old names are missed from the list of exhibitors, and new ones are not forthcoming. There are thirty-seven entries for nine classes, and the best filled class not good enough to merit a second prize, although containing Mr. Baily's first prize Birmingham Berkshires, made up of very good pigs if not quite up to the mark for a fat show. r,ut they certainly should not have been passed over. Capt. Warren's prize pen of whites took our fancy much ; but in the succeeding class of the same colour, no prize was awarded, some of the pigs having died in the Hall. In the class of older white pigs Sir A. Rothschild showed a wretched pen, the Duckerings being along way first ; while Capt. Warren's lot were wonderfully fat, but bad lost form, or tbey would Mve put Mr, Lynn out of it. THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. Amongst the black pigs the Dorsets had it all to themselves, Mr. Coate and Mr. Benjafield the two firsts, with Mr. Robertson and Mr. McNiven to follow. Some fancied Mr. McNiven's entry for second in each class, but there was really not a £20 cup pen in the yard. In the three remain- ing classes the Berkshire took all the prizes ; Mr. Biggs being first and second, with some excellent pigs, Mr. Samuel Druce and the Marquis of Ailesbury the other firsts, and Mr. King, with a pen of coarse animals, second in his class. The single extra stock pigs aided theshow wonderfully, and in a really good competition the Earl of Aylesford took the cup, beating the best pig at Birmingham, for which Messrs. Duckering have at length found a breeder's name in Mr. Cornish. The subjoined suggestions may be worth the attention of the Council. Have only two classes, under and over six months old, in each breed : large whites, small ■whites, small blacks, and Berkshires. Let the under six months be shown in pens of Jive and for breeding pur- poses ; over six months, as fat stock. Give two £10 cups, one to the best pen for breeding purposes, and one for the best fat pigs, instead of as now, one £20 cup. The object of breeders in showing is to sell their stock. They do not care to compete in the fat classes. This is proved by the fact of there being only twenty-five exhibitors for the eighteen prizes in the nine classes for breeds. Do not put the pigs in the cellar with such narrow passages between the rows of pens, and do not use so much car- bolic acid as to make the place stink worse than any respectable j)ig stye. Give up one side of the main Hall, under the gallery, and let some of the implements go into the cellar ; or hold the root show there. Further, why shoidd not the weight of a pig be given as well as that of a sheep or an ox ? There could surely be little trouble in arriving at this information with a lot of over-fed or over-dosed animals. JUDGES. CATTLE. DEVONS, HEREFORDS, SUSSEX, NORrOLK. AND SUFFOLK POLLED AND LONGHORX. Baker, G. W., Orwell Park, Ipswich ; Caue, Edwd., Berwick, Lewes, Sussex ; Pope, T. Horningsham, Warminster, Wilts. SHORTHORN'S, SCOTCH, IRISH, WELSH AND CROSS-BBED; Aylmer, H., West Dereham Abbey, Stoke Feriy, Norfolk . Randell, C, Chadbury, Evesham ; Topham, Jas., The Hemplow, VVelford, Rugby. SHEEP. lEICESTERS, COTSWOLDS, LINCOLNS, KENTISH, CROSS- BREDS, OXFORDSHIRE, MOUNTAIN, ETC. Clarke, Cliarles, Scopwick, Lincoln ; Game, R., Aldsworth, Northleach ; Wallis, G., Old ShifFord, Bampton, Farringdon. SOUTHDOWNS, HAMPSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE, EYELAND, ETC Fookes, H., Whitechurch, Blandford ; Horley, T., The Fosse, Leamington ; Sainsbury, W., Hunts House, West Laviugton, Devizes. PIGS. Baldwin, Thos., Glasuevin, Dublin ; Little, E., Lanhill, Chippenham ; Sexton, G. M., Wherstead Hall, Ipswich. CATTLE. (Silver Medals are given to the breeders of all First Prize animals.) DEVONS. Steers, not exceeding 2 years and 6 months old. First prize of £20, W. Taylor, Glyoley, Sussex— 10 cwt. 3 qrs. 25 lbs, Second of £15, W. Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridg- water— 11 ewt. 3 qrs. 10 lbs. Third of £10, W. Smith, Hoopern, Exeter— 12 cwt. 3 qrs. 25 lbs. Highly commended. — Her Majesty The Queen, Nor- folk Farm, Windsor— 11 cwt. 1 qr. 7*lbs. Commended. — E. Trod, Bowhay, Exminster — 10 cwt. 2 qrs. 26 lbs. Steers, not exceeding 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30, C. McNiven, Perry sfield, Surrey — 13 cwt. 2 qrs. 7 lbs. Second of £20, T. L. Senior, Broughton, Aylesbury — 14 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs. Third of £10, G. Gibbs, Bishops' Lydeard, Taunton— 15 cwt. 2 qrs. 6 lbs. Highly commended. — J. Overman, Burnham Mai'ket — 16 cwt. 6 lbs. Steers or Oxen, above 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30, W. Taylor, Glynley, Sussex— 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 12 lbs. Second of £20, C. M'Niven, Perrysfield, Surrey— 1? cwt. 1 qr. 8 lbs. Third of £10, W. Aldworth, Frilford Berks— 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 14 lbs. Highly commended. — Her Majesty the Queen, Norfolk Farm, Windsor — 14 cwt. 1 qr. 3 lbs. Commended. — J. Coate, Hammoon, Dorset — 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 1 lb. The Class generally commended. Heifers, not exceeding 4 years old. First prize of £25, T. Senior, Broughton, Aylesbury — 14 cwt. 3 qrs. 19 lbs. Second of £15, R. Burton, Broadclyst, Devon — 13 cwt. 14 lbs. Third of £10, Her Majesty the Queen, Norfolk Farm, Windsor — 13 cwt. 1 qr. 9 lbs. Highly commended. — J. H. BuUer. Downes, Crediton —15 cwt. 14 lbs. Cows, above 4 years old. First prize of £25, J. Ford, Rushton. Dorset — 13 cwt. 3 qrs. 23 lbs. Second of £15, W. Aldworth, Frilford, Berks— 12 cwt. 2 qrs. 17 lbs. Third of £10, C. M'Niven, Perrysfield, SuiTey— 12 cwt. 8 lbs. Highlv commended. — W. Smith, Hoopern, Exeter — 11 cwt. ■ HEREFORDS. Steers, not exceeding 2 years and 6 months old. First prize of £20, W. Groves, Brompton, Shrews- bury—16 cwt. 3 qrs. 27 lbs. Second of £15, Her Majesty the Queen, Flemish Farm, Windsor — 15 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lbs. Third of £10, F. Evans, Bredwardine, Hereford — 15 cwt. 5 lbs. Highly commended. — R. Shirley, Bowcott Munslow — 14 cwt. 1 qr. 6 lbs. Steers, not exceeding 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30, the Earl of Darnley, Cobham Hall, Gravesend — 14 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 !bs. Second of £20, Her Majesty the Queen, Flemish Farm, Windsor — 17 cwt. 15 lbs. Third of £10, J. Price, Pembridge, Leominster — 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 13 lbs. Highly commended. — C. Hall, Croydon — 13 cwt. 1 qr. 13 lbs. Steers or Oxen, above 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30, J. Agate, Warnham, Sussex — 19 cwt. 2 qrs. 16 lbs. Second of £20, J, G. Leigh, Laton, Beds — 19 cwt. 22 r)3. THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. 9 Third of £10, J. Ford, Ruskton, Dorset— 21 cwt. 2 qrs. 10 lbs. Highly commended, — P. Turner, Pembridge, Leomin- ster— 17 cwt. 1 qr. 7 lbs. ; and W. Heath, Ludham Hall, Norwich — 18 cwt. 3 qrs. 21 lbs. The Class generally commended. Heifers, not exceeding 4 years old. First prize of £25, Her Majesty the Queen, Flemish Farm, Windsor — 14 cwt. 17 lbs. Second of £15, J. W. James, Moppowder, Dorset — 15 cwt. 1 qr. Third of £10, J. Baldwin, Luddington, Warwick— 12 cwt. 3 qrs. 13 lbs. Highly commended. — VV. Heath, Ludham, Norfolk — 13 cwt. 3 qrs. 24 lbs. Cows, above 4 years old. First prize of £25, T. Tnstone, Bourton, Shropshire — 17 cwt. 1 qr. 16 lb?. Second of £15, R. Hill, Orleton, Ludlow— 15 cwt. 3 qrs. 17 lbs. Third of £10, H. Ridgley, Steventon, Salop— 17 cwt. 1 qr 17 lbs. Commended. — Sir J. R. Bailey, Bart., M.P., Glanusk —16 cwt. 3 qrs. 21 lbs. SHORTHORNS. Steers, not exceeding 2 years and 6 months old. First prize of £20, The Earl of Aylesford, Warwick — 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 1 lb. Second of £15, Colonel Loyd Lindsay, M.P., Wantage, Berks— 16 cwt. 21 lbs. Third of £10, R. N. Morley, Leadenham, Lincoln— 15 cwt. 25 lb. Steers, not exceeding 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30, R. Searson, Market Deeping, Lincoln — 15 cwt. 2 qrs. 9 lbs. Second of £20, Sir W. Booth, Bart., St. Neots— 18 cwt. 1 qr. 12 lbs. Third of £10, J. Stratton, Manningford Bruce, Wilts — 1 7 cwt. 1 qr. 7 lbs. Steers or Oxen, above 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30, J. Stratton, Manningford Bruce, Wilts— 17 cwt. 3 qrs. 4 lbs. Second of £20, J. and W. Martin, Aberdeen— 19 cwt. 1 qr. 23 lbs. Third of £10, R. Stratton, Burderop, Wilts-16 cwt. 3 qrs. 8 lbs. Heifers, not exceeding 4 years old. First prize of £25, R. Stratton, Burderop, Wilts— 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 15 lbs. Second of £15, J. Hunter, Dipi)le, Moray — 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 10 lbs. Third of £10, J. Reid, Graystone, Aberdeenshire — 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 16 lbs. Highly commended. — Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart., Wallington, Newcastle — 15 cwt. 3 qrs. 16 lbs. Commended. — The Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, High- worth^l5 cwt; and J. C. Coney, Reigate — 18 cwt. 1 qr. 7 lbs. Cows, above 4 years old. First prize of £25, The Earl of Feversham, Duncombe Park, York— 21 cwt. 27 lbs. Second of £15, J. A. Mumford, Chilton, Oxford — 19 cwt. 6 lbs. Third of £10, T. Mace, Sherborn, Gloucester— 17 cwt. 3 qrs. 22 lbs. SUSSEX. Steers or Oxen, not exceeding 3 years old. First prize of £20, W. Sturt, Fetcham, Surrey— 17 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lbs. Second of £10, J. Neale, Cold Waltham, Sussex— 14 cwt. 3 qrs. 1 Ibj Third of £5, J. E. and A. Heasman, Angraering, Sussex — 14 cwt. 19 lbs. Commended. — E. and A. Stanford, Steyning — 13 cwt. 3 qs. Ir 4 lbs. Steers or oxen, above 3 years old. First prize of £25, J. M. Montefiore, Crawley, Sussex —16 cwt. 3 qrs. 8 lbs. Second of £15, J. E. and A. Heasman, Angmeriug, Sussex— 17 cwt. 17 lbs. Third of £10, L. Steere, M.P., Dorking, Surrey— 20 cwt. 2 qrs. Highly commended. — M. Coote, Cliraping, Sussex — 22 cwt. 3 qrs. 2 lbs. Heifers, not exceeding 4 years old. First prize of £20, Lord Leconlield, Petworth, Sussex —13 cwt. 3 qrs. 25 lbs. Second of £15, L. Steere, M.P., Dorking — 16 cwt. 7 lbs. Highly commended.— J. M. Montefiore, Crawley, Sussex — -15 cwt. 3 qrs. 2 lbs. ; and J. Russell, Hurstpierre- pont, Sussex— 16 cwt. 3 qrs. 19 lbs. The Class generally commended. Cows, above 4 years old. First prize of £20, L. Steere, Dorking, Surrey — 19 cwt. 2 qrs. 27 lbs. Second of £15, J. Shoosmith, Lewes, Sussex — 15 cwt. 14 lbs. Commended. — W. Neale, Petworth, Sussex — 16 cwt. 25 lbs. NORFOLK OR SUFFOLK POLLED. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize of £15, His R. H. The Prince of Wales, Sandringham, Norfolk — 17 cwt. 3 qrs. 17 lbs. Heifers or Cows, of any age. First prize of £15, W. Slipper, Catfield, Norfolk— 14 cwt. 1 qr. 9 lbs. Second of £10, C. Symonds, Aylmerton, Norfolk — 14 cwt. 2 qrs. 2 ]bs. LONGHORNS. Steers or Oxen, of any age. The prize of £10, W. T. Cox, Spondou Hall, Derby— 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 8 lbs. Heifers or Cows, of any age. The prize of £10, W. T. Cox, Spondon Hall, Derby— 14 cwt. 3 qrs. 13 lbs. SCOTCH WEST HIGHLANDERS. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize of £30, R. Barcham, Thurgarton, Hanworth — 19 cwt. 1 qr. 6 lbs. Second of £15, J. S.Leigh, Luton, Beds — 18 cwt. 1 qr, 13 lbs. Highly commended. — R. Jardine, M.P. — 17 cwt. 1 qr. 23 lbs. Commended. — H.R.H. The Prince of Wales — 15 cwt. 8 lbs. ; The Duke of Sutherland, K.G.— 20 cwt. 10 lbs.; Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart.— 15 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs. ; and W. Symonds, Epping — 17 cwt. 3 qrs. 51bs. Heifers or Cows, of any age. First prize ol £15, Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart., Wal- lington, Newcastle — 13 cwt. 3 qrs. 26 lbs. Second of £10, J. Reid, Graystone, Aberdeen — 15 cwt. 3 qrs. OTHER SCOTCH-HORNS. Steers or Oxen, of any age. The prize of £10, R. Wortley, SufHeld, Norfolk— 16 cwt. 3 qrs. 9 lbs. Heifers or Cows, of any age. (No entry.) SCOTCH POLLED. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize of £30, R. H. Harris, Earnhill, Forres, Moray— 20 cwt. 3 qrs. 26 lbs. 10 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Second of £15, W. McCombie, M.P., Tillyfour, Aberdeen — 24 cwt. 3 qrs. 23 lbs. Heifers or Cows, of any age. First prize of £1 5, J. Bruce, Burnside, Morayshire — 18 cwt. 2 qrs. 15 lbs. Second of £10, W. M'Combie, M.P., Tillyfour, Aber- deen— 19 cwt. 2 qrs. 5 lbs. IRISH. Steers or Oxen, of any age. (No competition). Heifers or Cows, of any age. First prize of £10, Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall, Leicester — 13 cwt. 26 lbs. WELSH. Steers or Oxen (Runts), of any age. First prize of £20, Sir C. E. Isham, Bart., Lamport, Northampton — 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 26 lbs. Second of £10, R. D. Jenkins, Pantirion, Cardigan — 18 cwt. 27 lbs. Heifers or Cows, of any age. Prize withheld. CROSS OR MIXED BRED. Steers, not exceeding 3 years old. First prize of £25, W. Drysdale, Kilrie, Kinghorne, Fifeshire— 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 12 lbs. Second of £15, R. Moir (trustees of) Meikle Tarty of Ellon, Aberdeen — 17 cwt. 3 qrs. 14 lbs. Third of £10, R. Bruce, Newton of Struthers, Moray- shire—20 cwt. 1 qr. 17 lbs. Highly commended. — J. and W. Martin, Aberdeen — 18 cwt. 20 lbs. Commended. — H. S. Stratford, Thorpe, Market Har- borough, Leicestershire — 15 cwt. 1 qr. 17 lbs. ; T. L. Senior, Broughton — 15 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs. Steers or Oxen, above 3 years old. First prize of £25, W. Brown, Linkwood, Elgin — 21 cwt. 8 lbs. Second of £15, J. Stephens, Couglass, Aberdeen — 25 cwt. Third of £10, W. Scott, Glendronnach, Aberdeen— 20 cwt. 1 qr. 19 lbs. Very highly commended. — J. andW. Martin, Aberdeen —21 cwt. 12 lbs. Highly commended. — J. Overman, Burnham-Sutton — 21 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs. ; Earl of Dunmore, Stirling— 20 cwt. 1 qr. 18 lbs. ; and H. Bettridge, Wantage — 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 9 lbs. Heifers, not exceeding 4 years old. First prize of £20, Earl of Dunmore, Dunmore, Stir- lingshire— 20 cwt. 3 qrs. 12 lbs. Second of £10, A. Cowie, Crombley Bank, Aberdeen — 18 cwt. Highly commended. — Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart., Wallington, Northampton — 16 cwt. SHEEP. LEICESTERS. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of £20, Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall, Leicester — 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 21 lbs. Second of £15, W. Brown, Holme-on-Spalding, York — 6 cwt. 1 qr. 21 lbs. Third of £5, J. Newman, Harrowden, Bedford — 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 23 lbs. Commended. — Colonel Lowther, M.P., Barleythorpe — 5 cwt. 3 qrs. 35 lbs. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). Each Sheep not to exceed 220 lbs. live weight. First prize of £20, Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall, J^picester— 5 cwt. 2 qrs, 11 lbs. Second of £15, W, Brown, Holme-on-Spalding, York — 5 cwt. 2 qrs. 11 lbs. Third of £5, F. J. S. Foljambe, M.P., Worksop, Not- tingham— 5 cwt. 2 qrs. 15 lbs. Fat Ewes, above 3 years old (that must have had a Lamb). The prize of £10, Colonel Lowther, M.P.— 5 cwt. 3 qrs. 7 lbs. COTSWOLDS. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of £20, R. Hall, Great Barford, Oxford— 8 cwt. 25 lbs. Second of £15, J. Wheeler, Long Compton, Warwick —7 cwt. 1 qr. 3 lbs. Third of £5, J. Baldwin, Luddington, Warwick — 7 cwt. 6 lbs. Fat Ewes, above 3 years old (that must have had a Lamb). The prize of £10, J. Baldwin, Luddington, Warwick — 6 cwt. 1 qr. 26 lbs. LINCOLNS. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months) . First prize of £20, C. Lister, Coleby Lodge, Lincoln — 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 11 lbs. Second of £15, J. B. Swallow, Barton-on-Humber — 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 25 lbs. Third of £5, J. Pears, Mere Branston, Lincoln — 8 cwt, 9 lbs. Highly commended. — T. W. D. Harris, Wootton, Northampton — 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 12 lbs. Commended. — J. Byron, Sleaford — 7 cwt. 3 qrs. 16 lbs. ; andT. Gunnell, Milton, Cambridge — 7 cwt. 3 qrs. 21 lbs. Fat Ewes, above 3 years old (that must have had a Lamb). The prize of £10, F. Sardeson, Cranwell, Sleaford — 9 cwt. 2 qrs. 5 lbs. Highly commended. — J. Pears, Mere Branston, Lincoln — 8 cwt. 1 qr. 26 lbs. KENTISH OR ROMNEY MARSH. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of £15, J. Newport, Ashford, Kent — 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 4 lbs. Second of £10, F. Murton, Smeeth, Kent— 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 4 lbs. CROSS-BRED LONG-WOOLLED. Fat Wetners, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of £15, T. W. D. Harris, Wootton, North- ampton — 7 cwt. 3 qrs. 6 lbs. Second of £10, Sir W. DeCapell Brooke, Bart., Ket- tering, Northampton — 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 16 lbs. Highly Commended. — J. Newman, Harrowden, Bed- ford—6 cwt. 3 qrs. 22 lbs. SOUTHDOWNS. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). Firstjprize of £20, Lord Walsingham, Thetford — 6 cwt. 2 qrs. Second of £10, F. J. S. Foljambe, M.P., Worksop— 6 cwt. 5 lbs. Third of £5, Duke of Richmond, Goodwood — 5 cwt. 2 qrs. 21 lbs. Highly commended. — H. Humphrey, Ashington, Sussex — 6 cwt. 1 qr. 24 lbs. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). Each Sheep not to exceed 200 lbs. live weight. First prize of £15, Lord Walsingham, Merton Hall, Thetford— 5 cwt. 23 lbs. Second of £10, Sir W. Throckmorton, Bart., Buckland, Berks— 5 cwt. 121bs. Third of £5, Lord Sondes, Elmham Hall, Thetford— 5 cwt. 9 lbs. Highly commended. — The Duke of Richmond, Good- wood, Sussex — 5 cwt. 12 lbs. ; and the class generally. Fat Wethers, 2 years old (above 23 aud under 35 months), THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 11 First prize of £15, Duke of Richmond, Goodwood — 6 cwt. 2 qrs. 9 lbs. Second of £10, J. Overman, Burnham Sutton — 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 24 lbs. Commended. — W. Taylor, Glynley — 6 cwt. 8 lbs. Tat Ewes, 3 years old (that must have had a Lamb). The prize of £10, Lord Walsingham, Mertoa Hall, Thetford— 5 cwt. 2 qrs. 2 lbs. Highly commended. — Lord Dacre, Kimpton, Herts — 6 cwt. 22 lbs. HAMPSHIRE OR WILTSHIRE-DOWNS. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 montbs). First prize of £20, A. Morrison, Tisbury, Wilts— 7 cwt 1 qr. 2 lbs. Second of £15, J. Russell, Sutton-at-Hone, Kent — 7 cwt. 17 lbs. Third of £5, R. and J. Russell, Horton Kirby, Kent— 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 8 lbs. Highly commended. — J. and M. Arnold, Westmeon, Hants— 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 26 lbs. Commended. — W. G. Duncan, Bradwell, Bucks — 7 cwt. 1 qr. 10 lbs. Fat Ewes, above 3 years old (that must have had a Lamb) The prize of £10, J. D. Allen, Tisbury, Wilts— 6 cwt. 4 lbs. SHROPSHIRES. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of £20, Lord Chesham, Latimer, Bucks — 6 cwt. 14 lbs. Second of £10, T. Nock, Sutton Haddock- 6 cwt. 1 qr. 11 lbs. Third of £5, Lord Wenlock, Escrick Park, York— 6 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lbs. Highly commended. — S. C. Pilgrim, Burbage, Hinckley— 7 cwt. 10 lbs. Fat Wethers, 2 years old (above 23 and under 35 months), First prize of £15, Lord Chesham, Latimer, Bucks — 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 22 lbs. Second of £5, Sarah Beach, Brewood, Penkridge, Staf- ford—8 cwt. 26 lbs. Highly commended. — J. Coxon, Lichfield, Stafford — 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 22 lbs. Fat Ewes above three years old (that must have had a Lamb). The prize of £10, Lord Chesham, Latimer, Bucks — 7 cwt. 10 lbs. Very highly commended. — T. Nock, Sutton Maddock Shiffnal— 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs. OXFORDSHIRES. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of £20, Sir H. W. Dashwood, Bart., Kert- lington Park, Oxford— 7 cwt. 3 qrs. 27 lbs. Second of £15, the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim, Woodstock — 7 cwt. 1 qr. 18 lbs. Third, of £5, N. Stilgoe, Adderbury, Oxford— 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 24 lbs. Highly commended. — Lieut.-Col. Loyd Lindsay, V.C., M.P., Wantage, Berks — 7 cwt. 2 qrs. The class generally commended. Fat Wethers, 2 years old (above 23 and under 35 months). The prize of £10, A. Rogers, bromham Bedford — 8 cwt. 71b. Fat Ewes, above 3 years old (that must have had a Lamb). The prize of £10, J. Treadwell, Upper Winchendon, Bucks— 8 cwt. 1 qr. 26 lb. Highly commended. — C. Howard, Biddenham, Bed- ford— 7 cwt. 3 qrs. 15 lbs. RYELANDS, CHEVIOTS, AND DORSETS. Fat Wethers. First prize of £15, H. Farthing, Nether Stowey, Somerset — 6 cwt. 3 qrs, 14 lbs. Second of £10, J. B. Downing, Holme Lacey, Hereford — 6 cwt. 2 qrs. 5 lbs. Third of £5, Sir W. Gordon Gumming, Bart., Altyre Forres, Moray — 6 cwt. 1 qr. 14 lbs. Highly commended. — R. Jardine, M.P., Castlemilk, Lockerbie, Dumfries — 4 cwt. 3 qrs. 17 lbs. MOUNTAIN-BREEDS. Fat Wethers, of any White-faced Mountain breed , of any age. First prize of £15, J. Tapp, Twitchen, Devon— 5 cwt. 1 qr. 10 lbs. Second of £10, W. Smith, Hoopern, Exeter — 4 cwt. 2 qrs. 14 lbs. Highly commended. — C. McNiven, Perrysfield, Surrey — 4 cwt. 8 lbs. Fat Wethers, of any Black-faced or Speckled-faced Mountain breed, of any age. First prize of £15, The Duke of Roxburghe, Floors Castle, Kelso — 5 cwt. 3 qrs. 23 lbs. Second of £10, The Earl of Strathmore, Glamis Castle, Forfar, N.B.— 5 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs. Highly commended. — J.McGill, Rotchell, Dumfries — 5 cwt. 1 qr. 1 lb. CROSS-BRED LONG AND SHORT-WOOLLED. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of £20, J. Overinan, Burnham Sutton, Suffolk— 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 23 lbs. Second of £15, H. Purser, Willington Manor, Bedford —7 cwt. 2 qrs. 26 lbs. Third of £5, J. Newman, Harrowdeu, Bedford— 7 cwt. 3 qrs. 3 lbs. Highly commended. — T. Rush, Babraham, Cambridge —7 cwt. 3 qrs. 17 lbs. Commended. — Z. W. Stigloe, Adderbury, Oxford — 7 cwt. 1 qr. 25 lbs. ; and J. Mason, Eynsham, Witney, Oxfordshii-e — 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 18 lbs. Fat Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). Each Sheep not to exceed 220 lbs. live weight. First prize of £10, J. Overman, Burnam Sutton, Suffolk- 5 cwt. 2 qrs. 14 lbs. Second of £5. — No other entry. PIGS. WHITE. Not exceeding 9 months old. First prize of £10, Capt.^R. P. Warren, Basingstoke. Second of £5, Her Majesty the Queen, Windsor. Above 9 and not exceeding 12 months old. Insufficient merit. Above 12 and not exceeding 18 months old. First prize of £10, R. E. Duckering and Son, Nor- thorpe, Kirton Lindsey. Second of £5, J. Lynn, Stroxton, Grantham. Highly commended. — Captain R. P. Warren. BLACK. Not exceeding 9 months old. First prize of £10, J. Roberson, Bayfordbury, Herts. Second of £5, J. Coate, Hammoon, Blandford, Dorset. Above 9 and not exceeding 12 months old. First prize of £10, A. Benjatield, Stalbridge, Blandford. Second of £5, C. McNiven, Perrysfield, Surrey. Above 12 and not exceeding 18 months old. First prize of £10, J. Coate, Hammoon, Blandford. Second of £5, Captain R. P. Warren, Basingstoke. Commended. — C. McNiven, Perrysfield, Surrey. OTHER BREEDS. Not exceeding 9 months old. First prize of £10, J. Biggs, Cublington, Leightou Buzzard. Secood of £5, Wilkheld. 12 THE "FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Above 9 aud uot exceeding 12 months old. First prize of £10, S. Druce, Eynsham, Oxford. Second of £5, J. Biggs, Cubliugtou, Leightou Buzzard. Above 12 and not exceeding 18 months old. First prize of £10, The Marquis of Ailesbury, Saver- nake Forest, Wilts. Second of £5, J. P. King, North Stoke, Berks. EXTRA STOCK. Oxen or Steer, £10 and silver medal. — Thomas Pulver, of Broughton, Kettering — 20 cvvt. 3 qrs. 14 lbs. Very highly Commended. — -AVilliam Heath, of Ludham Hall, 'Norwich— 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 20 lbs. Highly Commended. — RobertJardine, M.P., Castle- milk, Lockerbie, N.B. — 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 20 lbs. Commended. — Robert Barcham, Thurgarton, Han- worth, Norfolk— 17 cwt. 3 qrs. 261bs. Heifers or Cows, £10 and silver medal. — E. Walter, Tangley Farm, Wothingham — 17 cwt. 2 qrs. Highly Commended. — C. McNeven, of Perrysfield Ox- ted, Godstone— 14 cwt. 17 lb.; The Queen- 16 cwt. 3 qrs. 6 lbs. Commended. — Joseph Perkins, of Laughton, Rugby — 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 5 lbs. Long-wool wether Sheep, silver cup value £5. — John Byron, Kirkby Green, Sieaford — 3 cwt. 2 qrs. 20 lb. Short-wool wether Sheep, silver cnp, value £5. — Lord Walsingham — 2 cwt. 2 lbs. Highly Commended. — Duke of Richmond — 1 cwt. 3 qrs. 9 lbs. ; F. J. S. Foljambe— 1. cwt. 3 qrs. 9 lbs. Commended. — R. and J. Russell, of Horton, Kirb)', Dartford, Kent — 2 cwt. 3 qrs. 16 lbs.; John Russell, Sut- ton-at-Home, Dartford — 2 cwt. 1 qr. 9 lbs. ; H. H. Pen- fold, Selsey, Chichester — 1 cwt. 3 qrs. 6 lbs.; A. Moirison, Fonthill House, Tisbury, Wilts — 2 cwt. 2 qrs. 6 lbs. ; Sir W. Throckmorton — 1 cwt. 3 qrs. 10 lbs. ; LordBray- brooke — 1 cwt. 3 qrs. 16 lbs. Shropshire, Oxfordshire cross-bred or any other breed of wether Sheep, silver cup, value £5. — Joseph New- man, of Ilarrowden, Bedford — 2 ewt. 2 qrs. 16 lbs. Single Pig. — Silver Cup, value £5, Earl of Aylesford, Packington Hall, Coventry. Specially commended. — R. E. Duckering and Son, Northorpe, Lincoln. Highly commended. — J. Lynn, Stroxton, Lincoln. Commended. — J. Coate, Hammoon, Dorset, and J. and F. Howard, Bedford. SILVER CUPS. Best Steer or Ox in any of the Classes. — Silver Cup, value £40, W. Taylor, Glynley, West Ham, Sussex, for Devon Ox — 4 years 6 months. Best Heifer or Cow in any of the Classes. — Silver Cup, value £40, T. L. Senior, Aylesbury, Bucks, for Devon Heifer (Perfection). Best pen of Leicesters, Cotswolds, Lincolns, Kentish, or other Long-wool Sheep. — Silver Cup, value £20, Lord Berners, for Leicesters. Best pen of one-year-old Southdowns, Hampshire, or Wiltshire Downs.— Silver Cnp, value £20, Lord Wal- singham, for Southdowns. Best pen of one-year-old Shropshire, Oxfordshire, Cross-bred, or any other breed of Sheep. — Silver Cup, value £20, John Overman, for Cross-bred. Best pen of Pigs in any of the Classes. — Silver Cup, value £20, A. Benjafield, Stalbridge, Blandford, for Dorsets. CHAMPION PLATE. The best Beast in the Show (Extra Stock included). — A Piece of Plate, value £100, to T. Pulver, Brougiiton, Kettering, Northampton, for Shorthorn steer. The best pen of Sheep in the Show. — A Piece of Plate, value £50, Lord Walsingham, for Southdowns. THE IMPLEMENTS. Taken as a whole, the show of engines aud implements was an excellent one, affording convincing evidence of the increasing attention now given to every economical and elective means of cultivation by improved machinery. Every agricultural engineer and maker is on the look-out for any innovation or novel application of power to the preparation of the soil, and tlie culture and harvesting of crops. Notwithstanding the high prices charged for space, there was quite a rush for exhibiting and the only wonder in looking at the catalogue is how the immense number of bulky implements and engines ever got compressed and located in the limited exhibiting space at disposal after the great guns of the show — the live-stock had been accommodated. The wall area of the lower department of the Hall was closely packed with the bulky engines and implements of the leading makers, and to these we shall first direct attention. It may be stated that there were above aud below stairs, about 200 stands in all ; independent of the usual heterogeneous series of exhibitors in the avenue and concert-hall bazaar, few of whose exhibits had any direct connection with agriculture, however useful the objects might be in a domestic point of view. Thomson's road steamer, which attracted so much atten- tion at the Oxford meeting, has evidently taken lirm hold of the public mind, for, besides John Fowler and Co., we have Ransomes' Ipswich firm, and Robey aud Co., of Lin- coln, going in for their manufacture. Thomson's road steamer and Aveling and Porter's road locomotive are mak- ing some noise just now on the other side of the Atlantic, where their special advantages and demerits, as applicable to use in America, are being energetically discussed. Robey and Sons, Limited, of Lincoln, showed one of these steam traction engines, a class of engine adapted for so many practical purposes, being titled with vertical boilers and wheels covered with Thomson's india-rubber flanges, and which several of the principal engine-makers are now manufacturing under licence. Those who have seen this new system of covering the wheels, are aware that the india-rubber tyres are guarded by an outside band of steel plates 18 inches broad and five inches deep, with intervals of IJ inches between them. At almost all times there are four of these plates bearing firmly on the ground through the elasticity of the rubber, so that the surface adhering to the roadway is generally 24^ inches by 18 inches, or about 2j square feet superficial. An engine of the kind, just completed for the war depart- ment by this firm, shows a new development in their application to modern military operations. They also ex- hibited at the show an 8-horse power portable steam en- gine with patent direct acting governor expansion valve for economising fuel, a 3-horse power vertical engine, and one o( their improved angle iron-framed thrashing ma- chines with self-acting feeding apparatus which is light, and easy of transport, strong, and perfectly true and rigid under all circumstances. Wallisand Steeveus, of Basing- stoke, had some of their horse-power thrashing machines, fitted with patent spherical bearings, which are much in demand in Europe and the Colonies, from their port- ability. They are also fitted with a riddling apparatus. On their stand were also some winnowing machines, blowers, and corn screens. Richard Garrett and Sons, of Leistou Works, Suffolk, showed a selection of their port- able engines, suited to purposes where economical con- sumption of fuel and water are essential ; also a com- pact fixed steam-engine with horizontal cylinder, samples of boilers, and some of their improved corn and seed aud general purpose drills. Richard Hornsby and Sons, of Grantham, had a good collection of turuip-cutters, drills, their " governor'' THE FARMEK'S MAGAZINE. 13 and "progress" reaping-machines, and other of the well-known implements of their make. They also ex- hibited new and improved single and double-furrow ploughs. The mechanical arrangements of the double- furrow are of easy aJjustment to regulate the depth of furrow, to plough from 7 to 11 inches. By improve- ments in the manufixcture of the parts of wheels, a new boss and a new axle, both cast-chilled, may be had to fit for 16d., thus rendering the farmer independent of acci- dents, by being able to replace readily essential parts. By doing away with the slades or slipes and the intro- duction of a frictional-wheel, the plough can be made to act both on the deep furrows as well as on the top of the ridge — a great advantage in strong land. In the single plough the bottom of the wheel is set at right angles with the share and coulter. Barrows and Stewart, of Banbury, brought forward some of their portable steam-engines, thrashing machines, and wrought-iron cattle cribs. Tuxford and Sons, of Boston, had some of their prize portable engines, and thrashing machinery, for which their firm is so well known. J. and 1'. Howard, of Bedford, exhibited their steam cultivator — a new and simi)le reaping machine, with wrought-iron wheels, of simple construction, which can be packed or put together easily, to which they have given the name of the International Reaper. They had also some of their new double-furrow ploughs, suited to ditfereut lands and various depths of cultivation. Tiiese are strong, simple, etiicieut, and light of draught. The new patent steerage has an evident advantage, inasmuch as both the land wheel and furrow wheel are steeied by one simple lever. The plough is thereby much more easily guided than when only one wheel is steered, and the turning at land's end is also greatly facilitated : the depth of the land which can be instantly adjusted, and the whole standard being upright and held firmly in a quadrant, little or no strain or vibration takes place ; the same lever which ett'ects this, also serves for lifting the plough out of ground at land's end. The patent ex- panding beain, for altering the widtli of furrow, has the advantage of being held at both ends by the fixed beam, thereby securing rigidity and durability. John Fowler and Co., of Leeds, had some of their steam cultivating and traction engines. They have also introduced a no- velty on the wheels of the steam road-engine, iu applying segments of india-rubber unprotected on the exterior of the steel plates, in addition to that which covers the wheel. Whether this will be found to wear well in use remains to be seen. Aveling and Porter, of Rochester, had one of their agricultural locomotives, of which it is said that more than 500 are now in use in Europe. Their utility and manageableness no one will call in question who had the opportunity, as at the Oxford Electing, of seeing them moving about the Show-yard in all directions, lifting and dropping ponderous loads, under the sole guidance of a lad ; they also showed a twenty horse power nominal steam-ploughing engine, a twenty ton steam-road roller, and one of Thomson's india-rubber tyre engine wheels, fitted with Sterne's seg- ments and Aveling and Greig's patented improvements. Murray and Co., of Banlf, had some of their double- furrow ploughs, to which we drew attention at the Oxford meeting, and combined convertible super and subsoil ploughs. Underbill, of Newport, also had light, strong, and cheap double-furrow ploughs, and a double- thrashing machine, fitted with elevator and grain cleaner. IMellard's Trent Foundry showed an American revolving mould-board plough, a good pulverizer and useful subsoil plough, some new patent grist mills, and chalf-cutters, and pulpers. Reubon Hunt had a variety of useful implements — such as seed drills, dressing machines, pulpers, and eake-breakcrs. Lewis and Hook, of Shrews- bury, exhibited prize ploughs, turnip-cutters, slicers, and pulpers. Priest, Woolnough, and Anchell, of Kingston, had drills, horse hoes, and manure distributors. The Beverley Iron and Waggon Company, Limited, had ou their stand some model carts, with harvest shelvings, patent wheels and axles, and liquid manure or water carts, which have always held a high place at the Royal Society's shows, also one of the double self-adjusting or rever- sionary swathe delivery reaping machines, clod crushers, and corn mills. E. R. aud F. Turner, of Ipswich, showed one of their four-horse portable steam engines adapted for use on the farm or for any general ])urpose, with a self- acting cut-otf single and double blast thrashing and winnowing machines, rollers aud crushing mills, which gained so many honours at Oxford, Holmes and Sons, of Norwich, also had a portable engine, manure-dis- tributors and corn and seed drills. Ransomes, Sims, and Head exhibited some of their well-known portable engines, an eight-horse power single cylinder expansioa steam engine, one of Thomson's patent tractiou engines; many of the various descriptions of ploughs for which this firm has been so long celebrated, especially the Newcastle prize-plough, and one of their new patent double furrow ploughs of light draught, fitted with a new lifting apparatus which throws the plough out of work instantly, whilst a hind friction wheel iu the centre enables the plough to be turned in its own length, aud turnip chaff-cutters and cake breakers, complete their exhibits. Ashby, Jetfery and Luke, of Stamford, showed portable aud vertical engines, chaff cutters, cake mills, root pulpers, haymakers, horse rakes, and horsegear work. Woods, Cocksedge and Warner, of Stowmarket, were well repi'eseuted in their prize horsegear, carts, farmers' mills, a large assortment of cattle food machines, and by some combined steam engines and boilers. Ruston, Proctor and Co., of Lincoln, confined themselves to steam engines, of which they had examples of single and double cylinder poi'tables with patent variable expansion, eccen- tric and other improvements, fixed horizontal aud vertical engines. The Reading Ironworks, Limited, had exam- ples of their horizontal and portable engines, which were so successful at Oxford, thrashing machines, mowers, and safety horsegear for horse power. Marshall, Sons aud Co., Limited, of Gainsborough, had some excellent exam- ples of their prize portable steam engines, thrashing machines, grinding mills aud other maehinerJ^ Brovva and May, of Devizes, also had in the Hall prize portable steam engines with patent feed-water heaters and other improvements. Wm. Foster and Co., of Lincoln, exhi- hibited an eight-horse power portable steam engine ; and W. Cuosskill and Sons, of Beverley, several strong-made carts. C. Powis and Co., of Millwall, were represented by a ten-horse power horizontal steam engine, with steam- jackettcd cylinder aud expansion gears, and a plain circu- lar sawbench suited for agriculturists and others. Ascending the galleries, we come next upon the less bulky machines and implements. Wm. Smith, of Lov\thorpe, exhibited one of his patent slide racks, which keeps the food dry, aud was commended at Oxford. Joseph Apsey and Co., of Reading, produced their Eclipse chaft' cutter, which professes to do a great deal. Southwell and Co., of Rugeley, brought prominently forward their chaff cutter and oil-cake breaker, with new registered, fluted tooth roller ; disc root pulpers, strippers, and slicers ; and their registered economical sheep rack. They had also on their stand one of their ridging ploughs, with apparatus for instantaneous expansion or contraction ; and their Oxford prize cheese press, exceedingly strong, simple and cheap, and easily regulated from } cwt. to 4 tons. Thomas and Taylor, of Salford, showed, among other domestic articles, one of their eccentric churns, which received the Royal Society's prize at ^lanchester. Thomas Lloyd and Sous, 14 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. of Old-street Road, had varieties for inspection of their flour mills, adapted to hand or power. Robert Boby, of Bury St. Edmunds, had one of his corn screen- ing and dressing machines, which finishes corn from a single blast thrashing machine fit for market in one operation ; also a hay-maker, which took the silver medal at the North Lancashire Agricultural Society. Carsou and Toone, of Warminster, exhibited a great many chaff-cutting engines of different prices, cheese presses, horse gear, and turnip cutters, also Meikle's automatic lamb-creep for fold hurdles. The Vulcan Iron Works Company, of Ipswich had a self-acting counter balanced rake with improved teeth and driving seat, and a patent ad- justment for raking the furrows, also sheep racks and useful style of carts. Wm. Rainforth and Sou, screen makers, of Lincoln, showed their patent adjustable rotary corn screen for flaishing grain. Metcalfe and Co, of Manchester, had a variety of useful machines for sharpening the knives of moiving machines. James Phene, of Braintree, some root graters and pulpers. John Davey, of Crofthole, near Devonport, introduced his Excelsior Champion plough. Philip Johnston, of Oxford-street, showed some of his butter churns in operation, which had been rewarded at the last two shows of the Royal Agricultural Society, and other dairy utensils. Amies, Barford and Co., of Peter- borough, a firm which carried off many high honours at Oxford, had on inspection their prize steaming apparatus, metal corn-grinding mill and flour-dressing machine, and oilcake mills, and Perkins's improvements in reaping and mowing machines, consisting of in-and-out motion and patent folding shafts for travelling. R. P. Taylor and Co., of Swan-lane, had a miscellaneous collection of chaff cutters, Indian corn crushers, corn and flour bins and grindstones. Robert and John Reeves, of Westbury, showed iheir broadcast artificial manure distributor, which gained the prize at the Manchester Show, sundry manure and seed drills, Richmond's patent water cart, which took the prize at the Gloucester Agricultural Society's meeting at Stroud, and Chandler's patent liquid ma- nure drill made by Reeves. T. Sheen, of Ayles- bury, exhibited a dozen varieties of chaff cutters. Robert Maynard, of Cambridge, had one of his patent portable power chaff engines, which gained a silver medal at Oxford, and which will cut straw into short chaff as fast as it can be supplied by a straw thrashing machine. James Coultas, of Grantham, exhibited some of his general purpose and other drills, which have gained prizes a *he Paris Exhibition and so many of the local shows. W. Waide, of Leeds, showed some good barrel churns. Albert Watson, of Andover, some bone mills. W. Gilbert, of Shippon, Abingdon, a seed drill. George Ball, of Rugby, had one of his improved carts, which have gained several first prizes at local shows this year. Murton and Turner, of Kennmghall, Norfolk, had on their stand some single and double-row hand drills, and one twelve row drill for small occupations, a corn-dressing machine, and other implements. E. H. Bentall, of Maldou, had a large collection of his celebrated cattle food preparing machines, in oil-cake mills, corn crushers, disc pulpers, chaff cutters, and Gardner's turnip cutters, which do not choke. Smith and Grace, of Thrapton, also exhibited chaff cutters. J. Baker, of Wisbeach, had some of his efficient blowing, winnowing, and screening machines, which having been well spoken of, and gained several prizes, surely did not want the fictitious aid of a very mean attempt at deception in the misrepresentation of the medals gained, which are tripled on their show- card into bronze, silver, and gold, a clever, but not an honourable or business-like mode of multiplying awards. Coleman and Morton, of Chelmsford, exhibited some of their well-known cultivators, which have carried off in competition more than 80 prizes. Hunt and Pickering, of Leicester, exhibited some of their two-horse mowing machines, and compound reaper and mower ; their new patent knife-bar is suitable for any mower or reaper ; the reaper has only one spur-wheel, with pinion enclosed within the outer or carriage wheel. The one-horse reaper will cut a breadth of five feet clear. Each pin has its own lubricator. Their turnip-cutter that took the prize at the Oxford meeting, and oil-cake breakers were also shown. Thomas Corbett, Shrews- bury, produced some of his champion double and single ploughs, winnowing and corn-dressing machines, metal grinding mills, turuip drill, and turnip hoe and grubber. H. and G. Kearsley, of Ripon, had one of their prize combined reaping and mowing machines. W. N. Nichol- son, of Newark, exhibited small vertical steam engines, and also improved horizontal engines, combining com- pactness, strength, and extreme simplicity, on an entirely new design : the governor being made in 6 parts instead of 16 or 20, is very sensitive and very sim])le. The steam pipe being within the boiler condensation is avoided. These engines are very compact for shipment. They also showed some haymaking machiaes with forward and reverse motions, and horse rakes. Geo. Stacey and Sons, of Uxbridge, make chiefly chaff machines, horse gear, and small portable drills. C. Dening and Co., of Chard, exhibited their chain corn drills, for which they claim advantages over the cup drills. Richmond and Chandler, Salford, exhibited chiefly cheap chaff cutters, corn crushers, and horse gear work. Picksley, Sims and Co. (Limited), made a good display of their prize chaff cutters and pulpers, oat and bean mills, horse gear standard mowing aud reaping machines, and combined mowers and reapers, all of which have been so successful during the past year in competitioa with ma- chines of the leading makers. Riches aud Watts, of Norwich, had a large selection of their American gi'ist mills. Hayes and Son, of Stamford, had many specimens of their prize carts, waggons, aud drays. Thos. Perkins, Hitchin, some excellent drag harrows, shafts for reap- ing and mowing machines, aud double-furrow ploughs with patent arrangemeuts for steering and lifting clear of the ground at the laud's end. The American implement makers were represented by Burgess and Key, J. G. Rollins, and W. A. Wood. Burgess and Key, of Brent- wood, had McCormick's reaper with sheaf-delivery, a one- horse hand delivery machine, and their mowing ma- chine adapted to cut corn ; also a new and improved self-raker reaping machine, like those of Samuelson and Hornsby, the rakes being driven by one wheel and pinion, the size of which can be varied to regulate the size of sheaves. J. G. Rollins, of London, had a large collection of American hay and manure forks and rakes, spades and shovels, grindstones aud sharpening stones, American axes, churns, pumps, &c. Walter A. Wood, of Thames-street, had reaping and mowing ma- chines and Nova Scotia grindstones ; but the wood frame mowers formerly relied upon seem giving place to iron frame mowers. One or two of the principal Sheffield tool houses were represented in the firms of Spears and Jackson, and Vickers, Sons and Co. The seedsmen were in strong force, and seldom has there been a fiuer collection of samples of roots. All the well- known houses were represented, including Messrs. Thomas Gibbs and Co., of Half-Moon-street : George Gibbs and Co., of Down-street ; Sutton and Sons, of Reading ; James Carter, of Holborn ; Harrison and Co., of Leicester ; Raynbird, Caldecott, and Co., of Basingstoke ; Jno. K. King, of Coggeshall ; J. C. Wheeler and Sons, of Gloucester ; W. Hope, of Barking ; aud Alfred Hall, of Westbury. Suttons exhibited some of their prize yellow globe mangolds, which yielded 62 tons to the acre, and sugar-beet 44 tons to the acre, on the Barking Sewage THE I^ARMBR'S magazine. 15 Farm. But evea lieavier crops than this have been pro- duced— for Messrs. Sutton cite a yield of 85 tons per acre of the yellow globe, an enoi'mous produce. One long red mangold shown weighed 46 lbs. ilr. W. A. Gibbs, of Gillwall Park, exhibited a model of a hot-blast and sheaf- house for drying hay, tlax, and other grasses, and of a machine for drying seeds, or spent hops for litter. The following is a complete list of the Exhibitors of Implements : DOWN-STAIRS DEPARTMENT. Cwynne, Engineers, 89, Cannon-street, E.G., and Hammer- smith Iron Works. Powis and Co., 60, Gracechurch-street, E.C., and Cyclops Works, Milwall Pier, London, E. Robey and Co. (Limited), Lincoln. Wallis and Steevens, North Hants Iron Works, Basingstoke. Garrett and Sons, Leiston Works, Suffolk. Hornsby and Sons, Spittlegate, Grantham, Lincolnshire. Barrows and Stewart, Banbury. Tasker and Sons, Engineers, Waterloo Iron Works, Andover, Hampshire. Tuxfbrd and Sons, Boston, Lincolnshire. Fowler and Co., 71, Cornhill, E.C., and Steam Plough Works, Leeds, Yorkshire. Clayton and Sliuttleworth, Lincoln, and 78, Lombard-street, London. Nalder and Nalder (Limited), Challow Iron Works, Wantage, Berkshire. Burrell, St. Nicholas Works, Thetford, Norfolk. Underbill, Newport, Salop, Agricultural Engineer. Humphries, Persliore, Worcestershire. James and Frederick Howard, Britannia Iron Works, Bedford. Aveling and Porter, Rochester, Kent. Holmes and Sons, Prospect-place Works, Norwich, Norfolk. The Beverley Iron and Waggon Company (Limited), Beverley Yorkshire. E. R. and F. Turner, St. Peter's Iron Works, Ipswich. Eddington and Co., Chelmsford, Essex. Ransoraes, Sims, and Head, Orwell Iron Works, Ipswich. Ashby, Jeffery, and Lake, Stamford. Woods, Cocksedge, and Warner, Suffolk L'on Works, Stow- market. Ruston, Proctor, and Co., Sheaf Iron Works, Lincoln. The Reading Iron Works (Limited), Reading. Marshall, Sons, and Co. (Limited), Britannia Iron Works, Gainsborough. Philip and Henry Philip Gibbons, Iron Works, Wantage, Berkshire. Brown and May, North Wilts Foundry, Devizes. Crosskill and Sons, Beverley, Yorkshire. Foster and Co., Wellington Foundry, Lincoln. IN THE GALLERIES. Smith, Foston, Lowthorpe, Hull, Yorkshire. Salmon, Bermondsey, Chemical and General Manure Manu- facturer. Peirce, 109, Hatton-garden, London. Penney and Co. (Limited), City Iron and Wire Works, Lin- coln. Thomas Gibbs and Co., " Seedsmen" to the Royal Agricul- tural Society of Eaglaud, Half-moon-street, Piccadilly, London, W. Arnold and Sons, Instrument Makers, West Smithfield, London, E.C. Wheeler and Son, Gloucester. Hardon, Albert Works, Strangeways, Manchester. George Gibbs and Co., Seedsmen, Down-street, Piccadilly. Unite, 291, Edgware-road, Paddington, W. Clarke Brothers and Odling, Kirk White-street, Nottingham. Day, Son, and Hewitt, 22, Dorset-street, Loudon, W., Animal and Agricultural Chemists. Raynbird, Caldecott, Bawtree, Bowling, and Co. (Limited), Corn, Seed, Manure, and Oilcake Merchants, Basingstoke. White and Son, Great Bentley, near Colchester, Essex. Duf&eld, 23 and 60, William-street, Eegent's-park, London, N.W. Wliite and Co., 15, Trinity-street, Borough, London. Fox and Co., 12, High Holborn. Dowling, 3, Little Queen-street, Holborn. Bellamy, Byng-street, MiUwall, London. Jelley, Son, and Jones, Iron and Grindstone Merchants, 196, Blackfriars-road, London. Inglis and Co., 38, Castle-street, Holborn, London, E.C. Haynes and Sons, Edgware-road, London, W. The Farmers' Supply Association (Limited), 69, King William- street, London, E.C. Davis, Globe Wharf, Mile End, London. Croggon and Co., Felt Manufacturers, Upper Thames-street, London. Chappell and Parry, 55, Holywell-lane, Shoreditch, E.C. Apsey and Co., 47, Soho-street, Reading, Berkshire. Angel, 171, Fleet-street, E.C. Vallance, Engineer, Cannon-street, Loudon, The Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operative Association (Limited), 29, Parliament-street, Westminster. Bayliss, Jones, and Bayliss, 84, Cannon-street, London. King, 11, Bermondsey-street, London. Janaes and Co., Engineers and Machinists, Great Suffolk- street, Borough. Hunter, Implement Works, Maybole. Dodge, India Rubber Manufacturer, 79, Upper Thames-street, London. Eagles, 23, Fenchurch-street, London. The Atmospheric Churn Company, 119, New Bond-street, London. Brown and Co.,39,Charlotte-street, Blackfriars-road, London. Brook and Co., Garden Engines, 10, Featherstone-buildings, London. Harrison and Sons, Royal Midland Seed Warehouse, Leicester. Lyon, 33, Windmill-street, Finsbury, London. Edgington and Co., 52, Old Kent-road, London. Carter and Co., the Royal Seedsmen, 237, High Holborn, London. Hare and Co., Draughtsmen and Engravers on Wood, 31, Essex-street, Strand. Edgington, 2, Duke-street, London Bridge. King, Seed Grower, Coggeshall, Essex. Pollard, Jephson, and Co., Southwark, London. Sutton and Sons, Royal Berks Seed Establishment, Reading. Owens and Oo., Whitefriars-street, London. Cottam and Co., 2, Winsley-street, Oxford-street, London. F. and C. Hancock, 6, Victoria-terrace, Dudley, Worcester- shire. Culliugford, Wellington-road, Forest Gate, Esses. Stacey and Sons, Uxbridge, Middlesex. Burney and Co., MiUwall, London. Hancock and Co., Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. I. and T. Hepburn and Sons, Long-lane, Southwark. Ball, North Kilworth, near Rugby. Tree and Co., 22, Charlotte-street, Blackfriars-road. Fardon, Linslade Iron Works, Leighton Buzzard. Gilbert, Shippon, Abingdon, Berkshire. Reynolds and Co., 56 and 57, New Compton-street, London. Ravenscroft, Farmer Office, Salisbury-square, Fleet-street. Southwell and Co., Agricultural Engineers, Albion Iron Works, Rugeley, Staffordshire. Thomas and Taylor, Victoria Bridge, Salford, Manchester. The Ravensthorpe Engineering Company, Ravensthorpe, Mir- field. Rindell and Sons, North Walsham, Norwicli, Norfolk. Teighe and Smith, Bridge-road, Limehouse, London. Lloyd and Sons, 15, Old-street-road, London. Brown and Co., 90, Cannon-street, London. Davey, Excelsior Plough Works, Crofthole, near Devonport,- Cornwall. Lewis and Hoole, Salopian Iron Works, Shrewsbury. Rainforth and Son, Braytord Head, Lincoln. Goodwin, Engineer, Great Guildford-street, Southwark. Mitchell and Co., Engineers, 3, Hunt-street, Brook-street, Manchester. Hughes and Sons, 21, Mark-lane. Peene, Rayne Foundry, near Braintree, Essex. Denton, St. Peter's Works, Wolverhampton. Joseph and James Lane, Engineers and Boiler Makers, 10,. Cranbrook-street, Old Ford-road, London. Herbert and Sons, Scale Makers, 319, Gray's-inn-road. 16 THE FARMER'S MAGAZiiS'E. Taiigye Brothers aud llolmau, 10, Lawrence rountney-lane, London. F. and G. Rosher, Upper Ground-street, Blackfriars. The Drittield aud East Riding Pure Linseed Cake Company (Limited), Driffield, Yorks. Johnstone, 290, Oxford-street, London. Newton, Manor Works, Manor Road, Berraoudsey. Tipper, Chemical Works, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. Amies, Barford, and Co., Queen-street Iron Works, Peter- borough. Burgess and Key, 96, Newgate-street, London. McNiell and Co., Bunhill Row, London. E. and H. Roberts, Deaushaugcr Iron Works, Stony Strat- ford, Bucks. Mellard's Trent Foundry (Jjijuitcd), Midland Agricultural Works, Rugeiey, Staffordsliire. Smitii, Royal Iron Works, Kettering, Northamptonshire. Niciiolson, Trent Iron Works, Newark. Murray aud Co., Banff Foundry, Banff. Foster aud Sous, Star Iron Works, Witham, Essex. Milburn, 7, Told-street, Manchester. Samuelsou aud Co., Britannia Works, Banbury, Oxfordshire. Hope, Parsloes, Barking, Essex. Murtou and Turner, Agricultural Implement Manufacturers, Guiltcross Works, Keniughall, Norfolk. Norris and Co., Shadwell, London, E. Rausomc aud Co., 10, Essex-street, Strand, London, W.C. Priest, Woolnough,and Michell, Ceres Iron Works, Kingston- on-Thames. Bentall, Hey bridge Works, Maldon, Essex. Spear and Jackson, Etna Works, Sheffield. Sheen, Aylesbury, Bucks. Maynard, Whittlesford Works, near Cambridge. Coultas, Perseverance Iron Works, Spittlegate, Grantham, Lincolnshire. Waide, 5, South Brook-street, Hunslet Lane, Leeds. Watson, Acre Iron Works, Andovcr. Taylor and Co., 4, Adelaide Place, London Bridge. Ray, Mead, and Co., 38, Upper Thames-street, London. Bobey, St. Andrew's Works, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Whitmee aud Co., 101 to 103, St. John-street, London. Holgate and Co., 33, Lover Road, Borough. Hill and Smith, Brierley Hill Iron Works, Staffordshire. GlanviU (late Boyd and Co.), 48, Cannon-street, London. Tyler and Co., Engineers, 84 and 85, Upper Whitecross- street, London, E.C. Beid and Co., Bon-Accord AVorks, and Guild-street, Aberdeen. Headley and Son, Exchange Iron Works, Cambridge. Cottis and Sous, of Epping, Essex. Smyth and Sons, Peasenhall, Suffolk ; Witham, Esses ; Paris (Hue Magnan, 17). Jones, Milton House, Worcester-street, Gloucester. Matthews, Son, and Co., DritHeld, Yorkshire. Handley and Co., Millstone Builders, ^;c., York-road, Stepney, Middlesex. Gooday, Chelmsford. Matthews aud Co., 139, Cannon-street, City, E.C. Alway and Son, 37, Chapel-street, Pentonville, London, N. Perkins, Hitciiin. Morton and Co. (Limited), Liverpool, Lancashire. Pinfold, Warwickshire Iron Works, Rugby. Richards, 41, Wellington-street, Covent Garden, W.C. Boulton and Co., Rose Lane Works, Norwich. H. and G. Krarsley, Ripon, Yorks. Follows aud Bate, Mancliester. Corbett, Perseverance Iron AVorks, Shrewsbury. Kingston and Trowbridge, 107, Old-street, St. Luke's, Lou- don, E.C. Kiltraer, Fulstow, Loutli, Lincolnshire. Hodgson, Louth, Lincolnshire. Hunt aud Pickering, Leicester. Gibbs, GiUwell Park, Sewardstone, Essex. R. and J. Reeves, Bratton Iron Works, Westbury. Hall, Westbury Farm, Westbury, Wilts. Notcult aud Peters, the Vulcan Iron Works Co., Ipswich, Suffolk. Carson and Toone, Wiltshire Foundry, Warminster, Wilts. Baker, Compton, Newbury, Berks. Riclies and AVatts, Duke's Palace Iron AVorks, Norwich. Hayes and Son, Scotgate AA^orks, Stamford. Le Butt, Corn Screen and Haymaker AA'orks, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. AVarren, Iron Foundry, Maldon, Essex. Sawney, Beverley, Yorkshire. James, Tivoli AA'orks, Cheltenham. W'edlake, Ilornchurch and Romford, R., Essex. Cambridge and Co., St. Philip's Iron AVorks, Bristol. Corcoran, AAltt, and Co., 41, Mark Laue, London. Ilobbs, Basingstoke. Ball and Sons, Rothwell, Northamptonshire. Dening and Co., Chard, Somerset. Rollins, Old Swan AA'harf, London Bridge. AA'^ood, 77, Upper Thames-street, E.C. Hunt, Earl's Colne, Essex. Page and Co., A^ictoria Iron AA''orks, Bedford. Larkworthy aud Co., Lowesmoor Iron VA'orks, Worcester. Bristol AVagou AA''orks Company (Limited), Temple Gate, Bristol. Dell, 73, Mark Lane, E.C. The St. Pancras Iron-AA'ork Company, Engineers, Old Saint Pancras Road, London, N.AA'. I'icksley, Sims, and Co. (Limited), Bedford Foundry, Leigh, Lancashire. Bradford and Co., 63, Fleet-street, London, and Cathedral Steps, Manchester. Norton, 21, Mark Lane, London, E.C. Richmond and Chandler, Salford, Manchester. Coleman and Morton, London Road Iron AA^orks, Chelmsford, Essex. Baker, Falcon AA'orks, AVisbeach. Smith and Grace, Thrapston. Hensman, Ampthill, Beds. ANNUAL MEETING. Oil Tuesday the annuil meeting was held iu the Board .Room of the Club, the Earl of Powis iu the chair. There was more than the usual attendance of members. The following report of tlic Council was read by the hono- rary secretary, Mr. Braudreth Gibbs, and on the motion of Mr. Cantrell, seconded by Mr. Ellman, adopted. The Council beg to lay before the General Meeting their Annual Report for the past year. The Council have held four meetings, which have been well attended. In addition to the ordinary routine business of the Club, the following subjects have had their consideration : I. The revision of the prize sheet for the present Show, and the following alterations have been made : 1st. In the Scotch horned cattle, separate classes have been established for the AVest Highland breed. 2nd. In the divisions for sheep of the Leicester, Cotswold, Lincoln, Soutiidown, Hampshire or AV'ilt- sliire, Shropshire and Oxfordshire breeds, new classes have been established for ewes. 3rd. The champion prize plate o £100 value, for the best beast in the Show, has again been offered ; also the champion plate of £50, for the best pen o sheep in tiie Show ; but the offer of plate for the best single sheep has been discontinued. The champion plate for cattle has been won by Mr. Thomas Pulver, of Broughton, North- ampton, for his ox, exhibited in the extra stock in consequence of its having been shown in the classes last year. The champion plate for slicep has been won by the Right Hon. Lord AA'alsingham, for his pen of 20-raonths' Southdown wethers, exhibited in class 46. It has been determined to limit the competition for the silver cups for sheep in tlie Shrop- shire, Oxfordshire, aud cross-bred divisions to one-year-old sheep, as has always been the case in the Southdown division. 4th. The silver medals for single sheep in extra stock have also been discontinued, and a silver cup, not exceeding £5 in value, substituted. The same alteration has been made for the best pig iu extra stock. 5lli. Various minor alterations in the amounts of prizes have been made. Ctli. The wording of the rules of exhibition have been amended. II. The subject of the appointment of judges has had the further consideration of the Council, and it was resolved that no person who will act as judge at tlie Birmingham Show the same year shall act at the Smithtield Club Show. III. The divisions to be adjudicated upon by each set of judges has been revised, so as to distribute the amount of work more evenly than heretofore. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 17 IV". The Council have taken additional precaution to pre- vent uuqualiiied persons obtaining admittance into the hall pre- vious to the appointed time. The animals have thus remained undisturbed, and obtaiaed the rest so requisite after long jour- neys to the Show. V. The Council have accepted the offer of the Right Honourable the Earl of Powis, the President of the Club, to give a prize of £20 for the best instrument for slaughtering animals, which shall be au efficient substitute for the pole- axe, by separating the spinal marrow. Tiie competing instruments are to be delivered at the office of the Honorary Secretary on or before the 1st of October, 1871 : and the exhibitors are required to show their instruments in practical operation at such times and places as the judges appointed by the Club shall determine. VI. The Council have elected Mr. C. Stephenson, of Park Farm, Woburn, Beds, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Thomas Twitchell, who for many years was a success- ful competitor at the Club's Shows, and had lately filled the office of Steward of Live Stock. VII. The Council having observed with regret the small attendance at the Club's annual dinner, uotwithstaudiug a dining hall adjoining the show has been provided, on the last two occasions, have determined to discontinue the dinner this year. VIII. The Council also determined to discontinue the re- port on the animals exhibited at the Show, as however in- teresting such might be during the time the exhibition remain open, it appears there has not been sufficient materials for tin: compilations of such a report as should possess permanent value for future reference sufficient to make it desirable to in- cur the expense of its preparation and printing. IX. The Council have again voted their tlianks to the Rector of Islington, for the special service on Sunday last, for the herdsmen and shepherds, who attended in latge num- bers. X. The Lords of the Privy Council have again granted special permission for animals exhibited at the Club's Show to be removed beyond the Metropolitan boundary. A certificate signed by one of the Club's veterinary inspectors must, how- ever, be obtained, attesting that the animals to be so removed do not exhibit any indication of infectious or contagious disease. XI. The Council beg to lay before the meeting the annual balance-sheet of the Club from December 1st, 18G9, to De- cember 1st, 1870. Of the balances in hand amounting to £3,788 19s. ^L, and Stock in Three per Cent. Consols £4.,513 10s. lid. The statement will be printed, and a copy furnished as usual to eacli member of the ( Uub. In conclusion, the Council again congratulate the members on the continued prosperity of the Club. Signed by Order of the Council, (Signed) B. T. Brandretii Gibbs, Hon. Secretary. The presentation of the Champion Plate and silver cup was then made. ^ The President having handed tlie £100 plate to Mr. Pulver as the exhibitor of the best beast in the show, Mr. Pulver, in expressing his acknowledgments, said it was now 30 years since he first appeared as an exhibitor at the Club's Show, and when he did so he was unsuccessful, although he obtained a commendation. Some of his friends then told him that it was useless for him to show in the same class with noblemen and gentlemen, the length of whose purses made them more than a match for his skill and perseverance (Hear, and a laugh). However, in spite of this counsel, he re- solved to persevere, and subsequently he had taken a great number of prizes, alike first, second, and third, as well as re- ceived some commendations ; and he did not cease his exertions until he had carried away the first honours of the yard (cheers). He ventured to say that his ox had made more money than any ox in England before ; for he had taken 33 first prizes, two second, and one third, the total amount of which was £368 os. When he had done exhibiting, too, he should receive £100 for him. Next week he would go to Leeds, and if liked there, he anticipated that he would win 50 guineas more. That he thought would be making more money than any other animal had ever done (loud cheers). The next presentation of plate was that of £40 value to Lord Walsingham, the exhibitor of the best pen of sheep iu he Show. Lord Walsingham, in returning thanks said, he supposed he must follow the example of the gentleman who had just received the largest and most valuable prize, by making a little bit of a speech, and he promised that it should be a short one. In adopting the breed of the South Downs he was mainly inlluenced by the idea of producing good mutton (Hear, and cheers). When he entered into possession of his farm, about 30 years ago, he found a flock set down upon it, and from that time to this it had been rising little by little, until he had been able to gather great honours (Hear, and cheers). He thanked the Club for giving him the opportunity of win- ning such a magnificent specimen of art, and he hoped that he should be equally successful in another year (applause). " Mr. Trevor Lee Senior having been presented with a silver cup, value £4'0, for the best cow or heifer in any of the classes, remarked that that was the first year he had been an exhibitor at the Smithfield Club Show, and that he intended, if possible, to " keep it up," and win again for many years to come. For the silver cup, value ^20, given to Mr. John Overman, for the best pen of one-year-old Shropshire, Oxford cross-bred, or any other breed of sheep in any of the classes, Mr. Robert Overman returned thanks, in the absence of his relative fronr indisposition ; and added the expression of a hope that the day was not far distant when he would change places with Lord Walsingham, and take the plate (Hear, hear, and laughter). Mr. Benjafield, in accepting the cup for best pen of pigs in any of the classes, observed that that was only the second year of his appearance as au exhibitor at the Show, but the second time he had gained a prize (cheers). Lord Bridport had the honour to propose the election of the right, lion. Lord Penrhyn as President of the Club for the year 1873. The noble lord was well known to have been a successful exhibitor on many occasions at the Smithfield Club Show, and would be happy to accept the office of Presi- dent if tiie members would do him the honour of electing him (cheers). The motion was seconded by Mr. Duckham, and agreed to unanimously. The Vice-President, Trustees, and Honorary Secretary were then re-elected, and the retiring Members of the Council, namely, Mr. Downing, Mr. James Howard, MP., Mr. Keary, Mr. Leeds, Mr. R. Overman, Mr. Quartly, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Senior — were replaced by the following house list : Mr. Thos. C. Booth, Warlaby, Northallerton ; Mr. John Giblett, Glebe Villa, Church-street, Stoke Newington ; Mr. Richard Ilornsby, Spittlegate, Grantham ; Mr. E. W. jNIoore, Coles- hill, Ilighworth ; Mr. Henry Overman, Weasenham, Brandon ; i\Ir. T. L. Senior, Broughton House, Aylesbury ; Mr. Wm. Taylor, Thiiigehill Court, Hereford; and Mr. J.S.Turner, Chyngton, Seaford, Sussex. Prior to the election of the Council Mr. Heath suggested that, as the number of members had so greatly increased, it would be well if the " house list" were in future to contain twelve names, from which eight might be selected to supply the vacancies occasioned by the retiring members of Council. The President replied that, although the " house list" comprised but eight names, gentlemen were at liberty to strike out any or all of them and substitute others for them. Mr. DucKU.VM remarked that Mr. Heath and other gentle- men did not like to be restricted to the " house-list," which was only placed in their hands just before the election. If instead of adopting the present practice the Council were to send round a " house-list" often or twelve, with the ticket of admission to the yard, to every member who had paid up his subscription, time would thus be given to look through the list and mark off' the names approved of. By tiiat means they would be free from the imputation of committing themselves to foregone conclusions with reference to the acts of the Council, and dissipate the feeling that they were a close cor- poration and self-elected body (Hear, hear). Mr. Beasly thought the explanation of the president suffi- ciently satisfactory ; moreover, if any alteration was to be made in the system of election, due notice ought to he given of the proposal. It was impossible to adopt any amendment on tiie present occasion. Mr. Duckiiaji : It was merely a suggestion thiovvn out for another yeur. C 1? THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. Mr. WlLLMOUE said that Mr. Diickhain had faithfully ex- pressed the sentiment entertained by a large number of mem- bers, who thought with him that the Council was rather too much of a close borough (Hear, hear). If the voting papers were in the hands of members at an earlier period, it would be one way of meeting the objection, particularly if it contained the names of twelve persons from whom gentlemen might se- lect eight. Mr. Frebk. Martin complained that there was no Kentish man upon the list, and said he should like to have seen one there. The President : Gentlemen, I would observe that the exist- ing bye-law provided that the Council should prepare a list of the eight members whom they proposed for election, and that a copy of the list should be given to every member who applied for it to the secretary on the day of the general meeting, or during any one of the three days previously — Sunday excepted. If it were desired that on future occasions the list should be sent round to members a little earlier, with the ticket of ad- mission to the yard, that matter could be brought before the Council and considered. It was open to anyone at this meet- ing, however, if he thought his county or district was not represented, to substitute any names he uight consider proper for those in the house-list. Mr. Brandreth Gibbs read the following abstract of the audited balance-sheet : — ABSTRACT STATEMENT from December 1st, 1869, to December 1st, 1870. Receipts. Balance in the hands of Bankers, December 1st, 1869 £2,671 0 5 Balance in the hands of Hon Secre- tary, December Ist, 1869 21 Oil m c ^ . . £2,692 1 4 To Subscriptions received by Bankers and 1 years' Dividend... 131 3 i 338 Subscriptions received by Assis- tant Secretary 354 ig 0 Agricultural Hall Co. for Show, ^.].^^^ ■■■ . 1,000 0 0 Liite (Jompositions 190 15 0 Fines, 1869 17 0 0 Payment Implement Stands, 187*0 1 663 8 0 Non-members Fees, 1870 270 18 0 EXPENDITUEE. Prizes Awarded, including one Prize of £5 not presented for payment, „1868 £2,075 0 0 Sliver Cups 320 0 0 Medals 135 iq q Rewards to Feeders of Fii-st Prize Animals 62 0 0 £6,250 3 5 Stewards' Fees 80 0 0 Judges' Fees I05 0 0 Veterinary Inspector and Assistants 25 10 0 Government Pass Master 7 0 0 Report on Stock 15 0 0 Inspector of Implement Galleries... 8 8 0 Weighing Clerk 2 12 6 Bills, &c.. Advertising, Printing, Disinfecting, &c Assistant Secretary's Salaiy, Clerks Time, Postage, &c Total Payment to December 1st, 1870 Life Compositions Invested Balance in hands of Bankers, Deo. ^\^^' 1870 2,779 17 11 Balance m hands of Hon. Secretary, Dec. 1st, 1870 ' . 9 14 £2,592 16 0 243 10 6 366 U 6 137 8 11 £3,340 9 H 120 15 0 2,788 19 3J £6,250 3 5 INVESTMENT ACCOUNT. . 1870 : December 1st— Amount of Stock standing ni Three per Cent. Consols in the names of the Trustees £4 513 10 11 N.B.— This includes £2,600 siirplusAnnual Income Invested till required for Current Expenses. Examined and found correct— (Signed) J. N. BE.iSLEY, Wm. Sanday. AViLLiAM B. Canning. J. S. Turner. After several new members had been elected, The Marquis of Exeter rose and said it now became his pleasing duty to ask the meeting to vote its thanks to his noble friend the Earl of Powis, for the able and zealous manner in which he had performed the duties of President of the Club for the year 1870, and for his conduct in the chair that day. All who were acquainted with his noble friend knew that whatever he took in hand he executed to the best of his ability ; and he was quite sure, athough he (the Marquis of Exeter) had unfortunately from various causes been absent during that year, that his noble friend had conducted the business of the Club with his usual ability, actuated by the single desire of promoting the success of the institution (cheers). Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., had much pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks to Lord Powis for the admirable manner in which he had discharged the duties of president for the year. If he might be allowed, whilst on his legs, he would like to throw out a suggestion for the consideration of the Council, when they came to revise the prize list for next year. He would like to direct attention to class 62 in the catalogue — that was to say, the_light-weight cross-bred sheep, described as " Long and short woolled cross-bred fat wether sheep, 1 year and under 23 months old, no^to exceed 2201bs. live weight." He thought it undesirable that a great national club like this should encourage a weight that was not required. The lightweight of a Southdown he could understand ; but the light weight of a cross-bred, if it were of good quality, was something that he could not understand. Even with the Southdowns, when he saw that Lord Walsingliam could bring them out at one year almost as heavy as if they were two years old, it seemed to him that the days of light weight for Southdowns were nearly at an end (Hear, hear). But with regard to cross-bred sheep, which he looked on as the sheep for the million, he contended that the bigger and better they were the more advantageous would it be alike for the farmer and the consumer. He hoped then that the prizes for cross-bred sheep would not be reduced, but rather let them add to the number of prizes for yearling sheep. It was the most important class in the yard ; and if it were possible to subdivide it by allowing the cross-bred mountain sheep to appear in another class he should not object, but he urged on the Council the desirability of striking out such an unnecessary class as that to which he had called attention (loud cheers). The motion was carried amid cheering. The Earl of Powis was very much obliged for the com- pliment, and assured the meeting that it had given him great pleasure to have been selected as their President during the current year. The Smithfield Club was one of the most an- cient agricultural societies in the kingdom, and he was happy to believe that it was increasing every year in respect of the merits of the animals shown, and so far as the accommodation allowed, in numbers. They had that morning been honoured with a visit of the Prince of Wales, who had gone over the show, and the Council had been in attendance upon him up to the hour of the annual meeting. With respect to the point which Mr. Read had mentioned for the consideration of the Council, he confessed that, as a Welshman, he was glad to hear that gentleman put iu a salvo which would give the cross- bred mountain sheep some chance in the classes. Without discussing the question whether it was desirable to encourage light weight erojs-bred sheep, from what he knew of the tame sorts he ventured to think that a cross-bred Welshman would have very little chance if he were exhibited against what he might terra low country slieep. The gradual increase of en- closures in all the hilly parts of the country, the spread of wire fences, whick confined the flocks within legitimate bounds, and the gradual extension of culture on the sides of the hills by the help of these enclosures, naturally made the mountain farmer anxious to increase the weight of his sheep by crossing with some of the lowland sorts. By that means he got a more profitable animal, and the infusion of hill blood' and qualities did not prejudice the goodness of the mutton (Hear, hear). Then, as to the suggested alteration of tlie house-list, it would be within the competence of the Council to circulate the list prior to the annual meeting, at the time when the card of ad- mission to the yard was sent to each member. That arrange- ment would give them more time to make up their minds as to whom they desired to introduce into the council; but to vary the form of the house-list by extending it to twelve names, would require au alteiation THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 19 of the bye-law, aud any proposition wliich involved that result must, of necessity, be brought forward upon a notice to be given before the 1st of November nest year. It could then be considered at the general meeting to be held this time twelve months. There was yet one other matter to which he was de- sirous of calling attention, though it was not mentioned in the report. On coming to town last Saturday he found awaiting his arrival a letter from M. Drouyn deLhays, who was well known to most people as having been an eminent minister under the French Empire, who was president of the French Society of Agriculture, established about three years ago, and an honorary member of the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- land. M. Drouyn de Lhuys had received a letter from Mr. Jas. Howard, member for Bedford, inquiring whether it would be acceptable if a committee were formed in England to provide for those unfortunate French agriculturists who had suffered the loss of their produce by the presence of an invading army contributions, either in money or in kind, of the necessary seeds for their next crop. M. Drouyn de Lliuys replied that the proposal was one which he received with the utmost grati- fication, and he immediately wrote to the Minister of the In- terior to know whether the French Government would afford the requisite facilities for such an organisation. To this the Minister answered that if sucli a scheme were set on foot he would direct that those facilities should be afforded either at Cherbourg or at Brest, and further that he would also commu- nicate with the prefects of the Departments and the maires of the smaller divisions, so that means might be adopted for such supplies, whether in money or in kind, being properly distributed amongst those who were bona Jlde agriculturists that had suffered the loss of their seeds and crops by the war, and that precautions might be taken that no one should receive an undue proportion. M. Drouyn de Lhuys added that upon being made aware that Mr. Howard had not been able, in consequence of illness, to communicate the nature of the scheme to the public, he had written him (Lord Powis), as president of the Smithfield Club, upon the subject, in the hope that, as the annual meeting of the Club was to take place that day, publicity might be given to the scheme either through the medium of the Club's transactions or of tlie newspaper press. Moreover, his Excellency had given full permission to com- municate to the members of the Club the letter he had written to him (Lord Powis), together with the letter he had addressed to Mr. Howard Id answer to his suggestion, and the letter received by M. Drouyn de Lhuys from the French Minister of the Interior. He need hardly say that a hostile army in any country would be sure to eat up everything in the shape of food, fodder, aud seed ; and that this was a most grievous calamity to the occupiers of the laud, more especially in a country like France, where the number of small occu- piers was very large in proportion. Even under the best- regulated system, when a " requisition" was made, and the memoranda for payment given, the loss of seed was a matter which could not be recompensed by money to the smaller cultivators. He hoped, then, that Mr. Howard's illness would not be of long duration, and that he would be enabled to carry the benevolent idea he had suggested into effect. The correspondence referred to would be placed in the hon. secretary's hands for translation into English, and then com- municated to the papers. He also wished to say that if the scheme should go on, and any gentlemen were desirous of giving seed of any kind for this purpose, the hon. secretary would keep a register of the intended presents, and communi- cate with M. Drouyn de Lhuys, who was now residing in Jersey, so that proper information might be given to the donors as to the manner in which their gifts M'ere to he trans- mitted (Hear, hear). The meeting then separated, THE CENTRAL FARMERS' CLU THE SIZE OF FARMS. The concluding discussion meeting of the year was held on Monday evening, December 5, at the Salisbury Hotel. The chair was taken, in the absence of the chairman of the year, Mr. James Howard, M.P., from indisposition, by Mr. H. Trethewy. The subject appointed for consideration — viz., " The Size of Farms" — was introduced by Mr. J. Trask, of Highleaze, Yeovil. The Chaikman said : Before we enter upon the business of the evening, I must offer a few words of apology for ap- pearing before you in the position which belongs to the Presi- dent. Ton are probably aware that that gentleman is labour- ing under bad health. The Committee exceedingly regret the cause of Mr. Howard's absence — a regret in which I am sure you all share (Hear, hear) — and they have done me the honour to request me to take the chair on this occasion (cheers). I feel that to be a great compliment, and I have great pleasure in presiding. Without further trespassing on your attention, I will now call upon Mr. Trask to introduce the subject fixed for your consideration — viz., " The Size of Farms." Mr. Trask then said : When the subject for this evening's discussion was selected by the Committee, I am not aware that it had formed the principal topic of debate at a Farmers' Club. The size of farms, however, has been very frequently commented on by many eminent writers on political economy, and the greatest difference of opinion has prevailed on the question ; but the innumerable discussions and inquiries arising out of the Irish land question have tended to throw a great deal of light upon the subject ; and, since it has been placed on the card for discussion here, it has been referred to and debated on different occasions during the present year. The question, however, is by no means exhausted, and I am quite sure it will afford ample scope for our discussion this evening; and, from the elucidation which the subject has already received, we are enabled to express our opinions on it ^jth the greater confidence. As different views have been taken on this question, it has been said that it was looked at from an English or from a foreign point of view ; but in this eminently practical assembly, I am certain that, whatever opinions are put forward, whether they may be considered either English or foreign, they will be your honest and conscientious opinions, and expressed with a view of placing the matter in a fair and just light be- fore the country. In treating of the size of farms, it must be clearly understood that I am speaking of farms which are cul- tivated for the purpose of producing the staple food of the community, and affording at the same time a fair return on the cost of production. We sometimes hear of very large sums having been made from smaU plots of land, generally in an exceptional season, and from some particular kinds of vege- tables perhaps, which there happened to be a temporary de- mand for just then ; or from the successful raising of flowers ; or, it may be, from an extraordinary crop of fruit, or other productions of a similar kind. But I need not stop to show, what must be quite obvious to everyone, that the soil of this country cannot be (jeneraUy applied to the cultivation of a kind of produce for which there is a very limited demand ; therefore, in the remarks which I shall make I shall leave gardens and gardening entirely out of the question, and refer to farms and farming, with a view, as I said before, of pro- ducing the staple food of the country, which is, and must always be, the question above all others of the greatest im- portance to the community at large. In referring to the com- parative advantages and disadvantages of large and small farms, the systems that prevail in other countries have been invariably referred to as an illustration of what may be done in this country ; but the circumstances of different districts of our own country even, vary greatly, much more do the circum- stances of different countries vary, in the important elements of soil and climate particularly ; and this is a fact that we should be careful to keep in view. 1 must not be understood to infer, however that we can learn nothing from foreign countries, ^e are' o^ily too happy to adopt anything that is a 20 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. real improveiueut ou our own system, come from whence it may, and I do not at all agree with that naeraber of the Royal Agricultural Society who said tliat tlie cost of tlic article ou the farming of Belgium, that appeared in tlieir Joitrnal, was a waste of the funds of that Society. " Look, for example," said this gentleman with indignation : " look at tlie opening article on ' Petite Culture' in the last number. Why, there was not a single tiling described in that paper which an Eng- lish fanner would think of imitating. In fact, llie article was nothing but waste paper." The gentleman forgot, I think, that it is C]uite as desirable to know what to avoid as well as what to do ; besides, the farming of Belgium was popularly believed to be somethig vastly superior to anything we have attained to in England. A very erroneous notion, that this article, prepared with so mucli ability by Professor Voelcker and Mr. Jenkins, his entirely refuted. But whether we look at the state of agriculture, or the condition of the peasantry of any of tlie continental states, as laid before us with so much ability and clearness, after a great deal of personal observation and inquiry in those states by the chairman of tliis Club, we can have little difficulty in coming to the conclusion that we have nothing to gain by fol- lowing any of the continental systems, whatever we may ad- vantageously learn from them in matters of detail. Under these circumstances 1 feel that I should not occupy your time very protitably if I went at any lengtli into a comparison of the state of English as compared with the state of continental agriculture. This matter cannot be better left than it has been by our able chairman. I shall proceed, therefore, to an examination of the results of the two systems, of large and small farming, which are exemplified under similar advantages, as regards soil and climate in different parts of our own country. But it is not my intention to compare the details of a balance- sheet of either a large or a small farm, I consider that it is quite unnecessary to do so ; and, as a rule, the publication of fictitious balauce-sheets should be avoided. I trust, however, that tliere are present tliis evening the advocates of both systems, who will not hesitate to express their different views, for by so doing we can best remove the erroneous ideas and prejudices that surround the question before ns. The advance which has taken place in the science of agriculture during the last quarter of a century or more, has been quite equal, I believe, to the progress that has been made during the same period in any of the other industries of this country. Notwithstanding this, however, our population lias increased in a much greater ratio than has tlie produce from the land. Iq the generality of continental states, where the property is much sub-divided and the system of small farming prevails, the population is kept down by law, which prevents marriage taking place under a certain age, or till the parties have reasonable means of sub- sistence ; in other states, as in Prussia for instance, the insti- tutions which compel every able-bodied man to serve for seve- ral years in the army, at a time of life at which impru- dent marriages generally take place, are considered a full equivalent, in elfect on population, for the legal restrictions of the other states ; and the same remarks apply also, I believe, to' the military system of France. The conse- quence of this is, that the population of those countries increase in no greater degree, probably, than does the produce from the land, both being pretty nearly at a standstill, apparently, or progressing but slowly. But it is quite certain that sucli an interference with the social liberty of the subject as I have here referred to, with a view to restrain the growth of our rapidly increasing population, would not be tolerated in this country for a moment ; and, consequently, the laud ques- tion becomes of the most vital consequence to us. Mill ob- serves, in his great work on the " Principles of Political Economy," that, " whenever population is not kept down by the prudence either of individuals or of the state, it is kept down by starvation or disease." No more striking example of the truth of this statement can be afforded than iu the case of Ireland, where, as we all know, the population went on in- creasing without restraint, the land became subdivided between the increasing families, and one of the most terrible famines on record v.'as the result. My principal reason for referring to this, however, is to point out the fact that, where the sub- division of the land is carried out to a great extent, and no impediment exists to the natural increase of the population, the state must, and do interfere and lay down certain rules re- gulating the occupation of the land ; and I feel convinced that at no distant day a land bill will become as neces- sary iu England, as the noble measure of justice, wliich has become law this year, was found to be necessary for Ireland. Having shown how momentous a matter is the question of the land occupation iu this country, I shall now call your attention to the condition of the occupiers of small farms, both as pro- prietors and as tenants, with the state of the agricultural la- bourers in large farm districts ; and I am happy to find that a great deal of most valuable information has been collected by the royal commissioners ou the employment of children, young persons, and women in agriculture, wiiich throws considerable light on this part of our subject, and to which I must allude. I will first refer to Mr. H. Tremenhere's report on the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland, where there is a predomi- nance of small farms, and farmed, too, by the owners them- selves, known in these counties froin time immemorial as statesmen or estatesmen. The assistant commissioner says of them that, " excepting on the land of some of the larger pro- prietors, the farming of the statesmen is generally bad. Tliere is little spirit of improvement in the class. If they possess a little money they prefer hoarding it in their oaken chests to laying it out on the land. ' Would you not,' was inquired of an old statesman, ' expend a sliilling on your property if it would eventually return you five shillings ?' ' No : I would rather button it up in my breeches' pocket ; it would be safer there,' was the reply. The roads leading to their homesteads are generally so bad, that it has been said that the only safe mode of reaching them would be by a balloon. The midden or dung-pile is close to the door of the dwelling- house ; the laud, generally undrained, is prolific of rushes, and the whole appearance of the property denotes poverty, slovenliness, and neglect. Bailey and Culley, when they visited Cumberland, early in the present century, were struck with the impoverished condition of the small statesman, and the con- demnation then pronounced on their management I have seen nothing to induce me to consider as inapplicable to the present day : " These men," they say, " seem to inherit with the estates of their ancestors their notions of cultivating them, and are almost as much attached to the one as to the other." " I heard," continues the assistant commissioner, " of several of the smaller statesmen who, finding it impossible with their limited capital to make a living out of their land, sold it and became tenants of the very farm which as owners they had vainly en- deavoured to cultivate with profit. In one case a small states- man who had become embarrassed sold his property to a neighbour, who took the estate into his own hands, and employed the former proprietor as his hind ; and in a very short time the land, under improved manage- ment, was made to yield double its former produce. At best these small proprietors have to struggle hard for a sub- sistence, and small statesmen of from £50 to £70 a year are obliged to work harder and longer than any labourer would consent to do for the highest wages that could be offered to him." Mr. Tremenhere then goes on to speak of the state of the children of those proprietors ; " the effect," he says, " of these small properties on the children of their owners is not favourable, for they are often kept from school for months to assist in the work of the farm. On inquiring of one at what age his children began to assist in the farm work,'," as soon as they could crawl" was the reply ; and I believe I am correct in stating that as a rule, the children of the smaller proprie- tors feel the disadvantages of a neglected education through life, and do not prosper in the world so well as those of agri- cultural labourers." And he concludes that, " If it is im- portant that the soil should be cultivated with the maximum effect the small statesmen of these counties certainly do not satisfy that desideratum ; half shepherds, half husbandmen, they are deficient in the spirit and enterprise which agricul- ture requires, and they are without either capital or skill. In the districts where tillage prevails they are singularly out of place. In small sheep and dairy farms they have a more le- gitimate occupation, and they will probably linger long in the secluded mountain dales, a remnant of that community of small proprietors, whose simple manners and sturdy independence have long given to this part of England one of its most marked characteristics." I have not hesitated to give this extract from the reports of the royal commissioners, because the in- formation was so recently collected by the assistant commis- sooner on the spot, and doubtless under a due sense of the re- sponsibility that was attached to the important office he filled. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 21 You will not fail to notice that these statesmen of Cumherland and AVestmoreland are the proprietors as well as occupiers of the laud, the very position that is considered by the advocates of the small-farm system, to be most favourable to its success. But the most conclusive evidence against the system is the fact that the number of small holdings is rapidly diminishing, and have been continually diminishing for many years past ; if the small farm system was at all successful or advantageous to the community, it is quite certain that the nnraber of small farms would increase instead of diminish. But the real fact of the matter is that tlie profession of small farming does not generally answer in practice in this country, and the occupiers, whether they are the owners also, or not, have found it mucli more to their interest to work as ordinary farm labourers for regular weekly wages, than continue in the occapation of such small farms as those of ten or twenty acres in extent. I might give you abundant evidence of the truth of this state- ment from all parts of the country ; thus, at Burbage, in Wilts, Mr. C. G. Bolam, agent to Lord Ailesbury, stated to one of the assistant commissioners that " there are a number of small accommodation holdings of from 2 or 3 to 30 and 30 acres at Burbage. The land being very rich and productive, the tenants are enabled to raise good crops at a comparatively small outlay. They pay an accommodation rent for these lands, and make a livelihood by growing vegetables, seed, &c., and making milk and butter for the markets. They are, as a body, almost worse off than many of the labourers; their capital is small ; their work very fitful, at times very hard, at others very slack. The result of these intervals of compara- tive ease is too often the formation of vicious habits, and their want of education and training prevents them from profiting by the start beyond the ordinary farm labourer." This view is also confirmed by the vicar of Burbage, Archdeacon Stanton, who says of these men that " he does not think that they are as well off as many who work regularly as day-labourers. If they get an unusually good crop they become extravagant ; they don't save ; and suffer from want during the winter when no work is to be had." The commission found also an uni- versal concurrence of opinion that the state of education among small farmers was even worse than among the ordinary farm labourers. Thus, if we go into Devonshire we find it stated that " the cliildren in the Uuion are better educated than many farmers' sons. The will for education is not wanting among the farmers, but they have no capital, and are obliged to keep their lads at liome to work on the farm." Again, at Heckfleld, in Hants, it is stated " that the children of small farmers are worse off for education than those of labourers." If we turn again to Wales, the same features present them- selves ; thus the commissioners state that " the system of small farms (of from 10 to 50 acres), in its bearing upon the best interests of the occupier, his cliildren, and the community at large, receives much illustration in the evidence relating to it in Wales. " There can be no donbt," the report continues, " that in Wales, as in England, according to the evidence, the small farmer lives harder, employs his children earlier, and gives them less education than the ordinary agricultural la- bourer. And in regard to the result of small farms on the produce of the land, the evidence entirely confirms the opinion expressed by Mr. Culley in a former report, that ' it is impos- sible for agriculture to make any decided advance in a district where the holdings are so small as to make it unprofitable for the occupier to employ the ordinary mechanical aids which in- crease the produce of the farm at the same time that tliey lessen the cost of production'." The agent to the Earl of Cawdor winds up his evidence by declaring that if the land- owners of Wales do not merge their small holdings and make them more attractive to men of capital and enterprise, " the count ry must rcnwiii as at present, very little udoanced from a state of nature as rerjards fannhuj". And Mr. Boyle, writing of Monmouthshire, says, " it sounds very well at first, that every labourer should have his own little holding, but it too often ends in his only making use of it to borrow money which he can never repay." Now, I be- lieve the evidence which I have given, and vihich is only a very small portion of what I have collected, all to the same effect, embodies the opinions of every practical farmer in the kingdom ; but I have preferred giving the opinions of those who are prosecuting, under the direction of the State, a most important inquiry on matters relating to the agricultural interest, and who could not possibly have the least bias on this question. In the large farm districts we are met with the fact tiiat, a large increase has taken place during the last 25 or 30 years in the rate of wages ; thus in Wiltshire, Messrs. Rawlence and Squarey give it as their opinion that the wages of young unmarried men have increased about 40 per cent., and those of older men about 10 or 12 : the differeuce being attributed to tiie fact that married men are less disposed to move than unmarried men, and are content with a smaller sum as an inducement to remain in one place. If we turn again ' to another part of the country, we liud tliat Mr. Stanhope ascertained in the northern part of the great wold district of Lin- colnshire, where the farms run mostly from 800 to 1,000 acres and upwards iu extent, that " the work is plentiful and certain, and the wages high, and the labourers having this arc not inclined to leave the place." Their wives he says " are too well off to work." Tliese facts may be allowed to speak for themselves, I think ; but as a rule, under our system of large farms, it is beyond a doubt the fact that, a good, honest, and industrious labourer seldom or never wants for work at good wages. Before I have done with the state of the labourers, however, I may perhaps mention that, in a letter to me some two or tree years ago, Mr. J. S. Mill referred to the exorbitant price which the agricultural labourer had to pay for many of the necessaries of life in country villages, " a thraldom from which," he said, " ouly co-operative stores could relieve liim." I can hardly go into the question of co- operative societies here, and of the difficulties, insuperable I think, wliich would attend their introduction into agricultural districts ; but I may mention the course which has been suc- cessfully pursued in this matter by a Wiltshire farmer, wlio farms between 1,500 and 2,000 acres of laud. He found when he entered on his farm that his labourers were paying con- siderably more than they ought for almost every article of consumption which they required ; he therefore determined upon purchasing these things at the wliolesale rate himself, and he placed a reliable person to sell it to his workpeople at a price that just cleared the original cost and expenses, and they are highly pleased with the change, which has proved a very great advantage to them ; it has no afB.nity to the truck system, as the labourers are all paid their wages in money ; but they are only too glad to get their wants sup- plied at the reduced price at which they arc offered to them at the shop provided by their master. It will be seen, therefore, that a remedy for the exorbitant prices which the agricultural labourers are charged for things in some districts, can be provided by large fanners following the example I have given, wliicli the small farmer could not do. In fact, the small farmer takes little or no interest in the condition of the labourers, for he only occasionally employs them at all. I now approach another most important part of our subject, viz., the advantages which the large farm system is, and has been, to the country generally. Here, again, the evidence is almost wholly in favour of large farms. Where can we find, in any part of the kingdom, any considerable quantity of naturally poor land brought into a state of fertility but by large farmers, men of capital and enterprise ? These are the men who, by the aid of the best mechanical appliances, have accomplished this, and created quite a revolution in British agriculture, principally by the large use of artificial food and manures, aids which the small farmer, I believe, avails himself but very Itttle of. When driving through a part of South Wiltshire lately, I passed through a large farm where two powerful steam engines were at work with the cultivator, and smashing up the stubbles in beautiful style ; the very next farm was in a most discreditable state, and, on my enquiring of a friend the cause of this, his reply was, that " it was a small farm, and the occupier had not the means to do it ;" it was some of the best land, however, but the result was as I have just stated. And I believe, as a rule, this is the general experience with small farms, especially in tillage, and particularly where the land is not nalaratty fertile : in such districts the evidence is conclusive, that only by men of capital, or (I must add since the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society this year at Oxford) ladies of capital, can such laud be successfully farmed. The power which the large farmer can bring to bear on any of the operatious of the farm is an immense advantage. The fickleness of the climate, too, in this country gives a great advantage to the large fanner, who, by concentrating his power, can take advantage of the most favourable opportunity to perform, in au expeditious manner^ 22 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the most important operations in agriculture. All in this assembly are aware ot the success which has attended the introduction of steam-power as applied to the cultivation of our clay soils in different parts of the country, one of the latest and most successful examples of which is that of Mr. John Prout, at Sawbridgeworth, an interesting account of whose proceedings lately appeared in the Times. Now I hold it to be quite impossible for steam cultivation to be used suc- cessfully under tlie small farm system; this, I believe, no practical man will be found to deny. But it is asserted by the advocates of the small farm system, who, it is perhaps needless to say, are not practical farmers, " that machinery may be hired round Iiy co-operative freeholders with more economy than if employed for only on a single farm." My answer to this is, that wliile the machinery was travelling about from one farm to another, and taking it up and setting it down, the whole work might be done on a large farm by the farmer who has the machinery and the labour at hand to work it. There are many other points well worth referring to under tliis part of our subject, but, in order to bring the length of this paper within proper limits, I must leave tliem for the members of this Club to deal with in tlie subsequent discussion, where they will be sure to be brouglit out with much greater effect. I have merely touched upon those points that appeared to me of the greatest consideration, and for you to enlarge more fully upon. But, gentlemen, I must confess to you that, in pursuing my inquiries into the merits of the two systems of large and small farming, I much regret that I have been compelled to say so little in favour of the system of small farms. I wish it to be particularly remembered, however, that I have been hitherto treating of the question from its general aspect ; but there is no rule without an exception, and I am now about to speak of an exception to the rule. The impossibility of an iudustrious and thrifty labourer rising to the position of a farmer has been referred to as against the system of large farms ; and I am quite sure that no large farmer can be found who would not be most happy to see the agricultural labourer raise himself to that position if by doing so he would benefit liis condition. But he could not hope to obtain that position unless he had the opportunity of doing so by entering on small farms at the outset. There is, however, tlie plan of letting plots of land, that is suitable for tlie purpose, to the most careful and iudus- trious of labouring families, for the purpose of keeping a cow or two, a plan that has answered well in many places, and ivhich I liave no hesitation in commending; for, besides the advantage it gives the labourer of improving his position, I kuow that one or two cows kept properly by themselves will yield more milk than if they were in a herd of 40 or 50 cows ; and the system, as I just said, has been found to an- swer very well in practice. But this lias not been the case where a man with two or three cows has been tempted to do nothing else ; thus, in Derbyshire, Mr. Cottingham, agent to tlie Duke of Devonshire, says that "a man with an allotment of, say 10 acres, to keep a couple of cows, is better off than the holder of 20 or 30 acres or a fiirm just big enough to tempt him to do nothing but work on the farm. I reduced one man," lie said, " to 10 acres from 20, to compel him to work ; and he afterwards told me I liad made a gentle- man of him." I could give a great deal more evidence of a similar character; but to sura lip this matter, I fully endorse the statement of Mr. Culley, to whom I liave before referred, " that wliere a farm or allotment of five or six acres is of such a character as to enalile a man to keep one or two cows witliout withdrawing him from his legitimate occu- pation as a farm labourer, tlicre is the same evidence in Wales as he found in Derbyshire, that the charge of the little dairy is a much better occupation for his wife than ordinary field- work, or, indeed, than any other work he had seen labourers' wives engaged in." Of course, in commending tliis system, I am assuming that the cows are managed by the most careful and thrifty persons. To suppose that it would be successfully carried ou by the (jeiierullhj of our labouring families would be a very great mistake indeed. But under our laissc:: fuirc or iiou-interference principle farms of all sizes will not be want- ing, and I hold that there is no necessity in this country to depart from tliis rule, as the question of the size of farms lias satisfactorily regulated itself to the present time, according to the requirements of the community. You will liave observed that I have been hitherto speaking of tlie two systems of large and small farming ; but by far tlie greater number of tenant farmers in this country are in the occupation of comparatively small or moderate-sized farms, and it is to these I now wish shortly to direct your attention. But I am sorry that I can- not give you as much official data respecting the numbers of the occupiers of different classes of farms as I could wish ; the official statistics do not afford the desired information, nor, indeed, as mucli as they might very easily afford : they give, however, the average extent of land returned by each occupier in England as about sixty acres. But the returns are probably from every one that keeps a pig or a horse, as well as from market gardeners, &c., and therefore we can only approximately arrive at the average size of farms in this country ; but I think we shall lie correct in assuming that the great bulk of tenant farmers are in tlie occupation of only small or moderate-sized farms, as in Ireland the greater number are in the occupation of only small plots of land. I have already shown the great advantage which the large farmer has over the small one in carrying out the different operations of the farm. This advan- tage he possesses over the moderate-sized farmer, but in a less degree ; the one who can afford to employ the best mechanical aids, and having sufficient labourers to properly apportion over the different branches of farming operations, and so to bring tlie whole into a regular working system, is in the best posi- tion to develope to the fullest extent the resources of the soil. But I must not be understood to say that moderate-sized far- mers cannot farm successfully ; we have abundant evidence that by the exercise of the greatest industry and zeal this is done, yet his position at the present time is most unsatisfactory. But it is not from a lack of mechanical aids, or from any in- ability to perform in a proper manner the ordinary operations of the farm, that the position of farmers occupying compara- tively small or moderate-sized farms is rapic^ly becoming intolerable ; it is arising from an excessive competition for land, precisely the same cause that brought the Irish land question to a crisis, and, I believe, wiU inevitably bring the laud question to a crisis in this country also, if nothing is done in time to counteract the evil effects of it. I consider the land question in England at the present moment may be fairly represented m this way : The occupier of a farm of such a size as to require from £8,000 to £10,000 of capital to work it, may be said to be on the whole in a position to take care of himself ; that is to say, there is no necessity at present for the Legislature to interfere in his behalf ; the occupier of a farm that requires from £3,000 to £5,000 of capital, would, from the greater demand there is for such farms, give some- what more than the real value of it rather than leave it for the chance of getting another such a holding ; the occupiers of fauns that require but from £1,000 to £2,000 of capital— these being the most numerous, as I have said, and the class I am now directing your especial attention to — would submit to any extortion almost, rather than leave their farm, as there are 30 or 40 applicants, as a rule, for every farm of this size that conies into the market, and a tenant leaving would have but the thirtieth or fortieth part of a chance of getting another such a holding. I am assuming, of course, that the land is really useful land and not unduly encumbered with game, or other serious drawback attached to it. Now, this is a state of things which some of the owners of these moderate-sized farms are not slow to take advantage of ; in some cases, to my know- ledge, the most undue advantage, I am sorry to say, has beea taken of the occupiers of these comparatively small-sized farms, solely in consequence of the extreme competition that at present exists for such holdings. But vchy farms should be of more real value, solely because farmers multiply and must live, and farms do not multiply,! am ataloss to understand. Inthecounty of Somersetshire, where the moderate-sized farms to which I am now rcferriug largely prevail, the competition is something enormous, and we are beginning to hear of the loathsome system of offering bribes to agents to get farms, and in one case, that has recently cropped up, an agent is greatly belied if he didn't accept a bribe of £100 from an in-going tenant, for whom he got the farm, and tliat too, with the owner's know- ledge. Judge Longfield, in his essay on the Land Teuure of Ireland, says that the highest offers for farms " will be ge- nerally made by the poorest farmers," and also that " the real grievance was that the rent was so high as to reduce the tenant to indolent apathetic despair." Now, I fear that on some estates in Somersetshire the tenants are being almost driven to the same state. A case has lately come under my own knowledge, upon undoubted authority, which I trust you will permit me to THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 23 mention. The owner, or the solicitor ratlier, of an estate in five farms, and occupied by five tenants, at a rental of over £3,500 n-year in the aggregate, determined to raise the rents again last year : they had been raised about 15 per cent. not many years before, and the mode of proceeding adopted was tliis ; a tenant was served on the 24th of IVIarch with a notice to quit at the Michaelmas following. But he was told that he was merely served for the purpose of an increase of rent ; but what this increase was to be he was not told, nor could lie ascertain till two or tliree out of the sis months' notice had expired, and the opportunity of taking another farm was lost, when he was informed that the rise this time was only to be ']\ per cent. — and this he was obliged to submit to or leave. Having no chance of taking another suitable farm, he submitted, as did the other four tenants also. But this year one of these five tenants has succeeded in getting another farm ; a second has tried to do the same ; the third has died ; the fourth has been lately taken to a lunatic-asylum ; and the fifth declares that he would not remain but for special reasons, which I need not refer to. All these five tenants have, I am told, been in the occupation of their farms, with their relatives before them, for a half century each. The only excuse put forward for increasing the rents in this case was the necessities of the owner ; the question of the value of the farms was not con- sidered at all. Now will anyone tell me that such acts as these will tend to the ultimate advantage of the landowners in this country ? I think not ; and if land-courts were to be estabUshed in England (as they are about to be in Ireland), where tenants may appeal in cases of extortion and in- justice, I believe it would be one of the most conser- vative measures that could be passed. I am perfectly well aware that the great proportion of the land in this country is held by just aud generous landlords ; they have nothing to fear from the passing into law of an act that shall enforce throughout the country something like their own fair and just dealings; but they have everything to fear from ex- tortionate landowners, or unscrupulous lawyers, who may have the management of large estates that have, through losses in the betting-ring probably, become heavily encumbered. These are the persons who will bring the land-question to a crisis in this country. Nor is it necessary that cases of hardship should become general before it would be the duty of the legislature to interfere. His Grace the Duke of Richmond, in his speech on the second reading of the Irish Land Bill, said that " In the case of any body of people, however small, having injury in- flicted upon them, lie considered it to be the duty of Parlia- ment to endeavour to find some remedy for it." I consider that it is to the eternal disgrace of the different governments of this country that the people of Ireland had to pass through the horrors of a famine, and were brought to the verge of a re- volution before the land-question was honestly taken in hand and justice done to it ; with our reformed Parliament let us hope that no Government will be permitted to exist that will allow it to come to such a pass in this country before applying a remedy. I do not for one moment dispute the fact that landlords have at present the legal right to exact the utmost farthing of rent that they possibly can for their land in Eng- land ; but I deny the justice or the prudence of their doing so, for it will inevitably create — as, indeed, it has already created on many estates — a discontented body of tenantry. The com- petition principle has had the fullest latitude in Ireland, the custom of payment for good-will which there prevails being essentially a commercial transaction, governed by supply and demand ; but whether it is paid in good-will or in the shape of rent matters nothing. We have seen the result of all this in Ireland, and it needs no prophet to foretell that the same cause, if allowed full scope, will lead to the same result in England. Let us hope that this will not be the case ; but that a wise legislature will see the danger in time and apply the remedy, which will assuredly increase that good feeling that is so much to be desired between the owners aud the occupiers of the soil of this country, and be for the lasting advantage of both classes, and of tlie greatest possible benefit to the teeming millions who inhabit this great nation. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., said he went fully with Mr. Trask on some points of the Irish Land Bill ; but there was such a thing as doing justice to the tenant, at the expense of the landlord ; and he believed that the Irish Land Bill had not exactly drawn the line in the way that English enant-farmers would have done if they had been consulted about the matter (Hear, hear). He was glad that the intro- ' ducers of the subject had not gone very much into foreign farming. He had been rather afraid that they would be over- dosed with that topic. He considered that the question of continental farming, as regarded its applicability to England, was entirely exhausted by the able paper of Mr. Howard, the chairman of the year, some time ago, and by the admirable article which appeared in the first number of the Royal Agri- cultural Society's Journal for this year. If they took the case of France, they found that the average production of wheat per acre was barely half what was grown in England, andr ouly just what Mr. Lawes's unmanured plot had yielded foe five-and-twenty years. That, he thought, dismissed the cas e of Jj ranee, which had sometimes been held up as an examplj^ for this country to follow. On the other hand, if they too the evidence of Mr. Jenkins and Professor Voelcker, the^ found that, with all the ingenuity and all the saving of an intelhgent people like the inhabitants of Belgium, the earnings of small farmers were somewhat less than those of our own agricultural labourers (Hear, hear). He maintained, therefore, that the example of France and Belgium ought not to be followed in this country. He thought that it might be laid down as a principle that some districts were specially adapted for large farms, and other districts for small ones (Hear, hear) ; but he had never yet seen the district which should be all large farms, or the one which should be all small farms (Hear, hear). In his opinion there should always be, even in a county like Norfolk, where the soU was naturally light and porous, and fitted forarable cultivation, and could only be profitably farmed — he did not know, indeed, how farming could now be carried on profitably anywhere (Hear, hear) — through the application of a considerable amount of capital to cultivation ; he said that even there there ought to be a few small farms, by which a struggling persevering man might rise above the condition of a farm-labourer. They all knew that there were people in the world who by saving and toil, and intelligence would be almost sure to rise if they had a chance, and on no account should the first stave of the ladder be taken from them (Hear, hear) . As he had before remarked in that room, the small farmer who really flourished was a man who would do the work of two labourers, and live at the expense of one (Hear, hear). If they went through a county like Norfolk, or any other where there were large arable farms, he ventured to say the moment they came to a village where there was a whole lot of small farms, they would at once see a difference in the cultivation. Moreover, agricultural labourers were better paid and more constantly employed on large farms than they could possibly be on small ones. There were, however, some articles of produce which were particu- larly suited for small farms and just now were particularly remunerative ; and, looking at the price of milk, butter, eggs, and poultry, he must say that in his opinion they could be produced cheaper and better upon small farms thau upon large ones. Therefore, he said, there was room both for large and for small farmers, and, even in a county where the soil was naturally light, he should be very sorry indeed to see the small occupier obliterated from the face of the earth. Mr. G. Smythies (Marlow Lodge, Leintwardine) said: Coming as he did from a district where there were a great many small freeholds, he wished to state the result of his ex- perience with regard to small farms. In the adjoining county to his, in the county of Radnor, almost the whole of the land was divided into small freeholds, which were, for the most part, let by the owners, who rented large farms in neighbouring counties, thereby showing their appreciation of the difference between a large and a small occupation. Those persons did not, as a rule, make anything like good landlords ; on the contrary, although they were tenant-farmers themselves in other counties, they did not seem to appreciate the difficulties which tenants had to contend with, and, for the most part, they were hard landlords. The occupiers of small farms were inferior employers of labourers and others, because they only wanted labourers at periods of the year when they could get abundance of work. They em- ployed labourers, if they could get them, in summer and in harvest; but all the rest of the year, when it might be a boon to employ them, they discarded labourers altogether. Further, both the owners and occupiers of these ^4 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. small freeholds were very interior to large owners ;uul occupiers as regarded subscriptions for the repairs of a church, the building of a school, or any other public work which was required iu the neighbourliood. He could corroborate the statement of Mr. Trask, that, as a rule, the children of those small occupiers were worse educated than the children of labourers, being employed on the farm as soon as tliey were able to do any work. If such farmers had by accident any good stock of calves or lambs they were almost entirely in- debted for it to their neighbours, being quite unable to to purcliase male animals of the best kind. He agreed, how- ever, with JMr. E-ead, that it was desirable that a man who was able to push his way should be able to obtain a small farm, but )\e did not know any other recommendation that the small farm system had. The experience of which he had spoken was obtained in Herefordshire. He formerly lived in Lancashire, and in that case the opinion which he had expressed did not apply. There the small farms were, in fact, market gardens for the sale of produce which could not be supplied in any other way, and therefore small farms were extremely valuable. Indeed he did not see any objection to the wjiole of that country being divided into small farms. He did not think large farmers had any business there, and he must say that he felt out of his element. It would not do, he thought, to lay down any hard- and-fast line ; but, on the other hand, although there were some counties where small farms would do well, taking a view of the whole country tliey seemed to be very objectionable (Hear, hear). IMr. C. Paget (Buddington, Nottinghamshire) said he liad not the slightest intention of speaking on that subject when he entered the room. He had read many good papers which were delivered before the Farmers' Club ; being in London he determined to hear the discussion on that subject ; and he would now make a few remarks which were not at all pre- l)ared. He liad been struck witii the truth of the observation tiiat between dilferent localities there might with advantage be differences as regarded the size of farms. He lived in a district which was something like half-way between the east and the west, which were represented by the reader of the paper and by the gentleman who had just sat down — a district which bordered on the one side on laud which must consist of large farms, if it were to be occupied profitably, and on the other on land which might be usefully occupied in dairy farms — and his experience tended to contradict some of the obser- vations which were made by both those gentlemen. In the first place he must say that the small farmers of the village in which he lived were cultivating their land as well — lie knew that he was speaking in the presence of very good farmers — as any fanner iu England. The soil was free from twitch ; it yielded from six to seven quarters of wheat per acre and from twenty-four to forty tons per acre of mangel-wurzel ; and yet it was occupied by men who rented only from ten or fifteen up to fifty acres. He had on his estates five tenants who had all been labouring men — some of them on his own farm. They had been saving men, and having begun with a small farm tliey had added to their means, until the poorest man among them must be well worth £500. No doubt that resulted in a great measure from the character of the land, which was partly arable land and partly very good grass land. He had nineteen tenants, who had on the aver- age thirteen acres a-piece, and not one of tliem — he would call ]\Ir. Read's special attention to this fact — not one of them worked as a labourer on another farm. Formerly the system existed of letting to labourers a small lot of land in order that they might keep a cow ; but farmers were most unwilling to employ them, and conse- quently the result was unsatisfactory. The time when farmers most wanted them was that at which they most required to work for themselves. In place of such persons there was now a class of men who had a small piece of arable laud, and, what was most essential, there was attached to it a piece of grass- land. That system worked exceedingly well, and the diflS- culties to which he had alluded did not arise. Perhaps one or two of the number would keep horses instead of cows, and do the horse-work for their neighbours for hire, and that was found a convenient arrangement. The cattle had very much improved in consequence of the combination with arable laud of a certain amount of grass-land, the effect being that there was a sufficient amounc of roots and straw to carry them through the winter. When he first began to direct his atten- tion to farming matters, now nearly fifty years ago, he had twelve to fifteen neighbours who were yeomen farmers, that is, men occupying their own land ; but they very soon discovered that whereas they could only get 3 per cent, for their land in the shape of rent, they could obtain 10 per cent, as a return for capital, and the consequence was that one after another sold their land, and they had now become considerable far- mers. One man, for example, had land consisting of 70 or 80 acres, which he sold for about £6,000. He after- wards took a farm of 600 acres, and became one of the first farmers in the district. In tliat way such small properties had been disposed of, with very great advantage to small occu- piers and to the country at large. The owners of such pro- perties were not in a positiou to effect the requisite improve- ments, and he had no hesitation in saying that, since the land was purchased by large proprietors its value had been increased 50 per cent, by means of improvements. He spent a large portion of the last ten years in Hungary, and notwithstanding Mr. Read's deprecation of any allusion to foreign cultivation, he wished to say a word or two in reference to what he had learnt there. Under the former system of holding the owner did not pay any money for the work which was done on his land, but lie got as much as if he did receive it, the tenants working for him with their ploughs, their oxen, and their own hands, and doing a specified amount of work. There were disturbances in the country under that system, and in conse- quence the government declared that every tenant should be the owner of the land without performing any duties whatever. The effect of that was that these men, almost all, ceased to work at all. They formed drinking habits, and it was not till a considerable number of them had absolutely sold their pro- perties to those among them who were saving and thriving that there was any considerable amount of produce obtained from the land. What he wished to call special attention to was the eft'ect of that state of things on labourers. The owners had no capital to employ labourers during the winter months, and the consequence was that the labourers mort- gaged their next year's work to Jews or usurers for half its value. They never had a harvest, and they were in a state of very great misery. He hoped, therefore, that they would never see adopted iu England a system of having very small proprietors occupying land all over the country ; while, on the other hand, lie thought that, if a number of tenants had small plots of land which were highly improved by the landlord, they would prove a great advantage to the country. Mr. Mf.ciii (Titree)said, the object of that discussion seemed to be to show what sized farms were the best; but, in his opinion, they might as well attempt to decide whether it was best that there should be large manufactories or small ones, large traders or small traders (Hear, hear). The question was one of capital. Seventy years ago this kingdom comprised 10 milUons of people with i:o million acres of land, a large proportion of which was in a comparatively primitive state as regards culti- vation. Now tlie population was 30 millions, and agriculture was in an entirely dift'erent position from wliich it w^as at the beginning of the century in consequence of the employment of steam power, increased facilities for communication, and other improvements, lint, notwithstanding all these improve- ments, it was still true that capital was created, as it always had been, by mental and physical superiority, and that with the accompaniments of care and frugality, individuals would be enabled to rise from the lowest ranks to a comparatively high position. That applied just as much to farming as to trade, and therefore it would be quite wrong to recommend any particular size of farms as preferable to any other size ; such things regulated themselves, and ought not to be subject to Acts of Parliament. Men connected with agriculture, who possessed brains, and whose conduct was marked by frugality and economy, must in many cases rise and become large farmers. No doubt landowners having large estates would generally prefer having large farms. The question was, how much capital per acre a man could employ in the land P They were not yet agreed as to what amount per acre should be employed. He thought that farms could never be too large if the occupier had got £30 an acre, and that they could never be too small if he >/i'il got that (laughter). At present the average amount of the tenant's capital was, he believed, only £5 an acre, so that there was a very large margin for im- provement. There could be no doubt that the size of farms, whether they were large or small, should lend a due propor- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 25 tion to the amount of acreable capit;!! to be iuvested. He thought they would all gradually come to the conclusion that more capital should be employed per acre. It was impossible to walk into the great showyard at Islington without thinking that, with the enormous amount of machinery that has to be employed, and the great cost of artilicial manures for the laud, and of artilicial food for cattle, it was necessary that a larger amount of capital should be generally employed, and in pro- portion as a conviction of this spread among landlords and tenants, the system of farming must undergo a change. Tenants could not be expected to make the requisite outlay for draining and building, and agriculturists must look to the steward, and those talented men who managed large estates, to enforce enlightened and advanced views of the duties of landlords as well as those of tenants. In the City of London he (Mr. Mechi) had seen many men rise from the little shop to the large warehouse, and he agreed with preceding speakers, that in agriculture as well as in trade there should always be an opening for industrious men. Let no one run away with the notion that that Club thought that the 45 millions of acres in this country should all be cut out, as it were, in such large slices, that there would be no room or opportunity for a man of small capital to rise (Hear, hear). Mr. John Thomas (Bletsoe, IJeds) said a great deal had been made of the discrepancies in the remarks made in that club, and perhaps that would be the case with regard to this discussion upon large and small farms. Mr. Smylhies had told them in effect that in Herefordshire large farms were preferable to small oues, while other gentlemen had praised small farms. The truth appeared to be that in Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, and other counties where there was a very large town population, small farms answered very well, and that in other districts they were not good either for the landlord, occupier, or the labourer. When there was a superabundance of labour it was the large farmers who took it up, and as more capital was employed on such farms, the public derived some beuefit from the extra outlay. He considered the Club much indebted to Mr. Trask for his able paper ; and, for his own part, he entirely con- curred in the views expressed by that gentlemen. Mr. J. Wells (Booth Ferry House, Howden) said, having had considerable experience in landed pursuits for many years, he must say that it was an advantage in a national point of view as regarded the cheap production of food, that farms should generally be large. Small farms involved a number of small inclosures, with fences and ditches, and a consequent ac- cumulation of weeds and rubbish, harbour for vermin, labour in dressing and cleaning, waste of ground, and prevention of that free current of air so advantageous to the crops when approaching maturity. He should be very sorry to see the time when small farmers would entirely cease to exist, or when a man of small means would not be able to rise in farming pursuits; but that was not a question affecting merely individual interests, it concerned the nation, and in a national point of view he was in favour of moderately large holdings. A great deal had been said about a labouring man having an opportunity of rising ; but in his opinion tlie advantage to the labourer being employed all the year was equally important. In his system of farming he never allowed a man who worked for him in summer to want a day's labour in winter, and conse- quently he generally got through his harvest operations without extra men. He never went over any farm without finding something might be done in the way of cropping a hedge, carting off a ditch side or levelling, that would pay in the end, while in that way many a man was prevented from suffering with bis family in winter. Ha was surprised to hear any one speak of an expenditure of capital yielding no return, and he could not help thinking that the case mentioned was quite exceptional. He had laid out large sums in the im- provement of lands, but he never knew an instance, where the outlay had been judicious, that it had not ultimately proved remuricrative. Mr. He>'iiy Neild (Lancashire) thought that in dealing with such a question as the size of farms they should always take into account the situation or position of the county where situated. It would be perfectly fallacious to lay down any rule or principle in that respect as if it were applicable to the whole country. In the north they had been taught that sup- ply and demand regulated almost everything. In Lancashire and Cheshire improved machinery in cotton manufactures had provided at half the cost what was formerly supplied by handloom weaving ; and the principle involved in this question was similar. He believed that if the farming produce of Lancashire were compared with that of any other county it would be found to bear the comparison exceed- ingly well, and that was chiefly under a system of small farms. It was in his opinion desirable to have in this country a mix- ture of large and small farms. In Lancashire and Cheshire they could not do without small farms. The dairy produce to which Mr. Read had referred, butter, eggs, and poultry had there yielded a fair profit, and he thought it would be well if even many large farmers turned their attention to such matters, as it was rather a reflection upon English farmers that this country had to import so much dairy produce (Hear, hear). In tlie area of the Manchester and Liverpool agricultural so- cieties they had a test by which they could find out who were the best cultivators, by a scale of prizes for root crops and cultivation. In a farm of 200 acres a certain proportion, perhaps quarter, ought to be under root cultivation, which was the foundation of agriculture. Small farms could be named that produced an astonishing quantity of roots, and this year there had been obtained as many as 40 tons per acre of mangold wurtzel. He thought no absolute rule could be laid down as regarded the size of farms. Difl'erent counties must be farmed according to their own circumstances, and if things were left to their natural course that would no doubt regulate the matter. In his opinion it would be a deplorable day for England if any legislation should interfere with the natural course of agriculture (cheers). No doubt there was a great deal in what had been said about some laud- lords taking advantage of competition, for farmers to act unjustly towards their tenants, and if such things went on, or were general, it might become necessary to introduce a bill into parliament; but he believed there was no danger of that, and for the honour of England's aristocracy he deprecated any legislation in such matters (cheers). Mr. Edmunds (Rugby) said he had risen merely to ask the Farmers' Club whether they really thougnt for one momea that England required an Irish Land Bill ? (Hear, hear.) H believed that no such absurdity was ever started (cheers). The Irish serfs were shooting down the landlords aud land agents ; agrarian outrages prevailed throughout the land, and under such circumstances it was necessary that there should be some legislation ; but such legislation was not necessary in the case of a more civilised land. That was the only part of Mr. Trask's paper from which he dissented. As regarded the size of farms, he would ask, what did gentlemen mean by a small farm and what by a large one ? They had been told that evening about the farming of plots of 13 acres. That was not farming, but spade cultivation (Hear, hear). He agreed with Mr. Read in deprecating allusions to the Continent. As to Flanders, he would ask whether our labourers would be satisfied with Flemish eating and Flemish drinking? (laughter.) It was impossible to carry out such a system here, and he for one had no wish to see in England a race of peasant pro- prietors, cultivating 15 or 20 acres of land. In Warwickshire the average size of farms was only from 200 to 250 acres, so that the occupations were comparatively small ; but, depend upon it, that if, as regarded any part of the country, there were any attempts to interfere with free contract between man and man, that would be a great mistake. Fancy a person saying to a Warwickshire farmer : The Norfolk farmers occupy a thousand acres of land, and therefore you ought to occupy as many ; and you must fiud the requisite capital ! The less they had of centralisation or of government interference with the ordinary transactions between man and man the better (Hear, hear). The Rev. E. Smytiiies (Ilathern Rectory, Loughborough) said one point that had not been touched upon that evening appeared to him of vital importance; he meant that there were certain qualities of land which were very well adapted for small farms, and quite unsuited for large ones. He was surrounded in a strong-land district by men who cultivated 30, 40, or 50 acres of land on separate farms. What was the consequence ? Why, that in cases in which four or even six horses were required, the occupier tried to manage with two. And on such a system the land got more and more foul year after year, until it could hardly be cultivated with profit any longer. On some light laud, a man might do very well with two horses ; while with the same amount of horse-power, strong-land could not possibly be kept clean. He fully en- 26 THE FARMER'S MAGAZlNi]. dorsed the principle laid down that evening that it would not do to stand by any hard-and-fast line ; but lie maintained that strong-land was utterly unsuitable for small farms. As re- garded dairy-farms, uo doubt men with a very small acreage could produce milk, butter, and even cheese with advantage ; but he knew men on farms of a ditfereut kind, who laboured from early morning until night, and were only just able to pay their rent. In such matters they could iiot perhaps be guided entirely by rules of political economy ; but if men who had saved a little money, wished to engage in farming, it would perhaps be better for a few of them to unite to take a farm of 200 or 250 acres instead of each having 50. He was per- fectly well aware of the difficulty of getting men to work together for the purpose of cultivating the soil ; but the proper course would be to elect a captaiu (Laughter). Mr, W. Bkown (Tring) said, that if a vote were taken that evening they would probably all be unanimous on one point, namely, that uo precise rule could be laid down as to the size of iarms, each district depending in that respect on its own peculiarities (Hear, hear). There was another rule or prin- ciple by which, as a laud agent, he had usually been guided. When a man applied to hira for a farm, he would first of all ask him what was the size of his pocket ; and in this way he was enabled to judge what sized-farm he should have (Hear, hear). With regard to competition for farms, he could bear out to a great extent what Mr. Trask had said on that subject. He liad found that the larger farms were the less was the competition for them, and that when a farm consisted of from 150 to 200 acres there would be ten applicants for one in the case of a very large farm. The question of a proper supply of buildings had a very close connexion with that under consideration. The mau who occupied only 80 acres of land wanted the same description of buildmg-accommodation as the man whose farm was very much larger ; and this being the case, there was much greater economy in leasing farms of 500 acres than farms of 100. The difference, in point of economy, extended indeed throughout all the operations of the farm. What applied first of all to the landlords supplying the requi- site buildings, applied also to the tenants' keeping them in proper condition, and obtaining proper implements. Take the drill, for instance. They must all have a drill, but the quan- tity of capital required was dimiuished proportionately as the operations were extended. Therefore he maintained that it was of great importance that farms should be of such a size that capital could be applied and cultivation carried on in the most economical manner. Mr. Trask cited the evidence of the Duke of Devonshire's agent in reference to the case of small occupiers who kept a cow. He (Mr. Brown) could supple- ment that evidence from his own observation. Not only had the persons referred to a small quantity of land attached to their cottages but they had also each the privilege of turning one or two cows into the park for a payment of £3 a-year, aud that arrangement was found to work advantageously. Mr. T. Owen (Clapton, Hungerford) said be entirely con- curred iu most of the excellent remarks of Mr. Trask, and particularly iu the remark that large farms were schools for labourers ; and in that respect, as well as others, had a great advantage over small ones. If a man took a farm of any considerable extent he wanted labourers of the best kind, the first thing he did being to look out for a good carter and a good shepherd ; and small farms did not provide the sort of men which were required. He was an advocate for giving small farmers an opportunity of holding laud if they had sufficient capital to do so ; but he contended that moderately -large farms were most beneficial to the country, especially as great im- provements were now essential not only iu cultivation but also in the management of stock to enable farmers to compete with foreigners. He did not agree with the last speaker that when farms were to be let there were ten applicants for a small farm for one applicant for a large farm. He would ask that gen- tleman how often did a large farm come out of occupation as compared with a small one ? His own experience showed that in the case of moderately-large farms the changes in that respect were fewer than in that of farms of smaller extent (Hear, hear). Mr. T. B. Dring (Claxby, Spilsby) thouglit tlie discussiou of that evening could not alter their opinion as to the neces- sity of having both small and large farms. When persons \yho had been brought up to farming, knowing perhaps very little else, the capital at their disposal varied very much iu amount, aud they required a farm in proportion to tlie wipital they possessed. Some had capital for a large farm and others only for a small one, and the two classes could not have occu- pations of the same extent. There could, in his opinion, be no doubt that a larger occupation wasjbest for the public in general. He beUeved that, as a general rule farms of from 400 to 500 acres were best for the country; but it must be borne in mind that there were localities that were adapted for small farms, and otlier localities that were adapted for large ones. The other day he happened to be on an estate in Yorkshire which comprised about 13,000 acres, and that estate seemed to be adapted for small farms, consist- ing of 15, 20, 30, 40, and as high as 50 acres. The farms were so difficult to get at, that the land could not very well be cultivated on the large-farm system; the hiUs being so very steep that there must be such difficulty in getting ma- chines and coals, and to thrash and get away the produce in such situations, be thought small farms the best. As regards the Norfolk district which was alluded to this evening by Mr. Kead, he (Mr. Dring) happened last summer to have gone over a portion of it where the land was tolerably level, and he no- ticed that there were many small fields with a great number of hedges ; and he also noticed that under the trees there were no turnips at all, and that the barley was only half a crop. He could not help thiuking what an advantage it would be, both to the owner and the occupier, if those six-acre fields were converted into fields of 20 or 30 acres. In conclusion, he must say that he thought the size of farms would, after the discussion of that evening, remain pretty much as it was before (Hear, hear). The Chairman, in summing up the discussion, said it oc- curred to him as Mr. Trask was reading his paper that there seemed to be three interests involved in the question before them, and he wished just to allude to them. He must, how- ever, first remark that some of the speakers had erroneously assumed that the object that evening was to lay down some hard and fast rule with regard to the size of farms. The state- ment of the subject was, in fact, rather meagre, being simply " The size of farms." The committee adopted that form after full deliberation, not knowing exactly what line the discussion would take, and wishing simply to evoke the opinion and feel- ing of the Club-members as to what sized arms would most conduce to the general interest of the country (Hear, hear). Now, as he had just observed, it appeared to him that there are three interests primarily involved : first, the owner ; then the occupier ; and lastly, the labourer. The case of the owner was very well put by Mr. Brown when he said that a small farm required as many buildings as a large one ; so that, in point of fact, a proprietor could scarcely afford to have a great many occupations, on account of the expense of buildings. He (the chairman) fully endorsed that view of the matter. The question whether or not large or small farms were most conducive to the interest of farmers was very well met by Mr. Mechi, when he said that it was a ques- tion of capital. Upon all large estates there must be holdings ranging from 50 to 1,000 acres. Then as regards labourers, he agreed with Mr. Thomas, when he said that large farms employed the greatest number of labourers. But there were certain localities that were more favourable for small farms than others. Some of them had been alluded to by some of the speakers, and he ('he chairman) could, if time permitted, mention many localities where small farms were necessarily conducive to the interest of everybody connected with them. As regarded the observations of Mr. Paget about men farming their own estate, he remembered many years ago hearing a friend of his remark, that the man who farmed his own estate had a very bad landlord, and he believed that would generaUy prove to be the case. Mr. Paget referred to several cases within his knowledge in which small owners had sold their land, and become farmers instead of proprietors with great advantage to themselves, and those cases were in accordance with his own observations in such matters. Mr. Trask, in replyiug, expressed his satisfaction at finding 13 out of the 14 speakers who had taken part in the discussion had expressed themselves in favour of large farms as a rule. He had not supposed the Irish Land Bill was necessary in England, but that as our population increased some measure would become necessary, and if rents went on increasing as at present, with an insecure tenure, the capital employed iu ImE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 27 agriculture would be far more likely to be reduced from £5 an acre to £4 thau increase to £30, the sum Mr. Mechi con- sidered desirable. On the motion of Mr. Mechi, seconded by Mr. J. Thomas, a vote of thanks was given to Mr. Trask for his introduction, ind the proceedings terminated with thanks to the chairman. THE FARMERS' CLUB DINNER. The Annual Dinner of the Farmers' Club took place on Tuesday evening, December 6, at the Salisbury Hotel, Mr. Charles Howard presiding in the absence of the Chairman for the year Mr. James Howard, from indisposition. The Vice-Chair was occupied by the Chairman elect, Mr. Spearing, of Erleigh, Reading. The Chairji.\ji gave " H.ll.H. the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." In proposing this the Chairman said that the Prince of Wales was very fond of field sports ; but there was one class of sport which, if carried to excess, as it had been in the countj of Norfolk, was highly prejudicial to agriculture, and he hoped His Royal Highness would be led to see the evils of that system (cheers). The toast of " The Array, Navy, MUitia, and Volunteers," was responded to by Captain Johnson, of the Sussex Militia. The CiiAiraiAN then said : Gentlemen, I have now to ask you to drink the toast of the evening, namely, " Success to the Farmers' Club, and tJianks to those gentlemen who have read papers during the past year (cheers.) The Central Farmers' Club ought to commend itself to the favourable consideration of all classes in this country. Its object is a truly national one. It was not established for the immediate benefit of its members, but for the advancement of agriculture throughout the kingdom. I am very glad indeed to find from the excel- lent Report just issued by the Committee that the Club is in a most satisfactory and ilourishing condition. That report states that " the monthly discussion meetings of the Club have now extended over a period of 26 years, during which time there has scarcely been a subject either practically or politically alfecting the position of the Farmer that has not received some consideration ; while so far from any decline being observable, the Committee cannot but think that the interest and impor- tance of these meetings have increased during the last few years" (cheers). There can be little doubt that the papers and discussions of this Club have commanded increased atten- tion. Evidence of this is given in another part of the Report, which I will now proceed to read. " During the season fifty- five new members have been elected, and there are a number of names now down for the new year. It is satisfactory to see amongst these candidates gentlemen who in their places in the House of Commons are more or less identified with the interests of agriculture, so that there is a promise of the Club increasing its intluencc in this direction" (cheers) . Well, gentlemen, I think it is jjretty certain that members of the House of Commons would not join our Club unless they felt that by coming among us there was some useful knowledge to be ob- tained (Hear, hear). We are very pleased indeed to see such gentlemen among us ; and I am quite sure we shall be very well satisfied if they will only discharge their delit for any wrinkles which they may gather here by showing their interest in agriculture in " another place" (Hear, hear). It seems to me very desirable that county members should mix frequently with those whom they represent : they would thus obtain in- formation which cannot be derived in any other way. I know tliat in some parts of the country many of those gentlemen are scarcely seen from one canvas to another : tliey appear to be almost^ as shy of their constituents, to use a very homely phrase, as a cow is of a bastard calf (laughter). We are, I am sure, very much pleased to see several Members of Par- liament here this evening ; and those gentlemen having become members of this Club, I trust that many others will be induced to follow their example. It is satisfactory, gentlemen, to find that the noble pursuit which we follow is daily ad- vancing in public estimation. Time was when hard names were applied to us, and when it was thought immaterial whether a sheaf of wheat was grown in this countiy. Those times are gone by. People read and think more for themselves. The importance of agriculture is, therefore, becoming more and more recognised every day. I only wish that a very use- ful and excellent article which appeared a month ago in the 3Iark Lane E.rjyress could find its way to the pages of some of those periodicals which the better class of our artisans read throughout tlie country. The subject of it was the annual value of our agricultural produce ; the facts stated being very start- ling indeed, and such as many persons in every class of society know very little about. The writer seems to have gone very deeply into the matter, and he shows that the annual value of the agricultural produce of this country is something like the enormous sum of £300,000,000, that is exclusive of milk, butter, cheese, straw, and horses. We must all have been struck on coming up to London a day or two ago to find in every news- paper, no matter what may be its political bias, an article upon the Cattle Show in connection with its bearing upon our food supplies. Gentlemen, that is a very important question, and one which we must face (Hear, hear). Warm defenders as we are of our present system of agriculture, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that it might be very much better, and that a very much larger amount of capital might be beneficially employed in it, But is it likely, I ask, that men who have capital will embark it in the cultivation of much of the soil in this country while there is such an insecure tenure as we now possess ? (Hear, hear.) There are quite as bad landlords in England as there have ever been in Ireland (Hear, hear). There are land- owners here who tenaciously cling to feudal usages — whose tenants require quite as much protection as any on the other side of the Channel ; and it is quite evident that if English agriculture is ever to assume the position which it ought to as- sume, a well-defined Tenant Eight is imperative (cheers), it may be said that on the large territorial estates generally of this country nothing of that kind is required. True there is greater security on those estates than on others ; but, gentlemen, a Pharaoh may arise who " knows not Joseph" (laughter), and great hardships may be endured in consequence (Hear, hear). I have to bring before your notice in connection with the toast the gentlemen who have been kind enough to read papers during the past year. One of those papers at least bore upon the point to which I have just drawn your atten- tion ; I allude to the valuable paper read by our excellent secretary, Mr. Corbet in May last ; and only last evening, we had an interesting paper, involving the vexed question to which certain parties in this country look as a remedy for all our evils as a nation ; I mean the question of cutting up all the land into small farms, the idea entertained by those to whom I allude being that if that were done, we should never hear anything about distress again (laughter). Gentlemen, I now call upon you to drink the toast (cheers). The toast having been drunk with great cordiality, and the names of Mr. H. Corbet and Mr. Trask being associated with the toast, Mr. CoPvBET said ; Having to respond to a subsequent toast, and being strongly of opinion that a man ought not to speak more than once in the evening, he felt more inclined to read an extract from a speecli than to make one himself. However, an old schoolfellow of his, having thrown overboard his Latin and Greek, went to Australia to engage in farming operations there. Having recently returned to this country he called upon him last summer, and showed him an Australian newspaper, containing something that appeared to him (Mr. Corbet) to be of interest to them. This was an address delivered before the Victorian Agricultural Society on " Rational Cultivation." In the course of his remarks the lecturer said : " First on the list of things that would tend to promote rational agriculture, I will venture to mention Farmers' Clubs, such as this Society has had the honour of introducing to the colony, or, as they might be called, farmers' schools for grown-up pupils, where each by turn is teacher and is taught. They are the most readily available and practicable means of agricultural educa- tion that we have at hand. These Clubs, and the national shows of the Royal and Highland Societies have done more to advance British agriculture to its present position of high excel- lence than anything else. They have taught the British farmer to think, and to express his thoughts. I can assure you, al- though you may not think it, I read with far more interest and profit the papers and discussions of some of those Farmers' Clubs in the old country than I do even the parliamentary de- 28 THE FARMEK'.S MAGAZINE. b;itei ia our ovvu. Tlirougli these Clubs, aad the agency of tlie press in diffusing tlie knowledge gleaned at their meetings, and by that strength wliich such union gives, tlie British fanner is fast becoming a power in the state. Instead of being considered a mere cipher, and told liow he was to vote at elec- tions, he will ere long dictate to his landlords how tliey must vote in Parliament on such questions as the Game Laws and Tenant Right." Now he (Mr. Corbet) thought it must be very gratifying to them living in the old country to iiud their glory wafted right and left across the sea — not the glory of Eng- land only, but the glory of the I'arniers' Club (cheers). Espe- cially gratifying was it to him to find tlie questions ol Tenant Eight and the game laws placed in such a prominent position. They had laboured earnestly and honestly on the question of Tenant lliglit for the last 30 years ; he thorougl\ly believed that on that question farmers were becoming stronger and stronger ; and having himself had the honour to introduce the subject for discussion in May last, he was much gratified to hear it re- ferred to as it had been by the Chairman that evening, lie was quite sure that there was no flag uuder which tenant farmers could figlit better than under that of Tenant Right (cheers). Mr. Tii.\SK also returned thanks. He said he believed that many of the papers read before tliat Club had done a great deal of good and exercised very great influence. As a proof of the interest some of the authorities of the country had taken in liie proceedings of that Club, he might mention that a Blue Book, which was presented to Her Majesty and the Houses of Parliament during the present year, having been printed " by Order," contained a report of a discussion which had taken place at tliat Club. That was, he thought, a great honour to the Club, as well as to the author of the paper, Mr. Trethe\yy, in which the discussion was introduced (cheers). In illustration of the increased interest which was manifested in the Farmers' Club reference had been made that evening to some new mem- bers. He was quite sure that the members of that Club generally were very glad to see enrolled in their body Members of Parliament who took special interest in agricultural subjects, and he only hoped that the Hon. Baronet the Member for Devon (Sir Massey Lopez), would be able to do something to adjust the local taxation of the country. Mr. C. S. Reap, M.P., then proposed " Tiie Chairman — with better licalth to Mr. James Howard, M.P., the Chairman of the year." He said: AVe live in stirring times — we hear of "wars and rumours of wars;" and I am sure, gentlemen, you all joined in the devout hope of our chairman that this country may continue to be blessed witli peace, and I would add tiiat we must one and all pray that that horrible war which is now devastating France may shortly be brought to a close (cheers). We cannot, indeed, now look upon it as war, it is something like murder. Almost every one who now speaks in public about the war has a theory with rsgard to it. I have heard this theory advanced in order to account for the successes of the Germans over the French — tiiat the physical superiority of the Germans is caused in a great manner by their having better military drill than the French. Now, as the French are constantly drilled, I should have imagined that the intermittent drill of the Germans is not quite as perfect as the French drill (Hear, hear). However, I am not a judge on that point. Another theory is that the German victories are owing to the superiority of their education ; but if you ex- amine the matter, you will find that the soldiers of German States which are not quite as highly educated as those of Prussia and Saxony are equally brave in the field. There are all sorts of theories and arguments on that subject, and, with your permission, 1 will will give my theory. I believe that the superiority of the Germans consists in their being a beer- drinking people (laughter and cheers). I say it seriously — a sober, beer-drinking people (Hear, hear). Beer is their national beverage. They have no malt-tax ; they have very little beer-tax. You can get all over Germany a cheap, refreshing glass of beer, and I contend that that is very much better than the sour wines of France, which purge the body and set tiic teeth on edge (laughtci). I would follow up tliat thought by saying, how comes it to pass that our agricultural labourers are so degenerate in physical strength ? They are better paid, they are better clothed, they are better housed than they were fifty years ago ; but they cannot undergo the same amount of physical toil, and I say we must look to the drink for the cause. The milk has been exchanged for wishy-washy tea (Hear, hear) ; the hoirie-brewed tliat was doled out regularly from the farm-house, and the swipes that was brewed in the cottage, have been exchanged for horrible doctored publican's beer, supplemented now and then with a glass of poisonous gin (Hear, hear). It has been my fate on previous occasions like the present, not exactly to give an account of my stewardship, but to bring before you one or two of the main passages which the last session of Parliament has supplied with regard to agriculture. Now, I had hoped that our excellent President would have supplied my i)lace on this occasion ; and I am sure that we all deeply regret his unavoidable absence, and the unhappy cause of it (Hear, hear). I am sorry to say that the statement which I have to make will be a very short and a very poor one. The main portion of last session was taken up with the consideration of the Irish Land BUI— a bill which, though it was eulogised last night by one or two speakers, I believe is not the sort of bill which we should wish or hope will ever be passed for England (Hear, hear). The sumll tenant farmer of Ireland is not merely going to be paid for every sixpence that he has expended on the soil, but he has also created for him a special interest in the occupation of the land which, although it may in the first instance be to his profit, will, I am quite sure, in the end militate greatly against the interest of the tenantry of Ireland (Hear, hear). You can never do a \^ rong for one class but it must somehow or other eventually recoil upon that class. Another matter which I would mention is the gun- tax. That has been said to be a game-preserving Bill in dis- guise. Well now, in my opinion, it is a game-preserving Bill, pure and simple (cheers). I do not suppose any one can be- lieve that such a wise and subtle man as Mr. Lowe for one moment thought that by imposing a ten-shilling tax he could prevent people from being murdered by revolvers or effectually suppress what he calls the too general use of fire-arms. Now, with the exception of one or two other matters, with which I will not trouble you, I believe the last session was, as regards practical agriculture almost a blank. Perhaps yon will ask me how it was that there were so many blank sessions in Parlia- ment as regards the agricultural interest. I would say, and I say it boldly, that it is just the same in the House of Commons as out of it. The agricultural interest is the most powerful interest in the kingdom ; but it is not united, and it loses its cohesion when it comes to practical work (Hear, hear). We are the worst hands in the world at accepting extraneous help. I would ask whether the corn-laws would ever have been repealed if the agitators for their repeal had not been ready to receive help from any one who would grant it, without inquiring what were his politics ? (Hear, hear). I say we are to blame in that respect. We are, moreover, constantly carping at what we call croch- etty, enthus'astie men. We should utilise their enthu- siasm. Remember that the world has been conquered and governed by enthusiasts. Coming outside Parliament let me begin with the various agricultural soc'eties. There we meet with a great number of most useful, practical, well-worked so- cieties ; and I believe that they are all wanted, and that each one in its different line and vocation is doing an immense deal of good. Certainly I for one should have liked to see some of the junior institutions of that kind grafted upon the older ones. Still there is sufficient room for all of thein. But, then up starts one of our eloquent speakers or ready writers, and who seem constantly trying to create dissensions and divisions, which would not otherwise exist ; and these, mind you are not outside enemies, but persons w'ho profess to be among our best friends. That, therefore, is one of the reasons why it comes to pass that the agricultural interest outside Parlia- ment is not thoroughly united. And then, just look for one moment at the case of individual farmers. Go into any country you like, and take a body of farmers. For five-and-twenty years they have been " hoping against hope." Ever since the corn-laws were repealed they have been promised this, that, and the other. Not a single jiromise has been redeemed, but in- stead of that increased taxation has been constantly imposed. So they grumble and do nothing. J^nd then, if yon do see a good, active, zealous man, you find that he is very apt indeed to fancy that his own locality represents the whole agri- culture of the country. He makes a speech at his own Farm- ers' Club, and conies up here and lets off the steam, and then is dreadfully annoyed to find that other people don't think exactly as he does. I will exemplify that in my own case, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 29 On the very last occasion that I made a speech in the House of Commons the noble lord the member for Retford (Lord Galway) was good enough to tell me that I considered Norfolk to be all England (laughter). Now, then, let lis look at some of our acknowledged grievances, and see how they are generally treated by farmers and by our friends. First of all, take the malt-tax. Wliat do our friends who are fond of wrapping us in wet blankets and dos- ing us with cold water say ? " 0 it is possible to make better and perhaps a little cheaper beer ;" but as to you farmers, you would be inundated with foreign barley, and would not have a better price for your grain if the tax were repealed." Again, take the case of the Game-laws. If you were to get some modification or alteration of those laws, our kind friends, say tlie landlords, will be in exactly the same position as at first, and will just keep as much game as they please. Then there is the great question of tenant-right. We are told that we farmers should certainly get no benefit, that we should have to pay for what we did not want and have greatly to increase the capital which we employ in the land. As regards couutyfinancial boards, some say, "You will have higher rates." Further, there is the question of local taxation. During the last five-and-twenty years the whole of the increased local taxation has been paid by the tenants — I say, most distinctly and emphatically, the whole of the increased local taxation on laud has been paid by the tenants ; and, then, you are told that if there be a modification or alteration, the whole of the benefit will be enjoyed by the landlords. Well, then, suppose you get a Minister of Agriculture, what will he do ? " He will," it is said, " make statistics compulsory, and tax our farm horses." That is the kind of argument whicli you have at every market table, from some extraordinary in- dividual it may be, but still he is, somehow or other, identified with the agricultural interest, and he may even be a tenant- farmer (laughter). It seems to me that we ought to try if we cannot put an end to that sort of thing ; for it is because we have these schisms and divisions among ourselves that we do not make the progress that we ought to make. Well, then, look at agricultural meetings. If we go to one meeting and see a great many landlords at such meeting, we find some man starting up and exclaiming, "Undue landlord influence!" If we go to another meeting, and no landlords are present, we hear it said, " Landlords are not doing their duty, or taking a proper interest in agriculture !" (laughter.) You go to another meeting, perhaps, where the question of education was to be considered. The clergy, more than any other class, take a deep interest in the education of our agricultural labourers ; yet, when they attend a meeting in any number, you are sure to hear the words, "Too much priestly influence." And then, when they have come to a real Ijo/ui fide farmers' club like this, gentlemen go away and' say — " Why these tenant-farmers seem, somehow or other, to forget that there is such a being as a landlord left." Let me just say this, gentlemen, in respect to our own Club — this is the greatest and best combination of practical farmers in the kingdom ; but we have hitherto suffered a little through not having had a sufficient number of landlords to take an interest in our proceedings, and therefore I cordially join in the con- gratulation expressed in the report of the committee, that in the past year we have added considerably to our list of the number of landlords and gentlemen having seats in the House of Commons who are connected with the agricultural interest. Now, gentlemen, let me just draw a moral from what I have said : Don't let anyone say for a moment that any advantage which can be gained for agriculture can be appropriated ex- clusively either by the landlord, the tenant, or the labourer. It is impossible that it can be absorbed by one class. If it be a real benefit it will pervade the whole, although it is just possible that some one class may receive a larger percentage of benefit than others. And then, just let me add this — that there cannot be greater unity between landlord and tenant till they act together more than they have done. And I am quite sure that the more landlords and tenants know of each other — the oftener they meet, the more frequently they discuss dilferences — the greater respect they will entertain for each other, and the greater will be tlie amount of success, prosperity, and advancement attained by agriculture (cheers). Gentlemen, one part of my toast is " Better health to Mr. James Howard, M.P., the chair- man of the year." Mr. Howard has done good service to the cause of farmers in Parliament (cheers). It is most essential that the agricultural interest in Parliament should not belong to any particular party, were it so, we might have Liberal members to speak for us whenever agriculture is as- sailed. Mr. Howard stands up in the House of Commons on our behalf ; he not only speaks, but speaks well ; and the only time that I have seen any impatience manifested towards hira. was when he rather displeased some of his Liberal friends by upholding the tenant farmer,and they therefore endeavoured to stifle what he was saying. I am sure you all sympathise with his family in relation to his present indisposition, which has no doubt been brought on by overwork. There are some people who rust up. Mr. Howard is not a man of that sort ; and I believe — I am sorry for it, for our sakes and for the sake of his family — he has been wearing himself out. Before sitting down I wish to say one word with regard to our excellent chairman. It is not often that so good a substitute can be found as we have the good-fortune to possess on the present occasion. If there be one man in the country whom I more respect than auother that man is Charles Howard (cheers). If I wanted to place before the world a good specimen of an intelligent, honest, and truly Liberal John Bull, 1 should present our excellent chairman (renewed cheers). I believe that in every relation of life he is a pattern to us all, and I have great pleasure in including his health in the toast. The toast was drunk with the honours. After a fitting response from the Chairman, Mr. A. Pell, M.P., proposed " The Royal Agricultural So- ciety of England, the Highland Society of Scotland, and the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland." He said that, after the practical speech which they had just heard, he felt himself to he a sort of Telemachus sitting by the side of the great Ulysses of agriculture, and he would not detain the assembly by entering into the various questions with which his hon. friend had dealt. No one could doubt that the three Societies embraced in the toast rendered most useful service in the eco- nomical system of this kingdom, their great object being to increase the productions of agriculture, and improve the breeds of stock with which these islands were so richly blessed. But he ventured to say that they might in some cases produce a mischievous eft'ect. Some persons who had attended their shows in past times, when they saw the prices, had perhaps imagined that they had only to invest their money to secure a profit by farming ; but they had since learnt by experience that that was by no means the case. The first thing that the agriculturist had to do, after attending a great show, was to think. Thought alone would not make a good farmer. In addition to that, there must be practice and care ; and without these, no man could be a successful, and there- fore a useful farmer, for he maintained that the man who lec- tured to the practical farmer, without knowing whether or not what he recommended was sure to be successful in a business point of view, was not a useful but a mischievous man (Hear, hear). If at Lady-day or Michaelmas-day they could not ob- tain something more than a return of five per cent, for their capital and labour, agriculture was but a waste of time. One great advantage connected with the three great Societies which he had mentioned was, that their meetings afforded op- portunities for bringing together the three great classes wlio worked together (long might they continue to do so !) in agri- culture. There the greatest of the land and the lowliest mem- bers of the agricultural community met for common purposes ; and at the same time the intelligent mechanic not uufrequently evinced a deep interest in the machinery employed in farming operations. In conclusion, the hon. member coupled with the toast the name of Mr. Masfen. Mr. M-VSFEN, in responding, said the three great Societies included in the toast had done a vast deal of good in their day and generation ; and if they had done nothing else, it would have been a great thing to have removed long-standing preju- dices which liindered the progress of agriculture. In looking over the list of the Royal Agricultural Society of England he found that the greater portion of it consisted of men who were interested in the management of the estates of great land- owners ; and he believed there was now a strong disposition on the part of the landed interest to extend to the occupiers of the soil that protection for their capital, the want of which had been such a great obstacle to improvement. So long as tenants were subject to a six-months' notice to quit, they could hardly be expected to invest much of their own capital in tbe laud which they cultivated, Mr. Masfeu further referred to 30 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the ensuing meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society at Wolverhampton, in wliich lie took great interest. Mr. T. CoMGREVE, in proposing " The Vice-chairman, Mr. J. B. Spearing," Chairman-elect for 1870, congratulated the company on having secured a chairman for the ensuing year who, though unassuming, had evinced great talent in connec- tion witli agriculture. Mr. Spearing, after suitahly responding, proposed " The Smithfield Club," coupled with the name of Mr. itorley. Mr. T. HoRLEY, Jan., one of the Judges, in responding, said that no gentleman who had gone over the Show could say that it was not one of the best practically that liad ever been held ; and, comparing it with the shows in Baker- street, they must come to tlie conclusion that the amount of meat exhibited in the Hall that day was vastly in excess of what any of tliem were in the habit of seeing at the West End. In going over the various classes, one thing which struck him was, that there were certain animals there which would have been better at home, and many which were dis- appointing to the exhibitors, because they had not been brought on the right day to run (Hear, hear). Exhibitors should bear in mind that the bringing of an animal tliere was not like taking it to a breeding show. The Smithfield Club was engaged in producing the greatest possible amount of meat from the carcase and the least amount of offal ; and unless the animal were brought in that light condition which would satisfy the hand and the judg- ment of tlie most fastidious man, it was not to be expected tliat it would stand in the position that the owner desired (Hear, hear). With regard to the management of the Smith- field Club, there might be, and there no doubt were, some points with respect to which it should step out, and some little alteration be made ; but he did think that the way in which the stewards and the honorary secretary, assisted by the Executive of the Agricultural Hall, conducted the shows, was a pattern to those wlio had the management of similar gather- ings in the country (cheers). The Rev. E. Smythies, in proposing " The Committee of Management," coupled with the name of Mr. Henry Trethewy, expressed his sense of the increasing desirableness of associat- ing landed proprietors with the proceedings of the Club, adding that he hoped some of them would undertake to read papers. Mr. Trethewy, in responding, said h"? felt it a great com- pliment to have been selected by the Committee to perform that duty. The Committee would, he remarked, be very glad if gentlemen of the class referred to by Mr. Smythies would undertake to introduce a subject. Every member received a circular inviting him to read a paper, and he hoped the matter would not be lost sight of by the members generally. Tt was now about 20 years since he first had the honour of joining the Committee, and he could conscientiously say that his at- tention to the business of that Club had always been to him a source of great satisfaction, and that lie rejoiced at the re- sults which had been attained. Fifceen or sixteen years ago, or perliaps a little further back, the Chib was almost in a bank- rupt position, and one member of the Committee actually re- signed because he thought it would not be able to pay 20s. in the pound (laughter). In happy contrast to that state of tilings the Club liad now an invested fund of £1,200. He could not help adding one or two words respecting some of those whom they had lost by death or some other cause. Looking back 15 or IG years he was reminded of such men as Mr. Eisber Hobbs and Mr. Baker, whose portraits they still preserved, and the recollection of such losses somewhat di- minished the pleasure which hefelt in the restrospect of the past. He would not continue that strain, but he thought the memory of such men ought not to pass away (Hear, hear). Before sitting down lie wished to propose the health of a gentleman who filled a most important post in tliat Club and dso was well known to all of them. It was quite unnecessary for him to take up any of their time in proposing " Tlie Health of the Secretary," whose labours he was sure they all appreciated (cheers). Mr. Corbet, after returning thanks for the compliment, said lie could not help saying a word or two respecting the gentleman who had filled the chair that year. He was not in the habit of paying unnecessary compliments, but he must say that no man ever filled the chair of that Club with greater credit to himself, and none ever did more for its welfare either in that room or out of it, than Mr. James Howard (cheers), whose absence they all so much regretted (Hear, liear). The CiiAiRJiAN gave as the last toast "The Visitors," associated with the name of Sir Massey Lopes, M.P. Sir M. Loves said : I trust this is the last instance of my health being drunk as a visitor : I trust that ere long my name will be 'enrolled among the members of this club, and that I shall no longer be considered a stranger among you. I have not taken up agricultural questions for tlie first time within the last few years. Many years ago it was my lot, after having taken my degree at Oxford, having nothing better to do, to serve an apprenticeship to a farmer in Scotland, and I look upon what I learned there as the most useful part of my education. I happened to be the successor to land which was not in the best condition, and I thought that if I went to the Lothians it might be an advantage to me as an English agriculturist. I must say that what I learnt in Scotland was not exactly suitable to the county of Devon, where I live (Hear, liear). One word with regard to a ques- tion in which I have lately taken special interest — I mean local taxation. If I had not had the support of farmers and of my two hon. friends on my left (Mr. C. S. Read and Mr. A, Pell) I should not have been so presumptuous as to introduce such a difficult and abstruse question in the House of Com- mons. That question is not a party one ; we have a good cause and a great case, and all we have to do is to influence and educate public opinion, because this is a question which concerns not agriculturists only, but all classes of society. I feel that the movement is progressing, but we want more vigour and a little less of that apathy whicli is I must say more conspicuous among landlords than among tenant-farmers. AVhat we want is unity, and one great advantage of such a Club as this is that it tends to create unity. We need to meet together more as landlords and tenant-farmers, and I feel sure that the more we do meet to- gether and the more we see of each other the more we shall appreciate each other. If we landlords are to receive whole- some advice, it is far better that we should receive it face to face than behind our backs, and I feel quite certain that whatever is uttered with good temper will produce due effect. I look upou the Chambers of Agriculture as one of the greatest powers that the agricultural interest has ever pos- sessed, and I grieve that so few landlords take part in their proceedings. There is a good old Cornish proverb : " One and all" — and that indicates what we now want. We are at present too much like scattered sheep : there is not sufficient combination and co-operation among us, and that is the reason why we are so much fleeced. If, instead of there being so many landlords in the House of Commons we had a few more tcnant-farraers, depend upon it your interests would be much better looked after. There is not very much sympathy with landlords in that House. If a tenant-farmer make an appeal, that appeal is listened to with respect ; but as to the landlord, the sooner he hides his diminished head the better (laughter). It is said to be the old story, and they are chaffed about dis- tressed agriculture. Depend upon it there shall be no want of vigour or energy on my part, though I may not succeed (cheers). The company then separated. A NEW LAND BILL FOR ENGLAND. At the December discussion, Mr. Edtniiuclsl of Rugby, in his own words " merely rose to ask The Farmers' Club whether they really thought for oae mo- ment that England required an Irish Land Bill? He believed that no such absurdity was ever started." And as be rose to say so much, Mr. Edmunds sat down agaift THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE, 31 aeclaring that " the less they had of centralisatiou or of Goverument interference with the ordinary transactions between man and man the better." These remarks wonld seem to have been made in answer as it were to a paper just previously read by Mr. Traslc, of Highleaze, on The Size of Farms, in which the introducer of the subject had expressed his conviction that "at no distant day a Land Bill will become as necessary in England, as the noble measure of justice which has become law this year, was found to be necessary for Ireland." Now this by no means implies, as, however, the question put by Mr. Edmunds would infer, that anybody had ever advocated at the Farmers' Club the necessity of an Irish Land Bill for England. That, of course, which is required for England is an English Land Bill, as, no doubt, the adop- tion of any amendment in this way in one part of the United Kingdom may lead to something more being attempted in another. At a meeting of this same Club in the spring of the year the author of the paper under consideration had stated that if he tried to read the signs of the times, he should say it was by no means improbable that the present Government took up in turn the land question in England ; while Mr. James Howard supported this by stating how, of his own knowledge, " there was a very growing impression amongst the members of the House of Commons that the Irish Land Bill must be followed by an English Land Bill, as, indeed, the one was a corollary of the other." And Mr. Howard, be it re- membered, is a member of the House of Commons. Mr. Trask, as it seems to us, went no further than this, as no one, in fact, " started such an absurdity as that an Irish Land Bill was requisite for England." But Mr. Edmunds himself went a deal further, that is, if we properly understand the purport of what he said : " the less they had of Government interference with the ordinary transactions between man and man the better." And this being duly interpreted, we shall assume, to mean simply that so far as the ordinary transactions between landlord and tenant are concerned, no English Land Bill is required. Mr. Howard, Mr. Trask, and others fancy they see that some such measure " coming ;" but then, according to Mr. Edmunds, at the Farmers' Club, nobody wants it, or " the less of it the better." This sounds some- what startling after all the farmers have been doing of late years to improve their position in the State. Hitherto the Land Law has in practice been found to be pretty much upon one side, and in the ordinary transactions between man and man the landlord has had it generally all his own way At any rate, for the last quarter of a century or so the point of hundreds of papers and the conclusions at thousands of meetings have been to the effect that it would be all "the better" if there were some ' Govern- ment interference" to amend the relations between man and man, that is to say between landlord and tenant. Should not, for instance, the farmer's capital be secured to him by some broad general recognition of the Tenant Right principle? But so far it is not ; and at this very moment the western counties of Hereford and Devon are wild with excitement at the injustice that has been done and clamorous for some good English Land Bill. Enoug;h, in fact, was said at the Farmers' Club dinner on the Tuesday to show how this subject is growing, as that, according to Mr. James Howard, " the Legislature of this country will entertain the question of an English Tenant Right Bill." And this of course is interference between man and man. Again, how is the abominable Game evil, against which, as we have seen during the last [few months, it is quite impossible to farm, to be effectually at- tacked but by Government interference in the ordinary transactions between man and man ? A new jLand Bill must enact that rabbits are mere vermin, to be treated as such, ^nd that any one who chooses to create au abuse shall do so at his own cost and not at the expense of other people. Or, further, why should any landlord, or more espe- cially any such a landlord as this," who has ruined a man by game or turned him out in the world without g-iving him his own again, have the prior claim on the tenant's means and produce ? Does the law of distress for rent require no amendment ? do man and man in this matter deal quite fairly, when one takes all and the other creditors little or nothing ? The plain truth is that English Land Laws as they now read are as lop-sided as they well can be ; made by landlords for landlords, and so far as the ordinary transactions be- tween man and man go on little other consideration. There are. moreover, in this age of competition customs or practices growing up that, if not precisely laws, require the attention of" the law. For example, there is the pernicious business of putting up farms to let by auction, when the worst man commonly gets in, as of course sooner or later he is sold out, when under the present delightful circumstances the landlord has the right^ to " saUsfy " himself in the face of everybody else. " In the county of Somerset," says Mr. Trask, " where the moderate-sized farms largely prevail, the competition is something enormous, and we are beginning to hear of the loathsome system of offering bribes to agents to get farms, and in one case, that has recently cropped up, an agent is greatly belied if he didn't accept a bribe of £100 from an in-going tenant, for whom he got the farm, and that too with the owner's knowledge." "Why, we could surely never expect to hear of anything worse than this in Ireland, as the case, indeed, quite out Herods the " Good will " that has been so much protested against. But here in England, down in Somersetshire, the small farmer must not only find capital sufficient to stock the land, but to fee the agent. These are not perhaps so much the ordinary as the extraordinary transactions be- tween man and man, but they must be looked to never- theless, as we often enough have to legislate on exceptions to the common principles of honesty. The fact is, as it seems to us, that Mr. Edmunds has got hold of a pet but utterly obsolete phrase when he talks of not interfering between man and man in then- ordinary transactions, that a man must take care of him- self, and all that sort of thing. Whereas in almost every walk of life, save in the practice of Agriculture, the weaker is protected against the stronger. The trades- man knows full well that he must treat his apprentice as the law directs; the master cannot ill-use his servant without being held amenable. If a man has been over- reached in the purchase of a house or a horse, the Go- vernment " interferes " in the transaction with a view to seeing him righted. But on the farmer's behalf no one interferes. The landlord may ill-treat him or the agent over-reach him. and he has really no remedy. They may turn him out without offering hini a sixpence for all that he effected, us has been done lately, or they may eat him up with game, as is done daily. And still he is to grin and bear it, for " the less interference there is the bcttBr " But INIr. Edmunds is no farmer himself, or, as he explained to the Farmers' Club, only in a very small way, and hence it may be questioned how far his opinions represent those of the farmers. That an English Land Bill will be brought in is tolerably certain, perhaps a measure of more scope than is expected, as that this is required is equally beyond a doubt. We have only to hope that the landlords, who are now working m pubhc with the farmers, will give it a welcome, even though this should not emanate from the landlord side of the House. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND COUNTIES CATTLE SHOW. The anuual general meeting of the Subscribers to the Birmingham Cattle Show, was held on December 5, at the Hen and Chickens Hotel, New-street. In the absence of the Pre- sident, Lord Conibermere, the chair was taken by Mr. C. M. Caldecott. Lord Beauchamp was elected president for 1871 ; and the Council for conducting the business of the show for the ensuing three years was also elected, in this way : — Vice-Presidents : The Mayor of Birmingham, Lord Lyttelton, Lord Leigh, the Earl of Dartmouth, the Earl of Lichfield, the Earl of Dudley, Earl Spencer, the Duke of Marlborough, the Earl of Avlesford, Lord Walsingham, the Earl of Ilarrowby, Lord Wenlock, the Earl of Powis, the Earl of Bradford, the Earl of Coventry, and I;ord Combermere. Treasurer : Mr. J. Lowe. Trustees : Mr. C. M. Caldecott, Mr. H. Luckcock, and Mr. J. Mathews. The Earl of Warwick, Lord Calthorpe, Viscount Hill, Sir G. E. Philips, Bart., Messrs. C. N. Newde- gate, M.P., W. Bromley-Davenport, M.P., G. Dixon, M.P., G. C. Adkius, T. Avery, J. Jalfray, W. James, T. Lloyd, G. P. Muntz, C. Ratcliff, T. Byland, H. Wiggin, G. Wise, E. Gwyther, W. HoUiday, H. Adkins, J. Arnold, H. Barclay, J. Barker, W. A. Beach, C. S. Bigge, J. H. Burbery, T. Bur- bidge, T. T. Burman, J. Cattell, W. H. Clare, C. Couchman, B. Dain, J. H. Dawes, W. Powler, E. Freer, J. Gillott, J. Heap, T. Horley, jun., W. Lort, U. Lowe, W. B. Mapplebeck, R. H. Masfen, W. Mathews, jun., G. A. May, C. Richards, F. Sabin, J. Smith, G. Steedman, T. Walford, and T. B. Wriglit. The receipts during the Show, which closed on Thursday, stand thus, in comparison with other years : — 186G. 1807. 1368. 1869. 1870. Monday £214 ... £249 ... £213 ... £195 ... £260 0 0 Tuesday £158 ... £247 ... £249 ... £310 ... £385 8 0 Wednesday £162 ... £257 ... £291 ... £437 ... £464 1 0 Thursday £113 ... £223 ... £239 ... £424 ... £492 14 6 £647 £978 £992 £1,366 £1,002 3 6 A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring Pre- sident, LoT-d Combermere, and some other formal votes and resolutions were put and carried. Mr. Albright read a memorial from the promoters of the War Victims' Pund to the council of the Birmingham Cattle Show, asking for donations of seed-corn, to enable the distressed peasants in Prance to plant their devastated farms. The pro- ject seemed to be favourably entertained. Several of those pre- sent promised donations to the Fund. THE BEST FAT PIG AT BIRMINGHAM. TO THE EDITOK. Sir, — I find iu your report of tlie Birmingham Show, the following words : " Tlie best single fat pig — although exhibited by the Duckeriug's, this is quite a chance pig, as the breeder is unknown." I shall feel obliged if you will correct this. The pig was bred by myself, and I ex- hibited it at the Bath and West of England Show, held at Taunton in June last, when I sold it to the Duckering's for £20. I am surprised at their withholding the name of the breeder, which is a positive injustice to me. I am sir, yours respectfully, T. R. COBNISH. JFo/fsf/rove, B/'shojisteiffnioii, Nov. 30. THE POINTS OF THE PIG. "VVe have been favoured with the following paper by Mr. John Fisher, of Carhead : 1. Head and Ears. — The head should be wide iu front ; ears erect, and pointed forward ; chaps rounded, and well filled up to the brisket. 2. Crest and Shoulders. — Crest wide, and rising well to the shoulders ; shoulder-blades well sloped back- wards. 3. Ribs AND Loins. — Ribs well sprung; loins wide, and slightly arched. 4. lIiND-QUARTERS. — lliud-quarters not to slope, nor narrow towards the tail. 5. Hams. — Hams rounded outwards, well let down, and full at the twist. 6. Chest. — Chest wide, with elbows well out. 7. FoRE-RiBs AND Flank. — Fore-ribs wide under- neath; flauk well let down, straight, and well filled to the stifle. 8. Legs and Feet. — Legs straight and small iu the bone ; feet small and compact. 9. Hair and Colour. — Hair plentiful, bright, and vigorous ; colour to denote purity of breed. 10. Tail. — Tail entire, thick at root, and tapering. 11. Size. — Size according to the breed. Table Giving the Full V.^lue to Perfection in Every Particular Point in the Pig -. No ± ^ward to P 1. Head and Ears ... 8 2. Crest and Shoulders ... ... 8 3. Ribs and Loius ... 12 4. H ind' quarters ... ... 10 5. Hams ... ... 12 6. Chest ... 10 7. Fore-ribs and flauk ... 15 8. Legs and Feet ... ... 10 9. Hair and Colour ... 10 10. Tail ... 5 11. Size ... 10 Award a lesser number to each of tliese points iu the proportion that it falls short of perfection or the highest standard of excellence. Thus — if the head be long or narrow, the chap light, and the ears haug down over the eyes, award only G or 4, or 2 or 0, as they may deserve ; and so on through all the points. Then add the uumber of awarded points together, and the total will give the order of merit in the animal. THE CAUSES NOW IN OPERATION WHICH DIS- COURAGE THE APPLICATION OF CAPITAL TO AGRICULTURE. — At a meeting of the Leicestershire Chamber of Agriculture, some time having elapsed before any member would open a discussion on this subject, Mr. Foster eventually did so, by moving the following resolu- tion : " That in tlie opinion of this Chamber the main causes at present iu operation which prevent the application of capital to agriculture are, first, the comparatively unremunerative iiatuie of the occupation ; second, the want of sufficient security for capital invested therein ; and third, the ravages occasioned by the over-preservation of ground-game." Mr. Foster said in putting this that "Two years ago they had a very siuiilar season to contend with to the present, and there was a fair yield of wheat on most soils — he believed there would be this year ; but he would confidently say that lie should produce nearly a quarter of wheat per acre more this year than he did two years ago, and that would be mainly, if not wholly, due to the destruction of game on his farm. It was nonsense to say tliat the landlord would meet the tenant in the matter of rent, where such a state of thiugs existed as he had pointed out (Hear, hear). For in his case he should derive more benefi from his wheat land this year in consequence of the destruc- tion of the ground game, than the whole rent of the land would come to. He was happy to say too, that on the estate upon which he lived, a neighbour of his had been successful this year in winning the prize offered by the Rugby and Duuchurch Agricultural Association, for the best managed farm. He did not think it possible under the state of things that existed two years ago, for any farmer on that estate to farm his land so as to win a prize ; it was wholly owing to tlie destruction of game that he had beeu able to do so." Mr. Simpkin seconded the resolution, which was carried. THE FARMER'S MAQAZINE, 33 BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND COUNTIES CATTLE SHOW. The fact tliat the best beast ia Bingley Hall this season could reach no higher than a high commendation when exhibited at Islington last year, would at the first blush of it go to imply that the show is not one of any extraor- dinary merit. And such an inference is by no means unwarranted. The cattle classes are pretty generally stronger in numerical entries than individual excellence ; and, with the exception only of Mr. Pulver's ox, there is not an animal to be found amongst the three " established" English breeds of really great pretensions for such a meeting, although the polled Scots and crosses have here and there more merit, if this be not so clearly spoken to in the prize-list. Noticeably enough the Here- fords which came out so well during the summer are now proportionately weak, as there was not a beast amongst them that stood any chance for any honours beyond beating something of his own breed. The best of all the white faces, Mr. Cocks' steer, has great size and plenty of meat, but he lacks style, and is altogether coarse and common ; the second best in the class from the same stalls showing more quality and symmetry, and Mr. Price's third prize being a very smart taking steer, but not so ripe as he might be. The handsomest Hereford, however, was the best steer of the other class — a beast full of fine character, set oif by such points as a blood-like head and kindly expres- sion, a broad open front, and a rich-coloured curly coat. He comes of the famous Leen herd, as, when we saw him at Hereford in the autumn, we said this beast would "make his mark hereafter." Nevertheless, the judges dwelt ter- ribly over this animal and a steer bred by Mr. Shirley, but fed by Mr. Heath in Norfolk, and a good butcher's beast no doubt, as level and firm, but bad in his quarters, and altogether mean in his appearance, beginning with a cunning bad head, and wanting altogether the nobility of the other. Her Majesty's third prize was to the eye more of a mongrel than a Hereford, and the remainder of the class as indifferent as need be. There was a larger entry than usual of Hereford cows, as one might have looked reasonably enough here for the best of the breed, with such well-known winners as Mr. Eogers' Silk, Mr. Hill's Excelsior, and Mr. Ridgley's Cherry in the class, though the judges pronounced a superior to any of these to be a round, deep, well-fed cow from Wenlock ; the best for the shambles possibly, but with little of the stamp or fashion of Silk or Excelsior. Still Mr. Rogers' cow was in anything but blooming condition, and Cherry, the Ludlow prize cow, otherwise a very clever one, is sadly disfigured by her bad lumpy quarters. The two best Hereford heifers were a long way before the rest of the class, and both so good that one only wonders the more why the Mayor's prize went to a steer ? At the Oakham show in 1869 Mr. Vulver, a yeo- man of Broughton, near Kettering, showed a Short- horn steer, by Biddenham, a bull from Mr. Charles Howard's Spencer tribe, but bred by Sir \V. de Brooke, that took a second prize in an All-England class to Mr. Roland Wood's Little Wonder, the best beast in the show. Young Biddenham then came on to the Smith- field Club Meeting, where in the certainly "crack" class he was only highly commended. Lord Ayles- ford's steer, the best animal of his year, being first, Mr. Wood's Little Wonder second, and a steer of Lord Penrhyn's third. Still one of the judges said, " if kept on for another year, this very slylish steer will be sure to command a foremost place." Mr. Pulver thence travelled his beast on to Leeds, where he won in his class, but never was in it when the judges came to find the best animal in the yard. During the past summer and autuma he look invariably first prizes for fat stock at Peterborough, Royston, Hinckley, and Wellingborough ; as at Oakham in the early part of last week he was not only the first of his class, but the best beast in the show. He had thus " run through" many of the animals he met in his own class at Birmingham. Lord Spencer's long, straight, and " staring"-white ox, his second at Oakham, was now un- noticed ; Colonel Reeves's good useful red beast, the Re- serve at Oakham, was, as we thought, the Reserve here ; and Mr. Rowland Wood's commended entry has often previously been beaten by the winner. It so happened that in a very mixed lot, with some wretched things sent up from all parts of the world, the second prize went to a clever deep and square steer, bred not by Mr. Richard Stratton but Mr. Joseph Stratton, and unquestionably the next best, but not so well made up for show as he might have been ; while a Scotch ox of nice quality, but with his tail badly set on, just beat the Grantham red for third, although it will always be a near thing between them. The Shorthorn steers were a still more moderate lot, of which Mr. Robert Searson's white, the first in his class at Oakham, looked to have the most promise of framing out into a good beast, but he was not so forward as Lord Aylesford's short podgy steer, with a head stuck in or on to his back, set off by bad out- standing shoulders, which the judges accordingly put first, possibly for quality but certainly not for symmetry. When it came to naming the best of all the Shorthorns the authorities paid the cow classes the equivocal compliment of not having the winner out again, a nice thriving cow nevertheless, that has been backing Mr. Mumford'sluck of late by winning all about the couutry. Lord Peversham's second is plain and patchy, but of high quality, and Lord Anglesey's third, the best at Walsall, grown so out of form into excrescence, that it is difiicult to understand how any man with " an eye" could ever give her a prize. We arc not quite so sure, after all, but that Mr. lleid's Scotch Shorthorn heifer, so straight, deep, and handsome, or Lord Dunmore's very successful cross, quite " pretty" in her looks, and yet with a great long well-furnished frame, was, one or the other, the best of all the cows and heifers ; as there were four or five good Shorthorn heifers in jthe class, but with all the honours going North, and Mr. Wood's best at Oakham altogether overlooked here. Dowager was now, however, in very different company. According to the prize list the general meiit of the Devons was something extraordinary. There were, for the four classes, in all some sixteen or seventeen shown, with scarcely one ot these but that received some f^om- pliment from the judges. Thus, in the only class where there was anything like competition, that of the oxen or older steers, three commendations were appended to the three prizes ; the winner as usual coming from Mr. Smith, of Exeter. This is a big meaty well-covered steer, with capital flesh, but by no means so smart nor so blood-like as a North Devon should be ; while the second best is a commonish but passable animal, that either for breeding or feeding did not look to be the superior of Mr. McNiven's third prize, or even of the high commenda tion. The judges, moreover, never took these classe 84 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. into the central avenue of the Hall, but went over the entries as they stood — an injustice alike to themselves, the spectators, and the exhibitors, as it is next to im- possible to get a proper notion of any animal until you see him fairly out, let alone the bad " effect" of judging after this hole and corner fashion. There were only three younger steers, and only one good, a very smart beast from the famous Broughton pastures in the Aylesbury Vale, said through a mistake of his breeder, Mr. Baker, to be entered at three years and six weeks instead of three years and six months old. In the succeeding class of cows, Mr. Walter Farthing having lost his cow put one of his prize heifers in her place, that was merely com- mended, the winner being a very true high-bred cow from the herd of Mr. Newbery, but exhibited by Mr. McNiven. The two other prize cows were of not so much mark ; but the three prize heifers were all good, the first and second especially so, although at breed- ing shows Daisy has beaten the Royal Adelaide before now. Still the pick of the three was unquestionably Perfection, who, but for her falling away a little in her quarters, went far to realize her title. She has lots of style, a sweet head, a long, straight, well-covered frame, with a good touch, and heavy accordingly is the wagering that she will be first, and first both in Birmingham and in London. But still she was not the best of alUhe Devons, nor even of the Devon cows and heifers, and perhaps Lady 2ud might fairly compete with her; but if it ever does come to a champion from this lot of Devons in Lon- don we certainly do not expect to see Mr. Smith's steer again at their head. It will be so gathered that if there were any great merit in Mr. Pulver's ox, he could have no difficulty in his path so far. And he has indisputably great merit in many ways. He is a smart rich roan in colour ; he is a compact square rather than an overwhelming animal ; he has fed so well that his flesh does not seem to encumber him as it does many a fat beast, but he has a cheerful look and gay carriage, as it is not until you see him out that he moves after a somewhat awkward ungainly fashion. He has an especially good forehand, is well ribbed up, and straight and square in his outline, but bad in his purse, having suffered terribly from castration, and standing rather weak from behind. Of course he was not only at a glance the best of his class, being ordered in very early, but as easily the best of his breed ; and although Mr. George Turner held out afterwards, the other judges and the lookers on only smiled, as the pretensions of Mr. Smith's Devon when put in comparison with the Shire Shorthorn made it something like a horse to a hen. How- ever, Mr. Turner did his duty to his county as he did when it came to the best of all, and, as everybody else had seen long previously, the Shorthorn eventually took every prize there was to be taken, as he goes on to Islington for the Champion Plate, and again to Leeds in competition for a similar premium. Good as he is, comparatively, we do not regard the further success of Young Liddenham as by any means a certainty, for he falls just short of being a grand beast wheu jou meet him, and if anything at Birmiugham should close up with him again, there will be more danger to fear from the North than from the West, despite the best cow and Mr. Turner's unqualified admiration of the Exeter steer. " From Tillyfour will undoubtedly go the heaviest fat polled bullock that will be shown inBingleyllall and Smith- field this year. This animal is a five-year-old, and a full bro- ther to the famous Black Prince, that carried everything be- fore him in these two exhibitions, and went, by desire of Her Majesty, to Windsor for the Queen's inspection. The Tillyfour ox of 1870, however, is not considered so fine an enimal, but he is quite as fat, and of exactly the same girtli— 9 feet 10 iuches, Ja the heifer daises My, M'Combie will show Bess, now four years old, and bred by Mr. Skinner, Drumin, Ballindalloch. This animal carried the first prize as a two-year-old heifer at the High- land Society's Show at Aberdeen in 1868, when the pro- perty of the breeder. She was purchased by Mr. M'Combie in the Autumn of that year, at a high figure, for breeding purposes. She had not proved a breeder, however, and is now considered a model heifer." We were enabled to say so much in our last week's number, and The Scotsman was well- advised, for the brother to Black Prince has little beyond his size in his favour, and he took no prize ; whereas the cow is as true and level as a die, and as handsome as a picture; and though she may have failed at the herd, she is a great success in the stalls — a greater, perhaps, than they quite considered her in Bingley Hall on Saturday. The same authority enabled us to forewarn our readers that " Mr. Heath Harris, of Earnhill, has catalogued for Smithfieldtwo perfectly-shaped and highly- fed, but not heavy animals. One of these is the three-year- old polled bullock which carried off so many first prizes at the Highland Society and other shows while in the possession of the breeder, Mr. Bruce, Newton of Struthers, and also the cup at Forres last December, where Mr. Harris bought him for 100 guineas. The heifer, a Shorthorn, from Earnhill, is the two-year-old roan Short- horn bred by Mr. Harris, and which won the medal at Forres last year, and the second prize at Elgin last summer." And the ox from Earnhill duly won in his class, uniting fine quality with great symmetry, and timed almost to a day. When, then, having disposed of " the best fed and bred," the judges had to select the best of all the steers, and the Shorthorn was opposed by the Scotch polled and the Scotch cross, it looked a deal more like a matter for "nice agument" than it had been with the over-rated Devon. Not that Messrs. Martin's cross, all after the Shorthorn in his character, was so very formidable, as he is slack in his back and an up-and-down beast at best ; but the Scot is an animal of quite another colour, and if we named any two entries of any one breed to do even better in London we should take Mr. Harris' ox and Mr. McCombie's cow. It is questionable, indeed, whether the services of a North country judge should not occasionally be secured, as the lowland men seemed to go all wrong over the West Highland cattle. Lord Southesk's second being full of fine national character, a truly handsome, and hardy mountaineer ; while the one put above him is a sour-headed plain beast with more flesh and nothing else in his favour. Those other Longhorns, once the pride of our Midlands, were carefully stowed away into two odd corners, where the judges made short work of their merits, and where we only saw them by accident. They reached to eight entries in all, and to one of the Welsh breeds. History repeats itself at Birmingham, at any rate in recording a sheep show ; and Lord Walsingham's smart Southdowns and Lord Berner's fine Leicesters year after year continue to take all the chief prizes. Then, few of the famousHLll-men ever make an entry, and anyone whochooses to send on wins with Cotswolds, as Mr. Hall of Barford did, with some nice sorty pens of some character. The few lots of useful Oxfords were so befouled with nasti- ness that the judges and everyone else declined to subject them to the ordeal by touch; and the "other" crosses were not so remarkable for merit as we had been led to expect. These experiments generally show stronger in London, There were two or three entries of Hampshire Downs, with scarcely any competition in any of the breeds for the classes of single ewes. Noticeably enough ia these getting-about times one of the sheep judges, Mr, Rigden, hal aerer previously heen ia JBiugley HaU, THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. 35 where nothing struck him more than the show of Shrop- shires, nor can we remember them so good for some time past. There was more uniformity, and though Lord Cheshara maintained his lead and won in both classes, his sheep had more of the Shropshire and less of the South- down in their appearance, as they are now fast realising the type of what an " Improved" Shropshire should be. The small class of old wethers was of especial excellence, but the sheep in Mrs. Beach's reserve pen were not cleverly matched, with here a dark and there a light face. The Lincolns were not numerous, but they were mostly good, what with their fine wool, great size, and " breedy" looks. With the exception of the class of large breeding pigs, this section of the show was better than usual, with some of the entries of especial excellence. The best single fat pig was, for instance, one of the best out for many a long day ; so good aU over, indeed, as to be considered to possess within six of the several points at which Mr. Fisher puts a perfect pig, on this scale : Head and ears, 8 ; crest and shoulders, 8 ; ribs and loins, 12 ; hind quar- ters, 10; hams, 12 ; chest, 10 ; fore ribs and flank, 15, legs and feet, 10 ; hair and colour, 10 ; tail, 5 ; size, 10. Although exhibited by the Duckerings, this is quite a chance pig, as the breeder is unknown, and the age put at " about " eighteen months. Not that this has apparently much to do with it, for as a well-known man has it "in judging a pig I never take age into much account, as this as is likely to be put wrong as right," and no doubt the examination is little more than an amusing farce, as the occasional disqualifica- tions and subsequent protests so continually testify. Beyond the first prize there were a number of good pigs in this class, with Mr. Peter Eden taking both second and third, the younger of the two, otherwise very true in his frame, being a trifle too long in his body. In the pens of three fat pigs the Messrs. Duckering had again the best of all, with some of their own sort, Her Majesty being a good second in both of these classes, as the white Windsors promise to be coming back to their old form. Mr. Cartwright, on the contrary, could get no nearer than third in a class of three entries, but one of his team died a short time since, and an odd lot from the same litter had to be put forward in his place. These entries, however, were all unmistakeably good with the Eeverend Henry Baily's Berkshire's as the best ; as the Swindon pigs have long been esteemed by judges out of the show, though they have never, so far, been very successful in public. The pens of breeding Berkshires supplied the best class in the Hall, and one which narrowly escaped a general com- mendation. So meritorious were some of these that the judges rather divided over the use and size of Mr. Fowler's litter, and the finer quality of Mr. Smith's pen. Then Mr. Humphrey's sample was very nearly as good ; and there were in fact plenty of prize pigs to be bought and sold in what seemed to be a brisk market. The Messrs. Howard, of Bedford, were unable from a suspicion of disease to send any of their entries, and the class of large white breeding pigs was, as we have said, very moderate or more positively indifferent, the first and second prizes going to exhibitors not hitherto much distinguished in this way. The small breeding pigs, on the contrary, with Mr. Eden still in the ascendant, were very nice, as a small pig is always more pleasing to the eye than a large one. The Manchester sort, moreover, were just separated in the return list by Mr. George Turner, junior's, pretty blacks ; while Mr. Matthew Walker had to be content with an extra medal. But then, in good company, any- thing is worth having. Considering that the past season was most unfavourable for the cultivation of roots the display upon the whole is remarkably good. The mangolds are an extraordinary giowj tteglobea being better than we everremember tobaye seen them in Bingley Hall. The swedes, kohl rabi, and carrots are very meritorious, but common turnips, with one or two exceptions, are very moderate ; while the ox cab- bage is as poor as anything could be, the best three specimens weighing only 85 lbs. against over 160 lbs. last year. The entries for the two cups given by Messrs. Proctor and Ryland, and Sutton and Sons, compose an exhibition in themselves, the prizes being closely eon- tested. The aggregate weight of the collection from Mr. Hicken, that won Messrs. Proctor's cup, was 436^ lbs., viz. : 6 long mangoldi, 212| lbs. ; G globes, 181 lbs. ; and 6 swedes, 43 lbs. The weight of the prize collection for Messrs. Suttons' cup was 454 lbs., the 6 long mangolds being 194i lbs. ; 6 globes, 142ilbs. ; 6 swedes 36 lbs. ; 6 kohl rabi 42ilbs. ; 6 turnips, 38|lbs. The prizes for the class of mangolds and swedes were all awarded to roots of a superior quality, but of less weight than many of the other entries. In corn, the wheat, both red and white, is remarkably good ; but oats and peas, with the exception of the white peas, are very indifferent, the prizes being withheld in several classes for want of merit. The potatoes this year are remarkable both for extent and quality, there being 135 entries, nearly the whole of which were sent. In the classes for named varieties were ex- cellent specimens of all the best kidneys; while King's Milky Whites, Flukes, Red Regents, and Paterson's Victoria were all exceedingly well represented, the latter especially so. There were no less than 47 entries in the class for any other named variety, and the judges had great diffi- culty in awarding the four prizes at their disposal. This class was s show in itself, and included many of the American potatoes which have been introduced during the last two or three years, and that for quality and productiveness deserve the attention of English growers. Some remarkable specimens of the " Bovinia," or cattle- feeding potato, were also exhibited. We append the weights of the principal pens in those classes of poidtry which will be most likely to interest our readers : Ducks, white, Aylesbury, drake and duck, first, 181bs. 9oz. ; second, ISlbs. ; third, 171bs. 6oz. ; fourth, 181bs.4oz. Rouen, drake and duck, first, 191bs, 4oz. ; second, lOlbs. 6oz. ; third, 181bs. 2oz. ; fourth, 171bs. 4oz. Geese, white, exceeding one year, gander and goose, first, 581bs. 12oz. ; second, 561bs. 5oz. ; ditto, birds of 1870, first, 491bs. 4oz. ; second, 491bs. Grey and mottled gander and goose, exceeding one year, first, 621bs. 6oz. ; second, 54Ibs. 6oz. ; ditto, birds of 1870, first, 531bs. 6oz. ; second, 49lbs. loz. Turkeys, cocks, over one year, first, 361bs. 4oz. ; second, 351bs. 2oz. ; ditto hatched 1870, first, 241bs. 6oz. ; second, 231bs. 12oz. ; hens, exceeding one year, first, 3 libs. 4oz. ; second, 291b3. loz. PEIZE LIST. CATTLE. Judges. — R. J. Newton, Carapsfield, Woodstock. Stiles Rich, The Cedars, Worcester. George Turner, Brampford Speke, Exeter. HEREFORDS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, Philp Turner, Leen, Perabridge, near Leominster ; second, £10, Wm. Heath, Ludham Hall, Norwich; third, £5, Her Majesty, the Queen, Windsor Castle. Commended: Henry Bettndge, East Hanney, Wantage, Berks. Steers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, extra prize of £10 10s., given by the ex-Mayor of Birmingham for best Hereford bred by the exhibitor, extra prize of £20 for best Hereford, Benjamin Cocks, Tugford, Munslow, Salop ; second, £10, Benjamin Cocks; third, £5, John Price, Court House, Pembridge. Commended ; Richard Shirley, Bancott, Munslow, Church Stretton. Cows. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, Thomas, Instoue, BourtoD, aear Much Weulock, Salop ; second, £10| B 2 36 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Herbert Ridgley, Steventon, uear Ludlow; third, £5, Thomas Rodgers, Coxall, Brampton Brian, Herefordshire. Com- mended and reserve : Richard Hill, Orleton Court, Ludlow. Heifers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, H. M. The Queen; second, £10, James Wm. James, Mappowder, Court, near Blandford, Dorset; third, £5, John Baldwin, Luddington, Stratford-en-Avou. Commended and reserve ; Richard Henry Ridler, Gattertop, Hope-under-Dinmore, near Leominster. SHORTHORNS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, President's Silver Cup, of £25, for best ox or steer, bred and fed by exhibitor, Earl of Aylesford's extra prize of £15 for best Shorthorn, bred and fed by exhibitor ; Hotel and Innkeepers' of Birmingham Silver Cup, of 35 gs., lor best ani- mal in the cattle classes ; extra of £20, for best Shorthorn ; and Gold Medal, value £20, for best ox or steer of any breed or age, Thomas Pulver, Broughton, Kettering ; second, i£10, Joseph Stratton, Manningford Bruce, near Marlborough, AVilts; third, £5, Messrs. J. W. Martin, Aberdeen. Com- mended: Rowland Wood, Clapton, near Thrapston. Steers. — First prize, ^615, silver medal as breeder, Earl of Aylesford, Packington Hall, Coventry ; second, £10, Robt. Searson, Cranmore Lodge, Deeping St. James, Market Deep- ing ; third, £5, Joseph Stratton, Manuingford Bruce ; Reserve, Thos. Walker, Berkswell Hall, Coventry. Cows. — First prize, £15, John Aubrey, Mumford, Chilton Park Farm, Thame, Oxon ; second, £10, Earl of Feversham, Duncombe Park, Helmsley, York ; third, £5, Marquis of Anglesey, Beaudesert, Staffordshire ; Reserve, Aiex. Brogden, M.P., Lightburn House, Ulverstone, Lancashire. Heifers. — First prize, £15, James Reid, Graystone, Alford, Aberdeenshire ; second, £10, John Hunter, Dipple, Fochabers; third, £5, Sir Walter C. Trevelyan, Wallington, Northumber- land ; Reserve, Richard Heath Harris, Earn Hill, near Forres, Morayshire. DEVONS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, extra prize, £20, for the best Devon, Wm. Smith, Hoopern, Exeter ; second, £10, Wm. B. Shacklady, Upton Court Farm, Slough, Bucks ; tliird, £5, C. McNiven, Perrys- field, Oxted, Godstone, Surrey. Highly commended : Edward Trood, Bovvhay, Exminster, Devon. Commended : Trevor Lee Senior, Broughton House, near Aylesbury ; Walter Far- thing, Stowey Court, Bridgewater, Somerset. Steers. — First prize, £15, Trevor Lee Senior, Broughton House, near Aylesbury, Bucks ; second, £10, Her Majesty the Queen ; third, £5, Wm. Smith, Hooperu, Exeter, Devon. Cows. — First prize, £15, extra gold medal value £20 for best cow or heifer of any breed or age, C. McNiven, Perrys- field, Oxted, near Godstone, Surrey ; second, £10, W. M. Aldwotth, Frilford, near Abingdon ; third, £5, Wm. Smith, Hoopern, Exeter. Highly commended: Walter Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridgewater, Somerset. Heifers. — First prize, £15, Trevor Lee Senior, Broughton House, near Aylesbury, Bucks ; second, £10, Her Majesty the Queen ; third, £5, Richard Burton, Place Barton, Broad- c-lyst, Devon. LONGHORNS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £10, and silver medal as breeder. Sir John Harpur Crewe, Calke Abbey, Derbyshire ; second, £5, John Godfrey, Wigston Parva, Hinckley. Highly commended, Joseph Holland Burbery, The Chase, Keuilworth. Cows OR Heifers. — First prize, £10, and silver medal as breeder, W. T. Cox, Spondon Hall, Derby; second, £5, Thomas Satchwell, Knowle. SCOTCH BREEDS. Polled Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, and extra- prize of £20 for the best Scot, Richard Heath Harris, Earu- liill, near Forres, Morayshire ; second, £10, William Drysdale, Kilrie, Kinghorn, Fifeshire. Highly commended, and extra- prize of 10 guineas given by C. Ratcliff, Esq., for the best Scot bred by the exhibitor, William McCombie, M.P., Tilly- four, Aberdeen. West Highland Oxen or Steers.— First prize, £15, Sir Walter C. Trevelyan, Wallington, Northumberland ; second, £10, Earl of South°sk, Kiunaird Castle, Brechin, Forfarshire. Highly commended, Duke of Sutherland, Dun- robin Castle ; commended, Robert Mowbray, Cambus, Stirling. Scotch Cows or Heifers. — First prize, £15, Wm. McCombie, M.P., Tiilyfour, Aberdeen ; second, £5, James Bruce, Burnside, Fochabers, N.B. Highly commended : Sir Walter C. Trevelyan, Wallington. Commended ; James Reid, Graystone, Alford, Aberdeenshire. WELSH BREEDS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, Sir Chas. E. laham, Lamport, Northampton. Only one entry. OTHER PURE BREEDS AND CROSS-BRED ANIMALS. Fat Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, Messrs. J. and W. Martin, Aberdeen ; second, £10, Lord Dunmore, Dun- more, Stirling, N.B. ; third, £5, Hy. Bettridge, East Hannay, Wantage, Berks. Highly Commended : James Stephen, Con- glass, Inverurie, Aberdeen. Fat Cows or Heifers. — First prize, £15, Lord Dun- more ; second, £10, Alexander Cowie, Crombley Bank, Ellon, Aberdeenshire ; third, £5, Sir Walter C. Trevelyan, Walling- ton. Highly commended : Lord Fitzhardinge, Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire. EXTRA CLASSES. For animals not qualified to compete in any of the preceding classes. Oxen or Steers. — No entry. Cows OR Heifers. — Prize £5 and silver medal, as breeder, H. M. The Queen (Shorthorn). Reserve : W. T. Cox, Spondon Hall, Derby (Shorthorn). SHEEP. Judges. — F. Spencer, Alma House, Claybrooke, Lutterworth. Wm. Rigdeu, Hove, Brighton. John Evans, Uffington, Shrewsbury. LEICESTERS. Three fat Wethers, not exceeding 33 montlis old.^ First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, extra prize of £10 given by linen and woollen drapers of Birmingham, Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall, Leicester ; second, £10, Lord Berners ; third of £5, Wm. Perry Herrick, Beaumanor Park, Leicestershire. Reserved and highly commended : Wra. Brown, Highgate House, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, York. LINCOLNS. Three fat Wethers, not exceeding 32 months old.— First prize, £15, and silver medal as breeder, and linen and woollen drapers, extra £10, S. W. D. Harris, Wootton, North- amptonshire ; second, £10, Chas. Lister. Coleby Lodge, near Lincoln ; third of £5, John Pears, Mere, Lincoln. Highly commended : John Byron, Kirkby Green, Sleaford, Lincoln- shire. COTSWOLDS. Three fat wethers, not exceeding 23 months old. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, linen and woollen drapers' extra prize of £10, Richard Hall, Great Barford, Oxon ; second, £10, Richard Hall; third, £5, Johu Baldwin, Lud- dington, Stratford-on-Avon ; Reserve, John Wheeler, Long Compton, Shipston-on-Stour. SOUTHDOWNS. Three fat wethers, not exceeding 22 months old. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, and Mr. Bromley Daven- port's extra prize of 10 guineas. Lord Walsingham, Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk ; second, £10, third, £5, Lord Walsing- ham. Reserve and highly-commended : Col. Kingscote, C.B., M.P., Kingscote, Wottou-uuder-Edge. Commended : Prince of Wales, Saudringham ; Lord Sondes, Elmham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk. SHROPSHIRES. Three fat tvethers, not exceeding 33 months old. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, and Mr. Newdegate's silver cup value 10 guineas, Lord Chesham, Latimer, Chesham, Bucks ; second, £10, Wm. Yates, Grindle House, Shilfnal ; third, £5, Lord Wenlock, Escrick Park, near York. Reserve and highly-commended, Mrs. Beach, The Hattons, Brewood, Penkridge. Commended : Samuel Craven Pilgrim, The Out- woods, Burbage, Hinckley. Silver cup, value 10 guineas, given by Messrs. Mapplebeck THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 37 and Lowe, for best pen of three fat Shropsliire wethers, ex- ceeding 22 but not exceeding 34! months old, and silver medal as breeder, Lord Chesham, Latimer, Cheshara, Reserve aud liighly commended : Mrs. Beach, The Hattons, Brewood. Highly commended : Lord Wenlock, Escrick Park ; William Orme Foster, Apley Park, Salop. OXFORDSHIRE. Three tat Wethers, not exceeding 22 months old. — First prize, ^15, and silver medal as breeder, aud extra prize of £10, given by linen aud woollen drapers of Birmingham, Nathaniel Stilgoe, Adderbury Manor Farm, Banbury ; second, £10 .Zachariah W. Stilgoe, Adderbury Grounds, Oxon ; third, £5, Nathaniel Stilgoe. Reserve and highly commended, Geo. Street, Maulden, near Arapthill, Bedfordshire. SHEEP NOT QUALIFIED TO COMPETE IN ANY OTHER CLASS. Three pat Wethers, not exceeding 22 mouths old. — First prize, i'15, and silver medal as breeder, Alfred Morrison, Fonthill House, Tisbury, Wilts ; second, £5, J. B. Downing, Holme Lacy, Hereford. Reserve, Alfred Morrison. CROSS BREEDS. Three fat Wethers, not exceeding 22 months old. — First prize, £15, and silver medal as breeder, Matthew E. Jones, WeUingboro' Lodge, Northamptonshire ; second, £5, Zachariah W. Stilgoe, Adderbury Grounds, Oxon. Reserve and highly commended : Henry Purser, Willington Manor, Bedford. Highly commended : Colonel Lloyd-Lindsay, M.P., Lockinge Park, Wantage, Berks. EWES. Fat Leicester Ewe, having bred one or more lambs. — Silver medal, Wm. Shipman, Eaton Lodge, Eastwell, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Fat Lincoln Ewe, having bred one or more lambs. — Silver medal, John Pears, Mere, Lincoln. Fat Cotswold Ewe, having bred one or more lambs, — No merit, prize withheld. Fat Southdown Ewe, having bred one or more lambs. — Prize withheld, no merit. Fat Shropshire Ewe, having bred one or more lambs. — Silver medal, G. A. May, Elford Park, Tamworth. Commended Mrs. Beach, The Hattons, Brewood. Fat Oxfordshire Ewe, having bred one or more lambs. — Silver medal, John Tredwell, Upper Winchendon, Aylesbury, Bucks. Fat Ewe of any other pure breed. — [No entry]. FAT PIGS. Judges. — Samuel Druce, Eynsham, Oron. John Fisher, Carhead, Crossbills, Yorkshire. John Dale, Spetchley, Worcester. Three fat Pigs, of one Htter, not exceeding 10 months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder. Rev. H. G. Baily, Swindon ; second, £5, Her Majesty the Queen ; third, £3, Thos. Leslie Melville Cartwright, Melville House, Fife and Newbottle, Northamptonshire. Three fat Pigs of one litter, not exceeding 15 months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, and silver cup, value 5 guineas, for best pen of fat pigs, R. E. Duckering and Son, Northorpe, Kirton-Lindsey ; second, £5, Her Majesty the Queen ; third, £3, Earl of Aylesford, Packington Hall, Coventry. Fat Pig, exceeding 15 months old. — First prize, £6, R. E. Duckering and Son, Northorpe, Kirton Lindsey, Lincolnshire ; second, £1, Peter Eden, Cross Lane, Salford, near Manchester ; third, £3, Peter Eden. Highly commended : Thomas Ban- tock, Merridale House, Wolverhampton. Commended : John Spencer, Villiers Hill, Kenilworth ; Matthew Walker, Stockley Park, Anslow, Burton-on-Trent, BREEDING PIGS. BERKSHIRES. Five Pigs, of one litter, exceeding 3 and not exceeding 6 months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, aud silver cup, value £5 Ss., for best pen of Berkshires, Richard Fowler, I3roughton Farm, near Aylesbury, Bucks ; second, £5, Joseph Smith, Henley-in-Arden ; third, £3, Heber Humfrey, Kingstone Farm, Shrivenhara, Berks ; silver medal, John Spencer, Villiers Hill, Kenilworth. Commended : Russell Swanwick, Royal Agricultural College Farm, Cirencester and Heber Humfrey. PIGS OF OTHER LARGE BREEDS. Five Pigs, of one litter, exceeding 3 and not exceeding 6 months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, John Wheeler, Long Compton, Shipston-on-Stour ; second, £5, Hy. Robson, Penkridgej third, £3, R. E. Duckering and Son, Northorpe. PIGS OF A SMALL BREED. Five Pigs of One Litter, exceeding 3 and not exceed- ing 6 months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder and silver cup, value 5 guineas, Peter Eden, Cross Lane, Sal- ford ; second, £5, George Turner, jun., Alexton Hall, Upping- ham ; third, £3, Peter Eden ; silver medal, Matthew Walker, Stockley Park, Anslow, Burton-on-Trent. Referee for Ages of Stock. — Professor Gamgee, I, Great Winchester-street Buildings, London, E.G. Veterinary Inspector. — E. Stanley, 35, Islington, Bir- mingham. CORN. Judges. — E. Davenport, Quadrant, Birmingham. Isaac Kempson, Lionel-street, Birmingham. Talavera Wheat, sample of 1 bushel. — First prize, £3, F. Lythall, Spittal Farm, Banbury; second, £1, S. Robinson, Shaw House, Melbourne, Derbyshire. White Wheat, any other variety, sample of 1 bushel.-^ First prize, £2, G. A. May, Elford Park, Tamworth (Chidham) ; second, £1, J. Greatorex,Stretton, near Burton-on-Trent. Red Wheat, 1 bushel.— First prize, £2, F. Lythall (Nursery) ; second, £1, T. Horley, jun.. The Fosse, Leaming- ton (Nursery). Highly commended, J. Greatores (Lammas). Barley, sample of 1 bushel. — First prize, £2, G. J. Mitchell, Newton Mount, Burton-on-Trent (Chevalier) ; second, £1, J.H. Clark, Altwood, Maidenhead (Chevalier). Oats, White, 1 bushel.— First prize, £2, F. Lythall (Aus- tralian) ; second, £1, H. E. Raynbird, Basingstoke (Pedigree Canadian) . Oats, Black, 1 bushel.— Prize, £2, F. LythaU (Polands). Beans, sample of 1 bushel. — First prize, £2, F. Lythall (French eyes) ; second, £1, J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury. Peas, White, sample of 1 bushel. — First prize, £2, F. Lythall (Banbury prize-takers) ; second, £1, Joseph H. Clark, Altwood (Ringwood marrow). Peas, Blue, sample of 1 bushel. — Commended : F. Lythall. ROOTS. Judges. — J. Mathews, Edgbaston, Birmingham. J. H. Burbery, The Chase, Kenilworth. R. H. Masfen, Pendeford, Wolverhampton. T. B. Wriglit, Quarry House, Great Barr. A silver cup of five guineas, given by Proctor and Ryland for best collection of long mangold wurzel, globe mangold wurzel, and swedes, six roots of each to be shown for this prize alone. — John Hicken, Dunchurch, Rugby. Sutton aud Son's silver cup, value 5 gs., for best collection of six long mangolds, six [globe or intermediate mangolds, six purple-top swedes, six kohl rabi, and six turnips. — Marquis of Ailesbury, Home Farm, Saveruake Forest, Marlborough, Wilts. Kohl rabi (six specimens). — First prize, £2, Geo. Fleming, Groundslow Farm, Stone (Sutton's improved green German) ; second, £1, Colonel J. S. North, Wroxton Abbey, Banbury. Commended : Anthony Tustain, Great Barford, near Dedding- ton, Oxon ; Colonel North. Long Mangold Wurzel (sis specimens).— First prize, £2, with £2 23. added by Proctor and Ryland, Sir Frederick Smythe, Acton BurneU, near Shrewsbury (Sutton's long red mammoth) ; second, £1, Hy. AUsop, Hindliss Hall, near Worcester (Sutton's mammoth red). Highly commended : Marquis of Ailesbury ; John Moore, Warwick aud Long Itchington ; John Moore, Wm. Dickinson, New Park, Ly- mingtou, Hants. Commended : W. R. Boxall, Stratlifieldsaye, Wiuchfield, Hants (Sutton's long red) ; John Hicken, Dun- church. Globe and intermediate varieties of Mangold Wurzel (six specimens). — First prize, £2, with £2 2s. added by Proctor and Ryland, Sir Frederick Smythe, Acton BurneU 38 THE FARMBK'S MAGAZINE. (Peter's yellow globe) ; second, £1, Jolin Hicken. Highly commended : Thos. Keen, Great House, Meere, uear Glaston- bury (Impey's Defiaace yellow globe) ; John Baker, Witham Parm, near Soraerton, Somerset (Impey's Defiaace yellow globe). Commended : Thos. Gunnell, Willow House, Milton, Cambridge; Hy. Allsop, Hindliss Hall (Sutton's yellow globe); Geo. Fleming, Grownslow, Stone (Sutton's Berkshire prize variety) ; John Moore, Warwick ; Wm. Dickinson, New Park, liymington ; Chas. West, Flowers Farm, Pangbourne ; Col. North. Swedes of any variety (sis specimens). — First prize, £2, and extra £2 2s., Wm. B. Boxall, Strathfieldsaye, Winchfield (Danger's Champion) ; 2nd, £1, R. Shirley, Bancott, Munslow, Church Stretton, Salop (Drummond's Improved). Com- mended : T. Hinks, Halford, Shipston-on-Stour, Worcester- shire (Purple Bark). CoMJiOiV TuK>iPS, white flesh (sis specimens). — First prize, £2, Hy. Woods, Clipston-park Farm, Mansfield (Green Barrel) ; 2rid, Hy. Woods (Green Barrel). Common Tuknips, yellow flesh (sis specimens). — First prize, £2, James Stephen, Conglass, Inverurie, Aberdeen (Green-top Aberdeen yellow) ; 2nd, £1, Wm. McCombie, Tilly- four. Carrots of amy variety (six specimens). — ^First prize, £2, Hy. Woods, Altrincham; 2nd, £1, Wm. Dickinson, New Park (white Belgian). Highly commended: Geo. Fleming (Long red). Commended: Antony Tustain, Great Barford, near Deddington, Oxon (Long red). Ox cabbage (three specimens). — First prize, £3, R. Hall, Great Barford ; second, £1, G. Greatorex, Stretton (Robin- son's Champion Drumhead)* POTATOES. Ashleaf kidneys (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., F. Lythall ; second, 10s., C. J. Perry, The Cedars, Castle Bromwich. Highly commended : A. Tustain, Great Barford. River's Royal ashleaf kidneys (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., H. Woods ; second, 10s., J. Choyce, Pinwall Grange, A.therstone. Commended : F. Lythall. Gloucestershire kidneys (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., Z. W. Stilgoe; second, 10s., T. Barnett, Walford, Here- fordshire. Commended : J. Choyce, C. J. Perry. Daiutrees' first early (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., C.J. Perry ; second, 10s., J. Choyce. King of potatoes (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., C. J. Prery ; second, lOs., G. A. May, Elford Park. Highly commended: J. Choyce, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Com- mended : J. Choyce. Wheeler's milky white (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., J. C. Wheeler and Son, Gloucester ; second, lOs., E. Freer, The Grange, Ward End, Birmingham. Commended: John Choyce. Flukes (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., Z. W. Stilgoe; second, lOs., C. J. Perry. Commended : John Lynn, Church F'arm, Shoxton, Grantham ; J. K. Fowler. Dalmahoys (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., Hy. Woods ; second, lOs., John Choyce. Highly commended : Anthony Tustain ; John Choyce. Commended : Hy. Woods. Red regents (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., Anthony Tustain; second, lOs., Mr. Snraner, High-street, Birmingham. Highly commended : C. J. Perry. Commended : John Choyce; John Lynn. Paterson's Victoria (twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., Geo. Mangles, Great Givendale, Ripon, Yorkshire ; second, lOs., W. Birch, Barnacle, Coventry. Commended : Samuel Robinson, Shaw House, Melbourne, Derbyshire ; Russell Swan wick. Royal Agricultural College Farm, Cirencester. Skerry Blues(twelve specimens). — First prize, 15s., Anthony Tustain: second, lOs., John Choyce. Highly commended: Henry Woods. Any ether named variety. — First prizes 15s. each, John Choyce (Red Fluke) ; Charles Felton, Birmingham Nursery (President Lincoln). Second prizes 10s. each, W. Birch, Barnacle, Coventry (Climax) ; Sir T. Smythe (Lopstone Kidney). Highly commended : Hy. Woods (Dunbar Regents) ; Sir Wm. Heathcote, Hursley Park, Winchester (Scotch Regents) ; John Choyce (Nuneaton Seedling) ; Wm. Birch, Barnacle, Coventry (Early Rose) ; Sir F. Smythe (American Red Seedhng) ; Chas. Felton (Erdington Nonsuch). Com- mended : Anthony Tustain (Ne plus Ultra) ; Joseph Greatorex, Stretton (Red Kidney) ; Thos. Barnett, Walford, Herefordsliire (Forty-fold) ; C. J. Perry (Edgecote Seedling) ; C. J. Perry (Red Emperors) ; Zach. W. Stilgoe (British Queen) ; Thos. Barnett (Paterson's Oxon). CARMARTHENSHIRE FARMING, At a meeting of the Carmarthenshire Farmers' Club, Mr. J. Lewis Philipps, Bolahaul, in the chair, Mr. D. P. Davies, of Troedybryn, said: The district represented by the members of this club, geologically speak- ing, re^ts on the Upper Silurian, Lower Silurian, old red sandstone, hmestone, coal-measure, and millstone grit, but the principal extent is on the Upper Silurian ; and, how- ever much the strata or the physical contour of the country may differ, there is one thing that affects us simi- larly— viz., the climate — which might be termed humid, be- cause our vallevs open to the S.W. to receive the Atlantic moisture, and our hills intercept it, and which collects in rain and descends in torrents, more especially on the eastern de- clivity. The climate to some measure might be improved, for draining has risen the temperature of some soils in this district nearly 15 degs. So, whoever intends to develop the capa- bilities of his land, must drain thoroughly, cultivate deeply, and return to the land the inorganic portion of his crops. And as plants obtain from the constituents of air and water only carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and some nitrogen, the rest of their components — namely, all the mineral substances and the greater part of their nitrogen — must be supphed by the soil they grow in ; and, as the life and development of an organic being cannot be regarded as depending on chance, for the same kind of plants require similar food in nearly the same quan- tities, it is evident therefore that, by continued cropping of the same soil by tlie same tribe of plants, without returning their mineral food to the land, the most fertile soil must ultimately become exhausted of the aliment necessary tor that crop. Although the soil is no longer capable of producing remune- rative crops of one kind, yet it might produce excellent crops of other kinds of planis having different demands on the soil and different habits of growth ; for instance, the clover is in- troduced into the rotation because it is a plant capable of send- ing out roots to a great depth and distance in the soil in search of the materials of its structure, consequently it is highly useful for collecting together the small quantities of valuable materials scattered throughout a large bulk of soU. The sur- face is thus enriched and becomes better adapted for the growth of those classes of plants which, from the rapidity of their development, and for other reasons, are unfitted for searching extensively for their own food. Advantage ought to be takea in practice of the above facts by cultivating plants of different habits and requirements alternately ; but no system of rota- tion, however complete or carefully carried out, can maintain tlie fertility of the land unless the mineral substances which have been abstracted from it in the crops carried away be re- stored. The following calculations show that the most preva- lent system of farming is one of exhaustion ; for instance, a farmer who cultivates his land in the ordinary way, and re- turns to the soil aU the straw, hay, and green crops in the shape of manure, must be told that, although apparently he keeps up the fertility of his soU, such is not the case. I do not mean that farmyard manure, as far as it goes, does not restore fertility in a perfect manner to the land, and so enable it to produce the maximum amount of crop. For every two- year-old cattle of his own rearing such a farmer sells, he robs his land of no less than 120 lbs. of phosphate of lime, to say nothing of the valuable constituents of the flesh, blood, &c., which if burnt would give ash similar in composition to the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 39 ash of plants. To make up this yearly loss in phosphates it is necessary to return to the land no less that 5 cwt. of guano, or some other auxiliary manure that would supply the deticiency. Again, let us calculate to what extent the dairy produce robs the soil. For every cwt. of cheese sold the farmer alienates 61bs. of bone material, about Tilbs. of nitrogen, and about half a pound of sulphur. The loss per acre by selling wheat (see Liebig's Modern Agriculture, page 218) is 281bs. of ash constituents, of which 13 3-5ths lbs. is phosphoric acids, and 8 2-5ths lbs. is potash. Now these losses cannot be supplied by guano or superphosphate alone, for the proportion of potash in tliem is too small, but by mixing those manures with wood ashes the deficieucy would be supplied. Let us then sum these losses and calculate what would be the total yearly loss of in- dispensable measures on a farm capable of producing for dis- posal five acres of wheat — grain produce. The produce of ten milch cows, ten two-year-old cattle weighing about 120 lbs. per quarter ; therefore, according to the most modern data, a supply of 60 cwt. of pure Peruvian guano would he neces- sary to keep up the fertility of such a farm, provided of course that all the manure resulting from all the hay, straw, turnips, &c., produced be wholly returned to the soil. We say wholly returned, because on most farms in the district large quantities of the farmyard manure are wasted ; in fact, tlie essence of the manure heap is often seen running away in that small con- tinuous black stream into an adjoining brook or into other places, and lost to the farm. Having laid down my principles of farming, I will now proceed to discuss the practical details, and, as an illustration, I will take a farm of 100 acres, of ordi- nary quality, divided into 20 fields of five acres each, with a suitable and coramodious homestead centrally situated. The stock on this farm should consist of two draught horses and a hackney, with occasionally another pair of stout horses, in order to be able to subsoil one field every year. One bull and ten cows of tile black or any other approved pure breed, ten yearling cattle, and ten calves, 25 ewes and a ram of the Shrop- shire, Cheviot, or Cotswold, or whicliever breed might be deemed most suitable ; a breeding sow of the small breed, and a quantity of poultry. Half of the farm should be permanent pasture and meadow, and the other half or ten of the driest fields might be advantageously managed under a ten years' rotation as follows : 1st, oats ; 2nd, vetches, peas, potatoes, mangold, and carrots ; 3rd, wheat ; 4th, turnips ; 5th, oats or shiprys ; 6th, barley ; 7th, seeds ; 8th, grass ; 9th, grass ; 10th, grass. I fancy that some may object to barley after oats ; to them I would say forbear till I have explained myself, for I think they will agree with me that a finer sample of barley and better seeds would he the result of this plan than if barley with seeds had immediately followed turnips. The ma- nagement of the different crops would be thus, viz. : 1st. Oats dressed with two tons of lime per acre, mixed with soil, and applied previous to ploughing, and the ploughing should be well done by a man and a pair of horses, followed by furrow presser, which leaves the land in ridgelets ready to receive the seed. 2nd. Vetches, peas, potatoes, mangolds, carrots, &c., heavily dressed with dung, receiving at least two ploughings and the necessary cultivation. 3rd. Wheat, or " siprys" ii the land will not carry wheat. 4th. Swedes and turnips drilled in with 5 cwt. of Lawes' manure. Half of the turnips and swedes should be consumed at the homestead, the other half should be eaten Jalong with their daily feed of cake and corn, with an allow- ance of hay, grown lambs and drafted sheep having a pound or a run to a field of grass adjoining. In order to manure the land evenly, two alternate rows of swedes and turnips should be the half left for consumption in the field. 5th, Oats, or a mixture of oats and barley, called " shiprys" 6th. Barley with seeds, 2 tons per acre of lime having been ploughed in on the oat or " shiprys" stubble the previous autumn, and the good effects of this dressing in the barley ,seeds, and the subsequent grass crops will be very satisfactory. 7lh. Seeds to be eaten in spring by the ewes with twins ; after weaning time by the lambs till they are removed to the clover stubbles, preparatory to being put on the turnips. 8th. Grass to be grazed by sheep. 9th. Ditto. 10th. Ditto. The next consideration will be the management of the remaining ten fields which are in permanent grass. Four of the nearest fields to the home- stead will be required for the summer grazing of the milch cows, and the lattermath of two hay fields. Two of the most distant of the permanent pasture fields will keep the 10 year- lings, with the help of the lattericath of the other two hay fields. Two, out of the ten fields in permanent grass, should he an- uually dressed with either a mixture of lime and earth, or dung compost, and four of them alternately mowed and grazed. A good deal of the compost might be made in the shelter sheds that ought to be in every grazing run, otherwise the cattle will run off their flesh before gadflies, and waste their droppings by polluting the water in their fields. The horses are to be in the house, fed with a mixture of split oats, cut straw and hay, with a little carrots, or gorse, or vetches in addition, according to the season, till harvest, when they might be turned out to cool their feet, and clean after the cows and yearlings, which are by this time commencing the eddishes ; besides, all grass lauds should be eaten quite clean once in the year, and the weeds eradicated. The calves should be in an open shed with a yard, eating vetches, hay, and a pound a day of cake, till they are about a twelvemonth old when they ought to be accustomed to the best grazing land on the farm, where they are to remain till they are sent to the lattermath, from thence to the feeding byres to be there fur- nished with a progressive allowance of turnips, meal, hay, straw, and some cake, till they are ripe for the butchers. If these cattle had the benefit of sucking their dams dry, as they most probably will do when the farmer is a bachelor, or, when the farmer wishes his wife not to be troubled with a dairy, they ought to pay a pound per month, but on the contrary, when they are weaned young, and their dams milked for dairy, there must be a reduction of one-fourth. The sow should farrow in September and March and the produce after being weaned kept in the manure yard which ought to be co- vered, and their food to consist of vegetable refuse, skim -milk and wash-thickened with from 31bs. to 51bs. of meal per day, or even more, according to size. The whole, except what would be required for the house, has to be sold off as porkers. The poultry iiaving comfortable quarters will pay for all the care bestowed on them. The grand lesson to be remembered in breeding and feeding all animals, is steady and continued progression from birth to the shambles. As to the motive power of the farm, the principle is very simple, that is, never do anything with manual labour if it can be done by horse, and never by that power if it can he done by water or steam power. All the corn, except when the price is high for wheat, should be consumed on the farm in addition to about 6 tons of pure linseed cake. Besides, 30 cwt. of auxiliary manure and about 20 tons of lime shoul d annually be used to keep up the mineral loss above alluded to. All the transactions on the farm should be carefully noted down, and a balance-sheet made at the end of the agricultural year. In conclusion I beg to thank you for your patience, and assure you that this is not an imaginary plan of farming, and I feel confident that if it became general the aspect of the district would present as beautiful and productive an appearance as the most sanguine member of this Club would wish to behold; and it is the earnest wish of the introducer that this paper may con tribute its quota to general amelioration of this peaceful country. Mr. Lewis (Llwynfedwen) said he could not follow Mr. Davies' observations minutely and point out all points where he disagreed, because he had not taken any notes, but he might state that he beheved there should be three systems for this country — one for the high laud, one for the middle land, and one for the low land. Of course that was his opinion. It was well known that they had different courses of husbandry, and what would do for clay soil would not answer for shallow land, or a gravelly soil. He was not in a position to state his opinion as to the correct system to be adopted, and he agreed with part of Mr. Davies' remarks as to the cropping of a 100 acre farm, though not as to the course of cropping proposed by that gentleman. He would not, tell them wliat course he himself would adopt, but he would not advocate Mr. Davies' system. One part of the paper he thoroughly agreed with. As Mr. Davies had said, to be a successful farmer there ought to be good buildings, and he was glad to say that one noble lord, a large owner of property in the county, had introduced good buildings on to his farms — but he was sorry to say that other landowners had not followed so good an example, for he was certain that no person could farm well unless he had a proper homestead. While on this point he would mention that some time since a prize was offered for the best plan of a homestead ; there were seven or eight competitors, and he had the prize plan with him. The successful competitor, Mr. 40 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Davies, of Puinpsaint, was not a professional man, but the plan was a very good one. Mr. Hughes (Castellddu) said Mr. Lewis had thrown out a hint of a different system to that suggested by Mr. Davies, and which he (tlie speaker) thought a bad one ; for there was one objection to its being carried out — a tenant farmer could not undertake a ten years' course of cropping unless lie had a l-i years' lease. A Voice : Or a lease for 21 years. Mr. Hughes said that would be better still. At present farmers were very liable to be turned out of their farms, es- pecially for one reason which they all knew — and they must have leases before they could venture on a ten years' system of cropping. Mr. Davies' theory of farm management was a per- fectly sound one, though he went further then Mr. Davies in one matter. Tn his paper he said that calves should be kept in until they were a year old, but he thought farmers should keep them in until they were ready for the butcher. Mr. Harries (Llandilo-Abercowin) said he pursued the five-course system of cropping, and he fancied it answered better with him than any other. He began with wheat, went on to barley, then to turnips, then to seeds, and then returned to wheat again, and he had successfully worked this system for 10 years. Mr. Jones (Dirwydd) should say that the best mode of farming was to farm to some profit ; though agriculture did not lead to great fortune. He had been farming for i5 years without making a fortune, but he knew persons who had en- tered into business at about the same time as he started farm- ing, and they had retired with very ample fortunes ; while the farmers who had made fortunes were very few and far between, and he wis not one of them. The Chairman : How did you portion your children ? Mr. Jones : Well, not out of the profits of farming. In continuation he said, that when a person took a farm, the first thing he ought to do was to drain his wet land if he had any, and then lie ought to arrange which of his fields were to be pastures and which arable lauds. He never heard of the ten- course system before ; but he had tried the four-course system on light land, and it did not answer, and ever since he had followed the six-course system for twenty-six years. He com- menced with the principal item — turnips — and he might here say that he would not recommend anybody to grow turnips if the land was not clean. For Jiis part he would rather lose the rent and taxes of a field for a year, and let it lie fallow, than sow turnips in a dirty field. But to continue. In the second year he sowed barley witli bone manure, and in the third seeds. In the fourth year he laid down grass, in the fifth wheat, and the sixth oats. When the crop was gathered, he then ran the plough through the land, and then it was ready to begin the course again. He fully agreed with Mr. Davies, that a farmer ought to feed his calves well, and keep them in creating flesh until they came to the butcher. They should be especially well attended to in the first year. He had now told them what he had done, and he thought if they did likewise they would get on, though he had not made much profit. Mr. Morgan (Llwyn) said there were some things in the paper which he did not agree with, and he did not see how a man could work fifty acres of land with only two horses ; be- cause in an ordinary farm, when sending manure to the fields, a farmer would never hke to have less than two carts going, and to each cart there would be two horses ; indeed some- times three. Mr. Davies : I said five. Mr. Lewis said he understood that Mr. Davies spoke of five horses. Mr. Morgan : I thought he said two constantly, and occa- sionally two more. Mr. Davies said that he advocated the keeping of two draught horses and a hackney, and occasionally another pair of cart horses. Mr. Morgan : Then I must take it for granted that there are five horses on the farm, two of which are always at work. I am satisfied on that point. With regard to the ten cows, ten calves, and ten yearlings, he thought Mr. Davies had not over-shot the mark ; an ordinary farm would support that number ; but as regarded the sow which was to breed twice in the year, he must say that the farmer would be very neg- lectful if she did not breed oftener than that. Another fault he had to find was, that in speaking of his farm, Mr. Davies appeared to take it for granted that the land was ready for tillage. They had not heard anything about draining,' the cost of draining, the best mode of draining, or whether drain- ing was profitable. As to the ten-course system, he had not heard of it before. Mr. Jones went for the six-course, and he (Mr. Morgan) was laughed at when he read a paper on the four-course system, even more than Mr. Davies had been ; but his idea was, that if they observed a happy medium they would be near the mark. Mr. Buckley (Penyfai) said in this district they had chiefly the Silurian, then the old red sandstone, and mountain Hrae- stone, and then came, to the south or south-east of which they might say Llanelly was the capital, the mineral district. Now he would suggest that these different soils required dif- ferent courses of treatment, and he thought that the system Mr. Davies had propounded was rather too inflexible, and that though it might, and no doubt did, suit one of these soils, it would not suit all ; it was rather too rigid. More than half of this county was on the Silurian strata, and the soil contained a good deal of Hme, so that it would not require all the lime as manure that the lecturer spoke of. The lime- stone part would only require the addition of lime to the soil under peculiar circumstances. Then in the coal district there was scarcely a trace of lime, and there the land would take any quantity with advantage. The speaker then proceeded to argue in favour of an alternate system of green crops and corn, and said he thought all .systems of about the same value as long as they were alternate. He noticed that Mr. Davies's system was an alternate one, except where barley came after oats. Now he did not believe in a corn crop for two years running, as he was afraid of deteriorating his land ; he was always anxious to keep it at cropping point. As had been very judiciously remarked, there was an influence which bore upon the soils in this west coast, and that was the moist, wet, and at the same time exceedingly mild climate, a climate that would only very exceptionally indeed give us anything like a good crop of corn, or the opportunity of getting a late har- vest. Last summer was one of those exceptional years, and he supposed we had the best corn harvest ever known. lu England that had not been so, and the harvest on light land in the Eastern and JMidland counties had been light and poor. But this same mUd, moist climate, which generally gave us such poor crops of corn gave a most invaluable, most excellent crop of roots and green crops. Then these circumstances of soil and climate, what did they direct us to ? His answer was that they should only grow roots and green crops. The climate should also lead them to improve their pastures and meadows ; they should drain them, and if they did so they would have their excellent black cattle in far better condition, and a far greater number would be sold at the spring and sum- mer fairs than was the case at present. Mr. Hughes (Castelldu) : They would be of better quality. Mr. Buckley agreed with Mr. Hnghes and said they would not then see, as they did now sometimes, a farmer standing with a few miserable steers which he often had to take back unsold, but he would be able to ask whatever price he liked ulmost, and the drovers would buy them. That was the course they had to pursue, for their moist climate would allow them to graze their cattle until Christmas, and they would have to ex- pend more capital, but who thought of going into trade with insufficient capital if he wished to get on ? Mr. Moseley said with a deal of what Mr. Davies had put forth he agreed, but with some portions of the paper he must find fault as other speakers had done. He believed that although the rules laid down might be very good ones for certain climates and certain districts, yet in this country, the climate of which varied so much, one system would not apply to all the districts. As Mr. Buckley had said they wanted more money among them, and a good system of drainage, a judicious system of manuring, and a good system of cropping afterwards. He would not any longer trespass on their time when there were so many practical men present more able than he, and he would sit down thanking them for the patient hearing they had given him. Mr. Prosser (Tygwyn) asked whether it was possible that they could exhaust land with such a quantity of lime and su- perphosphate as that mentioned by Mr. Davies ? The Chairman replied in the negative. Mr. Buckley remarked that he did not use anybody's su- perphosphate ; but he put lOOlbs. of dissolved bones per acre on his land. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 41 The Chairman said he objected to the ten-course system, for he looked at it as nothing but a seven-course system with three bad endings. He hoped all condemned three grassing years out of ten. If they adopted the four-course system, they must have an enormous ijuantify of manure and good land : the iive-course system took less manure and less capital, but the six-course system he thought the best. He had tried it for twenty years, and found it answer. He would say no- thing about liis crops, because he thought all had had good crops this season ; but what had been a good year in Wales had been a bad one elsewhere. He thought Mr. Davies was wrong as to the number of horses necessary to work a farm of the size he had named. A farmer ought to make himself in- dependent of his neighbour, and it would never do for him to run about after an extra team of horses, and what was more, a man could not always command horses when he wanted them. He hoped they would not run away with geological systems of farming, for he thought the right system was to examine the peculiar character of each field. In the same farm might sometimes be found clay, gravel, limestone, and peat ; and, without paying too much attention to geological formation, farmers should look closely to the texture of their fields, and manure accordingly, without reference to the strata in the neighbourhood. His advice to them was to take care of their fields, pay attention to the rotation of their crops, and the state of the farm would tell them how many cattle they could keep. In conclusion he recommended the cultivation of rye instead of vetches as being much more profitable. Mr. Buckley thought farmers would find rye pay as well as wheat if not better. Mr. Davies thought he had been misunderstood in his remarks about lime. What he said, or at any rate meant to say, was that he used four tons per acre for each rotation, mixing it well in with the soil ; but he would add that two tons used properly would be of more value and would have greater eflFect than if six tons were not used properly. Mr. Morgan fLlwyn) wanted to know what he would do with his cows, and his reply was sell them from time to time, taking care to keep up tiie supply. With regard to the number of horses he had not been understood. What he said was that a farmer should keep five horses if necessary, but if the farm was not a hilly one three would be sufficient. He did not propose that farmers should borrow their neighbour's horses when they wanted an extra team ; but he thought if he had a field to subsoil he would rather purchase a pair of horses and sell them again, even at a loss, than keep a team that was idle the best part of the year. He was surprised Mr. Jones and Mr. Morgan said they had never heard of a ten course system of cropping, but it only showed they had not read Mr. Sewell Read's report to the Royal Agricultural Society as to the best system for Wales, wherein he said that the most per- manent and best for this part of the country was the ten course rotation. Mr. Buckley : Who is he P Mr. Davies said Mr. Read was a Norfolk man, but he had lived in Wales a very long time. THE GROWTH OF FLAX IN IRELAND, At the monthly meeting of the Ballineea "Farmers' Club, Mr. Clarke said that in consequence of the great quantity of flax which had been grown, there was much difficulty experienced in getting it scutched, and the consequence was that the farmers could not dispose of the crop. He tried throughout the whole county to get flax scutched, but it could not be doue until at this side of the 1st of June, which entailed great loss and inconvenience. He believed that this would lead to the farmers ceasing to grow flax in large quantity, for it was a perishable article, and unless they were enabled to get it scutched and disposed of within a reasonable time, how could they pay their rent and the many charges that were upon them ? In all the mills there was more work than could be done, and his idea was that in every parish a scutching mill should be erected. He trusted that Lord Bandou would make such a representation on the point as would secure the erection of more scutching mills in the county. Colonel Bernard said that there had always been a great uncertainty as to the quantity of flax that would be grown. They never could depend on the amount of flax that would be sown, but he was in hopes that the good prices being realised would lead next year to a large supply. If that proved the case, there was no doubt that there would be scutching mills erected, but the great want of them at present had been truly stated by Mr. Clarke. Lord Bandon said he was glad Mr. Clarke had come forward to state the want that existed. What was really wanted was that some intermediate parties should come forward and scutch their flax for them. If they did so the farmers were prepared to grow the flax, and if that was done and the home trade supplied, they would keep £1,600,000 a year in the country which at present went abroad. He was happy in being able to congratulate them on the large quantity of flax brought into the market that day. He understood there were about 140 cartloads of it, representing between 7,000 and 8,000 stones, which, disposed of at the prices of the day, would realise about £3,000. Considering the size of the place, and that the flax market there was but a beginning, he thought that state of affairs very encouraging. They should also bear in mind the great want of water that they had ex- perienced, and probably the next fair would show a stiU larger quantity of flax. As far as he had been able to learn from the gentlemen who were present from the north of Ireland, the prospects of flax growing and the flax trade were likely to be much better next year than they had been hitherto. The present dreadful war had in a degree paralysed the trade, and had it not been for that, he believed that new flax would be realising Is. per stone more than it did. They hoped that peace might be made before long, and then a reaction would take place in the great demand for linen by Germany and France. Again, their not being able to grow flax themselves gave every encouragement to the farmers of this country to cultivate this crop, and next year they might depend on a good market for it. There were one or two matters that he wished to mention to the meeting. It had been complained to him by some parties in the north that a practice existing there was finding its way into the south — that was, that buyers went to the scutch mills, picked up the best of the flax, and bought it up, leaving the inferior quality to come into market like that. Now, in two ways that was injurious — first, because the farmer did not get as good a price as he otherwise would for his whole flax ; and, secondly, that unless there was a good supply at market, they could not have the advantage of the northern buyers coming down and spending their money amongst them. These were evils that could be corrected only by the farmers themselves. They could get their flax scutched wherever they pleased, hut they should retain the whole of it for market, where it would be open to competition. Another matter he was anxious to call attention to was the assistance that had been given for flax instructors throughout the country. At the agricultural dinner at Ballinasloe, the Lord Lieutenant spoke highly of the advantages that had been gained through the advice given by the flax instructors, and one thing would be most desirable, that if the grant, as he (Lord Bandon) hoped it might, was retained, the flax instruc- tors might be sent to their several districts at as early a period as possible, and thus be able to give advice to the farmers as to what portion of their ground was best suited for flax, and the manner in which the crop was to be treated. He believed the grant would be applied far better if it was given through the agency of the flax association of Belfast, assisted by any local committees they might name, than through the joint co-operation of the Royal Dublin Society and the Agricultural Society of Ireland. 42 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE'. At the fust meetiug of this session ot the Breconshire Chamber of Agriculture, Colonel Bridgwater in the Chair, Mr. Ferris, V.S., read the following paper: This disease is of great importance, for its ravages are but too apparent in many parts of the country. I propose to explain to you in some measure the nature of the disease, to tell yon the signs by which it may be known, and in conclusion to make a few remarks upon its treatment and prevention ; and I hope what I say will prove sufficient to provoke a discussion interesting to all. I shall read extracts from, and found my remarks chiefly upon, au essay lately vsritten by Professor Brown. Foot-and-mouth disease is now generally known by that name, although various other names are employed in different parts of the country, such as eczama, epizootica, murrain, vesicular epizootica, and distemper. It first appeared in England in 1839, and since that time it has never been thoroughly eradi- cated, though through what channel it was conveyed to our country has never been satisfactorily ascertained. This dis- ease was said to be in Holland at that time, from which date no foreign cattle were permitted to land in this country until after June, 1842. Oue fact only in reference to its orign is incontestable, namely, the prior existence of the complaint on the continent, but whether it was brought by individuals, ani- mals, substances which had been in contact with infected foreign cattle, or in obedience to that unknown law wliich regulates the cause of many epidemic and epizootic diseases, has never been proved. In the beginning ol the year 1840 the lloyal Agricultural Society of England took action for the purpose of obtaining information respecting the nature and treatment of the disease. The Veterinary Committee of that day, in concert with the late Professor Sewell, drew up and forwarded to each member a circular, dated April 8th, 1840, giving a short account of the symptoms by which the disease might be known, and offering some suggestions for its treatment. That the disease referred to in the circular was in all essential particulars the foot-and-mouth complaint, will be evident from the following description. The attack does not always commence in the same form, but ultimately termi- nates in a disease of the same type and character. In some animals it commences in the feet between the claws, and in others it appears to have begun in the mouth ; in others a stiffness in the legs of the animals is first perceived, as if treading upon thorns and briars ; then follows a discharge of saliva from the mouth, and a champing of the lips. The blis- ters peel off, and loss of appetite and general debility ensue. The treatment recommended by Professor Sewell included attention to the animal's comfort, laxative medicine, followed by tonics, astringents, lotion for the mouth, and to the diseased feet poultices, and afterwards styptic solution. This circular was followed by another, dated 1841, requiring information respecting the extension of the disease, and the various condi- tions under which it appeared. The results of the inquiry were published in the Society's journnl the same year. Dur- ing the progress of the disease it was observed that animals of various kinds which were exposed to the infection suffered from its effects ; not only cattle, but also sheep and pigs were attacked, and in many instances poultry did not escape ; sheep were most severely attacked in the feet, and loss of the horny covering of one or more of the digits was not an uncommon occurrence. After a market at Siuithtield it was frequently necessary to sweep away the hoof which had sloughed off the feet of diseased sheep especially, but also occasionally of pigs and oxen, while they were exposed for sale. The admission of foreign stock in 1842 was not attended with an increase in the number of attacks ; indeed it is fair to conclude that the malady declined from this time to 1845, when it again be- came prevalent. Its progress has not been uniform in exten- sion nor virulence. Some years have been rendered remark- able by its unusual violence, and at others by its light form. In the year 1862 it assumed a character of great severity in this county, and some few animals died of the disease. Since 1862 there have been only a few light cases in this neighbour- hood to my knowledge. It is stated that at the time of the cattle-plague, when the restrictions upon cattle traffic were carried into effect, that foot-and-mouth disease and pleuro- pneumonia declined ; and w hen the imminence of the danger caused by the cattle-plague led to the almost total stop- page of fairs and markets, and the movement of cattle all over the country, these diseases almost ceased to exist, or at least assumed proportions which prevented them from being especially observed. Recently the malady has spread with remarkable rapidity in this country. The Veterinarian, of October, 1870, says : " We have again to report an increase in the spread of the foot-and-moutii dis- ease. The malady prevails in 45 counties of England and Wales and 10 in Scotland. The largest number of infected places are reported from Cheshire, Cumberland, Dorsetshire, Lancashire, Somersetshire, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire ; the total number of centres of infection being nearly 4,000. In Ireland also the disease is spreading, more especially in those districts where opposition is offered to the enforcement of the provisions of the law. It would appear, however, that in some of the English counties the local authority is about to adopt more active means to check the spread of the disease. In Dorsetshire a desire has been expressed that steps be taken to stop the fairs and markets. Compared with last month very little alteration has taken place in the number of counties in which the foot-and-mouth disease prevails ; and alflwugh the centres of infection have decreased in some of them a great increase has taken place in others. This is especially the case in Somersetshire, which now heads the list, with up- wards of 1,500 centres of infection. The returns also from Cumberland, Dorset, Hants, Wilts, and Yorkshire are stitl very heavy. At no period, however, has its spread been more rapid than during tlie last few months." Eczama, or foot- and-mouth disease, is an eruptive fever, affecting cattle, sheep, pifcs, and poultry. Contagion is the common cause of the diffusion. The period of incubation is from one to four days. During this time the temperature is increased, and finally the formation of vesicles or little bladders on the mucous surface, and those parts of the skin thinly covered by hair, takes place, and the vesicles appear in the mouth and tongue on the udder between the digits. In some cases complete separation takes place between the hoof and the more sensitive tissue. Under ordinary circumstances the disease is not fatal in character. A considerable fever is present in the early stages ; but as soon as the vescicles are formed it subsides, and convalescence is es- tablished in six or seven days. When the malady assumes a virulent form the results are more serious, consisting of ul- ceration of the mucuous tissue of the mouth, formation of ab- scesses and in other parts of the body, sloughing of hoof and extreme debility and emaciation. The losses in this malignant form of the disease amount sometimes to 20 per cent, of the animals attacked. Milk from cows and sows with this com- plaint given warm occasionally destroy sucking calves and young pigs. It has been alleged that there is not any direct evidence of injurious consequences arising from the consump- tion of the milk or meat by human being. The milk is gene- rally allowed to become cold before used, and the meat is cooked previous to human consumption, which probably de- stroys the morbific matter in the blood. Experiments have been made in which hay saturated with infected saliva has been introduced into the mouth of a healthy animal. This has caused the formation of vescicles in the mouth and feet of the previous sound animal within 40 hours. These observa- tions are useful in showing the short time this disease is in the system prior to its development. Inoculation by puncture and introduction of the contents of vescicles failed to produce any effect in cows, sheep, and pigs. The symptoms are very characteristic. A person who is familiar with cattle will at once recognize this affection by the general aspect of the ani- mal. Stiffness or lameness, discharge of saliva, and a peculiar smacking of the lips, are indications which are unmistakeable, but the observer will also distinguish other and not less cha« THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 4g racterlstic symptoms. At the commencement of the affection the animal is dull and inclines to stand still, with the back arched. In some cases the hind feet are .snatched up sud- denly and shaken as though to get rid of something which annoys, and the appetite is impaired. In a few hours of illness vescicles or little bladders will appear in the mouth accompanied with a drivelling of saliva on the teats or udder rendering it hot and tender, between the claws causing lame- ness, while in milch cows the secretion of milk is diminished. These symptoms may be slight or severe. In the mild form of the disease the morbid action subsides in a few days, the visicles burst and discharge their contents, and the abrasions are qnickly healed ; the lameness ceases ; the milk and appetite return and soou recover the lost condition. This epizootic dis- ease is of many degrees of iuteusity. The amount of suffering endured is often excessive in a severe form of the disease, and the animal is a pitiable object. The mouth aud tongue become studded with sores, partial or complete separation of the hoof takes place, and ulceration of the tissue extending to the bones, causing open joint, and at times the legs and other parts of the body swell from effusions in the cellular tissue beneath the skin, and abscesses form in the udder of a very unhealthy character, accompanied with a low fever and extreme debility, which continue for a time, and in some cases end in death. Now, as to treatment. This complaint runs a fixed and de- terminate course. The eruption can not safely be arrested, and therefore the principle to be followed is to avoid unneces- sary interference beyond supporting the system by giving soft, easily-digested food, sucli as mashes of bran aud linseed, pulped roots, grass, or gruel. Bleeding aud purgatives are very injurious. Small doses of nitrate or bicarbonate of potass may be given when the fever is severe. Wlien associated with other diseases, or any unfavourable circumstance, the complaint often assumes a virulent form, in which case the aid of the veterinary surgeon is required. Now as to preventive measures. It is obvious that the first essential is the separation of dis- eased or infected animals from those which are healthy. It may be true, at least need not be disputed, that restriction to the free movement of animals is contrary to the interests of commerce. It is, on the other hand, undoubtedly true that free movement of infected animals means unlimited extension of disease. Movements in any direction along roads or rail- ways, for any purpose, must be associated with the propa- gation of the infection to a greater or less extent, depending upon the precautions which are used. On premises where the disease exists disinfectants should be freely used, and the most exact care should be exercised in removing all excreta, which should be mixed with quicklime in equal proportion. The selection of the method of disinfection is probably of less im- portance than the previous adoption of a complete process of cleansing sheds and places where diseased animals have stood, by means of washing with hot-water, containing common soda in solution, after which carbolic acid, chloride of lime, or zinc, or sulphurous acid gas, may be employed to complete the process. Mr. D. DoWNES said Mr. Ferris had not exactly given them the remedies he should wish to hear. Mr. Overton : Yes ; he has told you that the best thing is to send for a veterinary surgeon (i laugh). Mr. D. DowNES recollected a good many years ago his ani- mals were suffering from the foot-and-mouth disease. The first system was lameness. The animals were not able to stand, and they had blisters upon their mouths. The remedy sug- gested to him was a solution of alum to be applied to tlie tongue and udder and between the claws. He carried out this suggestion. He hoped that some of those present would be able to give them some information. Mr. Overton asked Mr. Downes if the remedy he had named succeeded. Mr. DowNES replied that it did. He did not lose an animal. Mr. Ferris said he thought it was a rare disease for quacks to deal with. The solution of alum was not poisonous, and, therefore, it would not poison the animals ; but if they were left to nature they would get on better than they would with medicine of that sort. Mr. DowNES : The remedy then was to give the animals opening medicine, salts. Mr. Ferris observed that in the year 1862 the disease was said to have been brought in by cattle from Herefordshire. He thought that there was great danger in cattle coming from an infected district. Mr. DowNES said he had understood that the disease was brought at the time referred to by Mr. Ferris by a drove of Insli cattle travelling through the county. Mr. Cornish asked Mr. Ferris if he thought it was likely that a person who had been in a shed with diseased cattle would carry the disease ? Mr. Ferris said that this had not been proved in connection with this disease. In the case of some diseases persons were more likely to carry it than in this. Mr. Cornish : But did he think a person might carry this disease about ? Mr. Ferris replied in tlie negative, and observed that the saliva was the most poisonous. It was infectious, but not, he thought, to the e.xtent Mr. Cornish had spoken of. Major Conway Lloyd : But it was highly contagious. Mr. Ferris : Yes. Mr. DowNES said he was sure that they were all much in- debted to the magistrates of the county of Brecon for so ac- tively doing that which tliat Chamber had suggested upon several occasions. But in his private opinion a resolution which would prevent the Herefordsliire cattle coming into that county was uncalled for. It would materially interfere with the county of Brecon. From that time to the spring of the year many of them would be going to Herelord. They would want bulls aud different animals. Now, if they passed such a resolution they would not be able to move an animal. He thought they ought to look to the Government to do more to prevent the disease from spreading over the country. There should be greater restrictions with respect to the importation of foreign cattle. Mr. Rees Williams (Scethrog) pointed out that a man might send ten or twenty animals to the Hereford market, and they might stand next to a lot of animals infected with the disease. A sale was, perhaps, not effected, and the cattle were taken back to that county. He thought the best way was to take the bull by the " nose," because " prevention was better than cure." Mr. A. Smith, after stating that he had had some ex- perience of this disease in sheep, asked what was the cause of the inflammation P Was it the cold ? Or were sheep in a bad condition more likely to take the disease than those which were in good condition ? Would warmth and good feeding prevent it ? Mr. Overton said that he should like to add that he had some conversation with a gentleman who had a large farm in Norfolk, where they had suffered a good deal from this disease. He asked him whetlier he could attribute it to anytliing. He replied that he had found that it came on about the autumn, and that he thought it came on when tliere was a good deal of fog. They were subject to heavy fogs, and there was an impression tliat they had something to do with it. This idea might be of use to them, or it might not. There might be something in it. Mr. Ferris, in reply to questions which had been put to him, said that during the time the morbitic matter was in the blood the animal was feverish, as Mr. Smith had said. He was not going so far as to say that the sheep, being in a good condition, were less liable than those in a poor condition ; but there were circumstances in which they were more liable to take the disease. For instance, they were more liable to take it when travelling ; also at the time of parturition and lacta- tion. He thought that fat sheep were just as liable as poor ones. The best preventive was to take great care that the animals did not come in contact with those which were dis- eased. If they sent their animals to the market of a county in which tlie disease was, their cattle might stand by those which had the disease, but did not show it ; and if the animals were brought back to the county they might bring the disease with them. Major Conway Lloyd said after what he had heard that day he did not think it was necessary for them to pass any resolu- tion to bring before the Quarter Sessions. There was some further incidental conversation amongst the magistrates present, but this was of little weight. 44 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE CHEMISTRY OF FEEDING STUFFS. At the first meeting for tlie season of the Botley and South Hants Farmers' Club, Mr. William Warner in the chair, the subject for discussion was " The Chemistry of Feeding Stuffs and the Value of their Constituents," introduced by Mr. Albert Spooner. Mr. A. Spooner said : The dry season just passed having occasioned such a scarcity of food, particularly in the form of hay, induces me to take " Feeding Stuff" as appropriate for a paper at the present. However, I must first entreat your in- dulgence for the many faults and imperfections it contains, per- haps more excusable on account of its being my first. In order that we may dispose of the various sorts of food at our command to the best possible advantage, and to supply each kind of stock, as far as we are able, with the best food suited to its peculiar requirements, it is very desirable that we should have a clear knowledge of the various objects to which the nutriment derived from food is applied in the animal economy. We must first therefore consider the principles that exist in food, and the effect they have on the animal system. These principles are divided into two classes — the "proximate" and tlie " ultimate." The ultimate principles of food are com- posed of mineral or inorganic matters, which mostly consist of phosphate of lime and magnesia. They form the ash after burning ; hence they are sometimes called the ash constituents. These mineral matters tend to theformation of bone in the animal system ; in fact, they supply every part of the body with their earthy constituents. The proximate principles are furthermore divided into two classes — first, into those principles which con- sist of three elements, viz., carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen ; and, secondly, those which consist of four elements, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Carbon, in a separate condition, is a solid body, of a black or grey colour, as is seen in charcoal, soot, coke, and other substances of which it is the principal ingredient. It may also assume tlie form of a colourless, transparent stone, for the dimond, the most precious of our stones, has been demonstrated by chemical examination to be pure carbon. In like manner it changes colour and form, when it unites with hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen, for wood, starch, and sugar are not black, yet the half at least of these substances consist of carbon. It is in this form it exists in plants, for on subjecting them to heat, which drives off the oxygen and hydrogen in the form of vapour, a carbonaceous mass is left behind. Upon continuing the application of heat, with a free access of air, not only the colour is altered, but the solid form also, for the carbon, combing with the oxygen of the air, forms a kind of gas, which has been called carbonic- acid gas. The same thing happens in the putrefaction and and decay of animal and vegetable matters, although by a slower process. Carbonic-acid gas is present in small quanti- ties in the atmosphere, and is a constant product of respiration as well as fermenting liquids and combustion of all kinds. Oxygen in a free condition is an invisible gas, without taste or odour. It constitutes one-fifth of our ordinary atmosphere. 0.xygen is not combustible — that is, it will not burn, but it is a powerful supporter of the burning of other bodies ; for in- stance, bodies which burn in air burn with increased brilliancy in pure oxygen. Every one knows that fire cannot burn, that animals or vegetable matter cannot putrify without air. That property we owe to the air of maintaining and supporting those chemical changes is due alone to the oxygen it contains. Hydrogen, in like manner, is as invisible as when uncom- bined. It is very extensively diffused throughout nature, and from its extreme lightness was formerly used for balloons. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen, for if these two gases be mixed together, the sole product formed is water. And, again, by decomposing water, we obtain the gases. Hydrogen is combustible, but does not support combustion. For instance, a light is immediately extinguished when plunged into a jar of this gas. The hydrogen burns only when it comes in contact with the air. Nitrogen is also a gas, with- out taste, odour, or colour, and constitutes the great bulk of our ordinary atmosphere — viz., four-fifths. It is neither combustible nor a supporter of combustiou. The pre- sence of nitrogen cannot be easily shown, although it plays such a very important part in the composition of feeding stuffs. Class 1, that is, those principles which consist of the three elements — carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen — are called the non- nitrogenous or carbonaceous compound, and, with one or two exceptions, are also called respiratory heat-giving or fat-pro- ducing substances, on account of the part they perform in the animal system. Class 2, that is, those principles which con- tain, in addition to the elements just mentioned, nitrogen, are called the nitrogenous or flesh-forming constituents, on account of the function they perform in relation to animal life. The compounds which belong to the non-nitrogenous and fat- producing priuciples are the following : Woody fibre, orlignine, which is by far the most abundant of vegetable products, forming the bulk of most plants. It is almost useless as a feeding material, and is even objectionable when present in large quantities, since it passes unchanged through the animal system, owing to its indigestibility ; hence the amount of this substance materially affects the value of feeding matters. How- ever, as it exists in young plants it is digestible to a certain extent in the stomachs of animals, and seems to be as nearly as useful as the other members of this group. The rest of the compounds of this class are starch, sugar, gum, mucilage oil, or fatty matter. The greater portion of these compounds, which exist more or less in every kind of food used for cattle, when received into the system, become, as it were, the "fuel" neces- sary for sustaining the animal heat in the process of respira- tion. The breath of animals effect the combination between the combustible materials in the blood and the oxygen of the atmosphere, and, as in this process, a certain amount of heat is liberated, the requisite temperature of the body is thus kept up. These combustible materials, which may, with great pro- priety, in food, be called the animal fuel, are starch, sugar, and oil. The greater portion of food consumed by animals is re- quired for the purpose of supplying heat to the body by under- going oxidation in the lungs, in which process carbonic acid and water are formed, and pass off in the breath exhaled. When more of this kind of food is taken up by an animal than is necessary to sustain the proper heat of the body, that excess is stored up in the form of fat. It follows, then, that an animal confined in a small space, and consequently able to take but little exercise, soon gets fat, from the formation of this material of the food, that would otherwise be consumed by exertion. All of these respiratory compounds are capable of being converted into fat in the animal system, but with different degrees of facility. Thus it may be readily imagined that respiratory matter in the form of vegetable oil, as found in various seeds, is much more capable of being converted into that material than starch or sugar. Tliis explains the superiority of the different oil-cakes in the fattening of cattle over other feeding stuffs. Wlien food is deficient in these respiratory principles the animal system suffers from the want of heat. Moreover, unless a due amount of combustible matter is present in the body for the oxygen of the air to act upon, the surface of the lungs themselves are wasted by the oxygen of the air. We may therefore conclude that the non-nitro- genous or respiratory principles in food keep the animal body in its proper temperature, so that the functions are maintained, and any excess of these matters furnish the material for the formation of fat, but are unable to supply actual nourishment in the proper sense of the word — that is by restoring the waste tlie body sustains by exertion, and giving matter for the forma- tion of flesh and sinew and other parts of the animal frame. To supply those deficiencies we must therefore have resource to the nitrogenous or flesh-forming principles, tlie composition of which I have already mentioned. They exist in the choicer portion of all vegetable substances, and closely resemble a sub- stance called albumen, or white of eggs, hence they are some- times called albuminous compounds, of which are the following: Albumen, casein, gluten or vegetable fibrin, and legumine, as found in different substances. All these compounds are very much alike, and are considered equally valu- able. Since, then, it is from the nitrogenous portion of THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 45 food the bodies of animals are chiefly built up and btrengthened, it follows that the value of feeding matters are very materially affected by the amount of albuminous matter they contain, for the muscles and tissues wasted by exercise and fatigue are alone renovated from these materials. For this reason working liorses require corn and beans in proportion to the amount of work they do, or otherwise their frames become wasted, and their strength diminished. We may, therefore, infer that tlie nitrogenous principles are the most valuable in food, but alone are totally incapable to support life. In conjunction, how- ever, witli the respiratory principles they form the proper food for cattle, such as Nature has ordained. Having discussed the composition of animal food, and the use of the various matters contained in them, in the animal system, we will now direct our attention to the various kinds and their relative feeding quali- ties. Linseed cake justly stands at the head of our feeding stuffs, and, if good and genuine, will contain about 11 per cent. of oil (although the greater portion has before been extiacted from the seed), 28 per cent, albuminous or flesh-forraiug mat- ter, 30 per cent, of non-nitrogenous matters, such as starch, sugar, and mucilage, 12 per cent, of woody fibre, and 5 per cent, of mineral matters. Linseed cake is, therefore, a very nutritive article, for it contains, in some cases, as much as 12 per cent, of oil, wiiich constituent must be regarded as the most valuable of the respiratory form, occurring in oilcake from the fact that, having an abundance of other respiratory matter, in the form of starchy substances, which are sufficient alone to sustain the animal heat, the greater portion of the oil is convened into fat in the animal system. Ten parts of oil is usually estimated as equal to twenty-two parts of starch. Tlie proportion of nitrogenous matter is, generally syeaking, greater than that found in any other natural produce used as food. Mucilage is also very abundant in this kind of cake, which is considered a valuable constituent in food. This mu- cilage is very characteristic upon mixing oilcake with water, when it becomes at once very gelatinous, and is employed amongst other tests of judging the quality. Linseed cakes are made from seed grown in different localities, all of which possess the same qualities almost equally, provided they are free from dirt and other impurities. The only objection to linseed cake is its high price, which is governed not only by the demand and the supply, but also by the price of the oil. When the oil sells freely, and is in great demand it stimulates the manufacture, but when the market is slow it tends to in- crease the cost of the cake. Linseed cakes are often, at the present time, very much adulterated, sometimes witli bran, which, although perfectly harmless as a feeding ingredient, diminishes the value of the cake. At other times starchy ma- terials, such as rice dust and damaged grain, are occasionally met with. These inferior cakes are usually sold at a lower price than the genuine ones, although " farmers" are some- what loath to think them at all inferior in quality to those of a higher price, but rather think you are endeavouring to " sell" them should you ask a higlier price than they have before been offered for the adulterated cake. Rape cake, al- though formerly almost entirely devoted to the purposes of manure, is now extensively used as a feeding stuff. It does not differ very widely in general composition from the liuseed. The following is its composition : Oil, Hi per cent. ; albu- men, 30^ ; starch, &c., 28 ; and 8 mineral matters. Thus it contains a higher percentage of albuminous matters than lin- seed cake. However, it has a certain bitter taste, which some- what lowers its merit as food. The chief objection to rape cake is its liability to contain the poisonous seed of oil of mus- tard, the presence of which can be detected by mixing a little with water and subjecting it to heat, when the smell of the mustard is very easily recognized. It must be borne in mind that mustard is present more or less in almost every sample of rape cake. Practice is, therefore, requisite in a certain degree to ascertain to what extent the presence of mustard is inju- rious. Foreign rape cake is the best, inasmuch as it is made from seed grown in the north of Germany and France, which is purer than the East Indian seed, from which Euglisli cake is usually manufactured. As its cost is about two-thirds that of linseed cake and its manuring value rather greater, it is valuable for growing stock. Decorticated cotton cake is a valuable feeding substance. It is prepared almost exclusively in the Southern States of America, where the thick husk can be profitably stripped off. The taste and smell of this cake are peculiar, and less pleasant than linseeil cake. It contains as mucli as ^l per cent, of flesh-forming element and 16 per cent, of oil, as well as a considerable proportion of phosphates, and must tlierefore be regarded as a very valuable feeding stuff, although the quantity of respiratory matter is rather low com- pared to other cakes. If tlie feeding value of food were en- tirely proportionate to the amount of these constituents they contained, we should bring the value of decorticated cotton cake higher thaa that of liuseed, but as this holds good only to a certain extent, we must take into consideration the taste and smell of the article, as well as the amount of essential constituents, before being able to decide upon its feeding value. The manuring value of decorticated cotton cake, however, is fully equivalent to the high amount of nitrogen and phos- phates it contains. It usually contains about starch sugar, &c., 31 per cent. ; albumen, 23.7 ; oil, 6.2 ; mineral matters, 6.5. Common or undecorticated cotton cake contains rather a large amount of husk, and if given in very large quantities is rather hazardous on account of injury which may happen to the animals fed upon an undue proportion of that substance. Notwithstanding, it is a valuable addition to our feeding stuffs if used with care. Decorticated earth-nut cake is a sweet, palatable cake, extremely rich in flesh-forming constituents, containing as much as 40 per cent. ; consequently its manu- ring value is high. It is produced from a nut found in Africa, after the extraction of the greater portion of its oil, which then leaves about 7 per cent, in the cake. Palm-nut cake is a useful feeding material, particularly for pigs. It sometimes contain as much as 13 per cent, of oil, but the proportion is rather variable. Its flesh-making elements are rather low. There are various other cakes that are used in feeding, but as most of them have only a passing interest attached to them, and are not largely used, I will only mention them by name : poppy cake, camelina, Sessame, hemp, cocoa-nut cake, &c. It is very often rather an undecided question with farmers Which is the cheapest and most profitable food to employ, corn or cake ? and sometimes when the former is low in price, the latter is discarded altogether. Now, this is not right, for it should be remembered that linseed has medicinal as well as feeding qualities, and it is well known that animals are never so healthy, and never winter so well, as when they are supplied with liuseed cake. It is by no means sufficient in estimating the relative value of corn and cake merely to ascertain the cost per ton. We will now take an analysis of beans, which is the next most concentrated form of food, and compare it with that of linseed cake, and vve find that instead of having 12 per cent, of oil, it has only 2 ; 24 of albuminous compounds, 4G of starch, &c., and 3 of mineral matters. Now, since oil is estimated at more tlian double tlie value of the other carbonaceous matter such as starch, gum, and sugar, and again beans containing considerably less of the flesh-forming element than cake, it follows that the latter must be a very superior article to the former ; and with beans we also include peas and lentils, being both very similar in composition to beans. We will next endeavour to ascertain the value of some of the articles used as food from an analysis of them, but of course nothing Hke certainty can be depended upon. Some may consider and assign a great value to one constituent, and some to another. From what I have already said with regard to the parts each constituent of food performs in the animal system, I should feel justified in valuing the oil at £20 per ton, albumen or flesh-forming element at £20 per ton, starchy matter, &c., £12 per ton, and the mineral matters at £5. Then, supposiug linseed cake contained 12 per cent, of oil, 29 of albumen, 30 of starchy matters, and 6 per cent, of mineral, we should bring the value of 100 tons to £1,214 — that is a trifle over £12 per ton, which is not far from the average cost. It is an easy way of estimating an analysis to take parts as representing so many tons, as I have done in the preceding instance. Now, if we were to value beans in the same way, we sliould bring them to nearly £11 per ton. Nine sacks of beans, at 24s. per sack, would amount to £10 16s. This, however, might be worked out in a different manner, as there are some beans heavier than others, and some of higher price. Oats, again, contain a larger proportion of fatty matter than beans, viz., as much as 5 per cent., but only a little more than half as much albuminous compounds, 57 per cent of „tarch, &c., and 3 per cent, mineral matters. By the. same method we should value oats at £10 10s. per ton. Seven qrs. and a half, 37 lbs. to the bushel, at 28s. per qr., would just make that sum, which very much tended to support 46 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the relative value given to the different constituents of food. Barley, valued in the same way, comes to about the same price as oats, taking the following per centages : Eat, 2 ; albumi- nous matters, 11 ; starch, 66 ; and materals, 3. Eleven sacks of barley, 51 lbs. to the bushel, at 389. per qr., amounts to £10 9s. If we value the constituents of rape-cake in the same manner as we have those of linseed cake, we should bring the value about the same, whereas the former can be bouglit at a considerably lower price than the latter ; but there is this fact that the animals do not like rape-cake, owing to its bitter taste, which I have before alluded to, and it is necessary to study the animal taste as weU as the food. Then, again, the oil is of a thinner substance, pnd consequently is considered to be less fattening than linseed oil. If we, there- fore, were to value the oil the same as tJie starch, viz., £12 per ton, instead of £20, we should bring the value of rape- cake to something hke £10 per ton, showing that it is still cheap food if animals would eat it. The manuring of rape- cake, owing to its richness in nitrogenous matter, is compara- tively high, being estimated at £i Os. 9d. per ton. Decorti- cated cotton and earth-nut cake, being still richer in those compounds, are estimated even higher in manuring value, viz., £5 63. 6d. and £4? 18s. per ton respectively, whilst linseed cake is £3 15s. 8d. per ton. Some people think it is more profitable to buy linseed than the cake. This might have been some years ago, when the former could have been bought at a comparatively cheaper rate than now, but, although it contains three times the quantity of oil, it has less of the flesh-forming and starchy matters. Therefore the cake must be more profitable than the seed for feeding purposes. If we take the analysis of swedes we should fiud that the greater por- tion of them consists of water, viz., 89| per cent, thus leaving a very small margin for the really necessary constituents of food, which censist of 1^ per cent, of nitrogenous matter, 8| of starchy matter, and i per cent, of mineral substances. What a great difference in composition to linseed cake! It shows the superior advantage of giving cake in combination with turnips inasmuch as it supplies those ingredients of which the latter is deficient — that is mainly the flesh-forming priuciples. By feeding alone on turnips a much larger quantity of water is given than is desirable. It shows, likewise, that we were justified in placing a higher value on the flesh - making matters, because they are not found to a great extent in ordinary matters of food. If we value swedes in the same way as we have done the various other articles, we should bring them above their real value, and the manuring value about is. per ton. The composition of mangold is very similar to that of swedes. It, however, contains a larger amount of sngar, and is consequently, on the whole, con- sidered of greater value than swedes. On account of the large amount of nitrogenous matter present in oilcakes the most profitable way of using it seems to be in combination with some article of an opposite character that is rich in respiratory matter, such as barley-meal, Indian-corn, or the carob or locust bean. Indian- corn is, however, now largely used alone for feeding purposes, the cost of this article being comparatively low, and its feeding qualities in proportion high. The locust beau, also known by the terra St. John's bread, contains a large amount of sugar, which affords a means of not only augmenting the respiratory elements in mixtures of food, but, at the same time, imparts a sweet flavour, making coarse or other food more palatable to the animal fed. This property is rather a drawback than otherwise in one respect, inasmuch as the beans appear as nice to the boys on the farm as they do beneficial to the cattle. In fatting animals, a food in which the respiratory matter predominates would seem to be most suitable, since the muscles or flesh are incapable of increase to anything like the extent as fat. Respiratory matter, in the form of vegetable oil, is most favourable for the formation of fat : hence the efficiency of oilcake, although the common respiratory matter, such as starch, sugar, or mucilage, are aho, though probably less easily, available for that pur- pose. We can scarcely give the animal too much nourish- ment, provided its health is maintained, as we thereby shorten the time of fattening, and thus save the food that would be otherwise consumed in sustaining the system during that penod. But when the system is undergoing development, as in young or growing animals, we gain more the advantage of growth than the formation of fat, for which, of course, time f9ftGertaia ?;^te!i| U necessary, in which case the mineral elements are particularly required, as well as a due proportion of respiratory and flesh-making elements. Deficient food, or what amounts to the same thing, food which does not furnish the requisite quantity of the various nutritive elements re- quired by the animal to meet the wants of its system, is always a loss to the owners of stock, from the fact that the animals cease to make progress, and fall back, and thus it re- quires a much larger proportion of nutritive food to regain flesh than it otherwise would to have retained its former con- dition ; and, again, all that food consumed, instead of yielding its proper return, was expended in keeping the animal alive. Moreover, all the time consumed, we might have been making progress. The quantity and quality of food required by animals will be just in proportion to this demand upon its system. An animal has no power to produce anything which Nature has ordained that it should unless the raw material of the same are supplied in food. It is by carrying out with care and judgment the principles involved in the feeding of animals that we can expect to dispose of the many kinds of food at our command to the best advantage, and thereby to develope the resources of agriculture, and increase, it is hoped, the profits of farming. The lecture was illustrated by some interesting experiments with hydrogen, oxygen, &c., and samples of the various kinds of cake alluded to were produced, Mr. Spooner being received with applause on resuming his seat. Mr. Jonx Gater opened the discussion. He said that Mr. Albert Spooner had made some remarks which came very op- portunely at the present time, and he was pleased with the excellent lecture he had given them. These remarks came very appropriately at a time when stock rearing and fattening was gradually getting into disfavour with the agriculturist. Such a subject must be of interest to the agriculturist, es- pecially at a time when, as now, the food for cattle was so short, and the practical farmer should know now that which would assist him in rearing and fattening the animals. It was also of importance to the people of the country that more stock should be reared and fattened, and that it should be known what food would do that more successfully than another. He could not help thinking, too, that some notice should be taken of other things as well as the way in which the animals should be fat- tened— the ajre required to be looked to as much as possible, the kind of stock, and the peculiar constitution of the animal itself. He believed that in differently constituted animals there must be different treatment. He thoujiht the quantity and quality of the food might be so much varied as to give better and greater results in a larger number of instances than was at present the case. W^ith reference to Mr. Spooner's remarks that some food being different in its results to other with cattle he might say, from what little knowledge of chemistry he possessed, that he quite agreed with him that food lor cattle must be given the same as other food, according to the senses — the nose, taste, or sight, and this could only be arrived at by chemical analysis. It might be said that they could fatten their cattle without it, but he contended they could not really understand the value of their food without it was submitted to such a test. Therefore he thought that the study of foods and the analysing of them was only just in its infancy. Before sitting down he must say a word or two in favour of chemistry, of which he had heard Mr. Spooner speak. What he knew he learnt of the late John Nisbet, who was a first-rate agricultural chemist. They might depend upon it the agricul- turist who could combine with his practical knowledge of farming a little of chemistry would be able to compete more successfully with the farmer who had no knowledge of it whatever. It was only by a knowledge of chemistry that they could know what was the real value of that which they were giving their animals, and come to a just conclusion. All he could say to them was if they had any sons now who were to become farmers above all give them some knowledge of chemistry, for they might depend upon it the day was fast ap- proaching when the man who had a knowledge of it would have a better chance of getting a living than the one who knew nothing about it. Mr. I3LUXDEIL said: In alluding to the deleterious matter in cake Mr. Spooner spoke of bran as being simply harmless, but he believed Mr. Gater would say it was something more than simply harmless. However, he would leave Mr. Gater to an- swer for himself. Then Mr. Spooner had made another re- mark with regard to the oil of muatard seed being almost poU THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 4? sonous, and thus it was shown that while some cake contained that which was fattening others had that which was the re- verse. Therefore, in order to know what was the nutiitive value of the cake the farmer should know what were its real ingredients. With regard to the two sorts of cake of which he had spoken they could only test their value by analysis. Some men might say they could not do that, but there was no difficulty when they had the Royal Agricultural Society to fall back upon, as members of it could have anything analysed. They should not trust anyone. He would take no person's word. They might hand them an account of the analysis, but they could find out the excellence or otherwise of that which was offered to them by the simple mode of testing, some of which had been done by the gentleman who had lectured on that occasion. Upon other occasions their worthy secre- tary had set before them, with a great deal of clearness and practicability, the various modes by which they might ascer- tain the genuineness of feeding commodities. He thought each of them should be able to test the cake, and see how such and such a" man was serving them. By sending it to the Koyai Agricultural Chemist they could ascertain what that with which they were supplied was really composed of. It was important that agriculturists, seeing that cake was so dear, should ask the question, " Which is the best for cattle, cake or corn ?" If they took into consideration the relative fattening properties of corn and cake, the same as Mr. A. Spooner had introduced to their notice, they would fine that while corn stood pre-eminent and unassailable in fattening animals that the residue left from corn was very different to that left from cake. In his (Mr. Blundell's) experience he could tell them what was the difference in the state of the land where £100 had been spent in feeding cattle with cake and £100 in giving them corn. He considered, whether the money might be laid out more adventageously in corn or in cake, yet the residue of cake on ploughed land on an after crop was superior to anything else that had come under his experi- rience. One observation of Mr. Spoooner's with regard to tlie value of swedes and mangolds he could not quite understand. Probably the secretary would give them some observations up- on it. As far as his experience went he thought a mangold was of considerably more value for fatting purposes than a swede, and if he was about to fat a bullock he would sooner have 601bs. of mangold than 751bs. of swedes — that was to say, it was one-fifth superior as a root food, that was that he would give one-fifth less of mangold than he would have to do of swedes. The precise value of these two things by analysis had not been shown, and he hoped Mr. Spooner would himself give them some idea on that point. He was sure they were all indebted to Mr. Spooner for his lecture, and he personally thanked him for it. Mr. James Withers was not prepared to say much about chemistry or chemicals, but he quite agreed with Mr. Gater that it was most desirable that all farmers should have some knowledge of it. He could see the necessity for it every day. With regard to the value of cake lie could say that there was a marked difference in the land where hehad fed sheep oq it and where they had none. He fed 300 with it and 300 without it, and, where tlie sheep which were fed on cake had been, the barley was one- third better. He could see distinctly every fold. The Chairman : Did the sheep consume as many turnips ? Mr. Withers : They had turnips. The Chairman: Do you think they consumed so many turnips as they would otherwise ? Mr. Withers replied that he did not think they did. Those which had the cake seemed careless about the roots. Mr. Blundkll remarked tliat as the price of hay was enor- mous, and lliere was a great scarcity of it, he should like their secretary to tell the.m what was the value of hay as compared with the ])resent price of oats, linseed-cake, or beans — how much dearer hay was than it ought to be. Mr. Leane could not understand how it was that Mr. Spooner placed the swedes so high per ton. Mr. A. Spooner replied that he had taken their comparative value with refereuce to concentrated foods. Mr. Leane was afraid it had been overdone — that too high a value had been placed on them. Mr. A. SvooNER thought not much, if they compared one with the other. The Chairman said he could not understand the argumeat at first, but the fatting and manurial value of the swedes was brought together. Mr. Stubbs said he had experience with sheep, and he had come to the conclusion that they could hardly live now. Mr. J. Gater : Can't you give us some theory how it is the stock of sheep is decreasing ? The Chairman : I suppose it is because we do not keep enough stock. Did not Mr. Stubbs think the drought of 1868 had much to do with it ? Mr. Stubbs replied that the drought in 1868 had much to do with the decrease in the number of sheep in 1869. Thou- sands of sheep were killed which never ought to have been slaughtered ; in fact, three sheep were killed instead of two^ that was, they were in such poor condition that three had to be killed to make up for two fat ones. Mr. John Withers remarked that Mr. A. Spooner had told them that linseed was not so valuable as the cake. How was it that by pressing out the oil it became more valuable ? Mr. A. Spooner : Because what it looses in oil it gains in other valuables. Mr. W. C. Spooner said one or two questions had been put to him, which he had much pleasure in answering. The most important was with regard to the value of swedes. It appeared to him to be what his son had estimated. He had taken tlie theoretical value as given by analysis, subject to all drawbacks. If they could extract all the water from swedes and reduce them to cake, then the positive value would be something like what he had given it, seeing that for every ten tons of nutritive matter nearly 100 per cent, had to be taken off for waste, cleaning, the carriage to the farm, &c., which reduced their value at least one-third, and what Mr. A. Spooner had stated would be the practical value of the swedes if they were not attended with those circumstances. He was not at all satisfied that if they were taken into the town they could not be compared with hay for feeding cows and other cattle. No doubt the price would then be £1 to £1 5s. per ton. They had been able by study to reduce the value very accurately. They considered the various constituents of swedes and man- golds, and placed their value at so much per ton, and the same was done with regard to linseed-cake. They would find that in yard dung, from its bulk, the ammonia and phosphate tliere was of less value than in Peruvian guano and other foreign manures. Mr. Blundell had asked a question with regard to hay, which stood by analysis at something like one-half of the value of many kinds of concentrated food, but in hay there was a considerable and continual waste. There were scarcely two blades of grass alike, and where the animal would eat one it often refused the other, and thus there was waste. Some was got together much better, and in a sweeter condition than other parts, and that which was too dry was converted into woody fibre. This was one of the drawbacks with regard to hay, and he thought the best possible way of using it was by cutting it into chaff. He considered there was a great waste with it, and it was not worth the price at which it was now sell- ing— viz., £6 to £7 per ton. It was made of that value in conse- quence of its scarcity, and because people in the town would have it for their highly-fed horses. A statement had been shown to him with regard to some experiments tried a long time ago by BIr. McCuUum, in which turnips wereshown to he superior when grown with yard dung to those grown with guano. That was tried in Scotland, but there had been many experiments tried since ; and although they were in favour of what Mr. McCullum had stated, yet they were nothing like he had made out. There were many experiinents, although he could not lay his hand on them just now, which had put his state- ments on one side to a very great extent. In Scotland tliey found that the swede turnips were more productive than they were in England. There were not many people in England who would like to give their cattle 1501bs. of swedes per day, but the practice showed their nutritive nature in Scotland. Mangolds were never a large crop in Scotland, and they were not so nutritious. They found that mangold wurzel was more nutritious than swedes, but at the same time they should not be given too largely. Mangolds contained a very large quan- tity of salt, and they would find that the green leaves con- tained a much larger quantity than the roots, and that ac- counted for the leaves causing purging when given to cattle. He thought the great secret in all cattle-feeding was a variety of food. Great care was required to be taken ; for if they gave too much of one food, a large quantity passed away with- 48 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. out being acted upon. By mixing concentrated foods with otlier things a much greater advantage might be obtained. Greater results have been obtained by giving a mixture of beans and cake together. It had been shown that two differ- ent kinds of food given together caused an animal to do better because of the variety it contained. For instance, with too much cake the oil would be partly wasted, and it would pass away as unproductive matter. There was no doubt but that the practice of combining maize with other food was a very good one. The paper read had shown that linseed and rape cake were three times more flesh-making, and were more beneficial as a manure. These were calculations made from analyses by Dr. Voelcker and Mr. Lawes. Indian corn was put down at £1 5s. per ton as manuring value, linseed cake at £3 15s., and rape at £4'. Decorticated cotton cake was put down at £5 6s., and decorticated earth-nut cake and others at about the same. Much depended upon the way in which the palate of the animal was suited. A gentleman, who was a successful exhibitor at Southampton and also at Smithfield, had just had some locust beans. He had also a quantity last year, and he did not know what he wanted them for unless they were given to the animals. No doubt one of his reasons was that they might have a variety of food, and so their palates would be tempted. He thought if people who relied upon the different sorts of condiments were to mix a few locust beans instead, they would find that their animals would eat their food better, and that much good would result from it. If any farther explanation were wished he should be happy to give it, Mr. Lene quite agreed with Mr. Spooner with regard to the feeding of cattle, but he was not aware there was so mucli salt in mangold. He had been givingeachof hisbeastsMOlbs. of mangold, 71bs. of linseed cake, 4^1bs. cotton cake, and 6Jlbs. ol bean, pea, and barley meal per day, but he never knew them so thirsty before. Since the mangold had been taken away they had begun to refuse the water, which they wanted so badly before, and thus the cause was explained. The Chairman said : It was quite clear they must take tlie value of the feeding stuffs by the result of analysis. They must supply that food which would be most tempting for the animal to take up. They found themselves the more variety of food they had the better it was for them, and he believed, oilcake and beans given together was very good food for cattle. The linseed gave fat, and the beans had good flesh making properties. He thought it very desirable not to tax the animal by confining it to one kind of food alone, but to judge, from what it was doing, what kind of food it required. Mr. W. C. Spooner remarked that it had been found by experience that 1501bs. of swedes would produce one pound of beef, and a greater quantity of mutton. That would help to show them their proportionate value. Mr. A. Spooner, in reply, said he had no claim to practical experience, but he thought the most advantageous way of feeding cattle and sheep was to combine a variety of food, so as to please the palate, and at the same time increase the yalue of the manure, THE EUTLAND AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY. MEETING AT OAKHAM. The cattle exliibiied were about equal to the last show in point of number. The Uppingham school medal for the best beast in five classes was carried off by Mr. T. Pulver, of Broughton, near Kettering, that also took the first prize oflered for the best ox or steer, of any breed or weight, ex- ceeding three years old. Earl Spencer winning second honours. These animals competed together at Wellingboro' with a similar result. Mr. Pulver also secured the ribbon for the best steer under two years and six months. His prize medal ox has previously won prizes amounting to £84. Mr. Searson was extremely successful, as he carried off honours respectively for the best beast shown in classes 6 to 13, for the best ox or steer under three years, for the best cow above three years, and for the best young bull, and was commended in class 5. The show of sheep generaUy was not numerous, but the display of fat sheep was good. The principal prize- takers were Colonel Lowther, M.l'., the Marquis of Exeter, Lord Bemers, and Mr. Harris, of Wootton. The number of horses exhibited was quite up to the average, and they were rather superior than inferior in quality. PRIZE LIST. Judges for Cattle, Sheep, and Pigs: J. Clayden, Littlebury. C. Howard, Biddeuham. W. Sandy, Holme Pierrepont. CATTLE. Ox or steer, of any breed or weight, exceeding three years and three mouths old (open to all England). — First prize, £15, T. Pulver, Broughton ; second, £7, Earl Spencer, Althorp Park, Northampton. Highly commended, Colonel Reeve, Leadenliam, Grantham. Commended, J. P. M'Pherson, Muirtou of Kinloss, Forres ; T. Ross, Hillhead, Forres. Ox or steer, of any breed or weight, not exceeding three years and three months old (open to all England). — First prize, £10, 11. Searson, Market Deeping ; second, £5, W. Sisraan, Kimbolton. Cow, of any breed, age, or weight (open to all England). — Prize, £10, Col. Reeve. Heifer, not exceeding four years old, of any breed or weight (open to all England).— Prize, £10, R. Wood, Clapton, Thrap- ston. Commended, T. Rose. Steer, under two years and six months old, fed within the district. — First prize, £10, T. Pulver ; second, £5, Marquis of Exeter, Burghley Park. Commended, R. Searson. Best beast in the show. — Prize, the Uppingham School medal and extra premium of £25, T. Pulver, for ox exhibited in class 1. Cow, above three years old, in milk or in calf. — First prize, £10, R. Searson ; second, £6, Marquis of Exeter. Com- mended, J. J. Sharp, Broughton, Kettering. Heifer, above two and under three years old, bred within the district. — First prize, £7, R. Searson ; second, £5, C. Chapman, Brook Farm, Exton. Heifer, under two years old, bred within the district. — First prize, £7, C. Chapman ; second, £4, C. Speed, Horn Mills, Exton. Commended, E. H- Cheney, Gaddesby Hall, Leicester. Bull, above twelve and not exceeding twenty months old. — First prize, £10, R. Searson ; second, £5, Marquis of Exeter. Commended, L. Hardy, Burley-on-the-hill. Cow, in milk. — i'irst prize, £5, R. Fardell, Cold Overton ; second, £2, J. Edgson, Langham. Commended, R. Coverley, Cottesmore ; T. Clarke. Heifer, under three years old. — First prize, £4, J. Harris, Langham ; second, £2, C. Hubbard, Langham. Highly commended, R. Fardell. Commended, R. Coverley ; W. Hotchkin, Burley-on-the-hill. Heifer calf, above six and under twelve months old. — First prize, £2, Mrs. Hammond, Egleton ; second, £1, J. Harris. Highly commended, H. Hayes, Langham. Breeding beast shown as extra stock. — First prize, silver medal value 10 guineas, J. J. Sharp ; second, silver medal value 5 guineas, R. Searson. Highly commended, W. Fowler, Mantou. Commended, W. Colwell, Thorpe-by- Water. Best beast shown in classes 6 to 13. — Prize, an extra pre- mium of £10, R. Searson. Best fat beast, above two years and six months old, shown as extra stock. — Prize, £5, R. Wood, Clapton, Thrapston. Highly commended. Marquis of Exeter. SHEEP. Three fat wether Leicester sheep, one year old (open to all England). — First prize, a silver cup or iglO, Lord Bemers, Keythorpe Hall ; second, £5, Colonel Lowther, M.P., Barley- thorpe Hall, Commended, W. Shipman, Eaton Lodge. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 49 Three loug-wooUcd fat wether slieep of the Liucohi breed, one year ohl (open to all England). — I'irst prize, £10, T. W. D.Harris, Wootton; second, £5, J. Byron, Kirkby Green, Sleaford. Four long-woolled breeding ewes, bred within the district. — First prize, £5, Colonel Lowther ; second, £3, C. J. Brad- shaw, Burley-on-the-Hill. Four long-woolled theaves, one year old, bred and fed within the district. — First prize, £5, Marquis of Exeter ; second, £3, W. Shipman. Highly commended. Colonel Low- ther. Four longwoolled wether lambs, bred and fed within the district (ram lambs excepted). — First prize, £4, Colonel Low- ther ; second, £3, W. Shipraan. Four long-woolled ewe lambs, bred and fed within the dis- trict.— First prize, £4, Colonel LoVi'ther ; second, £2, W. Shipman. The best sheep shown as extra stock (open to all England). — Prize, a silver medal value 5 guineas, T. W. D. Harris. Highly commended, W. Shipraan. PIGS. Fat pig under 18 months old (open to all England). — First prize, £5, R. E. Duckering and Son, Northorpe, Kirton Lind- sey ; second, £3, W. Hughes, Oakham. Commended, W. Carver and Sons, Ingarsby. Fat pig under 10 months old, not to exceed 30 stone live weight (open to all England). — First prize, £5, R. I'awley, Manton ; second, £3, Messrs. R. E. Duckering. Commended, T. Sutor, Brooke. Fat pig of any weight. — First prize, £2, G. Chester, Wal tham; second, £1, Mrs. E. Knight, Burton-on-the-Hill. HORSES. Judges (Hunters) : J. Bcrridge, Carcby. — Braiihwaite, Stackley. — Cockrayue, East Langton. IL Thurnall, Royston. (Cart horses) H. Wagstaffe, Chesterton. Mare for agricultural purposes. — First prize, £5, T. W. Fowler, Hall Farm, Exton ; second, £3, T. Woods, Wythley Warren. Cart horse under seven years old. — First prize, £5, T. Woods ; second, £3, J. Bailey, Hambleton. Hunting mare or gelding above five years old (open to all England).— First prize, £20, G. H. Finch, Burley Hall; second, £10, J. Hind, Ryliall Grange. Farmers or tradesmen, four-year-old hunting mare or geld- ing, bred within the district. — First prize, £20, T. Cross, jun., Melton Mowbray ; second, £10, T. Stokes, VVarmingtou. Farmers or tradesmen, three-year-old hunting mare or gelding, bred within the district. — First prize, £10, J. Brews- ter, Denton Lodge, Grantham; second, £5, W. Franklin, Barford Lodge, Kettering. Highly commended, F. Bowman, Duddington. Hunting mare or gelding shown in the three previous classes. — Prize, a gold medal value 10 guineas, T. Cross, jun. Tenant farmers or tradesmen, mare for breeding hunters.— Prize, £5, J. J. Sharp, Broughtou. Tenant farmers or tradesmen, hackney mare or gelding under seven years old, not exceeding 15 hands 1 in. — First prize, £10, G. Cant, Harringworth ; second, £5, T.Bryan, Seaton [Lodge, Uppingham. Commended, R. L. Bradshaw, sen., Tinwell. Ponies under seven years old, not exceeding 13 hands. — First prize, £3, J. Honisby, Grantham ; second, hunting whip, N. Walters, Oukham, THE LEEDS SMITHFIELD CATTLE SHOW. That Leeds, with its quarter of a million of people, and ils many prosperous industries, should aspire to have ^ fat show fit to follow suit to Smithfield is not strange. Although a town of manufacturers, it does not depend on any single line of business. It makes nearly everything, not only for export to the populations of the east, but for sale to the farmers of England — clothes, machinery, and implements, everything, in fact, horn a washing-tub to a steam plough. It affects, therefore, a large agricultural interest, has a corn and cattle market unsurpassed in extent of business, and a Corn Exchange to be proud of. Beyond this it is situate iu the centre of the county, close to the feeding pastures of Craven on one side, and on the other to the great arable dis- trict of central Yorkshire. It is not difficult to imagine, therefore, that the Leeds Smithfield Club would bean institu- tion of a permanent character. For fourteen years has.it continued to progress, and his so extended its operations as to make it one of tlie leading provincial winter exhibitions. Following the show of the Smithfield Club, the Leeds exhi- bition is the last act iu the agricultural drama that begins at Birmingham, and it is quite worthy of its position. As a Christmas spectacle of the best animal products of the kingdom it is not one whit less imposing aud instructive than the meetings which have preceded it ; and celebrated as Leeds is at all times for the quality of the meat provided in its sham- bles, it may be proud of the collectiou of the treasures of the farm which have been displayed in the hall of the Leeds Smith- field Club. Tlie entries for the present show are nearly double those of last year, and are, so far, a satisfactory test of the popularity of the exhibition amongst breeders, and a proof that the ma- nagement continues to guide affairs in a judicious manner. Good, however, as is the arrangement by which all the cattle classes are kept together in the Central Hall, so as to bq,, inspected by the visitor by following the order of the ^catalogue, without having to enter upon a side wing, it will on auotlier occasion be desirable to meet the further increase of visitors to give still more space between the rows of animals, and by taking the poultry altogether away from the Cattle Hall. The attendance of the public is, in fact, evideuce of the increasing popularity of the exhibition. About 10,000 per- sons visited tlie yard on each of the two first days, £314 18s, id. being taken on Tuesday, and £215 lis. 8d. on Wednesday for admissions. On Thursday the attendance was still larger. Owing to a series of contingencies and the sudden exercise of power by Veterinary Inspectors in London, the Smith- field animals were not allowed to leave the yard at the proper time, so that we have too large a proportion of vacant stalls, especially in the cattle classes. A " beg- garly array of empty beuches" will chill any performance, and three or four empty stalls following each other consecutively have had a marked effect in detracting from the character and appearance of two or three important classes of cattle. Un- fortunately, too, amongst the absentees was Mr. Pulver'a champion ox, whose second appearance at Leeds was an- nounced by Mr. Pulver, to be his tinal one on any stage. The non-arrival of this ox is still more to be regretted, as his com- petitors at Islington were admittedly rivals scarcely worthy of his steel ; while at Leeds he would have had to meet the York prize Shorthorns. There were here 33 missing animals out of an entry of 95 head of cattle. Glancing at the animals in their consecutive order, we come first to Lord Zetland's two Shorthorn oxen, first and second here for the " any age" prize ; and although defeated by the Scotch ox of Mr. Reid's for the Mayor's £20 prize as best animal in the yard, the prize Shorthorn took the Innkeeper's £10 cup as best Shorthorn ox, cow, or heifer. The York decision was in this class also reversed, the second animal at York being first here. A heavier beast than the York winner he is, but that he is a better we certainly deny. With an extra weight of 10 or 12 stones, he is not so large in girth as the other. This shows his irregular making. Indeed as a Shorthorn ox he is not equal, to. the York winner; and as scales are not used yet as judges, we take it that a Shorthorn ox exhibited in a Shorthorn class at a fat show must not only be merely the best fiif ox, but the best fat ox and best Shorthorn at the same time. The winner of the York prize for the young ox be- lougiug to ^Ir. Thompson has H. C. only here ; but he has broken down on his legs, aud was sufteriug when shown at York, as he is now. Mr. Drysdale's third ox is a heavy beef ox entitled to his place, Of Shorthorn cows, out of six entries 50 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. three were absent, the splendid cow winner at York belonging to Mr. W. Hill, and also Sir W. Trevelyan's, and Lord Fever- sham's. The first prize went to Mr. Meynell Ingrain for a useful roan cow, with capital crops and loin, but very defi- cient between rib and hip. The absentees in the Shorthorn heifer class reduced a large entry of eleven to that of four moderate animals, and the winner was a fair good animal, but not prime enough to get a place at York. The prize cross-bred ox is a very moderate Irish exhibited by Mr. Scholefield, Tadcaster. What mis- chance has put him before Mr. Ross's second prize — a large and good specimen of the polled breed — we know not. Mr. Ross, however, is in better luck among the feniales, and takes first prize for cows, and cup for best cross-bred with a mode- rate animal. In Scotch oxen, we have only three, and Mr. Held scores first and second ; and witti the same 3 years and 6 months wins first in his class, the Royal Agricultural Cup, value 6 guineas, as best Scotch ox or cow, and the Mayor's Cup, value £20, as best beast in the yard. Scotch cows were moderate in quality and few in number; and Highland oxen the same. Sir C. Trevelyan's flat -sided mouse- coloured ox had only one to meet — a rough Highlander, " un- couth and unkempt," belonging to Mr. Drysdale, Fifeshire. The Highland cow of Mr Eastwood, as at York, was first ; Sir W. Trevelyan second, sed lonrjo intenaUo. The Scots made up a larger class than usual. In the Tenant Farmers' classes, Mr. R. Brogden and Mr. MacPherson were first and second, both York prize animals, Mr. Brogden being second in the youug Shorthorn oxen, and Mr. MacPherson second in polled oxen. Mr. Brogden's ox has rare quality and fine making, but rather lacks growth. If he had more size nothing could beat him. Mr. Brogden's young 2 years 0 months Shorthorn took third here as at York. He is of superb quality, and would go on weU. He displaces a magnificent beef ox of great weight, shown by Mr. Drysdale, for third place. The latter is rather coarse in bone and common in his hind legs while his young conqueror is at least a gentleman to look at, if not quite a ripe butcher's beast. In cows Mr. W. Hill wins, as at York, with his fine Short- horn, and Mr, Thoralinsou, third at York, is second here wor- thily. Mr. Reid wins for heifers, and also takes the Cnp for these classes, with his beautiful black 4 years, the beauty that we re- marked upon at York when she, as here, stood first. The milch cows were a pretty numerous class, and Mr. Parsons won the first and the Cup with a cow well up in condition and full of Shorthorn blood, as well as of milking attributes. The sheep were nearly the same as at York ; Mr. Jordan, Mr. W. Hill, and Lord "Weulock taking all the honour and profit. Pigs we shall not particularize. At a fat show in Yorkshire especially they are never deficient ; and the names of ex- hibitors here show us how many of the animals that we have known in agricultural competitions are now closing their gay career, and approaching that bourne from which no prize pig ever returns alive — the butchers' shambles at Christmas time. Poultry, pigeons, and rabbits ran up excellent and large classes. PRIZE LIST. Judges. Cattle and Sheep.— H. Ambler, Watkinson Hall, Halifax ; C. Edmondsou, Ripon ; W. Silversides, York. Pigs.— T. Dodds, Wakefield ; G. Hutcliinson, Prospect House, York. Roots. — J. Parker, Dunkeswick, Harewood ; R. Crossley, Newsain Green, Temple Newsam. VeterinaryInspector.— Mr. Mitchell, M.R.C.V.S.L., Leeds. SHORTHORNS. Ox of any age. — First and second prizes and plate, the Earl of Zetland, Aske, Richmond ; third, W. Drysdale, Kilrie, King- horn. Highly commended : H.S. Thompson, Kirkby Hall, York. Cow, liaving had a living calf. — First prize, H. F. Meynell Ingram, M.P., Temple Newsara ; second, John lugleby, Aust- wick, Clapham ; third, Jas. Reid, Greystone, Alford. Heifer, not exceeding four years old. — First prize, Geo. Robson, Easingwold ; second, Geo. Hargreaves, Shipley ; third, John Ferguson, East Grange, Forres. OTHER BREEDS. Cross-bred or Irish ox.— First prizf, W. Schofield, Tad- caster ; sHCond, Thus. Ross, Hiilhead, Forres ; third, Jas. Reid. Qross-bred or Irish cow or heifer.— First prize and plate, Thos. Ross ; second, Jas. Bruce, Burnside, Fochabers ; tlurd, the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, Haigh Hall, Wigan. Polled Scotch ox. — First and second prizes and the Mayor's cup for the best animal in the show ground, Jas. Reid. Polled Scotch cow or heifer. Cattley, Wiganthorpe, York; second, Jas. Reid, Greystone, Alford. Highly com- mended : Wm. Drysdale, Kilrie, Fifeshire. Highland ox. — First prize. Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Wal- lington ; second, W. Drysdale. Highland cow or haifer. — First prize, R. Eastwood, Thorny- holme, Clitheroe ; second. Sir W. C. Trevelyan. iexa:^t farmers' classes, not being l.vndowners. Ox. — First prize, R.|Brogden,jun.,Tockwith ; second, J. P. McPherson, Muirton, of Kinloss, Forres ; third, R. Brogden, jun. Highly-commended : W. Drysdale. Cow, having had a living calf. — First prize, W. Hill, Wetherby ; second, M. Thomlinson, Cowthorpe, Wetherby ; third, J. W. Botherby, Middleton-one-Row. Heifer under four years old. — First prize and cup, J. Reid, Greystone ; second, T. Ross, Hiilhead, Forres ; third, J. Walton, Horncliffe Quarries, llawtenstall. Fat cow, in milk, for slaughtering. — First prize, a cup, R. Parsons, Leeds ; second, J. Thackraj, Leeds, third, J. Botterill, Leeds. SHEEP. LEICESTER OR LONG WOOL. Pen of three wethers or gimmers, under 2 years old. — First and second prizes, F. Jordan's Exors., Eastburn, Driffield. OTHER BREEDS. Pen of three South or other Down wethers, of any age.— First and second prizes, the Right Hon. Lord Wenlock, Escrick Park. Pen of three cross-bred wethers, of any age. — First prize and cup, J. Bruce, Fochabers ; second, J. Hunter, Fochabers, North Britain. Pen of three horned Scotch, Lonk, or Mountain wethers, of any age. — First prize, W. Hill, Wetherby ; second, R. East- wood, Clitheroe. EXTRA. Silver medal. — Lord Wenlock. PIGS. Fat pig, large breed, of any age. — First prize, R. E.Ducker- ing and Son, Northorpe ; second, W. Lister, Armley ; third, R. E. Duckering and Son. Fat pig, hog or gilt, middle breed, exceeding 14 months old. — First prize, R. E. Duckering and Son ; second, R. Hurtley, Armley ; third, C. F. Hallas, Iludderfield. Fat pig, hog or gilt, middle breed, under 14- months old. — First prize, T. Greenwood, New Wortley ; second, M. Walton, Halifax ; third, C. Johnson, Potternewton. Fat sow, middle breed. — First prize, W- Lister ; second, R. E. Duckering and Son ; third, — Ambler, Halifax. Fat pig, hog or gilt, small breed, exceeding 14 months old. — First prize, R. E. Duckering and Son ; second, M. Walton, Halifax ; third, G. Mangles, Great Givendale. "Fat pig, hog or gilt, small breed, under 14 months old.— First prize, W. S. Moiser, Beeston ; second, W. WeUock, Halton ; third, — Ambler. Fat sow, small breed. — First prize and cup, R E. Duckering and Son ; second, W. Hatton, Addingham ; third, W. Lister, Armley. Pen of three pork pigs, under 20 weeks old. — First prize, T. Turner, Leeds ; second, J. King, Leeds ; third, W. Hill, Wetherby. EXTRA. Silver medals awarded. — Sow, J. C Taylor, Leeds ; two gilts, S. Walton, Halifax ; sow and litter. T. Hall, Leeds. ROOTS. Long mangold wurzel. — First prize, G. Nussey, jun., Sutterton, Spalding ; second, W. H. Gaunt, Old Thomville, Kirkhammerton. Globe mangel wurzel. — First prize, R- L. Everett, Rush- mere, Ipswich ; second, G. Nussey, jun. Swedes turnips. — First prize, J. Johnson, Arthington ; second, J. Bruce, Burnside, Fochabers, N.B. Common turnips. — First prize, J. Bruce; second, W.Ripley, Kirkhammerton, York. Potatoes. — E. Sucksraith, Hipperholrae, Halifax ; second, T. Wintersgill, Gownley Foot, llasbara, THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE, 51 ABINGDON FAT CATTLE SHOW. The Judges were : Beasts and Cart Colts. — W. Franklin, Ascot ; B. Castle, Charlton ; and G. M. Dunn, Ardington. Sheep and Pigs. — J. Edmonds, Longworth Lodge, Faring- don ; and G. Wallis, Old Shifford, Bampton. Roots. — J. Litchfield, Southmoor ; T. N. Dewe, Drayton ; and R. Pyke, Lyford. Corn. — J. Weaving, Oxford ; Mr. Prowse, Wallingford ; and C. Cox, Abingdon. PRIZE LIST. BEASTS. Best fat OS. — Eirst prize, £5. H. Betteridge, Hanney ; second, W. Aldworth, Erilford. Best steer, under 3 years and 3 months old. — First prize, £5, H. Betteridge ; second, W. Aldworth. Best fat cow. — First prize, £5, J. P. King, near Walling- ford ; second, VV. Aldworth. Best fat heifer, under 4 years of age, — First prize, £5, Col. Loyd-Lindsay, M.P. ; second, W. Aldworth. Highly com- mended : H. Betteridge. Best two heifers in calf, under 3 years of age. — First prize, £3, W. Curtis, Fernham ; second, W. Curtis. Best beast shown in class 1 or 3. — A silver cup, H. Betteridge. Best beast shown in class 3 or 4. — A silver cup. Col. Loyd-Lindsay, M.P. Best two heifers in class 5. — A silver cup, W. Curtis. SHEEP. Best pen of tliree fat half-bred or Oxford Down wether sheep, under 22 months old. — First prize, £3, Col. Loyd- Lindsay, M.P. ; second, Jas. Mason, Eynsham Hall. Best pen of three fat Hampshire or Southdown wether sheep, under 33 months old. — First prize, £3, Sir W. Throck- morton, Bart. ; second, Col. Loyd-Lindsay, M.P. Best pen of three fat ewes. — First prize, £3, R. Badcock ; second, R. Badcock. Best pen of sheep in any class. — A silver cup, Sir W. Throckmorton. PIGS. Best pen of three fat pigs of one litter, under nine months old. — First prize, £3, J. Wallis, Kingston Bagpuize ; second, H. Betteridge. Best pen of three fat pigs under 14 months old. — First prize, £2, E. PuUen, sen., Sutton Courtney ; second, E. Pullen. Best fat hog, above 14 months old, irrespective of weight, age, or breed. — First prize, £2, W. M. Tagg, Charney Wick. Highly commended : R. Aldworth, Hagbourne ; H. Humfrey, Kingston, near Shrivenham ; and Sir W. Throckmorton. Commended : J. H. Clarke, Maidenhead. Best pig in the show, age to be taken into consideration. — A silver cup, W. M. Tagg. HORSES. Best four-year-old hunter.— Prize, £10 10s., W. M. Tagg. Best cart colt under three years old. — Prize, £5 5s., Colonel Loyd-Lindsay, M.F. ROOTS. Best five acres of Swedish turnips, 25 to be exhibited. — A silver cup and prize of £3, W. Graham, Pewit ; second, T. Latham, Wittenham. Best two acres of mangold wurzel, 35 to be exhibited. — First prize, £3, W. M. Tagg ; second, E. Pullen, sen. Best collection of roots, not less than 10 each, field culture, and not less than four sorts. — First prize, £3 2s., W. M. Tagg ; second, W. Graham. Best collection of roots. — A silver cup, W. M. Tagg. CORN. Best five quarters of wheat, one bushel in an unmarked bag to be pitched. — First prize, £2, J. H. Clarke ; second, R. Aldworth. Best five quarters of barley, one bushel to be pitched. — First prize, £3, J. H. Clarke ; second, R. Aldworth, Mt, C, P, Duffield, of Marchara Park, presided at the dinner, CHIPPENHAM AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. PRIZE LIST. Judges of Stock. — Francis Burnett, Wilts. Geo. Game, Churchill. John Treadwell, Winchendon. CATTLE. Bull, cow, and offspring.— £10, T. M. Ferris, Tytherton ; second, £5, Isaac Cox, Whatley. Commended : J. Smith, Bynoll.. Fat steers above three years old.— £6, R. Stratton, Burde- rop ; second, £4, T. H. Ferris, Manningford Bohun. Fat steers under three years old. — £6, T. H. Ferris, Man- ningford ; second, £4, W. F. Beaven, Woodborough. Fat cows. — £6, J. Redman, Whaddon; second, £4, R. ChiUingworth, Highworth. Milch cows of any age.— £5, II. W. White, Stanley ; se- cond, £4, Oriel Viveash, Berwick Bassett. Commended : A. M. Sloper, Compton Bassett. A prize of £5 was awarded also to J. Limbrick, Iron Acton. Dairy cows under four years old. — £4, Mrs. E. Burbidge, South Wraxall ; second, £2, J. Fry, Lacock. Heifers under thirty-six months old. — £4, R. Stratton, Burderop; second, £2, S. Downing and Son, Chippenham. Commended : Mrs. E. Burbidge. Heifers under twenty-four months old. — £5, T. Hewer, Inglesham ; second, £3, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Bowood. Commended ; Mrs. E. Burbidge. Heifer calves under twelve months old. — £5, R. Stratton ; second, £2, T. Hewer, Inglesham. Commended : W. F. Beaven, Woodborough ; Isaac Cox, Whatley. Bull calves under twelve months old. — £5, C. Hobbs, Maisey Hampton ; second, £2, R. Stratton. Highly com- mended : H. Say, Lacock. Bulls under two years old.— £5, R. Stratton. Highly com- mended : W. Spencer, Chalfield. Commended : G. Anstie, Hinton. Bulls above two and under three years olds. — £5, Chapman Uncles, Chippenham. Working oxen. — £2, O. Viveash, Berwick Bassett. SHEEP, Four fat short-wool wethers. — £3, E. Little, Lanhill. Highly commended : H. Gough, Grittleton. Commended : E. Little. Four fat long-wool wethers.— £4, T. Little, Norcott. Four fat cross-bred wethers. — £4, J. Hibbard, Stanton. Eight short-wool breeding ewes. — £5, R. Henly, jun,, Calne ; second, £3, J. Moore, Littlecot. Eight long-wool breeding ewes. — £5, W. Limbrick, Horton. Eight cross-bred breeding ewes. — £4, J. Whale, Corston ; second, £3, J. Miles, Stanton. HORSES, Two-year-old cart gelding or filly. — £3, G. Anstie, Hinton. Mares and foals. — £5, J. Farmer, Woodshan. Commended : W. Ghey, Littleton. PIGS. Boars. — £3, Mrs. E. Burbidge, South Wraxall ; second, £1, J. Hibbard, Stanton. Breeding sows. — £3, R. J. Butler, Bremhill ; second, £1, J. Hibbard. Commended, Mrs. E. Burbidge ; R. Spackman, Broughton ; E. Little, Lanhill. Two fat pigs of one litter.— £3, R. J. Butler. Fat pigs of any age. — £3, Mrs. E. Burbidge. CHEESE. Judges, — C. Pitt. J. Titley. Best cwt. thick cheese. — £3, H. Reynolds, Dauntsey. Second-best cwt, thick cheese. — £2, T, Newman, Cray's Marsh. Best cwt. thin cheese. — £3, C. Beaven, Shipton Moyne, Second-best cwt, of thin cheese, — £3, H. Reynolds, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE TEEDEGAR CATTLE SHOW AT NEWPORT. At this annual exhibition there was a change in the arrange- ments. Formerly the stock was judged on the Monday, the principal day of the show being Tuesday, and the proceedings winding up" with a dinner ; whilst a second show-day was afforded on the Wednesday. This year Monday was devoted to receiving the stock in the show-yard, and on Tuesday the busi- ness commenced. The silver cups were eighteen in number, and the classes lu which fewest exhibitors appeared were those of the North Devon Cattle. Not one local farmer entered for the cup given for the best yearling buU.best two-ye.ar-old heifer, or the best four-year old heifer, for most of the other cup prizes the entries were numerous, and the neighbouring tenantry sent in stock for competition. The Glamorganshire sheep were in some force ; and the pigs numerous. From what we hear the arrangements appear to have been simply lamentable, and the judging indifferent. A visitor as- sures us that though the authorities had the whole day before them not the slightest information was afforded as to the winning animals until eight o'clock at night, when of course every one had left, and the public who paid its money to wit- nessthe judging was refused the information to which it was entitled. Of course under such circumstances people said the awards were touchedup afterwards ; wliile, according to lite Hereford Times, "rumours were Hying about that the judges had made such and such decisions, and there were not wanting instances in which, tlie reports being believed, those gentlemen were described as a 'set of fools,' either wholly incompetent to the discharge of their oneroiis duties or influenced by strong prejudices." As to the judging, so far as it could be followed, some of the best animals looked to be carefully left out, and Mr. Evans, of Swanstone, was sadly ill-used. They never noticed Lady Oxford, not even with so much as a commendation, though the best of her class at the Oxford Royal meeting ; nor the young bull Sir Oliver, another prize animal in good company. Tiie wliole business appears to have degenerated into a wretched muddle, and yei this meeting has all tlie elemeats of a successful show under more efficient management. Yearling cart colt or filly, bred by the exhibitor.— R. W. Bridgwater, Great Porthamel, Talgarth, Brecon. Commended : T. B. Price, Duffryn St. Nicholas, Cardiff. Shorthorn bull calf.— A cup, value £5 5s., T. Morris, Maes- more Court, Gloucester. Shorthorn heifer calf.— A cup, value £5 5s., R. Stratton, Burderop, Swindon. Hereford bull calf.— A cup, value £5 5s., W. Evans, Llan- dowlais, Usk, Monmouth. tt . i • 1 1 Hereford heifer calf.— A cup, value £5 53.. J. H. Arkwright, Hampton Court, Leominster. Yearlinff heifer.— A cup, value £5 5s., T. Hewer, Ingle- sham, Lechlade, Gloucestershire. ::;Stock bull, above two years old.— J. H. Arkwngt, Hampton Court, Leominster. t -u a i Cows of any pure breed, in-calf or in-milk. — J, H. Ark- wright. North Devon Four-year-old heifer.— T. H. Risden, \\ ash- ford, Taunton, Somerset. Fat cow.— S. Channiug, Pillgwenlly, Newport. Pair of yearling steers. — Lord Tredegar. Pair of two-year-old steers.— Wm. Williams, Red House, Ely, Cardiff. , Best male horned breeding animal selected from any class in the yard.— A piece of plate, value £21, W. Evans, Llan- dowlas, Usk, Monmouthshire. Best female horned breeding animal selected from any class m the yard.— A piece of plate, value £31, Lord Tredegar. SHEEP. Four shearling ewes, long wool. — Prize, £5, J. Williams, Caercady, Cowbridge, Glamorgan. Four sliearling ewes, short wool.— Prize, £5, G. Wallis, Old Shifford, Brampton, Furriugdon. Pen of four breeding ewes and one ram, of real Welsh mountain breed.— Prize, £6 69., J. Stephens, Hay, Brecon. PIGS. •J. Seys, Judges for Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Cart-horses, and Implements : Thoiuas Svviugler, Luigham, O.ikham, Rutland ; John Wigmore, Lovver Weston, Ross, Herefordshire ; and Rees Williams, Peucelly Castle, Breconshire. For Riding-horses : D. R. Williamson, The Layers, Perthshire, and H. Ark- wright, Hampton Court, Leominster. PRIZE LIST. SILVER CUPS GIVEM BY LORD TREDEGAR. North Devon yearling bull- Thos. H. Risden, Washford, Taunton, Somerset. North Devon two-year-old heifer. — Rev. A. Morgan, Machen Rec ory, Newjjort. Short Horn yearliug'bull. — Richard Stratton, Burderop, Swin- don. Commended : Rev. E T. Williams, Caldicot, Chepstow. Shorthorn two-year-old lieifer. — Loid Tiedegur, Tredegar Park, Newport. Highly commended : Richard Stratton, Bur- derop, Sivindou. Hereford yearling bull. — Warren Evans Llandowlas, Usk Mdu. Coinmeuded : William Harriss, Lluusoar, Cucqleou, Mon. Hereford, two-year-old heifer. — Reese Keeue, Peucraig, Caerleon, Mou. Boar. — C. R. Wheeler, Long Compton, Shipton-on-Sfour. Highly commended: A. Higgins, Hewels&eld Court, Chep- stow. Fat pig. — C. R. Wiieeler. Highly commended : II. Work- man, Coedkerne»v, Newport. Ram lamb, long wool. — R. Leyshon, Island Farm, Bridgend, Glaiiorgan. Highly commended: C. Spencer, Gileslown, Cuvvhridt;e, Glamorgan. Ram lamb, short wool.— G. Wallis, OldShifford, Barapton, Farrmgdon. Boar and sow of any breed, under one year old. The Graig, Ne.vport. Breeding sow, with litter of pigs not exceeding three mouths old. — Prize, £5, Joseph Waters, Langstone Court, New- port. HORSES. Cart mare and foal.— W. Hall, Tynewydd, Brecon. Cart stallion that has covered in the county of Monmouth, in 1870.— W. Dukes, Cefn Farm, Llauarth, Mon. Nag mare for general purposes, in foal, to, or with colt by her side, by a thorough-bred liorse.— W. Powell, M.P., per Mr. T. Stroud, Black«ood, Monmouthshire. Pony, under four years old.— J. Thomas, Arcade Wine Vaults, Cardiff. Cob or galloway bred in the county of Monmouth, Gla- inornau, or Brecon, under six years old, over 13 hands and under li liands 2 inches high.— Prize, £5 5s., M. Williams, Caerleon, Alonmoutlishire. Yearling colt or filly for hunting purposes, got by a thorough- bred horse, and bred iu tlie county of jMonimmth, Glamorgan, or Brecon.— \V. Powell, M.P., per Mr. T. Stroud, Blackwood, Monmouthshire. Three-year-old colt or filly for hunting purposes, got by a thorough-brea horse, and bred in the county of Monmouth, Glamorgan, or Brecou.— W. Williams, Red Farm, Peullyne, Cowbridge, Glamorgan. Weight-carrying hunters.— Colonel F. C. Morgan, Ruperra Castle, Newport ; second, Captain M. Batt, Old Court, Aber- gavenny. ,, Light-weight hunters.— G. C. Williams, Llanrumney Hall, Carditf; second, G. W. G. Thomas, Coedriglan, Cardiff. Thoroughbred entire colt, two years old or upwards.— Prize, £10 10s., T. C. Hallen, Brooks Farm, Raglan. I Best and most useful implements in agriculture,— Prize, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 63 £5, J. S. Stone, implement m;\ker, Dock-street, Trosuant, Newport. Best general root crop, consisting of mangold wurtze,, Swedish or common turnip, in .ill not less thui 1 o acres growing on tlte farm of a tenant-farmer in Monmoutlisliire. — Prize, £10 103.,H. S. Williams, Sontbrook, Portskevvett. Best tliree acres of mangold wiirtzel, grown by a tenant- farmer, whose farm is situated tlie souilisideof the road leading from Newport to Chepstow. — -Prize, £5 5s., V. Parsons, Caerwent. Five acres of swedes grown witliin the county of Jlonraouth. — Prize, £5, G. Jones, Uudy, JIagor. NEWrORT TOWN TRIZES Bull, cow, and offspring ; the offspring being under one year old, the cow being in milk or viithin three months of calving, and she and her olfspring having been bred by tlie exhibitor. — Prize, £10, W. Evans, Llandowlas, Usk, Mon. Pair of breeding cows, in milk, or witliin three months of calving. — Prize, £10, W. Evans. Pair of two-year-old steers, bred and fed by the exhibitor. — Prize, £10, W. Harris, Llansoar, Gaerleon, Mon. Pair of yearling steers, bred and fed by the exhibitor. — Prize, £6, J. Skinner, Abcrnant Parin, Caerleon, Mon. In-calf heifer under three years old, in milk, or within three months of calving. — First prize, £7, II. Ilale, Trosuant, New- port ; second, £3, H. Ilalc. Yearling stock heifer. — Prize, £6, W. Jones, Cefullogell, Castleton, Card! if. Pen of tivc wether lambs, long wool, bred and fed; by the exhibitor. — Prize, £5, J. Williams, Cuercady, Cowbriilge. Pen of five ewe lambs, long wool, bred anil led by the ex- hibitor.— Prize, £5, C. Spencer, Gileston, Cowbridge. Pen of five yearling stock ewes, long wool, bred and fed by the exhibitor. — Prize, £5, J. Williams. Pen of five breeding ewe-i, long wool, bred and fed by the exhibitor. — Prize, Jto, J. Williams. Piece (not less than ten acres) of Swedish turnips, growing within tlie county of Monmouth. — Prize, £10, W. Watkins, Wern-y-Cwin, Abergavenny. Piece (not less than five acres) of Swedish turnips, grown by a tenant-farmer in the county of Monmouth. — Prize, £5, H. Price, Tithe House, Uudy Magor. Piece (not less than two acres) of mangold wurtzel, grown by a tenant-farmer in the county of Monmouth. — Prize, £5, H. Lawrence, Ty-Isha, Llaatarnam, Newport. THE SANDWICH CATTLE SHOW. Unfortunately we had an extremely wet morning, which must have prevented many of our country friends attending. The show of cattle was very good, more especially the Sussex,' of which 13 were exhibited. The two years old Sussex steer exhibited by Mr. H. Page, of Walmer, took the Town Cup, being the best steer, and the three years old Sussex heifer ex- hibited by Bradley Brothers, of St. Bartliolomew's Farm, Sand- wich, took the cup presented by Mr. II. Brassey, M.P. for Sandwich, as the best heifer in the show. It ought to be mentioned that the heifer winner of Mr. Brassey's prize was a most extraordinary fine specimen of the Su sex stock, in fact, several visitors who had seen the London show were of opinion nothing better was shown there. We had a good trade for the cattle; every animal was soon sold from 6s. 6d. to 7s. per 81bs. PRIZE LIST. CATTLE. SUSSEX, HEREFORD, AMD DEVON. Steers, over three and under four years old. — Pirstjprize, £3, Bradley Brothers, St. Bartholomew ; second, £i, J no. AVood- ruff, Weddington. Steers, over two and under three years old.— F'irst prize, the Town Cup and £3, Henry Page, Walmer Court ; second, £2, Bradley Brothers ; third, £1, Bradley Brothers. Heifers, over three |and under four years old. — Silver cup and prize, £3, Bradley Brothers. Heifers, over two and under three years old. — First prize, £3, Bradley Brothers ; second, £3, Jnu. \Voodriiir, Wedding- ton. WELSH AND SCOTCH. Steers, over three and under four years old. — First prize, £3, G. II. Harnett, and £1 to breeder. Steers, over two and under three years old. — First prize, £3, Mr. Harvey, and £1 to breeder. Heifers, over three and under four years old. — Prize, £3, Jno. Woodruff. Heifers, over two and under three years old. — No compe- tition. SHORTHORNS, OR ANY OTHER BREED. Steers, over three and under four years old. — First prize, £3, E. Murtoii, Pedding, and £1 to breeder ; second, £3, Lord Fitzwalter, Goodneston. Steers, over two and under three years old. — F'irst prize, £3, Ilenrv Page, Walmer Court ; second, £2, Bradley Brothers ; third,'£I 10s., T. Harvey ; fourth, £1, C. llateliffe.^ Heifers, over three and under four years old. — First prize, £3, W. Bushell, Rowling, and £1 to breeder ; second, £2, Jno. Woodruff. lleilers, over two and under three years old. — First prize, £3, Lord Fitzwalter ; second, £2, Bradley Brothers. THE GUILDFORD FAT STOCK SHOW.— The annual show of cattle, roots, corn and poultry in connexion with the Gildford Agricultural Association, was held on Monday and Tuesday. The stock show was small, owing to the fact that a number of the beasts which would have been exhibited had been shown in London. Nevertheless, the specimens exhibited were good. On Tuesday, the principal day, and market day, the weather was miserably wet, and consequently a great many persons who would have visited the show, stayed at home. Of the exhibitors of slock we may mention prominently Mr. II. Shotter, Mr. Beale who won the 10 guinea prize, Mr. Holland who exhibited a very superior heifer, and Mr. W. S. Smith who won several prizes. The cattle were Sussex and Shorthorns. The show of sheep was very small, and there was scarcely any com- ])Ptition. In pigs Mr. Wells was a most successful exliibitor. His stock, and tliose exhibited by Mr. Holland, were bought at prices averaging £10 each. The show of roots was unpre- cedently good, taking the dry season into consideration. The attendance at the market an Tuesday was large, but the amount of stock, except perhaps pigs, was small. Some good prices were made. Messrs. Hewett and Lee sold a dozen Devons at over Gs. pei stone. WEST OF ENGLAND FAT STOCK SHOW.— Ou Tuesday the annual show of the West of England com- menced at Plymouth. Cattle are, of course, the promi- nent feature of the exhibition, and hero the North Devons, as at Birmingham and Smitlifield, take the lead, although tlic animals exhibited at the up-county shows are here excluded. Tlie South Devon breed presented a very poor appearance vvhen compared with the breed from the north of the county. Among them was one enormous beast, the fust prize taker in Class 5, without any pretensions to shape, but standing just six feet high. The nhorthorns were the next breed, and, as at Smitlifield and Birmingham, they produced the champion beast of the show. The animal now taking the champion plate was shown by Mr. Bult, of Taunton. The male llerefords were nothing very sti iking, though the first-prize ox would have, no doubt, been deserving of favourable comment if it had been taken more care of with a view to exhibition. The cows and heifers were an exceed- ingly good class. In the cross-bred classes there were some good useful animals. Of the six entries of extra stock only two appeared, but these were both fine beasts. Although the show of beasts is exceedingly good, surpassing both in numbers and quality anything of tlie sort that has been seen at Plymouth in preceding years. The sheep classes produce many fine pens. Tlie pigs shown by Mr. Collier and Mr. Burt were very fine specimens of their respective breeds. The roots made a splendid exhibition ; among the exhibitors and prize takers being Mr. W. Harvey, Ashprington, and Mrs. Grace Barter, Berry Pomeroy. The ponltiy exhibition was, genrrally, a first-class slio-y of 470 pens. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. Monthly Council : Wednesday, Dec. 7.—Present: Lord Vernou, President, iu the chair; the Earl of Lich- field, the Earl of Powis, Viscount Bridport, Lord Tredegar, Lord Walsingham, Sir Massey Lopes, Bart., M.P., hu" A. K. Macdonald, Bart., Sir Watkin W. Wynn, Bart., M.P., Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Barthropp, Mr. Booth, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Cantrell, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Clive, Mr Davies, Mr Druce, Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Holland, Mr. Hornsby, Mr. Wren Hoskyns, M^., Mr. Lawes Mr. Leeds, Mr. Milward, Mr. Pain, Mr. Randell, Mr. Riffden, Mr. Sanday, Vn: Shnttleworth, Mr. Thomp- son, Mr. Terr, Mr. Webb, Mr. Wells, M.P., Mr. White- head, Mr. Jacob Wilson, and Dr. Voelcker. The following new members were elected : Armstroug, J. W., Fairlie, Greenock. Baker, Thomas, Blackstone, Bewdley. Broadbent, J. H., Sealand, Chester. Burney, Thomas, Eastleigh, Hants. Cordeii, Arthur H., Briueton, Shifnal. Cordeu, Jolin, Great Chatwell, Newport, Salop. Crosthwaite, Peter, Monk's Hall, Keswick. Gilbey, Alfred, Wooburn House, Beaconsfield. Hall, W. Henry, Glen Parva, Leicester. Harding, William, Marksbury Vale, Bristol. Harrison, T. Asliton, Stalybridge, Cheshire. Key, Major-General G. W., Manor House, Coates, Cireu- ccstcr. Mawer, Edward, Thorney, Peterborough. Newport, Henry A. Wakeman, Coton Hall, Bridgnorth. Nichull, G. Whitlock, The Ham, Cowbridge. Nuttall, James, Chaddesden, Derby. Orlebar, H. Amherst, The Rocks, East Grinstead. Playfair, George G., Erroll Villa, Southbtook-road, Lee, Kent. Rayner, Captain W. S. M., Lounde House, Benlob Hill, Upper Norwood. Round, D. George, Portland House, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Sankey, Thomas, Burntwood, Lichfierd. Thompson, E. J., Tiraperley, Altrincham. Wilding, Joseph, Bank House, Tyldesley. WilUams, John, Gwernliefin, Bala. the name of Holmau's Blood Manure. This manure was found to have the following composition :— Moisture gj^^ =^Organic matter ,'" , /V k nfi Tribastic phosphate of lime (bone phosphate) ... ^-^o Oxides of iron and alumina ^'ij" Sulphate and little carbonate of hme ... ••■ -lo-J-^ Alkaline salts and magnesia (chiefly common salt) ... b.uo Insoluble siliceous matter ' 100.00 * Containing nitrogen Ee^ual to ammonia 1.91 2.33 EiNANCES. — Major-General Viscount Bridport (chair- man) 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 ou Nov. 30 was £1,535 14s. 9d. The Committee recommended that Mr. H. J. Hine's salary be increased to £100 per annum. The Committee had met ten times aud made nine reports. — This report was adopted. Journal.— Mr. Thompson (chairman) reported that a letter had been received from Captain Dashwood, in refe- rence to the farm-prize competitions ; it was recommended that Captain Dashwood be thanked for his communication, which raised some important questions, and informed that the Committee would take them into careful consideration in the event of future competitions beiug sanctioned by the Council. It was also reported that the Committee had met ten times during the year and made nine reports, and that they recommended the addition of the name of Mr. Charles Whitehead to the list of the Committee.— The report was adopted. Chemical.— Mr. Wells, M.P., presented the follow- ing report : — Dr. Voelcker reports the following case of a manure sent to him for analysis, by Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., under This manure was manufactured by N. R. Holman manufacturer and dealer in agricultural tillages Newhall Mills, Attercliflfe, and Sheffield. The price of this manure is £6 a ton, delivered carriage paid to any station within 50 miles of Sheffield. ^ ,• ■. i j In a trade circular, Mr. Holman speaks of his blood- manure as having acquired a world-famous reputation as one of the best and cheapest tillages, and invites his friends and all consumers to an inspection of the nunie- rous testimonials with which he has been favoured. lie likewise gives an analysis, of which the followmg is a copy : Analysis of Blood Manure. Medical Institution, Sheffield. A sample of artificial manure, received Irom Mr. Holman, was found, on analysis, to contain in 100 parts : Moisture and organic matters, containing 17.72 ot ammonia, equivalent to 1-1.58 of nitrogen t.*.4U Insoluble silicate and sulphate of lime ;• ii-^^^ Phosphate of lime, equivalent to 4.31 of phosphoric acid 9.40 Oxides of iron and alumina --^"^^ Carbonate of lime ,'„„ Ditto magnesia • Alkaline salts (chlorides and sulphates) *-*o Ditto (soluble silicates) ' 100,00 (Signed) W. Bingley, Ph.D., F.C.S. March 1, 1865. ■ In this analysis the manure is represented to contain more ammonia than the best samples of Peruvian guano. Supposing the sample analysed by Dr. Bingley contained only 10 per cent, of moisture, and not 32, like the sample sent to me by Mr. Rei.d, I am at a loss to understand how the remaining 54.4 of organic matter could have yielded 17.72 of ammonia. That amount of the richest available nitrogenous or- ganic matter, or even of pure sulphate of ammonia, pro- duces considerably less ammonia than 17.72 per cent. However, presuming the analysis to be correct, the ques- tion which would naturally be asked by any inteUigent farmer who knows something of the market price ot fer- tilising materials, is : Is it probable that a manure manu- facturer will seU an artificial manure at £6, when he can get for the ammonia alone, which is represented to be present in a ton of the manure, over £10 ? Attention is directed to this analysis, because iu many instances farmers are led astray by printed analyses, which many regard as a sufficient guarantee of the good quality of the manure to which they refer. Whenever an analysis is shown, when an artificial manure is offered for sale, aud such an analysis should prove to be satistactory, we ' would advise the intending purchaser to obtain in the first THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. S6 place a statemeut in writing that tlie bulk of the manure on delivery shall be equal in composition with that given in the printed analysis ; and in the next place he should draw from various parts of the bulk several pounds of the manure, mix all the samples well together, and for- ward such a fairly drawn and prepared average to a com- petent and trustworthy agricultural chemist for analysis. Neither printed analyses nor printed testimonials in them- selves have practical value, and both are often used for the purpose of deception. The sample of Holman's Blood Manure, analysed by me, it will be seen, instead of 17-7^ per cent, of ammonia, as represented in the printed analysis, yielded only 2i per cent. ; and instead of 9.4 per cent, of phosphate of lime, only 5 per cent. ; and, besides a large proportion of sand and useless earthy matter, it contained 31 per cent, of water in round numbers. Such a manure would be dear at £2 5s., and I would not recommend any one to buy it at £2 a ton. Mr. C. S. Read has kindly favoured me with the sub- joined letter, and given me leave to lay it before the Chemical Committee : Hoi mail's Manure. Honiugham Thorpe, Norwich, Nov. 16, 1870. My dear Sir, — Ou receipt of your analysis of Mr. Holraan's manure, I wrote to him, stating " that I certainly should not pay for the manure." At Mr. Holman's earnest request I did not send the manure back, but agreed to his proposition to " pay whatever it was worth, according to the crop it pro- duced." I thouglit that it would be a good opportunity of testing the soundness of your analysis, and accordingly sowed 4 cwt. per acre of this manure, and two different kinds of superphosphates, both costing the same price as Mr. Holman charged for liis manure, viz., £6 per ton. They were applied for white Turnips after Peas, and a strip of land was left, upon which no manure of any kind was sown. The two superphosphates have grown a nice little crop of Turnips, but I can see no difference at all between the unmanured plot and Mr. Holman's blood manure. I ought to add, that Mr. Hol- man states, the " second crop is equally benefited as the first." I hope, for his sake and mine, it will be more so. Yours faithfully, Dr.Voelcker. Clare Sewell Re.vd. The committee would call attention to the frequent inferiority of certain manures sold under the name of fish-and-blood manures. A sample of such a tish-and- blood manure (sent by Mr. N. N. Young, Orlingbury, Wellingboro') had the following composition : Moisture 18.86 '''Organic matter ... ... ... ... ... 25.63 Oxides of iron and alumina ... ... ,., 4.43 Phosphate of lime ... ... ... ... 1.93 Sulphate and carbonate of lime... ... ... 33.7^ Alkaline salts and magnesia (chiefly common salt) 3.69 Insoluble siliceous matter (sand) ,., ... 13.75 100.00 ^Containing nitrogen 1.20 Equal to ammonia .,, ... ... 1.45 This so-called fish-and-blood manure is very poor in phosphate of lime ; and as dry blood and flesh yield about 16 per cent, of ammonia on decomposition, the sample analysed, producing not quite li- per cent, of ammonia, cannot have contained mnch blood or fish. It is principally composed of carbonate of lime, earth, and sand, mixed with various kinds of organic refuse matters, a little blood, some fishery salt, and a few fish-bones. Such a manure is barely worth 25s. a ton, but was sold at £6 a ton. With respect to feeding cakes. Dr. Voelcker reports the case of a linseed cake, which was sold to Mr. Jas. J. Bibby, Hardwicke Grange, Shrewsbury, branded, " W H Genuine." This cake he found to be adulterated with earth-nut cake, and to be of the following com- position : Moisture 9-20 Oil 9.90 *Albuminous compounds (tlesli-forming matters) 26.18 Mucilage, sugar, and digestible fibre ... ... 30.84 Woody fibre cellulose) ... ... ... ... 17.36 Mineral matter (ash) 6.53 100.00 *Containing nitrogen ... ... ... 4.19 In answer to an inquiry for particulars of the pui'chase, Mr. Bibby writes that he bought a lot of 5 tons in July, from Messrs. Fields' Mercantile Company (Limited), Shrewsbury, as a genuine cake, at £11 7s. 6d. per ton, delivered. Messrs. Fields, the dealers, state that the maker is W. Holt, of Hull. The following correspondence ensued : Hardwicke Grange, Shrewsbury, Nov. 2, 1870. Dr. Voelcker, London, E.G. Dear Sir, — I duly received yours of the 18th and 21st ult., with analysis and report ou a sample of adulterated linseed cake branded " AVH Genuine," and, as requested, I write to inform you of the particulars of the purchase. The sample is from a lot of 5 tons, bought in July from Fields' Mercantile Company (Limited), Shrewsburj, as a genuine cake, price £11 7s. 6d. per ton, delivered — " Earles and King's," Liverpool cake being then £13 7s. 6d. per ton, delivered. Messrs. Fields, who are dealers, inform me that the maker is W. Holt, Hull. I have written for an explana- tion, and annex a copy of my letter and of the maker's reply, &c. — I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, Jas. J. Bibby (pro Jos. Winchester). (Co/jy.) GrinshiU, Slirewsbury, October 26, 1870. Messrs. Fields' Mercantile Company, Shrewsbury. Gentlemen, — In July last 1 bought from you a parcel of 5 tons Unseed cake branded " W H Genuine," which was described by your manager, and sold, as a genuine linseed cake. I regret to say, however, that the analysis of a sample by Dr. Voelcker shows the cake to be adulterated, and, of course, inferior in quality to genume linseed cake. I enclose an extract from Dr. Voelcker's letter, and a copy of his analysis ; and waiting your reply. — I am, yours faithfully, Joseph Winchester. {Copy.) Shrewsbury, October 31, 1870. From Fields' Mercantile Company. To Mr. Jos. Winchester, GrinshiU. We beg to hand you a copy of the letter which we have received from the crushers at Hull, and we trust that it wiU be acceptable and satisfactory. [Cofiu of enclosure with lite above.'] Hull, October 28, 1870, Messrs. Fields' Mercantile Company. Dear Sirs, — In reply to your ir.vour of yesterday, enclosing " copy of analysis," &c., of 5 tons linseed cakes marked " W. 6 H.," " Genuine," and suppliel to you in July last, we beg to state that the term " genuine," as a trade brand, is not un- derstood to signify a pure cake, which, as you are aware, is always sold at 30s. to 35s. per ton more money, and at the time we sold you the 5 tons referred to we were selling pure cakes at 23s. 6d. more. The difference between "pure" and "genuine" cake, when these brands were first introduced, was simply that the former was made from the finest seed imported, and the latter from a secondary or inferior growth, containing a considerable percentage of non-feeding admixture, such as hay seeds, &c., and generally more or less of grit, which washers have toimd great difficulty in screening from the seed ; in fact, it conld not be entirely removed. For some time past, therefore, it has been the gener.al custom of the trade to use fine clean seed also for " genuine " cakes, reducing the price by the admixture of a small proportion of other good feeding stuff, thus producing what we believe to be a better feeding 56 THE FARMER'S MAGAZlls^E. cake at the same cost. We may add that we have always supplied to our friends a cake of quality at least equal to any oa our market at (he the same price ; and the analysis yon have sent us shows that cake sent you was of good feeding quality, and, we believe, for feeding purposes if anytliiug a little cheaper in proportion tlian a " pure " cake at 20s. to ~5s. per ton more money. [Copy of i-eplij to Ihe forerjohiy.'] Grinshill, Shrewsbury, November 3, 1870. Jlessrs. Fields' Mercantile Company, Shrewsbury. Gentlemen, — I have to acknowledge receipt of yours of olst lilt., enclosing copy of a letter from the manufacturers of the cake, bouglit from you in Jnly, in reply to the complaint of its being adulterated. As tlie cake was not only sold as branded " Genuine," but as a " Genuine Cake," 1 do not consider the e.xplanation at all satisfactory. No trade usage can justify au adulterated cake being sold as " genuine." I was not aware, till your secretary informed me on Satur- day last, that the makers quoted for "pure" cake a higher price than " genuine ;" and I consider this fact being known to you ought to have led to inquiries before the sale as a pure cake of that branded "Genuine." — I am, gentlemen, yours faithfully, Joseph Wi.xchester. P.S. — I send a copy of the correspondence to Dr. Voeloker. Two other cases, where cakes sold as pure were found ou analysis to be adulterated — one with oat-dust, and tlie other with earth-nut cake and beech-nut cake, came under Dr. Voelcker's notice; but the committee think that the evidence in these instauces, though sufRciently convincing, might not have the requisite legal force to warrant the publication of the names of the vendors. In pursuance of the recommendation made by the com- mittee in their last report, a suggestion was forwarded to Messrs. Thomson, Bonar, and Co., that some standard of quality for guano should be settled upon by the importers, and all cargoes valued accordingly. This communication has been transmitted by ]Messrs. Thomson, Bonar, and Co. to Senor Toribio Sanz, the agent of the Peruvian Govern- ment, and this gentleman has undertaken to submit the matter to the authorities in Peru. With reference to the case of ]Mr. W. Bradburu, the committee have to report that they have received notice from that gentleman's solicitor that it is his intention to take legal proceedings against the Society ; and the secretary having been requested to furnish the name of the Society's solicitor, it is recommended by the com- mittee that the question of choosing a solicitor to repre- sent the Society in this case be referred to the Finance Committee. The committee have met six times, and issued reports in March and June. They recommend that extracts, as usual, from Ur. Voelcker's quarterly report, be published iu the agricul- tural journals. They recommend the following to be the list of the members of the Chemical Committee : — Lord Yernou, AVilliam Wells, .AI.P., W. J. Edmonds, D. R. Davies, J. D. Dent, M.P., Sir Massey Lopes, E. Holland, C. Wren Hoskyns, M.P., Lord Lichfield, J. B. Lawes, Dr. A. Voelcker, Jacob Wilson, and C. Whitehead. These reports were adopted. Stock Prizes. — Mr. MilwarJ (chairman) reported that the list of prizes to be offered by the Wolverhampton local committee had not been comi)leted, and that they therefore recommended the publication of the Society's prize-list as sanctioned by the special Council summoned for the purpose, with an announcement that a complete prize-sheet giving the prizes olTered by the local com- mittee will be issued as soon as possible. The annual report of the committee was also presented. These re- ports were adopted. In accordance with the notice given at the last monthly Council, it was then moved by Mr. Milward " that the resolution of June 1, respecting prizes for mules and asses be rescinded." This motion was se- conded by Mr. Jacob Wilson, who stated that the Welsh agricultural societies, whose ])rize -sheets he had been able to obtain, did not offer prizes for these animals, although Wales was considered their great stronghold. The mo- tion was supported by Mr. llaudell, Mr. Booth, and Mr. Torr, who maintained that the small farmer sliould rather be encouraged to breed mountain ponies of good charac- ter in preference to donkeys. On the other hand, the Earl of Powis supported the June resolution, which had been proposed by himself, ou the grounds then stated, and remarked further that it was as desirable for the Society to aid the small farmer by ofl'ering prizes for asses, as to aid tiie large farmer by offering prizes for steam-engines. He was supported by Lord Walsingham, who considered the breed of donkeys capable of great improvement; by Colonel Challoner, who urged the quality of endurance possessed by mules ; and by Mr. Wren Hoskyns, on the ground that if such animals were extensively employed in agriculture, it was the duty of the Society to attempt to improve the breed. L'ltimately, it having been ac- knowledged that, as mules are not breeding animals, it would be against the practice of the Society to offer prizes for them ; the question was put with reference to don- keys. On a division, Mr. Milward's motion was carried by 20 votes against 7. Veterinary. — Major- General Viscount Bridport (chairman) reported that, up to the present time, they had received no report from Professor Simonds with regard to the experiments which they had requested him to make in pleuro-pneumonia. The committee had met four times during the year, and made four reports, and they recommended that the name of Mr. M. W. Ridley, M.P. be added to the list of the committee. — This report was adopted. Gexerat. Wolverha:mpton. — Mr. D. R. Davies re- ported that tlie ex-mayor, on behalf of the local com- mittee of AVolvcrhampton, having explained that the siding from the goods station to the showyard, which the local committee had undertaken to make, would entail considerable expense on them ; the committee recom- mended that the Wolverhampton local committee be re- lieved of their undertaking to make the aforesaid siding, on the condition that the expenses to exhibitors shall not be thereby increased, and that the local committee add prizes to the amount of ,tl,000 to the Society's prize sheet. The contract between the local committee and thr Society not to be in any other respect affected by this agreement. — This report was adopted. Shoavyard Contracts. — Mr. C. Randeli reported that tlie members of the committee had each been supplied with a copy of the conditions and specifications for a new contract for the erection of showyard works, as ordered by the Council, and that these conditions having been finally considered by the committee, they recommended that they be now printed under the direction of the secretary, and that he be authorised to advertise for tenders. It was also reported that the surveyor had supplied the Wolverhampton local committee with a plan of the in- tended showyard, and liad given instruction for the ne- cessary draining, levelling, removal of fences, and forming approach-roads. The annual report stated that the com- mittee had met nine times and made seven reports to the Council ; that they had been perfectly satisfied with the showyard works as carried out by the present contractor under the superintendence of the surveyor; and that, as the existing contract will expire at the conclusion of the Wolveiliampton meeting, they had made the necessary preparations for obtaining tenders for a new contract to commence at that time. These reports were adopted. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINS. 6? Selection. — Ou tlie moUou of the chairmau of this committee (Mr. Thompson) the list of the committee for the ensuing year v\as discussed and agreed to. The annual reports of the Implement, House, and Education Committees were also received and adopted. The E-irl of Lichfield moved, " That in selecting a town for the holding of the exhibition in 1872, the plan of the Bath and West of England Society be adopted." In support of this motion he urged the unnecessary expense that many towns are put to under the present system, and the feeling of annoyance caused by defeat, which he re- garded as more important to the Society than the question of expense. Tlie effect ou the success of the meeting was also stated to be very marked, as many did not subscribe to the local fund of the successful town on the ground that tliey wanted the meeting held a tone of the other towns Avhich had been put iu competition. In anticipating objections that miglit be brought forward, he urged that the only advantage accruing to the Society by the competition was occasionally an increased subscription from the winning town, all other arrangements being made after the selection of the town. Mr. Holland, in seconding the motion, stated that the Bath and West of England Society found no difficulty in working their scheme, and that by it no jealousy was created, and no expense incurred. Mr. Rigden, although a member of the Council of the Bath and West of Eng- land Society, preferred the plan of competition, and con- sidered that quite as much offence would be given to the towns not selected, as is now taken by those which com- pete unsuccessfully. Mr. Randell and Mr. Milward urged the greater requirements of the Koyal Society, and the difficulty that would be raised if the lirst town se- lected were either incapable or unwilling to receive the Society. Mr. Wren Hoskyns and the President gave instances of the bad feeling which had been created, in the districts in which Herefordshire and Derbyshire are situated, by unsuccessful competition ; and Mr. Torr re- butted the charge, which was made in some districts, of the conclusion of the Council in certain cases having been foregone. Mr. Thompson referred to the gradual expansion of the Society's exhibitions under the competi- tion principle ; but at the same time considered that now it might be advisable to discuss whether the annoyance caused iu some instances might not be averted by a modification of our practice. He therefore suggested that the subject should be referred to a committee. Lord Liehfield having adopted this suggestion, it was resolved : "That a Committee be now appointed to consider and re- port to the Council whether it is in their opinion desirable to make any change in the present mode of inviting competition between the leading towns of the district selected for the Society's country meeting ; the committee to consist of the Earl of Lichfield, Mr. Wells, M.P., Mr. Wren Hoskyns, M.P., Mr. Randell, Mr. Thompson, jMr. Torr, and Mr. Jacob Wilson. The secretary was then instructed to send the usual let- ters to Cardiff, Cheltenham, and Hereford. Mr. W. J. Edmonds withdrew the motion of which he had giveu notice, viz. : " That the sura of £10 to be voted to the Cirencester Cham- ber of Agriculture, for the purpose of assisting? its committee to carry out, in conjunction with the Professors of the Royal Agricultural College, manurial and other experiments upon corn and root crops." A communication was received from the Royal Dublin Society, stating that iu accordance with a newly enacted bye-law, the President of the Royal Agricultural Society was L'.v officio an honorary member of the Royal Dublin Society. A letter having been read from .Mr. C. E. Amos, the Society's consulting engineer, resigning his office, it was moved by Lord Bridport, seconded by ~S\r. Thoiu])son, and carried unanimously, that I " The Council have received with much regret the resigu^- I tion of Mr. Amos, the consulting engineer of the Society, and I they cannot do so without recording their sense of the very valuable services rendered to tlie Society by Mr. Amos for so many years, and tliat it be referred to the Committee of Se- lection to consider'and report to the Council in what mode their appreciation of the vaUial)le services rendered by Mr. Amos can best be expressed and conveyed to him." .V letter was read from 3Ir. Ilassall, resigning his scat at the Council. The annual report of the Council to the general meet- ing was prepared. The Half-yearly Meeting of this Society took place on Thursday, at noon, in Hanover Square ; the President, Lord Vernon, in the chair. The attendance was, as usual at the December meeting, numerous, and rather above the average even for the Smitlifield week. Tiie Secketary, Mr. II. M. Jenkins, read the Report of the Council, which was as follows : — The Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England in presenting their Half-yearly Report, have to state that since the last General Meeting in May, 3 Governors and 39 Members have died, and the names of 63 Members have been removed from the list ; on the other band, 3 Governors and 172 Members have been elected, so that the Society now consists of 71' Life Governors, 71; Annual Governors, 1547 Life Members, 389'J Annual Members, 15 Honorary Members, making a total of 5609. Conformably with the provisions of the Charter the Council have enacted the following Bye-law : — " Members who have paid their annual subscriptions for -20 years or upwards, and whose subscriptions are not in arrear, may compound for future annual subscriptions, that of the current year inclusive by a single payment of £5." Tlie half-yearly statement of accounts to the 30th June, 1870, has been examined and approved by the auditors and aceonntants of tlie Society, and has been publislied for the information of the members in the last number of the Joiinial. The funded capital of the Society remains the same as at the last half-yearly meeting, namely, the permanent fund of £20,000 New Three per Cents., and the Reserve Show-fund of £4,612 7s. 8d. New Three per Cents. ; but the deficiency in the Show-yard receipts at the Oxford Meeting entailed a cost to the Society of more than two thousand pounds. On the 1st instant the actual balance of the current account at the London and Westminster Bank was £1,535 14s. 6d. Notwithstanding this pecuniary loss, the Council have reason to congratulate the members of the Society on the result of their second meeting at Oxford. Ihe entries of im- plements, cattle, sheep, and pigs were more numerous than at any previous meeting of the Society, while tlie quality of the animals exhibited iu most classes reached the highest standard. The most distinctive feature of the Oxford Meeting was the competition for tlie farm prizes ofl'ered by Mr. Mason and the Society for the two best managed farms in the Oxfordshire district. The awards of the judges were made known at the general meeting of members held in the showyard, and, on their recommendation, a third prize was added by the Society. The report of the competition, with descriptions of the prize and commended farms, written by Mr. H. VV. Keary, one of the judges, has been published in the last number of the Journal. The farming of every district has its strong and its weak points, and each season its peculiarities. To point out and record these seems a fitting oliject for the Society's efforts, and must otter valuable and instructive lessons to agriculturists generally. The Council are endeavouring to promote a con- tinuation of these competitions by offering, in conjunction with the landowners of Shropshire and Staffordshire, similar prizes for the two best managed arable and dairy farms in a district to be hereinafter determined upon in connection with the Wolverhampton meeting. The Council refer with satisfaction to the two numbers of the Society's Journal published during tlie cnrrcnt year, which contain papers of more than ordinary interest. The Report SS THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ou the Agriculture of Belgium especially calls for particular notice, as it is an able description of the rural economy of a country whose farming has been so frequently and so loosely described by agricultural writers, that a detailed and trust- worthy account of the daily doings of Belgian farmers is a valuable addition to existing knowledge on the subject. It is very creditable to Mr. Jenkins that in the short period which lias elapsed since his appointment as editor he should have made himself sufiiciently conversant with both the science and practice of agriculture to be able to write a report of this high character. In accordance with the Society's classification of implements for trial at the country meetings, machinery suitable for steam- cultivation will be tried at Wolverhampton. Keeping in view the increasing importance of steam power as a means of good cultivation, and especially as a means of improving heavy land, the Council have extended and developed the scheme of prizes liitherto offered for implements and sets of tackle suitable for steam-cultivation. In order to meet as far as possible the re- quirements of every class of agriculturists, they have decided to offer prizes for the best combination of machinery for the cultivation of the soil by steam-power, under three heads — viz.: 1, without imposing any restrictions; 3, limiting the weight of the engine to ten tons ; and, 3, stipulating that the combination of machinery can be worked by an ordinary farm- engine, whether locomotive or portable. The president of the Society lias still further extended tliis scheme by offering a silver cup, value £100, for the best combination of machinery for the cultivation of the soil by steam-power, the cost of which shall not exceed £700 — the engine to be locomotive, and adapted for thrashing and other farm purposes. In this way the Council has endeavoured to include the whole subject, so far as concerns the sets of tackle ; and, in addition, with a view to render the result as complete as possible, ihey have decided to offer a special prize for the best implement of each descrip- tion suitable for steam-cultivation — viz., windlass, snatch-block or a substitute, plough, digger, cultivator, harrow, roller, drill, skim-plough or scarifier, root or stone extractor, and sub- soiler. They also offer a prize for the best implement or part of tackle not qualified to compete under the foregoing heads, and for the best combination of any two or more of the above- mentioned implements, not qualified to compete for the general lirizes. The Wolverhampton prize-sheet further deals with the subject of steam-traction, and prizes are offered for the best agricultural locomotive engine applicable to the ordinary requirements of farming, and for the best waggon for agricul- tural purposes to be drawn by the above-mentioned engine. Tlie Council have also decided to offer a series of prizes for implements and machinery used in the cultivation and manage- ment of hops. The continued increase in the number of implements ex- hibited at the country meetings of the Society has again received the careful attention of the Council. They have decided that no exhibitor shall be allowed to enter duplicates of the same article, and that a maximum fine of ID per cent. on the declared price shall be imposed for each article ex- hibited in breach of this rule ; but that in no case shall the line be less than £1. They hope that this step will have the desired effect of preventing any unnecessary extension of the exhibition without curtailing its usefulness or diminishing its interest. The Council have received with much regret the resignation of Mr. C. E. Amos, the consulting engineer of tlie Society. In recording their high sense of the very valuable services which Mr, Amos has rendered to the Society during the 23 years that lie has fulfilled the important duties of his office, they feel sure that they are expressing the general opinion of the members of the Society. The regulations affecting the awards of medals to miscel- aneous articles have also been revised, and it has been resolved that in future no medal shall be awarded to any implement included in the quinquennial rotation which is not placed in the classes tried at that meeting, nor to any miscel- laneous article capable of trial until it has been subjected to such trial as the stewards may direct. In the stock prize-sheet for the AVolverliampton meeting the Council have made turther additions to the prizes which have hitlierto been offered for live stock. In particular, they have added a fourth prize in the classes of Shorthorn bulls above one year old, but have somewhat reduced the amount of the first prize ; they have offered separate prizes for the two breeds of Guernsey and Jersey cattle ; and they have decided to establish a series of classes for Cheviot and other mountain sheep. In order to ensure the purity of blood of the Shorthorns exhibited at the Society's country meetings, it has been resolved " that each animal entered in the Short- horn classes shall be certified by the exhibitor to have not less than four crosses of Shortliorn blood, which are registered in the ' Herd Book.' " The Council have been requested by her Majesty's Commis- sioners for the International Exhibition of 1871 to assist them in forming a collection of live specimens of the best breeds of animais whose wools are principally used in the woollen and worsted manufactures, by recommending breeders of good examples of the different classes of long-wool, short- wool, Down and mountain slieep. The Council have there- fore placed in the liands of the commissioners the Catalogue of Stock exliibited and the lists of stock-prizes awarded at the last three Country Meetings of the Society. The Council have fixed tlie commencement of the Wolver- hampton Meeting for Monday, the 10th of July. The ar- rangements for the arrival and departure of the Stock, and for tlie opening and closing of the sliowyard remain the same as at Oxford ; but as the trials of implements will be of an unusually extensive nature, it has been decided that they shaU commence a fortnight before the show instead of a week. During the past half-year, the Consulting Chemist of the Society has presented two quarterly reports ou manures and feeding stuffs forwarded to him for analysis by members of the Society. These Reports, giving the names of the dealers and the analyses of the substances are regularly published in the Agricultural Journals as well as in the Journal of the Society. This publication has produced some dissatisfaction on the part of vendors whose articles have been analyzed ; but the Council are prepared to defend their action in this matter, and believe that no part of their work is more valua- ble to agriculture than the analysis and exposure of inferior or adulferated manures and feeding stuffs. In several instances the dealers have made money compensation to the purchasers, and the Council regret that in some of these the purchasers have been unwilling to give up the names of the dealers, resting satisfied with the settlement made in tfieir individual cases. The variation in the quality of guano as now imported, has been under the consideration of the Chemical Committee, and a communication has been addressed to Messrs. Thomson, Bonar aud Co., the agents of the Peruvian Government, suggesting that the guano trade might be regulated by some standard analysis, and that deductions from the price might be made according to tlie variations from such standard. Up to the present tune, however, no satisfactory settlement of this matter has been suggested. The Council have renewed the education grant for the year 1871 subject to the following alterations in the scheme which was tried this year : I. Tliat the next examination shall commence ou Tuesday, April 18, 1871. 3. That the forms of entry, duly filled up, together with a certificate of general education, must be forwarded to the secretary by March 1, 1871. 3. That no candidate shall be be eligible for the Society's prizes who has completed his 21st year previous to the said March I ; but that any candidate, irrespective of age, may compete for the Society's certificates. •1. Tliat the prizes for aggregate merit, to be awarded to successful candidates who are eligible and are placed in the first-class, shall be : 1st prize, £25 ; 3nd, £10 j 3rd, £5. The Council liave watched with apprehension the spread of rinderpest on the Coutiuent. The establishment of water- side markets, the slaughter of cattle from the scheduled countries at tlie port of lauding, and the inspection whicli the animals undergo before embarkation and after their arrival in this country, encourage the Council to hope that we may escape another outbreak of the catile-plague in England. By order of the Council, H. M. Jenkins, Secretary. Mr. Neild, in moving the adoption f the Report, said he regretted to perceive tliat the number of members seemed not THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. S& to have increased, the uuuiber of life auJ auuual members still being only a little over 5,000. If it were true, as he believed it to be, that tlie cause of the Society was that of the farming interest throughout the kingdom, tlie number ouglit to be at least quadrupled. He had noticed with some little concern the amount of loss connected with the Oxford meeting ; but they must not estimate tlie shows altogether by the financial re- sults, and he felt sure that if it should ever become necessary to make an appeal, with regard to funds, the Council would meet with a hearty response from the agriculturists of England. It was almost impossible to overestimate the beneficial results to British agriculture which would arise from the reading of the reports on the prize farms. A more interesting document had never been issued by the Council (Hear, hear), lie did not like praising men to their faces, but he must say that their worthy secretary had earned the approbation of all the mem- bers by the able manner in which be had drawn up the report on the agriculture of Belgium (Hear, hear). That subject was referred to at the Farmers' Club on Monday evening, and, admirable as the details of continental farming were in some respects, what he had heard there as well as the reports on the prize farms showed that English farming would compare very favourably with that of foreign countries (Hear, hear). He observed with great pleasure the allusion in the Keport to the trial of machinery suitable for steam cultivation at the Wolverhampton meeting. All the implement makers of the country would thus have their attention directed to the matter, and he hoped that important results would follow. He must say, in passing, that it was due to the President of that So- ciety that they should all express their gratitude and delight at his noble offer of a prize of a silver cup of the value of £100 " for the best combination of iraehinery for the cultiva- tion of the soil by steam-power, the cost of which shall not exceed ^700" (cheers). He longed to see the day when the best kind of machinery would be at the command of small farmers. Large farmers could take care of themselves, but there were many small ones who could not avail themselves of the best machinery at the present prices. He was glad to see what the Council said about duplicate implements, the exhibi- tion of which had become such a serious evil that it was abso- lutely necessary to put some check upon it. They must all concur in the Council's regret at tlie resignation of Mr. C. E. Amos, the Consulting Engineer oftheSociety, whohadfor many j'ears rendered valuable service (cheers). He vvas glad that so much attention had teen paid to the adulteration of manures and feediug stuffs. Such adulteration was not merely a com- mercial wrong ; it was a moral injury for men who had deal- ings with farmers to practice deception upon them with regard to the quality of seeds or manures. An ordinary loss arising from trade practices might be rectified in a month ; that was a loss which extended over a year, and the injury to the farmer and his family was very serious. No doubt what had occurred would cause farmers to exercise greater caution with regard to those of whom they purchased, and he thought they were very much indebted to the Council for endeavouring to secure fair- dealing (Hear, hear). Mr. Roberts, in seconding the motion, said he considered the lleport emiuently satisfactory ;*,while even as regarded the number of members — the only point on which the previous speaker complained — he reckoned that there was an increase of 71. The number of hfe members had been augmenting for several years past. It now amounted to 1,547, and that showed the necessity of having a considerable fundi'.d capital, seeing tliat those 1,500 members would during tlieir whole life be receiving the Journal and other advantages without paying anything for thera. The Council did not appear to have re- cently increased the amount of funded property, and he thought that fact would be viewed with satisfaction. What tiiey desired was, he believed, to store up knowledge and informa- tion for the present and future generations, and not to accu- late money unnecessarily. He noticed in the Report that the Council were determined not to rest satisfied with those achievements oi the past which had done so much good, but were introducing new elements. The scheme of giving prizes for the best-managed farms would, he thought, prove exceed- ingly useful Hitherto the Society seemed to have almost confined itself to encouraging improvements in breeding of animals and the manufacture of implements. In both of these it had been very successful, but he hoped it would be equally so in giving direct encouragement for the improved cultivation of the soil itself, lie would suggest to the Council whether it might not be desirable in some way to give direct encourage- ment to persons who were experimenting with a view to improved cultivation. As he heard Mr. Jenkins read the pa- ragraph in the Report, which related to the Journal, he could not help being struck with a contrast between that year and two years ago. When they were first told that a new secre- tary had been appointed, the feeling excited by the announce- ment was very different from that which he believed was now universal — he meant the leelinp; that the Journal itself, not merely Mr. Jenkins' paper, but the Joi/rna! itsd( was through- out a success. It was valuable and not dull (cheers). _ ilr. Jenkins had succeeded excellently as editor, and had estabhshed himself within a very sort time in the good opinion of the members (Hear, hear). He (Mr. Roberts) thought they might expect great benefit from the prizes ofl'ered lor steam culti- vation by their president, and it was gratifying to find that sucli encouragement would be given at Wolverhampton to that department. It would also be a great advantage to limit the size of the show-yard in some measure, by excluding du- plicates. At the Oxford meeting he felt that the increasing extent of the show-yard was becoming a serious evil. He would suggest that an exception should be made in in the case of implements which were intended to compete for prizes — that it should be made compulsory to exhibit such implement, and that they should be shown by them- selves, say, in one acre out of seventy, and should be accessi- ble only to members of the Society. It wus highly inconve- nient to have to hunt about in all directions for what you were looking for, and he thought the arrangement which he suggested would be satisfactory, both to members and exhi- bitors. As regarded the publication of the reports of the analyses of food and manures, he thought that, though it might not have been very pleasing to some traders, it could hardly have given dissatisfaction to the consu- mers (Hear, bear). When they found that acts which were clearly dishonest were justified on the score of their being part of the customs of the trade, the de- fence being to the effect that it was generally the practice of the great body of the trade to humbug the farmer, and there- fore each individual was justified in humbugging him (laugh- ter), it was high time for that Society to take the matter in hand. He would suggest for consideration whether the publication of adulterations of seeds should not be added to that of adulterations of manures (Hear, hear). He was sure that any efforts of that kind would meet with the cordial approval and support of all the mem- bers, and if they were thus enabled to secure a good quality of manures, of feeding stuffs, and of seeds it would be a great boon. He was glad to find that the Council intended not only to continue the education grant but also to admit candidates over 20 years of age to competitors for prizes. In conclusion, he musi express his satisfaction that the danger of the introduction of rinderpest appeared to have been averted partly through the care witli which the Council had watched over tlieir interests (cheers). Mr, Sidney, the Secretary of the Agricultural Hall Com- pany (Limited), said on the last occasion that he attended a meeting of the Society he felt it his duty to make some very strong observations on the principle on which the Secretary had been elected. Since that time he had had the honour of making the acquaintance of the Secre- tary, and had watched the course which he had pursued; and while he retained his opinion on the queston of the mode of election, he must do full justice to the industry, the energy, and the intelligence with which that gentlemen had performed the duties of Secretary and sub-editor; he said sub-editor because it was perfectly childish to imagine that a gentleman, however intelligent and howe\er highly educated, who came there two years ago with his mind like a blank sheet of paper, was now in a position to instruct the farmers of England on the subject of agriculture. He should not have risen had it not been for that paragraph of the Re- port of the Council which called attention to the Report which had appeared in the Journal on the agriculture ot Belgium. There was a very important omission in that paragraph. No doubt Mr. Jenkins was just the man whom any one would wish to have under him for the purpose of sub-editing such a Report ; but he prepared that document in conjunction with Professor Voelcker, who had spent 30 years in studies of that 60 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. kind, wlio «-as tlioroughly up to the science and practice of agriculture, and wliose words were received with resprct north and south, east and west (Hear, hear). It was Professor Voelcker's Report, and not Mr. Jenkins's. That Mr. Jenkins had acquired sullicient knowledg-e of tiie science and practice of agriculture within a couple of years to deal witli practical questions of agriculture was too absurd a notion for anyhody to entertain. He thought, however, they had been exceedingly fortunate in obtaining such a Secretary (clieers), and belbre leaving that room he should perhaps suggest a little work for the Secretary to do which was congenial to tl'e spirit in which he had carried out his duties. But he could uot sit there and hear Professor Voelcker passed over or to hear it impliedly suggested that the observations whicli he made at a former meeting with regard to the election of the Secretary were not founded in fact. Dr. Voelcker : Allow me, my lord, to say OHe or two words. I am very much obliged to my friend Mr. Sidney for mentioning my name in connection witli the Belgian Report ; but I hope it will nut be regarded as an expression of mock modesty if I give full credit to my friend Mr. Jenkins for his share iu drawing up that document (cheers). I can with great propriety and honesty say that he liad the lion's share. My part in the business was more in acting as an interpreter than as a composer of the Report (Hear, hear). I did what I could to assist Mr. Jenkins ; but alter all, much credit is due to him. I wish tj acknowledge that publicly, because niy name has been associated witli liis, and because the chief credit which I take with respect to the journey to Belgium is that of having acted as an interpreter (cheers). Mr. Tiiomp.so:n : I should like to say cue or two words on different points which have been referred to by gentlemen who have spoken. First with regard to the number of members. The gentleman who moved the adoption of the Report said it did not quite appear whether there was an increase or a de- crease in the total. There is a slight increase, but it is so small that, practically, the numbers remain the same as before. I think the addition to the total is 12. I quite agree with him that there might with advantage be a large increase intlie number of members ; but I really should not like to ask the tenant-farmers of England to come and subscribe. They are the best judges as to how they ought to spend their money, and whetlier the advantages to be gained by joining this Society are sufficient to induce them to subscribe or not (Hear, hear). I think we can show results -which are satisfac- tory so far as they go, and would bear extending very much with benelit to agriculturists themselves. If they think so tliey will no doubt join the Society in greater numbers. We go on in a steady course, tryius to improve and to take the lead in agricultural matters. If we succeed in convincing farmers that wc have done so they will no doubt join us, but we don't think it necessary to go round with the begging box (Hear, Iiear, and laughter). Now as to the investment of funds, tlie gentleman to wliom I have just alluded ivraarked that we had not much increased the permanent fund. It is true tliat £20,000 is about the amount which had been in- vested some years ago ; but there were two or three years in one of vvhich we had no exhibition owing to the cattle-plague, and in one or two more of which we held our meeting in places which were less populous than some others which we had visited, the re.sult being that, because the receipts were diminished, we were obliged to draw upon the fund. But the effect of the Manchester meeting was to restore the permanent fund to £20,000, and give us a reserve show-fund of £4,000, which is practically an addition of nearly £5,000 to the permanent fund, I mean as contrasted with the actual income intended to be drawn upon if the receipts full below the amount necessary to keep up the average amount of the prizes and the average expenditure of the Society. The object of having a permanent fund at all is clearly to make up for a bad year or two ; for it was never contemplated by the founders of the Society, nor would it be thought desirable by the members that we should invest so large a sum that the annual income arising from it would make the Society inde- pendent of the annual subscriptions of members (Hear, hear). It is clear that a Society of this kind ought not to continue to exist if its oj)erations are not suHiciently useful to secure the support of a large body of the leading agriculturists of the kingdom (Hear, licar). That is what tlie Council ought to look to as their regular means of support, while the permanent fund is merely a provision for meeting any unusual deficiency which may exist from time to time. Now in order to prove what I snid just now, namely, that the operations of the Society are of great use and benefit to the agricultural body, I will venture to alhide to two points wliich are made prominent in the Report, and which are just now points of special interest to agriculturists. One is tbe new work lately begun by the Society of ascertaining results already attained, whetlier by olferiiig prizes for the best managed farms, with a view of giving a detailed account of ditl'erent modes of management, the prize being obtained by open competition against neigh- bours iu the district, or by sending out on a tour of inspection men who are competent to examine different representative farms in different districts, and give an account of tliein to the public. 'I'hat I call a record of results already attained. Such records are very valuable, hut they are also very expensive. The cost of sending round gentlemen to prepare reports is very serious, and it is only when the Society is in a good position as regards funds that it can undertake work of that description in addition to the ordinary show (Hear, hear). The accounts of what have been done when they are clearly understood, and when they relate what has proved successful, are an encouragement to others to go on improving, and point out to them the way of improvement. I believe llial nothing is more likely to prove advantageous than this increase and ex- tension of steam cultivation. Our President, Lord Vernon, has very liberally, and as I think very usefully, offered a prize for steam apparatus adapted to be generally used by farmers not holding very large farms, nor possessing very much capital. Men of very large capital can of course afford to provide tliem- selves with any sort of apparatus which they may think likely to prove useful. I could mention one tenant-farmer who having one double set of Powder's steam apparatus has this year ordered a second double set. But this is an exceptional case. The occupiers of nioderate-sixed farms can generally only obtain the advantage of steam cultivation by means of an apparatus to be purchased at a uot inordinate cost, and which will not only cultivate the limited number of acres on the farm that require to be cultivated, but may also be used for thrashing and chaff-cutting, and be easily moved from one part of a field to another, in fact be a gene- rally useful slave (laughter). If we can obtain gene- ral elliciency and Jiave a thoroughly-useful servant for a cost which is put down as the limit of competition for Lord Vernon's prize, we shall then have made considerable progress towards enabling a man holding a moderate-sized farm lo purchase steam machinery for himself (Hear, hear). But, then, there is the case of small farmers. These will cer- tainly not be able to buy at all (Hear, hear). But there are companies — and I am happy to say that they are increasing and extending very much — for letting out steam implements for hire ; and I have sanguine hopes that these societies will enable even small farmers to use ste<»m apparatus (Hear, hear). I heard yesterday of one company, my informant being one of the principal promoters, which had thirty sets of steam appa- ratus at work last autumn : that looks like business (Hear, hear). There are one or two northern counties — I may espe- cially instance Cumberland — in which such companies are getting at work ; and I hope that wc sliall soon see steam cultivation becoming as general as it ought to be (cheers). Mr. Sidney considers it a very absurd idea that a gentleman who has only been for two years secretary and editor should have written a report like that on Belgian agriculture [Mr. Sidney : " No, no"] ; nevertheless, it is a fact that he did write that report ; and therefore in the official Report which has just been read no reference is made to Professor Voelcker's valuable assistance in the course of the Belgian tour ; but reference is made to the rejiort itself, the writing of which was the work of the secretary and editor; the Council thus calling attention to that fact, which, by anticipation, was said to bo absurd by other gentlemen as well as Mr. Sidney, and showing that what was said to be absurd by anticipation is proved by the result to be an established and accomplished fact (laughter). Professor Voelcker's knowledge of the language, which he has very modestly stated to be his principal recommendation, was by no means iiis principal recommendation (Hear, hear). His knowledge of geology, his knowledge of science generally, was extremely valuable (Hear, hear). It is certainly far from the wish of the Council to depreciate or unlervalue iu any way tliQ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 61 services of Professor Voelcker (Hear, Ueiir). On the contrary those services, which have been so frequently alliideil to be- fore, are prominently referred to in the present report in con- nection witli the analyses of feeding stuffs and manures. Uut it is a fact tliat Mr. Jenkins vi'rote the report on Belgian agri- culture, and it is a very creditable report to us. No one can read that report without feeling convinced that both Mr. Jenkins and Professor Voelcker saw all that was to be seen of Belgian farming, and that Mr. Jenkins had faithfully de- scribed what tliey saw. Now, looking at the way in which Belgian farming has been publicly alluded to by various persons, considering what inaccurate descriptions have been given of it, and the assumption that what was found in one particular place prevailed all over the country, I must say it is satisfactory to us to have this fresh proof that the agriculture of England will compare favourably with that of other countries (cheers). Gentlemen may hold and ex- press what opinions they please with regard to Belgium; but tlie facts are there and cannot he disputed (Hear, hear). 1 should not have alluded, perhaps, to this subject again, had it not been so positively asserted by Mr. Sidney that the prin- ciple on which the secretary was elected — [Mr. Sidney -. " The editor."] I call him the secretary, and if I were also to call him tlie editor it would be a true desciiption — was wrong. That gentleman was elected on this principle : We advertised for applications. Vt'e had no preconceived knowledge of Mr. Jenkins: his testimonials were received and considered in common with all the others that were sent in. A selection was made of a certain number of candidates, I think there were eight or nine at least of those whose testimonials looked best. A large committee of our body, of which I had the honour to be chairman, sat and had interviews with all those gentlemen whose testimonials had been selected as being best ; and, after having an interview with each of those gentlemen, the committee were unanimously of opinion that Mr. Jenkins would make the best secretary. Now I would ask Mr. Sidney, or any one else, to point out any way which was more likely to secure the best man among those who applied for the office (Hear, hear). I have defended the course pursued before, and I still think that no better cue could have been followed. Sir J. H. Maxwell said he was glad to hear Mr. Sidney's remarks, especially as the effect had been to make tiiem happy all round (laughter). Even if Mr. Jenkins were not eligible at the time when he was appointed, he liad proved himself so now. He had sliowu himself to be an eligible secretary, and, as regards his ability as an editor, all acknowledged that the Belgian Report was an admirable one. The popularity of that Society was on the increase, and he believed it would receive a great impetus from the course recently pursued vvith regard to the adulteration of manures and feeding stulFs. The necessity for such proceedings was manilest. He recollected a case in which a tenant of his (a widow) was offered, by a man with a dug-cart, some guano which he represented as " Gibbs' true Peruvian," and which his factor, who liappened to be present, found to consist one-half of feathers (laughter). It was most satisfactory to find that that great Society was now eudeavonriug to prevent imposition from being practised upon the farmers of Great Britain. Mr. W. BOTLY s.iid : Some years ago he suggested that the subscriptions of those who had been paid for twenty years should be reduced, and he was glad to learu from the present Report that that hint had not tieen forgotten. As regarded the Journal, every one who had read it for tlie last two years must have observed a great improvement. It was a more popular and readable periodical than it ever had been before. He was gratified to find that the Council had renewed the education grant; and he thought the improvement of the special education of agriculturists, from the highest to the lowest, would be a proper application of auy surplus, after paying due regard to the case of life governors. Mr. Martin wished to allude to what was said in the Report about the adulteration of artificial niiinures. Having become a member of that Society within the last twelvemonth, he determined to have his manures analysed. His consump- tion of cake amounting to about £1,50U in the course of the season, it was of course a matter of considerable consequence to him that he should not be deceived. Within the last three months he had ient up three samples of cake to Dr. "Voelcker to lije aiialysed ; and of these, two were reported upon as pure, and tile third us adulterated with beech and earth- nut. He thought that fact shonld be known. The person who supplied him with what was adulterated afterwards excused himself by saying that he had two sorts of cake, and that in that case when the men had left off making the best sort and proceeded to manu- facture the second quality, the man who was especially en- gaged in the work forgot to remove the impression (laughter), so that the impression was used alike for both qualities (re- newed laughter). Ultimately there was an amicable arrange- ment, and he having paid £13 a ton for the cake, the manu- facturer agreed to return £3 a ton or £15 for five tons. Mr. Mark Philips wished to call attention to a subject which had recently been one of special interest. Probably there was scarcely any gentleman present who had not suf- fered more or less during the excessively dry seasons of 1868 and the last summer for want of vvater (Hear, hear). That seemed to him a most important question for farmers to consi- der. It was for landlords to provide proper means of obtaining a supply of water, but it was for tenant-farmers to main- tain' the supply. He had that morning received from the manager of a large estate in Northumberland a letter drawing bis attention to the fact that owing to the increase of drainage there had been created in many instances a want of water for farming purposes (Hear, hear), and it was of real importance that farmers should in future look uot merely to the discharge of water from the land but also the keeping up the supply required for general farining purposes. With the increased use of steam-engines there was an increased demand for_ water to supply the engine. In connection with the offering of prizes for the best-cultivated farms he would make it, to use parliamentary language, an " instruction to the committee" that those who inspected the farms should have respect to the water supply found on the farm itself (Hear, hear). He had seen many instances of great loss through farmers being com- pelled to cart water. Some of the first agriculturists in the kingdom had been obliged to cart water two or tiiree miles daily, employing three or four horses, which were wanted for other purposes on the farm ; and he knew a case in which a miller was so jealous of every drop of water that he would not allow a single barrel to be taken from tlie mill-race until, as he said, he had done witli it (laughter). He thought those who were employed in inspecting farms on behalf of that So- ciety should always have respect to the supply of water in dry seasons. Mr. Neild said, he should ill-discharge the debt due from Manchester to that society if he did uot acknowledge the kind and noble manner in which the Council assisted the Manchester Committee in getting out of debt. He be- lieved that if the Society should ever come to INfanchester again they would not stand in need of such help. The President : Gentlemen, it would be unbecoming in me to put the motion for the adoption of tlie Report to the meeting without making a few preliminary observations. I feel very much that there are many of my colleagues, right and left of me, who are far more entitled by their knowledge of agriculture to hold the position which I occupy. I have been elected to the position only because of my having served a considerable time on the Council, and being fairly conversant with the Society's business. But having been elected, I must fulfil my duties to the best of my ability ; and it is not only a great pleasure to myself, but to all my colleagues to meet the gentlemen who attend the half-yearly and annual meetings of this Society. There is no doubt that the comparison of opin- ions between the general body of the Society and those who represent them in the Council are very useful in eliciting the views of the agricultural public generally ; and I hope it needs no assurance on our part that any remarks which are made in this room will always be properly considered at the meetings of the Council. The Council, indeed, would fail very much in its purpose, if it did not in some way reflect the opinions of tlie agricultural public outs' de ; and I have no doubt at all, from the various endeavours that we have made to promote invostigations, and to excite competition at our agricultural shows, that we have fulfilled in great measure, at any rate, the wishes of the public out-of-doors. I cannot help agreeing in the observations which have fallen from different speakers with regard to the number of members of which the Society is composed. It is not our province, as Mr. Thompson has very properly observed,to seek to draw members to theSociety, except- ing by the proper fulfilment of our duties; but when I consider 62 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the great advantages which are offered to the agricultural body, I confess that I am somewhat surprised that the Society is not more generally supported than it is (Hear, hear). Having, as I said, been a member of the Council for some years, I am perfectly aware of a growth of confidence out of doors in the proceedings of the Society. At any rate, however much opiuions may differ on that point, no one can possibly deny that at our shows there has been a much larger exhibition of agricultural stock and implements, and a greater number of exhibitors. So much so, that we have found it necessary very properly to limit the number of articles exhibited, and cer- tainly in my opinion not before it was required. When, on going through the Oxford Show, I saw on one side a steam launch and on the other a very large greenhouse, which occupied an enormous space, I do not think the Society has done wisely in exhibiting such articles as those (Hear, hear). I omit all mention of smaller items, such as haudi'eds of sausage-machines, poaching-nets, and a variety of other articles (laughter). Nevertheless, the show at Oxford was, I think, eminently successful ; and that a success which lay not in the financial results, but in the laiger and more im- portant result of bringing landlords and tenants together, and in having a real good exhibition of implements and stock (Hear, hear). Reference has been made to the farm-prize competition, and upon that subject I intended to have offered a few remarks ; but Mr. Thompson has gone so fully into it, that I shall not occupy your time further than to say that in my opinion there is no action which the Society has taken which will more conduce to competition among farmers for excellence in the management of their farms tlian the desire to acquire the rewards of merit which the Society can confer upon them. Mr. Jenkins, as the secretary of the Society, has been so thoroughly deceptive for three years that I think it would be charity on my part to say no- thing about him (a laugh). With this exception that, in the paragraph which refers to him at the close of the Report, I most cordially concur, believing as I do that no person could more efficiently in every way perform the laborious duties which belong to his double position. And as it seems that our Society depends in great measure on the high character and ability of the officers who serve under us, I think it must be as agreeable to the members of the Society present to-day as it is to us to have found how very well, and without any jealousy, the leading officers of the Society, Dr. Voelcker and Mr. Jenkins, appear before you in the remarks which have been made. Sufficient has been said with regard to the admirable article on Belgian farming ; and as the owner of land in a dairy district myself, I cannot help expressing my acknowledg- ments to the Society for the investigations which have been carried on with regard to the development of dairy produce of all sorts. I have on my right a friend who thinks that I, and the Council too, must have gone crazy on the subject of dairy produce, but in ray opinion there is no agricultural question of much greater importance than the development of the cheese factory question, which has been forced upon the county in which I reside by the enormous competition that has come so suddenly upon us from the United States of America; and that threatens to swamp all those, and they are a very large class, who produce very moderate cheese here (Hear, hear). With respect to the in- vestigations which have been carried ont in the matter of adulterated manures, I may mention one circumstance which appears to me to be conclusive as to the value of the position which the society has taken up in regard to it. Yesterday Dr. Voelcker presented his report to the Chemical Committee of a great many analyses of bone manure which he had made during the past quarter, and all of which he reported to be " pure." In previous reports he had mentioned many cases in which manures were considerably below their professed value, and one or two cases where they were absolutely worth- less (Hear, hear). It was ray intention to have alluded to the question raised by the last speaker but one (Mr. Mark Philips) the storage of water. The agricultural public, I fear, are not aware that this society has published in its Journal a very valuable article on that subject. No one can say, therefore, that we are behind on this question ; for it was three or four years ago that that article — an admirable one, written by Mr. Bailey Deuton— appeared (Hear, hear). The fact is that we are rather apt, when we get into winter, to forget what has happened iu the summer ; but if the summer comes upon us again with such a severe drought as we have had this year, we shall have to sit in sackcloth and ashes. If, then, the agricultural public would read and consider that article of Mr. Bailey Denton, they might obtain many useful hints from it for the economical storage of water (Hear, hear). Before I conclude these observations, I should like to be allowed to express my own great personal regret at the loss by the Society of the valuable services of Mr. Amos. Like many of ray colleagues on the Council, I served ray term of office as a steward of implements some years back ; and if there was one thing which then struck me more than another, it was the zeal and integrity with which Mr. Amos ful- filled his duties. In fact, I may add that the value of our trials has depended entirely upon the con- fidence which the exliibitors reposed in Mr. Amos's decision. They looked upon him " as Cresar's wife, above suspicion" (cheers). And I can only trust that the Council may be led to make as wise a selection of an engineer to suc- ceed Mr. Amos as they did when they selected him (Hear, hear). Wlien next we meet I hope it will be under more hopeful circumstances with regard to the condition of affairs abroad (Hear, hear). And I do not think that we ought to conclude our meeting to-day without expressing our great regret that countries with which we are on intimate terms of intercourse, both on business and pleasure, should be engaged in so suicidal a contest (cries of " Hear"). I have only to add that I thank you sincerely, gentlemen, for having list- ened so patiently to these remarks (cheers"). The report was then adoptea. Mr. ToRR, in moving a vote of thauks to the auditors, said the real increase in the number of members was 197. It had been found necessary to strike a great many off the list, on ac- count of arrears of subscriptions ; but the arrears were now small in point of money value, and the acceptance of £5 as a life subscription in the case of persons who had been members for twenty years would probably add considerably to the funds. They must not expect that all the shows would be as profitable as that at Manchester. The loss of £2,000 at Oxford showed tiie difference between going to populous and going to non- populous places. The Wolverhampton people were behaving very liberally, having ofl'ered on the previous day special prizes amounting to £1,000, and he trusted that when it went into South Wales in the ensuing year the Society would meet with a hearty welcome. What the chairman had said about churn- ing was, in some degree, a matter of joke with himself. He (Mr. Torr) did tJiink that the president and the secretary had done a good deal of churning lately (laughter); and they had that day churned out of the meeting its good opinion very successfully (renewed laughter, and Hear, hear). If the result of the churning should be that English-dairy farmers made a good deal more by cheese producing than they had done, he hoped other farmers would be taught how they might make something by corn (laughter). As regarded Mr. Jenkins, he must say that he was one of the most apt scholars in collecting practical information he had ever met with, while no man could be more free from prejudice or anytliing that might tend to prevent information from growing serviceable (Hear, hear). Some years ago he (Mr. Torr) went over nearly the wJiole of Belgium, and the report of Mr. Jenkins and Professor Voelcker on Belgium farming fully agreed with what he then witnessed. They had been told for j'cars that they should go to Belgium to learn farming. Belgium was well cultivated, so far as small tillage went ; but the best agricultural labourers of this kingdom lived very much better thau the Belgian farmers (Hear, hear) ; and if the latter lived as well as the former they would have very little produce to send out of Belgium ; they would consume it all themselves. The Belgians were a very industrious, very clever, and very happy people ; but they lived on very small means, and their farming would not bear comparison with that of England. As regarded steam cultivation, he thought the cheapest way of pro- ceeding was to adopt the hiring principle. He himself hired for his thrashing, his grinding, and his steam culture, and found that system very beneficial. What had been said at that meeting about the storage of water was very important. In Hampshire and Berkshire he had found the greatest providence as respected water, and the cause was that in those counties there was great necessity for providence. There were in those districts many good standing ponds made of marl and thfl refuse of the gashouse, THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 63 Mr. W. BoTLY seconded the motion, which was then put and carried ; and the auditors were re-elected. The Chairman having inquired whether any member had any suggestion to make to the Council, Mr. Sidney moved the following resolution: "That the Council be requested to take steps for obtaining a complete report on the progress of agriculture in England since the Society was founded in 1839." As to the mode in which the investigation should be conducted, what he would suggest was that the Council should divide England into a cer- tain number of agricultural districts ; that there should be a committee to draw up a series of questions upon live stock, upon implements, upon the chemistry of food and manures, and upon every other branch of agriculture ; and that those questions should be printed and circulated among all the members of the Society, say in the autumn, so as to allow the whole of the winter for farmers to prepare the answers. It must be recollected that since that Society was founded there had sprung up a large class of intelligent farmers who were well able to write on agricultural topics, and the Council should endeavour to utilise the members. It was in a similar way to that — that is, by sending out a number of questions, that he prepared for publication his work on the pig. The Chairman promised that this suggestion should receive the full consideration of the Council. Mr. Richardson said he hoped the Council would try and obtain some definite answer from Messrs. Bonar and Co. to the questions relating to guano. At present there was no guarantee of quality, nor were samples given, so that no one could tell what he would obtain for his money. The Chairman observed that there was a paragraph in the Report relating to that subject. Mr. Richardson : I suppose Messrs. Bonar have not re- ceived any communication on the subject ? The Chairman : No ; but they are in communication with the Peruvian Government. Sir J. Maxwell, in conveying a vote of thanks to Lord Vernon, observed that no one could doubt that his lordship had rendered great service to agriculture, not merely in the churning district, but elsewhere (laughter and cheers). He hoped his lordship would allow him to conclude with his own family motto : " Vernon semper virei" (cheers). Col. Challoner, in seconding the motion, said the Society had had a great number of presidents, many of whom had been very active ; but there were very fevv who li-id paid more attention to the duties of the Council than Lord Vernon had done during the last five or six years. They had had that day an illustration ot the earnest manner in which his lordship dealt with the ditferent subjects which came before him for consideration ; and they could not do otherwise than give hira a unanimous and cordial vote of thanks for his con- duct in the chair and his zealous and constant attention to the affairs of the Society (cheers) . The resolution having been put by Sir J. Maxwell, and car- ried by acclamation. The Chairman said : Gentlemen, I shall not detain you more than one minute, but I hope you will not think that paucity of words implies that I am not deeply sensible of the honour conferred upon me. I can only say that in the per- formance of my duties as President it is a great encourage- ment to me to have been received with so much kindness by you, and to have heard an old member of the Council speaking in such terms of approval of my conduct (cheers). The meeting then separated. ANNUAL REPORT OE THE CONSULTING CHEMIST FOR 1870. The publication of the periodical reports of the Chemical Committee has awakened the agricultural community to the painful fact, that oilcakes, as well as artificial manures, are frequently sold in an adulterated condition, or at prices much exceeding their real commercial value. The analytical work in 1870 lias increased in an unprecedented degree, no doubt in consequence of the issue of these reports. Before 1868 the BYerage number of analyses for members was about 330, for 1867 it amounted to 341. A considerable increase took place in 1868, when 432 analyses were made for members of the Society, and again in 1869, when 465 analyses were sent out from the laboratory. Notwithstanding this steady increase in the three preceding years, as many as 580 analyses have been referred to me during the past year, being an unprecedented increase of 115 analyses over the number sent out in 1869. The appended summary shows that a large number of guanos and artificial manures of the class of superphosphates were ex- amined in 1870, as well as an unusually large number of oil- cakes. Comparatively few of the guanos were adulterated, but many were found damaged by sea-water and of inferior quality. On an average the proportion of ammonia yielded by the guano analysed in 1870 little exceeded 14 per cent., and in several cases the proportion was less than 13 per cent. It is to be hoped that the supply of guano from the Guanape Is- lands will turn out to be of a superior quality than has been anticipated. I have recently made a number of analyses of Guanape guano for the Peruvian Governinent, and am glad to be able to report that nearly all the samples were much drier than those analysed in tlie preceding year. Although not equal in quantity to the best Chincha Island guano of former years, the Guanape Island guanos recently analysed by me are about equal to the average quality of last year's im- portations of Peruvian guano. It remains to be seen whether Guanape guano, which no doubt will be sold as Peruvian, is uniform in character. By far the greater number of artificial manures — such as special wheat, oat, barley, potato, and grass manures — are mixtures of dissolved bones or superphosphates with ammoniacal salts, common salts, dried blood, nitrate of soda, and other nitrogenous fertilising materials. These ma- nures are, therefore, grouped together with superphosphates. As many as 152 samples of superphosphates and similar ma- nures were analysed by me in 1870. Large sums of money are annually expended in the purchase of phosphatic manures, and as the quality of these manures varies exceedingly, and the actual price at which they are sold does not always correspond with the intrinsic value of the manure, it is highly desirable that purchasers of superphosphate or dissolved bones should buy these manures of a quality guaranteed by analysis. The following analyses of two superphosphates offered for sale in the same place, one at £6 3s. (cash) per ton, and the other at £4 3s., afford a good illustration of the fact that a consider- able saving may often be effected if the composition of rival superphosphates is determined previous to the purchase : Compositwn of Two Siqier-phosphates. Moisture Water of combination and \ * Organic matter ... ... ) Biphosphate of lime (mono-basic phos- phate of lime) Equal to bone phosphate (tri-basic phos- phate of lime) rendered soluble by acid Insoluble phosphates Sulphate of lime Alkaline salts and magnesia Insoluble siliceous matter *Containing nitrogen Equal to ammonia These two superphosphates have nearly the same com- mercial value. No. 1 contains a little bone ; No. 3 is a purely mineral superphosphate. I should feel disposed to give from 5s. to 7s. 6d. more per ton for ]No. I than for No. 2. The sample marked No. 1 is rather dear at £6 3s., nett cash, and No. 2 cheap at £4 3s., nett cash. Of the 33 samples of bone dust not one was adulterated, which clearly shows that the unsparing publication of the names and ad- dresses of dealers ia adulterated bone dust has had an excellent No. 1. Sold at £6 3s. nett cash. No. 2. Sold at £4 3s. nett cash. 15.38 18.92 9.45 6.31 13.04 15.66 (20.42) 13.25 43.10 1.03 4.75 (34.52) 5.14 47.37 .80 5.84 100.00 100.00 .33 .40 .08 .09 61 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. (leteniug ellcct. With respect to feediufj cakes, I regret to have to report that liuseecl cake is still sold as geuuine and pure, which is largely mixed with rice meal, oat dust, pollard, roill-sweepings, earth-nut cake, cotton cake, and sometimes with more objectionahle materials. Linseed cake, when mixed with rice dust or pollard, is generally comparatively poor in flesh-forming matters, as will he seen by the following analysis of a sample of cake which was found adulterated with oat dust : Compositio>i of a Sanqjle of Linseed Calie, adulterated with Oat di'st and similar starch >/ mill refuse. Moisture ... ... ... ... ... l-t.72 Oil 12.0 *Albuminous compounds (fle.sh-forming matters) ... 23.25 Mucilage, sugar, and digestible fibre ... ... 35.07 Woody fibre (cellulose) ... ... ... 8.24, Mineral matter (ash) ... ... ... C.lg ^Containing nitrogen 100.00 3.72 It is, however, quite possible to supplement the deficiency of flesh-forming matters in a cake adulterated with starchy mill-refuse by incorporating at the same time with the cake a meal richer in nitrogen than pure linseed cake. Decorticated nut cake or decorticated-cotton cake, being very rich in nitro- gen, is sometimes used for that purpose, and the blending of the starchy matters poor in nitrogen with others abounding in that element is so skilfully performed by some notorious cake- crushers, that a cake is produced having almost precisely the same proximate composition as pure linseed cake. It is well to bear this in mind,^.for the fact that an oilcake on analysis shows the same per-ceutage of oil, flesh-forming matters, woody fibre, &c., as pure linseed cake, is no proof that it may not be, after all, a mixed cake, and be composed of materials inferior in taste, digestibility, and condition to pure linseed cake. Ex- cellent decorticated-cotton cake is sent over to England from America at the present time. When broken up fine, or, bet- ter still, when reduced to a coarse powder, decorticated-cotton cake is a most valuable feeding cake for store cattle, when these have to be kept chiefly upon straw elms' and a few roots. A mixture of finely-ground cotton cake or meal, linseed cake, and Indian corn, or palm-nut meal in equal proportions is also well adapted for fattening stock, and for milk cows, good de- corticated-cottou cake is preferred, I believejustly to the best linseed cake. Green German rape, or llubsen cake continues to be scarce, and ordinary rape cake is often so full of mustard that it endangers the life of the animals to which it is freely given. Common rape cake should therefore never be given to stock without having been previously examined for mustard. Most of the samples of common rape cake sent for examination I found utterly unfit for feeding purposes, and I would espe- cially warn the members of tlie Society not to buy a variety of rape cake which has recently found its way into commerce under the name of yellow rape cake. Several samples of this species of cake I found so pungent that, in my opiniou, less than half a cake would in all probability kill an ox. Satisfac- tory reports of field experiments on root crops, on potatoes, and on grass laud, have been received, and will form the sub- ject of future coutributions to the Journal. I may observe, however, in this place, that potash-salts have again proved to be very useful, in 1870, for potatoes and mangels as well as for clover seeds, and not only when used upon light sandy soils, but likewise when applied in conjunction with super- phosphate to poor clay land. The following are the papers contributed by me to the pages of the February and August numbers of the Journal for 1870 : 1. Field experiments on mangels. 2. On beet-root pulp. 3. On a peculiar kind of Swedish whey-clieese, and on Norwegian goat's-milk cheese. 4. Field experiments on potatoes. 5. On the composition and practical value of several samples of native guano prepared by the " A, B.C." process of the Native Gnano Company. Analyses made fur liic Mcuit/crs of the Ruyul Aijytvullural Socicti/, December, 1869, to Bcceiuljcr, 1870. Guanos (natural) ... ... ... ... (54. Artificial guanos ... ... ... ... 13 Superphosphates, dissolved bones, wlieat manures, and similar artificial manures ... .. ... 152 Bone dust ... ... ... ... ... 32 llefuse manure ... ... ... ... 27 Nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, and potash salts 31 Marls, limestones, and other minerals ... ... 20 Soils ... ... ... ... ... 14 Oilcakes ... ... ... ... ... 154 Feeding meals ... ... ... ... 18 Vegetable productions ... ... ... ... 13 Disinfectants ... ... ... ... ... 2 Waters ... ... ... ... ... 30 Sewage ... ... ... ... ... 3 Cider ... ... ... ... ... 1 Treacle ... ... ... ... ... 3 Examination for poisons ... ... ... S Total 580 (Signed) Augustus Voelckee, F.R.S. THE DOUBLE PLOUGH TRIALS AT ALFORD. JUDGES' REPORT. To THE Committee of the Alpoed Agkicultukal Society. — Gentlemen,— Your Judges feel much the responsi- bility of having to report on the double-furrow ploughs, tried at the Alford meeting, held on Friday, the 12th instant, in a field of Mr. W. O. Parr's, of Well. The day was a most un- fortunate one as regards weather, snow and rain falling, more or less, the greater part of it ; this, with the aid of a slight frost during the previous night, brought the surface of the trial-field into a state more easily imagined than described. The field was a strong loam on a clay subsoil : in the face of this the ploughs went through their severe trial, some of them making excellent work. Everything considered, we are of opin'on the trials were most satisfactory. There were eight double-furrow ploughs put to work in your trial field, some drawing three horses, others only two. In practice we consider three horses ought always to be used. That double-furrow ploughs will quickly come into use on lands not exceedingly strong may with safety be predicted, as a plough of this de- scription, with three horses and one man, will do quite as much work, aud as well, as two single ploughs workiug each two horses and one man ; thus producing a saving to the farmer of one horse and one man. We are also of opinion that, al- though it is quite practicable to set a ridge and take up a furrow with a double plough, it would be better if these two operations were done with a single plough. In a double-furrow plough there are several points to be taken into account, amongst them strength, draught, simplicity of construction, and ease in management, and though last, not least, the handi- uess in turning at the headlands. Some of the ploughs at the trial met all these requirements — others did not; and it was proved beyond all doubt that only the strong, rigid, and well- made plougiis can go through their work satisfactorily. It is much better to have an excess of strength and weight than to have an implement not strong enough, for its work, which, on meeting a little extra resistance, gives either one way or the other, causing the plough to run out of work altogether, or bury itself up to the beam. This was shown to demonstration, both in your trial field and at the Peterborough meeting, at Thorney, a short time since. As regards the work by some of the double ploughs at your meeting, it was indeed excellent. The work by Howards' plough was very good, both in appear- ance and fact ; and that by Ransomes' and Co. but little inferior. Had we not been by our instructions directed firstly to take the draught of the plough into consideration, the posi- tion of these two great plough manufacturers might have been transposed. The draught of Messrs. Ransomes' plough by the dynamometer of the Royal Society, brought by Mr. Amos, C.E.,for the purpose of these trials, was very light for a double THE FAllMER'S MAGAZIXE. 65 plougli, beiug ouly i owls. 3 ^[^■i. 7 Hj'^- The drauglit of Messrs. Howards' was also liglit iu comparison to some of the otiiers, Ijeiug 5 cwts. 1 rjr. 14 lbs. The furrow iu each case heiut; fully 5 inches deep by 9 inches wide — that is, IS inches for the two furrows, and both the ploughs were on a very even sole. Here perhaps, for the sake of comparison, it would not be amiss to state the draught of a siugle-furrow plough, one by Messrs. Hornsby, which was fried on your grouud by the dynamo- meter, it was 4 cw ts. 3 qrs. 14 lbs., a trille in excess of Messrs. Rausomcs' draught of their double- furrow plough ; but it must be stated that the depth of furrow in the case of the single plough was 5^- inches as against 5 inches in the double. This slight dilTerence in draught may seem dillicult to account for, but we think there can be but little doubt it is, in a great ■neasure, owing to the system of suspension now employed by many of the double-plough makers, instead of the old sleading one. Had time allowed, it was our intention to have tested the dilTerence between the two systems, and much we regret we could not do so. The double plough brought into the trial- field by Messrs. llansorae w as an exceedingly strong and well- made implement, and worked most satisfactory. It is easily thrown in and out of work at the headlands by raising and lowering a central wheel with a lever, and this wheel also turns well and easily on the headlands. To Messrs. Ransomes' double-furrow plough we awarded tlie first prize. The Messrs. Howards' double-furrow plough, at the Alford meeting, was a most excellent implement ; well-made in all its parts ; the arrangements good, showing great strength and simplicity of construction, and readily put into and out of work. The steering by both tlie front wheels with the same lever makes the turning of the plough on the headlands a most easy pro- cess. The suspension is well balanced, and for the heavier kind of laud this will prove a valuable kind of plough. The above two ploughs (Howards' and Ransomes') were easily and quickly adjusted to the desired depth and width of furrow, viz., 5 inches and i) inches. To Messrs. Howards' plough we gave the second prize. Fowler's plough, which was exhibited by Mr. Harwood Mackiuder, of Langton Grange, aud who lias regularly worked it on one of liis farms for some lime, is a thoroughly good and useful plough. At the trial it did some very good work — not equal in appearance to that of the two previously mentioned, but quite worthy of our notice, the furrows being well turned and packed, leaving the land in a very good form to produce a good seed-bed with but little labour. On the whole, this is a strong good double-furrow plough, easy to manage, and with Perkins' patent steerage (as was the case with the Fowler's plough exhibited at the Peter- borough meeting) turning most readily and easily at the head- land. Perkins' patent steerage was not attached to the Fowler's plough at Aiford. Tlie draught of Fowler's plough was 5 cwts. 2 qrs. 24 lbs. Cooke, of Lincoln, had a double-furrow plough on the ground ; it did good-looking work to a casual observer. the furrows being well uul and sharp ; but they weie not well turned over, the land cousequenlly was left too hollow, and so would require more labour to produce that desirable object— a good seed-bed. This plougli, by Mr. Amos' Table (to which we beg to refer), shows the lightest draught of any of the double ploughs tried; but it must be remembered that the depth of furrow was only 4^ inches, instead of 5 inches, the depth worked at by all the other ploughs. Had the weatiier and time allowed we should have given this plough another trial on the dynamo- meter, for it was thoroughly worthy of it, and received with Fowler's a high commendation from us. The Messrs. Ball, of Rothwell, near Kettering, exhibited a plough which did nice- looking and good work, cutting out the furrows with a sharp angle, and laying them well. The dynamometer, however, told its tale — making the draught 6 cwt. 1 qr. 14 lbs. The re- maining three ploughs do not require special notice from us, we will therefore simply refer to tlie Tables as to draught given by Mr. Amos. Draught of Double-furrow Ploughs. Remarks. Exhibitors. Cwt. qr. lbs. Rinder 6 3 7 Fowler 5 2 24 Howard 5 1 14 Ashley 8 1 14 Ball 4 1 2 14 7 Ransome ... Cook 4 0 0 Hodson 5 1 7 Average... 5 3 7i Only 4J, instead of 5 inches, the depth it should have been. We fear you will think our report a long one ; but we can- not conclude it without congratulating the Committee of the Allord Agricultural Society on the success of their meeting, as regards double-furrow ploughs and ploughing. Not only does tlie immediate district but the country generally owe a debt of gratitude to these gentlemen for the trouble they have taken and the energy tiiey have displayed in getting up and carrying out this trial ; and they deserve special thanks also, for having procured the valuable assistance of C. E. Amos, Esq.,C.E., without whose help the interesting and very ne- cessary trials on the dynamometer could not have been carried out. Thanking the Stewards for their kind attention to ourselves, We are, Gentlemen, your obedient servants, H. V. Grantham, John Helmsle^, November 30///, 1870. James Martin. WIDE DRILLING. BY CUTUBERT "W. JOHNSON, F.B.S. The width at which seed corn should be drilled has long been a moot point with the agriculturist. When Jetliro Tull so earnestly advocated the use of his drill, the width of the rows did not escape his attention. lie well per- ceived that on many soils, the drill and the horse-hoe might both be prolitably employed. To this end he used a much smaller amount of seed than was usual in his time, aud he drilled at such widths as allowed of the free use of the horse-hoe. Tull was born, as it has been well remarked, before his time. He fell, however, into the error of many a man who had not his genius — his con- clusions were often far too sweeping — as when he con- tended that by drilling the corn at wide intervals, good crops could be raised ou any soil, with less seed, and without fallows, or dung. The many correct observations he made, were however, very remarkable ; he had a far greater knowledge of the effect of the atmosphere upon vegetation than was possessed by hiscotemporaries, who were wont to denounce his modes of cultivation, and ridicule his reasonings, with more acrimony than sense. For instance, iu the third chapter of his Morse-hoeing Husbandry, he refers to the existence in the air of a sub- stance which he regarded as " of the nature of aqua- fortis." It is nearly a century anda-half since JethroTuU made this remarkable observation, long before nitric acid was shown to exist in our atmosphere. From the days of Tull (he died iu 1740) the use of the drill made but slow progress until the beginning of the present century. Arthur Young was long opposed to it, but Lord Leicester rendered it popular by his successful use 66 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. of it at Holkham. I find, however, but slight attempts to employ wide intervals in drilling corn until the time of the Lois Weedon experiments, when the Rev- S. Smith on his heavy wheat soils adopted the system of growing wheat on the same land every year, by leaving a space equal to rather more than three feet between every three rows of drilled wheat, and so fallowing and cleansing that unoccu- pied space as long as the height of the growing corn would allow. By this process only half the laud was sov>n, but then, the soil was kept clean, and the atmosphere had more ready access, not only to the plants, but by stirring the land in the intervals to their roots also, and this last is, I take it, an advantage for certain soils and cereals, not so generally understood as is desirable. Now, the cost and profit of the system thus employed at Lois AVecdon is of ])rimary importance, and this I will state in the words of the author of the " Word in Sea- son," when he said : " I sum up, then, the average an- nual outlay for the wheat crops from first to last ; always keeping in mind the digging process I have de- scribed— how it began with one shallow spit the two first years, increasing by degrees to two good spits of pulverised soil, two or three inches only of solid clay beiug added, and for four years not even that. Digging and cleaning the moiety of each acre ...£114 0 Horse-hoeing do. three times, 6s.; ploughing, 4s. 0 10 0 Hoeing and hand-weeding... 0 5 0 Rolling with crusher at seed time and at spring Is. 0 3 0 Two pecks of seed 2s. 6d., dibbling 5s 0 7 6 Bird keepmg 0 4 0 Earthing up wheat... 0 3 0 Reaping, Src, to thrashing and marketing 1 13 0 Rent £2, rates and taxes 4s. 3d 2 4 3 Total outlay £7 3 9 The produce and profit from Sherriff's red wheat on these half acres, Mr, Smith thus gave : Thirty-four bushels of wlieat at 5s. One and a-half tons of straw at 40s. Deduct outlay Net proSt £8 10 0 3 0 0 £11 10 0 7 3 9 £4 G The experiments of Lois "Weedon were repeated and elaborately examined at Rothamstcd by Mr. J. B. Lawes and Dr. Gilbert in 1851, and the subsequent years, with very indifferent success {Joi'r. Ro>/. Ag. Soc.,' vol. xvii., p. 582). These experiments were reviewed by Mr. Smith, and several sources of error pointed out (?i"V/ vol. sviii., p. 30). It was in 18G5 that Mr. J. A. Clarke, of Long Sutton, reported the result of his trials upon the Lois Weedon system. The results which he obtained convinced him {ibid, N.S., vol i., p. 79) that "it is possible that hand- trenching by the spade to a depth of IS or 20 inches ivould enable my field to produce good wheat crops in perpetuity ; but as my horse-tillage extended only to a depth of 9 or 10 inches, and effected but a rough pul- verization compared with that of the fork, I did not ex- pect a long series of crops. My experiment simply proves that several paijing v:lieat crops can be groivn, one after the other, vfithout anij viaiU're, provided the land be in fair wheat-grov:ing order at the beginning." After detailing the mode he adopted in the cultivation of wheat on the same laud for a series of years, 3Ir. Clarke thus summed up the results of his experiments {ibid, p. S5) ; " And now iox the practical recommendation arising out of this experience. Not necessarily to grow four or more wheat crops in yearly succession on the same land ; for in my experiment you see a principle tried to an ex- tremity, just for the sake of proving the productive power of intercultural tillage. Not to introduce a rota- tion like mine as a pattern to be followed on a large scale. Suppose we take but a couple of wlieat cropjs together in a three-field course — that is, two years wheat, and the third year spring corn, green crops, or what you please, the straw being returned to the land as manure in this third year. On my field the produce on this system (as I have shown from what actually was raised on the com- paratively exhausted ground) would be, with every de- gree of probability, 3G to 40 bushels per acre in an ave- rage season. Take a low market — say, at 36s. per qr. Tiien 8G bushels per acre give a return of £8 2s. ; and deducting the low total cost of the crop, £5 10s., we have a balance of £2 12s. per acre for profit and interest of capital. A yield of 40 bushels an acre at the same price would give a surplus of £8 10s. per acre over the total expenditm'e. If you reckon upon the more reason- able market-price of 40s. per quarter, the yield of 36 bushels leaves a profit of £3 10s. per acre, and the yield of 40 bushels leaves a profit of £4 10s. per acre. On 300 acres arable we should have 200 acres under wheat, producing a nett annual income of £520, £700, or £900, according to whichever yield and market we met with. No manure being wanted by either year's wheat crop, aU the wheat-straw, enriched if you please with cake and corn feeding, would go to manure the remaining 100 acres of crops — spring corn, green food, and roots ; and if it is really more profitable to grow food for live stock than to sow large breadths of bread-corn under the com- mon mode of management, there can be no doubt that this 100-acre portion (with 200 acres of straw manuring it) would account for itself without any heavy deficit of expenditui'e over proceeds. But this manuring is not all that would be in favour of the 100 acres of ci'oppiug. Not only is the second year's wheat crop produced at a total outlay of £5 10s. per acre, but the land is simul- taneoushj fallowed and cleaned in readiness for the third gear's mixed cropping. The stripe-wheat relieves the green crop of its old burdensome duty of cleaning the land for succeeding crops, and no part of the 100 acres will have to undergo the usual long processes of winter and spring fallowing. Hence the expenses on such a crop of roots would be far less heavy than in the common way." It was in consequence of the report of Mr. Clarke's ex- periments, that in 1868 a series of very valuable trials on the width of the drills in corn-seeding were instituted by the Chamber of Agriculture at Cirencester. The results of these have reccntlv been detailed bv Professor Wrightson (ibid. vol. vi., N. S., p. 299). The love of truth which marks the Professor's introduction to his Essay will not escape the reader's notice. If his caution in arriving at a conclusion had been more frequently regarded, many an agricultural self-deception would have been avoided. As he well remarks at the opening of his very valuable re])ort : In conducting agricultural experi- ments, the investigator is beset with many difficulties which tend to render the results indistinct, and to detract from the value of his work. Among these difficulties may be named, inequalities in the condition, or the natural fertility of the soil ; inequalities in the vigour of the plant ; peculiarities of the season ; and attacks of insects. A number of plots may be measured ofi^, and treated with care, but as the crop advances towards maturity, one or other of the above named sources of error appears, causing differences, not attributable to methods of cnltivatiou or special dressings of manure, Heuce tbo THE FABMER'S MAGAZ]EE. 67 importauce of rej^jctitioii aud control, for altliougli a single series of experiments may yield results of com- paratively small value, several series designed with a view to confirm or control each other will probably elicit evidence of almost irresistible strength. The Cirencester Chamber of Agriculture in undertaking the work of con- ducting field experiments kept the truth steadily in view, and it will be observed (hat the variety of methods of cultivation was restricted. The treatment decided upon was repeated sufficiently often to justify some useful con- clusions being drawn, but in spite of the precautions taken contradictory results were occasionally obtained. Such disagreements are not uninstructive. They teach the importauce of each farmer conducting experiments upon his own land in order to find its peculiarities. When a geueral concurrence of evidence is obtained an important point is gained ; when dissimilar answers are the result, some special reason for the want of conformity must be looked for in the soil and surrounding conditions. It was in the autumn of 18G8, that the Cirencester chamber decided to carry out a series of wheat experi- ments. In planning these it was resolved that the trials should be of a simple character. That the same series should be simultaneously carried on upon as many farms as possible. That duplicate plots should in every case be used. The Cirencester trials consisted of two series, one upon different methods of manuring wheat , and the other upon different modes of drilling and tillage. It is to this last series that I propose on this occasion to confine my attention. The usual width of drilling wheat being about 9 inches, it was resolved — (1) to omit every alternate row, leaving a space of 18 inches between the rows (2) ; to omit two drills, and leave two, making a space of 27 inches between double rows 9 inches apart ; (3) to omit two drills and leave two, forking the interspaces during the summer; (4) to attempt the cultivation of carrots or potatoes between wheat-rows arranged as just described ; (5) to try the efl'ect of firmly pressing land with the foot in winter and spring. In carrying out these experiments the wheat was in some cases sown with the drill in the usual manner, and the surplus rows were obliterated by the hand-hoe soon after the blades of corn appeared above ground. In other cases the drill was set so as to deposit the seed at the required width. The objects of tlicse experiments were as follows : To show (1) how far a free admission of air and light influences the growth of the wheat-plant ; (2) how far interculture is beneficial or the reverse; (3) the eifect of tliin seeding. Similar experi- ments upon barley were also andertakeu with interesting results. The following is a list of the plots required for carrying out these trials i 2 plots in which 2 rows were alternately omitted and left. 2 ,, in which 2 rows were alternately omitted and left, the interspaces being forked twice through the summer. 2 „ the same as the last, but with carrots or potatoes planted in the interspaces. 2 „ firmly pressed with the foot. 2 „ untouched for comparison. Some encouraging results, obtained by Mr. J. A. Clarke from trials upon wide drilling (to which I have already referred) in a field cultivated upon modified Tullian principles, were published in vol. i., N. S., of the Royal Agricultural Society's Journal, and were the immediate cause of a series of wide-drilled plots upon the College Experimental Farm in 1865. A piece of winter-drilled wheat was selected, aud alternate rows were cut out with the hoe, leaving the wheat rows 1 8 inches apart. In like manner three rows were removed, and three left, forming triple rows with 10-inch inter- spaces. Of these plots some were forked, and others merely hand-hoed. As the experiment was only com- menced on April 18th, the result, as might have been ex- pected, was not favourable to wide intervals. It was, however, worthy of notice that although half the wheat was removed, the produce from the wide-spaced plots was, in spite of the unfavourable conditions of the experiment, equal to 27 bushels per acre, while the ordinary un- touched w^lieat yielded 32 bushels per acre. These experiments were repeated on a more extended scale in 1868, a season in which wide-drilling and forking could hardly be thought advantageous. Both wheat and barley were' subjected to the trial, care beiug taken that the superUuous rows should be removed before they could interfere with the future prospects of the remaining rows. Some of the wide-spaced plots were twice forked during the summer, while others were kept free from weeds by means of the hand-hoe. The results are embodied in the following table : Table I. — P^esults of Wheat Experiments, 18G8. Bushels Weight per Acre. per Bushel. lbs. Alternate rows obliterated, spaces forked 29.6 65 Alternate rows obliterated, re- maining rows singled into tufts or bunches _ ... 23-8 62-5 Ordinary wheat for comparison 30-8 64-75 Three rows left and three hoed out, spaces forked 25.2 64 Alternate rows obliterated, spaces not forked 28-4; 64 Alternate rows obliterated, re- maining rows " tufted" as in 3 24-4 64 Three rows left and three ob- literated, not forked 26.8 64-75 Alternate rows obliterated, spaces not forked 28-4 64-75 Three rows left and three hoed out, spaces forked 20-4 65 Ordinary wheat 29,3 65-5 Three rows left and three hoed out, spaces forked 23.2 65 Alternate rows obliterated,spaces forked 26 65 Inspection of this table shows : 1st. That in no case was the crop so good as in the case of the wheat cultivated in the usual way. 2nd. Plots in which the alternate wheat rows were ob- literated were so nearly equal to those of ordinary wheat that, since half the seed might have been saved by sowing at once with a wide drill, the advantage is pretty equal in both methods. 3rd. The forked wheat was generally worse than the corresponding nnforked, a result borne out by the experi- ments of 1865. 4th. Since 25 and 26 bushels ^ler acre were obtained from half the laud under crop in the cases of Plots 4 and 7, the question whether the interspaces would have borne as large a crop of wheat the succeeding year, as at Lois Weedon, is worthy of attention. The experiments made upon barley during the same droixghty season point to a clear advantage from wide- drilling and interculture, as will l?e seen upon inspecting Table n. 6S THE FAUMER'S MAGAZINE. Table IL— Barley Experiments os thk Royal Agki- (ULTLUiAL College ExPLuniEiNTAL Fakm, 18G8. Increase in Measure Bushels Plots (1-40 acre eacli). calculated at 5811)3. per Acre over Average per Bushel. Unmanured. Ordinary. Busliels. Bushels. Ordinary 30'2 Alternate rows obliterated. May 3rd 38-0 G-4 Ordinary 35"5 Alternate rows obliterated, May 3rd 43-4 11.8 Alternate rows obliterated, spaces- forlied, May 3rd 407 91 Ordinary 29-0 — Alternate rows obliterated, spaces forked, May 3rd 44-6 13G Average of three ordinary plots 31-6 — Average results of two plots, al- ternate rows obliterated 40-7 9-7 Average result of two plots, al- ternate rows obliterated, spaces forked 42-7 11-1 The experiments upon wheat were repeated in 1869, at the farm of the College at Cirencester, and by Mr. Smith, of Bibury, the results of which will be found in the following tables : Taule IV. — Tillage and Wide Drillikg Experiments ON Wheat, 18G9 — Boyal Agricultural College Experimental Farm. Grain per acre. Blots (1-40 acre each)- Weight per Increase or acre. decrease. lbs. lbs. Tho rows removed and two left 1440 — 80 ,, ,, 14G0 — GO Three rows removed and tiiree left 104O — 470 Firmly pressed with the foot ... 1780 + 200 „ „ IGIO + 90 One row removed and one left forked 13G0 — IGO „ „ 1330 — 100 Two rows removed and two left forked 1G50 + 130 „ „ 1000 — 400 Nothing 1G40-) 1500 {. 1520-- 13003 average Table V. — Wide Drilling E.xperiments on Wheat, 18C9 — isY Mr. Smith, of Bibury. Plots (1-20 acre each). Grain per Straw per acre. acre. Two drills 9 inches apart, alternated with 27-inch spaces (potatoes between) ...| Two drills omitted and two Icfi, spaces' forked twice ! Two drills omitted and two left, land pressed ' Two drills taken and two left, and land pressed i Untouched plot lbs. 3200 3020 3080 3280 2760 lbs. 4260 4140 431.0 4380 3500 The results obtained by Mr. W. Smith, of Bibury, were so satisfactory that he has sown a larger area of wheat upon the same principle this season. Here the wheat was at once drilled the required width, thus actually saving 1 bushd of seed per aerc. The laud was naturally good, and may be describeil as a quick free barley soil, dark iu colour, aud in excellent condiliou. The juevious treatment of vetches fed, followed by turnips fed, was a good preparation for wheat. Table V.at once shows that a considerable, and in some cases remarkable, increase in yield was obtained by adopting the proposed plan of cul- tivation. A party of farming friends, who visited the experimental lield, were greatly pleased with the wide- drilled ])ortions, aud considered that they would probably yield as v:eU t/.s llie pJols mannvi'd loUh nitrale of soda. The heads were exceedingly large and well tilled, and the yield of both grain and straw fully attested the truth of these observations. Iu one case, where alter- nately two rows were omitted and two left, the interspaces beuuj Jlnnli/ jjn'ssi'd, there was an increase of 8^^ bushels of grain and 880 lbs. of straw per acre ! In the second plot, where the interspaces were planted with potatoes (and consequently, to some extent, worked between the rows) there was an inciease of 440 lbs. of grain (above 7 bushels) and 760 lbs. of straw. In a third case, an increase of 3.20 lbs., or upwards of 5 bushels, of grain was obtained. Aud, lastly, where the spaces were twice forked, there was an increase of 260 lbs., or 4 bushels per acre. Such results indicate the importance of carrying out simultaneous experiments tipon many farms if we desire to arrive at truth ; they also teach the necessity of each farmer trying experiments upon his own laud. From the general rcsidts obtained from these valuable researches (and there are others reported by Mr. Wright- son) we may he well encouraged to repeat aud vary these trials. There are many facts which lead us to the con- clusion that we have yet much to learn in the drilling of our seed corn. The superior strength and liner cars of the plants growing on the verge of our corn fields, and those sown amongst vetches, or those accidentally dropped in places where they have abundance of room to vegetate — these, and other facts of a similar kind, all seem to give the same evidence as that afforded in the Cireucester ex- periments, of which we learn {//j/d, p. 321) " where wheat is allowed abundance of room, the growing plant assumes a dark-green vigorous appearance very similar to that of wheat dressed with some highly nitrogenous manure ; aud this ell'ect is not coufined to any particular season, but may be seen wherever thin sowa can be contrasted with thicker sown wheat." THE CENTRAL AND LOCAL CHAMBERS OF AGRICULTURE. REFUSAL TO PAY ANY MORE SUBSCRIPTIONS. At the General Meeting of the North of England Chamber of Agriculture, in reply to a member, Mr. Arkle stated that the subscription to the Central Chamber of Agriculture had been paid lor this year. Mr. Thomas Lawson said they should withdraw the sub- scription if the Central Chamber continued to say they had power to represent the opinion of tlie Chamber without con- sulliug the North of England Chamber. All steps for con- tinuing their connection with the Central Chamber should be adjourned until they heard the result of the meeting iu London. Mr. Armstrong, the Secretary, said that a letter had been received from the Central Chamber, requesting the Chamber to consider a resolution which liad been passed at a meeting of the General Council, with respect to memorialising magis- trates at the January Sessions on the subject of the rates levied by them ; and also to present a petition on the subject to the House cf Commons. Mr. Lawson said there had been no opportunity of giving notice to the members that such a matter would come bifore them, and it would be irregular for the Chamber to attend to it now. TiiE FAiaiBlVS MAGAZliNB. 69 Tlip, Secretary siiid the Sessions would be licld before tliu next mcpling of tbo Cluimbor. .Mr. Laws()>) suiil lie would propose tliat the consideration of llio matter be adjourned until lliey had before them the resolutious }iusscd at tiie meeting iu London in rolalioii to the coiuieelion betweeu the proviucial ehambcrs and the Central Cliambcr. Mr. Cii.uiLTo:>J, tlie Chairman, thought they were cjuite iu tlic dark as to what the Central Chamber would du in tiic matter. Mr. LvwsoN said the subscription should not be paid to tlie Central Chamber. The Secretary said that tliat would come before the meeting of the Council in January. Tlie communication from the Central Cluunbnr wa^ laid upon the table. THE CENTRAL AND THE LOCAL CHAMBERS OF AGRICULTURE. It has for sonic time past been sufllcieutly evident that, while (he local Chambers of Agriculture have been de- veloping into really useful institutions, there has been as manifest a lack of administrative ability at head-quarters. AVc have never hesitated to draw the strongest possible line between the actual service of the country agent and the mere pretension of the central power. In fact, any decisive step ever taken in the provinces has been pretty generally frittered away in vapid discussions over round- about resolutions when once the question has been carried to London. Rarely, indeed, has any repr?scntative man h id anything satisfactory to report when he reached home again. And the woild at length is coming to sec this, allhough for a season we were suljjected to the most absurd abuse, because we declined to commit ourselves to the proceedings of a ckarly incapable body. At the general meeting in the Smithlield show-week the chief business of the Central Chamber was a discussion as to how its own eoustitution might be amended, or in other words how it might be rendered a more efficient instru- ment. It is not our purpose here to dwell over this con- ference, because so far nothing has come of it, or, as one of the general members said on leaving the room, " Well, we have done nothing but talk." It may be interesting, however, if only on behalf of those very tributaries, to sec what the local Chambers think of the centre-piece. At the close of the meeting in Salisbury-square, Colonel Tomline terminated his duties as the Cliairman for 1870, and early in the following week he was present at a dinner of the Sulfolk Cliambcr at Ipswich, where a feeling anything but favourable to the Central Chamber was very noticeable. Lord Ileuniker " had heard many members of the Suffolk Chamber say they did not get much good out of the Central Chamber, and that their Chamber should not subscribe to it." ilr. W. Kersey " had been astonished at the number of amendments made upon amendments at the Central Chamber, and he was glad it was proposed to reduce the Committee of twenty-four to twelve." Mr. Herman IJiddell said " what was wanted was a body that would speak with power and authority for the Agri- cultural interest ;" and Mr. Corrauce, jM.P., seemed to fear that under any other circumstances " the talk would be interminable and the business nothing ;" although this, in point of fact, is just what is complained of at present. Some time back a delegate from a Devonshire Chamber told his friends in the West how there was a member of Parliament at the Central Chamber who was always jumping up again " like a Jack-iu-the-bo.v" whenever anyone else sat down. Judiciously enough the President was not content with what Mr. Kersey, IMr. Biddell, Jlr. Corrauce, or Mr. Hawkins said, but "he would like to hear Colonel Tomliue's opinion, he having greater knowledge of the Central Chamber;" and in answer to this invitation, Colonel Tomline did say he " was glad to sec the impatience shown by some delegates that the Central (!hambcr had done little or nothing." Further, that the " Central Chamber had practically no power. It was in the local Chambers, where he hoped it would always remain, and in the House of Commons;" while the gallant gentleman repeated with marked emphasis his opinion that " the Central Chamber had done nothing." It is true that he qualified this by adding that the Central Chamber had organized the establishment of the locaf Chambers, which it was not worthy to control. " Surely one small room in Salisbury Square was not so fit a place for those Chambers to exert their energies. — He had felt for some lime that the Central Chamber was, after all, a soi t of Convo- cation, with the semblance of power, without its reality," and so forth. This is tolerably plain speaking, coming as it docs with all authority from a Chairman of the very Society which he condemns ; but this is not all. Mr. Lavvson, of the North of England Chamber, has recenlly addressed two or three strong letters to the secretary of the Central Chamber on this very subject, in one of which he says: " You and I are not on one platform as to whether the Central Cham- ber does on all or any question represent the opinions of provincial Chambers. We will probably be as far asunder as to why no member from here will attend the Central meeting on the 7th of December. When the North of England Chamber delegates one of its members to the Central he bears with him the resolutions of his Chamber, and his action is limited within the spirit of the resolutions, and the member delegated is chosen as well acquainted with the subject, and whose opinions are in harmony with the resolutions." And further : " Such a Council — with independent action — would be less of an association of Chambers than of a small agricultural Par- liament, and the effect of such independent action would not fail to sap the vitality and energy of provincial Cham- bers ; the extinguishment of local control would paralyse local action. The common sense of agriculturists would naturally ask the question, What degree of power or use- fulness does such a Central Council possess beyond our ordinary real parliamentary representation ?" Colonel Tomline and Mr. I-awson certainly look to agree very well as to the mere pretensions and actual uses of the Central Chamber of Agriculture ; and at the last meeting of the North of England Chamber the members declined to en- tertain any communication from or pay any subscriptions to the Central Chamber for the present. As the Chairman said, " they were quite in the dark as to what the Central Chamber would do." Then, again, at the last JMonthly Meeting of the Morpeth Chamber the following reply was ordered to be given to a letter from the Local Taxation committee soliciting a subscription : " The objects of the Local Taxation Committee ajjpear to be similar to the objects of the jNlorpeth Chamber of Agriculture, and this Chamber cannot see that the grounds on which such Committee applies for contributions from the Morpeth Chamber could not be at least as fully urged by this Cham- ber on the Local Taxation Commitfpc. In declining to contribute to the expenses of the Local Taxation Com- mittee, this Chamber begs to express its cordial 70 THE i^'ARMEU'S MAGAZINE. s_ympathy witli every pei'sou or iastitulioa (uuder whatever name) that is earnestly endeavouriug to effect an improvement in our local taxation." This is very politely put, but at the same time the applicatiou appears to be regarded as something of an impertinence. If the Morpeth Chamber has anything to nrge as to locaU taxa- tion, of course it can put its case into the hands of its own town and county members, without paying to put it under the charge of any particular gentleman selected by the Central Chamber of Agriculture. But this is a habit with ihe Central Chamber, which is always pleading poverty and always sending round the hat, as we hear a subscription list under its auspices is now being put about London. And yet the Chamber can afford to treat its own Council, that is itself, with the most charming liberality. There are other central agri- cultural associations, like the Koyal, the Smithlield Club, the Farmers' Club, and the Royal Agricultural Ecncvolent Institution, where the members of Council and Committee feel it something of an honour and a distinction to be called up to act to the best of their ability on behalf of themselves and their fellows. But not so the twenty-four members of the Council of the Central Chamber of Agri- culture, where, to " ensure an attendance," as the phrase goes, a second-class fare for each man must be paid there and back. Put in the secretary, and say twenty-five people for eight meetings a year at so much a visit, and what does it come to ? To carry the thing handsomely out, surely they should also be boarded and lodged, if not perhaps in the one small room in Salisbury-square, of which Colonel Tomline speaks. ]5ut unfortunately the Central Chamber has no room, no office whatever in Salis- bury-square. This great centre of communication has actually no resting place of its own, but is pushed from pillar to post just as it may suit the Hotel to give the occasional use of a room here or there, now or then. The Council in its last report plaintively "regrets the ne- cessity for keeping down the printing account has compelled them to confine within narrow limits the issue of printed matter on very important subjects," and yet the Council, as we shall assume, contiuues to draw the second-class fare. Well may Mr. KerSey be glad that it is proposed to reduce the Council from twenty- four to twelve, the advantage of which in a commercial point of view is as clear as £ s. d. can count it. But it is proposed to go even beyond this, and to cut off the supply of second-class tickets altogether. We have be- fore now suggested the decency of such a step, but in this article it must be understood that any criticism on the proposed amendment of the Central Chamber docs not now proceed from T//e Mark Lane Express, but either from its own body or the local Societies. Two of these authorities are past chairmen — Colonel Tomline, who says that the Central Chamber has done nothing, and Mr. Sewell Read, who recommends that the travelling expenses of the members of Council should no longer be paid. If we did go a step further, wc should say that the future Council, however composed, w'ould best consult its dig- nity by not descending to puff oft' in its official reports any particular "jobs " in which any of the Council or its people may be known to have an interest. Only imagine a Society which aims at a national importance being brought to such a use by the guardians of its own honour ! No wonder that the country cries out for re- form, or rather for tiioroughly new construction. THE CENTRAL CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. A meeting of the Council, comprising deputed members from provincial chauibers and elected members of Council, was held on Wednesday, Uecember 7, at the Salisbury Hotel. Colonel Tomline, M.P., the president for the current year, occupied the chair at this and also at the annual meeting of the subscription members which followed. The TiiEAsURER reported that during the past half- year there had been received in subscriptions and dona- tions the sura of £ t59 15s., and that the balance in baud on last account was £171 13s. 4'd., together £Gol Ss. 4d. Prom this was to be deducted, for sahiries, printing, and expenses of general management £505 8s. 2d., which left a balance to tho good of £126 Os. 2d. ; add to this for arrears of subscriptions £05 and the assets to the credit of the Chamber would come to £191 Os. 2d. This statement was not ([uite so favourable as that for the last-lialf year ; but £50 had been subscribed to the funds of the Local Taxation Committee. Eleven additional members were then elected to the Chamber. The CiiAiKJiAN of tlic Local Taxation Committee, Sir M. Lopes, M.P., tlieu submitted the monthly report of the com- mittee as follows : The Local Taxation Committee, in presenting their monthly report to the Council of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, have much pleasure in stating that, in accordance with a reso- lution passed at their last general meeting, they have com- menced the issue of a monthly publication, giving various items of information on the subject of local taxation. Of this 4,000 copies have been gratuitously circidated over the country, chiefly amongst clerks of tlie peace (who have been requested to bring the same to the notice of justices), amongst the members of the committees, the local honorary secretaries, subscribers, and others who are friendly to the object the committee have in view. Agreeably to the desire expressed at the last general meeting of the Council, your committee have also drawn np a form of petition to the House of Commons, which will be submitted lor approval to magistrates assembled at Quarter Sessions. The committee do not venture to put it forward as a model for every county, but express a hope that Courts of Quarter Ses- sions in each county will alter and amend it to suit their own views or respective requirements. The committee would ob- serve that the petition as it now stands has been approved by a committee of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Devonshire, appointed for that purpose, and will be submitted for adoption at the next General Quarter Sessions. To the Honourable the Commons, &c. — The Humble Petition of tlie Justices at Quarter Sessions assembled for the county of Devon Humbly Siiowetii, — That the rates collected under the authority of this Court for county purposes form a heavy and annually increasing charge on real property (viz., lands and houses), in addition to the general taxes for imperial purposes which it bears in common with all property. Tliat these charges are for the most part in support of such objects as police, buildings for militia stores, lunatic asylums, and the maintenance of those lunatics whose settlement cannot be ascertained, coroners, prisons, and other matters connected with the administration of justice, &c., &c., all of which pur- poses are essentially of national import, and are maintained for the security of the life of all persons equally, and for the protection of every description of property. That only an average of little more than 20 per cent, of the amount of the rates so collected under the authority of this court is, as respects its expenditure, in any way under its con- trol, while nearly SO per cent, is expended under statute, and is, therefore, under the control of the imperial Go- vernment. These facts appear from a return printed by order of your honourable House on the 21st of April, 1869, where the total amount of county rate spent uuder statute was £1,589,910, whilst the amount spent under control of the Justices was only £359,451. It further appears, from a return made to the House of Commons in the year 1867, that in Devonshire the whole of the county expenditure for TfiE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 71 that year was £39,000 ; the amount of tliis wliicli was statu- tory, and over wiiicU tlio magistrates had uo coutrol, was Xo3,000, aud the amount uuder the indepeudcut jurisdiutiou of the magistrates was only £0,000, and that included salaries, bridges, highwaj's, and other miscellaneous payments. (Each county would here insert similar statistics.) The Court can- not help further remarking that whilst remission of Imperial taxation has Ijeen annually made for the benefit of the whole nation, very uiany uewly-imposed burdens have been laid chiefly, if not wholly, upon house and land property. That in justice to the ratepayers, and having regard to this absence of local control, this Court prays your Honourable House to take into your early consideration whether it be not expedient to defray from the Imperial Exchequer the expense of the whole, or a larger portion of such objects as those to which these rates above enumerated are devoted. Aud yonr petitioners, &c. A form of memorial has also been drawn up at the request of several provincial Chambers of Agriculture which the com- mittee recommend for their use, and that of ratepayers gene- rally, when appealing to Courts of Quarter Sessions to petition the House of Commons, The form, of memorial as approved by your committee is as follows : To the Justices in Quarter Sessions assembled for the County of . The Humble Memorial of the Ratepayers of the said County, being Members of the Chamber of Agriculture. The undersigned ratepayers, owners, and occupiers of land and houses in the County of , feeling strongly the urgent necessity of some revision and readjustment of the present mode of assessment, and of inducing the Government to contribute more largely towards those rates which are levied under the authority of Courts of Quarter Sessions, would respect- fully beg to call the attention of your Honourable Court to the extreme importance of this subject, aud would express a hope that the Court, as the rating authority, will, on behalf of the ratepayers, petition Parliament to take this questiou iuto their early consideration. Your memorialists would observe that these burdens have of late years been vastly increased by rates for new objects, such as police, buildiugs for militia stores, lunatic asylums, &c., &c., which objects, they contend, are for the common weal, rather than for tlie benefit of one particular class of the community. lu conclusion, your committee feel that their present dilliculty is how to reach the Board of Guardians, aud tlie smaller ratepayers, more particularly those interested as owners or occupiers of houses in towns. During the present mouth the committee will make every effort to in- fluence public opinion among this section of tlie ratepayers, and they hope to induce Boards of Guardians to petition Par- liament early in the Session to take into consideration the whole of this important subject. Since the last monthly report the committee have received some further subscriptions amountiug to nearly £60. There was one observation which he should like to make respecting a subject that was not alluded to in the lleport. Itwas to give them a reminder with reference to the Elementary Education Hate recently imposed : that iiuless, where a parish desired to erect school-buildings, an ap- plication was made to the Privy Council before the 31st of De- cember, the opportunity would be lost of obtaining a Govern- ment grant for that purpose. It would not be necessary, however, to send in estimates, specifications, aud plans- All they would haveto do, in the first place, was to write to the Privy Council Oflice tor an application-paper, which they would then fill up, and return, accompanied by a rough plan of the proposed school-site. It was said by some that the building of schools was unnecessary, unless the children could be compelled to attend them. That, they thought, was a defect in the voluntary system ; but he begged to state that, under that very volun- tary system, it was quite within the power of the managers to appoint a Board simply for the purpose of making the attend- ance compulsory and regular, if they considered it expedient to do so. The same powers were found, therefore, under both the voluntary and the compulsory system. In conclusion, he moved the adoption of the lleport. A Member asked whether the adoption of compulsion would not be subject to the approval of the Education Board ? That was how he himself read the Act. Sir M. Lopes believed not. The motion was seconded by Sir G. Jenkinson. Before putting the question, the President remarked upon the fallacy whicii sometimes lay hidden in the use of words, and the wisdom of looking beneath and through them. It had been saul that eighty per cent, of the local rates were im- perative. Well, an imperative rate was a tax ; and the matter would not bear a moment's consideration if these imposts were called a tax. The motion was agreed to. Mr. T. DucKiiAJi mentioned that he had received some promises of subscriptions. Mr. H. G. Andrews wished to be informed, what had been the eifect of distributing tiie forms of petition amongst the members of the provincial chambers ? The Secretary replied that they were not returned to him, but when signed were transmitted to Members of Parliament for presentation. Mr. Andrews would like to have some evidence that they had really been signed and forwarded to Members for that purpose. Ills own experience was this. In his county, where a complete organization existed, he had serit only 550 copies of the petition and memorial to as many parishes ; and now at the end of some months he had only -iO signed and re- turned. He thought, therefore, that it would be a simple waste of money to send out any more of these printed forms of petition. The fact was that the feeling prevailed very ex- tensively that the House of Commons took very little notice of petitions ; and his own impression was that, if County Members in that House were unfavourable to the objects of the Ciiamber, they should be turned out at the next election (cheers and laughter). Nay, more, he should like to see the boroughs doiug the same (renewed cheers). A communication on the subject of local taxation, received from tlie Shropshire Chamber, was ordered to be acknowledged; as was also a letter from Professor Leone Levi, requesting that a meeting of the joint committee of the Chamber and the International Decimal Association on weights aud mea- sures might he arranged with a view to bringing the question under the consideration of Parliament early in the ensuing SGSSlOll On the motion of Sir M. Lopes, seconded by Mr. T. AVil- SON, the committee was then re-appointed, with a special in- struction, moved by Mr. C. S. Head, that it should take no action until the meeting of the Chamber in February. The Treasurer and Secretary were re-appomted. The annual report of the Council prepared by the business committee WHS then laid upon the table. It is as follows : In presenting their fifth annual report, the Council would call attention to the continued progress of the Chamber of Agricnhure both in number and in organisation. Three in- fluential Chambers, namely, those of Cambridgeshire and tlie Isle of Ely, Nottinghamshire, aud AVisbech district, have been added to the list during the past year ; and several chambers have increased their subscription to the funds of the Council, or, the Worcestershire Chamber from £10 to £15, the v\ ar- wickshire Chamber from £5 to £8, and again from £8 to £15, the Dorsetshire Chamber from £3 to £'5, while the West Hiding Chamber forwarded a donation of £5 in addition to its annual subscription. The Wigton Farmers' Club, deeming itself too remote from the place of nieetmg in Loudon, has withdrawn. By the schedule appended to this report it appears that there are now two chambers subsciibing £15 each to the funds of the Council, three chambers subscrib- ing £10 each, one ciiamber subsciibing £!), two chambers subscribing £7 each, twenty-eight Chambers subscribing £5 each, and" seventeen chambers subscribing £3 each, lilty- three Chambers contributing to the funds of the Central Coun- cil, and one Chamber, namely, the Scottish, being in corre- sponding association without subscribing, constitute the nfty- four Chambers which are entitled to representation in the Council by means of deputed members ; and one Chamber, namely, the East Worcestershire, subscribers without being entitled to send up a deputed member— making a total of fiity- five Chambers. But considerable development has been given to the system of Branch Chambers ; it being found that, where a large society of, say, six hundred or seven hundred or more members holds its periodical meetings only in the county town, or occasionally in other principal market towns of the county, but a small proportion of the whole body of members can pos- sibly be present, aud the resolutions passed by a meeting of perhaps one-tenth of the members composing the Chamber go forth as the decisions of that Chamber. Hence the extension which is being given to the system of Branch Chambers, in 72 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. whicli either tlie meiiilers are considered as members of the C'ouuly Cliaiiiber, or else appear by representatives at the j meetings of tlic County Chamber. The Devonsliire Chamber lias four branches in association, namely, at Barnstaple, Bide- I'orJ, Colylou, and lloiiiton ; the Nortli of England Cliaraber has organized branches for the thirteen Poor-law Unions of Alrirtick, Belford, Bclliugton, Berwick, Castle Ward, Gates- head, Glendale, llesham, Lonchester, Morpeth, lluthbury, and 'J'ynemouth ; the Shropsliire Ciianiber lias eight branchss, at Eilesmcre, Ludlow, Jlucii Wcnlock, Newport, Oswestry, Sliill'nal, AVellington, and \\"em ; the Warwickshire Chamber has two branches at llenley-in-llarden and at Shipston-on- Stour ; and the North Riding of Yorkshire Chamber has nine branches for Bedale, Malton, Pickering, Ripon, Ryedale, Scar- borough, Thirsk, ^Miitby, and York. Including the thirty- six branches, tliere are now ninety-one Chambers of Agricul- ture, cither directly or indirectly alUliatcd with the Central Chamber in London ; and, from the returns (not complete) received from the various secretaries, this great organisation embraces a total constituency of probably more than 17,000 members. The united yearly contribution of the fifty-four subscribing Chambers amounts to £215, entitling them to representation in the Central Council by one hundred and eleven deputed members, the average payment being about £2 9s. per member. The proportion contributed to the funds of the Council by the subscription members of the Central Chamber is as follows : — There are now on the books 155 annual members, and ten life members ; and as three life compositions have been received during last year, the i)resent rate of yearly income from sub- scription members amounts to £185. The subscription mem- bers are represented in the Council by twenty-six elected members, who are allowed to claim second-class railway fares for attending mee iiigs ; the outlay incurred during the past year for this railway j)rovision for a certain attendance of members to transact business has amounted to £112; and deducting this sum from the whole contribution of the sub- scription members, namely, £185, it appears that the subscrip- tion members of tlie Central Chamber bring to the funds at the disposal of the Council a clear sum of £73, which is virtually a payment for tlie twenty-six elected members of the Council, averaging about £2 17s. per member. The income of the Council has been considerably increased since last year, but tlie expenditure has been much greater, partly owing to a grant of 1 50 to the special fund of the Local Taxation Committee. The established charges, including the salary of the Secretary, exceed those of last year by only about £•27 ; the printing, stationery, and postage account is about £15 less ; and the expenditure for Parliamentary Papers sup- plied to the provincial Chambers and to the Central Chamber olHce remains about the same as the corresponding item last year. Partly arising from the earlier date for closing the books, the arrears of subscription are fully as heavy as they were at the end of 1809, three provincial Chambers being in arrears with their subscriptions for 1870, and one of them also for 18G9 ; while of subscription members of the Central Chamber, forty are in arrear for 1870, sixteen of these being in arrear also for 1869, and five for 1868. The Council would impress upon such Chambers and members the importance of a prompt payment of their subscriptions, which are due in advance on the 1st of January for each year. The Council regret that the necessity for keeping down the printing account has compel.ed them to confine within narrow limits the issue of printed matter on the very important sub- jects whirh have been discussed. They tender their thanks to the agricultural newspapers for full reporting, and to the press generally for giving publicity to the proceedings of the Council. Of the fifty-four Chambers entitled to send deputed members to the Council thirty-nine liave been thus represeuted during the past year. Of the eight meetings held from December, 1869, to November, 1870, the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Chambers have attended all ; the Peterborough Chamber has attended seven ; the Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Shropshire, and East Suffolk Chambers have attended six ; the Hertford- shire, AVest Kent, Leicestershire, Monmouthshire, and West Suffolk Chambers have attended five ; the Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamsliire, Somerset- shire, and Wibbeach Chambers have attended four ; the Ban- bury, Herefordshire, East Kent, Newbury, Swindon, and West Riding of Yorkshire Chambers have attended three; the Cheshire, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, Hungerford, Lough- borough, North of England, Dorsetshire, and North Riding of Yorkshire Chambers have attended two ; and the Nortli Cheshire, Croydon, Goole and Blarsliland, Scottish, Slafford- shire, and East Riding of Yorkshire Chambers have attended one. At every meeting a large majority of the Council has consisted of deputed memliers from provincial Chambers, and this fact is very gratifying to the originators and early sup- porters of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, whose desire was to establish a nnclens, around which might be gathered a body properly representative of a large number of independent societies, expressing the views and feelings of the whole agri- cultural community. The Business Committee, consisting of the twenty-six elected members of the Council, and always in- viting the co-operation of any deputed members from pro- vincial Chambers, whose presence has been from time to time available, have exerted themselves to arrange details of ])ro- ceedings for the Council, and have greatly facilitated the orderly progress of debate, by drawing up coucise resolutions in ac- cordance with the j'eneral tenour of resolutions received from the provincial Chambers, and this without exercising any executive power whatever. Communications from provincial Chambers have, in all cases, been dealt with by the whole Council, the Business Committee possessing neither authority nor responsibility in connection with any decision or transac- tion of the Central Council. And, as far as practicable, care has been taken that the Chambers should have notice of the day of meeting and subjects for consideration several months beforehand. Local Taxation. — On February 8th the Council voted a donation of £50 to the Local Taxation Committee, which was appointed by the Council in May, 1869 ; the proceedings of the committee have been reported at each of the monthly meetings of the Council ; its report is appended to the present report of the Council, and the Chamber may be congratulated upon the success of that committee in raising a handsome special fund, in circulating a prize essay that has been found unanswerable, in disseminating printed matter, in organising public meetings, in moving parochial and municipal bodies to take action against the inequalities of ratal taxation, in prompting a wide-spread discussion of the county rate grievance by magistrates in quarter sessions, and is largely influencing the course taken upon local taxation qustions in the House of Commons. On May 3rd the Council unani- mously reiterated the protest against the unjust exemption from contribution to the rates of income arising from personal property, declaring that the order in which the Government liad indicated its intention of considering the local taxation questions was irregular and inexpedient, that no readjustment of the existing system will be acceptable unless preceded by au inquiry determining what objects now locally provided for are of local, and what of national obligation, and that the mere extension of assessment to woods, metallic mines, and Government property, and a division of rates between owners and occupiers could not be accepted as a settlement of the grievance complained of. Copies of the resolutions were for- warded to the President of the Poor Law Board. I'ublic meetings were held at Taunton in the week of the Bath and West of England Society's Show, and at Oxford in the week of the Royal Agricultural Society's Show, both under the pre- sidency of Sir Massey Lopes, Bart., M. P., chairman of the Local Taxation Committee. Elemext.vry Education. — On March S the Council unanimousli' resolved that the Government Elementary Edu- cation Bill merited the support of the Ciiambers, but declared against compulsory attendance of children up to the age of twelve years as a great hardship to the labouring classes, and in favour of regular attendance up to the age of ten years, sup- plemented by partial attendance after that age. The Council also resolved that the proposed education rate was an increase of an injustice upon owners and occupiers of rateable property, and that national educatiori ought to be paid for out of the national toxation, at least until there has been a complete re- vision of the present system of rating. On April 5 the Coun- cil resolved that compulsory attendance ought to be required after ten years of age, nor after a certificate of proficiency in reading and elementary writing, at any age ; and on May 31 the Council resolved that the limit of distance dctermiuiiig the exemption of a child from lialjility to attend school should be two miles instead of one. TfiE FARMER^S I^tAGAZINfe. TuKKi-iKE TiOADS AXi) HiGinvAVS— Oil Fclmmry 8 llie Council luul Ijel'uie lliem resolutious embodyiiifj the views of ilie g-reat mfijority of the Chamhers of Asriciillurc on the Turnpike Trust question, to tlie elTect that all rcinainiu^Turn- liike Trusts ouglit to he abolished simultaneously; lliat the niainteuance of all public roads shovilj be settled upon a pcr- luauent and equitable system ; that it would be unjust to charge the rcmaioing debts ujion rateable property only, and that those debts ought to be liquidated by the national ex- chequer, and that either the road expenditure ought to be partly defrayed out of the imperial revenue, or the rating sys- tem should be so revised as to bring under eipiitable contribu- tion the general wealth of the district through which the roads pass. But after listening to an explanation from Mr. Kuatch- hull Hugessen, M.l\, Under Secretary of State for the Home Ucpartmcnt, the Council unanimously resolved that it would be inexpedient to recommend any substitute for the toll system which might lead to increase local burdens, until the Govern- ment had announced their promised scheme for dealing com- prehensively with the whole subject. Agricultural Statistics. — Ou February 8th the Council considered a resolution to the effect that the agricultural re- turns p.s at present collected, are unreliable and unsatisfactory ; that they should be made once in ten years, and be then com- ]iulsory. A proposition was also made that the returns should be quinquennial. Neither of these motions obtained a majority of votes ; and the original resoluiion was discharged by the chairman. But an amendment declaring that agricultural re- turns should be annual and compulsory was lost by a consider- able majority. Malt-Tax. — On March 8th, at a Council attended by de- puted members from thirty-two chambers, a deputation was appointed to lay before the Chancellor of the Exchequer a me- morial praying for unrestricted liberty to sprout and prepare grain for feeding purposes, and praying for a repeal or reduc- tion of the rnalt-tax, or for a transference of the tax from malt to beer by brewers' licences or otherwise. The deputation, which had an interview with Mr. Lowe on the same day, was supported by fifty-seven members of Parliament, and a very large number of agriculturists from the different chambers ; the presentation of the memorial was followed by addresses from Mr. Rowley (of the Cheshire Chamber), Mr. G. A. Way (of the Statfordshire Chamber), Mr. Seaman and Mr. J. S. Gardiner (of the Essex Chamber), Mr. J. AVhitwell (of the Peterborough Chamber), JMr. Manfred Biddell (of the East Suffolk Chamber), Mr. 11. Leanian (uf the Norfolk Chamber), Mr. 11. Jasper More (of the Shropshire Chamber), and Mr. C. li. Luttimore (of the Hertfordshire Chamber). The Chan- cellor of the Exchequer admitted that the malt;-tax interferes very much with the cultivation of the land and witli the busi- ness of those who are engaged in husbandry ; he declared that he should be very glad to reduce the tax if in his power to do so, and that if he could find any means of putting the duty upon a late stage of the manufacture upon beer instead of malt, nothing would give him greater satisfaction than to pro- pose it. Reports Appeared in the London and Provincial Papers. — A very large number of copies of the memorial, the addresses, and the reply of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was circulated through the agency of the Chambers of Agri- culture and otherwise. Uniformity of Weights and Measures. — On March 8th the Council entertained an application from Professor Leoni Levi, of the international Decimal Association, for co- operation in obtaining a parliamentary inquiry into the best remedy for existing anomalies and disadvantages in our prac- tice of weighing and measuring ; and on April 5th the Council unanimously agreed to a petition praying for such select com- mittee of inquiry. Ou May 3rd the Council appointed a deputation to attend a conference on the subject, at the Society of Arts on May Glh. On May 31st the Chairman (Colonel Toraline, M.P.), Mr. C. T. Head, Mr. Albert Pell, M.P., Mr. R. Jasper More, Mr. R. Varden, and the secretary (Mr. John Mgernon Clarke), was appointed by the Council to act as members of a joint committee of the Central Council and the International Decimal Association, the latter being Earl Eortescue, W. J. B. Smith, M.P., Mr. James Yates, F.R.S., Mr. T. L. D'Eyucourt, Dr. Voeleker, and professor Leoni Levi. This Committee drew up a report necessitating certain adapta- tions of our weights to the metric standards, recommending that grain should be sold by "quintal" of 100 kilograms (or about 2201b.), and that the kilogram, with its divided mul- tiples and divisions, should be established as the sole standard unit of weight. Copies of this report have been transmitted to the Chambers of Agriculture, the Chambers of Commerce, Farmers' Clubs, and Municipal Councils ; and ou Oct. 4th the Council referred to the report to the provincial Chambers, rciiuesting them to consider and resolve upon it prior to the Council meeting of February, 1871. Discouragement of the Appli<;ation of Capital to Agriculture. — On April 5lh the Council unanimously re- solved that the application of capital to agriculture is dis- couraged by (1) tiic undue amount of local taxation upon capital invested in land and its improvement ; (2j uncertainty of tenure and the absence of compensation for unexhausted improvements ; (3) unnecessary restrictions upon courses of cropping; (4) the over-preservation of ground game. Gun-Tax. — On May 5th the Council unanimously agreed to a petition praying that the duty on game certificates might be retained ; and that the exemption from the gun-tax of fire- arms kept within a house might be extended to those used upon the land and premises in the occupation of the owners of such guns. Game-Law^s. — On May 31st the Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring that an excessive preservation of ground game is incompatible with good farming, but disap- proving of any legislation that would interfere with freedom of contract between owners and occupiers. The Council un- animously resolved that, in justice to ratepayers, all land should be rated at its full value, irrespective of any reservation of the rights of sporting on the part of the owner. The Council also passed a resolution to the effect that hares and rabbits ought to be excluded from the operation of tlie game- laws : but that such exclusion would render imperatively ne- cessary a chanKC in the law of trespass by giving a summary remedy without the necessity of proving pecuniary dain'ige. Cattle liiPoiiTATiON and the Home Cattle Trade. — On November 8th the Cental Council unanimously resolved that the thanks of the Council are due to the Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P., for the prompt manner iu which the powers of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act were put in force upon the outbreak of cattle-plague on the Continent ; but that the interests of both producers and consumers deemed that effective regulations for waterside slaughter should be permanently extended to all imported fat animals with guarantee for store stock. The Council also expressed tlieir hope that the Government would firmly carry out the provisions of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act with reference to the establishment of a permanent metropolitan foreign cattle market, and that when such market has been opened the present restrictions against the removal of cattle from the metropolitan area will be rescinded. Railway Carriage of Dead Meat. — On November 8th the Council, by a resolution passed unanimously, called atten- tion to the exorbitant charges of the railway companies for the conveyance of dead meat, and besought the railway companies, by a reasonable reduction of their tariff, to facilitate the supply of meat to populous districts. Insurance of Farming Stock. — On November Stli the Council unanimously resolved that the average clause, as in- sisted upon in the new regulations of the jirincipal fire in- surance companies, is inapplicable to a property so variable in amount and value as agricultural produce. The secretary was instructed to apply to the non-associated ofiices for statements of the terms upon which they effected insurances, and a com- mittee consisting of Colonel Tomline, M.P., Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., Mr. Arthur PelL M.P., ]Mr. Cornelius Wilfour, Captain Catling (of the Wisbeach Chamber), Mr. Jabez. Turner (of the Peterborough Chamber), Mr. W. 11. Morrison (of the AVest Riding of Yorkshire Chamber), Mr. W. K. Varden (of the Worcestershire Chamlier), with the Secretary of the Central Chamber, was appointed to confer with the various insurance offices as to the most equitable mode of insuring farming stock, and to report thereon to the Council. The Licence Duty upon i'armers' Horses, and the abolition of the Hawkers' Licence, also engaged the attention of the Council. Relations of the Central and Provincial Ciia^i- liERS. — On October Ith the Council took into consideration resolutions forwarded from several provincial chambers making proposal for securing more united action between the 74 THE FAEMEK'S MAGAZINE. Ceutral and proviucial bodies, and the discussion was adjourned to the December meeting. Mr. II. G. Andrews urged the importance of taking steps to nuilce the proceedings of the Chamber more generally known to the public, and suggested that, with this object in view, a condensed report of them should be prepared by the Secretary, and sent to all the Loudon newspapers, and to as many local ones as might be thought desirable. Tliis plan was adopted both by the Royal Agricultural Society and tlie Bath and West of England Society, and would involve a very small expense. He contended that the principal channel through which they must work in order to influence public opinion was the press (Hear, hear). At present many of the Loudon daily papers took not the slightest notice of their montlily meetings, whilst they reported all the meetings of Cliambers of Commerce ; and his own opinion was that Cham- bers of Agriculture occupied quite as important a position as they did. Mr. NiELD differed from Mr. Andrews to the extent of thinking that the Chamber was greatly indebted to the press, and that it would be a mistake to send to the papers stereo- typed and official communications from the Secretary (Hear, liear). Mr. C. S. IIeA-D observed that reporters were not admitted to the Council meetings of the Royal Agricultural Society, and (pointing to the number of reporters seated at the table), said that such an array was in itself a sufficient proof of the interest taken by the London press in the proceedings of the Chamber. Mr. YouNGJi.v:;^ : If the agricultural press were not m harmony with the Chamber the reason was easily explained ; and he believed that so long as the Chamber maintained a paid organ they might expect to encounter opposition from a certain class of agricultural journals (Hear, hear). The Council next proceeded to select the subjects for con- sideration and discussion at the meeting in February. Mr. Smyth suggested that the malt-tax was a question which the Council might with propriety denl with once more, if only to keep the Chancellor of tlie Exchequer in mind of the admission he bad made as to its injustice (Hear, hear). Tlie President thought that discussion on the tax had long been exhausted, and that "action" was what they wanted now (cheers). The sphere for that vvrs the House of Com- mons, where the county members were as much their delegates constitutionally as the members of the Council were in the Central Chamber of Agriculture (cheers). A Member remarked that the matter must not be left en- tirely to county members, who would not be strong enough to deal with it unless they were backed up and urged forward by the constituencies (Hear, hear). Ultimately the subjects chosen for February were, " The Steps to be taken with regard to the Repeal of the Malt-tax," " Weights and Measures," and " Highways and Occupation Roads." Mr. C. S. Re.vu, M.P., said that, as one of tlie original members who had taken a prominent part in the formation of the Chamber, he had placed on the business paper a notice that he would call attention to its constitution. This he had done, not with the idea that any great changes or reforms were necessary, but for the purpose of eliciting from the various district Ch.ambers what were their wishes on the subject (Hear, hear). Although a great number of those Chambers }iad expressed themselves favourable to some alterations, liowever, they were not at present agreed as to what the amendments should be ; but one thing he gathered was that they imagined the Central Chamber possessed too much ])ower. Now, according to the rules, the Central Chamber elected from anwngst its own members 2i members of Council, together with a President and Vice-President, in all 26 ; and the district ciuxmbers had the power of electing, and he be- lieved did elect not less than 111 members of Council, the whole of whom came to the Central Chamber, took part in its deliberations, and had a right to vote exactly in the same way as the other members of the Council. Consequently, the dis- trict chambers enjoyed a preponderance of four to one ; and at the meetings of the Council he had always seen twice as many members from district chambers as there were of the central body. [Mr. Nield: "Three to one."] No doubt. Two to one was certainly under the mark (Hear, hear). Now, what the Chamber chiefly wanted to enable it to carry ou its operations was the " sinews of war" ; and in order to jirocurc them the members of the district chambers must have some privileges conceded to thein. Uut what inducement was tliere for any man to become a member of the Central Chamber, ex- cept the privilege of coming there once a year and electing the members of council at the annual meeting ? That was all the privilege the subscription member enjoyed ; yet that was a privilege which it was desired in some quarters to curtail. Let it be remembered that the business committee was elected by the general Council as a whole, and not by the 2i members of the Central Chamber Council. Last year they elected these 2i members of Council as the luisiness committee, with power to add to their number, and that committee subsequently gave a general invitation to all members who were deputed by the district chambers to come and assist them at their deliberations in framing the resolutions to be submitted at the general council meeting on the following day. What had happened ? If any gentleman would go and spend two or three hours night after night in preparing these resolutions, he would see tliat the Central Chamber, so far from having too much had too little power ; and that, by reason of there being so many members present talking, the committee had the greatest possible difficulty in settling what the resolutions should be. The fact was that if, instead of having twenty or thirty men on the committee, they had but three or five, the work would be done much more expeditiously, and he believed more satisfactorily. So far from desiring, then, to increase the number of the business committee he, for this reason, would prefer seeing it reduced within something like a reasonable limit (Hear, hear). Again, it should be observed, that the gentlemen from the country had the appointment of the busi- ness committee already in their hands. As an old and ex- perienced member of the Council, then, he would suggest what he considered would be the proper course. If they thought the Central Chamber had too much power, let them cut down the number of the committee from 2± to 12. He for one would be but too glad to find that it met their approbation. In the next place, he would recommend that the travelling ex- penses of the members of Council should not be paid by the Central Chamber — and it would be well, also, if the propor- tion of delegates to be sent by the district chambers were better regulated. First, they must contribute a certain amount of subscriptions ; but care should be taken that the small rich chambers did not acquire a disproportionate number of votes in the Council by that means (Hear, hear). He would, there- fore, suggest that the number of representatives sent by each chamber should be regulated by the number of members of which it was constituted, as well as the subscriptions' they sent. It had been suggested that the president of the Chamber should be elected, not by the members of the Central Chamber, but by the general council. Ou that head if the general council would be good enough to undertake the appoiutment of tiie chairman he was sure the ordinary council would feel extremely indebted to them. At the present moment the Chamber was without a vice-president ; and though the Council had requested several gentleman to honour them by taking the oflice, they had had the greatest dilliculty in finding one who was willing to do so. He only expressed the opinion of the Central Chaniber council when he said that they would be but too happy to delegate that duty to the general meeting. One suggestion emanating from some of the provincial chambers was that their president for the year should e.t- officio be a member of the Central Council. Rut that was the case now. They could elect a chairman for the whole year, or for every meeting, and send him as their representative, to act and vote on tlie business committee, and at tlie Council meetings. Rut was it a right thing that the Central Chamber should dictate to those district Chambers what they were to do ? Let every Chamber do that which was right in its own eyes, and that difficulty was at once got rid of (Hear, hear). He moved: "That although it may appear expedient that some modification may be made in the laws and constitution of the Central Chamber, it is very undesirable to make any alteration until the whole subject has been carefully considered by a duly qualified com- mittee, and this council, whilst strongly deprecating any hasty decision on such a ^vital question as the constitution of the Chamber, is of opinion that it could be wisely dealt with by referring it to a committee of ten members, including five THE FARMEH'S MAGAZINE. 7S representatives of the Cliambers wlio have expressed opinious fuvoiinible to a cliauge in the Central Chamber." Having' appointed such a committee he would then give tliem an in- struction to the effect that the five members representing tlie Cliambers which had expressed opinions favourable to a change should first of all meet and agree among themselves as to what changes they required (Hear, hear, and a laugh). They should then meet tlie otlier five members appointed by the Central Chamber ; and he felt quite sure that if these gentlemen, before pronouncing a judgment upon the rules, would only read thera, there would not be such a great diversity of opinion as now existed respecting them. More- over, although the discussions upon this subject might have produced a little unpleasantness, if they met in a friendly spirit with a determination to do that which was best for the cause of agriculture, the Chamber would be more truly united than ever, and for that reason a greater power in the land (cheers) . Mr. MuNTZ seconded the resolnliou, and observed that it was not tlie ease, as Mr. Head appeared to think, that the district chambers considered they had not sullicicnt power in the Central Chamber. There was quite as much desire on the part of the provincial chambers to secure unity of action, and impart increased strength to the whole body, as there was to make a change in the laws and constitution of the Chamber itself. It should be remembered, too, that the consitution of the Chamber was formed in the infancy of the institution ; and that as the action of the Chamber was extended, some alteration must necessarily be required. Mr. Umbers, who supported the motion, dwelt upon the necessity of united action on the part of the agricultural chambers. What they wanted was to rally round then those who would be willing to supply the " sinews of war." He was often asked what the Chamber was doing and what it had done, and he wished that he had it in his power to give a satisfactory reply. He had always been one of the staunchest supporters of the Chamber ; but what he wished was that men should of their own voluntary free-will come and throw their influence into the Chamber, instead of the Chamber going with entreaties to them for their help (Hear, hear). Mr. AViLD, in assenting to the motion, observed that in its origin the Chamber bore the character of a " club," composed of men who came there to enjoy themselves. Now, however, a number of provincial chambers were engrafted upon it, and the rules for its government should be adapted to the altered circumstances of the lime. Mr. Beach, M.P., expressed his cordial concurrence in Mr. Read's motion. Mr. Pell, M.P., as one wlio had taken- an active part in the formation of the Chamber and the preparation of its rules, threw out the caution that, before proceeding to revise the rules, if a committee were appointed for that purpose, it would be necessary that tliey should have at their elbow some legal gentleman to take care that the amendmeuts made were logical and in accordance with the principles and rules VThich governed other public bodies (Hear, hear). When the rules were drawn up he had the advantage of receiving the assist- ance of a leading barrister, and lie believed they were so con- structed as to hold water irom one end to the other so far as the conduct of the business of the Chamber was concerned (Hear, hear). He was ready to admit, however, that they might be susceptible of modification or improvement in some respects — such as representation in the Central Chamber, the appointment of the chairman, and some other matters of detail. With reference to the remark of Mr. Wild, he begged to state that the 3rd rule clearly and explicitly anticipated the accession of local chambers, with the view of making up that great body which was called the Central Chamber of Agriculture. Mr. Little, of the Cambridgeshire Chamber, wished it to be understood that, in urging a change in the constitution, that body was not actuated by any hostile feeling to the Central Chamber. Mr. Read, in fact, had in his speech, con- ceded most of what they asked for, the most important of these concessions being that the representation of the local Chamber should be proportioned to the number of their mem- bers and the amount of their subscriptions, and that a new arrangement should be made for the appointment of the presi- dent. As to the business committee, they might or might not be too numerous, and it was true that they had power to add to their number ; but it made all the difference whether a man went into the room with that committee on mere sufferance or appeared on the list as an elected member of the committee (Hear, hear). He felt, therefore, that his Chamber was not wrong in urging that the business committee should be com- posed of an equal number of the Central Chamber and of the deputed members of Councils (Hear, hear). Mr. Brajiley, speaking on behalf of tiie Lincolnshire Chauiber, thought that if the twenty-six elected members of Council could be reduced to twelve, exclusive of the president and vice-president, the effect would be to add much to the business capacity of the Chamber. The discussion was continued by Mr. Hicks, Mr. Bowen Jones, Captain Best, Mr. Duckham, Mr. Nield, Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Turner. Sir G. Jeukiuson suggested, with the view of avoiding a " hitch," seeing that five members of tlie pro- posed committee were likely to go into it predetermined to effect certain alterations, that the whole number should con- sist of eleven, instead of ten. They would otherwise be likely to come to a dead-lock (Hear, hear). The resolution as originally proposed by Mr. Read was, however, put and carried unanimously ; and it was also agreed that the following gentlemen be appointed the committee to inquire into and consider the constitution and laws of the Central Chamber, and to report to a meeting of the Council specially convened for that purpose : Mr. G. E. Muntz (War- wickshire), Mr. Smith (Essex), Mr. Bowen Jones (Slirop- sliire), Mr. Little (Cambridgeshire), and Mr. Bramley (Lin- colnshire), as representing the five " reforming" chambers ; aud Sir Massey Lopes, M.P., Mr. Pell, M.P., Mr. D. Long, Mr. T. Duckham, and Mr. Read, M.P., the " constitutional party." This matter disposed of, the annual meeting of the subscrip- tion members followed, when the report of the Council given above was formally received and adopted. On the motion of Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., seconded by Capt. Craigie, Mr. Heneage, chairman of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Agriculture, and formerly member for Lincoln, was elected Vice-chairman of the Central Chamber for the ensuing year by an unanimous vote. Tlie next business was the election of eight members of Council in the place of the like number who retire from office by rotation. On the motion of Mr. Whitaker, seconded by Mr. Wild, five of the eight retiring members were re-elected, namely, Mr. Thomas Willson, of Knaptoft Hall, Rugby, Leicestershire ; Mr. H. Genge Andrews, of Riugton, Sherborne, Dorset ; Mr. Thomas Horlcy, jun.. The Fosse, Leamington, Warwickshire ; Colonel Toinline, M.P., Riby Grove, Great Grimsby, Lincoln- shire ; and Mr. James Webb, of Spring Hill, Pladbury, Pershore, Worcestershire. The three other vacancies created by the retirement of Mr. W. Biddell, of Lavenham Hall, Sudbury, Suffolk, Mr. Jas. Howard, M.P., of Bedford, aud the Earl of Lichfield, of Shugborough, Staffordshire (against whose names the attendances were marked Ni/), were supplied by the election of Mr. Tlios. Arkell, of Wiltshire, Mr. C. M. Caldecott, of Warwickshire, and Mr. Hodsoll, of Kent. Mr. D. Lo^'G, in consequence of the appointment of the Committee on the constitution of the Chamber, withdrew the motion of which he had given notice, to the efl'ect " That a subscription of £30 shall constitute any person a perpetual honorary member of the Central Council, entitled to speak and to vote at all its meetings, but no travelling expenses of snch perpetual honorary member to be allowed," as this subject wiU, infer alia, be referred to the consideration of the com- mittee. Mr. R. Jasper BIore proposed — and Capt. Craigie se- conded, " That the March meeting of the Council shall extend over more than one day." The mover urged as reasons for the proposal the example of the Chambers of Commerce, which always held their sittings for some days at the commencement of the Session of Parhament, and the opportunity it would give the Chamber of communicating \^^th Members at the House of Commons." Mr. Nield objected to binding the Council irrevocably to extend the March meeting, and moved, as an amendment, the insertion of Ihe words " may if necessary," thus vesting them with a discretionary power in the matter. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Caldecott, and T6 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. l):"ing accepted by Mr. More and Cipt. Craigie, the original motion, so ((ualificJ.uas adopted. JLr. T. Wii.LsoN withdrew liis notice of motion, " Tiiat the Business Committee comprise one member from each provin- cial clianibcr, in addition to tiie twenty-six elected members of C'onncil of the Central Chamber," this too being consi- dered a subject that properly came within the inquiries of the ncwly-appointcd Committee. A notice of motion by jMr. D. Long, relative to the attendance and voting power of subscrip- tion members, was not pressed for the like reason. Colonel TojiLixE, in taking Jiis final leave of the Cham- ber at the close of his presidential year, thanked the gentle- men of whom it consisted for the uniform support he had re- ceived at their liands in the perfor. nance of his duties. Our organization, he proceeded to say, is good, but the " power" is not here. The organization of the chambers of commerce, too, is excellent, and has been long established ; but power is not there cither. Their power is in the 15oard of Trade, in the Cabinet which inelnde the Board of Trade, and in liic majority of the House of Commons, where I hope tlic county members, who do not form a board of trade, will prove them- selves vigilant and effective in the endeavour to promote our objects (loud cheers). A vote of thanks to Col. Tomlinc for his .services, proposed and .seconded by Jlr. T. Willson and Mr. D. Long, was tlicu put and carried by acclamation. THE CENTRAL AND THE LOCAL CHAMBERS OP AGRICULTURE. At tlie dinner of the East Suffolk Chamber of Agriculture, at Ipswich, Lord Hexjniker, the chairman, said he had heard many members of this Chamber say they did not get much good out of the Central Chamber, and that this Chamber should not subscribe to it. They desired to have a central authority, which would at a moment's notice j)ut on any pressure necessary, and would have the co-operation of every Chamber in the country. It was all very well to say that there were other interests stronger than the agricultural interest, but they had a very powerful engine if they worked it properly. The agricultural interest might not be so strong as others, but it was quite strong enough to be heard and re- spected if it spoke out boldly, lie should like to hear Col. Tomline's opinion, lie having greater knowledge of the working of the Central Chamber, as to whether some cliange might not be adopted so that it might work more advantageously. Mr. W. Kersey said he had been a tolerably regular attendant at the Central Chamber, and the thing that astonished him more than anything else was the number of amendments tliat had been made upon amendments, the greater part of the time being occupied in disposing of them, and he was glad it was proposed to reduce the committee of 2i to 12, as he believed one of the results would be that the business would be better prepared for the Council and so many amendments would not be proposed. vVt the Game-Law dis- cission the amendments were so numerous that Col. Tomline, the president, was obliged to propose a battue amongst them. At tl\e last meeting of the Central Chamber the absurdity of sending petitions to Parliament was s^poken of. If there was one thing more absurd than another it was a petition. The only use that he had been able to find petitions were put to was to be kicked about by the patent leather boots of some of the young exquisites of the House. Mr. 11. BiDDEiL said at the Central Chamber Mr. C. S. Head said he had heard it said that the Central Chamber had tDo much power. IMr. Bead laboured under a misapprehension. The Central Cliamber had not more i^Ower tiiau it should have, but many thought whatever ''ued from it issued from the Chamber as a body ""n itself. Ue took it that was not the object with which the Chamber had been instituted. It was meant to be the executive that should carry out the opinions of the numerous Chambers scattered all over tiie kingdom. In consequence of the distance of the Chambers in the north-west and extreme south from London tlic representatives of those counties lying near the metropolis practically formed the Central Chamber, and he suggested that every subject brought before tiie Central Chamber connected witii Barliamentary action should first be submitted to all Local Chambers, wiio should forward the re- solutions they arrived at to the Central Chamber, .-nd at the discussion there, whether their representatives were present or not, their resolutions should be counted in calculating the votes upon the resolution submitted to the Central Cliamber. At present, when anything coming from the Central Chamber was submitted to J'arliamciit, it was easy for their opjioncnis to say it was merely the resolution of a certain body, some of whom were elected representatives, but the others were mem- bers by virtue of liaving paid a subscription and having been elected by their fellow-subscribers. What was wanted was a body that would .'peak with power and aulhorily for the agri- cultural interest. The IIousc of Commons would pay more attention to the resolutions of the Central Chambtr if they were assured that they were the embodiment of resolutions passed by Chambers all over the kingdom. Mr. I'\ S. CoiiRAXCE, M.P., said with regard to Chambers of Agriculture and their composition, he quite agreed with Col. Tomline that they had been struggling onwards. Up- wards, and forwards to attain a more recognised position, and he warned them not to be impatient witli them. If these Chambers seemed not wholly to meet the requirements do not let them say " Break them up" and do not let them put them on another footing, which might turn out less suitable. The Central Chamber had done its work in that before a member dare take up a matter of great public interest affecting the agricultural portion of his constituents he was obliged to first consult the wishes of the Central and other Chambers. He did not care how imperfect the machinery might bo by which this most important result was attained when once it was effected. The Central Chamber could not possibly accurately represent the feelings of all the local Chambers, but to a great extent it did, and, therefore, to a great extent it was successful. The suggestions which had been thrown out with reference to the Central Chamber seemed to him chimerical. Supposing Mr. C. S. Bead, Mr. A. Pell, and others vilio had given much time and attention to it were removed, and there were a representa- tion by delegates, the result would be that each would go deeply impressed with the importance of his own Chamber and of liimself; and these men not knowing each other and the worth of each as a public man, would be ^scarcely able to co-operate and carry on the business in a business- like manner. The talk would be interminable and the business absolutely nothing. When, however, they had been guiilcd by such men as Mr. Bead questions had been very effectually dealt with. Of course the whole thing was a bold experiment, and no one had wished or worked more for success than he. Mr. Corrance then referred to the circum- stances which led him temporarily to quit the East Suffolk Cham- ber. At the last annual meeting it was agreed to discuss the Game-laws. To that proposition he gave his most unqualified approbation. He felt convinced that confined to the Chamber and confined to men he knew to be competent to handle it, they might handle even such a nettle as this with comparative safety. Work in the House of Commons prevented his at- tending the other meetings, and when he came down to his great surprise he found that not only had the meeting at which the discussion was to take place been advertised, but it was converted into a public meeting. Col. Tomline said, with reference to the remarks that had been made about the Central Chamber, he would tell them frankly what he had always thought. He thought it would be a short-lived institution, because he had always felt that the true Central Chamber of Agriculture was the House of Com- mons, and that their true representatives there were the county members, and for this reason — the power was there. He was glad to see imjiatience shown by some delegate's that the Cen- tral Chamber iiad done little or nothing. It showed they wished for results, and to have results they must look whero the power was. The Central Chamber had practically no powtr. It was in the local Chambers, where he lio|)ed it would always remain, and in the House of Commons. It was THE FARiMElfS MACIAZl.NE. 77 in tlio loc.il ClirtiuljL'rs auJ from their rrpreseutiitivcs in tlie House of ('(iiiimons tliat pr:ictic;il results would Ije olitaiurd. Tlie Ceutral Cliiimber liad done nothiuy;, but, on tlic contrary, had g'ot ;ui additional rate lor education; but that was uot the fault of the Chamber ; he would not say whose fault it was — he personally voted against the additional rate — but no one had a right to blame the Central Chamber, which had no power to exempt the class which they represented and wished to befriend from the imposition of another rate. They had done good in one respect, in having organized throughout England centres of thought and energy and, as he believed, of aclion, which would attain the result tiie Central Ciuimber Lad been unable to attain. There were 01 Chamhers through- out England, and surely one small room in Salisbury-square was uot so fit a place for those Chambers to exert their ener- gies as was the House of Commons, where they would act by their representatives. He had felt some time that the Central Chamber was, after all, a sort of coTivocation with the seni- hlance of power without its reality. The Central Chamber had done one good tiling ; they had endeavoured to bring facts and details before the public instead of mere generalities. Mr. T. Hawkixs said, as to the game question, he would uot deprive, the landlord of the pleasure of shooting, and he never heard of a farmer who would ; but when he saw hun- dreds and thousands of farmers ruined by over-preservation of game, he could not help tiiiuking it was wrong. He spoke firmly, because lie knew no firmer in the county had suffered more than he. In 1S2S he began farming, and took an occu- pation in a bad state, expended a great deal of money in im- provements, his landlord backing him up. He was bound by a game clause, and his landlord, having suffered losses in the railway mania, was ohliged to let the right of shooting, and the consequence was that in sixteen years he (Mr. Hawkins) lost £3,500 by over-preservation of game. That was a cruel thing. Mr. Corrance, in the letters he wrote to the Marie Lane Express and the Suffolk Chronicle, talked about the farmers who attended the meeting at which the game laws were discussed, and said they were tainted with Jacobinism, that if they could not get what they wanti-d out of the laud- lords, they would claim their occupations as their own pro- perty ; and those statements were unjust. He did not think Lord Henniker would give the Chamber of Agriculture such a stab as did Mr. Corrance in those letters, one in the Murk Lane Express and two in the Siiffollc Clironielc, upon the mo- tives of those who attended the meeting. Mr. Corrance : I must ask the lion, member if he read the letters P Mr. Hawkins : Yes. Mr. Corrance : Because what he says is absolutely con- trary to their sense. I must ask all the members to read them. Mr. Hawkins said there was the most arrogant assumption in those letters. It was a regular Brutus-like stab to the Society. THE INSURANCE OF FARM STOCK. On Thursday, Dec. 8, on the invitation of a committee ap- pointed by the Central Cliamher of Agriculture, representa- tives of the Norwich Union, Sun, Phoenix, Royal Farmers', and Royal Exchange Insurance Companies attended a meet- ing held at the Siilisbury Hotel. Mr. Charles Read, M.P., who occupied the chair, opened the conference by admitting that the Companies had for some time been losing by their fanning stock insurances, and that, therefore, they were fully justified iu altering their regulations ; but whether those determined upon by the Insurance Companies were such as could with justice be enforced in every ease was questionable ; and that, therefore, the conference had been desired. The Chairman then proceeded to remark on the difference between the value of the produce of a farm immediately after harvest and at subsequent periods ; on the inconvenience of having to take out new policies every year ; and on fluctuations in value, and inquired whether the value for the purpose of insurance should not be taken ou the average between the highest and lowest ainouuts of the year or on an average of several years. It was answered that practically it would be of no consequence whether the insurance was based on the highest or ou an average value of the year ; because, if on the average value the rate must necessarily be increased to create a suflicieut amount to meet the losses and ex- penses; that farmers were quite as well qualified as mer- chants to state the value of their propriety ; that farmers had seldom occasion to arrange their insurances more than once- a-year, while merchants iiad to watch the arrival of every ship in which they are interested, aud to vary their insurances from day to day to keep themselves protected; that farmers had hitherto been, and are now, much more favourably treated tlian merchants, because they are only asked to pay on three- fourths of the highest value ; while merchants, to be similarly protected, must pay on the whole value. As to taking an average on the produce of several years, it was answered that there was no possibility of satisfactorily ascertaining it, nor of obliging the owner to continue to insure with the same office for more than the current year. It was asked whether, to avoid the necessity of full valua- tion in cases of loss, it would not be sutlicient that the owner, when proposing his insurance, should give particulars of his land, and declare that the sum on which he proposed to pay premium was equal to the required proportion. To this it was replied that experience had shown that such declarations were frequently untrue ; in proof of which a proposal of a Norfolk farmer was alluded to, when, ou a valuation to test the accuracy of his declaration, his property was found to be worth more than £8,000, while he had represented it as not worth more than £3,000, and proposed to pay ou only £-2,000. It was also stated that notwithstanding such declarations proposals had continually been declined, because the managers of the offices believed the answers could not be true in relation to the land cultivated. The representative of the Norwich Union Office took the op- portunity of alluding to a paragraph which had appeared iu the newspapers, and had stated that they had informed their agents that iu the event of loss they were not to insist on a detailed valuation without special instructions. He said that, in tbe first place, the agents had nothing to do with the valua- tion of losses, and that all tlie office circular had said as to the valuers was that they need not require full particulars when they had good reason to believe tlie amount ou which pre- miums had been paid was iu accordance with the olfice regu- lations. A supposititious case was put, viz., that of wheat being at 4'Os. per quarter when the insurance was eft'ected and its rising to 80s., which was answered by saying that if the owner was so fortunate as to have the value of his property doubled, he could not re:isonably expect to receive the higher price with- out first compensating tlie insurers for the increased liability. Allusion was made to the same rate and conditions heing ap- plied to scattered property as to that so placed that one fire could destroy the whole. It was replied that the same rate was not charged iu every place, that in the fen districts it had often been charged ten shillings and sixpence instead of five shillings per cent., aud even at the higher rate many ofiicea would not insure it. Also that in fact those owning scattered risks did pay less, because those whose property was so placed as to ije liable to be destroyed by one fire would for their own protection pay on the full instead of on three-fourths of the value ; and that scattered ricks were very much more exposed to tramps and other mischievous persons than the property at the homestead, which was generalUy too well watched for them. In the course of the conference the subject of the ability of the managers of the office to form correct opinions on farming matters was spoken of, on which one of them said he must admit that he knew as little about farming as he did of the many other things which had to be rated, but he added, when particular subjects of hazard had to be considered, those who were thought best qualified to give information were applied to; and in the case of the new furmiug stock regulatious. 78 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. he stated that, contrary to all precedent, a gentleman had been introduced at the meeting of managers, as a leading landed proprietor, and a good practical farmer,^ who had addressed the meeting and had urged tlie adoption ol' the regulations ultimately agreed to. Another of the managers, ill allusion to complaints about the conditions of average, told tliB committee that they had always been applied to scattered risks other than terming stock ; and in all Europe, except this country, to every single building, or property tlierein, and that therefore if the owner did not insure for the full value he must bear part of the loss. The alterations lately asseuted to in relation to root crops, insurance of single stacks, and stock placed in specified buildings, were mentioned, as was the sub- ject of insuring machinery worked by steam, and hops. After some explanations to remove doubts as to what the oflice regu- lations really intended, the Chairman took leave of the repre- sentatives of the offices, saying he supposed the committee must report that the managers woidd not alter the terms, for which he was requested to substitute could not. THE INSURANCE OF FARM STOCK. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS. Sir, — The commnnicatiou which appears in Monday's Marie Lmie Express, on "The Insurance of Farm Stock," contained one or two inaccuracies, which I feel called upon to correct. In the first place it was I, and not Mr. Clias. Reed (the member for Hackney), who was chairman of the Committee of the Central Chamber of Agriculture. I did not propose that the average between the highest and lowest amounts of the year " should be taken as the basis on which to insure the three-fourths of the value." We admitted that it was fair that the amount of three-fourths of the value of the agricultural produce should be taken directly after harvest ; Avhat we asked was that average crops and average prices miglit be taken as a basis, in- stead of having to make fresh valuations and estimates at least every year. As to what was the average price, the tithe averages which have stood the tests of over thirty years would be the best standard, and if the wheat crop ranged from 3 qrs. to 5, it would be safe to calculate an average crop to be 4 qrs. The Committee considered that if each farmer stated the number of acres of arable and pasture land, his course of cropping, and the amount of his gross assessment to the poor rate, any oflice could with very little trouble judge if the sum proposed to be insured Avas sufficient. The " supposititious case" was put to show that if a farmer effected an insurance at Michaelmas when wheat was low, and markets should rise, to make himself safe he would have to increase his insurance with every 'advance in the price of wheat ; whereas if Ts. per bushel were taken as the standard price he would be paid 5s. or 10s. per bushel according to the market value at the time of a fire. It is idle to compare farming insurances with a merchant's risk. Agriculture runs pretty much in one constant groove from which averages could be fairly and accurately taken without much trouble. A merchant's transactions are so rincertain in time and amount that short policies with proportionately higher premiums may suit his purpose best. The only point the offices conceded was a promise to consider whether they would not grant policies for less than 12 months in the case of hops. Your reporter evi- dently did not attend the meeting of the Committee with the non-associated I'irc Offices, so 1 will add that although one and all expected that three-fonrths of the value of the agricultural produce would be insured, they did not insist on the average clause, and were willing to take average crops and average prices as the basis of such value. ShoiUdtbe Committee, in compliance with the courteous request of the representatives of the Tariff Offices, report that the associated gentlemen could not alter their terms, it may be my painful duty to explain that they could not, simply because they ivoidd not. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Clare Sewell Eead. Homngharii, Bee. \^th. [We have referred this letter to the gentleman who favoured us with an account of the proceedings. He says : " Wi'iting from memory only, I may have attri- buted to the chairman that which was suggested by some other person. As he now says the Committee ' admitted that it was fair that the amount of three-fourths of the value of the agricultural produce should be taken directly after harvest,' it appears to me that the only material question remaining is, whether, when a loss occurs, the valuation should be made on the worth of the property at that time, as is the case with respect to all other pro- perty, or on some other basis." Of course the Mr. Charles for Mr. Clare Read, not Reed, was a printer's error.] THE NORFOLK CHAMBER OF AGRI- CULTURE. At the annual meeting of this Cliamber held at Norwich, Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., in the chair— The Secretary read the report of the Council. During the past year the Norfolk Chamber had discussed the following subjects ; The Best Mode of Providing for the Future Main- tenance of Turnpike-roads and Highways, The Present Mode of Collecting Agricultural Statistics, The Best Mode of Providing for the Extension and Maintenance ol the Edu- cation of the Industrial Classes, The Malt-tax, Tlie Tax on Farm-horses, Local Taxation, The Tax on Guns, The Game-laws and Previous Legislation thereon, and The New Regulations made by Fire Insurance Offices for the In- surance of Farm Stock. The Council reported that a pecu- niary loss had resulted to the (Chamber through the failure of the late treasurer, Sir R. J. H. Harvey, who had at tlie time of his death £108 of the moneys of the Chamber in his hands. The Chamber, however, possessed a sum of £250 in Consols. The report and accounts were adopted. The Chairman reported the result of a conference held be- tween a committee representing the Associated Chambers of Agriculture and representatives of the chief fire-insurance offices. Tlie result of the meeting had, he said, been substan- tially made known through the Mark Lane Krpress. The Committee wished to put the case as fairly as they could to tlie offices, and tliey stated that tliree-fourths of the agricultu- ral produce on a farm onglit to be ensured, but they wished that average prices and average crops should be taken as the basis so that there should be no necessity for a fresh valuation every year. To this the associated offices replied, that they could not by any possibility consent. The Chambers of Agri- culture also desired that there should be no question as to amount when a fire took place, but that a full investigation should be made at tlie time an insurance was effected. An- other point put before tlie fire-insurance offices was, that there should be difleren': rates for different risks, and that it was not fair that Norfolk farmers, who stacked their corn in their fields should be charged at the same rates as some Lin- cohishire fanner who stacked his corn all in the homestead. The Committee were, however, t"ld by the lire-insurance offices, that the same rates would apply to all. Capt. Bl&KOLD, on llie part of tlie Norwich Union Office, said there was a distinction made by tliat oflice in eases where stacks were set all together, and where they were put in dif- ferent fields. The Chairman said two or tliree fire insurance offices, which were not combined tariff offices, would not insist upon th.e average clause. The Chairman stated tliatthe Chamber would have a claim against the private estate of the late Sir R. Harvey for the £100 in his hands at the time of hia death, but it would hsve THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. BO claim agaiust the partuersliip estats of the Norwich Ciowu Bank. It was impossible to state what the dividend on Sir R. Harvey's estate would be. The Chairman was elected President of the Chamber for the ensuing year. Delegates to the Central Chamber for 1871 were appointed as follows: Tlie Hon. J. Walpole, M.P., North Norfolk ; Mr. C. S. Head, M.P., South Norfolk ; Mr. T. Brown, West Norfolk. Ou the motiou of Mr. H. S. GraJiMEB, a memorial was adopted to the Norfolk Quarter-sessions, soliciting a readjust- ment of the present mode of assessment, and suggesting that tlie Government ought to contribute more largely to the rates levied under the autliority of the Quarter-sessions. After some conversation in reference to a proposal about to bo submitted to the Norfolk Quarter-sessions for a grant of £105 to Lleut.-Col. Black, Chief Constable of Norfolk, for Iiis services in carrying out the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, the Chamber adjourned. THE MOVEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE FRENCH FARMERS. " The Agricultural Union of Rhenish Prussia is asso- I ciated with us as honorary, the Eoyal Agricultural Society of England has admitted many of our members, and the Minister of Agriculture of Austria has become our colleague. I should never finish my address if T were to enumerate all the legions, home and foreign, who, while preserving their own banners, yet enter upon and unite with us in this peaceful crusade." It was thus that M. Drouyn de Lhuys spoke hopefully and cheerfully in only the Spring of last year iu his office as President of the new Society of Agriculturists of France. And there was every reason to warrant the tone here adopted. A series of very successful provincial congresses had been inaugurated ; while at the great meetiug at Nancy " the proximity of Germany inspired the thought of inviting the agricultural associations across the Rhine to take part ; as the appeal was responded to by the presence of intelli- gent farmers from Prussia, Austria, Bavaria, Wurtcmburg, Baden, and Saxony." Immediately following upon this the report to a general meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England referred to an invitation from the Council of the Societe des Agricultcurs de France, to take part in an international agricultural congress, to be held iu Paris, iu 1S71. In our paper, again, of last week, a correspondence was published, wherein M. Drouyn de Lhuys occupies a prominent position, still, by his signa- ture, as President of the Society of Agriculturists of Prance. The President, alas ! of a Society, which at this moment has little more standing than an empty uame ; for that peaceful crusade of which its General spoke so encouragingly but a few months since has given way iu the face of a more terrible campaign. The Prussian farmers no longer cross the frontier to discuss with their neighbours the cultivation of beet-root or the uses of salt. Those pleasant congresses are already forgotten in the stirring history of half-a-year's war, and the French farmer and the patient cottier see the art which they were cherishing so fondly thrust rudely aside, abandoned and despised. And once more do Drouyn de Lhuys aud the agricul- turists of France turn towards England — not to invite her to join with them iu tlie bloody crusade in which they are now engaged, not to suggest any friendly encounter in the ■way of breeding stock or employing machinery, no longer as rivals hut the rather as suppliants. " The scourge which desolates our fields not only exhausts our actual re- sources, but also threatens to destroy the means of future produce." And upon this hint the English farmer has acted, or, the more to his honour, has anticipated the ap ■ peal. The movement to which we referred last week for supplying the small occupiers iu France with seed really originated here, for as M. Drouyn de Lhuys writes it, " Mr. James Howard conceived the generous idea of aiding the French cultivators who are the victims of the war." And on Monday we saw this idea promptly acted on ; if anything, indeed, perhaps somewhat too promptly. The meeting was called so closely on tlie heel of tbe Smithfield Show week that it wa? not reasonable to expect to see many agriculturists again in town. Moreover, the notice was oi^ the shortest, many only re- ceiving a summons ou one day inviting their attendance on the next, while there was of course no opportunity of making any more general announcement through the agricultural journals. We are not, however, inclined to attach any great weight or significance to the com- parative scantiness of the company assembled in the long room at the Salisbury. There was amply suillcieut demonstration to show that, iu common parlance, the thing would take. In fact, looking either to those who had the conduct of the proceedings or to those who spoke to the resolutions, there was strong evidence as to how thoroughly the several connectiug links of English agriculture were represented. We quite concur with the remark of the chairman. Lord Vernon, as to the bad policy of attempting to identify the move- ment with any particular public body, nevertheless it was easy enough to check olf all the leading agricultural institutions, while other great influences like the imple- ment makers, the seed merchants, and the corn dealers, it was also evident would be brought into service. Of the farmers themselves we have no fear whatever. If the machinery employed be effective without being troublesome, there is little doubt hut that almost any amount of seed aoru in reason may be obtained. Of course it will be necessary for every man who holds anything like a position as a public man in agriculture to bestir himself over this business. The resolutions of the meeting ask as much, and the credit of the country re- quires as much. But we had almost said that any such movement amongst farmers should be limited to sub- scriptions "iu kind." Indeed, after the two or three bad years so lately experienced, it would be unfair to ask for more. Men like Mr. Robert Leeds at the meeting may find it a saving of time to write down their names for five guineas there and then, hut there are others in a smaller way who would readily find a few bushels of corn though they could not so easily spare the money. An agricultural contemporary has discovered this very re- cently, the attempt to put about the usual subscription list having resulted in a most unmistakeahle failure, although, as we must repeat, we are very sanguine as to any application for corn being cheerfully responded to. Manifestly " the means" for collectiou and distribution must be looked for elsewhere — amongst, as we may dis- tinguish them, the mouied classes. Lord Yernon heads the list with a subscription of £50, and the landlords of England will follow his example ; Mr. James Howard gives £50, and the implement makers will follow his example ; Sutton and Sons give £100, aud the seedsmen will follow their example ; Mr. Albright gives £100, and the corn-merchants will follow his example. Aud so on, as there is by the early list just published scarcely a collateral interest but which has already made some sign. And we should be almost jealous enough to see the proposal begin and end here. There was some appearaace at the meeting of the moveraeat £0 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. exteudiut,' to a general one, but (his was never intcndei], nor is it desirable. There are many other channels thronuh which the public can tender aid to the snilVrers from the war; but this is einineutlj' a class mauifcstation, coming from a class for a class. The English farmers are anxious to assist the French fanners at a time of great need, and it may be well to wait and .see what they will or what they can do. lu fact, the agrindturists of this country are put, as it were, to the test of what their sun- pathy is worth, and they must uot disappoint the promise which has been made in their name. It is broached to them as a very duty of this Christmas time. CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE In northern latitudes, which comprehend the full half of the British isles, this month is the stormiest period of the year ; snows lie deep, and frosts are severe with a long continuance. This weather reduces farm labour alto- gether to the carrying of articles and materials that are wanted for in-door use and in preparations fur futuie pur- poses, as of stones to drains and roads, of fuel to the households on the farm, and of all kinds of manures. In the end of the month begin to carry the contents or the cattle-yards, to be placed in hea])S in the fields intended to be planted with early green crops, as potatoes, beet, and Swedish turnips. Lay the heap in a lane or in a con- venient place of the field, near the gateway, on dry and level ground ; slope the heaps at both ends, see that the loaded carts can pass upon and over it, and spread the strawy and moist fieces evenly over the space, oblong in shape and about six feet in height, the edges and ends neatly dress, and, when finished, with earth placed over the sides to pi'event them drying and blowing about. The heap may be raised at two or three times, and the treading by the carts is intended to prevent the present fermentation of the materials, which is promoted by turn- ing over the heap by hand-forks very carefully ten to four- teen days before being used on the land in INIay. The fermentation being at that time in full operation, will convey a ready and powerful support to tlie germination of seeds. Another method raises the heap without tread- ing or pressure beyond one person to spread the materials, on banks of four or five feet in width, extending the width of a heap, that is, nearly square. The loaded carts are run back to this bank, on to which the materials are dragged, and spread thinly and evenly over the extent, and raised to about six feet in height, and the sides and edges neatly dressed. This mode produces an immediate fermentation, which proceeds so long as caloric is evolved by the contents of the mixed articles, and has ceased by the time of the dung being used on the land. In forming the heaps, attention is paid to the mixing of the dry and moist straw and heccs, to produce an equality of manure, and that the whole heap of materials be in a proper condition of moist putrescence from the yards, affording the necessary convenience to procure the equally moistened and mixed state of combination. Opinions differ in respect of the two modes of preparation — of an active fermentation when the seeds are sown, or of a black putrid mass of dung, from wliieh all activity has dis- appeared. The first may be the quickest, and both may be equally durable, and may be soon superseded by the moveible railway carrying to the field at the time of use the fresh dung from the yards, that has been carefully mixed and moistened, of ficces and straws, cut into short lengths for litter by the steam thrashing machinery. This application will very justly banish all heaping of dung and the already exploded doctrine of fermentation, but it must worm its way, as a corkscrew, through a concreted mass of conceit and prejudice ere it reach an expanse of bottom on which to show a convincing superiority. Sell and deliver all grains to the merchant ; keep short accounts with the granary and the cart ledger. During the fresh and open weather of the month, general in the southern latitudes, sow wheat on any fallows deferred for any reason from the autumn season ; and also on strong turnip loams, clearei by the roots being removed and pulled away, only being consumed on the ground by sheep. This season of sowing wheat, and even a mouth later, succeeds well in the south of Scotland and in the north of England, but fails in the southern counties, and even in mid Britain, being later in ripening and of an inferior quality from an unknown cause. Plough the lighter turnip soils for fallow crops, as the loose texture docs not require so long an exposure lor pulverization. Plough grass lands and stubbles for Lent crops, very favourable during this month, as it affords a time for pulverization before sowing ; and it docs not, by a lengthened exposure of the land in a ploughed state, reduce it into a hard battered condition. The ploughing of lands for crops and for root fallows must be vigorously pursued and ended with this mouth. Plough all lands deeply rather than shallow, the width and depth of the furrow being nearly equal. The slice cut by the share and coulter below ground must be thinly formed and raised, and placed by the plough in a strictly vertical position, and pressed into it by the shouldered width of the mould-board. In this position the narrow upright comb affords a fresh alluvium to cover the seed in the seams, and enables the harrow to work its purpose of a dead level surface of fine eartii, deep and loosely produced. This object being gained, it mattei's not what initial letters mark the plough, or if any prize has been gained by an 11. or an K. Continue the cutting of copses and underwoods, the cutting and splashing of hedges, the scouring of ditches and roadsides, and clear watercourses ; cut drains to half the depth, to be finished in summer. Ploat water meadows, and lay dry occasionally. Plant forest trees of all kinds on farm grounds, as in corners beyond the reach of the plough, in clumps on knolls, and in single standards for scenery, and for rubbing posts in permanent pastures. In all cases erect a sufficient protection in a fence, or post-and-rail. Plant young hedges of thorns, choosing the strongest sets of the nursery, to be cut into lengths of a bud at each end, and placed on a sloped turf of earth on the surface of the ground, in about four inches apart, covered with the best soil with a heap of loose earth placed loosely on top, to hold moisture and to defend from drought. A rail fence must protect the plantation on both sides. The live stock on the farm of all kinds will demand the breeder's constant attention, in order to rear animals into profit and to derive advantage from his labours, never forgetting the great efieets of minute care in increasing the produce of a farm. Supply the cattle in the houses and yards with fresh straw daily, and give turnips or other roots early in the morning, to be consumed during daylight, to prevent accidents being unseen. Turnips are drawn from tlie field as wanted, but the danger of heavy snows covering them, or rains preventing access to the ground, renders necessary a heap of the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 81 homestead for a few weeks' supply. The yards must he littered very frequently, thinly and evenly. The milch cows will now begin to drop calves : feed with succulent food, with roots and chaffs steamed. Suckle veal calves, and for weaning also, as it ever produces the most healthy and thriving animals, from the milk passing into the stomach of the animal without exposure, which evaporates the best parts of the fluid in a gaseous form, and hence the superiority at suckling over hand feeding. If any dairy produce be wanted, use a part of the cows for that purpose, and the other for rearing calves. Allow ample food in every case. Have the calf- pens divided into single apartments, of about eight feet by four feet ; the floors pierced with auger holes to allow the moisture to escape, with a door opening into the cowshed from the end or from behind, as the width of the shed may admit. Suckle the calves thrice a day, and keep the pens dry, warm, and very clean. The sheep flocks must have fresh food daily in turnips rooted, but not topped, consumed on grassy or stubble grounds, for the ditterent flocks of ewes, keeping flock, and the fattening division, as arranged after autumn, each purpose requiring a greater or less allowance of food. The lambs of last year on the best allowances and the fattening flocks consuming the green food on the ground, will require a change every two or three days of food and lair. Feed work-horses with cut chaffs of hay, clover, and straws ; with oats and beans in a measured quantity. Any warm meal is not recommended for horses, as the exposures to so many weathers in the course of work renders the animal very susceptible of change. The horse is a dry feeder, and chooses the dry produce of plants. In the piggery feed largely and litter amply. Rear the store pigs in a roomy yard, with shelter sheds, on roots, as potatoes and beet ; the fattening hogs that live in sties, with two animals in each, feed with steamed potatoes mashed and mixed with meals, given in warm portions thrice daily. The pig is the only animal that is benefited by cooked food, and no beast produces the same quantity of flesh on an equal quantity of bones, or from the same quanity and quality of food. Feed poultry with light grains and with mixed meals, or steamed potatoes, placed in troughs under the shed of the yard, to suit the shovel bills of ducks and geese. The separate apartments for each kind of animals must be kept clean, and the boarded floors being warmed underneath by hot water pipes from the cooking-house, will very much favour the laying of eggs and the hatching of chickens during the cold months of the year. The thrashing of grains must be regularly done to supply straws for chaffs and litter, with the grains for the special purposes. The flail supplies these articles during all seasons of weather ; by machinery, the thrashing will be done at fixed intervals, and largely during hard weather. The straw barn will hold much of the scutched culms, which may also be cut into short lengths by the knives of the machinery, and used for chafl's and litter from the places of deposit. The thatched j'ick of grain in the morning converted at the close of day into grains dressed for market, and into chaffs and litters, the latter carried and scattered over the cattleyards by the same power that conveys the materials to the machinery, is a performance that well agrees with the steam and rapidity that now propels the force of human thoughts and actions, leaving the flail and its employers to be standing marks of the force of the current by which the rest of the community are borne along. Immoveably moored in one position by the weight of anchor and the strength of cable, the monuments are alike impregnable to reason and argument, though resting on the very powerful supports of the use- less expenditure of time and money. CALENDAR OF GARDENING. Kitchen Garden. So uncertain is the weather at this season, that it is impossible to do more than suggest. At all events, they who desire to have lettuces, radishes, and salads early, must be possessed of frames and lights. "We do not allude to forcing, but simply to protection — yet this will imply some kind of linings, either of dung, fern, or straw, laid so thick around the box and lights, or brick pits, as to exclude the frost of 20 degrees, which often comes and lasts many days. Every vegetable grown in frames should have air in fine intervals by day ; but sashes should be closed every night, and covered, whenever it freezes, with straw mats, the most effectual means of defence that can be constructed. If the weather and ground be open, the green and white cos lettuce, and the brown Dutch, and also a sprink- ling of short-topped radish, can be sown on a warm border — the earth should be free, open, and rich, to pro- mote quick growth, and straw or fern should be at hand to be thrown over the ground during hard nights. Sow radishes twice. A little horn carrot seed, a drill of round spinach, some mustard and cress, may be sown ; but little good will result in general. Peas and broad beans should be sown at least 2^ or 3 inches deep, in soil enriched in the autumn. Earth up peas and beans, if any be ready, observing to select the dryest weather. Transplant cabbage from the seed beds. If frosty, protect the frames and cauliflowers under glasses ; celery by a couple of boards laid ridgwise, only straw on each side of the ridges. "Wheel out manure to be I'eady for plants, asparagus beds, &c., &c. FuuiT Department. Prune very little, unless the buds swell materially ; lay manure around the roots of gooseberries, cm-rants, and raspberries : it very much improves the spring growth. Do the same also to fruit trees and espaliers. If snow abounds it must be shaken clean from all evergreens before the sun shines out, nothing tends so effectually to prevent scalding and other accidents of the foliage. Do nothing in the way of planting flowers, but sow seeds in pans, mark each, and place them in a frame. Much time and labour are economised, and flowers better secured by this method of proceeding. The digging and trenching of waste grounds is well done during this month, and placed in a rough surface to imbibe the benefits of exposure, and the alternations of rains and snows, frosts and thaws. Moderate frosts will permit this digging, while the severest hardenings of the ground will reduce the operations to the preparation of manure, and the wheeling of articles for that purpose. The compost heaps may be well turned over, and the mixtures of dry and wet materials very carefully at- tended. A uniformity of quality is much to be attained. Carry small earthy bodies to the dry compost heap, and the more bulky materials to the liquid pit, to be saturated with urinary and soapy liquids, which are imbibed bv P THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. earthy bodies, to be conveyed to tlie soil as an active manure in the best aclaiovvl(idged form. The ojicu weather of the month affords very favourable opportunities of planting trees of all kinds in the orchard, in clumps or single standards, shrubs, and fruit-bearing bushes, and all plants that ai"e ligneous and arborescent, and which are propagate'd by young sets and slips. The choice must be made of healthy plants of medium heiglit and strength ; the libres of the roots must be pruned and cut to a moderate distance from the stem, called root- pruuing, which is successfully done with grown trees, and the excavations filled with guano-earth. The incisions of the fibres cause fresh shootings, which are more vigorous than the old threads of the roots. Trees do not require trenching of the ground or the digging of pits ; the surface of the ground should be raised by the spade in a depth of six inches in a bed shaped to receive the tree in a bulk, a sprinkling of guano-earth strewed beneath the set, and the earth trod lirmly around the stem to hold its position. The surface in a yard around the stem to be covered with a thick mulch of very moist strawy farm-yard dung, with frequent applications of water, in order to convey down- wards the liquid oozings to the roots of the tree. These applications relate wholly to fruit trees and ornamental single standards, that are very much wanted to adorn any landscape, and to form a scenery. The fruit-bearing shrubs of the garden are planted in manured grounds, and do not need any better conditions ; but mulch may, nevertheless, be useful to all fruits, as ia shown in the case of raspberries. The covering excludes drought, retains moisture, and sinks a cooling benefit to the roots. All plants show a strong generic affection, and thrive best in congregations of the same kind. Boxwood in borders and thorns for fences are welj planted during this mouth. The notices of sowing the seeds of early vegetables cau apply only to the most favoured situations of soil and climate, but in all moderate eases the expense is small and the trouble not great, while the possessiou of early vegetables is both a variety and a luxury. AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR DECEMBER. The past month has, on the whole, been seasonable, especially towards its close. Early iu the month the weather was warm, and out-door farm labours were rapidly proceeded with, and agricultural alTairs were more forward than usual. Ploughing and sowing were interrupted at one period by the heavy fall of rain, but as a rule these operations had been completed by the close of last month, and it was therefore only in a few late districts tliat the delay was experienced. The wheat plant in the early southern counties is now fairly above ground, and, so far as can be judged at this early period, is promising in appearance, the plants looking strong and healthy. Root pulling has now been generally completed, and the results have proved to be more satisfactory than was anticipated. This is especially tlie case with mangolds, swedes, and the heavier roots, the yield of which is but little, if at all, below the average. The greatest falling off is in the turnips, wliich suifcred too lieavily by tlie drought to recover when the rain at leugtli fell. The prospects of feed for the cattle are, therefore, more encouraging than could have been looked for, consideriug the dry character of the past season. At Mark-lane prices have been mainly guided by the course of the war, and the market has presented alternately con- siderable animation or depression. The quotations show but little change on the month, though many fluctuations have taken place, and as we write the tendency of the quotations is iu an upward direction. Stocks decreased considerably during November, but the arrivals this month have been large, and the granaries arc agaiu well stocked for the time of year. The cold weather lias had tlie usual effect of stimulating tlie demand for wlieat, while the heavy export inquiry, which has continued for some weeks past, has induced holders to be very reticent in parting with the produce in their possession. A large demand on French account appears inevitable as soon as commuuicatiou witli tlie Preuch ports is practicable, and especially ou tlic fall of Paris. How long tlie latter may be delayed is involved in great doubt, but a large quantity of cereal produce must be immediately available to supply the pressing wants of the famished inhabitants. Obviously Eng- land is now the most convenient eutreput for grain, owing to the political situation on the Continent and to the difficulty of obtaining remittances from other quarters at the present moment. Accordingly, a large quantity of tlie cereal produce now on the way and nominally intended for the English market, is really destined for Prench and otiier ports. During tlie monlli a large number of vessels have been diverted to the Prench coast, wliile heavy shipments have been made to Belgium and Holland. This latter movement is the natural result of the war, and is to he attributed to the waste and (Ififitruntiou whigh invariably follow militarv opccations. 'J'he month opened with an average price for wheat of 53s. 5d. per qr., and closed with an average of 52s. 7d. per qr. Parmers' deliveries of wheat have been fairly extensive, but the quality and condition of the samples have varied with the weather. Most of the parcels exhibited at Mark-lane towards the close of the month were iu very indifferent condition, but sub- sequently some improvement was apparent. The slight decline which has taken place is attributable to this falling-off iu quality. Plentiful supplies of spring corn have come to hand, farmers having thrashed out barley freely. As a rule the quality of the barley has been inferior, and there has been some difficulty in disposing of secondary sorts at the rates quoted, the supply being heavy. Pine malting descriptions, however, being scarce have commanded full rates, though the trade has ruled quiet in sympathy with the inactivity prevalent in the malt trade. There is very little German barley in the market and no Prench. Oats sold freely at the opening of the month, and prices were well supported ; later on, however, the quotations gave way, but the market subsequently became firm again on the setting in of cold weather. Maize has been similarly influenced, the market closing firmly with a good consumptive demand. The export inquiry for both maize and oats has been steady, and liberal shipments are looked for so soon as the obstacles to trade are removed. Beans and peas have been scarce, and the quotations have shown a constant tendency upwards. Prices of wheat, both in America and on the Continent, are relatively higher than those current here, and shipments at the present moment are, therefore, restricted. The quantity of grain on passage, however, is large for the time of year, and further additions may be looked for as soon as the naviga- tion is re-opened. Prom the Baltic our receipts have been very small in consequence of the war, and they are likely to continue so as, owing to the draft of the able-bodied popula- tion into the army, there is little hope of moving the produce to the ports of shipment. With regard to the American trade it is noticeable that a larj^c proportion of the wheat sent for- ward from the Western States has been detained on the canals, having been bought up by speculators with the intention of influencing prices in the Eastern markets. This experiment, so utterly opposed to all common sense, has been so frequently tried and has so frequently failed that it is a matter of wonder that it should be practised in. In the end, however, it is sure to defeat itself, as on previous similar occasions. The hop trade has ruled quiet throughout the month. Sup- plies have been liberal, the crop this year having proved ope of the best on record, both as regards quantity and quality. Prices of fine n?\v Englisli are without material change, but THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 83 yearlings liavc bceu altogetlier ucglecled. Bavariuu and Americaa hops have tended downwards in value. As usual at this period of the year the demand for artiiicial feeding stuffs has been heavy, and tiiis has been further stimu- lated by the shortness of the hay crop. It must he observed, however, that the grass lands recovered themselves to a con- siderable extent towards the close of last montli, and presented a favourable appearance late into December. So much so that the cattle were kept out iu the fields until an unusually ad- vanced period. Cakes have risen in value, while prices of hay and clover have been well supported. In the wool trade considerable activity has prevailed, not- withstanding the absence of Eronch and German buyers. The demand has chielly run on choice qualities, and line Down hoggs have commanded very full prices. It is expected that the trade will rule steady, as the manufacturing trade is likely to be favourably influenced by the war later on. The metropolitan markets have been well supplied with potatoes which have sold freely at fair quotations. The falling off in the imports has naturally tended to sustain values. REVIEW OE THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The feature of the mouth, so far as the cattle trade has been concerned, has been the holding of the Annual Market for the sale of fat stock for Christmas consumption. Although both in point of numbers and in the quality of the stock, the Show could uot be said to equal previous years, it was nevertheless a success, after due allowance has been made for the many drawbacks which presented themselves to the rearing of fat stock during the summer months. It will he remembered that the severe drought which prevailed, soon re- duced the pastures and meadow-lands to an arid condition, and resulted in the partial failure of the hay-crop. The root- crops also did not yield so freely as was anticipated ; conse- quently, the supply of food was materially reduced, whilst the price was in a corresponding degree enhanced. Tlie coolness of the weather has imparted a firm tone to the trade, and during Christmas-week the best breeds realised as much as Gs. 4d. per Slbs. ; but the general top figure has not exceeded 6s. per Slbs. As regards s,hecp, the supplies have been tolerably good, and the quality has been improved. Although not active, the trade has been firm, and the best Downs and half-breds have been disposed of at 6s. 2d. to 6s. 4d. per Slbs. Calves, of which a moderate supply has been on sale, have been in fair request, at steady prices ; but pigs have sold slowly, at about late rates. The total imports of foreign stock into London during the month have been as under : Head. Beasts 10,293 Sheep 37,91'3 Calves 1,709 Pigs 1,91'3 Total 51,SS8 Same time iu 1SG9 41.,815 1863 17,231 „ 1867 38,336 1866 31.,65S 1865 66,721 1864 41,713 „ 1863 34,435 1863 35,435 1861 21,904 1860 20,795 1859 17,430 The arrivals of beasts from our own grazing districts, as well as from Scotland and Ireland, thus compare with the three previous years : Dee., Dee., Dec., Dee., Prom— 1870. 1869. 1868. 1867. Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire 8,500 7,620 7,845 9,700 Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire 1,630 1,900 550 3,000 Other parts of England 1,830 3,480 2,330 3,500 Scotland 2,054 1,954 3,190 1,710 Ireland 1,830 3,990 1,293 1,043 The total supplies of stock exhibited and disposed of at the Metropolitan Cattle Market during the month, have been as under : Head. Beasts 36,490 Sheep 93,360 Calves 1,606 Pigs 1,067 CojirAiusoN OF Supplies. Dee., Beasts. Sheep. Calves. Pigs. 1S69 25,689 94,170 1,916 680 1868 17,770 81,780 935 1,070 1867 31,910 93,490 943 1,880 1866 20,750 71,390 1,053 1,950 1865 31,730 126,170 3,833 2,930 1864 33,780 78,410 1,441 3,700 1863 39,303 88,470 1,150 3,680 1863 25,810 85,631 1,354 3,083 1861 24,840 84,630 701 2,960 1S60 24,540 83,340 1,577 3,445 1859 24,484 78,989 1,171 3,187 1858 20,523 74,375 1,473 3,450 1857 19,830 67,133 1,309 1,915 1856 33,995 73,300 1,525 2,880 Beasts have sold at from 3s. 6d. to 6s. 4d., sheep 3s. 6d. to 6s. 4d., calves 3s. 8d. to 6s. 3d., and pigs 4s. 4d. to 6s. 4d. per 8 lbs. to sink the oft'al. Comparison of Prices. Dec., 1869. Dec, 1868. s, d. s. d, s. d. s. d. Beef from 3 4 to 5 10 3 2 to 5 8 Mutton 3 6 to 6 0 3 0 to 5 6 Veal 4 3 to 6 0 3 8 to 5 10 Pork 4 4 to 6 4 3 6 to 4 8 Dec, 1867. Dec, 1866, s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef from 3 4 to 5 3 3 4 to 5 6 Mutton 3 4 to 5 0 3 8 to 6 4 Veal 4 4 to 5 4 4 3 to 5 10 Pork 3 3 to 4 3 3 6 to 4 G In the dead meat markets the supplies have been good. The trade has been firmer, and prices have been maintained. Beef sold at from 3s. 4d. to 5s. 4d., mutton 3s. 8d. to 5s. 4d., veal 5s. to 5s. 4d., and pork 3s. 4d. to 5s. 4d. per Slbs. by the carcase. THE METROPOLITAN GREAT CHRISTMAS CATTLE MARKET, The season has certainly uot been favourable to the raising of stock, aud, taking into consideration the partial failure of the grass lauds and the high prices curreut for artificial fecdiug stuffs, the show of stock at market this morning was good. The number of Cattle on sale were not large, owing to the restrictions imposed on the foreign trade, aud probably the actual weight of meat as com- pared with the number of Beasts exhibited was under the average of years. The Scotch Beasts, for instance, came to hand freely, there being about 1,200 animals from North Britain ; but, though they were well-shaped aud in excellent condition, as a rule they were not of ex- traordinary weight. The prices realized were high, but must be regarded as moderate when the expense attending rearing this year is taken into account ; and, even at present rates, it is doubtful if the profits secured by graziers will be large. The prices now current certainly pay, but as a set-off we must bear in mind uot only the forced sales com- pelled by the shortness of grass iu the Midland and South Counties, but the ravages caused by disease throughout the country. Our North Country graziers suffered less from the shortness of fodder thau we have in the Souths for there has been little or no drought in Scotland this year, and this fact was well apparent in the quality and condition of the Beasts exhibited. As a rule, the pro- longed mildness of the weather has enabled graziers to keep their stock out iu the field until a later period than 81. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. usual, but in the south this has been of little avail as the grass has beeu deticient, and what there was was not of a meat-producing character, being deficient in nutriment. It will be readily uudcrstood that the Scotch graziers kept up the reputation at this Monday's market, and as far as quality and purity were concerned carried off the palm. The exceptional circumstauces which have this year tended in their favour would have led us to anticipate this. lu point of numbers the Shorthorns came first, while cross-bred animals were numerous ; but there was a marked falling off in the arrival of Hereford cattle. A few North Devons were exhibited, but we have had very limited arrivals of the bleed for some time past. The foreign arrivals call for little remark. The num- bers were small, and consisted of Dutch and Spanish animals. Last year there were some excellent French beasts on sale, but to-day they were conspicuous by their absence. At the waterside there was a good arrival. The Irish beasts call for no especial observation. The annexed return shows the number of Beasts ex- hibited, and the prices realised for them on the " Great Days" during the last 29 years. Year. Beasts shown. s. d. s. d. 18il 4,500 3 8 to 5 0 1842 4,541 3 4 to 4 8 1843 4,510 3 8 to 4 4 1844 5,713 4 0 to 4 6 1845 5,326 3 6 to 4 8 1846 4,570 4 0 to 5 8 1847 4,282 3 4 to 4 8 1848 5,942 3 4 to 4 8 1849 5,765 3 4 to 4 6 1850 6,341 3 0 to 3 10 1851 6,103 2 8 to 4 2 1852 6,271 2 8 to 4 0 1853 7,037 3 2 to 4 10 1854 6.181 3 6 to 5 4 1855 7,000 3 8 to 4 2 1856 6,748 3 4 to 5 0 1857 6,856 3 4 to 4 8 1858 6,424 3 4 to 5 0 1859 7,560 3 6 to 5 4 1860 7,860 3 4 to 5 4 1861 8,840 3 4 to 5 0 1862 8,430 3 4 to 5 0 1863 10,370 3 6 to 5 2 1864 7,130 3 8 to 5 8 1865 7,530 3 4 to 5 4 1866 7,340 3 8 to 5 6 1867 8,110 3 4 to 5 0 1868 5,320 3 4 to 5 8 1869 6,728 3 6 to 6 2 The following are the particulars of the best portion of this morning's market : — At iSIr. George Dickson's stand were exhibited nearly 850 Scotch beasts, which, although not heavy, were of vei'y fine quality, and quite up to the average of seasons. The vendors from Aberdeenshire were : Messrs. Knowles, AVishart, Mitchell, Wyslie, Beddie, Frost, Bruce, Reid, Lawson, and others. From Banffshire, Messrs. Long- more, Stoddart, Milne, and others. There were also some fine lots from Forfar, Inverness, and other parts. Messrs. Giblett and Son had for disposal some remark- ably fine Scotch beasts, including about 40 the property of Mr. William McCombie, M.P., which sold at an ave- rage price of .£45 per head. There were also some fine beasts of i\lessrs. James Martin, Thomas Knowles, Harry Adamson, J. Reid, W. Gordon of Aberdeen, and A. Mennie of lluntly. At Messrs. Maydwell and Hoyland's stand the best lots were forwarded by Messrs. William Wallace and George Strachan of Turriff, Lewis Strachan of Olney, James Gordon of Olney Castle, Aberdeen, Phillips of Sonderton. Murray of Tafferty, Reid of Greystone, R. Elmslie, Ingram, and others of Vale of Alford, and J. Stoddart of' Banff. Mr. Yorley's stand was as usual occupied with a good show of animals ; whilst at Mr. Thomas Dixon's stand there was a good supply of Beasts from Norfolk, Lincoln, and Leicestershire, in addition to some very fine Oxen forwarded by Thomas Mouser, of Sherborne, Gloucestershire, one of which carried off a prize at the show. The Sheep pens were filled with some excellent breeds in prime condition. Messrs. Henry Lintott and Sons had for disposal some choice animals from Hertfordshire, Essex, and Surrey, and also some Down wethers, the pro- perty of i\Ir. Hobgcn, which carried off the prize at Chichester. At Mr. Collin's stand there were some prime Downs which realized extreme quotations. Mr. Dodd had some remarkably good pens of Sheep, including some show Downs ; the consignees were Messrs. Lawrence, House, King, and Franklin. In Mr. Weall's pens there were some fine Downs and half-breds from the counties of Bucks, Herts, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. Mr. Stallibrass had some very fine Downs, the property of Lord Braybrook, of Audling End, Saffron Walden. Messrs. Bolton and Son also had some good Downs. STATE OF THE TRADE. Influenced by the unfavourable weather and the com- paratively long time between this and Christmas, the trade for Beasts opened rather quietly. Nevertheless, the general superior quality of the stock imparted a firm tone to the quotations, and extreme rates were realised, the best Scots and crosses were disposed of at from 5s. lOd. to 6s. 2d. per 81bs. Fi'om Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northampton- shire we received about 2,100 Shorthorns, &:c. ; from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire 1,620 Scots and crosses ; from Scotland 1,200 Scots and crosses ; and a fair supply from Ireland. The show of Sheep was good, both as regards number and condition. Although not active, the trade was firm, and the best Downs and half-breds were disposed of at 6s. to 6s. 4d. per Slbs. Calves were firm on former terms. Pigs sold at late rates. GLOUCESTER CHRISTMAS FAIR was moderately well supplied with stock. The demand was good, especially for beef, which realized from Sd. to 9d. per lb., and in some in- stances nearly lOd. Mutton was in short supply, but sold freely at from 8d. to 9d. per lb. Bacon pigs sold more cheaply than on last market-day ; prices were from 9s. to 10s. per score. Pork from lis. to lis. Cd., and all so!d. GRANTHAM FAT STOCK MARKET.— A smaU show of sheep ; trade very brisk, at 8d. to 9d. per lb. Pork 8s. to 8s. 3d. per stone. LEDBURY FAIR was very thinly attended with stock of every description, which met a dull sale. Cows seemed to change hands, bat there was very little little doing in sheep and pigs. Beef 9d., and mutton Sd. to 9d. per lb. Over 350 head of sheep ])assed under the hammer ; fat sheep sold at from 43s. to 03s. 6d. SHREWSBURY FORTNIGHTLY FAIR.— There was a very small show of stock of every kind. Everything good and fit for the butchers sold well, but there was very little demand for store stock. Good beef found ready sale at from 8d. to Sjd. per lb., inferior selling very much lower. Thers were very few sheep, good mutton fetching from Sd. to 9d. Pigs were very low, as low in proportion as they have been for some time high. Bacon pigs reahzed very little more thaq 6d. per lb. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 85 REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The month has been characterized by great fliictuatious in the weather. It opened very mild and rainy, then came a moderate frost, wliich gradually increased into intensity everywhere, hardening the ground, and suggest- ing great severity for the winter; but before the first fortnight was reached, down came the rain in heavy and continuous supplies, with a temperature milder than we sometimes experience in spring, and linally came frost and snow again. The frost was serviceable, as it did not much stop the plough, and greatly facilitated the carting of manure, &c., while it enabled the farmers to thrash out enough wheat for Christmas engagements. But the Hoods which have since ensued iu some low grounds stopped all field labours, and the meadows have been too sodden for the cattle in the fields. A heavy requisition will now be made upon the root crops, and they will be lucky who keep stock without loss. As regards the young wheat, the early-sown is both forward and strosg, and the mild temperature will help the vegetation of the late sowings, while those who deferred this work must look for a favourable opportunity in spring. Politics, lately threatening to Great Britain, seem happily settling into calm, neither the state of the Black Sea nor Luxemburg now being likely to bring on a war ; but our neighbours the French continue to have it in full, and all Europe begins to say when will this end. There seems as yet but little chance for France ; but the Prussians may yet find it more difficult to return than they did in advancing. The wasting of a fine country is a serious matter ; and when we learn from a late French official of eminence that 200 square miles have lost the autumn tillage and seed-corn, it is enough to make us fear for the next spring, and still more for the next harvest. Yet the English wheat trade has remained dull. For the first fortnight a rise and subsequent fall of Is. kept the balance equal ; but the oppressive dampness of the last fortnight has brought such damage into the condition, that we must note for the whole month a decline of about 2s. So far as regards English samples, the loss is more apparent than real, for the bulk increases as the weight diminishes ; but it has stopped business, and affected the value of granaried foreign nearly as much where no com- plaint of condition could be made. The approach of the holidays has also doubtless tended this way, for but few like to send their accounts at such a time of the year. There is therefore every probability that for a short period we may keep dull, though all the markets of Europe remain firm, without any symptoms of giving way. When peace comes, as we hope it will shortly, and the damage by war comes to be carefully estimated, we may find a sudden large demand spring up, which will stimulate prices. At New York they have somewhat de- clined ; but the navigation of the canals must soon close, when we shall be left to shipments ex granary till next ]\Iay, regulated by relative prices, which are now nearly equal, shipping charges and risk included. The following rates were recently quoted at the places named : the best new Zealand wheat at Rotterdam 59s., 611bs. Danish at Hambro' 58s., Danish wheat from Copenhagen for spring dclivei-y GOs., cost, freight, and insurance ; the finest new high-mixed Dantzic 61s., cost, freight, and insurance ; wheat at St. Petersburg 45s. Gd., free on board ; Ghirka at Odessa 47s. 9d., cost, freight, and insurance, at Taganrog 45s. 6d., cost, freight, and insurance ; native wheat at Marianopoli 47s. 6d., cost, freight, and in- surance ; at Valparaiso o2s., cost, freight, and insurance ; at San Francisco 56s. 8d., cost, freight, and insurance ; old No. 2 Milwaukie 4'Js. 3d., cost, freight, and insurance, per 4S01bs. Our this month's review commences on 28th Novem- ber, which could not be included in our last. The first Monday commenced on small English sup- plies, though the foreign arrivals were good. The morn- ing's exhibition of samples was the smallest since harvest, yet sales were excessively dull, at Is. decline, the weather having become very mild and wet. INIost of the foreign supplies consisting of American samples, these as well as Russian qualities experienced a like reduction. Though fair arrivals were noted olf the coast there was no decline iu prices. With the aspects of politics more decidedly pacific, the country advices generally noted symptoms of weakness. Leeds, Lynn, Melton Mowbray, and a few other towns reported a reduction of Is. to 2s. ; more were down Is. ; among these were Spalding, Sleaford, Hull, Ipswich, St. Ives, Gloucester, Gainsborough, and New- castle ; yet Bristol, and some other places, were firm, the show of samples being limited, and on Saturday there were similar reports. Liverpool was down 2d. per cental on Tuesday, but this was recovered on Friday. Adecline was prevented at Edinburg by the smallness of the sup- ply ; but Glasgow was 6d. to 9d. per boll lower. The Dublin market was dull, both for native and foreign wheat, but there was no quotable change. On the second Monday the supplies were less both in English and foreign samples. There was but a limited show on the Essex and Kentish stands during the morn- ing, and the weather being changed to cold and dry a bet- ter feeling sprung up, and the loss of Is. on the previous Monday was fully recovered. It was the same with the lower qualities of foreign ; but fine Baltic sorts were unal- tered in value. Floating cargoes improved fully Is. per qr. during the week, with a good inquiry. This week the country markets very readily responded to the Lon- don advices. Hull, Spalding, Sleaford, Melton Mow- bray, Newark, Louth, Rugby, &c., were all Is. to 2s. dearer. A rise of Is. was also reported at Birmingham, Bristol, Bury St. Edmund's, Alford, Leeds, Lynn, Gains- borough, Rotherham, Stockton, &c. Some localities, however, were simply firm, and Liverpool only advanced 2d. per cental for the week. Glasgow was 6d. per boU dearer, and Edinburgh reported a rise of Is. to 2s per qr. The only feature to be noted at Dublin was great firm- ness both in native and foreign qualities. On the third Monday the English supply was mode- rate, and very little was reported in foreign, excepting from San Francisco, whence a large shipment was made. No great quantity was exhibited this morning on either the Kentish or Essex stands, yet the winterly weather having changed to mild and rainy, which somewhat af- fected the condition, former prices could only be realized for the few fine and dry samples ; the rest could only be sold by making some concession to buyers. Though there had been some activity in foreign on the previous Friday, with an occasional advance, that buoyancy was en- tirely lost, and only the previous Monday's rates were re- tained. With few cargoes arrived at the ports of call prices were unaltered. The weather this week being mild and very wet the general condition of samples sufl^ered, and most of the country markets responded to the London advices of Monday, being Is. per qr. lower, but there were a few 86 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. exceptious, some farmers uatiirally cxiieoliiig the return of frost and some improvement in the coiulitiou of tlieir wheat, others knowing the clifllculty of selling and re- luctant to make any sacrifice shut up their sample-bags •without exhibiting the contents. Liverpool on Tuesday was down Id. to 2d. per cental, but no positive difference in value w^as noted. At Edinburgh prices were Is. lower ; Glasgow was unaltered, but dull. At Dublin sales were very slow. Ou the fourth Monday there was about an average supply of home-grown wheat, with a good foreign arrival, nearly all from Montreal and New York, in about equal quantities. The show of fresh samples ou the Kentish and Essex stands was limited, but the condition was so bad millers would hardly ask the price, though a i eduction of Is. to 2s. would have readily been conceded. The foreign trade also was without any animation at Is. less, though there were free sales of floating cargoes at full rates. On Friday the 23rd, with a return of frost the market became firm. The arrivals into London for four weeks were 27,719 quarters English, 82,548 quarters foreign ; against 18,174 qrs. English, 161,903 qrs. foreign for the same time last year. The London exports for the same period were 16,810 qrs. wheat, 17,986 cwts. flour. The imports into the United Kingdom for four weeks up to the 10th December were 2,304,633 cw^ts. wheat, 326,934 cwts. flour; against 3,627,893 cwts. wheat, 448,815 cwts. flour for "the same period in 1869. The general averages commenced at 49s. lOd. and closed at 52s. 2d. The London averages began at 54s. 2d. and ended at 55s. lOd. The flour trade for four weeks has generally been steady, though on the fourth Monday there was a reduction in the value of Norfolks to the extent of Is., which brought them dow^n to 36s. In foreign sacks there was also a similar reduction, though stocks are not large. Barrels rose ou the second market 6d. through an extensive foreign demand, but this was finally lost, leaving prices much the same. Extra State New York being quoted 26s. 2d. cost, freight, and insurance, shows them to be 2d. above Lomdou quotations. At New York stocks were estimeted at about 350,000 barrels. The imports into London for four weeks were iu country sorts 95,802 sacks, foreign 5,896 sacks 58,854 barrels ; agaiust 91,991 sacks country, 7,142 sacks 20,361 barrels foreign last year. In maize there has been a quiet trade through the month, with very little change of value, only a reduction of 6d. being noted on the fourth Monday, bringing the quotations of yellow to 31s. to 32s., and white to 33s. The imports during this period into London were 29,403 qrs., against 42,861 qrs. in 1869. The American crop, which was large, will not be available till after the open- ing of the canals in May. Of barley the receipts of British growth have been moderate, and so were the foreign till the fourth j\Ion- day, when 21,000 qrs. arrived, this brought the market down fully 6d. for low sorts, and about Is. for the heavier qualities. English malting barley has been dull, excepting the very finest, which lias continued scarce. So heavy indeed is the sale of second-rate sorts, that it is difficult to note their real value. This has arisen from the ex- tremely dull state of the malt trade for a long time past. The arrivals in London for four weeks were 10,350 qrs. British, 31,612 qrs. foreign, against 15,299 qrs. British, 46,180 qrs. foreign, for the same period last year. There appears now no chance for a rally in malting qualities. The malt trade, as already noted, has been extremely depressed at declining rates, the reduction in the month being 2s. to 3s. per qr. Brewers report they are full, and the demand for beer very slack. The oat trade has continued to fluctuate with the weather and foreign denuuul. It advanced Is. per qr. when large orders canic from Antwerp, though the arrivals were then at their height. AVhen this demand closed, old oats rather gave way, and new were 6d. cheaper. Old Russian, weighing 38 lbs. per bushel, could be had at 22s. Od. per qr., and 40 lbs. new Swedes at 23s. 6d. Scotch oats have nearly been out of the market, the receipts having only been 195 qrs., and therefore prices quite at a fancy height — say, over 34s. for parcels of exti'a weight. The rates being moderate for feeding qualities, we do not see much chance of a decline, though Christmas time is always dull. The arrivals dm-ing four weeks into Londou were 3,252 qrs. English, 195 qrs. Scotch, uo Irish, 183,817 qrs. foreign, against 5,641 qrs. English, 346,904 qrs. foreign in 1869. So the foreign supplies this year have only been about half what they were then, and from these are to be deducted 26,080 qrs. exported, chiefly to Belgium, it is supposed for the German armies. With a poor crop in Prance, as well as here, there must be a great want of this grain at the close of the war. The supplies of English beans have hitherto been fair for a scanty crop, with almost uothiug from abroad ; but prices have been kept down by the relative cheapness of Indian corn, which is being more largely used. The trade has therefore been dull, without any quotable change of value. Extra fine old small English still bring as much as 54s., though new Mazagans will uot bring over 403, The imports into Loudon were 3,932 qrs. English, 726 qrs. foreign, against 3,323 qrs. English, 10,086 qrs. foreign iu 1869. In peas there has scarcely been any change, inferior old white going off for feeding purposes at 36s. per qr., while white English boilers of first quality are worth 42s., and maples have even brought 46s. in retail from their scarcity ; duns being worth 3Ss. The imports into Londou for four weeks were 2,888 qrs. English, 4,6*7 qrs. foreign, against 2,882 qrs. English, 10,527 qrs. foreign in 1869. ^Vith good supplies of linseed from India, prices have given way about Is. per qr., the imports being 78,543 qrs., against 46,704 qrs. last year. The seed trade has kept its firmness, with uow and then a speculative inquiry for red cloverseed. Fine new English is quoted as high as 86s., and white at 80s. per qr. Spring tares are now coming to hand, but the demand has not commenced yet. COMPARATIVE AVERAGES. WHEAT. BARLEY. OATS. Years. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. s. d. 1866... 58,431 ...59 5 62,8894 ... 41 4 7,273 ...25 11 1867... 56,7211 ... 66 9 82,8924 ... 41 2 8,7771 ... 24 4 1863... 60,3831 ... 49 5 65,152| ... 45 3 4,830J ... 27 7 1869... 49,868i,.. 43 10 81,036* ... 36 0 3,539i ... 22 3 1870... 84,196^ ... 62 5 1 78,010i ... 35 4 5,476| ... 23 4 AVERAGE S Fob the past Six Weeks : Nov. 12, 1870 Nov, 19, 1870 Nov. 26, 1870 Dec, 3, 1870 Dec. 10, 1870 , Dec. 17, 1870 , Aggregate of the above ... The same week in 1869 Wheat. Barley, s. d. 8. d. 50 5 36 11 49 10 36 8 50 5 36 2 53 5 36 1 52 2 35 9 52 5 35 4 51 3 36 2 43 10 36 0 Oats. a. A. 23 8 23 11 23 7 23 10 23 7 23 4 23 8 22 3 POTATO MARKETS, Yorkshire Regents 70s. to SOs. Lincolnshire do 65s. to 753. Dunbar and East Lothian do 75s. to SOs. Perth, Forfar, and Pife do 65s. to 703. Kent and Essex do 55s. to 658. Do. do. do. Rocks 5as. to GOs, Printed by Rogerson and Tuxford, 265, Strand, London, W.C. HARDING'S FLEXIBLE ROOFING, REDUCED TO ONE PENNY PER SQUARE FOOT. The BEST and CHEAPEST COVEEING for HOUSES, SHEDS, FAEM and other BUILDINGS, &c. Suitable for all Climates, and adopted by the English and Foreign Governments, RaUway Companies, Metropolitan Board of Works, &c. Awarded the Silver Medal, Amster- dam Exhibition, 1869, for its Cheapness and Superiority to Felt, although the price was then 50 per cent, higher Uhan at present, and is proved to be a much more tDui-able, Eflicient, and Weather-tight Roofing than jCorrugated Iron, at One-third the cost, and can be most [easily fixed by any unpractised person. Please send for ' samples of present make. PRICE ONE PENNY per Square Foot, or 23s. per Roll of 25 yards by 41 inches wide. DRESSING, 23. 6d. per gal. ; ZINC NAILS, 6d. per lb. SAMPLES AND TRADE TERMS FREE. HARDIKO'S COMPOUND OLYCERINE DIP. CONTAINS NO POISON, AND IS DESTRUCTIVE TO INSECT LIFE ONLY. It is a certain cure for Scab in Sheep, who thrive and increase in weight after the use of this Dip. It also preserves the health of all animals belonging to the homestead. It increases the growth of the wool, and cleanses it of all offensive accumulations which always cause functional derange- ment, it being a well known fact that acrid and corrupt humours allowed to remain on the surface are the cause of a great many diseases which afflict animal life. This preparation is most easily applied, perfectly harmless in use, and most deadly to Ticks, Lice, Maggots, and a sure cm-e for Foot Rot. It also prevents the Fly striking j avoiding the Animal being troubled with Maggots, and heals all Sores, &c. Sold in Tins of 511>s. and lOlbs., at Od. per lit.; and in l>rnm» of *^511iis., 501]|>§. and upwards, at 5d. per 1I». ; toy all Clienilsts, Seeds- men, Ironmong-ers, and others tliroug'liout tlie KLing-dom. A 51b. TIN IS SUFFICIENT FOE, TWENTY-FIVE SHEEP. No Dipping Apparatus necessary, common Tubs being all required. (See the simple Directions for Use on each Tin.) Y, HARDING, ' Sole Manufacturer, 20, Nicholas Lane, Cannon Street, London, E.C. LONDON AND COUNTY BANKING COMPANY. ESTABLISHED 1836. subscribed' CAPITAL.. .£2,500,000, in 50,000 SHARES of £50 EACH. PAID-UP C.A^xTAL... £1,000,000 RESERVE FUND... £500,000. NATHANIEL ALEXAND'^^R, Esq. T. TYRINGHAM BERNARD, Esq. PHILIP PATTON BiiYTH, Esq. JOHN WM. BTJRMESTER, Esq. P. P. BLYTH, Esq 1 WILLIAM JARDINE, Esq. DIRECTORS. I THOMAS STOCK COWIE, Esq. PREDERTCK FRANCIS, Esq. FREDERICK HARRISON, Esq. LORD ALFRED HERVEY. TRUSTEES. J. W. BURMESTER, Esq. 1 W. CHAMPION JONES, Esq. A TTT)T'T'OB.S I WILLIAM NORMAN, Esq. I RICHARD H. SWAINE, Esq. I WILLIAM CHAMPION JONES, Es^. E. HARBORD LU8HINGT0N, Esq. JAMES MORLEY, Esq. WILLIAM NICOL, Esq. v. General Manager— WILLIAM McKEWAN, Esq. rnTWin INSPECTOR. INSPECTORS OF BRANCHES. CHIEF ACCOUNTANT. W J NORFOLK, Esq. H. J. LEMON, Esq., and C. SHERRING, Esq. JAMES GRAY, Esq. SoLlciTOBS-Messrs. STEVENS, WILKINSON, & HARRIES. Secretary— F. CLAPPISON, Esq. HEAD OFFICE, JIanagbr— WHITBREAD TOMSON, Esq. 21, LOMBARD STREET. I Assistant Manager— WILLIAM HOWARD, Esq. THE LONDON AND COUNTY BANK opens— ntiiWTNG ACCOUNTS with Commercial Houses and Private Individuals, either upon the plan usually adopted b* othSslSefs. or by charSng a smaU Commission to those persons to whom it may not be convementto sustam an agreed ^I^FPcfsiT^ACOOUNTS.-Deposit Receipts are isgued for sums of Money placed upon these Accounts, and Interest i^ -illStor sulhperiods and at such ratesk may be agreed.upon reference being had to the ^^l^^eof the Money MarkeU rmCULAR NOTES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT are issued, payable m the pnncipal Cities and Towns of the Con- tinent in Australia, Canada, India, and China, the United States, and elsewhere. ISe pITch^S amff^'A^'G^™^ of English or Foreign Shares effected, and Dividends, ^Sf faci^tKrlSiS^^^^^ the Bank for the receipt of Money from the Towns where the Com: P^L^oSTof the Bank are tooUnd not to ^^^^<^^iX^^Sm1S^ ^^^ "^trMoKEWAN. General ManaKsr. THE ROYAL FARMERS' INSURANCE COMPANY, 3, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W-C. CAPITAL. — Persons insured by this Company have the security of an extensive and wealthy proprietary as well as an ample Capital always applicable to the payment of claims without delay. LIFE DEPAETMENT.'-BONUS.— Insurers of the participating class will be entitled to four-fifths of the profits. FIRE :department,- 1st Class— Not Hazardous ... Is. 6d. per Cent, 8nd Class — Hazardous ... ... 2s. 6d. „ 3rd Class— Doubly Hazardous 4s. 6d. „ BUILDINGS and MERCANTILE Property of every description in Public or Private Warehouses.— Distillers, Steam Engines, Goods in Boats or Canals, Ships in Port or Harbour, &c. &c.j are Insured in this Office at moderate rates. SPECIAL RISKS. — A-t such rates as may be oousidered reasonable. NEW INSURANCES.— No charge made for Policy or Stamp. FARMING STOCK. — 5s. per cent., with liberty to use a Steam Thrasliing Machine without extra charge. Nearly FIVE MILLIONS lusui-ed in this Office. SEVEN YEARS' INSURANCES niay be effected on payment of Six Years' Premium only. LIGHTNING and GAS. — Losses by Fire occasioned by Lightning, and Losses by Explosion of Gas >vhen used for Lighting Buildings will be allowed for. RENT. — The Loss on Eent while Buildings remain untenantable through fire may be provided against. HAIL DEPARTMENT.-(Ofiops and Glass.) Policies to protect parties from Loss by the destruction of Growing Crops or Glass, by Hail, are granted on Moderate Terms. LOSSES.— 'Prompt and liberal settlement. AGENTS WANTED. Apply to JOHN BEDDISH, Esq., Secretary and Actuary. IMPORTANT TO FLOCKMASTERS. THOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary Chemist, by Appointment to His late Royal Highness The Prince Consort, K.G., Leicester House, Great Dover Street, Borough, London, begs to call the attention of Tarmers and Graziers to his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COMPOSITION, which requires no Boiling, and may be used with Wai-m or Cold Water, for effectually destroying the Tick, Lice, and all other insects injm-ious to the Flock, preventing the alarming attacks of Fly and Shab, and cleansing and purifjdng the Skin, thereby greatly im- proving 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 Manu- factory as above, and sold as follows, although any other quantity may be had, if required :— 4 lb. for 20 sheep, price, jar included £0 2 61b. 30 81b. 40 101b. 50 201b. 100 801b. 150 40 lb. 200 60 lb. 250 60 lb. 300 80 lb. 400 1001b. 500 (cask and measure included) 0 0 4 0 6 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 Mr. Hbbepaih, the celebrated Analytical Chemist :— Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, January 18th, 1861. Sir, — I have submitted your Sheep Dipping Composition to analysis, and find that the ingredients are well blended, and the mixture neutral. If it is used according to the directions given, I feel satisfied, that while it eflfectually destroys vermin, it wUl not injure the hair roots (or " yolk") in the skin, the fleece, or the carcase. I think it deserves the numerous testimonials published. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, William Hebafate, Sen., F.C.S., &c., &c.. To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry. Leicester House, Great Dover-etreet, Borough, London. He would also espec illy call attention to his SPECIFIC, or LOTION, for the SO ' ^ or SHAB, which wUl be found a certain remedy for eradi.-?ting that loathsome and ruinous disorder in Sheep, and whii may be safely used in all climates, and at aU seasons of ti^ Ayear, and to aJl descriptions of sheep, even ewes in lamb. Pnte FIVE SHILLINGS per gallon— sufficient on an average for thirty Sheep (according - to the virulence of the disease) j also iu wine quart bottles, IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. " Scoulton, near Hingham, Norfolk, April 16th, IS^^. "Dear Sir, — In answer to yom-s ot the 4ith inst., which " would have been replied to before this had I been at home, I have much pleasm-e in bearing testimony to the efficacy of your invaluable ' Specific for the cui-e of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep were all di-essed in August last with 84 gallons of ^ the ' NoN-poisoNous Specific,' that was so highly recom- mended at the Lincoln Show, and by their own dresser, the best attention being paid to the flock oy my shepherd after / dressing according to instructions left ; but notwithstanding / the Scab continued getting worse. Being determined to hava the Scab cured if possible, I vsrote to you for a supply of you7 Specific, which I received the foUowiiig day ; and although the weather was most severe in February during the dressin your Specific proved itself an invaluable remedy, {or ■ three weeks the Sheep were quite cured ; and I am happy to say the young lambs are doing remarkably well at present. In conclusion, I beUeve it to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir, "For JOHN TINGEY, Esq., " To Mr. Thomas Bigg. ' "R. RENNEY. 8^" Flockmasters would be well to beware of such pre- parations as " Non-poisonous Compositions :" it is only necessary to appeal to their good common sense and judg- ment to be thoroughly 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 Ufe. Such advertised preparations must be wholly useless, or they are not what they are represented to be. DIPPING APPARATUS £14, fe. U, & £3. N THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. VOLUME THE THIRTY-NINTH. THIRD SBKIES. JANUARY TO JUNE MDCCCLXXI. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND. JJAY BE HAP BY ORDER THROUaH ALL BOOKSELLERS. LONDON PRINTED BY ROQERSON AND TUXFORD 265 STRAND. INDEX. A. A Royal Cotswold — Description of Plate, 2 A Shorthorn Steer — Description of Plate, 87 Agricultural Associations : — Boroughbridge, 491 Kingscote, 494. Agricultural Calendar, 80, 265 Agricultural Intelligence, 84, 175, 268, 457-8, 549 Agricultural Meetings in 1871, 361 Agricultural Reports, 82, 175, 362, 456, 547 Agricultural Societies : — Bath and West of England, 358, 485 Coggeshall, 118 Essex, 146 Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, 137, 216, 358, 428, 547 Royal Agricultural Society of England, 54, 262, 315, 404, 462, 498 Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland, 427 Tarporley, 310 Agriculture in the Gironde, 127 American Dairymen's Association, 308 Analysis of Artificial Manures, The, 466 An Outgoing Tenant, 545 Arable or Grazing Farms, 306 Averages, Corn, 86, 179, 272, 366, 460, 552 B. Beetroot Sugar; The Method of its Manufacture, 349 Best Fat Pig at Birmingham, The, 32 British Agriculture : The Tenant-Farmer's Po- sition, 103 C. Carmarthenshire Farming, 38 Carriage of Seeds by Post, 360 Carr's Annual Harvest Report, 147 Caution to Judges, 162 Cavalry Horse Supply, The, 322 Chambers of Agriculture: — Banbury District, 136, 388 Breconshire, 42, 208, 430 Central, The, 70, 245, 330, 399, 450, 508 Devon and Cornwall, 231, 517 East Suffolk, 76 Essex, 146 Hampshire, 341 Herefordshire, 253 Hungerford, 416 Leicestershire, 32 Lincolnshire, l6S Norfolk, 78 North of England, 68 Notts, 239 Scottish, 226 Shropshire, 100, 135 Staflfordshire, 518 Swindon, 240 Warwickshire, 172 Cheese Currencies, 269, 553 Cheese Factories for Scotland, 97 Cheese Factories ; Their Establishment and Man- agement, 184 Cheese Factory — Description of Plate, 181 Cheese Factory System, 318 Chemistry of Feeding Stuffs, The, 44 Christmas Cattle Market, 83 Comparative Taxation, 167 Condition of The Farm Labourer, The, 169, 383 Cost of an Acre of Turnips, 313 Cottage Accommodation, 310 D. Dalesman — Description of Plate, 273 Darwinian Theory, The, 544 Death of Crafty, 356 Deaths of Famous Horses, 543 Dinner-Time — Description of Plate, 367 Double-Furrow Plough, The, 487 Double-Furrow Plough Trials at Alford, 64 E. Education of the Farmer, The, 479 Employment of Agricultural Labour, 199 Essex Agriculture, 118 F. Farm Agreements, 491 Farmers and Farming, 525 Farmers' Club Dinner, 27 Farmers' Clubs 5 — Athy, 418 Ayrshire, 254, 488 Ballineen, 41 Blandford, 285 Botley and South Hants, 44, 199, 335, 520 Carmarthenshire, 38, 292 Central, 19, 184, 322, 406, 502 Cork, 306 Dorchester, 105, 204, 344 Framlingham, 112, 289, 396, 466 Haddington, 492 Hexham, 210, 479 Lavenham, 116, 301, 414, 525 Maidstone, 235 Midland, 158, 259 Newbury, 103 Newcastle, 163 Penrith, 173 Stowmarket, 130, 169, 297, 393 Wadebridge, 166 Wenlock, 133 West Cumberland, l74 Wester Ross, 313 Wigton, 120 Winfrith, 174, 304, 434 Farmers' Clubs and Chambers of Agriculture, 141, 163 Farmers' Grievan««», 477 INDEX. Farmers' Questions, 438 Farming on the Flat, 393 Farm Leases, 23 1 Farms, their Size, 19 Fields and Folds at Home and Abroad, 128 Flax Culture in Ireland, 41 Flax : its Cultivation, 105 Food for Stock, 240 Foot-and-mouth Disease, 42 Foot of the Sheep, The, 297 Foreign Agricultural Gossip, 196 Foreign Farming, 414 Four-course System, The, 520 French Peasant Farmers' Relief— History of the Movement, 79, 107, 145-6, 163, 220, 264,360, 449 G. Game Evil, The, 519 Game Laws, The, 158 Gardening, Calendar of. Si, 266 Grain Currencies, 180, 271, 366, 460, 553 Grass Lands, 292 Growth of Cabbage and Kindred Crops, 406 Guano Market, The, 180, 272, 366, 554 H. Hailstorm Insurance, 172 Half-rating, 253, 519, 545 Hares and Rabbits, l65, 177, 226 Harvesting Hay and Corn, 304 Hawthornden— Description of Plate, 88 Honest Tom— Description of Plate, 1 Hop Markets, 180, 272,366, 460, 553 Hop-picker, The, 138 Horse and Cattle Diseases, 494 Horse Shows and the Prize System, 274 How to Hire and how to Let a Farm, l6l, 502 Hypothec and Distraint for Rent, 281 Impediments to Agricultural Progress, 335, 48 Influence of Trees on Evaporation, 392 Infringement on Pirie's Patent, 437 Insurance of Caitle, 455 Insurance of Farm Stock, 11 International Exhibition, The, 531 Irish Land Act, The, 93 Italian Agriculture, 197 J. Journal of the R. A. S. E., 359 Jumping at Horse Shows, 546 Jury System, 357 L. Labourers' Cottages, 116 Land in Crop 1870, 287 Land Tenure, 239 Lincoln Wethers— Description of Plate, 181 Linseed Trade Annual Report, 152 Liverpool Wool Trade Annual Report, 154 Local Rating and Local Government, 439 Local Taxation, 210, 517-8 Local Taxation in Ireland, 427 Local Taxation in the United Kingdom, 370 M. Meadow and Pasture Land, 434 Melbourne Cattle Yards, 243 Meetings of Agricultural Labourers, 384, 455 Meetings of the Half-year: — Abingdon Fat Cattle Show, 51 Banbury Horse Show, 177 Birmingham and Midland Counties Cattle Show, 32 Birmingham Shorthorn Show, 350 Bridlington Horse Show, 457 Chippenham Agricultural Association, 51 East Lothian Spring Corn Show, 519 Edinburgh Fat Cattle Show, 156 Guildford Fat Stock Show, 53 Leeds Cattle Show, 49 Peterboro' Horse Show, 457 Royal Dublin Fat Cattle Show, 125 Royal Dublin Spring Cattle Show, 423 Rutland Agricultural Society, 48 Sandwich Cattle Show, 53 Smithfield Club Show, 3 Tredegar Cattle Show, 52 West of England Fat Stock Show, 53 Woodbridge Horse Show, 359 Yorkshire Fat Stock Show, 123 Moisture in our Soils, by Cuthbert W. Johnson, Esq., F.R.S., 377 New Land Bill for England, 30 Non-application of Capital to Agriculture, The, 32 Norwich Market Hill, 519 O. Obituary: — Dobito, Mr. Geo., 172 Earl of Aylesford, 171 Fawkes, Mr., 349 Walsingbam, Lord, 171 Weatherell, Mr., 348 Operations of the Central Chamber, 69, l72, 253 Our Agricultural Produce, by C. W. Johnson, Esq., F.R.S., 470 «' Over my Pipe," 91, 277, 469 Party Politics and Farmers' Friends, 380 Peat, and its Profitable UtiUzation, 142 Pedigree Stock Sales in 1871, 362 Perfection — Description of Plate, 273 Pig-breeding, 130 Pleuro-pneumonia, 192 Points of the Pig, The, 32 Potato Markets, 86, 176, 272, 366, 460, 553 Potato Plant, The: by C. W. Johnson, Esq., F.R.S., 193 Poultry-breeding, 259 Price of Wheat, 173 Progress of Agricultural Science, 254 Pulping Roots for Stock, 396 R. Rabbit Evil, The, 433 Representation of Husbandry, The, 429 Revenue and the Harvest, The, 455 INDEX. m Review of the Cattle Trade, 83, 267, 363, 456, 548 Review of the Cheese Trade (1870), 156 Review of the Corn Trade, 85, 178, 270, 364, 458, 551 Right of Shootings, The, 444 Road Repairs, 204 Romsey Labourers' Encouragement Association, 140 Royal Agricultural Society's Farm Prizes, 164 Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting (1872), 165 Royal Charter, The, 530 Royal Farmers' Insurance Company, 529 Ryeland Black Diamonds— Description of Plate, 367 S. Sale of Herefords at Hereford, 269 Sale of Mr. Burton's Devon Herd, 355 Sale of Mr. Jordan's Leicesters, 356 Sale of Mr. Simpson's Leicesters, 356 Scientific and Profitable Farming, 235 Scotch Farming : by the Northern Farmer, 276, 368 Sheep-breeding, 208 Shorthorn Sales : Aylesford, Earl, 537 Barber, Mr., 543 Cheney, Mr., 446 Christy, Mr., 540 Cooper, Mr. K., 543 Cruickshank, Messrs., 353 Earnhill, 354 Eastwood, Mr., 539 Ellon, 177 Fitzharding, Lord, 350 Jefferson, Mr., 539 Kingscote, Col., 352 M'Intosh, Mr., 536 Nairnside, 355 Nesham, Mr., 449 Northil), 538 Peel, Mr., 538 Penrliyn, Lord, 535 Rettie, 350 Robarts, Mr., 444 Robinson, Mr., 351 Searson, Mr., 541 Stratton, Mr., 351 Stubbs, Mr., 351 Walsingham, the late Lord, 542 Wood, Mr., 448 Sir E. Kerrison's Benevolent Society, 474 Smithfield Club Annual Meeting, 16 Smithfield Club Council Meeting, 219 Smithfield Cup Ox, 1870— Description of Plate, 461 Special Manures, 492 Stable, The, 112 Straw as Food for Cattle, 285 Sugar-beet Growing, 261, 289 T. Tampering with Parish Returns, 141 Taxing Farm Horses, 157 Tenant Right, 136 Tenant Right Lease, A, 234, 253 Tenant Right or Leases ? 478 Tenant Right Story, A, 157 Tenure of Land, 501 Top Dressings, 344 Top Dressings for Wheat: by C. W. Johnson, Esq., F.R.S., 89 Truro Agricultural Exchange, 94 Turnips and Mangold Wurzel, 120 Turnpike Roads and Highways, 341 Tythe System, The, 416 U. Uniform Weights and Measures, 329 Use of Lime in Agriculture, 430 Utilization of Furze, The: by the Northern Farmer, 486 V. Vagrancy, 388 Valuation of Artificial Manures, 418 W. Water we Consume, The : by C. W. Johnson, Esq., F.R.S., 283 Ways and Means, 369 What the Tenants Want, 157 Wide Drilling : by C. W. Johnson, Esq., F.R.S., 65 Wiltshire Labourer, The, 173 Winged Mallard, The— Description of Plate, 461 Woman's Kingdom, 183 Wool Sales, 177, 180, 272, 366, 460, 554 Y. York Corn Market Company, 177 Yorkshire Prize Farms, The, 429 THE EMBELLISHMENTS Honest Tom , , A Royal Cotswold A Shorthorn Steer , Hawthornden , , Lincoln Wethers Longford Cheese Factory , Perfection . Dalesman • Ryeland Black Diamonds Dinner Time Smithfield Cup Ox The Winged Mallard Page 1 3 sr 88 181 181 2jr3 273 36/ 367 461 461 No. 2, Vol,. XXXIX.] FEBRUARY, 1871. Thi«d Series. THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE AND MONTHLY JOURNAL OP THE AdRICULTURAL INTEEEST. TO THE FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. LONDON : PUBLISHED BYROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND. PRICE-TWO SHILLINGS. EOGBESON AND TUXFORD,] [PRINTERS, 266, STRAND. *' By a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the opera- tions of digestion and nu- trition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well- selected cocoa? Mr. Epps has provided our break- fast tables with a deli- cately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills."— Civil Service Gazette. GRATEFUL- COMFORTING. EPPSS (BREAKFAST) COCOA. JAMES EPPS & Co., Homoeopatliic Chemists. BIRMINGHAM. THE GREAT WESTERN HOTEL, (SNOW HILL STATION), ' One of the most elegant, comfortable, and economical Hotels in the three kingdoms." — The Field, July 31, 1869. Just PuhUshed, Price in Cloth, 3s. 6d., Post Free, 3s. 8d.y THE WINTER EDITION OF BUFFS GUIDE TO THE TURF, UNITED WITH BAILY'S TURF GUIDE, 1871. ©ontenfjj : The Nominations for 1871 — Entries for the Great Stakes in 1872 — A Calendar of Races for 1870, in Great Britain, Ireland, and on the Continent, indexed — Length of Courses — Laws of Eacing — Winners of the Great Races from their Commencement — Queen's Hate Ai-ticles, and Weights — Sales of Blood Stock in 1870. " SPORTING MAGAZINE OFFICE," 265, STRAND } by all Booksellers ; and at the various Railway Stati Price 3s. 6d. in Cloth. Now Ready, Cloth, in two Voluioes, 782 pp., with four eteel Portraits, Price 10s., uniform with « SCOTT AND SEBRIGHT," " SILK AND SCARLET," &c,, FIELD AND FERN, OR SCOTTISH FLOCKS AND HERDS, BY H. H. DIXON. With Steel Engravings of Mr. Hugh Watson, Professor Dick, Mr. Nightingale, and the late Duke of Richmond, &c. The Volumes, "North" and "South" (of the Frith of Forth) may be had separately— Price FIVE SHILLINGS each. Copies will be sent by Post on application to the Author. PUBLISHED BY BOGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND. (Jr / /' :W •M |«s ^3 I \ A. .^ S K IR^ \^, ^M^ ^ ^w^\ t- ^v 4^ \ , \ .>Vn .. ^^^ ^\^# ^^KP THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 1871. PLATE I. A SHORTHORN STEER. THE PROPERTY OF MR. THOMAS PULVER, OF UROUGHTON, KETTERING. This steer, bred by Mr. Pulver in the spring of 1867, was by Biddingham (21277), out of Beauty, by Brighton (25672), a cow not to be traced in the Herd Book. Brighton was a son of Bagshaw's Windsor (23225), out of Princess Alice by Pompey (10022). BiJdeuham, the sire of the champion steer, a roan bull, bred by Sir \V. de Capell Brooke, passed into the possession of Mr. Pulver. He was by Lord Stanley Spencer (20229), out of Ruth 2nd by Hero of Kars (19956), her dam Ruth by Habeas Corpus (10294). Lord Stanley Spencer was bred by Mr. Charles Howard, at Biddenham, and hence the title of his son. The following is a complete list of tlie prizes taken by this steer : 1868.— Third prize at Oakham ... 1869. — Second at Northampton ... Second at Ashby-de-la-Zouch First at Lincoln Second at Oakham Pirst at Leeds ... 1870. — First at Royston First at Peterboro' First at Hinckley And Cup for best beast I'irst at Welliugboro' And Hope's Cup First at Oakham Extra Uppingham School Cup Silver medal First at Birmingham ^ President's Cup I Hotel-keepers' Plate | LordAylesford'sfor best Shorthorn \- 15 Gold Medal for best ox Extra for best Shorthorn | Silver medal for breeder J First at Smithfield Club (extra stock) "1 10 Champion Plate > Silver inedal J £4 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 15 0 0 25 0 0 3 0 0 15 0 0 25 0 0 26 5 0 15 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 0 00 0 0 3 0 0 364 5 0 Sold to Mr. Shcepway, of Gloucester, for .100 0 0 £464 5 U Old Sm(ii,s.] It was thus that we wrote of this steer immediately after the last Birmingham meeting : " At the Oakham show in 1869, Mr. Pulver, a yeoman of Broughton, near Ket- tering, showed a Shorthorn steer, by Biddenham, a bull from Air. Charles Howard's Spencer tribe, but bred by Sir W. de Brooke, that took a second prize in an All- England class to Mr. Roland Wood's Little Wonder, the best beast in the show. Young Biddenham then came on to the Smithfield Club Meeting, where in the certainly ' crack ' class he was only highly commended ; Lord Aylesford's steer, the best animal of his year, being first, Mr. Wood's Little Wonder second, and a steer of Lord Penrhyn's third. Still one of the judges said, ' if kept on for another year, this very stylish steer will be sure to command a foremost place.' Mr. Pulver]thence travelled his beast on to Leeds, where he won in his class, but never was in it when the judges came to find the best animal in the yard. During the past summer and autumn he took invariably first prizes for fat stock at Peterborough, Royston, Hinckley, and W^ellingborough ; as at Oak- hao), again, he was not only the first of his class, but the best beast in the show. He had thus ' run through' many of the animals he met in his own class at Birmingham. It will be so gathered that if there were any great merit in Mr. Pulver's ox, he could have no difliculty in his path so far. And he has indisputably great merit in many ways. He is a smart rich roan in colour; he is a compact square rather than an over- whelming animal ; he has fed so well that his flesh does not seem to encumber him as it does many a fat beast, but he has a cbcerful look and gay carriage, as it is not until yon see him out that he moves after a somewhat awkward ungainly fashion. He has an especially good forehand, is well ribbed up, and straight and square in his outline, but bad in his purse, having suffered terribly from castration, and standing rather weak from behind." The live weight of the steer as given in the Smithfield Club catalogue was 20cwt. 3qrs. 14lb., and his dead weight 11 [Vol. LXIX— No. 2. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 215st. 51b. of 81b. to the stone. lie died remarkably well, of a very good coloui-, aud Mr. Pulver, as chairman of the ordinary, put a 64lb. piece of him on the market table at Kettering, of which forty-six partook, with an ample allowance of lean meat to give everyone "a taste-" On the Champion Plate being presented to him at the general meeting of the Smithfield Club, Mr. Pulver said : " It was now twenty years since he first appeai'ed as an exhibitor at the Club Show, and when he did so he was un- successful, although he obtained a commendation. Some of his friends then told him that it was useless for him to show in the same class with noblemen aud gentlemen, the length of whose pm'ses made them more than a match for his skni and perseverance. However, in spite of this counsel he resolved to persevere, and subsequently he had taken a gi'eat number of prizes, alike first, second, and third, as well as received some commendations ; and he did not cease his exertions until he had cai-ried away the first honom-s of the yard. He ventured to say that his ox had made more money than any ox in England before ; for he had taken 23 first prizes, two second, and one third, the total amount of which was more than £360. "When he had done exhibiting, too, he should receive £100 for him. Next week he would go to Leeds, and if liked there, he anticipated that he should win 50 guineas more. That he thought would be making more money than any other animal had every done." The steer could not go on to Leeds in consequence of the outbreak of Foot-aud-Mouth disease in the Agricul- tural Hall, but he was as well as ever when he reached Gloucester, where he was shown to some thousands of people, and sold at a shilling a pound. PLATE II. HAWTHORNDEN; a THORorGH-BHED Colt. THE PROPEHTY OF MR. T. Y. MORGAN, OF CHELSEA. Hawthornden, bred by Mr. G. Heslop in 1867, is by Lord Clifden out of Bonny Blink, by the Flying Dutch- man, her dam Prairie Bird, by Touchstone — Zillah, by Eeveller — Morisca, by Morisco — Waltz, by Election — Penelope, by Trumpator — Prunella, by Highflyer. Lord Clifden, bred by Mr. J. A. Hind in 1860, is by Xewminster out of The Slave, by Melbourne, her dam Yolley, by Voltaire — Martha Lynn, by JIulatto — Leda^ by Filho da Puta — Treasure, by CamiUus. After winning the "Woodcote at Epsom as a two-year-old. Lord Clifden was sold twice within the week, first to Captain Christie for £4,000, and then to Lord St. Vincent for 5,000 gs. In his lordship's colours he won the St. Leger, as many to this day maintain he also did the Derby, although the judge gave it a head against him. He was in work one of the very handsomest or grandest horses we ever saw, the ideal of excellence and symmetry, and perhaps at all points, on the day, the most magnificent Derby favourite that a crowd ever followed, as he is said to have still further improved in his appearance since taken out of work. Lord Clifden went to the stud in 1866, when he stood at Mr. G. H. Thompson's Moorland farm at Skel- ton, near York, where he remained imtU the close of this last season, when he was sold to Mr. Gee, and is now located at Wadhurst, in Sussex. Lord Clifden's stock consequently came out as two-year-olds in 1869, when he was credited with the following winners : Catalonia, First Lord, Fleu d'Oranger, Malaria, Rosalie, Sophie, aud Hawthornden, while a sou of his won one of the great three-year-old races in the first season it was possible for one of them to do so. Amongst his further winners are Moorlands, Herod, The Bee, Lady Scarlet, KebeccBj Bare- foot, Chick, Heii'loom, Piccadilly, Ainsty, Riugwood, and Hohenlinden. Bonny Blink, bred by Mr. R. Wright in 1857, never ran, but was sold as a two-year-old to Mr. Heslop, a Dui'ham farmer, who put her to the stud in the following season with this as the return : in 1862, Governor, by Mildew; 1863, Marshal Ney, by Arthur "Wellesley; 1864, The General, by Arthur Wellesley ; 1865, Catton, by Mildew; 1866, Luna, by Cameriuo ; 1867, Haw- thornden, by Lord Clifden ; 1868, Herminie, by Cameriuo; 1870, a filly, by Costa, when the mare was again put to Lord Clifden, from the merits of Haw- thornden having got about. Hawthornden is a blood bay horse, standing rather over fifteen hands three inches high. He has a good long head, a strong neck, with his shoulders somewhat upright and thick at the point. He is good in his girth, but not particularly so in his middle or back. He has muscular quarters, well let down to powerful hocks, and has plenty of bone, but he stands a little back in his knees. Hawthornden is altogether a horse of some character , having of late much improved in his appearance, but he is stUl very easily picked to pieces. Hawthornden, first called Blue Light, was sold as a yearling to Mr. Ileene, for 250 gs. ; but in consequence of ill health Mr. Heene's stud was sold at Tattersall's on the Thursday before the Derby of 1870, when Haw- thornden was knocked down, under Lord Exeter's conditions, to ]Mr. T. V. Morgan for 900 gs., and his half-sister Herminie to the same purchaser for 300 gs. The colt was transferred from Jones' stable, at Comptou, to Joseph Dawson, at Newmarkft. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 89 There has beeu a deal of idle talk as to why Hawthoru- den was occasioaally beatea here and there before Don. caster, but his general performances can make him at best but a moderate horse ; and his winning the St. Leger now reads very like one of those inexplicable flukes asso- ciated with the results of some of the great races. Beyond his doings on the turf and with steeple-chase horses, Mr. Morgan is known in the City as the managing partner of some plumbago works, somewhere about Battersea. TOP-DRESSINGS FOR WHEAT, BY CUTHBERT W. JOHNSON, F.B.S. The improvement of the produce of our soil is a theme which will well repay our repeated examination. And here, again, we are cheered on by the good results of ob- serving Nature's modes of improving her soils, and avail- ing ourselves of her suggestions. When the early culti- vators of our island noticed the fertilizing results of the deposit of earthy matters on their pastures by the flood- waters, they were led to employ marl and clay as dress- ings for their lighter soils. Chalk -pits, which are of the period of the Roman occupation, still exist in Sussex. Other operations of dame Nature, of great importance, have only in recent times been discovered ; thus, in the rain, the snow, and even in dew, we are now aware that minute quantities of ammonia, nitric acid, and also phos- phoric acid descend upon our soils. When the great Lincolnshire and Cheshire farmers first employed so successfidly crushed bones for their root-crops and their pastures, they had no suspicion that the heavens had beeu in all times fertilizing their land by a similar application : neither did those who first used the nitrates of potash and soda, or the ammonia in Peru- vian guano, know that they were only imitating the waters which fell on their soils from the clouds. And yet, as such is the case, it ought to render us ever watch- ful of the suggestions vouchsafed to ns on every farm, and never to conclude that we have exhausted all the 'profit- able readings in dame Nature's book. That the top-dressings not applied by man are suf- ficient to keep the soil from becoming utterly uupro- ductive of a crop of wheat, has been long known — and this on some soils to a very remai'kable extent. And hence, as in the case of Jethro TuU, and Smith of Lois VVeedon, conclusions have been arrived at, of far too uni- versal an application. In the case of those valuable ex- periments carried on by Mr. Smith, and by Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert at Rothamsted, very useful results were ob- tained. In those cases wheat was grown, year by year, on the same unmanured land. And it will be well if we refresh our memories by referring to their report of these before we examine the results of some other still more recent trials on top-dressing wheat. There is, however, a primary question of great import- ance to be considered before we proceed in our examina- tion, viz., whether we have any reason to conclude that the produce of our wheat crops has approached the limits at which the land can yield no more seed. Now, we may well cheer ourselves on by remembering that, from the days of the Tudors, the average produce of our wheat has gradually increased from perhaps 10 or 12 bushels per acre to 28 or 29 ; and, moreover, the possibillfi/ of the land sustaining far larger crops of wheat than any yet yielded by otu* best-cultivated farms, has been proved by many extraordinary exceptional crops, and of these perhaps the most remarkable was that grown in the year 1844, at Haisborough, in Norfolk, on a field of 5i acres, about half a mile from the sea. It yielded of Spalding's wheat 11 quarters 2 bushels per acre. Of the cause of this, and other recorded great crops, we have not any information ; but, whatever may be our present want of knowledge, that is not a reason that we should conclude that by no future discoveries we can hope to attain to a far greater average produce of wheat than any that we have yet accomplished. That it is most important that our produce should be increased, needs no argument — the fact that, in the sixteen years between 1852 and 1868 one-third of the corn consumed in our islands was of foreign growth, is alone sufficient to show how desir- able it is to increase our home-growth of wheat. The following table, constructed by ]\Iessrs. Lawes and Gilbert, furnishes the estimated quantity of wheat available per head of the population within each harvest year (Sept. 1st to August 31st) : England and Wales. Total Per Cent. Tears. per head, From home Prom bushels, produce. Imports. 1852-3 5.7 68 32 1853-4 5.3 64 36 1854-5 6.8 91 9 1855-6 5.3 87 13 1856-7 5.7 79 31 1857-8 7.5 76 24 1858-9 6.3 82 18 185960 5.0 82 18 1860-1 6.3 52 48 1861-2 6.4 61 39 1862-3 7.1 65 35 1863-4 7.6 78 22 1864-5 6.4 83 17 1865-6 6.1 72 28 1866-7 5.4 65 35 1867-8 5.1 55 45 Mean. 27 6.1 73 Having thus glanced at what our soil can produce, and the need we have of an enlarged home produce, let us next examine what a soil can uumanured, continuously, yield. In the Rothamsted experiments, wheat was grown for more than twenty years on a soil which the authors describe as fair average wheat land. But— as the rental of similar land in the immediate locality ranges and has ranged for many years past only from 25s. to 30s. per acre, tithe-free, and its wheat crop under the ordinary management of the district, certainly does not average more than 25 to 27 bushels per acre — it is obvious that in a practical point of view, it can lay no claim to extraordinary fertility or to be ranked on a higher level than a large proportion of the soils on which wheat is grown, with a moderate degree of success, under a system of rotation and home manuring, It was oa guch a soil that, with 90 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. only llio aid of the lunnanured eavth aud tliat of the sub- staucfs ialliufi; upou it from the heaveus, crops of wheat were grown for twenty successive years ; the laud iu each year yielding a crop whose amount will be found in the following table. In this tabular statement, the first column gives the season, aud the second columu the total amount of corn produced per acre. Years. 1844. 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 Lbs. Years 923 1854 1,441 1855 1,207 1856 1,123 1857 952 1858 1,229 1859 1,002 1860 1,0S3 1861 860 1862 359 1863 Lbs. 1,359 1,072 892 1,236 1,141 1,031 738 736 996 1,127 Here then we have a considerable answer to a very im- portant question, viz., to what extent of produce can the soil yield a crop of wheat, aud of wheat only for many years, unmanured? We have already noted that in small proportions, nitrogen in ammonia, and in nitric acid, is supplied from the atmosphere. In the experiments insti- tuted at Cirencester other important questions w^ere put to dame Nature, relating to the eft'ect of an artilicial addition of nitrogen to the wheat crop in the shape of nitrate of soda, either by itself or united with superphos- phate of lime. These important researches are thus described -. — These experiments were restricted to superphosphate and nitrate of soda. 1st, separate; 2nd, combined; 3rd, applied in winter ; 4th, applied iu spring. Simple as these experiments may appear, the following list will show that they entailed a formidable series of plots : Two plots dressed at the rate of 3 cwts. per acre of superphosphate, and 1^ cwt. of nitrate of soda, applied together in winter. Two plots dressed at the rate of 3 cwts. of superphos- phate, and li cwt. of nitrate of soda, applied together in spring. Two plots dressed with 3 cwts. of superphosphate in winter, and 1^ cwt. of nitrate of soda in spring. Two plots dressed with 1^ cwt. of nitrate of soda in spring. Two plots dressed with I5 cwt. of nitrate of soda, applied in two equal portions, the last dressing distributed one mouth after the iirst. Two unmanured plots for comparison. Several plots on the College Experimental Farm were, in addition to the above, dressed with similar applications, double the amounts per acre being employed. In these experiments the following questions were put to the soil : First, what is the measureable effect of nitrate of soda n increasing the wheat crop '? Second, what increase is obtained by siipplenienting a dressing of niti'ate of soda with superphos])hate ? Third, how does the period of application alfect the result of a certain dressing ? Fourth, may nitrate of soda be applied at two periods, instead of at once, with advantage ? Fifth, is a heavy dressing, say of 3 cwt. of nitrate of soda, more effective than a dressing of H cwt. ? These questions, to some extent, have been answered) iu some cases clearly and definitely, in others with more or less uncertainty. Even the most definite answers must only be looked upon as correct for a particular soil and season, and therefore a repetition of some, if not all, the experiments is desirable. The following experiments upou the application of nitrate of soda to wheat, 1869, were at the Royal Agri- cultural College at Cirencester : Applied. March May 1 March March March May 1 March March May 1 March 25. 24. Amount per acre. lbs. I 336 336 336 J336 168 1 168 168 Total graia per acre. Increase per acre. Average increase. lbs. lbs. lbs. 2490 2090 2570 970| 570 ( 1050J 863.3 1800 280") 1990 470 C 423.3 2040 520 3 1640-) 1560 I- 1360 3 1520=average of three unmanured plots. The next series of experiments upon applications of manm-e to wheat, 1869, were by Mr. Smith of Bibury : Quantity Grain In- Straw Applied. of manure per per acre. per per acre. acre. acre. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. Nitrate of soda April 80 2280 120 4440 ditto April 10 ... ditto May 10 ... J 168 3280 520 4580 ditto April 168 3200 440 4120 ditto April 168 3200 440 4440 Unmanured ... 2760 3500 Superpliosphatei Nitrate of soda 336 7 168 5 3740 980 5900 Su perphosphate January . . . Nitrate of soda 336 ■> 168 4060 1300 6160 Superphosphate Nitrate of soda 336^ 168 5 3220 460 4740 Superphosphate Nitrate of soda 336^ 168 3500 740 5420 Then we have the following results of the trials in 1869 upon wheat, by Mr. Ruck, of Braydon Manor Farm : riots (1.20tli acre each). Date I of appli- cation. Nitrate of soda (applied at twice) | Nitrate of soda (applied at twice) j Nitrate of soda Nitrate of soda Lawes' superphosphate Nitrate of soda Lawes' superphospbato Nitrate of soda Lawes' superphosphate Nitrate of soda Lawes' superphosphate INitrate of soda , Lawes' superpliosphate Nitrate of soda Lawes' superphosphate Nitrate of soda Nothing ditto ditto ditto ditto Apr.l3 May 13 Apr. 13 May 13 Apr. 13 Apr. 13 L<'eb. 23 Feb. 23 Feb. 23 Feb. 23 Feb. 23 Apr. 13 Feb. 23 Apr. 13 Apr. 13 Apr. 13 Apr. 13 Apr. 13 Quantity of manure used per acre. lbs. 168 168 168 168 336) 186 5 336 1 168 5 336 i 168 5 3361 168 5 3361 186 5 336 1 168 5 Weight ol grain per acre. lbs. 2460 2520 2480 2520 2340 2700 2720 2600 2620 3360 2200 2280 2160 2060 2120 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 91 The next tabular statement gives the result of other valuable experiments on the application of superphosphate and nitrate of soda to wheat, 1869, at the Royal Agri- cultural College : Dressings per acre. Mineral superphosphates, 68Ulbs. "i Nitrate of soda, 3361bs j Mineral superphosphates, 6801bs.... Nitrate of soda, 3361b3 Mineral superphosphates, CSOlbs.... Nitrate of soda, 3361bs Mineral superphosphates, 6801bs.... Nitrate of soda, 3361bs Mineral superphosphates, SiOlbs.... Nitrate of soda, 1681bs Mineral superphospliates, SlOlbs.... Nitrate of soda, 1681bs Nothing ditto ditto Applied Jan. 11 Jan. 11 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Total grain per acre, 1820 I 2420 I 2550 I 21-90 I232O 1 1925 1640-) 1560^ 13G03 Increase per 300 900 1030 970 700 405 1520^ * Average of three unraanured plots. Another very important branch of our inquiry relating to the wheat crop is the comparative productiveness of different varieties of seed. The Higland Society of Scot- land not long since directed their attention to this ques- tion, and they awarded premiums for different reports of several laboriously-conducted experiments — the first to Mr. R. J. Thomson, of Kilmarnock. In his trials in 1864 and 1865 the produce per acre was as follows : 1861-. Qr. bu. lbs. Ilopetown 4 2 5 WoolleyEar 4 5 0 Feuton 4 4 40 Hunter 4 2 0 1865. Qrs. bu. lbs. , 8 0 11 .824 9 0 39 . 7 5 51 The second premium was awarded to Mr. P. Turnbull, of Dunbar {/l/id., p. 352), for his experiments in the years 1864 and '65. The produce he obtained per acre of good grain in these years was — 1864. Qr. bs. pk, Hunter 3 6 2 Hopetown 4 0 1 Shirreff 4 5 2 Teuton 4 7 1 1865. Qr. bu. 5 3 4 5 4 3 5 0 The third premium was given to INIr. J. Richardson, of Preston Kirk, in East Lothian, for his trials in 1864 and 1865. The produce he obtained per acre of good grain, in bushels and lbs., was as follows : 1864. Bu. lbs. 1865. Bu. lbs. MungoswcU 38 25 33 21 Hopetown 34 61 35 34 Hunter 34 60 37 19 Fenton 38 61 39 36 The very different amount of seed obtained in these trials, from three or fonr varieties of wheat, will not es- cape the reader's attention. There is no reason, indeed, to doubt that much is to be profitably accomplished by selecting seed better adapted to the soil and climate of a district than has hitherto been deemed probable, and the same remark will well apply to the other branches of the inquiry to which I have in this paper briefly alluded ; in- deed, whoever will only steadily study in Nature's book will be pretty certainly rewarded by valuable readings which time will, in all reasonable certainty, never exhaust. "OVEE MY PIPE." I've been roaming, I've been roaming where the meadow grass is sweet ; And I'm coming, and I'm coming with the dew upon my feet ! This means, under exceedingly strong metaphorical language, that I went down upon the occurrence of the thaw to inspect the condition of our river bank, and to note what effect the drifting ice might have upon the protective piers, the history of which I have in these columns gradually detailed. They have now been proved to be such a thorough success that I have the greatest satisfaction in explaining minutely, ior the benefit and guidance of those amongst your readers who may desire to save a swiftly-wasting bank from the undermining action of an insidious stream, not only the several points in which our plan has answered, but also the weak points that we have had to mend. In the first instance, every river-wise person that we met or spoke to when our pro- ject was in embryo said that what we had to do to save the bank was to plant " sallies " — that is, willow cuttings — along it, mentioning several instances of very success- fully encouraged accumulation at several turns of the river. They always overlooked the fact that in each of these cases the gathering took place upon the slack, not the current side of the stream. There where the weaker water rested it was only too glad to have anything, stick or stone, to cling by or lean against, and let the mud drain out of its shoes. But upon the other side where the stream was wearing against its earthen barrier (as you may sec a hungry, poaching old sow go trying with her snout along the lowermost rail of the prohibitive fence) planted bushes could serve no earthly purpose, save as a buffet for the river's boxing powers, like the stuffed sack upon which the ambitious prize-fighter at once burnishes his skill and builds up muscle. The sack of course gradually suffers, and would gladly I dare say if it could "hide its diminished head;" and, to pursue the figure even further, as upon the day of real battle the human antagonist hammered about the head gets shaky about the feet, similarly do thick shrubs sufier when sub- jected continually to the bufl'etiiig of the old river god ; they ultimately give way and tumble over, breaking up from its solidity too the bed on which they stood, and exposing it in fragmentary shape to the force of the in- vading torrent, which moreover, as the too greedy school- boy, impatiently chews as well as sucks his plum. " I once tried the plan," one informant said, " and it answered splendidly until one tremendous flood came and swallowed up the whole concern." What was ihis but the well- known experience of the ingenious and economical old gentleman who by help of green spectacles had just suc- ceeded in inducing his faithful Dobbin to feed on shavings and fancy it was grass, when the gentle creature died ! The fact is no greater mistake could be made than keep- 9^ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ing a plantation on the banlc you want to save, in the fond hope that its roots will keep the soil together. The ungrateful little assemblage do nothing of the sort ; rather they are in a continual fret to get free, which the savage river by its worrying ultimately helps them to do. The only place in which our piers have failed to " fulfil the promise of their youth " is where the roots and about a foot of the upstanding stem, with its attaching tresses, was left uncleared at the base of the slope ; but I am thankful that it was overlooked, for it has taught us an excellent lesson. The " exception proves the rule " is a proverb which is herein borne out. Gradually we watched the waters burrow round its holding (we were always intending to remove it, but either the boat was not ready when we wanted it or the bill-hook, and so it never got removed, and is now hang- ing wearily — we can see it in the deep water — waiting until the sinking of the flood shall enable us to sever its surviving claw), and finally a solid mass of the bank, after the old fashion, slipped in to fill the hole. In all other respects, as without exception the most prejudiced have confessed en paying them a visit of inspection, these pro- tective fences have answered admirably. "Within them it is surprising what a quantity silts up with every flood — a process which will obviously continue until the accumu- lation is level with the slope of the piers, and forms one gradual turfed incline, right into the heart of what were before building the deep waters of a salmon pool. Then shall the assailing stream slip over them without let or damage. I had been long since persuaded of their general ex- ceeding merit, but it has only been during the recent thaw that we have had the structure tested to the utter- most. There has not been such a frost hereabouts for ten years it is said, and when once the ice-locked waters began to move it was a sight to see. For hours, for days and nights, with a seething sloppy sound in one continu- ous flow the brokcn-up masses of snow-covered ice con- tinued to move on as it were to the distant looker-on a long band of frosted bridal cake. Past the extremities of our piers the current kept its sweep, and block after block, fragment after fragment, went drifting swiftly by, one just catching the other as it came too near what our young school-boys call " a gentle kick." Sometimes, when there was an obstacle and a stoppage lower down, the bigger members of the shoal dipped under and threw up in affrighted altitude some weaker neighbour right on end, or crushed it within the boiling mass. Stiirsafely and surely they had been shunted off the pier point, until all of a sudden I saw one big stone upon it lower surface tremble. Then taking mean advantage of its fright, under influence of which it had staggered too near the swift outside stream, a young thickset ice-block, about a yard across and a foot deep, hit it something like a blow beneath the ear, which a second ice youngster following up knocked the stone right into the seething abyss. This was not much after all, and so long as its surviving brother pebbles kept a judicious down-charge, as did the Duke's guards at Waterloo, there was no fear of further damage. It was only when a fellow funked and peeped to have a look that he received the retributive blow. The greater masses went contemptuously by, as if in impotent anger, until all of a sudden one monster, taking a dive and thereby mounting upon its back another equally ^'ghty, was enabled maliciously to get a sweep of the shore above the surface of the water, and came thump agamst our projection, making the whole bank tremble : an alarming etfect which was immediately followed up by another triangular block being similarly mounted and brought point on against our precious handywork, this time picking out a boulder which it all but dislodged. Then another, but I did uot dare to wait any longer, as I was powerless to help. Second period. Having finished one pipe, I took a stroll to see the children skating upon a frozen overflow by the river, and then went, somewhat nervously I am bound to confess, to see what effect the icebergs had finally had upon my jetties. It has been undoubtedly disastrous. Off two at least a foot in height has been knocked off, but not out of reach, and the damage can be easily repaired. From the observations I have taken it is essential that, as soon as fine weather a&brds the op- portunity, the facing next the eui'rent should be built with morter, or else be protected in front by a fence of stakes. At least there should be one stout post at the end to act as buffer against the recurrence of such drifting sledge-ham- mers. On this subject no more to be said by me, and I trust little to learn. There has been a glorious drift of sand and pebbles within each one of them. Having finished this survey, I went to the homestead to see how the cattle tied up for fatting thrive. It is the only part of the agricul- tural business that I don't care particularly about, and with respect to which consequently I am perpetually obliged to consult the rules of others. The distinguished M'Combie's rules have helped me most, and I commend, as a kind ser- vice to my younger brethren, the following statements, which I have underlined in his little volume to save trouble or reference. As respects the winter treatment of fattening beasts, he observes: "It is indispensable for the improvement of the cattle that they receive their turnips clean, dry, and fresh." He then recommends the storing, if possible, of the whole of the swede crop (I wish we had done so this year), but not the " Aber- deenshire Yellow (only a pi'oportion), as they lose the relish, and cattle prefer them from the field ; but I re- quire a proportion of them for calving cows in frost. Frosted turnips make cows with calf abort ; and, rather than give calving cows such turnips, I would order them straw and water." This I can endorse as regards sheep too. A few frosted turnips (it was fancied the frost was out of them) were thrown to a ewe flock the other day. During the night one threw her lamb, and had to be re- moved. The fact is, they give the gripes, and the strain- ing forces out the fcctus prematurely. " However faith- ful in other respects, the cattle-men must have a taste and a strong liking to cattle : they must be their hobby." " Even with men of the greatest experience, the difference in the thriving of the different lots upon the same keep is great. They must not be oppressed with having too many in charge, or the owner will suffer by his ill-judged parsimony. From August till November, a man may t«ke care of thirty cattle very well, or a few more, if the cattle are tied ; but when the day gets short, twenty to twenty-five are as many as one man can feed, to do them justice. Good cattle-men are invaluable. They must not only know what to give the cattle, but the great secret, especially when cattle are forced up for show purposes, is to know iv/iai not to give them," "When improperly treated" (through having too much turnips injudiciously given), "the cattle scour and hove, the stomach getting deranged. It is a long time before they recover, and some never do well. We generaUy cure hove by repeated doses of salt, sulphur, and ginger." " The cattle intended for the great Christmas market" (on swedes since October) " have at first 21b. to 41b. of cake a day by the 1st of November. In a week or two I increase the cake to at least 41b. a day, and give a feed of bruised oats or barley, which I continue up to the 12th or 14th of December, when they leave for the Christmas market." " It is absolutely necessary to in- crease the quantity of cake and corn weekly to ensure a steady improvement ; and if cattle are forced upon cake THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 93 aud corn over two or three months, it will, in my opinion pay no one." For the introduction of these extracts I make no apolog;y. I have found the volume, Gatilc and Cattle Breeders, most interesting and serviceable. I will only add that I have no personal knowledge whatever of Mr. M'Combie, although he is doubtless well known to most agriculturists through the lovely level black polled beifers he has shown, no less than by the huge bullock which was the wonder of London at a com- paratively recent fat show, THE IRISH LAND ACT. For many years past it has been a very necessary duty with us to draw, as occasion may offer, the very strongest distinction between English and Irish Tenant Right. There is, indeed, no doubt that the confusion of the two claims has greatly retarded the extension of that principle which we have so long advocated. No man is more sen- sitive as to the maintenance of his own rights than the lauded proprietor, who identifies his position in this way with the exercise of all kinds of privileges, aud who grows alarmed so soon as these come under discussion. In this case, however, bis terrors have been grounded chiefly on his ignorance. In his neglect to master the subject he has arrayed himself against an unknown enemy, and protested the more, as proportionately less, he comprehended the question. There are hundreds and thousands of landlords in this country who have turned their backs on Tenant Right and driven it from their doors on no better showing than that of the candid gentleman's dislike to Dr. Fell. The reason why he could not tell, but he did not like the Doctor. It has always been very clear to us that the Irish cry was at the bottom of this indefinite dread. Since the day when O'Connell made Tenant Right a war shout people have associated the very name with disaffection and encroachment. The sacred rights of property were to be disturbed, the actual owner was no longer to enjoy the control of bis estate, as the mere occupier could keep possession and set the otber at defiance. It was counter to some such feeling as this, that Mr. Gladstone broached his Irish Land BiU, a measure which was passed mainly on the understanding that the Irish themselves asked for it, and that the English had nothing to do with it. StUl, ably as the difficulty was bandied, there was an impression that the Government had gone too far, th%t it had given too general a recognition to certain peculiar usages and customs. IMr. Sewell Read, in fact, at the last Farmers' Club dinner, said in so many words that " The small tenant farmer of Ireland is not merely going to be paid for every sixpence that he has expended on the soil, but he has also created for him a special interest in the occupation of the land which, although it may in the first instance be to his profit, will, I am quite sure, in the end militate greatly against the interest of the tenantry of Ireland, You can never do a wrong for one class but it must somehow or other eventually recoil upon that class." According to this the Irish Land Act was doubly a mis- take, twice cursed rather than blessed, but the Act is now upon its trial, as its inauguration has been productive of some very noticeable evidence. Cases for the courts have been cropping up all over [the country, as we have the reports of some dozen or so before us, while so far the settlement of these has been attended with no very ter- rible results. On the contrary, the adjustment of one now famous difference between landlord and tenant is altogether encouraging. According to the landlord's own statement of the facts, the tenant on the case being settled by mutual consent " is to receive £350, and, in addition, I forgive the rent due. Had I pressed the case, she would have got considerably less. The proceedings have only cost about £400, and I shall be no loser, for, as a fine of £500 could easily be got if the farm were let on a thirty-one years' lease at the present rent, it follows that, from a new ofliicial occupant, an increased rent will be ob- tained, equal to about 4 per cent, on the entire outlay." Here it wUl be seen that the tenant actually receives a larger amount of compensation than the Act would have sanctioned, and still the landlord is amply satis- fied. As the concluding sentence of his letter runs, " I feel justified in asserting even from the above ex- ceptional experience that Mr. Gladstone's Land Act is by no means the confiscatory measure some people would fain persuade us." Naturally enough, all the actions have not run off as easily as that of Mrs. Moore against Mr. Macartney. As one of the judges has put it, "the poor frieze-coated man may think he sees fields of gold before him in the Act," and yet the claims have been by no means so preposterous as we had been led to expect. Another lady sets her total of compensation at £31 ; and, after deducting the year's due, the fuU amount is allowed. John Morgan asks for £38 in all, and " having so im- proved his land as to increase its letting value," he was entitled to £30. So far, if not unreasonably, the tenant seems to have the best of it ; but the Act would promise to work quite as well for the protection of the landlord. Thus, William Moore, who makes out a long bill compounded of loss of holding, draining, hedging and ditching, subsoiling and drawing mother-earth gets in all £45 instead of £166 17s. 6d., at which he had estimated his " rights." Again, a claim for improvements made more than twenty years since cannot be entertained, and the amount is thus reduced to a mere trifle. Certainly so far we fail to trace any recog- nition of any unwholesome interest in the land on behalf of the occupier. Naturally a man who paid for good-will when he went in would expect to be paid again when he went out, and this of course often swells the sum to be received ; but, if they can afford to do so, the sooner the Irish landlords buy up all such good- will the better for them and their estates, just as allowances for tillages or acts of husbandry should be compounded for in England, as the only effect of such a custom is to lock up and render useless a certain proportion of the tenant's capital. There is one feature, however, in the Irish Tenant-Right, as exhibited through the Land Courts, that is not so assuring of any ultimate good. Here, in England, if Tenant-Right can mean anything, it must mean permanent improvement or sustained cultivation. If a man systematically reduces the farm again before he leaves it, of course he sacrifices his claim by so doing, or, in. other words, takes care to pay himself out. A plaintiff the other day said in his evidence that within the last three or four years he had been taking all he could out of the land, and that he was bound to take as many crops as he liked after his good treatment of the land. This may be in some measure a question of degree, but the admission sounds as if the tenant was xo'ejitaniif/ to leave. 9-t THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the very thing that the action of the English i)riii(;iplc would go to avoid. But, as we said in the outset, the two Rights should be carefully kept apart, as no one yet ever thought of extending the Irish Land Act to Englaud. Nevertheless, as a measure fi-araed to meet a peculiar difficulty it promises at least from so short a trial to be working very satisfactorily. The judges would appear to be in no way embarrassed in interpreting the intention of the several clauses, and the reports of the cases as a rule read clearly and reasonably enough. If there be any feeling of disappointment this will be found, we fancy, chiefly amongst the cottier holders, who have scarcely got as much " Justice" as they had counted on. Their claims are very closely sifted, rather than admitted offhand, as they had probably been led to believe would be the effect of the new law. There were others who, looking at the matter from a different point of view, came very much to the same conclusion, but neither these exaggerated hopes nor fears have been realised. Even in Ireland, Right to the tenant docs not as now interpreted imply WfOiui to the landlord, as there can be no question but that many excessive or outrageous demands which might have been pressed through custom will never be sanc- tioned by law. Some few weeks back we gave the address of another Irish landlord. Sir II. "Winston Barron, who congratulated his tenantry " on the passing of an Act of Parliament that will give you security of tenure aud security for any improvements you may make on your farms. Recollect that whatever money you expend in draining, in buildings, in reclaiming lands, or other improvemcuts, must be by law repaid to you before you can be dispossessed of your holdings. It is therefore clearly your interest to improve your farms. Ail the profit of the improvements will be for your beuetlt and that of your children. No one can deprive you of this profit. I, therefore, believe this new law is a good law, both for landlord and tenant." It would really seem according to this that the effect of the new Act would after all be to assimilate the Irish prin- ciple more and more with Euglish Right, the essential difference being the sale of the goodwill, for which extra- ordinary prices have been given within only the last few days. THE TRURO AGRICULTURAL EXCHANGE. At the annual dinner, Mr. Pendarves Vivian, M.P., in the chair, the foUowiug report from the analytical chemist, Mr. S. T. Rowe, of Redruth, was presented : In compliance with the request of the members of the Exchange that I should furnish a report respecting how far my services have been made use of by the members of the Exchange during tlie past year, I beg to state that since my appointment in May last numerous communications have been addressed to me by the members, liaving reference to agricultural matters, some requiring special information, which in every case has been promptly supplied to the best of my ability and judgment. Samples of manures, agricultural salts, soils, and fodder have been received and reported on to Dee. 31, 1870, as follows : 18 of guano, 8 nitrate, 7 soda, 5 dissolved bone, 9 superphos- phate of lime, 3 corn manure, 6 sulphate of ammonia, 3 soils, 0 fodder ; total 57. It is a matter worthy of remark that during the last six months guano appears to have decreased to a considerable extent with per-centage yield of ammonia. Tiie standard per-centage of this element in Government Peruvian guano lias for some years stood at It per cent., but for tiie future I fear such can liardly be maintained or ex- pected. It may afford some satisfaction, however, to learn that what we are losing in ammonia we are to some extent gaining in an increase of phosplmtes. A knowledge of tliis fact may serve to prevent much misunderstanding between tlie merciiaat aud consumer. In Chili saltpetre, or nitrate of soda, tjiere appears a larger amount of foreign matter than in any other manure yet examined. Out of tlie eiglit samples ana- lysed two only reached the standard of "Jl per cent., one con- tained 3iJ per cent, of rock salt, one 30, one 28, one 23, and the lowest 12. In dissolved bone, with one exception, all the samples were of good quality. In ;the superphosphates five were high-class manures, two moderate, and three extremely low and badly made. The corn nmnures all contained guano, two having nitrate of soda aud common salt mixed, which in- creased the per-centage of water daily ; one sample of fodder was a mixture of chaff, prepared mangold, meal, and salt, hardened into the consistence of soft cheese, and had so far fermented as to become sour and unfit for animal consumption, inasmucli as vegetable acids thus formed tend to a reduction of fat in the animal, and not to the generation of it. Two gentlemen requested to know if a substitute for straw could be found or recommended to be used as litter for cattle and pigs. Tliey were advised by me to obtain bark waste from a tanyard, or use sawdust, both of which being preferable to straw, if the tan or«awdust were sprinkled with a weak solution of oil of vitiiol in water, as the oil of vitriol serves to fix the ammonia generated by the decomposition of urine, transforming it into sulphate of ammonia, one of the most active fertilizers known to agriculturists, and it also prevents much of the stench which is so commonly observed in stables and cow-houses. I beg also to state that in two cases I have been called upon to report on the milk of cows suffering from foot-and-mouth disease. Although these cases were not submitted to me by members of the Truro Agricultural Exchange, they may be of interest to note. In one case, to which I would particularly refer, the milk came from the dairy of a gentleman who had entertd into a contract for the daily supply of milk to a large public institution. Assisted by a medical gentleman, a rigid examination of the milk was made under high microscopic power and different liglits. Nothing abnormal in the appear- ance of the fat globules or albumen of the milk could be dis- covered. In taste, weight, colour, and general condition no- thing unusual could be detected which would lead to an inference that the cow was suffering from the effects of a blood poison. The chemical composition of the milk was ascer- tained with great care, and when compared with the milk taken from a prize Jersey cow in perfect health and condition, with the exception that the latter yielded a little larger per- centage of animal fat, but little difference existed. I mention this case in the hope that other gentlemen more competent than myself may be led to further investigate tlie matter, and not with a view of settling the question as to whether milk taken from a cow suffering from foot-and-mouth disease is fit for human food. The Chairman said that last year he recommended them to secure the services of an analytical chemist. At that time he thought he had given birth to a new idea ; and though he was flattered to find that his suggestion had been adopted, he found the aphorism " there is nothing new under the sun" confirmed, for in reading over the report of the select com- mittee on the Seeds' Adulteration Bill, 1864, he saw that across the border analytical chemists had been employed by associations since 1859. He would read them some of the evidence given before the committee by Mr. Siiarp, a .seed- merchant of Lincolnshire, who in question 92 said that the growth of seeds was usually reduced by the trade from 70 to 75 per cent. : and in reply to question 211 he acknowledged that out of £100 wortli of turnip seed there would be only £75 wortli of good seed, leaving £25 to be accounted for. In question 272, Mr. Sharp said he believed the standard of the generality of the trade to be about 75 per cent, of ger- minating power, and in question No. 27(5, that the germi- nating power of " net" seed was from 90 to 100 per cent. This evidence was confirmed by Mr. P. Kennedy, another seed merchant, who, in reply to questions, said there were two establishments in Lo.idon where 100 tons of clover seed are doctored every week, and that he believed 15,000 tons of clover seed are sold per annum in the United Kingdom, of which 1,000 to 1,500 tons are doctored. lu THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 95 question 501, he said, " the farmer need only huy 85lbs. weiglit of the net to produce the same result as lOOlbs. of the adul- terated seed." It appeared to him (the speaker) necessary that some parliamentary investigation should take place in this matter. During the sitting of the committee, Dr. S. McAdam, lecturer on chemistry at the Royal College of Surgeons, Edin- burgh, and consulting and analytical chemist employed by the Tarmers' Analytical Association, was examined. This society was instituted in 1859 for tlie purpose of testing manures and feeding-stuff, and in 1862 they commenced the examination of seeds. He would explain that by the rules of this association the members were to assess themselves, and the annual rate of assessment was 5s. per 100 acres of arable land, and no farmer was to pay for less than 200 acres, and none for more than 1,200. The rate of assessment was soon reduced, until now it was only 2s. per 100 acres, and the number of members from CO to 70. Dr. McAdam stated the per centage of live seeds in each kind of plant to be as follows, as a seven years' ave- rage : — White clover 72, alsike clover Ji, red clover 87, yel- low clover 7i, and taking the whole during seven years of the clover plants, the average was 76 per cent. In yellow clover the professor said he found as little as 32 per cent, sprouted, and of white clover as high as 90 per cent. lu turnip-seed he found the germinating power as low as 27i per cent. The average of seeds he found to be as follows : Clover 76, cow grass 85, rye grass 75, turnips 7'2^, sheep parsley 40 ; total average 70 per cent. In con- nection with this analytical association, when the farmer found that the analysis showed the manure or feeding-stulf is lu »t up to the proper standard, he complains to the dealer or agent, and demands a reduction, or that tlie material shall be taken back. The effect of this association has been very marked indeed, and the improvement both in the quality of manures, feeding-stulfs, and seeds very decided. The follow- ing question was put by the committee : " lias the effect of your Society been really to stamp out adulteration in your dis- trict ?" The reply was : " It has ; we have had only one in- stance of an inferior manure this year, and no instance of in- ferior seed." And the cost of tliis improvement effected by the association had been only 2s. per lOO acres of arable land. He troubled them with these extracts from the report issued by the committee of the House of Commons in order to show them what had been the result of an association that had been iu existence but eleven years, and he had presented the secre- tary of the Exchange with a printed copy of the report. The plan of employing au analytical chemist appeared to liim to be exceedingly satisfactory ; and though he had not the slight- est reason to suppose that the seeds sold iu this neighbourhood were not " net," and the manures genuine, yet it was well that the farmers should be in a position to ascertain the actual value of the articles they were purchasing. He thought that this employing an analytical chemist would make merchants exceedingly careful what class of seeds and manures they at- tempted to sell ; certainly tliere could be no harm in having suclii cientific investigation, and the cost was exceedingly smai. . This question he brought before them the previous year, as it struck him, from being concerned in business, that they should not buy seeds or manures without knowing their actual worth ; and in this respect agriculturists should be in the same position as those who carried on mercantile or manu- facturing businesses. Mr. Olver quite concurred with the chairman in his esti- mate of the importance of chemical analysis to the agricul- turist. There was no doubt that manure and food stuffs were largely adulterated, and this they wanted to put a stop to. The growth of this Exchange was a matter of considerable congratulation to the members, yet the society might be made of much more service to the menbers than it was. Lectures, he thought, should be delivered from time to time on questions of interest to agriculturists. The question of local taxation, he thought, might be left to our Chambers of Agriculture to deal with, but tliere were many subjects connected with prac- tical agriculture that might be considered with benefit to the members of the Exchange and agriculturists iu general. Agriculture he considered one of the most important indus- trial occupations of any nation, and he should be delighted if he could congratulate the agriculturists of this county on being in a prosperous condition. They were often called " grumblers," but of late they had found out that it did not pay to grumble. Eor instance, if they had a bad crop it would not do to make it known to the world, for then the eagle-eyed merchant went to other countries and supplied the deficiency. Thus, when they could no longer get high prices for a small crop, agriculturists found it was opposed to their interests to grumble — they had better give out to the world that tliey were highly prosperous, when, in fact, the reverse was the case (laughter). The last two or three years had been most disastrous to the farmers of the kingdom ; and it was said by well-informed men that during the last three years two years' rent of all the land in England had been sacrificed by the occu- pier, and this he believed to be the case. The losses of farmers were somewhat peculiar, and could not at once be ascertained. Now, if a commercial man made a bad debt he knew his exact loss at once, but with the farmer the ease was different. During the last three years they had suffered from almost unprecedented drought, and the effect of this would be felt for years to come. Last year, for instance, though he kept a farm as well calcu- lated to produce grass as any iu the county, he had scarcely grass sufficient to keep his cattle alive, and his grass was worth no more at Michaelmas than at Lady-day. The con- sequence was, he had to feed his cattle on corn and cake, and their condition was such that he must keep until Lady- day cattle he ought to have been able to dispose of at Michaelmas last. Thousands of sheep were now dying, not from starvation exactly, but from disease brought on from scarcity of food. Cattle were iu a similar plight, and some farmers he had met to-day had lost their young cattle in a most unacoountable manner. The fact was, the warmth of last summer kept the cattle alive, but now tlie cold had set in they became pinched up, and died off. Then there was but little straw last year, and the consequence would be that next year there would be but little manure at command. All these things were of considerable importance, and entailed great losses on agriculturists — losses that were difficult to immedi- ately calculate. The question to which he would direct their attention was the increasing load of taxation. Taxes they had to pay, whether the wind blew high or low. He was sure he expressed the feelings of agriculturists when he said they were ready to pay all legitimate taxes : they wished to see the taxes of the country increase ; they wished the army and navy to be properly supported ; but they did not want to pay more than their fair shares. They were wiUing to pay in accordance to the value of the property protected, but they wished that otliers should pay in the same proportion — in fact, to have fair pliy and no favour. The landed interest was burdened with too many taxes, and he did not hope for any relief until the landed interest had regained that influence in the House of Commons it had lost, and had become absorbed by the manu- facturing classes. The last tax put on them — that of education — was of considerable importance, and some hon. gentlemen were beginning to see that there was truth in the opinions he expressed on this subject the previous year. Mr. Brydges Willyams had stated that he would not vote for a higher rate than one penny in the pound, but he (the speaker) was certain they could not carry out tlie provisions of the new Act on a rate of Id. or 2d. in the pound. How was it possible for all the children it was determined to educate to be sent to school and maintained on such a rate ? Was it possible for a labour- ing man with eight or ten children to support and educate them on lOs. or 12s. a week ? That was out of the question. With respect to education he thought it possible to educate the children of the lower classes so highly as to do away with their being merely useful members of society, and if a poor lad was educated above his position he was generally excluded by those above him from filling the situation for which he was qualified ; and this social jealousy did actual injustice to the lad. But social jealousy did not end here ; he had noticed in the JLiiii: Lane Krprcss some correspondence having reference to the education of the children of the tenant-farmer class in Herefordshire, and surprise was expressed that they should be so accomplished as to play the piano. But we need not go so far as Herefordsliire. He knew an instance within 20 miles of his own residence where a clergyman entered a farmer's house, was quite surprised to see a piano, and ventured to ask if any one in the house could play on the instrument. Surely if such a feeling existed among the upper ten thousand they should be careful how they spent money on the children of the lower classes, or they would be better educated than themselves. Mr. Pendarves Vivian: said : One of the most important measures which had come before Parliament since he had been 96 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. a memLer was tlie Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, to which the dreadful scourge of the rinderpest gave rise. Under that Act the country had granted compensation to agricultur- ists to the extent of £800,000 in money, of which ahout £250,000 went to the county of Chester alone. The effect of the otlier clauses of that BiU was, after stamping out the dis- ease, to prevent as far a possible its re-introduction to the country. With that end in view the Privy Council was em- powered to stop altogether the importation of cattle from countries which could not produce a clean bill of health, and place limitations upon importations from what might be called suspicious countries. Local authorities were, moreover, en- abled to take measures for preventing the spread of the disease, and the transport of cattle was also taken care of. It now only lay with the consumer to demand that the railway com- panies should feed the cattle during transit, and their demands must be complied with. It was most important to the agricul- turist that his cattle should arrive at their destination in good condition, and not in a half-starved and exhausted state. That bin had been conducted through Parliament by the same gentleman who had the conduct of the Education Bill, Mr. Porster, who had on botli occasions shown the utmost ability, and disarmed opposition, although he (Mr. Vivian) had felt himself compelled to vote against him more than once. He hoped that if, unhappily, the rinderpest should find its way into the country again, that the power given by the Act of which he had spoken would enable them to stay its progress to a very great extent. The Act also gave power to deal with the scab in sheep and the foot-and- mouth disease, both of which, he was sorry to hear, had made their appearance in the county. The rating of mines had long been a vexed c^uestion in Cornwall, but he hoped it would be fairly settled during the ensuing Session, by the bill to be brought in by Mr. Goscheu, President of the Poor Law Board. The Chairman next gave " The health of the Secretary," jMr. W. H. P. Martin, than whom he had never come across a more efficient secretary. Mr. LLvRTiN, the Secretary, read the following : LIST OF AWARDS. 1st Class Farms, Maximum Points 40, Names. J. Sydney Davey Hichard Tremaine Peter Thomson ... G. Mason Wm. James 7 7 6 3 G 5 a 7 7 7 7 33 36 30 29 29 38 1 37 3 31 2nd Class Farms. Lemon Chellow 8 7 7 8 Wm. H.Hall 8 6 7 8 JoelManuell 5 5 7 7 1st Class Roots, Maximum Points 33. Con- Drilled Clean. Crops, sump- Total Prize tion. H.J.Hocking 7 G. Mason 7 Richard Tremaine ... 7 8 7 P. Thomson 7 7 6 J. Trerise 7 6 6 Wm. James 7 6 6 W. Ilendy 7 5 6 J. S. Davey 8 3 5 2nd Class Roots. James Hall 6 Henry Pearce 6 Simon Chellew 8 W.H.Hall 7 C. John Angove 6 JoelManuell 8 W.U.Hall 8 Simon Chellew 8 H. J. Hocking 7 Peter Thomson 7 John Trerise 7 Henry Pearce 6 Wm. Hendy 7 J. S.Davey 8 Martin and Son's Prize. 8 8 30 28 29 27 26 26 25 21 27 26 30 30 25 23 31 31 29 29 26 26 25 24. The judges, Messrs. John Magor .lud John Stephens, mad the following note respecting Mr. Thomson's farm. " We were very much pleased at the manner in which Mr. Thomson is cultivating his land, although we could not give him a farm prize. It is only a few years since he took the farm, but during this short time he has laid out a considerable sum in manure, draining, &c., and is deserving of great credit." With regard to Mr. Manuell the judges remarked, " Much of late has been said about the cultivation of waste lands, and Mr. Manuell has, at a very great expense, brought land of the very worst description into cultivation ; this has been attended with an enormous amount of labour, which has, no doubt, to some extent, interfered with the management of the remainder of his estate, or he would probably have run the successful com- petitors more closely." In the third class, Mr. Hall and Mr. Chellew had the highest number of points, but the prize could not be awarded to either of those gentlemen because they had taken a prize in another class, and the rules prevented the competitor taking two prizes. Mr. Magor said the selection of seeds was a very important matter, and the remarks of the chairman upon the point were very valuable. He said he agreed with Mr. Olver in most of his remarks, and went on to point out the great burdens un- fairly placed upon agriculture, and advocated a more equal distribution of local taxation. The manufacturer possessed a great advantage over the farmer, for if his business did not pay he could shut it up, whereas the farmer was compelled to go on. He did not altogether agree with Mr. Giver's remarks respecting the Members of Parliament for towns, for he be- lieved agriculturists were often indebted to borough members. Mr. Stephens also responded. Mr. W. Trethewy recommended that a memorial should be sent to the High Sheriff requesting him to call a county meeting, at which the question of local taxation might be fully discussed, and where resolutions might be passed which would greatly strengthen the hands of their representatives in Parliament. He believed it was the county meetings which had been held from the Land's End to John O'Groat's House, which enabled Mr. Gladstone to carry the measure granting compensation for losses by the cattle plague, and he contended that every means of using their strength and obtaining justice should be adopted. Mr. Sydney Davy, the winner of the first prize cup, spoke in favour of deep cultivation, which ensured drainage in winter and absorption of moisture in summer. A great deal of good manure might be saved by having covered manure sheds at the farm buildings instead of allowing the valuable part of the manure to be washed away by the rain. They would save a third part of their roots by pulping them for botli cattle and sheep ; and by carrying half home and consuming the other half on the laud — pulped — and plough- ing in lightly, the land would carry a good crop of clover without any other manure. This course had enabled him to have, notwitlistanding the very dry summer, 50 tons of hay to dispose of, whilst he was selling his eleven months' old sheep for 50s. each. Another economy on the farm was to have a place for everything and to keep everytliing in its place. He advocated the cultivation of waste lands by steam-power, and believed it would pay. Mr. Chellew (St. Agnes), was astonished at a statement made by Mr. Olver to the effect that the competitors would not be much benefited by the prizes. He disputed that alto- gether, and held that if a man farmed properly, his farm ought to be always in a condition to compete for a prize. He was only a rack renter, but he could not do any more with his land if he were the owner, and he thought it was always to the interest of the occupier to farm in the best manner. Mr. Olver said he was of opinion that farms might be farmed too highly to be profitable to the practicable farmer. He did not beheve that what was called the garden system would be profitable if applied to a farm. Mr. Chellew disagreed altogether from Mr. Olver. He contended that the nearer they could approach to the garden system the more profitable they would find it. Mr. Olver advocated the classification of the prize list, in future, so as to give prizes to tenant farmers in one class, and to have separate classes for owners of land, and for persons who joined other occupations with farming. Mr. Magor said the owner of land had to allow the tenant farmer five points in the competition, wiiich he thought was quite enough. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 97 CHEESE FACTORIES FOR SCOTLAND. At a public meeting lield in the Townhall, Ayr, to take into coiisideratioa the propriety of establishing cheese factories in the district, similar to those iu operation in America and in some parts of England, the meeting was largely attended by the leading farmers and dairymen of the district. Mr. M.vRK J. Stewart, the chairman, said : The subject we have met together to consider to-day is not only one of local interest, but of great national importance. Every year brings with it changes necessary to the various systems of agriculture as practised amongst us, and any of us who can recall the progress made during the last twenty years may readily see how every department of husbandry has advanced. But iu order not to be behind in the path of progress, we must watch every attempt to economise labour, as well as the means employed, and bring to still greater perfection what our industry produces. It should be a matter of great considera- tion whether this cannot be done by uniting the available forces we possess in more systematic co-operation with each other, and, by the introduction of larger combinations of la- hour and capital, facilitate the object desired. We must not only look at home, but abroad, and ascertain whether results which have proved successful iu one country are apphcable to another. I need hardly speak to this meeting of the great importance the manufacture of cheese has exercised on the progress of agriculture in this part of Scotland. Not only has benefit accrued to the laird, but the gain has been shared by the tenant as well. Farms suitable for dairy stocks fetch a far higher price in the market than they would have brought before the introduction of the system, and their occupants as a body thrive. Many think, however, that this state of things will not long continue, and there is danger ahead. A cloud has arisen in the western horizon which threatens to over- whelm us. America is doing wonders iu her cheese-producing powers, A short tune ago her cheese was held of no account in the London market ; now it is competing with and out- bidding many of our best makes. That this danger is not ima- ginary, I may mention that the imports of cheese in 18G9 amounted to 979,189 cwts., one-half of which came from tlie United States, which moiety was worth £1,500,000. It may be useful in considering this question to trace its first origin. In 1848, a farmer, with more skill and enterprise than his neigh- bours, not content with the quantity his own dairy yielded, persuaded some neighbours to send their curd to him to be made into cheese. The curd was weighed, and paid for at a stipulated value, but was found so unequal iu quality that the project failed, and the attempt was given up. In 1851, a Mr. Jesse Williams, of Oneida County, New York, a " smart man," as the Americans would say, pre-eminent among his fellow- farmers for his excellent cheese, not only sold his own make but that of his son's, before either lot was manufactured. The son, a beginner, and just starting for himself in a farm, afraid lest his cheese should not come up to the mark, agreed to send his milk daily to his father's dairy, that the cheese might be of equal quality. His example was followed by others, and hence we trace the origin of the first cheese fac- tory in America, and how it was followed up. In 1854) we hear of four factories ; in 1860, 17 vvere established ; in 1861, 18 ; in 1863, 25. Erom this date, which may be considered the second epoch in the history of associated dairies, we find that private dairies were practically abandoned, and nearly the whole of the milk was sent to the factories. Now mark the rapid development of this system. Iu 1863, there were 111 new factories ; in 1861', 210; and in 1866, it was calculated that the produce of no less than 200,000 cows were passing through the factory process of cheese-making in the State of New York alone. Daring the past year, 1870, it is said that a sixth more in the total quantity of cheese was made in America, for, besides the factories, in localities where roads were bad and farmers far apart (so that the conveyance of the milk was rendered difficult) many branch factories were set up. Curious enough, the greatest impetus giventothis system arose from the rinderpest iu England. Hitherto dealers had avoided purchasing American cheese iu large quantities, but finding home supplies fail, were driven to buy in a foreign market. The Americans were not slow to perceive the tide had turned, and from the Dairy Conventions (institutions which I think we might do well to copy), or assemblies of practical men, meeting for the purpose of discussion, agents were sent to England to collect opinions on any practical point as to size, shape, colour, and to study the taste of the British public. We have already noted the success which this unity of purpose gave them. Let us next consider the constitution of the fac- tories, which are of two kinds. The joint-stock factory is where land is bought, buildings erected, plant fixed, shares taken by a number of individuals, a manager appointed by a committee to run the factory, and paid at a fixed rate of wages, or a percentage, and the proceeds divided at the end of the year. The whole produce of milk is sent by each of the farmers having an interest in the concern. The alternative system is that of a limited company, where one or more per- sons erect a factory, and either buy the milk from the sur- rounding farmers, or take charge of it, and manufacture it at a fixed price for them. It is important we should consider this management. It is simply that of a co-operative society ; a committee meets weekly and supervises the whole process. Each farmer is bound to convey punctually his milk night and morning. This is done in some places by a carrier, or by carting it turn about, and going a round with a waggon ; or each carting his own milk on his own account. The cans hold from 125 to 500 gallons each, and great care is taken that they should be quite clean, as through the carelessness of one person a large quantity of milk might be injured. It is not advisable to cart the milk above two miles, though it is fre- quently brought four or five, but as we have much better roads than in America, the advantage in this respect is on our side. On arriving at the factories the milk is handed up by a wind- lass and weighed, then run off into vats below — a receipt being given to the carter ; and as one gallon of milk is equal to ten pounds weight of milk, which should produce one pound of cheese, the farmer knows pretty well what his cows are doing. The vats are very large, capable of holding about 400 gallons of milk, or whatever may be the daily produce of 100 cows. A most importau tconsideration is a good supply of pure water, not exceeding a temperature of 54 degrees in summer. The whey is either used on the spot for the pigs or sold back (as at the Derby factories, at ^-d or Jd. per gallon). If fed on the place, each farmer is allowed one pig for every five cows. Many rear calves on the whey, or make it into butter by heating it to a temperature of 180 degs. Acid (or sour whey) is added at the rate of one gallon to every 50 of milk, when the oily matter rises at once and is taken off. Aljout 201bs. of butter are ob- tained from 500 gallons of milk. The butter is good for home consumption. It is considered no factory should have less than 300 cows to pay well ; from 500 to 800, or not exceed- ing 1,000 are the most profitable numbers. Remember that nearly the same expense necessary to work a small factory will manage a large one. The American dairymen do not like piling the shelves in their cheese lofts one above another, con- sidering it injurious to the cheese ; they prefer building the storehouse very high, with single shelves. It is reckoned there should be one skilled hand to every 400 or 500 cows, and one unskilled hand to every 200 cows. All the hands need not be continued the whole year. I am glad to think the system which I am now putting before you is having a fair trial at Derby and Longford, and, though this is the first season, the result as yet has been most favourable. In the factory at Derby, for 300 covi's, two men and one boy are the labour employed ; at Longford, for 500 cows, two men and two boys. One is an urban, the other a rural factory — the latter promises to be the most successful. Up to September their cheese had sold at from 80s. to S5s. per cwt, of 120 lbs. The farmers were paid Q^i. per gallon for their milk, with a share in the profits. Dairymen from America are working it. In Cheshire a tenant-farmer has started, and is working a factory, and says that it has more than realised his expecta- tions. But other countries besides England are adopting this system. Only on Monday I heard that the Kussian Govern- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. mcnt liad offered £200 for nine nionths to a young man in one of the Derbyshire factories to go abroad. Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland are all working at the same system. And now let us consider the principles on which this system is founded. These arc economy of labour, saving of capital, and a better article produced ; in other words, economy of prodae- tion and superiority of produce. To examine the tirst of these advantages, there is, you will observe, a great saving of labour. One man of skilled labour, with two assistants, can manage tiie produce of 500 cows. Spread these 500 cows over ten farms, and you require ten skilled persons and ten unskilled assistants. There is also a saving in the pur- chase of material wholesale, such as salt, rennet, anatto, and cheese cloths. Then you are more likely to have the premises in the best possible order and condition, instead of half-fitted- up inferior houses. Tactory cheese in America, as a rule, is sold at 10s. per ewt. more than cheese made in private dairies. It may be that these private dairies are probably not of so high a standard as our own. Suppose a dairy of 40 cows, each cow producing 4 cwt., or 4801bs. — this is 8 tons of cheese — say the manufacturing process costs OH. per lb., which is above market price — that would come to £37 6s. 8d., but 10s. per cwt. on 8 tons would amount to £80, you would still make £42 13s. 4d., besides saving some £20 in the keep of a servant, that is £62 13s. 4d. clear gain. But observe, if you go into a large concern the expense diminishes. Take a dairy of 800 cows for example, eacli cow yielding 4801bs., and see what the expense of running the factory would be — To interest on, say, £1,300 for factory £70 To materials, salt, rennet, S:c 160 For skilled hands and assistants 270 £500 This, divided over 800 cows, would show an expense in manu- facturing their produce of 12s. 6d. per cow, made a little over O^d. per lb. on the cheese. Now do not forget there is a further advantage in economy of production, by a great saving of drudging to the farmers' wives and daughters. We are not all big farmers — we cannot all afford bowers, and I think we do not half enough pity our own families. Iq making cheese in factories there is another great consideration, and that is uniformity in make ; and there is greater probability of effect- ing this in large quantities than in smaller ones. The remain- ing advantages are superiority in produce and higher prices. I feel confident that the system I am now advocating would be an immense boon to the smaller farmers in particular, who cannot now compete with their larger neighbours in quality or price. If a landlord erected the buildings, and the tenants paid a per-centage, as I have indicated above, the matter, if gone into with unity and a good spirit, and with no jealousy, would be found to pay well. But as every question has its dark side, let us look on the disadvantages of the factory sys- tem. First of all it is said, althougli you can detect watered milk, it is very difficult to do so, even with per cent, hydro- meters and lactometers, and a blackguard might by foul play injure a day's make of cheese ; then in carrying the milk to the factory it may come turned and sour, orthe cans may he dirty. Objections are often taken on the quality of milk varying in different byres. Letters from America tell us that this is not tiie case — that though there is great difference in individual cows, overy a number it is very small — cows well tended and carefully wintered will doubtless give a larger quantity, while the upland herds often yield as good a quality and better. In America it is necessary to make the early and later cheese at home, but I think we should not require to do so. Their fac- tory season begins from 1st to 15th of April and ends 1st to 15tli November. Another objection taken is to the greater cleanliness found in private dairies, but of this difficulty I do not think much. There is a danger, however, which may be greater than is apparent at first sight, lest the factory system prove a check to individual energy and exertion, and many may fall below the present standard, and cease to regard cheese-making either as a business or a study. It may be supposed that this system, if adopted, would put down the bowers. 1 think it would not do this. Farmers know how important it is their cows should be well fed and milked pro- perly— their grieves could not undertake this, and therefore superior men must still be employed, and if 10s. per cwt. were added to their price of cheeses, they would not grudge good wages to a good man. Remember all these disadvantages, and many more, meet the American farmers, and observe liow they are beating us in our own market, and have overcome all diffi- culties. I shall only say, in conclusion, that in proposing to introduce from another country any new process which appears favourable to our husbandry, we must examine the condition of thingj in the two countries, and, if different, ascertain whether the difference be favourable or prejudicial. In America we find land is cheap, labour dear, climate has great variations in heat and cold, from which we are exempt ; their market is more than 3,000 miles distant, while ours is at hand. My only object in bringing forward this subject is to ventilate the question and promote discussion upon it, and, if deemed advisable, appoint a committee who might go later in the spring and examine for themselves the English factories, and consider whether this system is suitable or not to this country. Recollect, Cheddar, an obscure village, became famous from a few small farmers combining to make large clieese. Let us not be behind hand, but let us unite still to retain our name and reputation as among the first cheese-makers in Scotland. I may mention this is a subject in which I take a deep interest, but it has lately been more directly brought under my notice by Mr. Frederick, of Gass. I trust that he will tell us what he has lately seen at the Derby factories, and that other gentlemen interested in the matter will give us their views on the subject. Mr. D. Frederick said : I must say that I have listened with much pleasure to the able and clear manner in which the Chairman has introduced the factory system of cheese-making. I have long thought of the factory system, but I confess to my having laboured under the false impression that it was impos- sible to make such fine cheese from carted milk as from milk carried in the usual way to a properly constructed dairy. This, however, was at once dispelled after seeing the appli- ances for that purpose. In the mouth of November I visited the Derby Cheese Factory, and it may not be uninteresting to many in this large meeting that I sliould relate what came under my observation there. Mr. Alderman Roe, who hand- somely gave the use of the premises free for one year, with great kindness and courtesy showed me over the factory, and the manager was most obliging in explaining everything as we went along. The carrying of milk is accomplished by means of cans, each about 2^ feet deep by 1| feet in diameter, having a lid, with an air pipe in centre to descend to any line of milk in it, and thus prevent any shaking of the milk, which is so injurious to it for making fine cheese. Each contributor's milk is emptied from his cans into a large can placed on a weighing machine, and let off through a pipe into the steeping vats, the weight, of course, being registered. The steeping vats are large boxes, about 20 feet long, 4 feet broad, and 20 inches deep, made of wood outside, and tinned inside, having a chamber between for steam or water, as required. They are partly filled with the evening's milk, and for the cooling of which a supply of cold water is allowed to circulate through the chamber, and the overflow is conducted on to a little water- wheel placed in the corner of the apartment, by which it thus makes one revolution per minute, and, by an ingenious, but simple appliance, the milk is gently agitated, to prevent the cream from rising. After the morning's milk is added, rennet is applied in tiie usual way ; but, not to weary you too much, I may tell you that in 26 hours Irom the adding of the rennet to the milk, the cheese is manufactured, and placed in the store to be matured. I could at once see that, with so many facilities, not only are the operations expedited, but there is economy of labour to a very great degree, whilst an article is produced, although, in my opinion, not equal to some of our crack dairies, decidedly superior to the average of this district. Since being at Derby I had the privilege of a conversation with Mr. Robert M'Adam, who with his family iiave the management of the milk of 12,000 cows in the" United States. He was cele- brated, as many present know, for cheese-making in this coun- try. He told me that he had been at the Longford Cheese Factory, in Derbyshire, and considered the clieese made supe- rior to the cheese made in two of the crack dairies of this dis- trict. I am convinced tliat cheese factories would prove a great lienefitto tlie dairy farmers of this district ; and although 1 would use every effort to secure a factory in ray district, I could not think of breaking up my present system, provided with a class of bowers as I presently have, but would willingly THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 99 coutribute my share in the erection of a factory, or inpay- ment of a rent-charge on it. The proprietors at Derby be- came guarantors to the extent of £5,000 sterUug- that tlie farmers should be paid G^d. per gallon for their juilk. 1 do not think we sliould ask any such guarantee ; but I think the proprietors sliould erect the factories at six per cent. With this provision, and on our being satisfied with the success of the IJerbyshire factories, I think we might go forward without fear of failure. I would suggest that the matter be taken up by such districts wliere factories are required ; that each ap- point a committee to visit the Derby factories, to report i'aitli- fully to tlieir neighbours, as being the best way of securing the co-operation of all interested ; and when a factory is to be es- tablished, I think it should not be for fewer than 800 cows, or more than 1,000, which latter number could be had within a radius in most districts here of two miles, which is not the third of the distance that milk is sent to factories. Mr. M'Adani told me that the purest milk was driven seven miles to bis factory, and that no attempt at fraud was attempted but in one case, which was at once exposed ; the perpetrator was expelled at once, and so disgraced that he had to leave his country. Mr. Caird spoke with great dilHdence on the subject, being a learner. But it struck him as obvious, without going into figures, that in a skilled manufacture, such as clieesemak- ing now is, the larger the scale, the cost of the highest skill, being divided over a heavier produce, will be relatively less per tou than when the work is done on a small scale. The pro- portional cost of fuel and other items would be similarly diminished. And it is found in nearly all manufactures that tbose who devote themselves entirely to one department, as iu the cheese factory system they would — instead of by turns milking the cows, or feeding them, handling the curd, regulat- ing the hot-pipes, and turning the cheese — soon acquire a dexterity and knowledge which generally produces a superior article at less cost. We had already in this district a consider- able number of well-fitted dairy establishments, and the exist- ence of these rather stood in the way of the prompt introduc- tion of the factory system. But he thought it would be no inconsiderable step towards that system if those who had already dairies of some extent, with suitable buildings, where to say to their neighbours who had smaller farms^ or who had not the necessary buildings, that they were ready to take in and manufacture their milk on fair terms. Por his own part, he would be happy to enter into such an arrangement. But before even that cquld be done, it; would be necessary to obtain information in detail as to the manner in which such arrange- ments can be worked out in an equitable way, and therefore he recommended the meeting to begin by taking steps to pro- cure and circulate correct and detailed information on the subject. Mr. Symington said Sir John Hay had intimated to him his cordial approval of the proposal forestabUshing the factory system iu this country so ably advocated by the chairman, and had autiiorised him to say that he is ready to offer buildings on his estate for carrying it out in the Glenluce district, if the proposal ia to be gone into. He (Mr. Symington) was himself heartily in favour of introducing the system into Wigtonshire. The suggestion just thrown out by Mr. Caird was worthy of their serious consideration, and might be gone into with mutual advantage both to large and small farmers. The in- troduction of power-loom weaving into our country had super- seded hand-loom weaving, and we all know the immense benefit that change had effected on the manufactures and prosperity of the country, although, when first introduced, it was opposed by many upon narrow and erroneous grounds. In like man- ner, he believed the introduction of the cheese factory system into our county, although it might for some time adversely all'ect some individuals, would prove an immense advantage to tlie whole district generally. \^'e would thereby be able, e(iually witli the power-loom factory system, to produce a superior article at a cheaper cost, and compete with the whole world. It was his desire to have their bowers, now a large and important class of men in the district, to whose skill and industry they were all largely indebted, retained amongst them, and be would be sorry if the introduction of cheese factories should be injurious to any of tliem. He believed, however, that in the end it would not, and that they even, as well as the farmers, would rather be benefitted by the new system. Meantime he would approve of the proposal for obtaining farther information from those places iu England where the system has been introduced, and he thought that they should now form a committee for that purpose, to be so grouped to- gether, from all parts of the district, as to be prepared at a future day to take action in the matter. Mr. Cowan said he thought the dairy farmers in the llhins were greatly indebted to Mr. Stewart for having brought before them tlie system of cheese factories as practised in America and England ; and in after years, when they had taken root in the land, the credit; would belong to him of having first brought the subject prominently before the cheese- makers of Scotland. He (Mr. Cowan) was of opinion that tlie factory system would have been received with more favour in the district ten or twelve years ago, before they had been put to so much expense in the erection of new dairies and cheese-rooms, fitted up as they now were with every improve- meut for carrying out their present system as perfectly as pos- sible. He also believed that factories were calculated to benefit small dairies rather than large, and that in the latter, when skilled makers devoted their whole time to making cheese, as good an article could be made as in a factory, and sold at as high a price. Previous speakers had said they would still require to keep on their bowers or dairymaids. He did not agree with them iu that ; but if that were so, he did not see that any benefit was to be derived from the factory system by the holders of large dairies, for if they could not economise in skilled labour at home it was uncertain that they would reap any advantage from having their cheese sold out of a factory at a higher price. He then mentioned some difficulties which occurred to him as likely to interfere with the general adoption of the system into the district for some time, but had no doubt tlKse would be overcome, and that if it was decided to try the experiment they might rely on its being as successfully carried out here as elsewhere. He did not wish it to be inferred from anything he had said that he was adverse to the system. On the contrary, he felt inclined to support it, and would like to see a small factory established in some parts of the llhins during the coming season, but thought that parties who were willing to give their milk for this purpo e should have a guarantee from other parties in- suring them against loss during the first year, Mr. Brown (cheese dealer, Kirkcolm) expressed his approval of the proposal. Provost Ingram, following up the remarks of Mr. Cowan, which he said were very practical, offered a suggestion, by way of an experiment, for testing the system in the district. The farmers in a district might send part of tlieir milk to some convenient and suitable building already erected, which might be procured for the purpose, and let tlie system in this way receive a fair trial. No one could lose very largely by doing this, and after receiving a fair trial the experiment could either be continued or dropped, as might be seen proper. Mr. Symington had intimated Sir John Hay's approval of the system, and his offer to give buildings suitable for a factory. He supposed this offer referred to Bellochjargon Mills, which were, in his opinion, very suitable indeed for making such an experiment as he had suggested, and he thought that offer should be taken advantage of. The Chairman, in reference to the difficulties stated by Mr. Cowan, remarked that these dilliculties iiad been felt in America when the system was introduced there, but had all been overcome. Ex-Provost Guthrie had doubts as to the factory system being an advantage to large fanners, but believed it would prove a decided benefit to the smaller farmers in the district, aud landlords might advantageously erect a suitable building for enabling these smaller farmers to carry it out. He would meantime suggest that the Chairman's able statement should be published aud circulated throughout the district. Mr. Cole, while cordially approving of the proposal, spoke of the great disadvantage the farmers of VVig- townsiiire had, as compared with those in Somerset- shire and Cheshire, in regard to natural grasses. A committee was then appointed for obtaining the informa- tion referred to, and to report to another meeting, consisting of Messrs. D. Prederick, A. JM'Neil Caird, G. Symington, J. M'Master, Culhorn Mains, Brown, Kirkcolm, and others, with power to add to their number. Mr. Symington moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding and for his able speech. 100 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE SHROPSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. At tlie annual dinner, the Earl of Powis in the chair, the attendance was not so large as on previous occasions. The Rev. C. F. C. Pigot said he helieved next year they would see a larger number of the clergy present, for they would find that the Chamber dealt with many questions closely conneted with the efficiency of their work, and the social condition of the labourer, the education of his children, the improvement of his dwelling ; and there was also a question in which they had a pecuniary interest, to whicli the Chamber was about to devote its energies, viz., the important question of Local Taxation. It was singular that this subject of local taxation had not yet awoke any great interest in the landed proprietors, especially as they invariably met any appeal which had a claim on them not only with liberality, but with great munificence. Yet it was easy to see how deeply they were affected by the present system. The justices of twenty- eight counties in Quarter Sessions had just sent up petitions to the House of Commons or the Home Secretary. The otlier counties would no doubt follow. The great towns, too, were moving in the matter — Liverpool, Manchester, and Leeds. There was no divergence between town and country in this matter. The towns would be their warmest allies. Indeed, they were the greatest sufferers, for house property amounted to sixty-five millions.and laud to only fifty-five millions of that property which alone was liable to local rates ; and wliile the agriculturists escaped with 2s. or 2s. 6d. in the pound, the towns paid four and five and six shillings and more. We could already rely pretty much on the support of the county representatives, when this matter comes before the House next session ; and as soon as the borougli voter understood clearly (and we must enlighten him) that the rates which made him lose his temper regularly once a quarter were levied on only about one-seventh of the whole wealth of the country, we should soon see the borough members supporting the county members in claiming the redress of this grievance. Col. CoRBETT, M.P., said : In years gone by I had an inti- mate knowledge of the whole county of Shropshire and those in it, and I believe there is hardly a field I have not been in, or a hedge I have not broken or got clean over. Two or three agricultural measures occupied our time in Parliament since our last meeting at this festive board. We had a short scurry upon our old friend the Malt-tax ; but, as usual, he beat us at last. However, I hope that by patience and perseverance we yet may manage some day to pull him down. With regard to local taxation, I hope that is in a more hopeful state ; it has been uppermost in all our thoughts, and lias received a great deal of attention. The Government have also promised to deal with it, though I must say tliey don't appear in any great hurry to do so. However, it is a question which is pressing like a nightmare on our chests, and must sooner or later be settled on some fairer basis. Tliere is another question whicli, as I think it concerns many of those in this room, I will with your permission allude to : it is the subject much in people's thoughts at present — that of education. Those who have read the reports of the commissioners to inquire into endowed schools will be aware that there are a considerable number of schools in this county with small endowments, which in years gone by have done more good and been in a more prosperous state than they are at present. Well, now I think that those endowments might fairly be applied in giving a better educa- tion to farmers' and tradesmen's sons than they now get. The new Elementary Education Act will no doubt have the effect of improving the education of the labouring classes, and it is highly desirable that the education of the middle clas^e* should keep pace with them ; and perhaps it might be well if, after the manner of the county of Devon, a committee of five per- sons, well qualified for the work, were appointed to consider with the commissioners under the Endowed Schools Act as to the best manner of utilizing these endowments. There is just one other subject whicli lias very lately come to my know- ledge ; but as it is one of considerable interest to both land- lords and tenants, I will venture to occupy your time for two or three minutes. Well, gentlemen, I lieard the other day of ft case which occurred, not in tins county, of a clRim being made of an increase of 20 per cent, in the income tax on a farm, only because there had been no new occupancy or new agreement for seven years, and this claim was made and sub- stantiated on the ground that the value of the land had in- creased 20 per cent, in that time. Now an increase of 20 per cent, in seven years represents an increase of 100 per cent, in 35 years, and I ask the farmers here present if they consider that their farms do double their value in that time ? This ap- pears to me to be a question touching both landlord and tenant, and as far as the prosperity of agriculture is concerned one is synonymous for the other, and thus it is a question well worthy the consideration of Chambers of Agriculture. Mr. FiGGixs, M.P., said : I feel that justice was not fairly meted to the agriculturists last session in the reduction of im- perial taxation. Malt would have been a better reduction than sugar; but now it is hopeless to look for reductions. There will be an increase rather than a diminution of taxation, and I am sure no class in the country will more readily concur in supporting at any sacrifice the honour and dignity of the country than the British farmer. No doubt legislation will tend early in the direction of the withdrawal of children's labour. Then comes the question. Can the labourer afford to lose the product of the children's work ? I doubt not. The consequence would be that the parents' wages must rise. But this involves the next question. Can the farmer afford the necessary rise ? I fear not, looking at the limited profits of agriculture. Well then, who must bear it ? I think the landlord ; but only for a limited period ; for, in this advancing age, agriculture, like manufactures and commerce, is suscep- tible of the advantages to be derived from increased intelligence in the masses. One of the subjects for early legislation is the licensing question. While it would be most unjust to shut up houses in which tenants have invested their whole substance in the faith of existing laws, and utterly ruin them, it is possible to regulate the traffic in intoxicating liquors by reducing the number of houses in which people are allowed " to be drunk on the premises," and compel the Uquor to be sold over the counter, and taken away. This course would take away much of the temptation to tipple, and prevent those pernicious assemblies where poaching and other crimes are concocted by the bad characters in the district. Great good would, I conceive, be accomplished by abolishing the prevalent practice of paying part wages in beer. In an ad- joining county the allowance is four pints of ale and eight pints of beer, and in Suffolk it is five pints of ale and small beer unlimited. Whether in this case it would extend beyond tlie twelve pints I know not ; nor do I know the quality of the small beer, but would it not be better to pay for both, great and small, in money, and leave the man to do as he pleases ? He might not spend it all in beer, and probably would enjoy some of it witli his family at home. The la- bourers' homes have been alluded to, but I doubt if any great improvement will take place while the question is only consi- dered as one of philanthropy. The important point is to dis- cover how improved dwellings can be carried out as a fair and reasonable investment ; and as in agricultural districts the price of the laud would not form any appreciable amount of the rent, I believe it may be done so as to let greatly improved cottages at Is. Od. to 2s. a week. I trust there will be no necessity for legislation on the question of game. I have such reliance on the good feeling of the lauded proprietors that I am confident, as a body, they will do what is right and con- sistent with the spirit of the age ; and I think the tenant would never desire to shut out his landlord in the fair pursuit of game. But tlis system of letting shooting to strangers from London and the other large towns is very objectionable, as they have no sympathy with the tenant, and care only to fill their bags, regardless of every inconvenience or injury. There is one more subject upon which I wish to say a few words. There has recently sprung up a cry for reciprocity, or protec- tion to native industry. Now, there could be no objection to inquiry into the whole subject of free trade ; but this is not what is asked by the advocates of inquiry, for at all meetings oa tlie subject tlie cjuestiou of food is ignored, and the pro- THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 101 gramme is tliat Coventry weavers are to eat Shropshire bread wholly untaxed ; but when Shropshire farmers and the inhabi- tants of Shrewsbury, depending upon agriculture, desire to decorate their wives and daughters in silks and ribbons they are to pay to Coventry weavers an enhanced price by means of protective duties. This would not be justice. Certainly, it would not be reciprocity. No, if protective duties are to be again imposed, they must be upon all industries ; and where is the statesman who would re-impose a tax upon the people's food ? The farmers now gracefully bowed to free trade, and I would advise manufacturers to look upon it as an accom- plished fact, and have faitli in their industry and energy. Mr. BowEN JOMES said I think it cannot be wondered at if I rejoice in the success that has attended our efforts, and that I feel satisfaction in the fact of our Chamber of Agricul- ture having progressed to its present position, and having so fully answered the expectations of its promoters. And, per- haps, I shall not be altogether out of place, if I advert shortly to our proceedings in the past ; but I would here say to those critics who continually cavil at farmers succeeding in nothing they undertake, that a fair review ought to satisfy them that our organization lias accomplished some, and gone far to ad- vance the other different objects we have had in view. Im- patient and ignorant men think that the power we possess should be so great that we have only to ask for a particular privilege from the House of Commons to have it, and con- clude that if we don't get it at once we are of no use. Those who take the trouble to work out matters that affect our in- terest, know that they must first of all make a good case and prove an injustice, but they know perfectly well, also, that we have been heretofore so far in the background that such asso- ciations as ours merely put us upon an equality with similar institutions in commerce, that have been labouring patiently for many years, that have not only got the start of us, but have secured more unity than we have as yet acquired, unity not only of person, but of that other necessity for successful action in any undertaking, unity of purse ; also, that as a rule, they have used more application than those connected witlr the land have as yet as a body. What is the conseciuence ? During the past fifteen years the interests they represent have secured a reduction of imperial taxation to the extent of many million pounds, while agriculture has had no concessions made her, and consequently, as other interests have had taxes remitted, and we have received nothing, we have been actually burdened in adverse ratio to their remissions. Well, we have taken in hand since our formation the following subjects, viz. : In the past half-year, The Over-preservation of Ground Game and Compensation for Unexhausted Improvements ; and before that time. The Foreign Cattle Question, The Malt Tax, The Abolition of Turnpike Gates, Local Taxation, Edu- cation of the Labouring Classes, Weights and Measures, and a variety of other work, such for instance as the attempt made to induce the Koyal Agricultural Society of England to visit Shrewsbury this year, and other business of a detail character, and I have no hesitation in saying that on most of these questions a better understanding exists, and that the discussions of some of them, which have been questions between landlord and tenant, have been con- ducted in such a way as to remove any impression that the farmers of this county want to insist on anything more than what is fair and reasonable for the successful occupa- tion of their land and its improvement. Such questions as game and Tenant-Right must be dealt with before agricul- ture can expand to its full extent, and it is better for landlords and tenants to discuss such matters openly and dispassionately together (for there is more than one side to them), than for ill-will, distrust, and failure to attend the evil practice of over- preservation of game, or to succeed the bad farming that is fostered by the custom of holding land with a six mouth's notice to quit, witliout any proper agreement or compensation clauses. This is not the place to enter into a discussion on them, but 1 would remark, as a tenant farmer, that I consider such questions must be looked into witli a view to secure the landlord from damage as well as the tenants from loss ; and I say for myself, and proclaim it too on behalf of this Chamber of Agriculture, that I do not wish to wrest power and privi- leges from one class only to confer it on another. What I ardently wish for, and what I will devotedly work for, is to remove all the trammels that now bend down agriculture and prevent her progress aud developmeut, Whm her fetters are struck off, and I trust I may live to see the day, not only will the three classes most directly interested in the land — viz. the land owner, the tenant farmer, and the labourer — be benefitted but the community at large also. With rpgard to the foreign, cattle question, our organization has almost entirely to be thanked for the efficient arrangements now carried out, and if they are only extended a little further they will be entirely satisfactory to us. With the malt-tax we have not done much the present Chancellor of the Exchequer's Barley Sprouting BiU, and Mr. Gladstone's Malt for Cattle Bill, being the only concessions made. I have not myself tried either, but I don't think we shall derive much benefit from them. This sub- ject has been well ventilated and is thoroughly understood ; it is a question that ouly wants deciding by action in the House of Commons. Most of our other debates have been on matters more or less dependent on the great question which at present occupies our minds, which we must continue to agitate and press upon the attention of our members — I mean the great question of Local Taxation. Thus the abolition of turn- pike gates now throws the burden of the maintenance of the roads upon the parishes they run through, or I believe from about this date, on the highway districts — that is to say, the ratepayers, or, in other words, to the greatest extent, the tenant farmers will, as the law now stands, have to pay for their being kept up. The education rate, where required, by the new Act is levied on the basis of the rateable value of the parish also, so here the farmer has to pay again. These matters, therefore, are greatly influenced by the fairness or otherwise of the incidence of local taxation. And how do we stand in this respect ? It is not necessary for me now to go deeply into the question, as it has already been considerably touclied upon. I will merely, therefore, allude to it by stating the figures given in a recent return. In 1868, £16,783,000 was raised upon the rateable value of land and houses, which amounted to about £100,000,000. Property tax was paid upon a sum of about £300,000,000. Therefore one-third of the wealth of the country paid, two-thirds escaped. Since the year 1837 the burden of local tax has doubled. Over eleven millions, out of the sixteen levied in 1868, are used for imperial purposes, such as militia, keeping of lunatics, police, &c. These are rather startling figures, and as the propor- tionate payments of real property are yearly increasing, it be- hoves us to be up and doing. Mr. More referred to one of the olScials of the Central Chamber having started a publication, and said they were probably aware that the Central Chamber had been considerably criticised by the agricultural press during the past year. The Central Chamber was ready to profit by suggestions, that wheu it found six provincial Chambers of opinion that its constitution could be amended, it appointed representatives of those six Chambers to confer with five of its own on the reform of its constitution. He ventured to think it would be better in the future for the Central Cliamber to hold more meetings for business and fewer for discussion, and that the district Chambers should send as delegates members who were sent to represent them long enough to become used to the rules of debate. He had carried a new rule that the March meeting should extend over a couple of days, the object of which was to enable members of any deputation that might visit a minister plenty of time to concur amongst themselves as to the arguments to be used before him. When the farmers went to Mr. Lowe on the malt tax they had notice at eleven of the same day that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would receive them at two, and they made an im- pression on Mr. Lowe, who received them more favourably than any minister had done before. The Central Chamber was merely a means to an end, an agent between the country chambers and the House of Commons, in which, chiefly as their late president, Mr. Tomline, had so often said, they must work for carrying their measures. But a Central Chamber ought, in his opinion, to be conducive to that unity of feeling so difllcult to obtain among agriculturists, who were often unduly impressed with the requirements of their own particular locahty. He would venture to say, even before a Chamber which he believed felt less interest in the question [than any he could address, that he believed the introduction of the representative element in county business the most important question, and the one most likely to soon pass into law of any the Chambers had ever taken up. He would briefly aUude to this question, because attention had been lately called to it 102 THE f^ARMER'S MAGAZIiSTR. by a magistrate of great experience iu poor law, wlio proposed in Montgomerysliire to petition Tarliament against the re- presentation of ratepayers in county business on the ground tiiat tliey could not make magistrates more economical. Proceeding to local taxation, he was not surprised that the in- crease of rates made people look for their relief by increased grants, or by ther being spread over a larger area for collec- tion. But he could venture to recommend thein to master the subject rather than to suggest a remedy. He would advise them to consider well the general remarks made on the sub- ject. One important one was made by the present Prime Mi- nister when Chancellor of the Exchequer, before he was in Parliament, but he was surprised that no ene liad ciiticised such an important remark. Mr. Gladstone said that lauded property had doubled in value since the repeal of the Corn Laws. That was perfectly true, but it has by no means gene- rally doubled in value. In fact the duplicate was chiefly com- posed of property near towns, and there were many parts of Shropshire that had hardly increased in value at all. On the other hand it was quite fallacious to represent the increase of rates as falling on all land equally, for by a ri:cent return it appeared that the incidence of local taxation was 16 per ceni. on rental in the metropolis, of which the hon. member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Figgins) had spoken, 20 per cent, in cities and borougiis, and only 11 per cent, in counties. He mentioned these facts to show how much consideration the whole question required. Mr. Dudley Baxter, an eminent Con- servative, was reading a paper tliat night iu London on the incidence of taxation. lie had published a book on the sub- ject, iu which his conclusion was that ratepayers were prone to consider the taxes that afl'ected themselves apart from general taxation. If landlords and farmers were struck with the bur- dens on land, holders of general property were equally im- pressed witli the grievances of the legacy and probate duty. He advised them to consider taxation as a whole, in which he (Mr. More) concurred. But it was clear that the education of farmers' sons must go beyond the village schools : the educa- tion was necessary if they were to enter into those difficult questions. Mr. Figgins thought it most objectionable to rent- shooting, but he would venture to say the farmers, ranch as they disliked the practice, would make exception in his favour if he rented shooting as a London citizen in the neighbour- hood of Slirewsbury. Should he have any conscientious scru- ples iu doing so, he thought they would best be allayed by his following the example of other game-preservers in the county by sending his game next year to the dinner of the Chamber of Agriculture (much laughter). Mr. Atciiekley said : I am afraid it is a habit to expect too much from Chambers of Agriculture. I am aware as to legislation their results are nil. That great question, the re- peal of the malt-tax, has not yet been carried, and I venture to repeat the language I made use of at the first annual meet- ing of this chamber, four or five years ago, tliat it never will be, uutil taken up as a national question. With regard also to county financial boards, after having been recommended by a committe of the House of Commons ; after having formed part of the pledges of members to their constituents ; after having been prepared for by most counties, it seems fairly to have gone ta sleep, and when it will emerge from the realms of Morpheus seems very doubtful. With respect to the ques- tion of local taxation, we have the valuable assistance of the courts of quarter sessions. I wish a satisfactory measure was passed on the question of game. We have been more suc- cessful in the Contagious Diseases Act ; iu the metropolis the plan of separate markets and quarantine was carried out. Mr. Evan Davies said the day may arrive when we shall be shut up in our island home wholly dependent on our home supply for feeding our people. I am old enough to remember when it was so, when wheat sold at 32s. per bushel, and beef and mutton Is. per lb., and that too at a time when our popu- lation was little more than one-third what it is now, and what has been may be so again. It, therefore, belioves all connected with tjiis question to inquire what stops tliere are in the way to prevent the full capabilities of tiie soil being brought into action, and I, as an old farmer, am bound to say there are many. Let me therefore beg of you to see to it ; remodel your system of letting your farms ; remove all restrictions on the energy of your tenants ; annihilate the vermin which now destroy and deface their crops ; give them a good and liberal scheme oi compensation for unexhausted improvements, and do away with the obnoxious system of six mouths' notice io quit; don't let your farms to men you have no confidence in, and when you have made the selection give them free liberty of action ; if they are worth iiaviug they will best know how to cultivate their farms. I was forcibly struck the other day in reading a letter in the public prints from a Scotchman of Fife, and, as it was addressed to the chairman and mem- bers of Chambers of Agriculture, it is the common pro- perty of us all : it was on the home-grown food. The writer goes on to show that all we produced last year, with all we imported, fell short one-third of a healtli-supporting supply, supposing the food had been equally distributed to all ; and he also showed tliat by a better system of agriculture Great Britain might not only become independent of a foreign sup- ply, but also make provision for an increase of 3,000,000 to our present population. I will not weary you by repeating all the statistics by which this writer arrives at his conclusions. I will mention two of them. He says by a better system of cropping an increase of home-grown food in money value, amounting to £183,100,000, might be obtained, and by the abolition of the Game Laws £10,000,000 ; and Mr. Meclii, in his admirable essay (as read at the London J'armers' Club) on the Undeveloped Resources of Dry Land, says that the home supply might be doubled ; and I am not at all disposed to doubt the assertions of these gentlemen. I daily look upon a large estate in front of my house that is a complete wilderness of waste, which does not produce a sufficiency of food for the people that live, or ought to live, upon it. Another large estate in my neighbourhood, is becon:e in such bad odour from formerly being overrun with ground game, and from the exaction of excessive rents, that none but hand- to-mouth tenants will seek occupation upon it, its cultivation being miserable, and I have no hesitation in saying that three farms of 400 and 500 acres, adjoining these estates, produce more food for the people than four times the acreage of these impoverished estates ; and is this to be tolerated with our fast increasing population ? Are we to continue to send our best labourers abroad to enhance the power of the foreigner, to increase his supply to compete witli us in our markets, instead of employing those labourers at home, and thereby increase our own supply P Are we to continue to send our gold abroad to enrich the foreign farmer, instead of ramifying tliat gold through our own labourer, and thereby enrich ourselves ? JNo doubt the owners of these impoverished estates say they have a right to do as they like with their own. Government has thought dilferently in Ireland, and if our home supply should fail to keep pace with our population, and the foreign supply crippled by the gigantic war now raging and others looming in the distance. Government may take it into their mind to inquire if there are any obstacles to an increased home supply, and they will have ample evidence to prove that great obstacles do exist. The want of security checks the flow of capital, restrictions as to cropping incompatible with ener- getic action, the food of the people destroyed by vermin, and the cultivators weighed down by an undue share of local and imperial taxation, these and numerous others will prove that the time has arrived for legislative interference, and the cry of doing as I like with my own will be no longer tenable. I hope, my lord and gentlemen, I have kept within the bounds of fair discussion. I can have no otiier object iu view but that of creating a necessity for enlargement of your pockets as well as our own ; but before I sit down I will give you a homely illustration of this doing as I like with my own. Take a labourer, for instance, with a good garden, which he refuses to cultivate, and allows it to be overrun with weeds, and contents himself by buying his vegetables and fruit from his neighbours. You remonstrate with this man ; he tells you he has a right to act as he likes. Just so ; but I think you would tell that man that he was not only unwise, but unjust to his family ; and if landlords forbid their tenants to plough within a yard of the hedge to have a cover for game ; if they forbid the use of the reaping machine in order to have a covey for partridges ; if they neglect to carry out the per- manent improvements on their land, and refuse to give their tenants security to do so, their landlords may say tliey have a right to do as they like ; but depend upon it the people will say what you said of the labourer, that sucli landlords are not only unwise, but unjust to their families, and traitors to their country. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 103 NEWBURY FARMERS' CLUB. At the monthly meeting, Mr. S. Wentworth in tlie chair, the followiug Paper was read by Mr. Henry Fr.miptoN) of Watersliip, on "British Agriculture : the Present Position of tiie Tenant Fanner." In introducing this deep and fertile subject, I would first remark that it is not my intention to take more than a cur- sory view of the different points brought forward. Tiie opinions I advance I offer as my own only, leaving it to those practical gentlemen I see present to correct and amend. I intend to refer to no special individual case, but take the whole collectively. My remarks will apply more particularly to those districts with which I am acquainted and can speak from experience, namely, Berks and the surrounding counties. To come then at once to our subject, " British Agriculture." What is it ? I reply — The backbone of our country, a great and noble reality, well worthy the untiring energies and zeal of its disciples, because never exhausted, and always capable of continual and extended development. Let us then con- sider what are the principal impediments or hindrances to a full development of the agricultural resources of this country. I take the following to be amongst them : 1st, Insecurity of tenure ; 2nd, Absence of a just and equitable system of Tenant- Right, which would include compensation for all unexhausted improvements ; 3, Illiberal and unnecessarily restrictive cove- nants ; ith, Undue burdens upon land in shape of reut, labour, and taxation (including rates) ; 5th, Over-preservation of game and rabbits ; fSth, Insufficiency of cottage accommoda- tion and suitable farm buildings ; 7tli, Competition with all the world upon an unfair basis ; 8th, Insufficiency of capital ; 9th, An nnjust and inequitable payment of wages. 1st. "In- security of tenure." By it I mean liability to be turned out at any time, either from the death of the landlord, the tenant's death, or any other cause ; in the second event would be in- cluded the widow's (if any) liability. It is evident to all that this insecurity acts as a great check to the application of capital to the soil, unless there is some redeeming feature, and that all who study their own interest will not invest more capital than is really necessary on the land ; consequently it is not so productive, and there is not the return there might and ought to be. This difficulty is best met, in my opinion, by a good lease, or by " a just and equitable system of Tenant- Right which would include compensation for unexhausted improvements." Then capital may be invested on land with far more safety than otherwise ; and surely it is the bounden duty of the farmer, who has others dependent on him, to see that his capital is invested with security. The next point I consider a great hindrance to the farmer, namely, " Illiberal and unnecessarily restrictive covenants." As the interest of both landlord and tenant ought to be one and the same, so I cannot but believe these are disadvantageous to both, and that it would be to their mutual interest to abolish them. With the necessary restrictions and conditions at the end of a term, what else is required, excepting that the land shall be farmed according to the rules of good husbandry ? I feel satisfied landlords would be no losers, but rather gainers, as land would generally be farmed well and left in far better condition than it is now. What a fallacy is that now existing in so many covenants — " and will not sell hay," " and will not sell straw," &c., when the manurial refuse of either of these is, I believe, 30s. per ton, whereas that of either maltdust, or cake, or about beans is about 75s. ; a benefit of something like 150 per cent, to the land 1 Why if he (the tenant) were allowed to sell such by bringing back an equivalent (which he would be com- pelled in self-interest to do) the land would be trebly benefited. Again, look at that absurd restriction, " and shall not seed vetches ;" why, if that is carried out, the tenant will seed peas, beans, or something else instead, and often much to the detri- ment of the land ; for many a farmer plant? an extra field of vetches on land in good trim, to feed in case he should be short of keep, and if not to seed, and more often it is fed than not ; there are many such-like unnecessary and useless restric- tions ; the time is come for such to be swept away. 4th. " Undue burdens upon land in the shape of rent, labour, and taxation. It is generally acknowledged that land is now let at more than its value in many instances, and why is it? Simply because the demand is greater than the supply. We can not much wonder, under such circumstances, at landlords re- quiring a high rent ; still, if they know the value of their land, I question the policy of fixing the rental at more than it is worth. Labour, with the farmer, is an ever-increasing item that cannot be stemmed, neither is it the wish of em- ployers to beat down labour, provided they can get " a fair day's work for a fair day's pay ;" but as a rule they cannot. Labour is, to a great extent, " eye-service," and therefore very dear. This ia partly accounted for, I believe, by the unsatis- factory system in vogue of paying men by the day, or like, instead of what they are worth. There is another light whereby we may look on this labour question, namely, if the employer has to pay 75 per cent, in rent and taxation, there can be only 25 per cent, left for the labour. I don't mean that these figures shall represent the exact case, but only use them as a similitude. Now for our friend " Taxation" — tax- ation of all kinds, local to mind and pocket ! year after year increasing, and most likely coutinuiug to do so. I cannot wonder at our poor-rate increasing, for if we are not " educat- ing" people to be paupers, I know little about it. Burdened as land already is, yet additional burdens are now threatened ; a considerable education-rate stares us in the face, and How'is it to be paid ? is probably a question with many. I do not ob- ject to all fair legitimate taxation, provided all stand upon a fair footing, and all property is made to bear its fair share in the taxation of the country ; but, alas ! it does not. I hope the time, through the efforts of Sir Massey Lopes and others, is not far distant when it may be made to do so. While on this subject, I cannot help remarking on what I consider to be a most unjust thing in connection with taxation, namely, the bearing of all game prosecutions, commitments, and mainten- ance by the country. Gentlemen who preserve game can afford to protect it in every way. If a poor man loses his pig or what not, he must bear all expenses attending the prosecu- tion ; surely this is not justice. The police are also now, to a certain extent, gamekeepers. By the (5th) over-preservation of game and rabbits, temptation is placed in the way of the poacher at the expense of the ratepayers. No man ought to fake a game farm — by this I mean excessively preserved — witli the idea of making a profit, for, whatever the rental, it cannot be cheap. Many a broken spirit, and many a ruined family now mourn the effects of it ; people do not know what it is till they try it. What bitter feelings has it raised and en- gendered, and what evils has it been productive of! Let gentlemen preserve their game by all means, if they please, but let them bear all the expense of preserving and maiutain- iug it. 6th. — Insuiriciency of cottage accommodation and suitable farm buildings. That these are very important re- quisites to the farmers, and that there is great lack of them, none, I think, will deny ; even landlords themselves admit it, but unfortunately, in many instances, there it ends. As a rule, feeling the great and absolute necessity there is for both cot- tages and good suitable buildings on a farm, tenants will gene- rally, I think, be found willing to meet their landlords in this matter, and pay a fair per cenfage upon all capital judiciously expended in these improvements, to carry on a farm both profitably and comfortably, some cottages are an absolute necessity ; where there is an insutllcicucy, greater recourse must be had to the hiring or " cot" system, by which I mean the collecting together of single servants — young men and boys — into a single cottage ; this is not a satisfactory system, aud the bringing together of several young heads, without much control or supervision, is often productive of evil ; if most are steady and respectable, too often there is a " scabby sheep" among the flock, and then we can imagine the effects of his influence upon the others. Further comment from me 104, THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. ou this subject is unnecessary, for it has often been brought forward by more able hands than mine — by Mr. Darke and our Chairman especially — and long may we hear them continue fearlessly to press upon landlords the necessity of listening to this matter. 7th. Competition with all the world upon an unfair basis. This does not require many words from me. I do not object to free trade in the least, provided it is free. Till the malt-tax is repealed this will not be ; no country can compete with Great Britain in barley, yet here is one of our great cereal productions hampered with an excise restriction of about 70 per cent. The last one shilling duty has been taken off foreign corn, so that now the foreigner can compete with us •who maintain the revenue, without paying one farthing towards it, and not only that, but he also draws a considerable amount from our coffers for foreign lands — very probably a portion of it is returned expended in the manufactured productions of this country. 8th. " Insufficiency of capital, " and conse- quently not master of his position, is an injury to the far- mer. The sound and idea of a large tract of land for Uttle money is perhaps rather tempting, but as a rule that is the land that requires capital ; it is not sufficiently good in itself, and too mucli has been taken out of it to yield any quick or fair return. How many a farmer finds this to his cost, and wishes that he had taken only so mucli land as he could well manage. If many farmers would employ the capital they now do upon considerably less land, would they not be gainers ? As, at present, they are compelled to go on, aud are never iu a position to take advantage of the markets and times. On an estate known to most of us this is more and more apparent. Tenants come and take a large tract of land with little capital, they find they are deceived, get what they can out of the land, and " hook it," each one leaving it poorer than before, and being in that plight himself. Continual changes occur. I venture to say that if the owner would grant liberal and un- restrictive leases at a rent, keep down the game, and make it worth a good tenant's while to stop, he would ultimately be a great gainer. 9th. " An equitable payment of wages." By this I mean a system of paying men according to tlieir worth, thereby causing and arousing a spirit of emulation and striving in them. Our present system does just the reverse, and tends to drag all downwards. A good labourer is always worth his hire to the employer ; but how dear is a bad one ! I cannot but think we make a rod to our own backs in the way we now pay our labourers. How is it to be altered I cannot see. In- dividually we cannot do it, collectively it is a great undertaking. Labour is very costly to the farmer, and to make it profitable we want it good. I am inclined to think we are not suffi- cientlj well educated in the scientific part of agriculture for us to reap the full advantage. If such then are some of the hindrances and drawbacks to a full development of the agri- cultural resources of this country, the remedies must lie in tiie opposite or correcting of those liindrances. Let the landlords look out for enterprising tenants, with sufficient capital at command for the land they wish to occupy ; and having secured them, grant liberal leases, with no unnecessary re- strictions at a fair rental, I say leases, because I no not think anytliiug else can take their place, for these reasons : Every man is but man, death or other changes may take place at any time. If a good tenant enters upon a farm lie does so with the intention of remaining there for some years, and therefore it is necessary that he should not fear any change tliat may occur, but may lay out his capital upon the land without risk, if judiciously applied. In those cases where a tenant or his ancestors has been renting the same farm for many years, and may rest in security of justice being done, or when leases have run out, and a good understanding between landlord and tenant has arisen, leases may not be a necessity, they are rather supplemental cases ; but in all general cases leases, if properly managed on both sides, are, I believe, a mutual advantage. After granting fair and liberal leases landlords must be pre- pared to erect all necessary good farm buildings aud requisite cottages upon such terms as shall be agreed upon. I am inclined to think if all farms were let at a round sum, ex- clusive of rates and taxes (except assessed ami income), it would work advantageously to all parties. In tlie " Agri- cultural Labourer " 1 find tlie following quotation from Fro- fessor Buckman : " Suppose a landlord has money in the funds, and takes £1,000 out to improve his cottage property, he pays no poor rate so long as it remains in the funds, but as soon as he invests it in cottages the poor rates are 10 to 12 per cent. But if poor rates were properly arranged, so that all property should bear its fair proportion, 2^- to 3^ per cent, instead of 12 would cover the whole ; " and he goes on to say, speaking of improved cottages ; " This improvement would lower the rates considerably ; there would be less sickness, less illness, fewer illegitimate children, less unpleasant concomi- tants with reference to our parishes." Having thus passed in review some of the hindrances with the remedies connected with British agriculture, let us proceed to consider what is of no less interest to ourselves, viz., " What is the present posi- tion of the Tenant Tarmer ?" I think it will not require a deal of beating about or tacking to windward to get at his real position, neither need I dwell long upon it. By position, I mean in a pecuniary sense ; in short, has fanning latterly been a profitable occupation ? To take the last ten years, from 1860 to 1870, has the tilling of the soil been a profitable business ? I say not. I venture to assert tjiat if every occupier of land of these surrounding counties had kept a fair and correct balance-slieet for each year, and if every such balance-sheet were brought together aud a general average for the ten years taken, there would not be upon the whole capital employed a profit of — shall I say 1 0 per cent, or 5 ? I will go still lower and say 2.^ per cent. ! If tiiis is thought to be a wild assertion I hope I shall be corrected. I refer not to my own or any individual cases, but to the whole sur- rounding district as stated. Is there then a sufficient induce- ment in this respect to enter upon it ? Decidedly not. If a diligent frugal niau spends the prime of his life for such a return is he doing what he ought ? I think not ; he cer- tainly ought to make a return of at least 10 per cent. Lover as I am of agriculture, it will be my endeavour to persuade those with whom I have influence not to embark in it, unless a brighter prospect appears. I do not mean to say that each or any individual has only made 2| per cent., tlicre liave of course been variations as iu every case ; some few have doubt- less made more aud some a great deal less. In the above cal- culation or advancement let it be understood I do not include housekeeping or any private expenses, but merely the out- goings and incomings on the farm. It would be well for those who fancy such great things for agriculture to bear in mind what influence untoward weather of all kinds has upon the farmer ; his men must be paid anyhow ; his flocks and herds must be kept aud fed if at a loss ; his crops are all exposed to extremes of weather, either wet, cold, or drought, blight, and such like, and many other things unseen and unthought of by those not engaged in it. Weather and seasons must have a great influence for weal or for woe upon the farmer. If such then is a true description of the present position of " British Agriculture and the Tenant Farmer," many may be disposed to look upon it as a hopeless case ; but no, it is not so. lie- move the obstructions now unfairly existing upon land ; let all property bear its fair share of the burdens of the country ; ])lace agriculture upon a fair and satisfactory fooling, and I imagine I foresee a bright future yet in store. Agriculture is not yet fully dcv(doped : see the advancement made in late years. What with the aid of steam and the enterprising spirit of the age, I believe much more may be done than ever yet has been. A vast amount of capital is ready even now to be expended in all permanent improvements, and only waiting to be called for, and as fast as all drawbacks and impediments are removed, so fast will increased capital be brought to bear, aud increased productiveness and fruitfulness be the result. I will refer to the farming of Mr. Prout, at Sawbridgeworth, iu Hertfordshire, and most of us are acquainted with an estate near, occupied by the owuer, where the improvement that has been made is great. Originally poor land, thoroughly drained and cultivated, now doubled in value ; all necessary hedge-rows and woods removed, good aud suitable cottages in sufficiency erected, with first-rate farm-buildings, and in fact improvements made in every needful way, doubtless at very considerably expense, but probably remunerative iu the end. I allude to Mr, Foxe's estate at Adbury, ^ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 105 THE DORCHESTER FARMERS' CLUB. THE CULTIVATION OF ELA.X. At the meeting of this Chih, Mr. J. G. Homer in the chair, Mr. DiVMEN said he felt a difllculty in introducing tlie subject, inasmuch as practically he was supposed not to be so well acquainted with it as were some of his friends. For three thousand years all civilised nations had cultivated flax. In several places in the Holy Scriptures flax was mentioned ; there was the best possible evidence that the fine linen referred to in the Bible was made from flax. It was an extraordinary fact tliat even in those early days flax was manufactured to the greatest possible perfection, perhaps better than any machinery of the present day had been known to work it. By micro- scopic examination it had recently been ascertained that the cloth in which the mummies of Egypt were enveloped was linen. Some of the linen used three thousand years ago might Imve been of a rude description, but it seemed to have been extensively used, for it was a fact that all the mummies produced, including those seen in the British Museum, were covered with linen made from flax ; some of them iiad as much as 60 yards wrapped round them. The linen taken from the mummies of Egypt had lieen converted into paper. It was rather extraordinary that all civilised nations should have cultivated flax and been clotlied with it. Egypt was the great country of its cultivation, Herodotus speaking of its great flax trade ; even in the present day great quantities were grown there. The lowlands by the banks of the Nile were adapted to the growth of flax ; there it flourished most. lu tlie hot countries especially the people were chiefly clothed with flax, while in the cold countries wool was used for clothing. Regarding the introduction of flax into this country the period was not very clear ; but it was quite evident that it was not brought here lor a considerable time after the period to which he had just been referring. Prior to the civilisation of England, when the people were savages, they clothed them- selves with the skins of animals in winter, and painted them- selves in summer. But when Christiauity was introduced they began to clothe themselves in a Christian manner — perhaps more Christian than in the present day — and flax, on its introduction, soon became extensively used. There was no machinery to manufacture it in those days, but it was spun by the matrons and maidens. Eor a great number of years, not only in foreign countries, but in this country also, it was spun, and with it tlie people were clothed. It was considered a duty that every person, high and low, should have the distaff and the spindle for working flax and wool, more especially the former. It was related of King Alfred the Great, who lived a thousand years ago, that he told the Queen of Persia that the robes which he wore were not only i)resented to him by his sisters hut also made by them — thus showing that all classes were skilled in the use of flax. In the present day they knew nothing of spinning a yarn, except the sort he was now spinning, and which he thought would be unravelled before lie went home. So important was this flax that every (ishiug net had been made from it ; from the time of the Saviour lo the present period, for 1,800 years, the nets which had caught fish for feeding countless millions of people had been manufactured from flax. This showed tlie importance of tlie article. He was about to speak to them on the necessity of growing flax, which was so much required in this country. He was indebted to his intelligent friend Mr. Suttel, of Pymore Mills, Bridport, for furnishing him with some particulars with respect to the quantity of flax imported into this country. The quantity yearly imported at Bridport Harbour alone — and it was chiefly Russian — was about 1,400 tons, the value of the same being about £80,000. A considerable quantity was also received from Bristol and other places by railway. Besides the above, Mr. Suttel estimated the quantity grown in Dorset- shire, Somerset, and Devon — nearly the whole of which was consumed in the neighbourhood of Bridport — to be annually from 400 to 500 tons, which they would observe was only about one-third of the quantity imported at Bridport Harbour alone, Indeed he (Mv, Daraeu) believecl that last mouth there were foreign vessels in the harbour discharging at the same time flax of the value of £50,000. In England in 1868 the quantity of flax grown covered 15,828 acres ; in Wales, 169 acres ; in Scotland, 1,54'6 acres ; in Ireland, 206,446 acres — total, 223,989 acres, being about 50,000 tons. It would be observed that the acreage in Ireland was more than ten times that in England. Notwithstanding this extensive produce, however, the importation in 1868 — and it was a fact well worth attention — amounted to 90,833 tons, or nearly double the amount of the whole produce of the United King- dom. The value of these imports was nearly a million, or to speak within the mark £750,000. He (Mr. Damen) appre- hended that however much flax was grown in England, there would always be found a market, and a ready market, for it. The demand was extraordinary. Tliis county, 'perhaps, had become the best market in the United Kingdom ; the only wonder was that where the land was adapted for the growth of flax so little was grown. In Ireland growers had often to send 40 or 50 miles to a scutching mill. It was strange that the market at home was not better supplied from places where the climate was adapted to the growth of flax. " Coker sail cloth" was known throughout the world, and the reputation of Coker was such that sail cloth manufactured at Bridport was said to have come from " Bridport, near Coker." Coker then had an established fame. It was an extraordinary thing, he thought, that considering the great demand, there was under cultivation in England a less quantity than 20,000 acres. He could not help thinking that its cultivation must be more or less profitable. If farmers would only take the necessary trouble in getting their land in good order, they might cultivate flax which would realise a remunerative price. It must be remembered that the past year had been one of the worst seasons experienced for a long time. But in the lower part of the county — a field of Mr. Bryant's, at Broadwiiisor, 20 acres were sold by auction, and £14 per acre was realised. As regarded the profit arising from the cultivation of flax, it was a well known fact that in Ireland and Belgium men rise from a state of indigence to that of affluence by growing it ; he had known, some years ago, many men in the western part of this county grow flax, and thus rise to affluence. He could not believe that the bugbear " trouble" had restricted its growth. The men of Dorset were ready as a rule to embrace all improved systems of farming, and he could not understand why flax should not be grown becausn of the " trouble" in- volved. Indeed everything re(piired trouble to be taken ; all improvements took time and trouble. He could not think that the reason why flax had not been more extensively cultivated was the trouble involved ; he was rather disposed to think it was because their attention had not been suniciently drawn to it. For a con siderable period the growth of flax was, in the leases granted to farmers, prohibited. But he was sure that time had gone by ; they would not now find any intelligent landlord object to the growing of flax, which did not, he (Mr. Damen) knew, de- teriorate the laud. From his own little experience iu growing flax it had been the most profitable part of farming he had ever practised, although it was in the rudest possible way. He had to hire men from the West. It was said that the wise men did not come from the West , but at all events he was sure that wet men come from the West, for he never saw workmen who wanted more beer than those whom he had engaged did. But taking all that into consideration he was quite sure that the flax crop was a profitable one to him. He grew good flax and good turnips, and wheat sown the same year turned out a good crop. The old way of scutching the flax was an expensive way, but much improvement had been effected lately. He was not sure that under the new system the quality was much better ; hut they were certain to have it more regular under tiiat system than under the old one. A visit to the scutching machine of Mr. R. Smith, of Stafford, woiUd show them the perfection arrived at. The macliiue i2 106 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. was simplicity itself. Tliore was notliing in it except a cylinder with a certain number of wooden swords turning robud to knock the woody core out of the ilax, which was the same principle as that of the other machine. Last week, at Mr. Erown's at Seavingtou, he saw a useful machine driven by steam, with which he was much pleased ; six men attended by two boys were engaged at it. There was none of the drying system by fire. The sheaves were 'passed through rollers, half the length of the table now before him ; cue boy was feeding at the end of the rollers, and the other boy lianded them to the men as they passed through. The men stated in reply to his inquiry that they earned 7d. per dozen of 121bs., and that done under the old system the same quantity was worth lid. Each man did at present about seven dozen per day, thus gaining about 4s. Id. ; but after the boys had been paid the net wages reached about 3s. 6d. daily. He then examined the little humble engine which was at work driving all the machinery. He found to his surprise that it never consumed any coals. What then did it burn ? Why the " skimp" or woody core from the flax kept the engine going. Thus there was not a farthing expense incurred in fuel, which was of course a very great consideration indeed. The work appeared to him to be perfect as far as he could ascertain. The steam was used for other purposes, and the waste steam was driven into troughs of roots, chaff, &c., for stock. Climate, he well knew, was an important matter in the c\iltivation of flax, but he felt that theirs was as well adapted as that in any other part of England. Their climate was generally moist, and they did not suffer from the extensive drought which pre- vailed further eastward. He was sure that it was better here than in Ireland, where the seed could not be so successfully saved, nearly the whole used being imported from Riga and Bel- gium. Contrasted with this, in England the climate was adapted for the saving of both seed and Ilax. It really did seem to him that it would be a grand thing if the money sent out of this country could be saved in any way. Could not, for instance, a portion of tiie money sent out of Bridport — £80,000 or £100,000 a-ycar — be saved ? Surely such a saving would be a national benefit. And not only that ; but who could tell what would be the effect of war ? Therefore, it was not well to depend so much upon llussia, or any other country, for our supplies. AVe depended upon llussia for flax, as we had depended upon America for cotton ; and when the supply of the latter was stopped, in consequence of the internecine struggle which took place, we had to send thousands of pounds to the north for the relief ot tiie cotton spinners. Cotton could not be grown in this country ; but we could grew any quantity of flax. If a war should unfortunately break out between England and Russia, what an advantage it would be to grow ilax more extensively at home 1 With regard to the £80,000 or £100,000 sent annually out of the country for flax, liow much of tliat money could be spent in labour ? He believed about one third. There was the great fact that the population of the country was rapidly increasing. Here, then, were the means of providing for the surplus labour — let more flax be cultivated. He would not, however, recommend exten- sive flax growing where there was a scarcity of labour, where the number of cottages was small, where there was much trouble in getting men especially at harvest time, because the flax crop came just before liarvest. Therefore he would only recommend the sowing, as a rule, of_'a limited quantity of land. It was said, and said, as he believed, with truth, that flax should not be grown on the same land more than once in eight or ten years — not that it deteriorated the land for other crops, but that some change took place in the soil, rendering it un- adapted for the same crop for several years. He was of opinion that one-tenth of a farm might in some cases be appropriated to the cultivation of flax — thus on a farm of 200 acres there could be 20 acres of flax. Mr. Smith, of Stafford, had, he believed, 20 acres. Tiiey should thorouglily understand he did not recommend the substitution of a crop of flax for one of corn ; that he considered would be the greatest possible mistake for they would require their corn and roots as at present. But he recommended flax as a catch crop. He wanted thera to try to meet the increased expenses of their farms. He felt sure there was room for both corn and flax. Respecting the mode of growing flax, he said in the first place, let them not sow it after turnips ; it was a well admitted principle that it did not thrive when thus sown, neither should they sow it on foul land, nor yet on exhausted laud. In well prepared soil flax might be grown with the greatest possible advantage after wheat. Let the land lie plouglied iu the autumn and stay till the spring, when it might be ploughed again if desirable ; let the seed be sown at tiie beginning of March if possible so that it would come up as much before corn harvest as possible. He was quite sure that they might grow good turnips after it. If they could find a crop of flax to pay them £10 or £13 per acre as an intervening crop it was, he felt sure, worth having The quantity of seeds required was from two to two and a-half bushels per acre. Two bushels were the lowest quantity ; about nine pecks were the medium quantity that should be sown. There would, with an average crop on good and useful land in that neighbourhood, be a yield of two and a-half packs, or 50 dozen to the acre, and twelve bushels of seed ; that was about the average. The Chairman thought they were all very much interested in the subject of flax growing. Many practical men were now growing flax, and could give some information with respect to its cultivation. In the course of the address two or three things had struck him (Mr. J. G. Homer), and he should like to hear them explained. Mr. Dameu had made an observation with regard to the farmer sparing 10 or 20 acres of corn land for the cultivation of flax but seemed to think that the crop should be a catch crop. Now to his own mind there arose the question whether or not they could grow turnips after flax in the same year. Mr. Dameu had pointed out that by the cul- tivation of flax the number of labourers on the farm would be increased considerably. There could be no doubt on that point ; but he should like to know what would be the differ- ence of labour involved iu growing ten acres of flax and that involved in the cultivation of the same extent of corn. Then again, the profit arising from the flax could be placed against that arising from the corn. They must further consider the difference between the value of foreign flax, and that of English flax. Perhaps one of their new members, who was a practical man, would afford them a little information on that point. There were certainly several matters on whicli practical men could enlighten them. As for himself he was a novice with regard to the growth of flax, and he would now give way to other members of the Club of more experience. He wished that their friends Messrs. Smith had been present, for they had been somewliat extensive growers. Mr. RowE, of Dorchester, stated an instance of tlie paucity of labourers. Mr. G. W. Homer had had three years' experience in the cultivation of flax, and had found two out of tiiree crops to be remunerative. While the second crop yielded three-and-a half packs per acre, the third crop did not yield above a quarter of a pack per acre, and, therefore, was an utter failure. Tliis he found to be the case ou light land. Deeper and more suitable soil than that in this neighbourhood was required for the growth of flax with certainty. Pleuty of manure was needed in the growth of flax ; and he did not think the labour-question was a serious one — there could be no ditUculty, he thought, in getting men to do tiie work. Regarding the question of profit, tlie present year's crop yielded £19, having cost £8, wiiile the second year's crop was better still, the tiiird year's being a total failure. With respect to another point, everybody who grew flax should not sell the seed, but consume it on the faim. From his own ex- perience, he could speak to its usefulness and value as food for stock of all kinds. Further, it should be borne iu mind that a crop of flax was exhaustive, inasmuch as there was no return beyond the seed, which was not a great bulk. Especi- ally there should be no stint in the use of manure ; they could not lay out too much in guano — it would pay extremely well to thoroughly manure the land. Mr. J. C. FooKS, whose father had grown flax to advan- tage, spoke to the difference in localities regarding climate and soil, showing the superiority of some over others for the cultivation of flax. What could be done successfully in some parts — Bridport, for instance, was impracticable in other neighbourhoods where the soil was thin, and required to be well-manured. He agreed as to the advantage accruing to the farmer from the growing of a catch crop, provided that the crop was not flax, but an extra crop of turnips. He deemed it of the utmost importance to produce all the food they possibly could for the maintenance of stock upon the farm. There could be no doubt, he admitted, that in certain localities flax could be grown with great advantage, although. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 107 perhaps, not to a great extent. Mr. Dameu had suggested the use of one-tenth of tlie land for the cultivation of flax. Now in certain places — perhaps at Stafford, where Mr. Smith resided, and other favoured localities — tliis might be done to advantage. But he could not admit that it was desirable or practicable on every farm, and impressed upon them as prac- tical farmers the importance of growing food for stock. No doubt, if it could be shown by any friend how farming could be carried out with profit, they would all be pleased to follow his example. These were his (Mr. Fooks') views on tlie matter, although he could not speak as an experienced person in the cultivation of flax ; for he had never grown any — and they were only his views. He did not doubt tliat in some cases where there was a large quantity of pasture-land, and where there was a large quantity of stock kept, flax could be grown with advantage to the grower. He coincided with some of the remarks made regarding surplus labour, admitting the advantage of giving labourers full employment ; but he sought to impress upon their minds the great extent to which the practical farmer had already his attention engaged, and the importance of not neglecting more important things while attending to flax. Mr. 11. Genge (the Vice-President) could not say any- thing to enlighten them respecting the cultivation of flax, about which lie knew very little. Mr. Damen's remarks were characterised by good sense, and he (Mr. Genge) was sure that some present would benefit by them if as a result they grew flax in some corner on the farm, and thereby realized an odd hundred pounds or so. He fancied that flax might be cultivated without the farmer suffering any great inconveni- ence. Flax he could not imagine to be very exhaustive, because it was only in the ground from March to July, and, like other plants, derived a great deal of its nourishment from the atmosphere, the soil not, therefore, being ranch robbed. He had walked through turnips as high as the table before him, which turnips were grown after flax. Respecting locality he had been struck with the remark that it should be moist for tlie cultivation of flax, whereas tlieir's was dry. Then, again, flax disliked chalk, and in this neighbourhood chalk abounded. Flax, too, could not stand checking. In this locality they were subject, as they all knew, to spring frosts. If they got the plant above ground, and the frost came, tlie plant grew yellow, never coming to perfection. These were difficulties, as they were aware, which could not be got over. At the same time, there were .seasons when crops of flax could be grown to advantage. As in the case of Mr. G. W. Homer, there were good crops as well as bad ones. If they made up their minds to grow a good crop of flax, they could, no doubt, occasionally do so. The greatest difficulty was summer culti- vation, because the drawing and harvesting came just at the time when they were busy getting turnips hoed before the corn harvest. He could not help thinking that in the cultivation of flax there was a little bit of monopoly ; if it were not so, why, he asked, were not certain gentlemen present to enlighten them, and if those gentlemen did not find any difficulty in growing flax, why should the rest of them do so ? He thought that some of the difficulties pre- sented might be easily overcome. Wliy should they experience more trouble in growing ten acres of flax than in the cultivation of the same extent of extra wheat P Then if they consumed the flax seed on the farm, as Mr. G. W. Homer had properly observed, he thought they would derive a great benefit. They did not in these days want men in their barns the winter through, as used to be the case in the days of the flail, which had been displaced by machinery. The surplus labour could be turned to profitable account in the working of the flax that had been grown on the farm. He did not think, from what he had heard, tiiat their English seed would bear competitiou with the foreign ; but he should like some information on the point. Mr. T. CiiAi'MAN Saunders knew little concerning tlie cultivation of flax. From what Mr. Fooks had said, there was the danger of growing flax and neglectinj; certain other tilings. It should be borne in mind that they were not recom- mended to grow flax as a substitute for corn, but to follow the corn crop by a remunerative crop. Mr. Foot had grown flax, and found it to be more remune- rative than barley. He had shown specimens to good growers who declared that they had seldom seen such good flax. It was sown on the 31st of April and harvested ia the middle of July, and he could not say that it was at all an exhaustive crop ; he did not think it was. He considered that what fell from the plant just before harvesting was beneficial. He certainly should not look upon it as an exhaustive crop. Mr. Chapman Saunders would like to know why their friend did not pursue the growth of flax ? Mr. Foot answered that flax growing interfered with agriculture in a general way. Mr. CuNNiNGTON had heard this mysterious subject debated as if the lives of the parties depended upon the question whether the crop was an exhaustive one ; he suggested tliat the subject itself needed a great deal of " scutching," and that a continuation of the present discussion at another meeting was desirable. He thought that the Messrs. Smith should be brought to book and made to disgorge all they knew on the subject. The President said when a man had been farming forty or fifty years he did not like to get out of the old system. If he were a young man he should certainly adopt flax growing — if he considered it profitable in farming. The great object in farming was to render it profitable. As had been well ob- served, successful flax-growing depended upon the .soil and the climate. At Upwey, on a new piece of land, in deep black soil, it liad answered remarkably well ; but if he (Mr. Homer) attempted to grow flax on the higher part of his farm the crop would, he well knew, be a failure. If flax cultivation could with advantage be more extensively introduced into Dorsetshire than at present, let it be done by all means ; for the man who made more of his land by employing more labour was a bene- factor to his country. Mr. Damen, in reply, said even Columbus would not have discovered America without the use of flax sails. The proceedings then ended with the customary votes of thanks. SEED CORN FOR THE FRENCH PEASANT FARMERS. A public meeting was held on Monday, Dec. 19, at the Salisbury Hotel, Salisbury-square, Fleet-street, " for the pur- pose," as the notice ran, " of appointing a committee to col- lect subscriptions in corn and other seeds, to he supplied gratis to the suffering peasants of France, thus enabling them to sow their land, and avoid an otherwise inevitable famine." The chair was taken at five o'clock by Lord Vernon, president of the Royal Agricultural Society. Mr. Branueetii GiisBS, after reading the correspondence which we have already published between Mr. James Howard, M.P., and M. Drouyn de Lhuys, relating to the sub- ject which the meeting had to consider, read a letter from Mr. Howard to Lord Vernon, dated Brighton, Dec. 19, in which the lion, member, after regretting that the state of his health precluded his attendance that evening, proceeded to say : " I Would very briefly explain why I was induced to take up the subject of assisting the French cultivators. In the early part of October I met with friends from France who gave such a description of the desolation wrought by the contending armies, and the utter ruin which seemed inevitable to the farmers of France, unless by extraneous aid they could be sup- plied with seed wherewith to sow their fields ; that after con- sulting with members of the Farmers' Club, of wiiich I am tlie chairman for tlie year, I at once wrote to his excellency M. Drouyn de Lhuys, the president of the French National Agricultural Society, to ask his advice and co-operation. It was my intention on receiving his reply to put myself in com- munication with your lordship as president of the Royal Agri- cultural Society, and other leading men in agriculture ; but on the very day I received the reply of M. Drouyn de Lhuys, I was seized with an illness whicli prostrated me for a month. As soon as I began to recover I wrote to his excellency to say 108 •THS FARMER'S MAGAZINE. that I felt unable to prosecute the scheme, and recommended him to address the Earl Fowis on the subject ; for as tlie Cattle Show was at hand, his lordshiji, as president of the Club, would have an opportunity of bringing the subject before the farmers of England. I am very glad that the question has been taken up by your lordship and other influ- ential men connected with agriculture, and I have no doubt that the farmers and landed proprietors of England will re- spond to the call for their aid in a manner not only gratifying to the general British public, but which will gladden thousands of the cultivators of the soil of France, and probably for gene- rations beget in their minds and hearts kindly feelings to- wards the English people." Letters expressing regret at their inability to attend had also been received from the ]Marquis of Exeter, who promised a subscription of £50 ; Mr. John Clayden, wlio promised one of £5 ; Mr. C. B. Amos, I'rofessor Leone Levi, Mr. John Eowler, Mr. Brauston, and others. The CiiAiraiAN siid: Gentlemen, before calling upon the mover of the tirst resolution, I will, with your permission, make a few observations in relation to tlie object of this meet- ing. You must have learnt long before the corresiioudcnce between Mr. Iloward and M. Drouyn de Lhuys was read this evening, from the reportfi in the public papers, what was the origin of the movement which yon are now called upon to consider. It is fully described in the letter which Mr. Iloward has just forwarded to mc ; and I am sure that everyone here deeply synipatiiises with that gentleman, as I do, on account of the illness which prevents him from taking the prominent part which properly belongs to him in this movement (Hear, bear). The presence of so many gentlemen this evening is a guarantee, although I must say I could wish the attendance had been larger, that there are certain leading agriculturists in this country who sympathise in the distresses ot our neigh- bours, and who, with a cosmopolitan spirit, desire to relieve them (cheers). I think it only riglit at once to say that this movement is totally unconnected with the lloyal Agricultural Society; and I am the more anxious to state this, because, from the prominent position which I have the honour of holding this year, it might be supposed that the resolutions which you are about to hear have been taken into considera- tion by the Council of that Society, and have been endorsed by them (Hear, hear). That is not the case. I have been asked to attend here this evening as an individual, and I no more represent the lloyal Agricultural Society than Mr. Howard would have represented the Farmer' Club or Lord Powis the Smithfield Club (Hear, hear). We are all animated simply by an anxious desire to do good to our fellow-creatures in France. Neither has this movement any political ten- dency. It is necessary at once to warn the public mind against any idea that amid the terrible war which is raging abroad we sympathise in this movement either with one side or with the other. We sympathise merely in the distress under which France is sutfering so terribly, and I feel certain that if the_ same amount of distress prevailed in Germany the agriculturists of this country would be found equally anxious to contribute towards its relief. If we consider for one moment what the horrors of this war are, and remember that in the trail of tlie army follow desolation, destitution, and misery ; and if we try to imagine the elfect of a similar state of things in our own country — then I am sure we shall all feel it our duty to come forward and do what we can to alleviate the sufferings of our neighbours (Hear, hear). Nothing can be more terrible than the accounts which we have read in the admirable letters that have appeared in the English news- papers. But if the retrospect of the past and the aspect of file present be terrible, what is there in the future ? Not only are large numbers of the people of France at this moment without a home, but they have been deprived of the means of cultivating the soil. Tiieir implements have been destroyed, their seed is gone, and there is no prospect for them in the future but starvation (Hear, hear). I cannot help thinking that if the position of aflfairs be well understood the great, and I may say prosperous, agricultural body of this country will sympathise with the French agriculturists in such a state of things, and the more so because the French peasantry, who are a gentle, laborious, and thrifty race, are in no way re- sponsible for the causes and results of this dreadful war (Hear, hear). Gentlemen, I need not say any more to intro- duce this subject to your notice, I feel confident that if you take up this matter earnestly — if you contribute cither in grain or in money to the relief of the necessities of the French peasantry, you will have sown the seeds of unity and good- will between the two countries in a way that hundreds of years of international intercourse could not have done (cheers). Wc must, however, in my opinion, be very careful in making our arrangements. It is necessary for our object that we so dis- pose of the contributions entrusted to us that we shall in no degree compromise the position of the Government of this country, and at the same time strictly ensure that the grain and other articles supplied shall be applied solely for the pur- poses for which they were subscribed (Hear, hear). They must, in fact, be used entirely for the replenishing of the land and not for the sustenance of the peo])le in food (Hear, iiear). Mr. Wren IIoskyns, M.F., moved the appointment of a committee of noblemen and gentlemen " for the purpose of enabling the peasant farmers of France to sow their land, and save their next year's harvest." He could assure them that he was not merely using formal language when he said that he felt the greatest pleasure in proposing that resolution ; and if there were any drawback to that pleasure it was the fact that his friend, Mr. James Ilovvard, was not present to take a prominent part in a movement, which, to repeat an expression used before, he bad so generously inaugurated (cheers). It was not necessary for him to dilate u|)on that which the Chairman had already so ably brought before the meeting. The objects of that charitable movement, which he hoped would extend throughout the country, belonged to a class which in- stead of promoting the war would, lie believed, if they had had an opportunity, have done everything in their jiower to prevent it. They should bo pre-eminently objects of inte- rest to them, because they were neighbours and allies ; and surely under tlie circumstances of wonderful immunity which English agriculturists had enjoyed from the devastation and the awful scenes of the last four months, there was due from thein something in the way of recognition of their blessings, owing to the insular position of this country, and their grati- tude should take some practical foim (Hear, hear). He quite agreed with their noble chairman, that they were not to be understood as taking a part on eitber side in that exhibition of feeling, but that it was to be regarded as an evidence of the friendly sympathy of a wealthy country, which had been saved by I'rovidence from the trials which France and Germany had undergone, and that the aid to be alforded would have been equally extended to the other side had it been required (Hear, hear). He was old enough to remember the strong feeling excited in Ijisbou by the contributions made by England after that city was devastated by an earthquake. He happened to be in Lisbon at the time ; and, although this country was not then very ])opular in Portugal for political reasons, he was struck with the fact that the gratitude for English subscrip- tions far outweighed the political dissatisfaction. They had lately had abundant evidence of the immense advance made in the art of killing, in the inventions and improvements of war ; and it mignt be thought that the world was going back, in- stead of advancing, in civilisation and Christianity, were it not that there had been circumstances which showed that, after all, tiieir inlluence was powerfully at work in mitigating the seve- rities of warfare. The movement which they were now inau- gurating was an illustration of that, and he trusted that it would convey to the minds of their neighbours an assurance of their sympathy with them amid the trials which the war had occasioned, and tiiat the subscriptions of the agriculturists of England would be regarded as a token of good feeling towards the agriculturists and peasantry of France (cheers). Captain Goodenougii, who was introduced as the com- mander of the Minotaur, and a gentleman who liad lately spent some weeks in the neighbourhood of Sedan, voluntarily aiding in the distribution of the French Peasants' llclief Fund, seconded the resolution. He said he was happy to state that he liad recently been engaged in distributing the funds col- lected by the Dailii News to the French peasants in the neigh- bourhood of Sedan and Metz. That fund, as the whole country knew, was collected for distribution in tlie north-eastern pro- vinces of France. Mr. Bullock, however, first went to Sedan and began his distribution ; and a committee formed by the Society of Friends undertook a similar work in the neighbour- hood of Metz. About Sedan, where there were manufactories, the people were not so purely agricultural as around Metz, where such assistance as that proposed by the committee now THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 109 being formed would be extremely valuable and welcome. In that district the farms were uot as in other parts of I'rauce, cut up into very small parcels, for there were some farms of the considerable size — for France — of 600 acreu. Upon this property the steam ploughs which the Society of Frieuds were sending out would no doubt be able to work advantageously. He most cordially endorsed what the chairman had said with refereuce to the good feeling which was likely to be excited in France by expressions of sympathy like these on our part ; and he could assure the meeting he had never met with any- thing more grateful or touching than the feelings shown to- wards those who distributed the Baili/ News fund in the nciglibourhood of Sedan audMetz. The. people at first thought the relief had come from Belgium ; but when they discovered the truth their surprise was only exceeded by their grateful emotion. Already beyond question, there was growing up in the hearts of the French people a deeper friendship towards England than ever existed before. Too much importance could not be attached to the caution to be non-political ; and it was very satisfactory and cheering to know that all the efforts which the agents employed near Metz and Sedan had made had been, not only received by the German authorities with great kindness, but seconded by them wherever that was pos- sible (cheers). Mr. AvELiNG, of Rochester, said everyone knew that this country when engaged in great works of charity never did tilings by halves, and he was quite sure the farmers of England would come forward uobly in support of this movement. Eut it must be borne in mind that the Society of Friends had sub- scribed £20,000, which was still being distributed, and it was of the higliest importance that tiiey should take care not to re- lieve the same persons. Knowing the north-east of I'rance very well, he brought that subject on the previous Saturday before a considerable meeting of farmers at Canterbury, and those assembled, while desiring to respond to the utmost to the appeal now made and to help forward the movement, did not see how it was possible for contributions of seeds to be ware- housed in this country without great expense, and likewise felt that wiien seeds had been collected it would be very dilticult to distribute them among the French farmers, and they came to the conclusion that nothing but money subscriptions could produce the desired effect (Hear, hear). The meeting felt that if a large amount of subscriptions were given in kind the result would be that the seeds would suffergieatly inthe warchousefrora vermin, and it also thought that lest the required provision should not be made before the end of the war, funds sliould be collected as rapidly as possible, so that they would be at once available for the purpose. Antwerp was at the present mo- ment over-crowded with corn seeds and seeds of every de- scription, and the owners were only awaiting the conclusion of the war to dispose of them. In the north-eastern part of France agricultural operations were, it should be remarked, carried on by means of oxen, and there were now scarcely any oxen left. The resolution was then carried unanimously. Mr. H. Corbet moved the following; "That James Howard, Esq., M.P., be, and is hereby, appointed honorary treasurer ; Brandreth Gibbs, Esq., and H. M. Jenkius, Esq., honorary se- cretaries; and \V. H. Delano, Esq., honorary agents in England of the Societe d' Agriculture de France." He felt the greatest pleasure in moving this resolution, because he tiioug]\t that without identifying themselves with the societies with which they were connected, the gentlemen named in the resolution would enable the committee to get at the classes whom it was most desirable to reach. He quite agreed with the supporter of the first resolution, that nothing could be done without money. The farmers of this country ougiit only to be expected to contribute seeds ; but for the carrying out of the very difficult and delicate duty which was being undertaken, there must be plenty of funds ; and when he'saw the names of Mr. Brandreth Gibbs and Blr. Jenkins, he felt confident that they would be enabled to get at the two great classes of land- lords and farmers (Hear, hear). On the one hand the farmers would, no doubt, be willing to contribute seed-corn, while on the other they had already seen indications that the landlords were prepared to do their part in the form of money subscrip- tions (cheers) There was another great interest — a collateral interest connected with agriculture — which ought not to be overlooked. He felt that, by asking the implement makers to contribute implements, they would rather retard than advance tiie object ; but at the same time he felt it to be very desirable that not merely implement makers, but seed merchants and the corn merchants of Mark-lane should be asked to contribute money. In that way a machinery could have beeu set in motion, which it might be hoped would embrace all classes connected with English agriculture. Mr. Allendeh in seconding the resolution, after expressing a hope that the work of collection would be proceeded with as rapidly as possible, deprecated any throwing of cold water up- on the movement as tending to dishearten those who were en- gaged on it. The resolution was then put and adopted. Mr. Albright (of Birmingham) moved the next resolution, viz. : " That secretaries of Agricultural Societies, Farmers' Clubs, Chambers of Agriculture, and clerks of corn and cattle markets be, and are hereby requested to give publicity to the appeal to bo issued by the committee, and to aid in forming local committees to collect contributions, and otherwise aid the general committee in Loudon." He was exceed- ingly struck by the remark of the late Foreign Minister of France (M. Drouyn de Lliuys) that the cultivators of the soil were, like the soil itself, likely to yield a grateful return for whatever care was bestowed upon them. He was exceed- ingly glad that the meeting had not forgotten the raaxini, " Honour to whom honour is due," — to Mr. James Howard, who was tliR real starting-point in this movement. The very idea of seed was calculated to awaken the deepest feelings of our nature. A bard of Derbyshire said, in a beautiful poem, The world's support depends upon the sliooting of tho seeds. Most assuredly the support of the French nation in future de- pended upon this country's finding seed for it. There, in a nutshell, was the position in which French agriculture now stood. While agreeing with Mr. Aveling that contributions in money were desirable, he thought the committee would fail in their object if they confined their receipts to them, or ex- pected large sums of money from the farmers. His owu belief was that for one fanner w!io would put his baud into his pocket and give a guinea, there were twenty who would williugly send lialf-a-sovereign's worth of seed (Hear, hear). The member for South Warwickshire (Mr. Wise) put the matter in a nutshell when he said tlic other day that the far- mers there had been so drained by suliscriptions to the funds for the sick and wounded that it was useless to ask for any more money, and what applied to Warwickshire would, no doubt, apply to other counties. He had just come from the Committee of the Society of Friends, and could promise that all they could do without abandoning their own operations they would do. He had seen a return from one village where there were seventy-six proprietors, and the needs of that village in corn were something like 7.V tons. As regarded tlie ques- tion of railway transit, he had been in commuuicatiou with Mr. Allport, manager of the Midland liailway, and other rail- way authorities of high position, ou that subject; and although it was no doubt a correct principle that only in very rare and exceptional instances should railway companies spend any of their funds in a benevolent manner, he believed that wa» a case in which such a course would not be objected to. It should not be forgotten that in one point of view the rail- way companies were among the largest landed-proprietors in the country. There were altogether 15,000 miles of railway, covering something like ten acres per mile, making a total of 150,000 acres. As, therefore, the railway companies were among the most extensive landed-proprietors, he hoped every facility would be given for the transit of corn ; and if the com- mittee could not get perfect immunity of freight all oyer the country, he believed that in a national movement of this kind there would be some very marked reductions in railway charges, and a low carriage freight would prevail so far as that object was concerned all over the country (Hear, hear). That object was, in fact, oue which must commend itself to the good feeling by everyone, and he trusted there would be no difficulty in securing the requisite funds. He had himself ob- tained from various persons promises of subscriptions which amounted in the aggregate to between six and seven hundred pounds, all to be devoted either to the purchase of grain, or to the expense of conducting that benevolent enterprise ; and he hoped that the liberality thus commenced would be widely imitated. Mr. Sutton, of Reading, in secouding the resolution, said 110 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. he was delighted that Mr. Howard had originated something like a uatioual movemeut in furtherance of such an excellent object. He knew sometliing of the part of France which had been referred to, and of the habits of the population ; and he was satisfied that there was a rehl necessity for this elTort, and that it ought to be at once extensive and prompt. Ou the 31st of October, immediately after the surrender of Metz, he wrote to a member of a large seed firm in Metz, condoling with him on the state of his country ; and in a few days lie r eceived from him a reply, in which he said, " I thank you most heartily for your friendly sympathy. Thank God, we did not sutfer much ourselves, but the farms all round tlie district are entirely desolated. The British Society for Relief has already done a great deal of good ; and we are most thank- ful for the kind help which has come." Tiie writer added that the English people should take care to send what was most needed and most useful. That letter was addressed to the firm of Sutton and Sous, of Reading, of which he was a member. He had also seen a letter from an agent of the So- ciety of Friends, who had laboured in the district around Metz. After describing the desolation which prevailed, the writer said, " An area of land about 200 miles in length and GO miles in width has been prevented from yielding crops, in consequence of the armies marching over it, and tlie peasants iiave nothing with which to sow the soil next year." He summed up by saying, " The four great requisites are food, fuel, clothing, and seed-corn" (Hear, hear). He (Mr. Sutton) knew tiiat tiiey would want money for tliis object, as well as relief in kind ; but he had found, from his communi- cations witii farmers on the subject, that they would be de- lighted to send some of their best wheat, barley, and oats for their suffering brethren on the Continent, and seemed to think that that w:is their proper part, and that money subscriptions should be obtained from others. He had been authorised by the firm to which he belonged to offer several cwts. of seed ; but since he entered that room he had been led to the conclu- sion that what would be most useful and convenient, on the whole, would be subscriptions in money, and therefore he now offered to the Committee, in the name of Messrs. Sutton and Sons, of Reading, £100 in cash (cheers). Mr. Speckxey, in supporting the resolution, said he believed that that movement was one of the kindest enterprises that could be commenced on behalf of suffering France, and he had no hesitation in saying that if a proper appeal were made almost any amount of money might be collected in the City of London. The resolution was then adopted. Mr. H. Trethewy moved the next resolution, viz. : " That the general committee be, and are hereby authorised to purchase seeds with money subscriptions, after having ascer- tained what corn and other seeds are most likely to be useful." He said that resolution appeared to him to form the pith of the whole matter, and he hoped that whatever feelings or views there might be as to other forms of assistance, there would be perfect unanimity on that point ; so that the committee would be enabled to carry out the object for which they were called together, namely to secure the sending of seeds to France. Much had been said with regard to the necessity of sending those seeds, but he would beg permission to throw out a hint in accordance with the view of the noble lord, that the seed sent out should be reaUy used as seed and not as food. He would suggest that the committee should, in the exercise of their discretion, adopt some means or other for securing that important object (Hear, hear). Mr. J. R. Robinson (Manager of the Ba'dy News), who seconded the resolution, remiuded the meeting that from the first a want of seed corn had been spoken of by various gentle- men who had visited the devastated districts. The mayors of the villages also made an appeal at the commencement of the movement which the meeting was promoting. That appeal contained the following : " In the sections of country that have been traversed by the German armies nothing re- mains of the provisions that had been accumulated in time of peace. Our houses, stables, and barns are burned or riddled with cannon-shots. The fields and meadows are trampled down by the tread of embattled hosts. Neither cereals nor grass have been harvested tiiis autumn. All our beasts of burden, all our beeves, sheep, and swine have been taken from us. Our labourers are either pressed into the French army as soldiers, or into the German army as teamsters. There re- mains not even seed-corn. We are destitute of strength to prepare the trampled ground for seed for next season's har- vest, and destitute of material to sow." A letter received a few days ago from France said upon the same subject : " When we stopped, after a fatiguing round through a number of field hzarets, our talk turned upon the misery in whicli the pea- sants of the ravaged districts lingered between life and death, without nourishment enough to ward off the ty- phoid form of dysentery with which nearly all are afflicted, and which must shortly become epidemic unless energetic help arrives. AVlien I understood that not only the horses, cattle, aud strong men were gone, but that ne.xt year's supply of food would depend on grain to be sown, and that even the pittance necessary for this sowing was taken from them, while their agricultural tools and machiery, and even the vehicles that were not taken for army trans- ports, had been cut up and burnt for camp firewood — when I saw that they had neither victuals nor means of procuring victuals from tlie distant parts of the country, wliich are less depicted, I asked, ' What can be done to help this wretched- ness?'" There could be no doubt, whatever, therefore, that seed corn was badly wanted in all directions, and the com- mittee, happily, would liave the advantage of not working in the dark. Tlie Society of Friends amongst the distressed French people was represented by eminently practical men ; aud so far as the French Peasants Relief Fund was concerned, he had in his hand the skeleton of a return which, when filled up, as would be the case in a few days, would give a list of 25 villages, with the number of indigent, the nature of their ordinary employment, the probable duration of distress, and a number of other details to guide those who distributed the relief. The exact wants of each village were accordingly known with considerable accuracy, so that the committee would have no difficulty in avoiding any very serious error. In jsutice to the poor distressed creatures for whom our sympa- thies were invited, it should be borne in mind that they were most anxious to earn their own subsistence if they could, and all accounts agreed that there had been a marked absence of attempts to abuse the kindness oS'ered (Hear, hear). He might mention as an interest- ing fact, supplied to him in a recent communica- tion from the United States that the American farmers were contemplating a movement similar to that under discussion. The object of these efforts in England not being to pauperise the recipients of relief, it was most desirable as soon as pos- sible to see the people depending upon themselves as before, and the operations of the newly-formed committee would, lie believed, work powerfully towards that end, not only because it would assist a return to necessary farming operations, but because a revival of one form of industry generally awakened and strengthened others. The farmers of England in sub- scribing to the fund would taste the luxury of relieving the distresses of tlieir fellow creatures ; and at the same time they would do an eminently practical work, which could not but tend to foster kindly feelings towards us as a people in return for assistance offered in a spirit of manly respect which had not even the suggestion of humiliation towards those who re- ceived it (cheers). Mr. Hall said : Having had considerable experience in connection with the supply of bandages for the wounded, he felt quite sure that subscriptions of money would be found preferable to subscriptions in kind. He was happy to say that the railway companies had conveyed 42 tons of bandages free of charge (cheers) ; and he felt certain that they would be willing to convey corn-seed without any payment. In conclu- sion, he suggested that the sackmakers of the country should be requested to supply the committee with bags gratis. The resolution was then carried. Mr. Sidney moved : " That the General Committee be, and are hereby authorised either to obtain the loan of, or to rent one or more suitable warehouses for storing contributions." He represented officially a commercial and not a philanthropic company; but nevertheless he believed the Directors of the Agricultural Hall Company would be happy to place rooms for storing at the disposal of the Committee. Dr. Lewis, of Glamorgan, who was announced as having ately spent some time in the north-east of France in the exer- cise of the duties of his profession, observed that there could be no doubt that a vast proportion of English farmers, es- pecially of the smaller class, would rather subscribe in kind THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Ill than in mouey ; but he tliought all aid in kind should be accepted, aud the Committee might couvert a poitioii of such coiitributious iuto moaey if they thought fit. He testi- fied from observation to the great need of seed-corn iu the uorth-east of I'rauce, and observed that having traversed the whole country from Strasburg to Paris, he found tliere an ex- ceedingly fine field for steam cultivation, the small allotment system presenting no practical ditliculty if the engines plougjied across the land. Tlie resolution was then agreed to. The CiiAiiiiiAm having invited saggestions or remarks from any gentleman present iu furtherance of the object, Mr. Alukigiit mentioned specially a number of subscrip- tions on his own list which had been promised, including £IU0 from the Mayor of Birmingham, £100 from Sir T. ¥. Buxton, 10 guineas from Lord Leigh, £100 from Mrs. Gibson, of Satfron Walden, and a promise from Mr. Josepii Smith, of Henley in Arden, of 17 stones of seeds, that being his own weight (laughter). He added that Mr. Millis, Coventry, of the London Coru Exchange, had offered to receive subscrip- tions, and, if agents were wanted, to purchase without any com- mission ; and, further, that contributions of seed-corn miglit at once be sent to No. loi, Minories. He likewise stated that Mr. Fowler, of Leeds, had offered a steam cultivator on terms which would be equivalent to a subscription of £500 to the fund. Mr. R. 1). Wilson, of Lincoln's-iun, said he had been en- gaged for some time in assisting Mr. Bullock in distributing the Biiily Xews Relief Fund, and he could assure the meeting that assistance was only given where it was really required. In every French village there were the mayor, the cure, and a hnrciiii lie hienfaisanve, formed of inhabitants, who acted as a committee of charity. In distributing the fund to which he had referred, tiiey found it advisable to co-operate with tlie mayor and cure, and two or three of the bureau dc bicnfuisance. By following this example the committee would be able to secure that the corn sent out should find its way to the per- sons who were unable to help themselves (Hear, hear). Mr. Cadle moved, " That the thanks of this meeting be, and are hereby voted to the directors and manager ot the Salisbury Hotel Company for their liberality in placing this room gratuitously at the service of the promoters of this movement." M. Barral, in seconding this, said I beg in the name of France, and particularly in that of the French agricultural press, to give you our most grateful thanks for what you are doing, aud we hope one day to show you how great are our gratitude and friendship towards England ; allow me give our special thanks to your aristocracy, who are always at the head of such undertakings as the one that occupies you to-night ; allow me to add that if we had in France such a noble, able, and kind-hearted aristocracy as yours, we should not ask lor a republic, but would have the same form of government as your own. The motion was then adopted. Mr. Cairb, in moving a vote of thanks to the Chairman, said he considered it of the utmost importance that they had in the chair one who had not only been long known for the interest which he took in agriculture, but at that moment held the high position of President of the Royal Agricultual Society of England. That was important because it was desirable that such a movement should exercise a national iutluence and beget national sympathy throughout the country. He did not know whether tlie National Agricultural Society of his own country — Scotland — would take up the matter, but he thought it very probable that it would — and the same remark applied to the Irish Society ; but whether that were the case or not, the fact which he had just mentioned could not fail to produce a great impression in France : that was simply a question of sympathy amid the misfortunes which had befallen a neigh- bouring country. It had been assumed by some speakers that the north-east of France would receive all the benefit arising from this movement, but he trusted that the succour to be ren- dered would not be confined to any particular part of France, but that wherever a need for help existed it would be supplied (cheers). Mr. R. Leeds, in seconding the motion, said he was sure they aU felt exceedingly obliged to the noble lord for presiding ; and as regarded the object of the meeting, he could only say, as a tenant farmer, that he iiopedhis brother farmers would do, as lie wished to do himself, all that they could for its promo- tion (cheers). The motion having been put by Mr. AVreh Hoskyns, and carried by acclamation. The Chairman, after returning thanks, said, I wisli to say one or two words with regard to the result of this meeting. So far as I can judge, although the number assembled is not large, those who have attended are all iu earnest about tlie work which has been undertaken (cheers) We have heard from several speakers very valuable hints with respect to the mode iu which contributions should be raised, some gentlemen appearing to think that mouey should be contributed as weU as grain, and others, that it would be best in all cases to subscribe money. Wc have also had promises of warehouse room, which are very important at the commencement of such an undertaking. We have likewise received hints from gentle- men who have lately visited France, and to wlio:ii this country is very much indebted for having represented it in so disin- terested a manner with respect to the mode in which this object should be carried out ; and lastly, we have been re- minded of the necessity of administering what is raised in such a way as not in any degree to pauperise those who are assisted. There are, no doubt, many matters of detail which will have to be carefully considered i)y those who have been requested to carry on the work ; but when men are in earnest in a matter of this kind dilficulties soon disappear (Hear, hear). Subscriptions amounting altogether to nearly £1,000 were announced before the meeting dispersed. At a preliminary meeting held in Edinburgh, Mr. Robert Scot Skirviug, Camptouu, President of the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture, in the chair, a large number of letters sympa- thising witli the object were read. The member for Berwick- shire writes in the following terms : Ladykirk, Berwickshire, Dec. 20, 1870. My dear Sir, — I have the pleasure of receiving your letter. I consider the purpose of it a most excellent one. The war still raging between France and Prussia I consider the most deplorable event of our day, aud ought to have ended long ago. France was clearly to blame, and Louis Napoleon especially, for its declaration. Prussia and its King are now as clearly to blame for its continuance. The parties whom we propose to succour are in no way to blame. Few things are more proper in this world than aiding people in distress, especially when it has been brought on by no fault of their own. T consider nothing could be better timed (and I give you all a great deal of credit who iiave originated your present proposal), than that of supplying the poor farmers of France with seed for their corn crops. I have the greatest pleasure in sending you enclosed a cheque for 10 guineas for the promotion of your great and good object, and will have no less pleasure iu doubling the amount if it be required ; and pray believe me, my dear sir, yours most sincerely, David Robertson, Charles Stevenson, Esq., Edinburgli. The following gentlemen were appointed to act as members of committee : Messrs. David Robertson, M.P. ; Peter M'Lagan, M.P. ; Sir A. C. R. Gibson Maitland, Bart., M.P. ; Messrs. AVilliam Dingwall Fordyce, M.P. ; Wellwood II. Maxwell, M.P. ; James Dyce Nicol, M.P. ; Charles Lawson, jun., Edin- burgh ; D. Cross, Glasgow ; G. Hope, Fenton Barns ; J. Melvin, Bonnington ; A. M'Neel Caird, Stranraer ; W . Goodlet, Bolshan ; AY. Hope, Leith ; J. Miller, M. P. ; R. Scot Skirving, Camptoun, convener, with power to add to their number. The meeting was of opinion that, however urgent the necessity, no grain should be forwarded to France until absolute guarantees were obtained from both the contending parties that the corn should be only used for the purpose for which it was sent, viz., seeding the fields of France which have been desolated by the present war. 112 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE FRAMLINGHAM FARMERS' CLUB, THE STABLE. At the Dcceiiiljin- iiicL'tiiiLf (he suliject was " What arc the duties of tlie staljle as rumpai-cd with its customs?" when Mr. C. W. Sutton, ot StowMiarket, read ihe following paper : Perhaps tlie title of iny paper does uot fully couvey to you what I intend to be the object of it: and it is not (juite clear to me if I ought uot rather to have announced it in this way — " Wliat arc the duties of the stable as compared with its customs." Most of you know the great love I have for every subject connected with the horse, and in fact all our domesti- cated animals, which is my plea for presuming to introduce this subject to-night. I will not say much upon the stable, as this pa]i(U' deals more with the duties eonuected with it. lu the architecture and management of the stable we must con- sider the uses for which it is required, for one tliat would suit the forced and somewhat artificial life of the racehorse would be quite out of character for horses for general purposes. All our stables should be constructed to secure good ventila- tion, light, height, drainage, and facility for cleanliness ; they should not be dani]), and possess a fairly even temperature both in summer and winter. Damp and badly lighted and ventilated stables are the pest-liouses where valuable animals soon lose life and spirit, promote a staring coat, and by im- pairing the vital powers incite a susceptibility to receive any prevailing epidemic, such as strangles and iutlucnza, to say nothing of such ills as diseases of (he eye, grease, swelled legs, cracked heels, hidebound, &c. ; and that there are many such places in existence now there can lie no reasonable doubt, and altiiough a bad pavement is, perhaps, found more especially in the stables of agricultural horses, I have seen many other stables were the paving-stones were rough and uneven, and the tloor as full of holes and inequalities as some of the old pavements in a London street. On these tlie wretched occu- pants are made to stand, tiicir feet taking a bearing at all sorts of angles, and unless up to their knees in straw, any attempt to lie down is attended with torture and unrest. In some stables you will see a considerable descent or slope of the tloor, so that the horse is jilaced in an unnatural position, liis chief bearing being upon the hind-quarters, whilst forward he is compelled to stand with toe u[) and heel down, thus throwiug a constant strain upon tlie back sinews of the fore- leg. Such a state of things will produce sooner or later serious mischief. Again, if you keep a horse only for plea- sure, and do uot give liini sullicient regular exercise on those days when you do not use him, he will get out of condition, no matter how good a stable he may have. Therefore, al- though 1 would see all stables constructed to secure ])lenty of light, good ventilation, with a well-arranged system of drain- age, I contend that these will ever be subservient to other matters of management, which must be attended to, in order that you may have the health of your horses preserved and kept up to the standard of wha: we all understand as good coiidiliou, and let us all feel that our best interests are con- sulted by the proper observances due to vitality in every form. Last week I had the opportunity of inspecting the new stables ouilt for the London General Ouinibus Company, to accommo- date over 600 horses. Everything that care and judgment could do seem to have been done to make them adapted to the purposes for which they \vere designed. The stables are each about ISO feet long, separated into compartments (each of which will receive about 20 horses), boarded from the manger to the caves, above which all is open to the roof from one end of the building to the other. Tlie buildings are of brick and tile, the ordinary span roof, not drawn or plastered, thus a free access of air would constantly pass between the tiles. The lighting and ventilation is from the top, and ■windows npon the south-east side, with latticed venti- lation also above the doors. No draught could by any chance fall upou the heels or any part of the horses, or would^ any light be thrown upon their eyes. The iloors are of granite paving, finished with grouting and cement, and so laid that there is no chance of the animal standing in an unnatural position, but still with just sullicient fall to allow the liquid matters to pass into the drains, which are bell- trapped, and empty themselves into a tank. The loose bo.\es for sick horses are built npon the same plan as the stables, but additional ventilation is elfected by means of perforated bricks one course from the bottom. One thing especially struck me, and that was the perfect isolation of the unhealthy or diseased from the healthy horses by using a distinct block of buildings, separated from the main body of stabling by a wall ; and the inference 1 drew upon reflection was how useful and necessary was a small building upon your farms, where upon the first approach of any epizootic or infecting complaints, such as strangles or iulluenza, amongst your horses, you couUl at once completely sever them from any conuectiou with healthy animals. I thiuk one of the first stable duties is for the groom or horsekeeper to be particular to note, and at once report npon, the early or premonitory symptoms of disease, and though they be iguoraut of the more intricate, yet there are sym))toms which could be explained in a few words, and would be of unfold service when understood. How many times has an animal, when suftering from incipient inllammatiou of the bowels, been urged along, though perhaps miles away from home, and roused into action, when totally unfit to move, or looked npon with apathy and indifference, wlien every moment lost without remedial measures was precious P The early symptoms of inflammation of the bowels are violent shiveriugs, legs and ears cold, body tender wheu touched, and the animal evideutly out of sorts. Of inflaniraation of the luugs, breath- ing laboured, standing with out-stretched legs, head and ears druopin;;', coat staring, legs and body cold, &c., &c. Of in- flammation of the kidneys, looking at the loins, head de- pressed, back arched, hiud legs straggling, crouching under pressure applied to the loins, &c., &c. Of worms, rough, stariug, unthrifty coat, craving appetite, slimy dung, &c., &c. I say how valuable is that servant who is able to notice with a quick eye any departure from the routine of health, and it is quite within the power of every owner of horses to give the necessary information. Gentlemen will do well to have a con- stant eye upou the legs and feet of their horses, that they may be left clean and dry, and this more especially upon the ap- proach of winter. This is a duty upon which 1 would insist, and in which so many are deficient ; consequently should a horse be round and lleshy-leggcd, a little coarsely bied, or naturally disposed to grease, a few days of neglect may render him an excellent patient to the veterinary surgeon. I would never have a horse's legs washed, or go into water without they were properly dried, and the circulation promoted after- wards by rubbiug. I would rather see the legs left dirty until dry, and the dirt brushed out, than allow them to go into water without being afterwards projierly attended to. Just a word on the abuse of tiie curry-comb, which is very useful in its place for removing scurf, and keeping the brushes right, but should never be used with one quarter the zeal and energy which too often accompanies its application ; such to a horse with a tender skin, or upon one su tiering from eczema, surfeit, or kindred diseases, is positive torture, and sliould be at once forbidden, and neither curry-comb nor hard brush should be used when a horse is shedding his coat. The stable duties on feeding and food may not be out of place here. Musty hay may be detected by its smell, colour, and mouldy appearance, which, under the microscope, is revealed as a fungus growth. This is the cause of mischief — nothing you can give your horses to eat is so unwholesome as this, and the natural in- stinct of any (except a gross feeder) leads him to refuse it, until driven to eat it by hunger. Some consider salt a counter- acting medium, and use it accordingly to remedy this evil, but only to find tliey are mistaken, and to learn from dearly- bought experience that mouldy hay is unwholesome, and will leave ill effects upon the organs of respiration sooner or later; and rest assured that the consumption of it is false economy, as it proves a poison to the horse, and not a very slow one THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 113 either. Oats should never be given new ; when tlic March winds have dried the last jear's crop tliey may be used, but even then tliey are too new tor horses consuming hirge quan- tities ; but for liorses for general purposes they do not iuut after having been kept that time. The reason I do not like new oats is, because tiiey are indigestible, and derange the kidneys and bowels. Tlie horse eating them has no lirm- ness of llesh, sweats immensely, and often a surfeity eruption, which sliows itself in the form of no cud of little scabs mattiug the liair. Bruising oats is always advantageous, but not to the same extent — they should be simply crushed, but not ground, by which the gasrric juice will readily act upon tlie starcliy kernel, and will be the more surely appropriated to the nourishment of the animal by a process of perfect diges- tion. Beans are a very stimulating food for the horse, and when given in too great abundance render him more susecptihle to iiiUammatory attacks ; they contain more gluten than oats, and are better calculated to supply the wcar-and-teav of tlie muscles in very liard work, and are therefore often given by cab and omnibus proprietors, as well as for agricultural horses, as they are found clieaper than oats, and for their muscle- making properties they are the riglit thing to be used. But although this may be the custom it should not be carried out blindly, for the duty will be iirst to consider the constitutional tendencies of the animator animals to whom they are given. Thus 1 should never give them to horses whose feet and legs are inclined to inllame, or if alfected with thick or broken wind. To washy, liglit-bodied horses beans are very service- able, enabling them to stand work better, and although when given without judgment may do harm, will still remain a valuable food. A few words on chaff before I leave the subject of food, for since the introduction of steam chatf cutters it is the custom of some gentlemen to have large heaps of chaff-cut at one time. To this the horsekeeper or groom iielps liiinself until as it approaches the bottom a large proportion is made up of very iinely cut and powdered lamiua or leaf blade and other matter which has settled in the form of dust. Now I jiave seen the ill cllects of this so often, producing constipa- tion or stoppage as it is commonly called, that I think it wise to draw your attention to it here. The tirst symptoms noticed are the intestinal secretions diminished or arrested, accompanied with colicky pains (but not like colic, for there is no intermission of pain). If these symptoms do not yield to the action of purgatives, soap and water clyster, and hot fomentations to the belly, we may reasonably suspect the presence of dust ball or some such obstruction, which is often nothing more or less than a quantity of this chaffy dust which has accumulated from day to day, and becom- ing firmly fixed ,into some of the narrower parts of the larger intestines produces the obstruction, and but too often fatal inllanimation. Now I might tell you the precise treat- ment necessary under the circumstances, but prefer to suggest in this paper merely *ilie preventive, which is to have the chaff always used from the Top of the heap, and as it comes to the bottoui have it carefully freed from this dust by sifting, or adopt the Cambridgeshire method, which is to cover the ffoor a foot thick with cut chalf, upon tliis lay in heaps — say, sis or eight bushels in each, chopped tares, clover grass, nettles, or any juicy vegetables that will ferment. On these some gen- tlemen pour a few gallons of boiling water, and cover imme- diately with cut straw, which must be well trodden down as the process of filling the place proceeds, during which salt in the proportion of 2S lbs. to a ton of chaff may be sprinkled on. Much depends upon the way in which this is trodden down, as one great object is to get the mixture as solid as pos- sible. After a few days fermentation will be set up, and continue for three or four weeks ; and the promoters of this system say that after the heat has subsided, the chaff will have acquired the scent of hay, aud keep any length of time. But whichever plan is adopteij, it will be wise to follow the old- fashioned but useful practice of giving a bran mash on a Saturday night, which will have the effect of carrying off these offending secreted matters, aud prevent this mechanical stop- page. A mild dose of physic would also sometimes be useful, but I will speak of this in its place. A few words upon the subject of water. The quality of water best suited to the horse is one moderately soft — not rain water collected in tanks — for that soon becomes foul and affects the health ; on the other hand, hard water does not suit, some being apt to produce hide-bound and diarrhcea ; but sound horses may become used to hard water, and it will agree with tiiem. The water which is given the horse will affect his condition, if it is not suitable to him in quantity aud quality, or if allowed to take it when heated by work. Thirst is very distressing to a horse. If lie has not water when his stomach demands it, he will refuse his solid food, or drink when he gets the chance to excess. If tanks are used they must be kept very clean, or the water will get foul, and the sides covered with a slimy deposit, which not only renders the water unpleasant to the liorse, but prejudicial to his health, liorses eating tares or succulent vegetables do not require so much water, too much water given tliein will often cause gripes ; even the usual quantity of water wiU be found too much when they are first put upon cut grass or tares, in the stable management of the feet constant care is required, for not only are they artificially protected by shoeing, but are compelled to stand upon a substance which is not like the surface of the earth, in a state of Nature destined to bear them. Neglect a horse's feet, and they become hard and brittle ; let them stand where they are con- stantly soaking upon wet filthy litter, and thrush will soou do a sad amoiuit of injury to the llcshy, secreting parts, which it is the ofiice of the hoof to protect. It is then a most important stable duty to see that the horse's feet are properly attended to. ist. To prevent the feet becoming too dry. 2nd. To prevent thrush, which is caused by keeping them too wet. 3rd. To see that the shoes are removed when necessary, are properly secured, and that no clinches of the nails are started, so as to endanger the other leg. Now the attention necessary to keep a horse's feet from getting dry and brittle is a subject of controversy ; one recoinmencls a stopping, which another calls favourite filth, which if long continued in will produce thrush. I think a mixture of cow-dung and clay forms a stopping which to most feet will be used with advantage, say once or twice a week. Exception to this would be when a liorse had either a very fiat or a pomiced hoof, in which ease I would not stop them at all. The use of warm water will be found, with the occasional application of some good hoof oint- ment, most valuable for dried, hardened, or brittle and shelly feet. Let the feet be immersed and soaked in a pail of tepid water as often as it appears necessary, and then dried and the ointment rubbed into the coronet and crust; nothing pays for attention given them better than the feet. What adds more to the perfect finish of a horse and his intrinsic worth than a good shaped, strong and perfect foot ? And, on the contrary, no matter how good a horse may be in other respects, an untidy, ragged-looking foot is as much an eyesore as the same thing amongst ourselves. When shod, I would insist upon having the hoof left externally as nearly in a state of nature as possible ; for the same reason, I would have the rough, horny, elastic frog uutouchcd, in order that it may fulfil its functions as an iusensil)le pad to prevent the jarring of the foot upon hard ground. I would never meddle with the sole. It is the natural protection of the delicate internal parts of the foot, and infinitely superior to the leather and pad substituted for it. ^ou may have to quarrel with your smith, who generally likes to leave the foot what he calls tidy, and rasps and polishes olf the very coating which nature has provided to keep the hoof strong ; but if your wish be carried out, you will be repaid by keeping your horses' feet in a condition to stand the wear and tear demanded of them. I think, as a rule, gentlemen are not aware how much may be done by careful shoeing aud atten- tion, to improve contracted or brittle and shelly feet. I could scarcely believe it possible that such changes could be effected in the hoof of the horse if I had not seen them practically de- veloped by the use of proper remedies. As to exercise. No argument is necessary upon the need of exercise amongst stable duties ; but the custom is very much to ignore the fact, except, of course, in the stable where regularly professed grooms are kept. Without regular exercise no horse can be kept long in health, and I am quite satisfied that even when a horse is hardworked he would be better for a short airing every morn- ing after feeding than to stand the whole day without it. It removes bodily obstructions, promotes the secretions and due circulation. By air and exercise we gain two material points, namely, the preservation of the horse's health, and the promo- tion of condition, enabling liim to go through with energy and vigour the exertions required of him. We now come to physic. In my previous remarks I spoke of physic as necessary for the purpose of getting rid of accumulated food ; thus, in the case of a horse brought up from grass it will be generally necessary 114 THE FARMER'S MAGAZiJNE. and always useful. Let us cousidor this subject uuder three heads : — 1st. As enabling the stomach to throw off injurious food. 2nd. To give the stomach tone and strength to bear the increased stimulus often supplied by the food necessary to get a horse into condition, especially for hunting or fast work. 3rd. In conjunction with the necessary exercise to get rid of internal fat, and any lurking tendency to disease. First, as to the elfect of physic enabling a horse to throw otl' injurious food, ice; generally four or live drachms of aloes will be suflicient for a hack or hunter fresli from grass, and from one to two drachms more for a cart horse ; no preparatory mash need be given, as the grass has done all that is necessary. This applies to the horse that comes up with plenty of size ; a horse low and lean would not require it. Second, The cooling properties of physic render it very valuable in the preparation of horses for work. If at any time the legs get hot, there is no better way of relieving this unpleasant syinptou. It will be proper to give a mash or two lirst. I believe you would get at the same lesult by withholding a portion of tbe corn, but it is then at the sacrifice of condition, and from long experience and a constant anxiety to get at the facts, I conclude that after the dose of physic the corn may be gradually increased, and with proper exercise and a mash ouce or twice a week, will be found the very best means to obtain that perfect condition, which is the pride of every owner of horses who is worthy of his trust. Third, To remove supertluous fluids from the body through the agency of blood vessels, absorbents and secreting organs, all of which co-operate to remove depositions of fat lodged around the heart and other internal organs. 13efore I leave this sub- ject, let me caution you against the use of physic in which aloes is a component in any of the following cases. Inflam- mation of the bowels or intestines, bronchitis or inlUienza, or other affections of the mucous membrane, and it is a treacherous remedy when given in inflammation of the kidneys or during pregnancy. A horse has been killed by only a three drachm dose of aloes when suffering from bronchitis, and I have seen horses at the point of death by the injudicious administration of a dose of aloes in influenza. Fomentation is a stable duty often practised, but seldom with judgment ; it it is a very essential adjunct in the treatment of disease, and a few words upon this subject may not be uninteresting to you. In most cases of broken knees, for instance, instead ot fomenta- tion being a comforting and soothing process, it is exactly the contrary. The dabbing and smearing a wound of this character irritates it, and rather distributes than removes the finer parti- cles of dirt over the entire surface of the wound. To foment a broken knee projierly, get a perfectly clean sponge, with a pail of milk-warm water, soak the sponge, and press it upon the leg above the wound, and not upon it ; by this means the sponge is kept free from grit, and the water in the pail also, whilst the stream of water running down the limb carries away all loose dirt from the surface. It must be remembered that the sopping and smearing cannot remove gravel or dirt imbedded in the injured part. I cannot lay down a rule as to the exact temperature at which fomentation ought to be applied, as the nature of the disease and the part to be fo- fomented must be considered. For the eye the temperature of the water should be about 100 degs., for strains and bruises as hot as the hand can bear, and for inflammation of bowels, pleuro-pneumonia, and other cases in which counter irritation is useful, the water must be scalding hot, the hands of those who wring out the cloths being protected by being wrapped in coarse towels. The chief disadvantage in the use of fomenta- tion is tlie aptness to withdraw it before the heat and moisture have had time to do good, and the rapid cooling of the part by evaporation and contact with the cold air. Therefore, after the operation is over the parts should be rubbed dry, and well clothed or covered, to prevent the rapid diminution of tem- perature which ensues from evaporation. Some gentlemen use a tormenting pail, which I have seen of much service where the limbs recpiire a long continued fomentation. It was made with a double bottom, and of suflicient depth to admit the horse's leg up to or beyond the knee. Blistering is a stable duty so clumsily performed that the efliciency of the applica- tion is almost lost or rendered inactive. When a cantharidine application is used, cut off the hair as closely as possible, and rub the ointment in with the hand for ten minutes, leaving a good quantity smeared over the surface afterwards. If the legs are to be blistered let the heels be protected, by being gmeared with lard, which will keep the action of the blister confined to the part requiring it; keep the head tied up, and put a cradle on the neck. Let the bedding be of short litter or saw-dust ; do not let the horse stand on the bare pavement, as the irritation and pain the ointment produces may make him jar his feet and legs by stamping. After a week a little neat's foot oil may be smeared over tlie part with a feather to keep the scales moist. lu using the Scarlet Biniodide of Mercury ointment, care must be taken not to remove the hair, as when ordinary blisters are used ; the ointment should be rubbed into the part for two or three minutes, and the horse's head tied up until the irritation is subsided, and a little may be smeared over the part on the second day very lightly, without disturbing the scaly secretion, which after some days will fall off, and then the part may lie dressed over again if it re- quires it. With reference to nursing, I would say that to nurse a horse properly after an attack of any debilitating disease, is one of the olfices owners of hors-is are called upon to superintend, and the way in which this is car- ried out exerts an influence, greater for good or evil, than is often understood. It is not so much the care which is taken as the knowledge which directs it, which has a successful issue, the care may be ill directed and leave no good result, but the nursing carried on with judgment will have the best effect. How often do our most eminent veterinary authors tell us that the treatment which follows after the more active symptoms are passed, consists more in the nursing than in the physic ; for the medicines having done their part with a disease, what remains to be done is to give the body support, by proper nourishment, and help nature to repair the damage. After inflammation of the kidneys, scalded linseed and an occasional mash to which linseed has been added, will form the best food, and no water given without suflicient linseed added to make it slightly glutinous. After inflammation of the bowels, to give bran is a positive poison. Mashes are not to be thought of ; hay tea well made, and thin gruel, about a pound of flour to a pail of boiling water, must be the diet and nourishment allowed the first day of or after recovery ; next day, a feed of boiled roots, not allowing more than one-third the usual quantity, for the weakened state of the affected organs will not allow of large quantities of food being taken at a time ; after this a few crushed and scalded oats may be given but it must be some days before a horse is put upon his regular diet, or permitted to eat hay. After bronchitis, the food should be thick gruel, no solids ; avoid loading the stomach, give water with the chill off; let boiled roots or crushed and scalded oats be the earliest approach to natural diet, and when recovery is effected let all the hay be damped, for no*^hing is worse or more likely to irritate the highly sensitive bronchial coverings than dust from the hay. The nursing during or after inflammation of the lungs should be hay tea, with a little oatmeal boiled in it and strained, and as improvement goes on make the hay tea thicker, and add two pounds of boiled potatoes per day. Wiicn the appetite is eager for food, give a pint of crushed oats well scalded six times a day ; do not overload the stomach, or allow a full meal. Let the rule during recovery from any of these debilitating diseases be little food and often, and what is given really good; do not stir a handful of flour or oatmeal into a pail of water, and call that gruel. Let the gruel be made with boiling water, in order that the starch in the oatmeal or flour may be liberated, and the gruel will thus be made not only more palatable but more nutritive and easy of digestion. Mr. CORRANCE, M.P., the President, had a strong suspicion that the grooms and horsekeepers needed to be looked after, for he knew they would sometimes, to save themselves the trouble of giving the horses a feed every three or four or five hours, whichever the case niigbt be, give the whole ,fred at one time, and nothing could be more prejudicial to a horse. He should also like to hear the opinion of practical men as to the proportions of corn and green stuff to be given at different times of the year. lie further asked the reason why aloes were so prejudicial in the case of certain diseases as almost to amount to poison. Mr. G. Jeaffresom, with reference to Mr. Sutton's remark that a horse naturally predisposed to grease, if neglected for a few days, became an excellent patient for the veterinary surgeon, said it was generally understood that all that was wanted for a horse with a greasy heel was to use warm water and to dry properly afterwards, and there would be no need for a veterinary. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 115 Mr. Sutton said aloos to a mare iu foal caused a cousti- tutional upset, wliicli would be exceediugly ])rcjudicial. Iu brouL'liitis uud iullueuzii tliey lowered the auimal wlieu he ought to be supported by a stimulant. The President asked whether that remark applied to any opening medicine ? Mr. Sutton said no. There were aperients whieh were not such drastic purgatives as aloes. Mr. G. GooDWYN said with reference to badly paved stables he knew it was the custom in many stables, instead of allowing the horses to stand on the ill-paved floors, to litter them from time to time on the ground and some of the most valuable manure was so made. lie wanted to know whether the horse standing on wet litter in this way in the stable as well as iu the yard, so that he was only oil' it when at work, tended to produce grease. lie admitted that in many cases the floor was not what it ought to be, and was not sure that it would not be found so in his case, and the auimals stood at great discomfort. lie agreed with Mr. Sutton iu the desirability of Imviug a separate building in which to place animals which showed symptoms of disease. Mr. Sutton spoke of not using new oats till the March winds had blown over them. He had often heard the vaunted superiority of old oats, but never heard it so strongly put as by Mr. Sutton, aud he asked him to explain whether oats should have tlie drying winds and frosts of winter to deprive them of certain qualities injurious to the horse. As to the chaff, he agreed that tlie custom had grown to have a great quantity cut at one time. Mr. Free- man, Mendlesham Hall, had told him he pursued that plan, and had it tightly trodden down with layers of salt, and so dealt with it kept quite sweet for almost any time. He also said he had it carefully sifted when he approached the bottom of the heap. With reference to tlie Suffolk horses not liking to be turned into paviors and rammers for the London stones, he should like to hear the opinion of Mr. Gray, who had the reputation of having as good horses and of having given and obtained as high prices as any one iu the neighbourhood, whether it was owing to the artificial rearing of sires and dams. Tliey all knew the completely artificial state in which of late years young horses were exhibited at agricultural shows. He should not like to say what per-centage of the foals supposed to be the best in the country liad been spoilt by artificial forcing. He knew many geutlemen who had ex- traordinary animals aud had refused to show them because iu order to obtain prizes they must make them so fat, and they would rather be without the prize than spoil the auimal for their future service. He a])pealed to Mr. Gray on that poiut. The chairman asked at what times horses might advan- tageously be taken to work, and no doubt all were anxious to begin to make use of the animals that cost a good deal to rear, and at two years old they would begin to put tliera to do something so as to earn their bread and cheese. He had no doubt many good horses were injured from too much work when young. Their owners began with the most philanthropic intentions, meaning to make two or three of them do only one horse's work ; but there came a pinch when all were wanted and the resolution was broken. He had known gentlemen who breed mares at two years old and turn them off' in their third year with their foals. Mr. Sutton said the effect of standing on wet dung was to produce thrush. When, speaking of oats, he said the March winds should have blown over thera, he did not mean that the wind should actually have blown upon them, but that they should have been kept for that period. Mr. Gray said he could not keep his horses as Mr. Sutton had described. He could not keep the feet as Mr. Sutton advised — not too dry or too wet. His stable was cleaned out every day and the tile floor was very unlevel, but he never had a horse injured from it. His stable was a very moderate one, and as to ventilation he did not thmk it re- quired it at all. He never had a horse go blind or have the staring coat Jlr. Sutton spoke of as arising from the want of ventilation. As to the feet, if tliey were allowd to grow as Mr. Sutton described they would get so broad that they could not get into the furrow when at plough. AVhat he liked to see was a horse with a round foot, and liked to see the shoe kept as back as they could to avoid straining the sinews. When a foot ran out the blacksmith shoed accordiugly and it was to prevent this tint he would have it cut to the proper round shape. As to not touching the frog, lie liked to see a foot properly trimmed, aud lie never had a lame horse and never knew but they could walk the roads, aud he thouglit they would go over the London stones if they were there. Mr. Sutton said he did not say they were not to cut the hoof; he only said they should not let the blacksmith rasp away the external crust and covering of the hoof, and that they should not let him meddle with the frog if he was going to take away the very covering nature had designed to protect the foot. Mr. Gray : I thought you said you should never touch the sole. Mr. Sutton said it should not be pared away with a knife as some blacksmiths did to fit the foot to the shoe instead of fitting the shoe to the foot. Mr. GooDWYN asked whether the practice followed in many stables of watering the horses' baits was advantageous, and for what reason ? Mr. Sutton said it tended to render the food easy of digestion. Mr. T. Cracknell said he lost a valuable mare entirely, he believed, because his man neglected to water her food. He asked Mr. Sutton's opinion as to the advisability of giving horses beet-root, lie had just begun to give his horses about half-a-peek a day, aud tiiought it a good tiling. They did not make 2d. a-bushel of the beet given to bullocks, and he thought they would make 3d. by giving it to horses. Mr. Jeafekeson asked whether raaize was good food for horses. Mr. Sutton, expecting the queslion to be asked, had pre- pared to answer it. Maize had long been used in America as the ordinary food of horses, and it was said to suit them well. Bracey Clarke, and other writers of his day said it clogged the stomach aud tended to promote founder. Others said they had seen horses employed for road work fed on it for years without ill effects. A member of the farming committee of the American Institute said from 141b. to 201b. of Indian corn meal was sufficient for the daily ration of the omnibus horses of New York. The stage horses had cut hay and eorn meal, wet and mixed in the proportion of 21b. of meal to lib. of hay and a very small quantity of salt. It seemed generally ac- cepted that horses might be kept doing hard but slow work upon hay and Indian corn meal. The price of Indian corn meal in this country was generally a trifle higher than that of the best English oats, and therefore unless it went much further it would be no economy to use it. As Mlb. to 201b. would suffice for the hard working omnibus horses of New York, it followed that it must be economical if it could be made to answer the purpose equally well with English corn. Oats contained 45 of starch and sugar and 11 of fibrine as compared with 62 starcii and sugar and 12 fibrine in Indian eorn. Mr. Jeapfreson said the General Omnibus Company used Indian corn meal for the horses that did the slow mid-day journeys, but to those which took the first quick journeys they had to give oats and beans. Mr. J. Garrard referred to the difference in the value for feeding purposes of English aud foreign oats, expressing his opinion that the latter were absolutely injurious to the horse. Mr. P. Read said it had been stated that the value of a farmer's horses amounted to £3 an acre. That was one-third of his capital ; and who had they to look after their horses ? Had they the cleverest and sharpest people they could find ? Certainly not. Nine out of ten farmers would not be told by their horsekeepers that there was anything amiss with a horse till the animal was nearly dead. The usual run of labourers had a great affection for the horses under their care, and they sometimes gave them all manner of queer things — drugs they got at the chemist's and herbs they gathered — unknown to their masters, not with the intention of doing them harm, but to make them look nice. Mr. Head further said he had very little confidence in the general run of village farriers to whom these valuable horses were entrusted when ill. The President, referring to the allegation that the Suffolk horse's feet were too tender for London work, suggested that this arose from natural causes. The circumstances under which a certain breed of auimals lived would naturally de- velop those things which became idiosyncrasies of that breed, and he suggested that the pastures of Suffolk were not suited to the growth of horn. Succulent pastures with moist bottoms 116 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. would be fiivourablo to the growth of horn, and there were few such in Sullolk, tlie majority being hot and dry. To counteract tliis defect they sliould select for breeding the ani- mals tliat showed tiie greatest natural disposition for the growth of horn, or should obtain it artificially by placing the foals in yards with soft, moist bottoms, and uot allow them always to be running on the hot, dry pastures. lie strongly believed that by such means natural defects might be contended against, and by careful selection and attention to breeding they might almost always be overcome. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr, Sutton, and the meet- ing ended. THE LAVENHAM FARMERS' CLUB, At the monthly meeting, Mr. William Biddell, Vice-pre- sident, in the chair, the subject of labourers' cottages stood in the name of Mr. F. T. Barkway. The CuAiRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said the subject of labourers' cottages was one that the Club did well to dis- cuss, because the time might come when the owners and occu- piers of land might be compelled to provide a certain amount of cottage accommodation. It would, of course, be a great stretch of power to do so, but we saw Session after Session that we were made responsible for things people never even thought of years back, racilities had now to be provided for the education of tlie lower classes, and it might be we should be compelled to look to their physical wants or deficiencies. The members of the Club could but feel deeply indebted to Mr. Barkway for undertaking to introduce the subject at so short a notice. Mr. Barkway said that the remarks he intended to adduce would be taken chiefly from the report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the cottage accommodation of the English labourer, as he went on to argue that the majority of cottages that now existed in rural parishes were deficient in almost every requisite that should constitute a home for a Christian family in a civilised community. They were deficient in bedroom accommodation, few having three chambers, and in some parishes, the larger proportion, only one ; they were de- ficient in drainage and sanitary arrangements ; imperfectly supplied with water ; such conveniencies as they had were often so situated as to become nuisances ; they were full enough of draught to generate any amount of rheumatism ; and in many instances were lamentably dilapidated. AVhilst great strides and improvements had been taken in almost everything during the last 30 years, yet the matter of accom- modation for the labourer, excepting in isolated cases, had re- ceived little, if any attention. In some places, comfortable cottages had taken the places of miserable iiovels, and a com- fortable cottage seemed to act like a charm, improving the manners and habits immensely. In his opinion it tended more to imi)rove the condition of tlie labourer than anything else, ami if landlords did not got so much per-centage for the out- lay, they would reap it in another and more satisfactory way, having men more equal to a hard day's work, there would be less sickness, and consequently less expense in the shape of poor-rates. Adverting to Lincolnshire, whicli he characterised as a new county, he described tlie vast improvements that had been effected of late, the land being brought under cultivation, and he said everything necessary had been provided for ex- cepting the human machine, by whose labour all this change liad been brought about. The labourer must find lodgings miles away from his work. The report of 1807, stated that there was an absence, not only of villages, but almost of cot- tages also, consequently the labourers were all congregated in larger towns. The same report stated that there were women as well as men who took an hour's walk twice a-day, staiting in the dark, and returning iu the dark, to obtain the privilege of selling a hard day's work for a shilling, lie gave instances in which whole families were found huddled together in miserable hovels, long distances from their work. The Lin- colnshire cottages, however, as a rule, were not altogether bad in quality, but tiie insutficieuey in quantity was the cause of evils quite as destructive of home life, and perhaps more so, than anything else. Overcrowding was, of course, attended with the worst results, and the people would take lodgers. lie instanced many cases of overcrowding; in one instance, the floor of a cottage being so packed with sleeping people, that it was almost impossible to open the door. In Norfolk, what had modern civllii'.ation done for the labourer? In that couuty of iigrjQuJitmai progress, tUe labQurer's lot was worse and worse. The several reports show the character of the cottages in certain localities, old, rotten, and shapeless, with thatched roofs and walls full of cracks and crannies. He gave some glaring instances of over- crowding, adding that he was sadly afraid that we, in the county of Suffolk, could not put in at all a better appearance. If time permitted, he could bring before the notice of the Club cases equally bad and horrifying. He might enumerate many instances of whole families sleeping in one room, consisting of father, mother, and six, seven, and even more children. Could we wonder that vice and immorality should stalk through the land ? And could we wonder at the want of decency, morality, and virtue ? Wiiat must be the state of health which this overcrowding brought on ? It was easy to guess what was the state of the air iu the room of a cottage where ten or eleven persons had slept, and it was a wonder that they breathed at all. With this state of things, we could not hope to have a healtliy agricultural population. If these evils were mitigated, we should find the calls upon the rates diminished year by year, and the people, as they became better housed, would become more provident, more careful, and would endea- vour to lay up for a rainy day. He felt that he could not omit one parish, which stood out nobly, and presented a pat- tern which other parishes might most beneficially imitate. He alluded to the parish of Shirapling, where, under the fos- tering care of the lady at Chadacre Hall, many cottages had been erected, giving a great air of neatness and comfort to the village ; and had, at the same time, produced a corresponding amount of care and self-respect amongst the occupants of lliese comfortable homes. He wished there were more ladies like Miss Halifiix willing and able to assist their poorer neigii- bours, and then the complaints constantly arising would in a few years disappear, and we should be tempted to exclaim, " Could such miserable hovels ever have existed as homes for honest, hardworking men ?" Mr. Barkway tiien spoke of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and a host of otlier places, giving a vivid description of the cottages and the habits of the people ; and, in the course of some remarks on pauperism, he said be found tliat the increase of pauperism in 186S over that of 18G7 was 54.,61'J, and in I8G9 over 18G8 it was 3G,9G3. The number of paupers chargeable to the poor-rates on January 1st, 1870, was 1,083,533, while their cost to the country amounted during 1SG9 to nearly £7,700,000. In conclusion, he said : The question of decent homes for the labouring classes cannot rest. It stops the way. Education itself is an impossibility, when the nursery from which the scholars are drawn is a school of vice — school and home in antagonism. The victory, if possible, to the former would be a doubtful gain ; and, unless some stir be made, the Act for the promotion of national education will be largely inoperative, if it is not generally followed by some remedial measures for the improvement of the cottage homes in England. I would ask, who is responsible for this sad state of things? Are tiie peojjle who are born with it, who are dragged up iu it, who are debarred by ignorance and poverty and the iron chains of habit from getting out of it ? No ; every family in this land is responsible for it. Think not that our duty is done by merely enjoying the comforts of life, and shining like a bright, warm spot in the cold, cheerless desert of life. You know tliat home is the congenial soil of every virtue. You know that upon the condition of the homes of England everything depends — that if they are corrupt we sliall surely sink, let our material prosperity be ever so great. Let us not rest then until this evil is put away from us, until at least it shall be a man's own fault if his home becomes the abode of sin and misery. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Ill Mr, R, Hawkins expressed his great regret that Mr. Bark- way did not suggest a remedy for the deplorable state of things he had depicted as existing ia the various counties of the kingdom, and said it was perhaps because he did not take his hearers into the more immediate neighbourliood, about which he must have had a more thorough knowledge. As to the cottage accommodation in this count) generally, there was no doubt there might be serious deficiencies in certain locali- ties, but he (Mr. Hawkins) thought that on the whole the labourers were better cared for than in very many counties. He did not recollect that there had been remedies suggested, but it had been said that this was a landlord's question. There was no doubt but that the owners of property were bound in justice to give the labourers that accommodation which was requisite for the locality in which they resided. The couuty of Norfolk had been instanced as being one with grave defi- ciencies in regard to cottage accommodation. The tenantry of tlie late Earl of Leicester — some of them had 5,000 or 6,000 acres each — required better accommodation, and the noble Earl most liberally offered to find bricks and mortar on re- ceiving- five per cent. And if other landlords would but act in the same way tlie wretched state of things described as ex- isting in some counties would be obviated. The lower classes increased at a greater rate than any other, and this subject of deficient cottage accommodation had long l)een mooted, and why no remedy was provided was a most astonishing thing. The landlords knew they had a duty to perform in this respect, and arrangements could certainly be made in the letting of farms so that the required house accommodation for the poor would crop up easily and satisfactorily for all parties. Some of the didiculty arose in this way : certain individuals by indus- trious habits acquired a small capital, and they wished to retire. They bought a plot of ground, and where there was only accommodation for two cottages they placed six, and let thera for a given sum of money. Tlie question, as a v/hole, must be taken up by the landlords. The tenant farmers could not do so, for they were in one place one year and miles olf the next. At the same time they would assist their landlords in every way in their power to make the requisite provision. Mr. T. P. HiTcncocK said Mr. Barkway had quoted largely from the Commissioner sent to inquire into the habitations of the poor. Did they inquire into the state of the labourers' dwellings in town ? Mr. 13AEKWAY: No. Mr. Hitchcock said he did not understand why the Commissioners should not have looked into the dens of Liver- pool, Manchester, and other large cities and towns. The fact was the Commissioners wrote their reports to order. Thoy wrote them strong one way in order to obtain promotion. Dr. Eraser had been made Bishop of Manchester, and no doubt he wrote his reports to order. What was the object in view in having these reports written ? It was with a view of legisla- tion, and was it intended that the agricultural labourer sliould have equal comforts to the men who were better olV ? He did not wish it to be understood that he deprecated lodging the poor well, or that many of the liouses were good enough, but what he spoke against was legislation for the purpose. We must compare the wages of these people, and why was it they did not earn better wages ? Because they could not, inas- much as they had to compete with the labourers of other countries. Having referred to what had been said as to the evil tendencies of overcrowding — in the course of which he instanced Ireland, where families had only a single room in a cabin, and where there were thousands of such cases as iiad been referred to, but those people were exceedingly chaste — he said, in regard to England, that if it was legislated that there should not be less than three sleeping rooms, it must also be provided that there should be no lodgers, for if not, with this number of rooms, these people would be sure to take in lodgers. Mr. Hawkins had hinted that the population had increased, and that there ought to be more and better houses provided. Was Milden larger than it was lOO years ago ? Was Lavenham more thickly populated than then, as well as many other places that might be named? The population in many of these places had decreased. The Chairmaim : In many of the rural districts it has de- creased. Mr. Hitchcock said he should like to see good houses provided, but let us have no legislation on the subject. It must be left to the good spirit esi§ti»g between the laudlord, the farmer, and the labourer. If some inducement could be offered to the landlord to build the houses well, and good ; but in the meantime he would caution persons not to exaggerate the case. It must not be forgotten that you could not, from a variety of circumstances, make all people live in good houses alike. The agricultural iiorse that was turned out at night iuto the straw yard might as well grumble because it was not kept up as well as the racehorse at Newmarket. It was quite right to ventilate the subject in this way, but it must be borne in mind that before much could be done there must be some return for the money. He, however, did not like those things written to order, because they only gave one side. Mr. Barkway said Mr. Hawkins had asked for a remedy, and he could not do better than refer that gentleman to what had been done at Shimpling. JMr. Barkway also alluded to what Mr. J. E. Wright, Mr. Mumford, Mr. Hustler and others had done, and the comfort, and neatness, and alteration in the habits that these improved cottages had produced in the people was remarkable. As to the cottages in that neighbourhood it was, of course, easy to point to some that were as bad as could be, and as to Mr. Hitchcock's remark about the reports being written to order, it was hardly likely that gentlemen like those would write anything wrong in order to claim power upon it. Mr. J. E. WraoiiT said he had done a little in cottage building, but he did not find it very profitable. His opinion was that each landlord or farmer must take his own special circumstances into consideration. It was impossible to lay down a general rule, because various persons' circumstances varied considerably. He himself had only found an indirect benefit. He did not find anything like 5 per cent, profit, but there was perhaps an indirect benefit in iiaving the cottages close by. Living, however, as he did near Lavenham, there was not the necessity for cottage building which existed in some places. Mr. Barkway had referred to what had been done at Shimpling. Miss Halifax had no doubt taken a great deal of interest in the subject, and had spent a large amount of money. There were many others who felt equally well dis- posed towards the labourer, but it was not everybody who liad Miss Halifax's purse. W^ith reference to the per-centage ques- tion, that if that was thought of another class of persons must be found to inhabit the cottages. Mr. Hawkins said that the late Earl of Leicester built some excellent cottages with good-sized rooms above and be- low, kitchen, bake-office, &c., and every convenience for a family, and the tenant farmer paid £5 rental. The Chairman inquired who bore the direct loss, the land- lord or the tenant ? Mr. Hawkins said the teuantjariners paid the rent. Tliere was no loss. The Chairman : Did the tenants pay the £5 ? Mr. Hawkins : Yes. Mr. Barkway: If the same kind of cottage was built here, could you find men to ]iay £5 rental ? Several members said they wished they could, and one remarked that there was not a tenant farmer who, if lie had a good man in his employ, would not make a little sacrifice with a view to that man's welfare. Mr. T'nOMAS 1'. Hitchcock observed that one important question was whether it would suit the landlord's purpose to make an outlay in order that he might receive the sum which had been named. Every case must, of course, be dealt with on its own bottom ; it was impossible to lay down a Ijroad general principle. It would not answer the tenant's or the landlord's purpose to find cottages for some other person's la- bourers to live in. Mr. Bowen, as a native of Norfolk, was able to say that there had been great improvement in that county within the last few years. Mr. Talbot agreed with Mr. Hitchcock that the evil was gradually being remedied, and in support of this view he pointed to a number of excellent cottages which had been built within a few miles of Lavenham during the last three or four years. The Marquis of Bristol had paid particular attention to the housing of the labouring class. He also added Ins testimony to the liberality of Miss Halifax, and said it would be well if every parish possessed a lady of equal benevolence. The Chairman saidd that few, if any, would deny that the labourers ought to have better cottages; but whea it was 118 THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. seen tliat n ccrhiiu tiling ouff : I beg your pardon, they were nine months old, but the Berkshire breed cannot be fatted so early. They were, however, a pen of beautiful pigs, and it was a good bit too bad to put them on one side. Mr. CocKSEDGE : May I ask you if the tail of a pig is of any great importance to the pig ? Why I ask is that I want to be practical. I have been in Wales, and there the shep- herds never bite off the sheep's tails, but let them grow, be- cause they say they serve to keep the sheep's bellies warm. I don't know whether that little fine tail of the pig serves to keep the pig's belly warm. Mr. Steaen : It is about as useful, perhaps, as one of your ears. You miglit cut one ot them oft". Mr. CocKSEDGE : I should hear as well. Mr. Stearn : Tliat might be, but you would not look so well. You would prefer a pretty girl to a bad-looking one, would you not ? Mr. S. Scott asked Mr. Stearn what proportion of sugar he used for the joung pigs. Mr. Steakn : I can scarcely say, but I make it pretty sweet. Mr. S. Scott : How much sugar to the pail of milk, I mean. Mr. Stearn : I don't mix so much as that at a time. To a pint of milk I put a tea or perhaps a desert spoonful of sugar. Mr. Scott asked Mr. Stearn what was his opinion of the use of acorns as pig food. Mr. Stearn said he did not like them at all. He had tried them, but nevertheless did not like them. He believed he had suffered this summer from the use of acorns. He had lost several very valuable pigs, only from eating acorns. Dr. Shout : May I ask why you thought you lost them from that cause ? Mr. Stearn : Bocause those that ate acorns died, and those that did not eat them, did not die. Dr. Short : But what was the cause of death ? Did they produce constipation P Mr. Stearn : Yes, the bowels were too much confined. Mr. LiNGwooD asked Mr. Stearn if he had ever noticed a difference being indicated in the young female pigs, between those that were good and those that were but indifferent breeders, in tlie placing of the paps ? It was a matter of ex- perience with him that where the paps stood in two rows evenly, the sow would be the better for breeding than where they were uneven or irregular. Mr, Stearn said he thought tlie strajghtey the paps ntood the better for breeding. If they were scattered or a little out of the straight, such a pig was seldom very good for breeding. Mr. LiNGWOOD said he was inclined to think that the better the pigs were bred the fewer they would find that were so formed. Mr, Stearn said he could not say he had ever noticed that. In fact he had never had any very bad ones to deal with. Mr. Page : You had your stock from me. Mr. Stearn : Mr. Page says I had my stock from him. I do not know, I am sure, but I have as few bad ones as possible. Mr. Stearn added, in reply to Mr. Lingwood's further questions, that he generally put such pigs on one side. Mr. LiNGWOOD said he believed attention was not always paid to the indication he spoke of. The largest and strongest animals were set aside for breeding with very little regard to the point he spoke of. Mr. Woodward (the Secretary) said he invariably found that the largest pig would make the most productive mother. Still he always saved for breeding those sows whose paps were formed in the most regular way. He did not think, how- ever, tliat there was much dependence to be placed on the rule for saving pigs. He had found the smallest to make the best breeders and the best mothers. Mr. H. A. Oakes asked if the size of the animal was not of great importance. In breeding, he believed it was generally held that breeding animals could hardly be too long. Mr. WooDW^ARD said that he considered size and length of great importance in breeding sows. He gave the preference, too, to long animals before short ones. Was that Mr. Steam's practice ? ]\Ir. Stearn : Yes. Mr Woodward : How about the condition of your breeding sows P I don't care about keeping them too high at the time of farrowing. Mr. Stearn : No ; keep them as low as you can. Bran slops a few days previous to farrowing, and after you take the pigs to her give better food. Mr. Woodward said he quite agreed with Mr. Stearn as to the importance of the subject. He did not think that any more profitable stock could be bred than pigs. They must, however, in starting, see to the breed. He quite agreed with Mr. Stearn that no profit could attach to the old Suffolk pigs. Mr. Stearn said that a neighbour of his had tried a lot of them, and found, amongst other evils, that they were so wild as almost to destroy the place they were kept in. He then put into the place some that he considered well-bred, and they were quiet enough. Mr. H. A. Oakes asked Mr. Stearn the cost of his piggery as shown in the model. Mr. Stearn said that with poplar boards it would cost about £25. Mr. Oakes : Then you don't advocate the use of the brick and mortar ? Wood is more generally the tenant's work. If the landlord builds, he expects it to last for 30 or 40 years. Mr. Stearn : This will last 30 years (" No, no.") My poplar board building is now ten years old, and I believe it will last that time. It is as good now as when first built. Mr. Oakes : I believe if aU landlords would supply good buildings it would save the tenants great expense. Good lodgings save food, for warmth is equal to food. The better the buildiugs the easier it is to fat the stock. Mr. Stearn said, that he employed his own men to put the piggery up, instead of tradesmen. It was only asphalted inside. If they went to the timber yard and bought the boards, he did not think it would cost above £30. Mr. Oakes suggested to Mr. Page that it might be cheapest for him to go to his landlord and get him to build the place and pay five per cent, for the outlay. Mr. Page said that might cost him too much, as he might live too long aud pay too much that way. Mr. Woodward said he thought there would be no difficulty in getting such a building for the money Mr. Stearn spoke of. It was 24. feet long, and they usually calculated that open sheds 18 feet wide, brick and tile, would cost £1 a foot running measure. Mr. Stearn explained that the aspect of his building was south, and he pointed out that the doors were so arranged that ft thorough draught conhl always Jie secured. As to THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 133 feeding tbe pigs wlien very young, the sweetened milk was put into shallow troughs. Of course the young pigs were frightened at first and cut off, hut they would soon return and begin to nibble at the edge of the trough, and from that they 80on began the milk. Mr. WooDWAED : Then, you don't begin by giving them maize ? Mr. Stearn : No, not till they are four days old. Then we begin to give it soaked, as, of course, they cannot eat it without soaking. Mr. WooDwAiiD : Will young pigs begin to eat maize at four days old ? Mr. S. Scott : I was about to ask the same question. Mr. Stearn : Yes. Mr. Hatten asked how much salt was given with the meal. Mr. Stearn said he could not say. £Ie merely threw a handful in the cistern now and then, as the meal was mixed. The pigs seemed to like the food the better for it. Mr. LoJGWOOD said he knew of a case where too much salt had been given, and the pigs died. Salt for pigs was all very well after they were dead. Mr. S. Scott asked if Mr. Stearn really tliought that there was any profit in the rearing pigs for cups. Of course it was very nice, but was there any real profit about it? Mr. Stearn : I must say I think tliere is more profit in the breeding and rearing pigs than there is in any other animals. As Mr, Page knew, he had tried almost everything, and h.e found that uotliing paid like pigs. He had a lot of bullocks once, which paid him 10s. 6d. a week, at a cost of 13s. Mr. Page said no doubt the pig was the most profitable auimal they could put on the farm, but unfortunately they had not the attention they ought to have. They had not from himself he knew, and he thought he might answer for almost everyone in the room except Mr. Stearn. Mr, Stearn said it was very important to have a good herdsman. The CuAiiiMAN : Generally the pigs are left too much to boys. Mr. Stearn ; Generally the master does not look at them ouce a month. Mr. Page said he did not ; but confessed that he liked sheep better, because there was some wool. He must say, however, that he had never seen a pig eat whole maize at four days old. Sometimes he had given them a few oats, hut they could hardly manage them. He should like to see them crack Indian corn, for he was quite an advocate for feeding young pigs, but never could get them to eat under ten days. Mr. Kistruck. : Perhaps you have never knocked the teeth out. Mr. Praser said it was, doubtless, of the greatest import- ance that pigs should be kept clean. Mr. Page appeared to question some of Mr. Steam's propositions, but he could hardly do so, when he said lie did not see his pigs once a month, A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Stearn, THE WENLOCK FARMERS' CLUB. At the last meeting, a discussion took place on " The evil arising from the present system of importing foreign stock." Mr. H. ^^' . Keary said he was not one of those who ascribed all the evils of the present day to the free introduction of stock. Pleuro-pneumonia and the foot-and-mouth disease — diseases from which they suffered more than any other — he did not think originally came from abroad, or, at any rate, he did not think they were now propagated by the introduction of foreign stock. Properly speaking, they were epizootic diseases. He tliought they arose from atmospheric causes, for they fre- quently found them breaking out in districts where no foreign stock liad been introduced. He had known something about farming for forty years, and his impression was that pleuro existed in this country long before the free introduction of foreign cattle. His impression was that both pleuro and foot- and-mouth disease were rife in this country before foreign cattle were imported. But some diseases came directly from abroad. There could be no doubt whatever that diseased cattle were introduced, and it was equally certain that the pre- sent system of importation was objectiouable. If any plan could be devised for compelling the animals imported to un- dergo a quarantine, or for slaughtering them at the ports of of disembarkatiou, it would, he thought, be very desirable. There were difficulties in the way of tbe latter remedy which he thought would render it at least difiicult to carry out, and he was therefore of opinion that a complete system of quaran- tine would be most desirable, especially if certain ports were defined for disembarkation, and animals were not disembarked promiscuously at any port in the kingdom. He thought also that very many of the evils farmers at present la- boured under might be avoided if a different and a better system were adopted when those diseases existed in a dis- trict. As to the foot-and-mouth disease, he tliought it was propagated sometimes in the most unjustifiable manner by the carelessness of those upon whose farms the dis- eases already existed. There were gentlemen at that table who could bear him out when he said that the disease bad been carried about in the neighbourhood of Bridgnorth — be- tween Wenlock and Bridgnorth — by the practice of allowing pigs to run about, from farms where the disease existed. They krievv that the habit of the pig was to get into every hole, into every filth, and he did not know any animal that would be more likely to spread disease. He thought that when dis- ease existed o» a farm, up animal ought to leave it. Although he admitted that the restrictions which had been enforced upon the farmer were exceedingly inconvenient, and had been at- tended by heavy loss, yet he believed those restrictions were attended by very good results in preventing the spread of their local diseases, and he thought the manner in which diseases were spread about the country had now become so apparent that more stringent rules than existed at present should be en- forced as to the movement of cattle. He thought some simple machinery might be devised for carrying this out. As to the foot-and-mouth disease, although it was a troublesome disease, it was rarely fatal, nevertheless the milk of a diseased animal was most dangerous for a human being to drink. He did not think pleuro could be communicated so easily. He was not sure that it could be communicated except by contact with an animal already diseased. He thought it a subject well worthy of their consideration as to whether some more stringent rules could not be enforced to prevent infection spreading when dis- ease existed in a district. Mr. Evan Davies, sen., would like to correct one part of Mr. Keary's speech. Tliat gentleman had said that foot-aud- inoiith disease and pleuro were in England before the intro- duction of foreign cattle. Wliat he meant, no doubt, was tlie free introduction of foreign cattle. Pleuro, he (Mr. Davies) believed, was introduced into this country by Dutch cattle in 1840. He was fully aware that that was a very delicate ques- tion that they were going to discuss. He recollected the enthusiasm with which the struggle for free-trade was carried on, a quarter of a century ago, and he believed that the man who now attempted to introduce the old question of pro- tection would be met with ridicule. Acknowledging this, but believing at the same time that the result of free- trade had been to enrich others more than ourselves, yet he did say that the farmers of England should at least have fair play. All they asked for was just and equitable laws. Give them those, and they would defy the whole world. They did not intend to appeal to the country to put an end to the introduction of foreign stock. No ; but they did wish to im- press upon the legislature the necessity of taking efficient means for preventing the importation of diseases, and the dis- semination of them over the country by which their flocks and herds were destroyed. Por himself he had no doubt whatever that that was a question as much affecting the interest of the consumer as the producer. His belief was tliat the supply of animal food in this country had been lessened rather than in- creased by the introdnction of foreign cattle. He woiild rea^ IH THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. tlie substance of a report drawn up Ijy Mr, Killjy. Prom this it appeared tliat during the last thirty years cattle had been destroyed by lunt;- disease of the uioney value of £53,597,198, by foot-and-mouth disease £4-3,389,219, and by rinderpest £4.,647,378 ; making a total of £100,033,795. It was en- tirely from foreign diseases that that great loss had been sus- tained. Then, again, the Government statistical returns for 1808 put tlie cattle stock in Great Britain down in money v.ilue at £78,809,203, so that the loss sustained by foreign dis- eases exceeded the value of all the cattle stock in Great 13ritain at any one time by £21,82-i,592, or, as Mr. Kilby had put it, 127 per cent, on the stock held by the British farmer. This was a great loss. Had the country been compensated for it ? He feared not. He believed, and his belief was borne out by facts, that the British consumer was seven per cent, worse oif than if he had never tasted foreign beef at all. The present price of beef was strongly confirmative of this. Taking the five years preceding the free introduction of foreign stock, the price of beef was 5Jd. per lb. Now it is 75d., so that the ellect of tlie introduction of foreign stock has been to mulct the consumer in 2d. per lb. Some might say that the rise in price was caused by an increased consumption, but he did not think that accounted for it. He knew, when the consumer was smarting under high prices, it was a common thing for him to say it was the farmers' fault, but he denied that i/t fo/o. He maintained that the farmers of England had struggled hard, and had struggled successfully, so far as was possible, to keep pace with tlie population. And so long as the consumer was content to be fed by the British farmer, he was well fed and fed cheaply. He enjoyed his beef at 5 jd. per lb., but when he began to grumble and went elsewhere for a supply, he had raised the price of Ills beef by 2d. per lb. He thought, under all those circumstances, that the consumer ought to join the producer to press upon the legislature the necessity of taking such steps as were necessary for the whole of the cattle to be killed at the ports of disembarkation, or at any rate to adopt some stringent measures to prevent the spread of dis- eases that did such damage to the farmer and also the consumer. Mr. H. Burton read the following statement of the regu- lations observed upon the importation of foreign cattle : " The Privy Council watch over the importation of foreign cattle wiih extreme care and attention, and I may say anxiety, and are very exacting in having their directions complied with ; no time or trouble is spared in meeting every emergency as it occurs, such as notice of disease in any particular quarter ; very little (if any) discretion is allowed the Board of Customs. Instructions are received from time to time from the Privy Council as to what prohibitions are to be enforced, which makes it somewhat ditlicult to give you more thau a general idea of the practice or system which BIr. Keary styles an eci/, as it difl'ers under so many dilfcrent circumstances; but every- thing is defined, and nothing allowed, as a matter of course. I must speak more particularly of the Metropolitan area ; the outports are governed by special rules, according to local con- veniences. The importation of cattle is looked upon as merely permissive, being necessary for food, and not for feed- ing or breeding purposes. Upon this principle is established a groundwork, whether at outports or London. All cattle arriving from a non-infected country are examined on land- ing, kept in quarantine for twelve hours, and then examined again. If landed at Thames Haven, they are sent up to the Metropolitan Market by railway, to be slaughtered ; and the same process is allowed only at other specially-defined landing-places. There is a landing-place at Plaistow, where the cattle are slaughtered on the spot, which operation must be performed in all cases, although a clean bill of health is proved, within ten days. No single head of cattle (or more) once entering the Metropolitan area is al- lowed to go out of it alive. Should a cargo of cattle arrive from an infected country all must be slaughtered on landing ; a certain time elapses and disinfection takes place before the premises are again used. Should a cargo arrive from a non-infected country, and one head thereof is diseased, all are slaughtered on the spot. This applies equally to oxen, sheep, swine, goats, &c. No regulations could be carried out more stringently, the idea being that the importation of cattle is necessary to provide food for the country, and in this case it does not matter whether the supplies reach the market dead or alive. The following illustration of the strict measures adopted is worth recording. The, (^uecu recently had a bull sent her from the Uuke of Saxe Coburg. It was for breeding purposes, and of course was only of use alive. The corres- pondence about the beast was most voluminous. It was at last allowed to be sent to Southampton, this being the nearest point by sea where it was required. It remained in quaran- tine twenty-eight days, and Her Majesty had further to give bond for £100, as a guarantee that the stipulations of the Privy Council were comi)lied with. It is impossible for me to guess at the euil (perhaps it is because it keeps down the prices) pointed out in the notice which calls the Ff.rmers' Club together to discuss. The simple truth seems to me that the people of England will have " roast beef," and the country cannot produce a quantity equal to the demand. It is, there- fore, actually necessary to import stock. The question re- mains, how to do it without spreading disease — a contingency which is always to be provided for. As a practical effect of your deliberations, if the resolutions passed are forwarded to the Privy Council Office, I am sure if there is a precaution discovered, or an original idea expressed, a very courteous and considerate reception will be given to the same. In advancing the information which I now supply you with, although I know it can he relied on, so far as regards the practice here, I cannot imagine that a man like Mr. Keary would propose to lead the discussion without he was prepared to prove tliat an evil existed, or that he had found out a grievance, and with his interest and general knowledge I must give him credit for knowing something. Allowing that there may be " a some- thing" which has not come under my notice, still the authori- ties would never adopt the extreme care they do in Loudon, and allow it to be entirely nullified by laxity at the outports, so you may depend upon the same general preventive measures being in force throughout the United Kingdom, and if so what more can be done ? — when it is impossible to stop the impor- tation of what is called " foreign stock," but is in reality the nearest imaginable approach to dead meat! All cattle are examined by veterinary surgeons, and marked with a brand, which is known to the police, who have power to act when the control of the Customs ceases. The following statistics may interest the Eariners' Club. The two first returns have been published ; perhaps they may not have been seen by those they are intended for. The last return is arrived at by taking in detail rather extensive accounts. I have, therefore, only given you the number of oxen, which I think will be of most consequence — to include sheep, lambs, and swine would en- tail a vast amount of time and labour. The remarks I have made, referring as they do to Jjondon — to which port a great many more cattle are sent than the rest of the United Kingdom put together-^must, I think, carry considerable weight: Imported into tlie United Kingdom during Aug., Sept., and Oct. October (alone). Oxen 05,187 25,265 Calves 9,409 2,909 Sheep 108,023 60,433 Lambs 3,020 1,728 Swine 32,853 10,955 Oxen (including cows and calves) imported into the foUow- ports during August. September, and October: Falmouth 1,520 Grimsby ... ... ... ... ... nil Hartlepool 1,055 Harwich ... ... ... ... ... nil Hull 6,001 Newcastle 1,762 Plymouth 2,007 Portsmouth 2,120 Southampton... ... ... ... ... 3,70i Liverpool ... ... ... ... ... 5,251 London ... ... ... ... ... 44.859 Return No. 1 for the United Kingdom 74,596 The above ports 68,285 For ports not stated above .,, 0,311 Return No. 1 for the United Kingdom .. London Ignited Kingdom, except London ... 68,285 74,596 44,859 29,737 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. m Mr. M. G. Benson, the chairman, said that some of his cattle liad taken the foot-and-mouth disease from some cattle on adjoining land, which was in the occupation of a jobber, The man afiirmed that tliere was no diseased stock wlien they arrived, and that he gave precautious to his (Mr. Benson's) cowman to keep his stock away, as tlie stock introduced had come from an infected place. There was no doubt what- ever that his (Mr. Benson's) animals caught it in that way, but the singular part of tiie affair was that Mr. Lever's cattle, on land adjoining, intermixed with the others, and yet that [gentleman had not one attacked. His (Mr. Benson's) cattle mast Imve caught it over a gate, but the others, although intermixed, did not take it at all. He thought it rather remarkable that, during the cattle plague. South Shropshire should have been so free from it, as compared with the North. The most infected parts were those on the other side of the river, and he thought the river, forming as it did a boundary, had a good deal to do with it. Animals were not allowed to cross the bridges from one part to the other, and it was hardly likely that any swam the river. He believed they could have pleuro without any con- tagion whatever. It was nothing more than inflammation of the lungs, and might be caused by ordinary atmospheric in- fluences. He could not go so far as Mr. Davies, who said that the importation of foreign stock had raised the price of beef by 7 per cent. The real question was, could farmers feed more than they did at present ? He should doubt that very much. He thought that every farmer, supposing him, of course, to have the necessary capital, stocked his farm pro- perly, and got as much cattle upon his farm as he could keep, and if he got more than he could keep the stock would only become deteriorated. He thought the letter read by Mr. Burton, evidently from a gentleman who had the means of judging for himself, showed that every means that could be devised were taken by the Government to prevent the intro- duction of disease, and that being so, he did not see what more they could desire in that respect. Mr. Keary, in reply, said that the Club was much indebted to Mr. Burton for the valuable information he had been the means of procuring them in the letter he had read, and he (Mr. Keary) hoped the same stringent means would be adopted to prevent the spread of disease in this country, which it ap- peared were adopted to prevent its introduction from aboad. Jobbers were a very useful body of men The CnAiRiiAN : Rather unscrupulous at times, though. Mr. Keary : They were, perhaps, at times rather un- scrupulous, and were certainly not so careful as they should be, and so were often the cause of much mischief. He thought the present Government were taking all the pre- cautions they could call upon them to do, and he did not think, after hearing Mr. Burton's announcement, that they were in a position to call upon the Government to do anything further as to foreign stock. He thought, however, something was needed at home, in the rural districts especially. He repudiated the idea of employing policemen as inspectors, urging that they should have men more experienced in the detection and identification of disease. He disagreed with Mr. Davies as to the rise in the price of beef being caused by the introduction of foreign stock. How, he would ask, had the population of this country increased of late P And besides that, people were now in a position to eat meat, who years ago could not, in consequence of the lowness of wages, af- ford it. The meeting terminated with the usual vote to the chairman THE SHROPSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. The ordinary monthly meeting of the committee of the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture was held at the rooms of the Chamber in Shrewsbury, Mr. Bowen Jones, vice-president in the chair. The Chairman stated that the first business of the meeting was to decide what steps should be taken in Shropshire, by the formation of a local committee or otherwise, to assist the Local Taxation Committee appointed by the Central Chamber. The committee had been appointed by the Central Chamber two years ago, and of it the Rev. Mr. Pigott, of Newport, and Mr. Jasper More were members. It had been the means of doing much good, but its efforts were curtailed a good deal by the want of funds. The secretary of the committee had written a treatise upon Local Taxation, which in his (Mr. Jones's) opinion was unanswerable, and which was well worth the perusal of everyone interested in the question. That committee had no doubt done mucli good, but they seemed to think that still more might be effected if the different Cham- bers were to appoint local committees to assist them. There was no doubt that the towns needed " educating" on that question. The borough members at present took no interest in it, whereas the county members were being stirred up very generally. If the boroughs were shown that their interests were concerned as well as the counties', they would then get the assistance of the boroughs. He saw one or two county magistrates present, and he should like to know what had been done at the county sessions on Monday. If no steps had been taken he (Iwught they should solicit the court to move in the matter. They might, too, get at the different Boards of Guar- dians a little better than they did at present. They did not enter into that question as they should do ; with the exception of the Wellington Board, no other Board in the county had petitioned Government upon the question. Mr. Stanley Leighton said a petition had been agreed to at the Court, on Monday, and would be presented to Parlia- ment. The Court only spoke as to the county rate, and they held that Government ought to give more support to the county than it did at present, and that the area of rating ought to be extended to woods and metallic mines, which were at present free from the rate. Their object was to create an opinion among the public, and if they did that, it would soon find an expression in Parliament. He agreed with the chair- man,that they must not trust to the county members alone — they must try to bring the borough members to see that they were alike affected by the question. Mr. R. Jasper More said what the central committee wanted chiefly was money. The Chairman said the funds of the local Chamber were in a satisfactory state, but he saw no reason why the large owners of property should not have the opportunity of contributing as well. It had been done in other places. A local committee was formed to co-operate with the central committee. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Howard, M.P., »howing the condition of the French agriculturists in conse- quence of war. The Chairman added that there was no doubt the French agriculturists were suffering to a very great ex- tent, everything being destroyed by the advancing Prussian armies. He had very little doubt that if assistance was not sent over soon the utmost desolation would ensue, and he sug- gested that the public be solicited for subscriptions both in money and in seed corn. Mr. Leighton pointed out that England was neutral in the present war, and our sympathies, therefore, ought to hang equally between the two. He thought they should consider this before proceeding to help either nation alone. The Chairman said he should have been prepared to help Prussia, in precisely the same way, if it had been invaded in- stead of France. The Rev. Mr. Pigott pointed out that agriculture in Ger- many proceeded much as before the war ; at any rate it was not injured to the same extent as in France, and there was no need to aid Prussia. The Chairman stated that in distributing the corn sent care should be taken that it was used as seed, and not as food for the contending armies. It was agreed that the committee receive subscriptions on behalf of a fund to be raised for the purpose named. A petition to Parliament embodying the views of the Chamber in regard to Local Taxation was agreed to. A petition in favour of County Financial Boards was also agreed It), 136 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. TENANT-RIGHT. At a general meeting of the Banbury District Chamber of Agriculture, the Rev. C. W. Holbech in the chair, Mr. Dun reported that he had attended the meeting of tlie Central Chamber on the 7th of December, and the business was principally of a technical character, a good deal of dis- cussion taking place with regard to its constitution, an opinion prevailing that the Chamber ought to be purely a representa- tive chamber, and that the knowledge acquired throughout the country should be focused, as it were, in Salisbury Square. Complaints were made that tlie provincial Chambers were not represented sufficiently at the Central Chamber. Mr. CoTHER said : The last time I addressed you on the subject we are met this day to consider, tliere was only time for very cursorily considering it, but I have now an amount of information which I trust may lead us to just and right con- conclusions, no less to the benefit of the landed-proprietor and occupier, than the labourer, who must be the first to benefit by the universal adoption of the reasonable and just principle of giving security to tenants for the use of oilcake on their farms in such proportion as may be considered beneficial to the incoming tenant. In the first place, the foreign labourer will be benefited by the increased demand for linseed ; the home labourer, in like manner, by the increased demand for the cake by the loading, unloading, breaking, and serving out, shepherding, producing and stocking of corn, thatching, thrasli- ing aud winuowing, and all other labour required in consequence of increased production ; the tenant, by security given where- by much larger crops of roots aud grain may be raised ; and the landlord ultimately by the increased value of his laud, and the consumers of meat benefited by its larger productions, so that much laud not now well farmed " may bud and blos- som as the rose." To induce this principle in detail, I would propose that the cost of cake for the three last consecutiTe years of a tenant's holding (the amount being equal in each year) be divided by sis, the value of the said sixth part to be paid by the landlord or the incoming tenant ; this to be as- certained bv tlie valuers appointed in case of acts of husbandry, the outgoing tenant producing vouchers for confirming the same. In case of the death of a tenant, or his not holding a farm for three years, the allowance to be decided by the valuers as above, or their umpire, I have now to propose the following motion : " This Chamber respectfully recommends all landed-proprietors to adopt tlie principal set forth as above as tlie greatest eucouragement to higli farming generally, and cousequently to the increased value of laud — not overlooking various other improvements, but leaving those to be provided for by special agreement between landlord and tenaut." The Chairman' : Does the question about oilcake form one of the leading principles of Lincolnshire Tenant-Right ? Mr. CoTHER: Tiiere are other covenants, but this is the most important. It is a good principle, and injures nobody. I am indebted to Mr. Torr, who was one of the judges at the Royal show, and who has given me a great deal of information on the subject. Mr. Dun asked Mr. Cother if he knew the agreement about artificial manure ? Mr. Cother read an extract from a lease which had been sent to him by Mr. Torr, from which it appeared that the tenant received the whole he expended on manures if no bene- fit had beeu received ; if he left in a year, half of their cost ; two years, a fourth ; and three, nothing. He had only dealt with the cake, and he had been informed by a most expe- rienced man the cake question was the most important thing in the system. Mr. Simmons said that in dealing with Tenant-Right they must take into consideration that a man must have a large amount of capital on entering a farm, in order to pay for the improvements that have been made for several years. Mr. Greaves said that men without money got farms by offering high rents for them, and if they did not succeed in them, there was always plenty for the landlord on the ground. Mr. Westover said that as long as there were such a number of people applying for farms, that would always be the case. A man told him that farming was surely the best business in the world, there were so many applicants for farms. He (Mr. Westover) told him that he thought it arose from small farms being merged into large ones, from people making their sons farmers, and from commercial gentlemen taking farms for their amusement, and throwing out the yeoman. He was in fnvour of embracing lime as well as cake in the compensation for unexhausted improvements. Mr. Davis did not think Mr. Cother went far enough, and he, too, thought lime should be embraced. Most land re- quired lime, and they would get more benefit from the second cropping with lime than the first. Mr. Dun said they were much obliged to Mr. Cother for bringing forward a subject of so much importance to the agricultural community generally, and the principles he enun- ciated must recommend tliemselves to all who had any experi- ence whatever in regard to land. There was no doubt that land had not hitherto drawn nearly so much capital as could profitably be applied to it. No doubt both landlord and ten- ant required to lay out more in thorough drainage, making roads, and proper fences, &c., and also, perhaps to a still greater extent, tenants had been chary in laying out their money in the deep and thorough cultivation of their holdings. The tenants had uot been to blame in not laying out their money on their farms, aud they could not, in justice to them- selves, lay out a large amount of capital when they had so slight and insecure a tenure of their farms. He was thoroughly satisfied that land, to be farmed highly, and as well as they wished it to be farmed, to yield the greatest amount of capital, to rise rapidly in its permanent value, and to yield the greatest advantage to the owner, must be held upon a somewhat dif- ferent system than it had hitherto beeu in the greater part of England. There should be payment to the enterprising ten- ant for unexhausted improvements — for the capital he had spent in improving the land, and of which he did not get the advantage — and he thought they must adopt the system that prevailed in tbe northern part of the country, where the ten- ant secured a permanent interest in the laud by getting a lease of it for at least fourteen years. He believed that the best resolution they could pass would be obtained by a combination of the two systems — by allowing the tenant to have a lease for a reasonable terra of years, and also by giving him an interest in the outlay of his capital by repaying him for the capital which he left in the soil, and for which he had not been re- couped himself. He did think, with aU due deference to Mr. Cother, that they as men of business, and practical men, should look at the subject in its fullest bearing, and not merely in its relation to the question of linseed cake. lie therefore begged to propose the following as an amendment to Mr. Cotber's motion : " That iu order to encourage the application of capital to agriculture, it is desirable, 1st, That greater security and permanence be given to the occupiers of land ; ~nd. That outgoing tenant be repaid by the landlord or in- coming tenant for the unexhausted improvements made by his capital, and also for a proportion of the cake, corn, and manure recently purchased for and expended on the farm. " He thought that two such systems would draw a much larger amount of capital to the land, and also benefit the labouring population of this country. One of the great questions of tlie day, was, "What were they to do with the increasing pauperism? If the land was held upon a more certain tenure than at pre- sent, that pauperism could be very greatly diminished. There was no doubt whatever, as Mr. Cother had said, that where- ever men were farming up to the mark, wherever they met with thorough good cultivation, and, where a large quantity of stock was kept, there was certain to be a large number of hands employed. At present, owing to the light profits that had of late been derived from agriculture, farmers had been anxious to do with the smallest number of hands they could. By adopting leases with compensation for unexhausted im- provements, they would have smiling Plenty over a vast area of this country, and they would have far more and full em- ployment at all seasons of the year for the industrial poor, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 137 Mr. CoTHER : Mr. Dun is quite beside the question. Mr. Dun (handing Mr. Cother the circular calling the meet- ing). The question is printed, " Lincolnshire Tenant-Right." Mr. Cother. — Lincolnshire Tenant-Right does embrace leases. Mr . Torr says that he would not have a lease. I consider there are many objections to leases, and I don't be- lieve in binding men together for fourteen years. A man might see something better elsewhere, but he could not move, being bound by a lease. I consider that the proposal to allow for cake is one of the utmost importance. The Chairman, looking at it from a landlord's point of view, did not think much of the lease system. He might give a man a lease for fourteen years, and find afterwards that he was a very bad farmer, that there was no prospect of his improving, and he would not be able to get rid of him un- til the expiration of the lease. Mr. Garrett did not think that Mr. Cother went far enough. Mr. Davis seconded Mr. Dan's amendment, and it was carried by six to four, upon which Mr. Cother said that the long and the sliort of it was that they were not willing to take any compensation. A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Cother for his paper. HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND. At a monthly meeting of the directors held on Wednesday in their chambers, George IV. Bridge, Edinburgh, the fol- lowing letters were read : Bonnington, Ratho.Dec. 26, 1870. Dear Sir, — You kindly mentioned you would submit any remarks I had to make on Dr. Anderson's report to the direc- tors. Allow me to do so now. 1st. from the euclosedletter from a mercantile firm in Germany, who undertook to make inquiry for me, it appears the Doctor's information is not quite cor- rect when he says all scientific work has been put a stop to by the war. The various institutions are in working order in Saxony and Bavaria. 2nd. The statement made by the Doc- tor that there are twenty diiTereut establishments in Germany, supported chiefly by private funds, for the purpose of deter- mining fundamental laws of agriculture and applying tliese to practice, is fitted to surprise agriculturists in this country, where no such institution exists. After Boussingault's private establishment at Beohebrunn, in Alsace, the Agricultural Clieraistry Association of Scotland was the first, I believe, to be formed of the class. That institution was started by a practical farmer, the late Mr. Finnic, Swanston, aided by Mr. Oliver, Lochend ; Mr. MUne Home and Mr. Coventry assist- ing. Its objects " were to improve agriculture by the appli- cation of chemistry, vegetable physiology, and geology, enlarge present knowledge by experiments in the field and laboratory ;" " to diffuse such knowledge," and to analyse manures and feeding stuffs, soils, &c. ; apparently such work as is being done by these German institutions. When the five years ex- pired for which the association was formed, it was taken over W the Highland and Agricultural Society, " for the purpose of encouraging and directing the application of science to agri- culture." The effects which followed the formation of the association was a rapid increase in the demand for artificial manures, the making of which — the liappy thought of Liebig of dissolving bones with sulphuric acid — rendered possible a correct system. Much was done to check quackery anu knavery in the manure and feeding- stuff trade. It is generally allowed tliat the opera- tion of the chemical department of the society has not done much " to enlarge our knowledge of scientific agricul- ture." Dr. Anderson says little has come of all his attempts at the utilisation of refuse matters, and he holds up no great prospects of being able to achieve much more. He, however, gives the farmer the assurance that " the manufacturer will bring under his notice every sort of refuse which can be useful to him." The Doctor thus appears to admit that the manu- facturer is a much greater benefactor to the farmer than the chemist, and can succeed when the chemist fails. If such, then, has been the result of the working of the chemical de- partment, some one may be apt to ask the question. What is the use of that department, as chemical analyses can be had as correctly and on the same terras elsewhere ? Besides, the fact that the laboratory is in Glasgow, and the whole east of Scot- land deprived of ready access to it, has caused other means of obtainiug scientific information to be resorted to, as in the West Lothian Chemistry Association and others. The ex- pression of opinion in the report that matters are in a satis- factory position seems to me and others to strengthen the call for further information ; and we daily see that the Doctor is not correct when he says all waste substances ate utilised, and that the manufacturer will take care of them. Tor instance, from where I write I can overlook a district of Qountry some eight miles by six, where much paraffin is made, the ammonia water from which wasahowedtogo to waste. Many experiments were tried by Mr. M'Lagan of Pumpherstone, M.P., and other agriculturists to apply it to agriculture ; and some progress has been made in converting it into sulphate of ammonia, if not directly into a manure ; and from one large work about £20,000 sterling is sold annually. Nearly as much is made in other works. Yet it is calculated that ammonia and other matters which would return £30,000 if utilised are allowed to pollute the streams. I am not aware that Dr. Anderson has ever turned his attention to the utilising of this great waste. Within a few miles of this, there are several mills which manufacture oatmeal largely for the Glasgow market. The oaten shellings until lately were burnt as unfit for manure or food. These hard dried husks are now carefully collected, and sent to the railway stations, a few shillings a ton being got for them ; whereas at their destination it appears that they are made to assume the form of organic matter in various compo- sitions, which sell at high prices to the farmer, and chemists, from want of sufficient skill, are unable to trace them. The boon the manufactuier supplies in this case is not quite ap- parent. I shall not give other instances from a distance. But the fact is undeniable that were greater scientific skill to exist or be available, not only would agriculturists benefit, but they would be able in their management and appHcation of manures and feeding.stuffs to save money. A thorough reorganisation of the chemical department of the society is urgently required ; and my only plea for troubling your directors is a feeling that while, as practical farmers, we have few who excel us, we are not keeping up in science as applied to agriculture. — I am, &c., (Signed) James Melvin. r. N. Menzies, Esq. Lauf, by Nurnberg, 5th Dec, 1870. Dear Sir, — ^We are now in the position to reply fully to your note of information, having gatliered the necessary particulars from authentic sources. Answer 1. The various Agricultural Chemistry Associations in Bavaria and Saxony are all in working order. Auswer 2. The schools and laboratories are : in Bavaria the Agricultural Central School at Weiheursephan. Director — Carl Gustav Wenz. Laboratories : in Saxony — faj Laudwirshechafliche Verouchr Station, at Pomraeritz, near Buntzen ; fb) Landwirshochaftliclie Veronkr Station, at Moeckern, near Leipzig ; fcj Agricultural Academy at Tha- randz (of very high standinj?, and near Dresden, the first in importance in Germany). Directors — Mr. Schober, professor ; and Professor Stockhardt. Professor Stockhardt is considered a high authority in agricultural matters. Answer 3. Guano manufacturers — In Bavaria : Fabrik Henfeld, between Augs- burg and Munich ; in Saxony : Pommeer and Co., at Plag- witz, near Leipzig ; Albert and Hortel, at Dresden ; GaU and Co., at Freiborg. The manures are not manufactured accord- ing to the directions of Government chemists ; but the manu- factory at Henfeld gets their produce tested by chemists of high standing, and Professor Liebig, of Munich, has a share in it. Answer 4. Application to inspect the above-named establishments should be made — In Saxony : Dr. Reining, General Secretair and Geheinic Rath, at Dresden ; in Bavaria : Director Wenz, at Weshenstephan. Answer 5. The best time for a deputation would be in summer. We may mention for your guidance that Saxony will he the most important part of Germany for you to visit, for it is the best cultivated, and much progress has l)eea made, There is also an Agricultural 138 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Scliool and Laboratory at Ilolieuheira, in Wurteniberg. We sliall be happy to get auy further iuformation you may desire ; and trusting that the foregoiag will be what you wanted, We are, &c., kc, (Signed) J. F. Baktii and Weighmann. James Melviu, Es., Bonnington, Ratho. Ill consequence of approved reports having beon received various subjects on the list for 1870 were discontinued. The following new premiums for reports were added : On the agriculture of Orkney ; on the insects which prey upon agricultural plants and the diseases occasioned by tliem, with reference to iiager-aud-toe in turnips, tulip root in oals, smut in corn crops, failure of the wlieat plant in spring, &c. ; on the waste chemical products and new combination of substances which might be made available for agricultural purposes ; on experiments with potatoes grown with potash manure ; on the symptoms, causes, preventive and remedial treatment of abor- tion and premature birth in mures, cows, and ewes; ou the natural history of the sheep tick ; ou the effects of dry season (1870) on trees and shrubs ; on the ircUingtonia (fujantca ; on the stem and branch pruning of conifers ; on the more extended cultivation in Scotland of charcoal-producing plants for gun- powder or commercial purposes ; ou the woods, forests, and forestry in the county of Perth ; on the planting of peat bog. Mr. i\ N. Mexzies reported having attended a meeting at Kelso on the IGth of December, regarding the show in 1873, when the classes of stock as named by the directors had been approved of, subject to the following additions: That in the fat stock class there should be two sections for Shorthorn oxen calved after 1st January, 18G9, and after 1st January, 1870, and that the polled oxen should be included in the sections of any other pure or cross breed. That there should be two classes of Leicester sheep — viz., English and Border — and that the same number of prizes should be given in tlie one class as iu the other. That the extra sheep sections (wliich the directors had re- mitted for the meeting to name) should be for Cheviot wethers not above three-shear, blackfaced wethers not above three- shear, half-bred hoggs not above one-shear, and greyfaced lioggs not above one-shear. That ewes in the Cheviot and blackfaced breeds should be shown witliout lambs, for three reasons : Many of the lambs did not belong to the mothers .shown, but were nursed by the bottle ; the feeding they got was detrimental to breeding pur- poses, and showing on other occasions ; because the practice was followed out in no other class of ewe stock. That there should be more encouragement given to imple- ment makers, and that there should be a thorough trial of implements previous to the show. The board approved of the various suggestions with the ex- ception of the last, which they considered was sufficiently met by Nos. 50 and 51 of the general regulations, namely — 50. Tht Inspecting Committee will award such silver medals as they may deem proper for general collections, new inven- tions, or radical improvements, where a trial is not practicable. 51. When an implement or machine is supposed to embrace a new invention, or radical improvement, the nature of such must be specified iu the entry, to enable the directors to order an inspection with a view to a trial. Such trial, when recom- mended by the Inspecting Committee, will be instituted in a convenient locality, and at a season of the year suitable for the operation of the implement or machine, which, when thoroughly tested, will be entitled to such a premium as the directors may see fit to award, on the report of the judges employed by them. THE HOP PICKER. The annual meeting of the Society for the Employment and Improved Lodging of the Hop-picker, was held at Maid- stone, tlie president. Earl Ilomuey, in the chair. The Rev. J. Y. Stratton, the Secretary, read the fourth annual report, as follows : In presenting their report, the committee of management of the Society have to s'ate that the accounts for 1809 were audited and found correct. On the order of the committee, they were printed and circulated among the members. A balance in favour of the Society of £1 lid. was carried to account for the present year. Tliis is a smaller sum thau that which was in hand at tlie commencement of 1869. The cost of the last report, including in its appendix the report of the Royal Commission on the employment of children, young persons, and women in agriculture, relating to the immigrant hop-pickers of Kent, caused an unusual addition to the expenses of the Society, and will account for the reduction iu the balance. The accounts for the present year will, it is calculated, show that as in previous years, the funds of the Society are equal to the demands likely to be made upon them. Tiie present number of members is 05, being two less than at the date of the last report. Among those members who have been removed by the hand of death, your committee have to record the loss of Jlr. Charles Wykeham-Martin, M.P., who aided in the formation of tlie Society, and, as a vice-president, took an interest in its progress. The Society will also regret that the distinguished name of Charles Dickens will no more appear on the list of members. The loss of Mr. Alexander Randall, of Maidstone, who joined the Society on its formation, is also to be noticed witli regret. The report of the Royal Cojnmission above-mentioned on the state of the lodgings and management of the hop-pickers of Kent, has been extensively circulated by the Society. It has not, however, met with the attention to which it is ou every account entitled. Your committee express their belief that the friends of tlie reform in which the Society is engaged would find in tlie evils therein recorded, as well as the suggestions for their remedy, matter, by tlie proper use of which employers who have hitherto been negligent about the lodging and accommodation of their iiop-pickers may, without the intervention of the law, be led to make good provision for them. Your committee appeal to the influence on public opinion exercised by the press, to aid iu the efibrt to induce owners and occupiers of hop lands to make alterations in the lodgings by which the morality and decency of their inmates may at least be encouraged. That great im- provements in this respect have already been made is matter for congratulation, but much remains to be done. The paper of " Recommendations relating to the Lodgings," drawn up by a committee of the Society iu 18G7, may be referred to with advantage by persons who are about to build or improve the " hopper-house." The evil of overcrowding should not, how- ever, be lost sight of by those whose lodgings are good. [Great complaints were made by the occupants of a hopper- house in Wateringbury on this point. They were crowded 25 in each room without reference to age or sex.] While the influence brought to bear by the Society on improvements in the lodgings has been most salutary, your committee has devoted continued attention to the agencies by which hop- pickers may be engaged. The difficulty pointed out in the commencement of the Society's labours in obtaining the hearty and general co-operation of the hop planters in the use of the agencies still remains ; though partly from improvements in the management, and partly from the desire of some of tlie growers to support an effort which aims at establishing system and due control in lieu of disorder, the indifference to the Society's agencies is less than it was. The number of hop- pickers supplied this year compares favourably with that of any former year, being 580, or 170 more than last year. The increase, though the whole number is comparatively small, is progressive. No complaint whatever has been made of tlie conduct and efficiency of the Society's hop-pickers. Your committee invite the attention of hop planters to the state- ment that engagements made by means of the Society are not allowed to displace orderly and efficient hop-pickers, who in former years have found employment through the objection- able agency of the binmen. On the contrary, they are always retained for the same employer, while persons of unsatisfactory conduct are dismissed by the agent in charge. The Society endeavours to introduce into common use a system which shall secure to the grower, at a small cost (3d. per hop-picker), and THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 139 at uo cost to the work ^)eople, efficient liop-pickeis in auy number required, with due regard to their comfort and decent provision. By means of the Society's system, the trouble of the hop-grower in securing pickers is greatly diminished ; tlie hardships iallicted on persons who leave their homes in search of work before any is to be had are removed, inasmuch as tliey remain at home till the agent informs them of the time when and the place where to go, and also sees them off by train in all cases where they can afforJ to pay the fare. A powerful check upon vagrancy (by which the unions and charitable people will be gainers), will be secured as soon as the agency becomes tlie common mode of engaging hop- pickers. The co-operation of ihe hop-growers is earnestly sought on belialf of a system which will sooner or later benefit hop-growers, hop-pickers, and the resident population of Kent. The agents of the Society have again rendered good service at the railway stations. At Wateringbury, where the bulk of the Society's hop-pickers come and go, the assistance of the agect was especially valuable, llailway tickets were purcliased by him, and sold at the pay-table of the employers when the liop-pickers came to receive tlieir money, by which means much inconvenience at the station was avoided. Tlie cheap trains for hop-pickers on the South-Eastern llailway from London, commenced running many days before the hops were ready. In consequence, numbers of persons in Lonaon, who look on the Company's announcements of hop-pickers trains as the signal to leave their homes, started on foot and begged their way into the district ; these, as well as the earlier travellers by rail, " remained in a half-starving and vagrant condition, sleep- ing by nights in the casual wards, and in the day roaming about in search of food and employment." With this exception the South-Eastern llailway Company have been fortunate in their arrangements for the people, and uo cause of complaint has been given from the want of a suiHcient number ot trains to convey them home with due expedition. The following return has been kindly forwarded to your Committee by the South-Eastern Railway Company : Hop-pickers from London Returned by by Special Trains. ditto. 1865 ... 11,090 13,000 1866 ... 11,000 13,000 1867 ... 8,777 10,6